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The Historical Influence of Dar al-Islam

Aug 11, 2024

Dar al-Islam: House of Islam

Overview

  • Dar al-Islam translates to "House of Islam," referring to regions where Islam was the majority religion around 1200.
  • Interaction with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam during this period.
  • Importance of core beliefs of these religions and their societal impacts.

Judaism

  • Ethnic religion of the Jews originating in the Middle East.
  • Monotheistic: worship of one God.
  • Foundation for Christianity and Islam.

Christianity

  • Established by Jesus Christ, a Jewish prophet.
  • Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and was crucified by Roman authorities.
  • Message of salvation by grace spread by followers.
  • Adopted by the Roman Empire, becoming influential in Europe and Africa.
  • Hierarchical structure: Popes, Bishops, Cardinals.

Islam

  • Founded by Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century on the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Muhammad: final prophet in a line of God's messengers, including figures from Jewish and Christian scriptures.
  • Core practices: almsgiving, prayer, fasting.
  • Rapid spread after Muhammad's death in 632: Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, South Asia.

Impact on Societies

  • Facilitated trade across Afro-Eurasia.
  • Prosperous Islamic states compared to Christian states before 1200.
  • Rise of large empires: Abbasid Caliphate (8th century).

Abbasid Caliphate

  • Ethnically Arab.
  • Golden Age of Islam: advancements in science, mathematics, literature, and technology.
  • Began fragmenting by 1200, losing ascendancy.
  • Replaced Umayyad Caliphate.
  • Decline led to rise of new Islamic Empires.

Rise of Turkic Empires

  1. Seljuk Empire
    • Established in the 11th century in Central Asia.
    • Originally a professional military force for the Abbasids.
    • Gained political power over time.
  2. Mamluk Sultanate
    • Established in Egypt after the fall of the Ayyubid Sultanate.
    • Formed by enslaved Turkic warriors (Mamluks).
    • Seized power due to incompetent Ayyubid successors.
  3. Delhi Sultanate
    • Established in South Asia by invading Turks.
    • Ruled over Indian population for 300 years.

Characteristics of New Empires

  • Military-led administration.
  • Implementation of Sharia law (Islamic law).

Spread of Islam

  • Military expansion (e.g., Delhi Sultanate).
  • Merchant activity and trade (e.g., North Africa, Mali Empire).
  • Efforts of Muslim missionaries, notably Sufis.
    • Sufism emphasized mystical experiences accessible to all.
    • Significant for the spread of Islam despite criticism from scholars.

Intellectual and Cultural Developments

  • Innovations in mathematics by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (e.g., trigonometry).
  • Development of heliocentric theory (inspired by al-Tusi).
  • Establishment of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad during Abbasid Golden Age.
    • Scholars studied religion and natural sciences.
    • Preservation and translation of Greek philosophical works.
    • Influenced the European Renaissance.

Conclusion

  • Continuation of Islamic influence and intellectual contributions despite political changes.
  • Emergence of Turkic Muslim states from former Arab empires.

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