Islam Religion Dbq
3/4/11
Islam DBQ Per: 4
Islam was a fast spreading religion in a time when Christianity and other religions had already established themselves. Islam gained a reputation as a violent religion when it attacked and conquered areas, and made violent threats. Islam also presented itself as a religion of reward, equality, and protection. Once Islam had established itself in so many areas, it used other techniques to keep their reign. The Muslims way of spreading and keeping their empire was what made it one of the most studied empires in history.
Violent attacks and threats are a part of the history of Islam. One of the main reasons Islam even got its foot was the attack on Mecca that Muhammad led. Threats were sometimes used as a strategy to convert people, such as when Muhammad told the leader of the Christian Arab tribe: “Obey the Lord and his Apostle, and he will defend you... But if ye oppose and displease them... I will fight against you and take captive your little ones and slay the elder”. (Doc 1) There often did end up being battles between Muslims and the Non-Muslims. An excerpt from “History Today” said: “Koranic revelation commanded them to “Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not be the aggressors” (Doc5). The Islamic power was rapidly rising as it continued the conquests. With so much power, many people may have converted out of fear of them. The strong force the Muslims presented was enough to convert many people. Sir Edward Crecy describes the Battle of Tours “everything gave way to their [swords]… all the nations of the Franks trembled at that terrible army... attacked Tours... and the fury and cruelty of the Moslems towards the inhabitants of the city were like the fury and cruelty of raging tigers.”(Doc 4).
Like any other religion, Islam promised rewards for obeying its laws and believing. The Qur’an says “whoever shall obey God and His Apostle, he shall bring him into the gardens of [Paradise].”(Doc 2)
Islam DBQ Per: 4
Islam was a fast spreading religion in a time when Christianity and other religions had already established themselves. Islam gained a reputation as a violent religion when it attacked and conquered areas, and made violent threats. Islam also presented itself as a religion of reward, equality, and protection. Once Islam had established itself in so many areas, it used other techniques to keep their reign. The Muslims way of spreading and keeping their empire was what made it one of the most studied empires in history.
Violent attacks and threats are a part of the history of Islam. One of the main reasons Islam even got its foot was the attack on Mecca that Muhammad led. Threats were sometimes used as a strategy to convert people, such as when Muhammad told the leader of the Christian Arab tribe: “Obey the Lord and his Apostle, and he will defend you... But if ye oppose and displease them... I will fight against you and take captive your little ones and slay the elder”. (Doc 1) There often did end up being battles between Muslims and the Non-Muslims. An excerpt from “History Today” said: “Koranic revelation commanded them to “Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not be the aggressors” (Doc5). The Islamic power was rapidly rising as it continued the conquests. With so much power, many people may have converted out of fear of them. The strong force the Muslims presented was enough to convert many people. Sir Edward Crecy describes the Battle of Tours “everything gave way to their [swords]… all the nations of the Franks trembled at that terrible army... attacked Tours... and the fury and cruelty of the Moslems towards the inhabitants of the city were like the fury and cruelty of raging tigers.”(Doc 4).
Like any other religion, Islam promised rewards for obeying its laws and believing. The Qur’an says “whoever shall obey God and His Apostle, he shall bring him into the gardens of [Paradise].”(Doc 2)