BIRTH AND BIRTH AND CONSOLIDATION CONSOLIDATION

OF ISLAM OF ISLAM AND ITS SPREAD TO INDIA AND ITS SPREAD TO INDIA

Aneeqa M. Karu Aneeqa M. Karu

IX AIX A

1 1

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

The founder of Islam - The founder of Islam - Prophet Mohammed Prophet Mohammed was born in Mecca was born in Mecca (Arabia) in 570 A.D.(Arabia) in 570 A.D.

His father died before His father died before his birth so was brought his birth so was brought up by his uncle.up by his uncle.

Occupation of Occupation of tradesman brought him tradesman brought him in contact with both in contact with both Christians & Jews.Christians & Jews.

Though considering Though considering Abraham & Jesus as Abraham & Jesus as Prophets of God, did Prophets of God, did not adopt either of the not adopt either of the religionreligion

It is a place It is a place

inhabited by many inhabited by many tribes which was tribes which was mostly a desert - no mostly a desert - no forest, very little forest, very little vegetation.vegetation.

ARABIA: THE LAND, ITS ARABIA: THE LAND, ITS PEOPLEPEOPLE

AND THEIR RELIGIOUS AND THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. BELIEFS. Sparsely populated & Sparsely populated &

thinly cultivated. thinly cultivated.

People led a life of People led a life of constant struggle constant struggle with nature.with nature.

They had never They had never bowed to a bowed to a foreign conqueror.foreign conqueror.

Jawaharlal Nehru says Jawaharlal Nehru says “mountains and “mountains and deserts breed hard deserts breed hard people who love their people who love their freedom and are not freedom and are not easily subdued.” easily subdued.”

They had no central They had no central government; each government; each tribe has its own rules tribe has its own rules & system of & system of government.government.

People living in clans People living in clans and families often and families often quarreled with other quarreled with other clans and tribes.clans and tribes.

Just two important Just two important towns - Mecca and towns - Mecca and Medina.Medina.

Before the rise of Before the rise of Islam people used to Islam people used to follow the faiths - follow the faiths - Jewish, Christians, Jewish, Christians, nature worship, star nature worship, star worship, etc.worship, etc.

People were filled People were filled with many with many superstitions & superstitions & believed in magic & believed in magic & ghosts.ghosts.

Mecca - tribes used Mecca - tribes used to assemble during to assemble during certain months & certain months & worshipped a huge worshipped a huge black cube - Kaaba black cube - Kaaba which was which was supposed to have supposed to have been given by the been given by the angel Gabriel to angel Gabriel to Abraham. Abraham.

People praying at Mecca during People praying at Mecca during HajjHajj

BIRTH OF ISLAMBIRTH OF ISLAM

Prophet Mohammed Prophet Mohammed used to spend a lot used to spend a lot of time in prayer and of time in prayer and meditation.meditation.

He proclaimed a new He proclaimed a new religion when he was religion when he was 40 years old.40 years old.

He announced that He announced that his new religion his new religion called Islam had called Islam had been revealed to been revealed to him by God & this him by God & this God had chosen God had chosen him to be the last him to be the last & the greatest of & the greatest of all his prophet.all his prophet.

The King standing inside the The King standing inside the cube cube

He called upon He called upon people to give up people to give up their idols & accept their idols & accept that “there is but that “there is but one God one God AllahAllah.”.”

The first to accept The first to accept his teachings were his teachings were his wife, his cousins, his wife, his cousins, his uncle & a few of his uncle & a few of others who knew others who knew him very well.him very well.

He converted some He converted some 14 people in 3 years.14 people in 3 years.

Since he preached Since he preached against the idols against the idols there was a loud there was a loud protest against him.protest against him.

People became People became enraged, so he left enraged, so he left Mecca & went to Mecca & went to Medina to expound Medina to expound his religion.his religion.

His journey from His journey from Mecca to Medina is Mecca to Medina is called called Hijira Hijira which which took place in the took place in the year 622 AD.year 622 AD.

The Muslim The Muslim Calendar begins Calendar begins from here.from here.

Prophet Prophet Mohammed won Mohammed won thousands of thousands of converts at converts at Medina.Medina.

Before the death Before the death of the Prophet in of the Prophet in 632 AD. , Islam 632 AD. , Islam had taken firm had taken firm root in Arabia.root in Arabia.

