Developments in DAR-AL-ISLAM [AP World Review—Unit 1 Topic 2]

Understanding Dar al-Islam: The House of Islam

Overview of Major Religions

• The discussion focuses on three major religions that interacted during the period: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Understanding their core beliefs is essential to grasping their societal impacts.

Judaism: The Foundation of Monotheism

• Judaism is identified as the ethnic religion of the Jews, originating in the Middle East. Its key characteristic is monotheism—worshiping one God—which laid the groundwork for Christianity and Islam.

Christianity's Emergence

• Christianity was established by Jesus Christ, a Jewish prophet who claimed to be the awaited Messiah. After his crucifixion, his followers spread his message of salvation through grace.

Influence of Christianity on Society

• Initially a persecuted minority, Christians gained significant influence when the Roman Empire adopted Christianity. This led to a hierarchical structure involving popes, bishops, and cardinals shaping European and African states.

Rise of Islam

• Founded by Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century on the Arabian Peninsula, Islam claims continuity with Jewish and Christian scriptures. Muhammad taught that salvation comes from righteous actions like almsgiving and prayer.

The Expansion of Dar al-Islam

Trading Connections in Islamic Societies

• Before becoming a prophet, Muhammad was a merchant; thus trade became integral to Islamic society. This focus contributed to greater prosperity in Islamic states compared to Christian ones prior to 1200.

Abbasid Caliphate: A Historical Context

• The Abbasid Caliphate emerged in the 8th century during what is known as the Golden Age of Islam—a time marked by significant advancements across various fields including science and literature.

Transition from Abbasids to New Empires

Decline of Abbasid Power

• By 1200, the Abbasid Empire began fragmenting after its peak during the Golden Age. Understanding this decline is crucial for analyzing developments from 1200 to 1450.

Rise of Turkic Empires

• Following Abbasid decline, new Islamic empires arose predominantly composed of Turkic peoples rather than Arabs—a significant shift in power dynamics within Dar al-Islam.

Key Turkic Empires Established

1. Seljuk Empire:

• Established in Central Asia during the 11th century; initially brought into service by Abbasids as military forces but later gained political power themselves.

2. Mamluk Sultanate:

• Details about its rise are mentioned but not fully elaborated upon within this segment; it follows similar patterns seen with other emerging powers post-Abbasids.

Saladin and the Rise of Turkic Muslim States

Saladin's Strategy and Consequences

• Saladin, known for his leadership, enslaved a group of fierce Turkic warriors called Mamluks to advance his state's goals.

• Following Saladin's death, incompetent successors allowed the Mamluks to seize power, leading to the establishment of another Turkic Muslim state.

• A key lesson is that ruling over a Muslim empire during this period requires caution with Turkic warriors, as they may eventually overthrow their rulers.

The Delhi Sultanate and Its Challenges

• The third significant Turkic Muslim state was the Delhi Sultanate in South Asia, which ruled over the Indian population for approximately 300 years.

• As Arab Muslim empires like the Abbasid declined, new states led by Turkic peoples emerged but mirrored former Arab empires in governance and law.

Expansion of Islam Across Afro-Eurasia

• Islam expanded through three primary means: military conquests (e.g., establishment of the Delhi Sultanate), merchant activities stimulating trade across North Africa, and missionary efforts.

• The Empire of Mali converted to Islam largely due to increased access to trade opportunities associated with Islamic practices.

Sufism's Role in Islamic Expansion

• Sufism emerged as a mystical branch of Islam during this period, emphasizing spiritual experiences accessible to all individuals regardless of class or gender.

• Despite criticism from traditional scholars for its lack of theological rigor, Sufism became a significant force in spreading Islam globally.

Intellectual Advancements During the Golden Age

• Notable innovations included advancements in mathematics attributed to Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, who developed trigonometry for astronomical studies.

• The House of Wisdom was established in Baghdad during the Abbasid caliphate; it became a renowned library attracting scholars worldwide for study across various disciplines.