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Tolerance

Acceptance of Christians, Jews, and others who believed in a single god and did good works.

Jizya

A tax that non-believers had to pay under Islamic rule.

Shariah

Islamic religious law that provided a common legal framework across empires.

Slavery in Islam

Allowed slavery but exempted Muslims, with Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians also not enslaved.

Slave conversion

Many slaves chose to convert to Islam to gain their freedom.

Slave women's rights

Slave women often had more freedoms than legal wives in Islamic societies.

Spread of Islam in Africa

Islam spread peacefully through merchants, traders, scholars, and missionaries in West Africa.

African rulers and Islam

Many African rulers either tolerated or converted to Islam for trade benefits.

Swahili culture

Unique Swahili language and culture developed through intermarriage along the East African coast.

Military campaigns

Some military campaigns and violent resistance occurred, especially in Christian East Africa.

Traditional practices

Islam often coexisted with traditional practices and rituals in rural communities.

Government structure

Islam brought government structure and wealth, appealing to rulers for trade benefits.

Role of ulama

Muslim clerics (ulama) provided practical support to African communities, enhancing Islam's appeal.

Women's status

Muslim law in Africa reduced the status of women compared to their previous equality.

Turkish conquests

Turkish warrior groups invaded South Asia around 1000 CE, leading to violent encounters.

Sultanate of Delhi

Established stability in India after the initial violent encounters with Islam.

Spread through trade

Islam spread through trade on the Silk Roads and Indian Ocean routes, with Muslim merchants favoring each other.

Lower castes and Islam

Islam appealed to lower castes in India due to its more egalitarian nature.

Fragmentation of the Arab Empire

The Abbasid Caliphate's fragmentation led to the emergence of new Islamic political entities.

Egyptian Mamluks

Enslaved Turks who controlled Egypt from 1250 to 1517 and facilitated trade.

Seljuk Turks

Muslim Turks who conquered the Middle East and were less tolerant of other religions than the Abbasids.

Delhi Sultanate dynasties

Five dynasties ruled India from 1206 to 1526, facing challenges in converting the Indian population.

Military focus

Early Islamic expansion was not primarily religious but became more culturally focused after the Abbasid decline.

Prestige of merchants

Merchants held high status in society, exemplified by Muhammad's background as a merchant.

Role of ulama

Educated scholars who served various roles in Islamic communities, including judges and teachers.

Sufis and conversions

Sufis played a key role in converting people in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia by integrating Islam with local traditions.

Intellectual innovations

Muslim states encouraged significant intellectual advancements and the transfer of knowledge.

Great universities

Centers for sharing and developing intellectual innovations in the Islamic world.

Translation of classics

Islamic scholars translated and preserved Greek literary works.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi

Notable for building an advanced observatory and creating accurate astronomical charts.

Ibn Sina

Known as the father of modern medicine, he made significant medical advancements.

Ibn Khaldun

Founder of historiography and sociology, contributing to the understanding of historical methods.

‘A’ishah al-Ba’uniyyah

A famous female Sufi writer whose poetry highlighted contrasts between Muslims and Sufis.