Dar al-Islam and Interactions of Major Religions (1200 CE)
Overview
- Dar al-Islam translates to "House of Islam," where Islam was the majority religion around 1200 CE.
- Interaction of three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam.
Major Religions
Judaism
- Ethnic religion of the Jews, originated in the Middle East.
- Monotheistic: worship one God.
- Foundation for Christianity and Islam.
Christianity
- Established by Jewish prophet Jesus Christ.
- Jesus claimed to be the Messiah; message spread after his crucifixion.
- Christianity became influential after Roman Empire adoption.
- Organized states in Europe and Africa influenced by Christian hierarchy.
Islam
- Founded by Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century on the Arabian Peninsula.
- Considered the final prophet in the line of God's messengers.
- Taught salvation through righteous actions (almsgiving, prayer, fasting).
- After Muhammad's death, Islam spread rapidly (Middle East, Africa, Europe, South Asia).
Dar al-Islam: Influence and Expansion
Economic and Cultural Impact
- Facilitated trade connections across Afro-Eurasia due to Muhammad's background as a merchant.
- Islamic states became more prosperous than Christian states pre-1200.
Rise of Empires
- Abbasid Caliphate (founded in the 8th century) known for the Golden Age of Islam: advancements in science, math, literature, and technology.
- By 1200, the Abbasid Empire began fragmenting; new Islamic empires rose, mostly Turkic rather than Arab.
New Islamic Empires
Seljuk Empire
- Established in the 11th century in Central Asia by pastoral Turkic people.
- Initially served as military force for Abbasids; claimed political power by 1200.
Mamluk Sultanate
- Rose in Egypt after the Ayyubid Sultanate, using enslaved Turkic warriors (Mamluks).
- Mamluks seized power and established a Turkic Muslim state.
Delhi Sultanate
- Established in South Asia by invading Turks, ruling over Indian populations for 300 years.
Spread of Islam
Methods of Expansion
- Military Expansion: e.g., Delhi Sultanate.
- Merchant Activity: Stimulated trade across regions, e.g., Mali Empire's conversion to Islam.
- Missionary Efforts: Sufi branch emphasized mystical experiences accessible to all.
Intellectual Contributions
Mathematics and Science
- Nasir al-Din al-Tusi developed trigonometry to understand celestial movements; influenced heliocentric theory development.
House of Wisdom
- Established in Baghdad during Abbasid Caliphate.
- Major library and study center for religion and natural sciences.
- Preserved and translated Greek philosophical works into Arabic, influencing European Renaissance.
For additional insights, refer to video notes for detailed examination.