MT 1 Flashcards
Pre Islamic Arabia (5pts)
The region of the Arabian Peninsula before the rise of Islam before 7th Century, 610.
The region was diverse, consisting of Pagans, Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians which help provide important context for the rise of Islam.
The people in this region had a strong sense of solidarity (asabiya) due to their identity as descendants of Adnan.
Also contained the Hejaz region consisting of Mecca and Medina which not only was important trade centre but also contained Kaba, a centre of pilgrimage for the Abrahamic religions.
Region was surrounded by the Sassanian and Byzantine empires who were vying for influence over the region and in constant conflict. Region was geographically difficult to conquer.
Mecca Verses
The first verses received by the Prophet Muhammad, delivered by the angel Gabriel.
Short in nature, quickly establishing Muhammad as the final Prophet
Laid foundations for the theology of Islam: A text-based religion, strictly monotheistic where people had to obey the word of God. Prohibits idol worshipping
Introduced idea of rewarding those who follow God’s word with paradise, hell if not
Homosexulaity
There always existed platonic love between men in Islamic societies. The concept of Homosexuality is a post-victorian era concept that was not present during the pre-modern Islamic era. Platonic love between men, typically young and old, was tolerated in most regions but sexual intercourse was strictly prohibited. Such platonic love was only limited to men. In some regions, in instances where sexual acts between men occurred, the role played by each man according to their status was more important than the act itself. This culture has its roots from Greek culture.
Barza women
They were intellectual women who were known for their sound reasoning abilities and took up leadership roles in Islamic society. They did not need to bow their heads in front of others and were even receiving visitors - incl men.
These women not secluded from society even though they were from the family of Muhammad. Examples incl Fatima and Aishah
Devshirma
A system established in the 14th century during the Ottoman empire of collecting young boys, aged around 13-14 from Non-Muslim families in the Balkans and give them training. They would then be filtered according to ability. Those smart go to royal schools, groomed to become bureaucrats and join the Divan (cabinet). This was significant as in these schools, they would interact with princes of the ottoman empire, allowing them to gain closer ties. They took up positions of power after converting to Islam.
Those who had good fighting skills would be sent to join the Janissary (military)
La Convivencia
A period of symbiosis between Muslims, Jews and Christians when an exiled descendant of the Umayyad family establishes a caliphate in Spain from 756 to 1492.
Period saw the trasnlation of Arabic texts to Hebrew.
Fall of this caliphate saw the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain. Jews spread everywhere as a result
Abbasaid Revolution
Non arab muslims were unhappy with the Umayyad discriminatory policies against them like the Non-Arab tax. The non-arab groups rebel and bring the descendant of Abbas who was the uncle of Muhammad, into power. It was led by a persian, Abu Muslim.
Saw the shift of the centre of the Islamic world from Damascus to Baghdad, much better connected to Central Asia. Starts golden age for the Islamic world, for its education, politics and culture. Sets the path for the House of Wisdom to form, essentially turning the Islamic territory to become centre of education for the world and have significant influence.
the pact of Umar II
It was a series of reforms, aimed at transofmring the relationship between muslims and non-muslims which also included zoroastrianism even tho they were not people of the book
Introduces Jisyah, a poll tax placed on non muslims but which granted them protection under the Islamic law
Attempts to draw a fine line between what a Non-Muslim and Muslim can and should do
Introduces conditions against non-muslims such as preventing them from wearing certain colours, clothing, restricting their ability to contruct places of worship
Trying to come up with ways to tell a non-muslim and muslim apart
Mazdakite Movement
5th to 6th century. A group of zoroastrians who were upset with the state’s views on private property and class distinctions. They hence wanted to challenge the state’s preference of the elite. Hence it became a religious uprising with social overtones led by Mazdak. According to their enemies, Mazdakites were for the abolition of private property and class distinctions
Influences some Islamic systems and cultures on equity and communal ownership later on when Islam spread to Persia
4th crusade
Took place between 1202 and 1205 (early 1200s)
Franks set out to reattempt to capture Jerusalem after failtures in the 2nd and 3rd crusades. However, they ended up sacking Constantinople instead and settling there for 60 years.
Initially, had set off in aid of the Byzantines who although had religious differences, were fearful of the rising strength of the Turks on their southern borders called for help from the Holy Romans.
Venetians supported in looting of Constantinople as they wanted to establish Venice as center of trade
Worsens religious tensions between the holy Romans and the Green Orthodox Christians
polygamy in Islam
Allowed but was not recommended. It was strictly limited to 4. Individual had to gain consent from his wives to marry and had to prove to a qadi (judge) that he could care for and love each wife equally which was almost impossible hence polygamy was not very widespread in pre-modern Islamic world.
Gramsci and Orientalism
Orientalism is a product of modern way of thinking when they encounter non-european spaces. Its how the “west” perceives the east. Gramsci is an italian philosopher who talks about Cultural Hegemony. Said applies this concept to explain the Hegemony btwn the West and the Orient. Due to power over the discourse on the orient, the orient and the west are in a hegemonic relationship where the west are in the upper echelons due to their ability to control the narrative. Said uses his concept of hegemonic discourse in explaining the relationship btwn the East and the West and the superiority of the West due to the power they hold over the discourse.
