Islamic Spain was not one blanket period. It can be divided into sub-periods categorised by their different rulers; the Dependent Emirate (711-756), the Independent Emirate (756-929) and the Caliphate (929-1031). The eighth to tenth centuries saw a rise in how Islamic society became, with the need for conversion or cultural adoption becoming more necessary as the Arab-Islamic Empire began to cement its rule over the Spanish people. This essay will assess the reasons why people chose to adopt the Islamic culture and religion as well as the overall tolerance of non-Muslims by the Arab-Islamic administration in order to establish how Islamic the Spanish people were during this period. For many, the conversion to Islam was a move of convenience, …show more content…
This meant that in the eighth century especially, there was little to no motivation for the majority to convert. As a result, the majority of the Spanish population were non-Muslim. That isn’t to say that practitioners of religions other than Islam could continue as normal in the Arab-Islamic Spain. Non-Muslims in Islamic Spain were considered second-class citizens. There were Dhimmi Laws against those who didn’t follow the Muslim religion. They would have to pay a special poll tax, wear distinctive clothing and had less standing in society. Bernard Lewis states that this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. “Second-class citizenship,” he says, “though second class, is a kind of citizenship. It involves some rights, though not all, and is surely better than no rights at all.” He goes on to say that “a recognized status, albeit one of inferiority to the dominant group, which is established by law, recognized by tradition, and confirmed by popular assent, is not to be despised.” This citizenship was granted to those who accepted Islamic rule, and for some it meant liberation from Rome, Constantinople and the ghost of the Western Roman Empire. For the Jews, it was in the beginning a welcome relief from the intolerance of the
Islamic Spain can be seen as one of the only societies that has grasped the importance of synergy and placed this notion above the typical need for absolute control. It is here where adherents of three religions coexisted and thrived culturally, economically, and intellectually. Two works explain the history of Islamic Spain, one being a documentary by Gardner Films, Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain, and the other a book by Tamim Ansary called Destiny Disrupted: A History of The World Through Islamic Eyes. While both Ansary and Gardner Films explore the themes of Spain under Islamic rule, Gardner Films provides the viewer with a more thorough history of the region whereas Ansary remains brief and narrow with his narration. The documentary Cities of Light provides a view of Islamic Spain from its beginning to its very end.
The Muslims and Jews of Spain during that time did not believe in Christianity. This became a conflict to Isabel uniting Spain. In fear, many Muslims and Jews had converted to Christianity but were suspected to have been practicing their own faith secretly. Isabel felt betrayed and it sparked the start of the Spanish Inquisition. “…establishing an Inquisition, expelling the Jews, converting or expelling the Muslims of Granada and Castile, and sanctioning the Muslims' continued presence in Aragon” (Myerson, 11). Isabel and Ferdinand continued with their plans to unify all of Spain by continuing effort to expel the Moors also known as the Muslims, who held some parts of Spain. In 1492, the Muslim Kingdom of Granada fell to Isabel and Ferdinand. Also, all the Jews in Spain who refused to convert to Christianity were expelled. Isabel felt her religion was the only true one and if she didn't rid them from her country then Spain would be ruined.
The Favorability of the Social and Religious Situation in Arabia around 600 AD Toward the Rise of Islam
Brian. A Catlos’ novel, Infidel Kings and Unholy Warriors: Faith, Power, and Violence in the Age of Crusade and Jihad, provides a detailed account of various sites of inter-religious interaction throughout the medieval Mediterranean from the 10th to 12th centuries. Throughout the novel, Catlos illustrates the influence of religion on the relationships and coexistence between the three Abrahamic religions - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam - and the role it plays in the immense violence of the period. The varying perspectives demonstrate how religion acted more as a bridge between cultures than a barrier, and how conflicts deemed as of religious origin were oftentimes driven predominantly by the mundane factor of greed and self-interest rather than existential resentment of opposing groups.
When the Muslims invaded Spain in 712, people were happier because they were being treated better than they had been by the Visigoths. The Muslims even allowed the Serfs, who were agricultural laborers bound under a feudal system, to get promoted in their social standing in society and become freemen. This could happen if they simply converted to Islam. Once the Muslims took over, it gave Jews a chance to recover from persecutions from the Christians who ruled before. The Muslims would not harass people whose religion was not Islam, because they understood that some communities had their own religion which was important to them. Jews were also treated better, and were not as low class in the community as they had been under the Visi...
