Decline of Islamic Empire
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Decline of the Caliphate
Starting about 850, Abbasid control over the Arab empire fragmented. In Spain, Egypt and elsewhere,
independent dynasties ruled separate Muslim states. As the caliph’s power faded, civil wars erupted, and
Shiite rulers took over parts of the empire. Between 900 and 1400, a series of invasions added to the chaos.
The Crusades
Use the space below to write a description of the Crusades based on what you have already learned in class.
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Dome of the Rock
Why is the city of Jerusalem also important to Muslims? Dome of the Rock is a shrine in
Jerusalem that ranks among the holiest sites in the religion of Islam. The Dome of the
Rock—like the Kaaba in Mecca—is a shrine built over a sacred stone. The stone is
believed to be the site of Mohammed’s journey to heaven, as described in the Koran. The
Dome of the Rock is one of the oldest surviving Islamic monuments.
The Dome of the Rock was built between 688 and 691 by the Umayyad caliphate. The Dome of the Rock is part
of an area that Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary. Jews call the area the Temple Mount. The area is sacred to
Muslims, Jews, and Christians. The site also includes the Al Aqsa Mosque, another holy site for Muslims.
• Why is the stone under the Dome Of The Rock important to Muslims?
During the Crusades the Dome of the Rock was controlled by the Christians, who turned it into a church while
the Al Aqsa Mosque became a royal stable. However, the crusaders failed to accomplish their goals. They
recaptured the Holy Land for a time but could not establish lasting control over the area. Jerusalem was
recaptured by Saladin in 1187, and the Mosque was again a Muslim sanctuary. The cross on top of the Dome of
the Rock was replaced by a golden crescent, and a wooden screen was placed around the rock below.
• What is the significance of replacing the cross on top of the Dome of the Rock with a golden crescent?
Although the Crusades were not successful, they left a lasting impact on Europe as well as the Islamic Empire.
Prior to the Crusades the Muslim world had been tolerant of religious diversity embracing Christians and Jews
as “people of the book.” Afterward Muslims became more conservative and less tolerant of people of other
faiths. When any western power interferes with Muslim affairs it is seen by the Muslim world as another
Christian Crusade. The legacy of the Crusades continues to dominate the relations between Islam and
Christianity today.
• Why do think that Muslim had considered Christians and Jews to be “people of the book?” Consider what
important book this phrase might refer to as well as the commonalities of the three religions.
• Why do you think that Muslim’s became less tolerant of other religious faiths following the crusades?
Mongolian Invasion
Following the Crusades, the people the Islamic Empire faced another invasion. But this
time they would not fare as well as they had against the crusaders. In 1216, Genghis Khan
led the Mongols out of Central Asia across Persia and Mesopotamia. In 1258, Hulagu
Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, set out to conquer Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid
caliphate.
The Mongols attacked the city of Baghdad with vicious force. After the caliph
surrendered, the Mongols swept into the city and began a week of massacre, looting, and
destruction. The Grand Library of Baghdad, containing countless precious historical
documents and books on subjects ranging from medicine to astronomy, was destroyed.
Survivors said that the waters of the Tigris ran black with ink from the enormous quantity
of books flung into the river. Citizens attempted to flee but were stopped by Mongol soldiers who killed with
abandon. Mosques, palaces, libraries, hospitals — grand buildings that had been the work of generations were
burned to the ground. The caliph was captured and forced to watch as his citizens were murdered and his
treasury plundered.
According to both Mongol and Muslim accounts, the Mongols killed the caliph by rolling him up in a rug and
riding their horses over him, as they believed that the earth was offended if touched by royal blood. All but
one of his sons were killed. Baghdad was a depopulated, ruined city for several centuries.
• Why would the loss of books be so devastating to the people of the Islamic empire?
Effects of the Invasions
As the 1200’s drew to a close, the Arab empire had fragmented and fallen. Independent Muslim caliphates and
states were scattered across North Africa and Spain, while a Mongol khan ruled the Muslim Middle East.
Even though the empire crumbled, the Islamic faith continued to link diverse people across an enormous area.
In the future, other great Muslim empires would arise in the Middle East.