Final answer:
The expansion of Muslim empires is attributed to trade, conquest, strategic policies of religious tolerance, and strong governance. Leadership ambitions and administrative innovations further facilitated expansion despite external threats like the Crusaders and Mongols. By the fourteenth century, the diverse Muslim community had grown significantly in both territory and culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Expansion of Muslim Empires
The expansion of Muslim empires can be understood through various causes and effects that propelled their growth over centuries. Trade and conquest were two significant drivers of expansion, allowing the ummah to extend into regions like West Africa and India. The Ottoman Empire and the Safavids further expanded Islamic influence into southeastern Europe and Iran, respectively. Personal motivations of leaders, such as Mehmed II's desire to showcase his ability, also played a crucial role in the empire's continuous expansion.
Initially, the unifying principles of Islam spread across the Arabian Peninsula, and as the Islamic state grew, it applied policies allowing religious freedom in exchange for taxes. This approach facilitated peaceful agreements that expanded the caliphates gracefully. However, external threats like the Crusaders and Mongols challenged these expansions, but the resilience and strategic military responses of Muslim empires ensured their survival and further growth. Administrative innovations during Caliph Umar's time, such as the diwan system, were foundational for governance and infrastructure expansion.
By the end of the fourteenth century, the diversity of languages and cultures within the Muslim community showcased the extent of its territorial and ideological influence. From Arabia to Persia, and into sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, the expansion was both territorial and cultural, with Islam's core beliefs and practices fostering unity and empowering further growth.