History

The historical development of Islam resulted in major political, economic, and military changes in Arabian culture. After Muhammad conquered Mecca in 630 A.D., he initiated social and religious changes in the city. Pagan worship and music was banned. Jews and Christians were required to pay taxes for the new government. Arabian culture was purified from external influences. Icons were destroyed and pagan temples were razed. Muhammad also enforced strict religiosity, requiring every Muslim to memorize the Quran and perform the five pillars of faith. Muslims were also encouraged to spread Islam to other nationalities by all means. Mosques were built throughout the peninsula to commemorate the victories of the Prophet. Great houses were established to accommodate the new officials of the empire.

By 632 A.D., Muhammad conquered the entire Peninsula. For the first time in history, the Arabian Peninsula was united under a single sovereign or religion. This new state was consolidated under the rule of Islam. This unity was almost short-lived as civil war broke. The Umayyad dynasty emerged from obscurity and gained the caliphate. Muhammads successors pushed the boundaries of the empire from Spain to the Indus Valley. The Caliphate gained considerable territories from the Byzantine Empire. The Sassanian Empire fell into Muslim hands after a tragic defeat in Armenia.

Essential in Islamic faith is the concept of militancy. Militancy requires every Muslim to spread the good news of Islam to all peoples by any means available. Broadly speaking, this may be interpreted as simply evangelization. Narrowly speaking, any means available may be necessary to spread Islam.

Now, the early caliphs interpreted this concept in its narrow sense. Abu Bakr and Othman launched a series of jihads against both the Byzantine and the Sassanian empires. The Sassanian Empire was absorbed in the caliphate. The Muslims also took important territories from the Byzantine Empire. When the Muslims captured Jerusalem, the caliph ordered the army to protect Christian sites. This was a show of respect for Christians, who for centuries fought for respect in the Roman Empire.

However, the success of the Muslim armies cannot be solely explained by the concept of militancy. After the Muslims conquered a territory, they allowed Christians and Jews to form their communities. If they converted to Islam, special privileges were given. If they remained to be either Christian or Jews, they were required to pay a special tax (quite small by the standards of the 7th century A.D.). The caliph also appointed gifted Christians and Jews to important positions in the empire (except political offices). Some Christians served as scribes in universities and centers of learning.

Many converted to Islam as a result of these policies. As one Egyptian bishop observed
 the amenities which the infidels provided to the local Christian population are naturally enticing. Many come to the Moslem officials to beg for food. Many are given food at the cost of faith. Indeed, Christ himself has been wounded again and again. These Christians are abomination of the Christian faith (361).

This Egyptian bishop was reporting an exaggerated account of forced conversions. Lucky for the bishop, this was a worldwide phenomenon. From India to Spain, the Moslems subjected the local population to minimum forced conversion.