Islam Beyond: Abbasid Decline and Spread of Islam
Late Abbasid Era Courtly excess & political division cause
decline Harun al-Rashid (r. 786-809)
-Persian advisors-Death causes civil war
First civil war (813-833)-Personal armies/mercenaries made of slaves
-Become force in own right Economic disruption
-Pillaging by mercenaries-Tax burden on peasants-Infrastructure falls into disrepair
Peasant suffering = uprisings
Declining Position of Women Subjugation and confinement to
home Harem
-Part of palace/house reserved for women.- “Forbidden quarters”
Slaves sold and prized for intelligence and beauty
Often had more freedom, not required to wear hajib, veil, in public like free women.
Wealthy women allowed no career outside of home
Religious Trends Resurgence in both mysticism
and orthodoxy Orthodox thought tradition of
questioning would undermine Koran
Sufist movement-Sufists wandering mystics who seek personal union with Allah-Continuing expansion of religion and Islamic civilization
Islam Comes to South Asia Arrive in late 7th and early 8th c. Contrasts between Hinduism and Islam
Initially, violent conflict Trade and religious exchange allow for peace later
Islam Hinduism
Worship single God
All believers equal
Emphasize social mobility
Open and tolerant wide variety of beliefs
Rigid caste system
Invasion 711-Muhammad ibn Qasim led 10,000 troops into Sind. First time encounter culture as sophisticated as own
-Local leaders surrender (Lower taxes and retain position)-Arabs treat as “people of book”
Allows for cultural contacts Est. colonies (trading posts) 962: Turks launch invasions
-Mahmud of Ghazni -Muhammad of Ghur-Indus Valley
-New capital at Delhi-300 years: Dynasties rules northern and central India-“Sultans of Delhi” (Delhi Sultanate)
Conversion and Accommodation Est. of Muslim communities Merchants and mystics carriers of faith
-Converts chose Islam willingly-Buddhism disorganized; Hinduism alienated with caste system-Intermarriage
Hindus believed Muslims would be absorbed into culture.-Adopt Indian style of dress, food, social system, habits.
Realize Muslim religion will not be absorbed.
Spread of Islam (S.E. Asia) Trading Zones Southeast Asian products
important exports to China, India, and Mediterranean.-Aromatic woods-Spices
8th c: Coastal trade in India controlled by Muslims
13th c: Collapse of Shrivijaya allowed full-scale introduction of Islam.
Trading paves way for spread of religion*