According to Jordi- Vidal Robert, the Spanish Inquisition led to 0.11% decrease in population growth in Spain. The Spanish Inquisition kept the Protestant Reformation from taking root in Spain and made Spain remain very Roman Catholic. There is not much of any other religion there. The Spanish Inquisition also gave influence to Hitler, a Christian leader, to start the Holocaust which practiced Anti- Semitism and sought to suppress the Jews and other non-Christians. Though the Spanish Inquisition is associated with the papacy being corrupt, many sources associated the Spanish Inquisition with the secular rulings, but this is highly debated. “To thousands of other lesser Jews forced into choosing a new religion, the result was a bitter hatred for the Spanish Church (Kamen 21)” and this resentment from Jews and Muslims still exists today. Pope John Paul II has even apologized to these religious groups for the horrible acts committed during the medieval times. This was not enough to cure the bitter hostility caused during the medieval times, but what
In the early 6th century, Muhammad introduced Islam into the Arab world, and asserted that there was only one true God. Islam demanded that believers obey God’s will and laws (Islamic Law, web). By introducing Isla...
Islam, a religion of people submitting to one God, seeking peace and a way of life without sin, is always misunderstood throughout the world. What some consider act of bigotry, others believe it to be the lack of education and wrong portrayal of events in media; however, one cannot not justify the so little knowledge that America and Americans have about Islam and Muslims. Historically there are have been myths, many attacks on Islam and much confusion between Islam as a religion and Middle Easter culture that is always associated with it. This paper is meant to dispel, or rather educate about the big issues that plague people’s minds with false ideas and this will only be touching the surface.
Islam continued to spread by making the idea of being a Muslim sound great. The Muslim Empire didn’t force any Muslims to pay taxes(Doc 1). The idea of changing religions made a lot of sense money wise. The change to Islam was not a large difference, pray more, and eat a little less during sun up. The idea of going to paradise after your death seemed Marvelous (Doc 2). It also gave you an idea about fighting for the Muslim Army, if you died, you would be taken to Heaven with Allah and his Apostle. To some
The Ottomans and Spanish built flourishing empires based on different philosophies from 1450 to 1800. The Ottoman and Spanish were two powerful empires during that time. During the building of the two empires, the Spanish and the Ottoman both developed similarities in their social, political, and economic structures. The Ottoman took control of Europe, while the Spanish saw it as easy to monitor new lands. The different tactics employed made the both empires flourish. For instance, the Spanish were not tolerant of religion. They conquered other areas with the aim of converting Christians to Islam, if they refused, they would be killed. On the other hand, the Ottoman leaders incorporated leaders of diverse culture
A Vanished World: Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Medieval Spain is survey medieval Spain, where Christians, Jews, and Muslims once lived side by side and the Muslims were in charge. The book tries to lead the reader to the conclusion that there is indeed a historical precedent for the three major religions establishing a beneficially symbiotic relationship which may be an enduring lesson for coexistence. The author, Chris Lowney, is an ex-Jesuit and holds degrees in medieval history and philosophy.
Over a thousand years ago, Sothern Spain was home for Jews, Christians and Muslims living together, intertwining and establishing the best of their land by different means. Unfortunately, this reunion was vanished and lost forever.
The Fatimid’s had been rumored to be tolerant, compassionate and focused on unifying Islam; however, it has been proved that this was not always the case. Orientalists have acknowledged their contribution towards the advancement of Islam and claim that the Christian and Jewish communities excelled during this time; but it did not come without its deceptions and deviations from Islamic norms and rules. This historiography will explore whether the Fatimids were actually the tolerant Muslims whose actions, belief systems and practices evidenced the growth of Islam and tolerance of other religions, or if they were merely politi...
Islam is the religion of peace. It is not a new religion revealed by the creator Allah Subhana Wa Tala through all His Prophet in every era and to every people Islam is not only a religion it is also a manual of life. Followers of Islam have to submit their wills to God and have to admit that God is one and He is Allah who runs the entire universe. The key of Islam is
In this book , Esposito provides a succinct, up-to-date survey of the Islamic experience, an introduction to the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from its origins to its contemporary resurgence. He traces the emergence and development of this dynamic faith and its impact on world history and politics. He discusses the formation of Islamic belief and practice (law, theology, philosophy, and mysticism), chronicling the struggle of Muslims to define and adhere to their Islamic way of life. Equally important is the essential information Esposito provides on the contemporary world of Islam, from Muslim responses to the challenges of colonialism and modernization to the reassertion of Islam in politics and society.