Later the people Later the people of Mecca also of Mecca also embraced Islam.embraced Islam.

The dome of MedinaThe dome of Medina

TEACHINGS OF ISLAMTEACHINGS OF ISLAM

According to the According to the Arabic language Arabic language Islam means Islam means “submission to the “submission to the will of Allah (the will of Allah (the God)” God)”

The Quran is the The Quran is the book in which are book in which are found the teachings found the teachings of Islam.of Islam.

So, Quran is the So, Quran is the holy book of holy book of Muslims in which Muslims in which Allah by sending Allah by sending Gabriel had made Gabriel had made Prophet to write. Prophet to write.

KaabaKaaba

SOME OF THE CHIEF BELIEFS OF SOME OF THE CHIEF BELIEFS OF ISLAM ARE AS FOLLOWS :ISLAM ARE AS FOLLOWS :

1. There is but one God & 1. There is but one God & Mohammed is his Mohammed is his Prophet. Prophet.

2. A true Mohammedan is 2. A true Mohammedan is expected to pray five expected to pray five times a day - just before times a day - just before sunrise, just after noon, sunrise, just after noon, before sunset, just after before sunset, just after sunset, & when the day sunset, & when the day has closed.has closed.

3.The followers of 3.The followers of Islam should give alms Islam should give alms to poor esp. during to poor esp. during Ramazan.Ramazan.

4.They should make 4.They should make the pilgrimage to the pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in Mecca, at least once in their lifetime.their lifetime.

5.They should fast from 5.They should fast from sunrise to sunset.sunrise to sunset.

The king &MusharrafexitingtheKaaba

6.A Muslim is 6.A Muslim is required to abstain required to abstain from strong drink from strong drink altogether, should altogether, should respect his parents respect his parents & do justice to all. & do justice to all.

He/She should also He/She should also follow rules laid follow rules laid down regarding down regarding marriage, divorce & marriage, divorce & sharing-out the sharing-out the family property. family property.

7.Islam speaks of the 7.Islam speaks of the Day of Last Day of Last Judgement, when all Judgement, when all persons shall receive persons shall receive the reward of the reward of their earthly deeds. their earthly deeds.

The Holy Kaaba

CONSOLIDATION OF ISLAM CONSOLIDATION OF ISLAM

Prophet Prophet Mohammed’s Mohammed’s successors were successors were known as Caliphs or known as Caliphs or Khalifas.Khalifas.

When he died, he When he died, he was succeeded by was succeeded by Abu Bekr, who had Abu Bekr, who had high organizing high organizing abilities & a high abilities & a high character.character.

The Arabs became The Arabs became united into a nation united into a nation for the first time for the first time under his under his leadership.leadership.

They overran Syria They overran Syria & Palestine. & Palestine.

Abu Bekr died in Abu Bekr died in 634 AD. & his work 634 AD. & his work was carried out by was carried out by his successor , his successor , Omar, the brother-Omar, the brother-in-law of Prophet in-law of Prophet Mohammed.Mohammed.

Before he died in Before he died in 643 AD. Jerusalem, 643 AD. Jerusalem, Mesopotamia, Mesopotamia, Babylon & Assyria Babylon & Assyria (modern Iraq), (modern Iraq), Persia (Iran) & Persia (Iran) & Egypt had been Egypt had been conquered.conquered.

In 636 the Arab In 636 the Arab army had won a army had won a famous victory over famous victory over a much larger a much larger Persian force.Persian force.

Under the Under the successors of Khalifa successors of Khalifa Omar the Arabs Omar the Arabs went on advancing went on advancing both in the East and both in the East and the West.the West.

East - Herat & Kabul East - Herat & Kabul (Afghanistan) & (Afghanistan) & reached the river reached the river Indus & Sindh.Indus & Sindh.

West - whole West - whole Africa.Africa.

Early in the 8Early in the 8thth century they century they crossed into Spain.crossed into Spain.

General Tariq General Tariq landed near landed near Gibralter, opening Gibralter, opening the whole country the whole country to Arabs.to Arabs.

This frightened the This frightened the people of W. people of W. Europe.Europe.

A great Coalition A great Coalition was formed to fight was formed to fight the Arabs.the Arabs.

Charles Martel, a Charles Martel, a German king, was German king, was the leader of this the leader of this Coalition & he Coalition & he defeated Arabs in defeated Arabs in the Battle of Tours the Battle of Tours in 732 AD. in 732 AD.

