Islamic Faith and World Civilization - Essay Example

Islamic religion and society have significantly contributed to world civilization and global transformation. The Islamic society is believed to have begun strongly from the period when the Prophet came to the world and this marks the establishment of Medina until his death. This was the most important period in Islamic history since it also involves the caliphate of the first four caliphs thus making it similar to the apostolic age of Christianity. The period of the Caliphs is highly regarded by Muslims as the greatest turning point of the Islamic religions and they strongly use this period as guidance to their subsequent lives.
The mortal occupation by the Prophet was followed by Abu Bakr who was the first of the four caliphs accepted by Sunni Muslims as the vastly guided caliphs (al-khulafa al-Rashid). Abu Bakr was regarded as a man of great sanctity and piety who ruled religiously during his political reign in two years despite intermittent blunders and biased verdicts. Abu Bakr’s reign was marred with strong forces of Arab tribalism groups that threatened to break up the political unity created by the Prophet. However, Abu Bakr was incredibly successful in suppressing the tribal waves and preserving the unity of the newly founded political entity in Medina.
The second caliph, Umar who was considered by the Sunnis as the most successful caliph reigned between 13/634 and 23/644 with a great record of preserving the unity of the Islamic state and spreading it to other states. Umar, who remarkably lived a life of simplicity and austerity, successfully captured Jerusalem whilst showing immense respect to the houses of worship of the Jews and Christians. He further made history in spreading Islam in various countries such as Persia Syria, and North America. Umar was later succeeded by Uthman who was chosen through consensus of the community elders from 23/644 to 35/656 ensured wealth influx in Medina and the rest of Arab territory. Uthman’s administration was flawed in nepotism claims which were evident when he appointed his relative Muawiyah governor of Syria. In his reign, Uthman caused an uprising against himself, which eventually led to his death. Muawiyah later moved against Uthman’s successor thus precipitating the division of the body politic that continued to date.
Ali did not rule for a long period because of civil strife and wars on various borders that were led by his Shiah followers against Quraysh and his companions Talha and Zubayr. Ali afterward moved the capital of Islam to Kufa in Iraq where he had many followers and confronted Syrians who did not like him. Although Ali was successful in this Siffin battle, the Syrians came with Qurans in their hands pleading for arbitration, which was easily accepted by Ali. The movement of Islamic capital to Kufa led to the permanent departure of the political and cultural centre from Arabia though the religious centre continued to remain in Hejaz. Umayyads, after Ali’s death, ruled from central Asia to Spain and France for a long time but were confronted by efforts to restore the power of the aristocracy of Mecca and Bedouin rebellion against central authority and Shiite dissent. Abd al-Malik later restored peace and was preferred by both sides.
Non-Arabs who believed that Umayyad were Arabs brought fierce resistance. The Persian general led by Banu Abbas captured Damascus with the help of Persian supporters. However, the Muslim Spanish was established by one of the Umayyad thus maintaining the golden age of Muslim rule in Spain. Abbasid rule later marked the classical Islamic civilization by preserving the Islamic empire, unity, Islamizing many institutions, and maintaining caliphs. During Abbasid's reign, Baghdad became the greatest Islamic cultural centre. Renowned Abbasid caliphs’ Harun al-Rashid and al-Ma’mun were the greatest patrons of arts and sciences. At this period, Islamic beliefs and knowledge started to grow such as the codification of Shari'a Law. Islamic classical schools of Sufism were introduced and there was the establishment of Hadith by Bukhari.
Seljuqs who were from Turkic dynasties ruled for almost two centuries supported Ash ‘rite theology and strengthened orthodoxy by establishing the madras system. They greatly embraced Persian culture. Fatimid later captured North Africa and built their capital city in Cairo where they really improved science and Art. Saladin who was a Kurdish general revived the economy of various Islamic regions and set the backgrounds of the Mamluks. Hassan who was Prophet’s grandson established his personal rule among the Berbers with his capital in Fez that remained the core of North Africa.
In Algeria, Abd al-Rah, man bin Rust am formed another kingdom called Ibadiyyah but Aghlabids ruled Tunis. Abd al-Rah man established the Umayyad dynasty with its capital Cordova in Spain, which achieve incredible cultural success in almost all areas. Read More