Notes
Outline
Islam:  Its Life and Values
Islam:  Its Life and Values
ARAB
Foundational; vocabulary, sources:  Qur’an, Hadith, First Empire
Persian Sassanid Empire defeated by the Arabs in 640
Ummayad clan first dynasty, overthrown by Abbasids in 750
BERBER
Arab-Berber Moorish kingdoms Northwest Africa, 711 Spain
PERSIAN
Early influence in politics, theology, mystical religion (Sufism), continuing understructure in East
Sufi, mystical Islam and monastic orders
Ongoing Cultural influences on subsequent Eastern conquerors
TURK -- Seljuk
950   Seljuk Turks expand in Persia
998   Afghan Turks ravage, conquer India, Central Asia, Middle East.  (Abbasids continue as puppets)
Greek Emperor requests aid from Europe, “Crusades” begin against Turks
KURDS
1187  Saladin (Saracens, Crusades) overthrows Shia Egyptian Fatimids, reunites Middle East to resist Franks and recover Jerusalem
MONGOLS
1258  Genghis Khan’s grandson defeats Abbasid Empire, then Mongols incorporate the Turkish kingdoms
Muslim influence spreads into Far East, into Russia, through Mongol-Tartar Empire,largest Empire in the history of the world
1526  Mogul Empire founded by Afghan Mongol Babur in Delhi, establishes high Muslim culture
INDO-PAKISTANI
1206   Afghan Turks establish Sultanate of Delhi
Great response to Islam in “India,” leading to modern “Pakistan” as a “Muslim” entity
Khan, Mongol ruler title, becomes family name in Northern India, Pakistan
But more Muslims now in India than anywhere except Indonesia
Islamic Shia sects of Indians all over the world
TURK -- Osmanli
Ottomans gain supremacy in the Turkish kingdoms, resist the Mongols, expand to control the whole Muslim world
Turks absorb the Indo-European peoples in Asia Minor, so Turkik genes are minimal in Turkey
Ottomans control much of Central Europe, stop at Vienna
Ottoman Empire weakens in 1800s, lose final control after World War 1
Greece and Central Europe become independent
ARAB
Saudis unite much of the Arabian Peninsula in 1800’s, resist Turks
Southern Arabia (Yemen, Oman, etc.) peripheral, under European influence from 1600s:
EUROPEAN
Greek Philosophy, rediscovered 800s by Arab, Spanish, Persian, then Turkish Scholars, basis of “classical” Muslim theology, Western “orthodox” medieval theology
20th Century, much neo-Islam in Europe – many British Muslims, some French, a few Americans
Racialist “Nation of Islam” converted to real Islam with leader’s death
Islam:  Its Life and Values
Peoples of the Book
God had honored them with a Book
Christians also “People of the Gospel”
Abyssinian King Negus gave refuge to Muslims
Many Arab tribes were already largely Christian.
Many welcomed relief from the pagan Arab raiders
Peoples of the Book
“Dispute you not with the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury):  But say: ‘We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam).”
-- Quran 29:46
Peoples of the Book
“Say (Muslims):  We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord.  We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.” -- Quran 2:136
Peoples of the Book
“Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabeans – whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right – surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.” -- Quran 2:62
Peoples of the Book
“Say:  O People of the Scripture!  Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no other partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah.  And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).” -- Quran 3:64
Islam:  Its Life and Values
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Islam:  Its Life and Values