Thus “the Arabs lost Thus “the Arabs lost the empire of the the empire of the world when almost world when almost in their grasp.”in their grasp.”

Although they Although they invaded Italy invaded Italy also, but were also, but were finally expelled finally expelled from there.from there.

REASONS FOR CALIPHS’ REASONS FOR CALIPHS’ VICTORIES & CONSOLIDATION VICTORIES & CONSOLIDATION

OF ISLAMOF ISLAM These notable These notable

successes & the successes & the Consolidation of Consolidation of Islam can be Islam can be attributed to many attributed to many factors.factors.

1. Islam was a much 1. Islam was a much simpler religion than simpler religion than the Christians faith the Christians faith of those times.of those times.

In Islam there was In Islam there was no priesthood, no no priesthood, no images, no images, no elaborate rituals. Its elaborate rituals. Its simplicity attracted simplicity attracted the simple desert the simple desert folk. folk.

2. Islam had filled 2. Islam had filled the Arab race with the Arab race with self-confidence & self-confidence & energy. It woke up energy. It woke up the Arabs who for the Arabs who for long ages had lived long ages had lived a sleepy existence.a sleepy existence.

3. The dynasty had 3. The dynasty had ruled Persia & the ruled Persia & the neighbouring neighbouring countries was countries was weakened. weakened.

The empire they had The empire they had build up was build up was tottering. The old tottering. The old Roman-Greco Roman-Greco civilization had also civilization had also ended. ended.

Thus both the Thus both the empires - Roman empires - Roman Empire in the West Empire in the West & Persian empire in & Persian empire in the East were in the the East were in the bad shape.bad shape.

They could not face They could not face the fury of the the fury of the advancing Arabs.advancing Arabs.

THE CALIPHATETHE CALIPHATE

After the death of After the death of Khalifa Omar a Khalifa Omar a Meccan named Meccan named Othman was Othman was appointed as his appointed as his successor. successor.

He was murdered He was murdered by Ali’s supporters by Ali’s supporters in 656 AD. in 656 AD.

Ali then became a Ali then became a Khalifa (Caliph) for Khalifa (Caliph) for a short while.a short while.

Ali too was Ali too was murdered & some murdered & some time later his son time later his son Hessian, along with Hessian, along with other persons in his other persons in his family, were family, were massacred on the massacred on the plain of plain of KarbalaKarbala..

The Muslims, esp. The Muslims, esp. the the ShiahsShiahs, mourn , mourn the killings year the killings year after year in the after year in the month of month of MoharramMoharram. .

The Caliphate then The Caliphate then went to Omayyand went to Omayyand dynasty to which dynasty to which Othman belonged.Othman belonged.

The Capital was The Capital was shifted to Damascus shifted to Damascus in Syria.in Syria.

In 749 AD. the In 749 AD. the Caliph belonging to Caliph belonging to the above the above mentioned dynasty mentioned dynasty was removed by was removed by force & a new force & a new dynasty (belonging dynasty (belonging to the Prophet’s to the Prophet’s uncle Abbas) came uncle Abbas) came to power.to power.

Later the Capital Later the Capital was again shifted was again shifted from Damascus to from Damascus to Baghdad (Iraq).Baghdad (Iraq).

The Caliphate of The Caliphate of Baghdad reached its Baghdad reached its climax under Harul-climax under Harul-al-Rashid(786-809 al-Rashid(786-809 AD.)AD.)

All these countries All these countries went out of the fold went out of the fold of Arab empire.of Arab empire.

In Egypt there was In Egypt there was not only an not only an independent independent government.government.

But a separate But a separate Caliph (Khalifa) & Caliph (Khalifa) & for some time the for some time the Egyptian Caliph Egyptian Caliph ruled over North ruled over North Africa also.Africa also.

The Turks made The Turks made themselves themselves masters of the masters of the eastern provinces.eastern provinces.

In 1058 AD. the In 1058 AD. the Khalifa of Baghdad Khalifa of Baghdad surrendered all his surrendered all his political powers. political powers.

Now he was only Now he was only the Religious Head the Religious Head of the Faithfuls.of the Faithfuls.

The political power The political power passed entirely passed entirely into the hands of into the hands of the rulers of the rulers of respective states. respective states.

