Dar al-Islam Notes

Dar al-Islam translates to "the house of Islam," referring to regions where Islam is the majority religion.
During this period, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam significantly interacted, influencing societies through their core beliefs.

Judaism: A monotheistic ethnic religion originating in the Middle East, foundational to Christianity and Islam.
Christianity: Founded by Jesus Christ, who claimed to be the Messiah. Spread by his followers after his crucifixion. It became influential after adoption by the Roman Empire.
Islam: Founded by Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century on the Arabian Peninsula. Muhammad is considered the final prophet in the lineage of God's messengers.
- Salvation is achieved through righteous actions.
- After Muhammad's death, Islam spread across the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and South Asia.
- Islamic states became prosperous due to trade.

Founded in the 8th century, ethnically Arab, and known for the Golden Age of Islam.
Significant advancements occurred in science, mathematics, literature, and technology.
By the start of the course period, the Abbasid Empire was fragmenting.

New Islamic empires, largely composed of Turkic peoples, began to rise.
Seljuk Empire: Established in the 11th century in Central Asia.
- Seljuks were initially a military force for the Abbasids but later gained political power.
Mamluk Sultanate: Arose in Egypt.
- Turkic Mamluks, originally enslaved warriors under the Ayyubid Sultanate, seized power.
Delhi Sultanate: Established by invading Turks in South Asia, ruling over the Indian population for about 300 years.

Islam continued to spread through:
- Military expansion (e.g., Delhi Sultanate).
- Merchant activity/trade (e.g., North Africa, Mali).
- Missionary efforts, particularly by the Sufis.

A new form of Islam emphasizing mystical experience available to all, regardless of class or gender, which became a significant force for the spread of Islam.

Innovations in mathematics, such as trigonometry which was created by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi ( $\neq$ Nasir al Din al Tusi).
- He aimed to understand planetary movements and influenced the heliocentric theory.
The House of Wisdom in Baghdad preserved Greek works by Plato and Aristotle, translating them into Arabic.
- These translations were transferred to Europe, becoming foundational for the Renaissance.