Date/Place: 19th Century Historical Significance: Conceptualized by Edward Said in the 19th century Example:
Ahura Mazda
The central god in Zoroastrianism. The god of goodness. Was always in conflict with Ahrimun, the representation of evil. Ultimately, Ahura Mazda defeats Ahrimuns, giving rise to Zoro as a monotheisitc religion with a ritualistic view of good and bad, important for Zoro lifestyle who’s influence we will later see in Islam as it assimilates into Persia.
Temporality
A notion, that emerges in the middle of the 19th century, that believes that time moves as a uni-linear and progressive line. It is a product of enlightenment thinking.
It created a new sense of time, generating a pressure to or the need to move faster as the past is seen as inferior. In other words, changing or breaking away from the past is important for societies to be seen as having reached the age of enlightenment. Creates a superiority of the notion of modern times against pre-modern times.
Hanafi school of Jurisprudence
1 of the 4 schools of jurisprudence that was started by Abu Hanifa in 8th century that becomes the most dominant and widely accepted school.
Had 4 sources of jurisprudence: The Quran, Hadiths, Qiyas and Imam
Introduces Greek Methods of reasoning in absent of precedent
Yazid
an Umayyad caliph who murdered the gradndson of Muhammad, during an unjust conflict in the Battle of Karbala. It was seen as an atrocious action, starting the de legitimization of the Umayyad dynasty and creates a divison between the Sunni and Shiites. Day commemorated as the Day of Ashura today
Kahrijites
Called the outsider of the religion of Islam. Initial supporters and followers of Ali, who were considered to have assasinated the 3rd Caliph, Uthman (part of the Umayyad family
When Ali was caliph, he made a deal with governor of Damascus to shift centre of power there in order to ensure prevent civil war. The shi’ate Ali thought this was going against the Quran and assasinated Ali
They were strict textualists. Taking the literal meaning of the Quran and rejecting the authority of the Hadiths. Casted out as outsiders
Council of Nicaea
Council convened by Constantine in 325 as an attempt to decide and establish 1 orthodox form of Christianity for all to follow in the Byzantine empire. Ultimately, diophysites prevail over the monophysites, establishing Paganism as the state religion.
Reasons for the Crusades and Long Term Impacts. How did Muslims percieve the franks
1) Economic –> europe excluded from trade e.g. silk road which saw exchange of lux goods like silk from china and spices. Wanted to gain direct control over it
Hejaz impt intersection btwn medi and indian ocean trade routes
2) Religious –> holy lands! Jerusalem impt as it was place of cruxification of christ. Used this idea of spiritual gain or will of good to unite the knights in the crusade, painting it as a religious pilgrimage
3) Political –> rise of feudal knights challenging the authority of the pope. there was also rise of appeasement of the peasements against the Feudalism and the Church hence Pope wanted to redirect the violent attention and appeaseement towards a common external enemy
Saw the franks as outsiders, different from the native christians. Based on autobiogrpahy reading on excerpts on Franks, viewed them as inferiror, primative and peculiar. Medical practice of chopping leg of knight for example or the cutting open of a women’s head v weird. Their sense of marraige also weird, were ok with wives sleeping with other men, lack of jealousy
Long term impacts:
1st –> Franks win Jeruaslem, 2nd –> banishes the west from the Levant region. 3rd ends in failure and Jeruaslem becomes a striclty muslim terirority for long time
4th –> sacking of constantinople, betrayal of the Greek Orthodox Christians, lead to religious tensions
Orientalism Essay
Said says its the hegemonic r/s btwn the west and the orient where west was in upper echelons. Period of 18th century where scholarly work painted orient with mysticism and that it was inferior, irrational.
1) As an academic dsicipline. anyone who lecturs, writes abt etc. is an orientalist
2) as a style of thought based on onological and epistemological distinction made btwn the orient and the occident
3) As a type of discourse. A discourse is a set of lesns that have a profound influence on our understanding of the social world. Here Said says that Orientalism is the painting of a narrative of the east in which the west has control over the narrative and the sense of “truth” it hence creates.
A concept that can be discussed and analysed as the corporate institution for dealing with the orient. Dealing with it by making statements about it, aturhorizing views of it, describing it, by teaching it, Settling it, ruling over it: in short, Orientalism as a Western style for dominating, restructing, and having authorityt over the Orient
Examples: romanticism of harems, belly dancersm camelds
Helps them provide justification for euorpean expansion
example of napolean
Factors facilitating expansion of Islam
7th century, Muhammad become prophet in 610. 622 he escapes to Medina which becomes centre of the religion. From there, he launches expansions, eventually taking back Mecca and following calpihs expand aggresively
1) Military might, willpower was strong, united under Islam, willing to fight the non-believers. Muhammad had good rep, trust worhty, married wives of fallen soldiers, charismatic ppl wanted to follow him
2) Subjects of Byz and Sass empires welcoming did not see them as issue as they didnt force conversion, seemed like a conitbnuation of abrhamic faith, had egalitarian policies that the lower class peasants favoured, felt like they would have btr life e.g. Slaves were treated with more dignitiy and part of the community
3) Byz and Sassan were weak from ongoing geographical conflicts and issues
Plague –> severely reduced manpower –> not enough farmers famine, lack of tax less money, lack of soldierts
Economiy devastated
ppl pissed off at them
Sassanian empire altho crushed mazdakite uprising, there was still dissentment towards state who favoured the zoro elite. Lack of political hold over the region
Conflcits with persian empire and with each other weakend them
