Developments in Dar-Al-Islam

aka House of Islam!

Three Major Religions

• Judaism (originated in the Middle East)

  • Monotheistic religion practiced by the Jews

  • Influenced the development of Christianity and Islam

• Christianity

  • Established by Jesus Christ, a Jewish Prophet

  • Followers spread the message of salvation by grace

  • Early Christians initially persecuted minority, later adopted by the Roman Empire (most significant influence of Christianity)

  • Influenced the organization of states in Europe and Africa

• Islam

  • Founded by the Prophet Muhammad (7th century, Arabian Peninsula).

  • Taught salvation through righteous actions (almsgiving, prayer, and fasting).

  • Spread rapidly throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

  • Facilitated trade and led to the rise of prosperous Islamic states.

Rise of New Islamic Empires

• Abbasid Caliphate (8th century): ethnically Arab + in power during Golden Age of Islam (innovations/advancements) → declined → new Islamic empires rose (made up of TURKIC people).

  • Seljuk Empire: Central Asia, pastoral people brought in by the Abbasids as a military force to expand their empire by force → Seljuk warriors claimed more political power.

  • Mamluk Sultanate: Turkic Warriors (Mamluks) seized power in Egypt under the leadership of Saladin (needed more labor) → gave rise to another Turkic Muslim state.

  • Delhi Sultanate: Turkic Muslims established a state in South Asia.

    • NOTE: Continuity in Muslim empire: 1) military in charge of administration, 2) Implemented Sharia Law (code of laws established in the Quran).

Expansion of Islam

• Military Expansion: Delhi Sultanate.

• Merchant Activity (trade): Ex - North Africa ruled by Muslims who stimulated trade throughout Africa → Mali converted to Islam.

• Muslim Missionaries (Sufis): Sufism - emphasized mystical experience, and was available to anyone (significant force for the spread of Islam worldwide).

Intellectual Innovations and Transfers

• Mathematics (Nasser): Invented Trigonometry to better understand how planets/stars move through the sky.

• House of Wisdom: Established in Baghdad during the Golden Age of Islam (library to study religion, scholars responsible for preserving philosophy by Plato and Aristotle).

  • Translated them into Arabic and made extensive commentaries, works would’ve been lost forever → translations went to Europe, became the basis for the Renaissance.