IMPACT OF ISLAM ON ART, IMPACT OF ISLAM ON ART, ARCHITECTURE AND ARCHITECTURE AND

LITERATURELITERATURE The Arabs were The Arabs were

“fanatical warriors,” “fanatical warriors,” but the should not be but the should not be regarded as mere regarded as mere conquerors.conquerors.

In the words of H.A. In the words of H.A. Davies, Davies, “during the 5 “during the 5 centuries following the centuries following the death of Mohammed death of Mohammed his followers evolved a his followers evolved a civilization much civilization much superior to anything superior to anything which existed in which existed in Europe at that time.” Europe at that time.”

ARCHITECTUREARCHITECTURE The Arabs developed The Arabs developed

their own architecture their own architecture which, though simple, which, though simple, was imposing indeed.was imposing indeed.

The Great Mosque at The Great Mosque at Cordoba (Spain), the Cordoba (Spain), the Alhambra at Granada Alhambra at Granada (Spain) & a few other (Spain) & a few other mosques & palaces mosques & palaces are remarkable are remarkable examples of the skill examples of the skill of Arab architects. of Arab architects.

The Mosque at Cordoba

The Mosque at Cordoba

Their architecture Their architecture was characterized was characterized by bulbous domes, by bulbous domes, the arches and the arches and beautiful minars and beautiful minars and minarets. minarets.

TRADE, COMMERCE TRADE, COMMERCE & CRAFTS& CRAFTS

The Arabs carried on The Arabs carried on an extensive trade an extensive trade in cotton, silk and in cotton, silk and woolen fabrics. woolen fabrics.

Their caravans of Their caravans of camels went to India camels went to India and China and their and China and their ships went to the ships went to the Persian Gulf and Persian Gulf and even to the even to the countries around the countries around the Baltic Sea.Baltic Sea.

LEARNING & LEARNING & LITERATURELITERATURE

They were patrons They were patrons of learning.of learning.

The Mosque in The Mosque in

Kairouan Kairouan

(N. Africa) (N. Africa)

They founded They founded universities at universities at Baghdad (Iraq), Baghdad (Iraq), Cairo (Egypt), & Cairo (Egypt), & Cordoba (Spain).Cordoba (Spain).

Their literature was Their literature was made known to us made known to us through the through the Rubaiyat Rubaiyat composed by Omar composed by Omar Khayyam and the Khayyam and the ‘Arabian Nights.’ ‘Arabian Nights.’

It is as collection of It is as collection of 1001 famous stories 1001 famous stories such as Ali Baba & such as Ali Baba & 40 thieves, Sinbad 40 thieves, Sinbad the Sailor and the Sailor and Aladdin’s Wonderful Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp.Lamp.

Many significant Many significant achievements were achievements were made in the fields made in the fields of astronomy, of astronomy, chemistry, physics, chemistry, physics, mathematics & mathematics & medicine. medicine.

Europe is indebt to Europe is indebt to Arabs for the Arabic Arabs for the Arabic numerals.numerals.

At a time when people At a time when people in Europe believed that in Europe believed that the Earth was the center the Earth was the center of Universe, the Arabs of Universe, the Arabs thought it possible that thought it possible that the Earth revolves the Earth revolves around the Sun. around the Sun.

SPREAD OF ISLAM TO INDIASPREAD OF ISLAM TO INDIA

The new Islamic The new Islamic culture was culture was introduced in India introduced in India by the Arabs, who by the Arabs, who entered India as entered India as traders.traders.

Later made their Later made their settlements on the settlements on the western coast of western coast of India.India.

In Gujarat they In Gujarat they received liberal received liberal protection from the protection from the Hindu rulers and the Hindu rulers and the Zamorin of Calicut Zamorin of Calicut patronized the Arab patronized the Arab traders. traders.

Their trade began to Their trade began to flourish & they flourish & they acquired landed acquired landed property & followed property & followed their religion freelytheir religion freely

Their early conquestsTheir early conquests

In the beginning of In the beginning of the 8the 8thth century AD., century AD., the Arabs under the Arabs under Mohammed-bin-Mohammed-bin-Qasim conquered Qasim conquered the Indian territories the Indian territories of Sindh & Multan.of Sindh & Multan.

Sindh was Sindh was conquered in 712 conquered in 712 AD. & early in 713 AD. & early in 713 AD. fell the ancient AD. fell the ancient town of Multan. town of Multan.

