Revision:Birth of the Islamic State
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- Linguistic and ethnic unity which helps Islam and conquests.
- During lifetime of the Propht – Quraysh network based at Haram at Mecca – leading commercial organization in northern and Western Arabia – success based on prestige of Haram and popularity of fairs that took place under its protection.
- Move to Medina openness of Islam – no longer rely on old system of protection – new form social organization needed.
- Muhammad begins struggles with Meccans early on – best way providing for supporters and of attracting new recruits – not until Quraysh subdued would Islam be more than a cult in Medina, attacked trade caravans to starve city.
- 630632 - Muhammad after consolidating Mecca spends most of his time expanding influence among the Arabs. Muhammad concentrates on road to Medina – but many tribes came and join umma, worried about not being part of such a large organisation.
- Death propaganda and diplomacy gains Muhammad much support across Arabian peninsula – no means universal. Much support from supporting one side in a feud – other side treats him as enemy.
- Large numbers of people ignorant of Islam – problem became apparent after Muhammad’s death in 632.
- Muhammad competed with and eventually incorporated alliances which had formed part of Meccan commercial commonwealth. Umma described as a “super-tribe” – defended members against outside attack, organized raids and provide a framework for solving internal feuds. Emphasis on settling disputes peacefully
- Universality of Islam radical break with pagan cults and accounts for much of the dynamism of the emerging community. Muhammad as superior to a traditional tribal leader a summa was to a traditional tribe.
- Closeness to prophet got elite status – Muhajirun and Ansar – not many as close at Abu Bakr.
- Take-over of Mecca added very important element – Meccan leaders. Bought skill and contacts yes – proved vital for expansion and administration – noble families of Mecca, Umayyads led by Abu Sufyan felt they had natural rights to positions of leadership – resented by Ansar and Mhajirun endured so much for Islam. Mainly urban, Nomadism frowned upon.
- Not new management of Meccan system – old system series of agreements among equals – expansion of Islam meant imposition of authority of Muslim elite by force if necessary. Umma could not stand still – had to expand or disintegrate – so long as there were Arabs who did not accept authority of Muhammad – ideological position of Islam would be challenged – if raiding within community to be abolished outlet had t be found for martial energies of tribesmen and another source of revenue for impoverished nomad.
- Muhammad knew this and expeditions to Syria pointed this way. Islam religion of all humanity – not just Arabs, no reason umma in Medina should be confined to Arabic-speaking peoples – Islamic conquests – natural continuation of the prophet’s work.
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