Lecture Notes: Dar al-Islam and Interacting Religions (1200 CE)

Introduction

• Dar al-Islam: "The House of Islam." Refers to areas where Islam was the majority religion around 1200 CE.
• Key interacting religions during this period: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Major Religions and Core Beliefs

Judaism

• Originated in the Middle East.
• Monotheistic: Worship of one God.
• Foundation from which Christianity and Islam developed.

Christianity

• Founded by the Jewish prophet Jesus Christ.
• Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, spreading salvation by grace.
• Became the official religion of the Roman Empire, leading to significant influence on society.

Islam

• Founded by Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century on the Arabian Peninsula.
• Muhammad is considered the final prophet.
• Core beliefs include righteous actions like alms giving, prayer, and fasting.
• Rapid expansion post-Muhammad's death: Middle East, Africa, Europe, South Asia.

Dar al-Islam

• Facilitated trade throughout Afro-Eurasia.
• Prosperous compared to Christian states due to Islamic teachings supporting trade.
• Rise of large empires such as the Abbasid Caliphate.

Abbasid Caliphate

• Founded in the 8th century, replacing the Umayyad Caliphate.
• Known for the Golden Age of Islam with advancements in science, literature, and technology.
• Fragmented by 1200, losing influence.

Rise of Islamic Empires

• New Islamic empires emerged from the remnants of the Abbasid Caliphate.
• Predominantly made up of Turkic peoples, indicating a shift from Arab dominance.

Key Turkic Muslim Empires

1. Seljuk Empire

   • Established in the 11th century in Central Asia.
   • Gained power from the Abbasids through military strength.

2. Mamluk Sultanate

   • Emerged in Egypt as Turkic warriors took control.
   • Originally enslaved military force by Saladin's Ayyubid Sultanate.

3. Delhi Sultanate

   • Established in North India by invading Turks.
   • Ruled over the Indian population for approximately 300 years.

Spread of Islam

• Military Expansion: Conquests like the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Trade: Muslim rule stimulated trade across regions, leading to Islam's spread.
• Missionary Activity: Sufi missionaries emphasized mystical experiences accessible to all.

Intellectual Achievements

• Nasir al-Din al-Tusi: Developed trigonometry.
• House of Wisdom in Baghdad: Center for scholarly activity during the Abbasid Golden Age.
  • Preservation and translation of Greek philosophical texts.

Conclusion

• Evolution from Arab-dominated Islamic empires to Turkic-led ones, impacting the spread and influence of Islam.
• Continued expansion and thriving intellectual activities within Dar al-Islam.

• Additional resources and video guides available for further study.