There was no There was no central authority in central authority in India during those India during those days & the rulers of days & the rulers of frontier town failed frontier town failed to cooperate with to cooperate with one another when one another when they were in they were in danger .danger .

These victories were These victories were short-lived because short-lived because of the death of of the death of Mohammed-bin-Mohammed-bin-Qasim in 716 AD.Qasim in 716 AD.

But the Arabs could But the Arabs could have a really have a really intimate knowledge intimate knowledge of Indian astronomy, of Indian astronomy, numericals & other numericals & other branches of branches of knowledge which, knowledge which, according to Havell, according to Havell, they carried to they carried to EuropeEurope..

MAHMUD OF MAHMUD OF GHAZNI’S GHAZNI’S EXPEDITIONEXPEDITION

Towards the close of Towards the close of the 10the 10thth century AD. century AD. The Turks under The Turks under Sabuktigin, who was Sabuktigin, who was a slave & now a a slave & now a king of Ghazni, king of Ghazni, invaded the frontier invaded the frontier of Indiaof India..

Although he suffered Although he suffered severe military severe military reverses, in the end reverses, in the end he was successful in he was successful in capturing Peshawar.capturing Peshawar.

Sabuktigin died in 997 Sabuktigin died in 997 AD. & was succeeded AD. & was succeeded by his son Mahmud.by his son Mahmud.

Mahmud of Ghazni Mahmud of Ghazni made 17 expeditions made 17 expeditions & penetrated into the & penetrated into the very heart of India.very heart of India.

He raided many He raided many temples cities : Kangra temples cities : Kangra in 1009, Mathura in in 1009, Mathura in 1018, Kanauj in 1019, 1018, Kanauj in 1019, Gwalior in 1022 & Gwalior in 1022 & Somnath in 1025.Somnath in 1025.

He carried away India’s He carried away India’s rich treasures to his rich treasures to his country.country.

He exposed to the He exposed to the Muslim world the Muslim world the political & military political & military weaknesses of the weaknesses of the Indian kingdoms & Indian kingdoms & opened the way to opened the way to further Muslim further Muslim conquest.conquest.

Mohammed Mohammed GhazniGhazni

FOUNDATION OF THE MUSLIM FOUNDATION OF THE MUSLIM EMPIRE IN INDIAEMPIRE IN INDIA

In fact, the foundation In fact, the foundation of the of the Muslims of the of the Muslims empire in India was led empire in India was led by Mohammed Ghori.by Mohammed Ghori.

His first invasion was His first invasion was direct against Multan direct against Multan in 1175 AD.in 1175 AD.

In 1192 he defeated In 1192 he defeated Prithviraj Chauhan, the Prithviraj Chauhan, the ruler of vast territories ruler of vast territories from Ajmer to Delhi. from Ajmer to Delhi.

He then went back to He then went back to Ghazni, leaving Qutub- Ghazni, leaving Qutub- ud-din Aibak in charge ud-din Aibak in charge of his territories in of his territories in India.India.

In 1194 he led an In 1194 he led an army to fight Jai army to fight Jai Chand, the ruler of Chand, the ruler of Kannauj & the Kannauj & the neighbouring regions.neighbouring regions.

He returned to Ghazni. He returned to Ghazni.

During his absence During his absence Qutub-ud-din had to Qutub-ud-din had to quell many revolts & quell many revolts & disturbances in India.disturbances in India.

He also under took a He also under took a number of petty number of petty expeditions.expeditions.

He captured Aligarh, He captured Aligarh, Badayun, Badayun, Bundelkhand, & Bundelkhand, & Khajuraho & one of his Khajuraho & one of his generals, Md.-bin -generals, Md.-bin -Bakhtiyar Khilji, Bakhtiyar Khilji, conquered Bihar & conquered Bihar & parts of Bengal.parts of Bengal.

He thus justified the He thus justified the confidence which his confidence which his master had placed in master had placed in him.him.

Mohammed Ghori was Mohammed Ghori was stabbed to death in stabbed to death in 1206 AD. He had no 1206 AD. He had no son.son.

In India, he was In India, he was succeeded by Qutub-succeeded by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the ud-din Aibak, the founder of the so-founder of the so-called Slave Dynasty.called Slave Dynasty.

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