The Rise and Rapid Spread of Islam
Sela Carrington
A3
3/25/14
The Rise and Rapid Spread of Islam
1. How does each account portray the enemy?
The Islam account portrays their enemies as the fugitive enemy and the “unbelievers.” They pursued the fugitive enemy and killed any man who got in their way. Their enemies were referred to as a fierce fighting force. The Christian account portrays their enemies as people who were going to come into their land, and conquer them and everyone else who lived on it. The enemies were fierce and brutal and they always fought hard.
2. What explanations, if any, do you see for the success of the Muslims?
When the Muslims were at their height all of the other empires were at their lowest point. The Muslims military was very strong and not many people were willing to fight against them, in fear of losing. They were also making a lot of money from the taxes they made from their conquered areas that were told to pay them in return for protection. Their faith towards their religion also played a big part, because so many people were now following it. They always knew that Allah would come through for them and be there to protect them.
3. How did they treat their conquered enemies? Jews? Christians?
The Muslims usually treated their conquered enemies with respect because that’s what it said to do in their religion. They shouldn’t plunder the cities that they conquered, or injure any of the common civilians. The Muslims treated both the Jews and Christians with respect because they believed that all three of the religions worshipped the same God.
4. How were Muslims perceived by Jews and Christians?
Muslims were perceived as unbelievers by a small minority of Jews and Christians. But the majority of them saw them as equals to them and believing in the same principles. They may have their disputes over certain areas of religion, but they still believe in similar ideas. Such as, they are all monotheistic religions who believe in only one God instead of
A3
3/25/14
The Rise and Rapid Spread of Islam
1. How does each account portray the enemy?
The Islam account portrays their enemies as the fugitive enemy and the “unbelievers.” They pursued the fugitive enemy and killed any man who got in their way. Their enemies were referred to as a fierce fighting force. The Christian account portrays their enemies as people who were going to come into their land, and conquer them and everyone else who lived on it. The enemies were fierce and brutal and they always fought hard.
2. What explanations, if any, do you see for the success of the Muslims?
When the Muslims were at their height all of the other empires were at their lowest point. The Muslims military was very strong and not many people were willing to fight against them, in fear of losing. They were also making a lot of money from the taxes they made from their conquered areas that were told to pay them in return for protection. Their faith towards their religion also played a big part, because so many people were now following it. They always knew that Allah would come through for them and be there to protect them.
3. How did they treat their conquered enemies? Jews? Christians?
The Muslims usually treated their conquered enemies with respect because that’s what it said to do in their religion. They shouldn’t plunder the cities that they conquered, or injure any of the common civilians. The Muslims treated both the Jews and Christians with respect because they believed that all three of the religions worshipped the same God.
4. How were Muslims perceived by Jews and Christians?
Muslims were perceived as unbelievers by a small minority of Jews and Christians. But the majority of them saw them as equals to them and believing in the same principles. They may have their disputes over certain areas of religion, but they still believe in similar ideas. Such as, they are all monotheistic religions who believe in only one God instead of