Summary: Christian Visigoth In Spain
How would you characterize relations between Muslims, on one hand, and Christians and Jews on the other in Al Andalus (Arabic Spain)
The Muslims continued to expand territory relentlessly, throughout the sixth and the seventh century, the century of the prophet Muhammad’s death. In 711 the Islamic armies led by Berber (north African Muslim tribesmen) Tariq ibn-Ziyad crossed the straight of (Gibraltar) from Maghreb (Morocco) and rapidly advanced north conquering Visigoth Spain (Germanic Christian rulers) within seven years. In establishing an Islamic state throughout the Iberian peninsula,(todays Spain and Portugal combined), which centered in Cordoba in the heart of the peninsula. In the seventh century Spain influenced by the Roman …show more content…
In view of this fact Jews and Christians living in the Iberian Peninsula were given special legal status that allowed them to practice their religions providing they adhered to certain Islamic social restrictions. Although documentary evidence on the state of the Jewish communities prior to 711AD is not readily available, yet what evidence there are shows that during the rule of Christian Visigoth in Spain, there were hostilities towards the Jews, their numbers had visibly declined and was not far from extinction. In contrast, at the beginning of the eighth century the Islamic legal system provided an opportunity for re-establishment of their culture and revival of their …show more content…
They were not forced to make a choice between converting to Islam and dying and were not enslaved nor prevented from practicing their religion (except practicing it too obviously e.g. ringing of bells or chanting too loudly). No evidence of segregation or living in designated areas is found and no restrictions were placed on any particular method of earning a living. There were Christians and Jews working in the civil service of the Islamic rulers, and despite some having to do unpleasant jobs which were shunned by Muslims, there were jobs in banking and dealing in precious metals especially done by Jews.
The Muslims continued to expand territory relentlessly, throughout the sixth and the seventh century, the century of the prophet Muhammad’s death. In 711 the Islamic armies led by Berber (north African Muslim tribesmen) Tariq ibn-Ziyad crossed the straight of (Gibraltar) from Maghreb (Morocco) and rapidly advanced north conquering Visigoth Spain (Germanic Christian rulers) within seven years. In establishing an Islamic state throughout the Iberian peninsula,(todays Spain and Portugal combined), which centered in Cordoba in the heart of the peninsula. In the seventh century Spain influenced by the Roman …show more content…
In view of this fact Jews and Christians living in the Iberian Peninsula were given special legal status that allowed them to practice their religions providing they adhered to certain Islamic social restrictions. Although documentary evidence on the state of the Jewish communities prior to 711AD is not readily available, yet what evidence there are shows that during the rule of Christian Visigoth in Spain, there were hostilities towards the Jews, their numbers had visibly declined and was not far from extinction. In contrast, at the beginning of the eighth century the Islamic legal system provided an opportunity for re-establishment of their culture and revival of their …show more content…
They were not forced to make a choice between converting to Islam and dying and were not enslaved nor prevented from practicing their religion (except practicing it too obviously e.g. ringing of bells or chanting too loudly). No evidence of segregation or living in designated areas is found and no restrictions were placed on any particular method of earning a living. There were Christians and Jews working in the civil service of the Islamic rulers, and despite some having to do unpleasant jobs which were shunned by Muslims, there were jobs in banking and dealing in precious metals especially done by Jews.