The Arab-Islamic Conquest Movement

THE RISE OF ISLAM AND CALIPHATES HIST 1301 | History The Arab-Islamic Conquest Movement In the pre-Islamic era, Arab tribes had united for a common goal, including a fight against another tribe or acknowledging the power of a leader. But the confederacy usually disintegrated, its purpose served, once that leader had passed away or that goal had been achieved. Following Muhammad's passing, at least a few Arab tribes also thought the community's mission had been accomplished. But the leaders of the community who were still alive did not consider his achievement of uniting people behind the Islamic banner to be transitory. There were instant conflicts and pressing problems regarding the community's leadership. Leadership was not inherited in many tribe- and clan-based civilizations, such as the Arabs', meaning that it did not automatically transfer to the successor upon the leader's passing. while a result, two main candidates for leadership surfaced while Muhammad was dying: his buddy and confidant Abu Bakr, and his son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib. Despite claiming to have been picked by Muhammad as his heir and successor, Ali was relatively young in a society that looked to its elders for leadership. He was connected to the Prophet both by blood and marriage. On the other hand, Abu Bakr was a highly esteemed and widely selected communal elder. They had both been among the first to become Muslims. People in the neighbourhood were worried about their personal reputations. A few were among the first converts, having accompanied Muhammad while he was still in Mecca; others had taken refuge with his community in Medina when they were in need of support; and still others had not become believers until just before Muhammad passed away. Abu Bakr was ultimately selected to be Muhammad's first caliph, or the political and religious head of the Muslim community. This was made possible by the widespread support of tribal chiefs, who in the end prevailed against those who supported Ali's ancestry. Although the leadership issue had longer-term effects on the ummah's cohesiveness, Islam had overcome this first obstacle. Ali was probably upset by the choice, even though he accepted it. Some people thought that Ali had been selected by Muhammad to be his heir. A number of Muhammad's wives, some of whom were rejected despite their intimate ties as members of the Prophet's family, may have felt betrayed along with other stakeholders. Furthermore, even though the young community would benefit from the caliph's leadership at this crucial juncture, it appears that it was realised almost immediately that things would be different in Muhammad's absence. This is partly because the caliph was not taking on the role of another prophet who could converse with God directly, unlike Muhammad. Following Muhammad's passing, there were disagreements not just over succession and leadership but also about whether the alliance was ever meant to survive after its creator. While some Arab tribes may have thought they could abandon their allegiance to the worship of one God and their confederation membership, others may have departed to return to their homeland. However, this was seen by the Muslims as apostasy, and thus the Ridda Wars started in an effort to pressure these Arab tribes to keep up their commitments with the Muslims. The Ridda Wars also seem to have been expansionist in that they included Arab tribes that Muhammad's society had never allied with during his lifetime, either via treaty or force. This endeavour marked the beginning of a larger movement known as the Arab-Islamic or Arab-Muslim conquests, and by 633 this first Islamic kingdom had taken control of all of Arabia. After Muhammad, Abu Bakr did not live long, and the conquering effort continued even after he led the Arab tribes to unify under the Islamic flag. The Arab-Muslim troops directed their focus northward towards the former empires of Sasanian Persia and Byzantium, since the new state appeared to have an expansionist goal from the beginning. They were probably motivated by the wealth of these regions, where they were aware that luxury trade products were often transported and resources were more abundant. However, additional variables also existed. Their victories in Arabia may have given the Arab-Muslims more confidence because they were perceived as proof of God's favour and their destined dominance of the globe. Historians find it challenging to measure religious conviction and enthusiasm, but history demonstrates that nomadic and seminomadic tribes have to actively search for the resources necessary for survival while protecting themselves from risks that are less common in sedentary communities. Another reason was the Arab Muslims' resilience and strength as a fighting force at this time. The raiders who had long made their living by prowling the borderlands would have regarded the weakness of the empires to the north as a clear opportunity. And then there was the timing: in the 620s and 630s, Muhammad and his successors were establishing and growing the new Muslim community, while the Byzantine-Sasanian Persian war was nearing its conclusion and both empires were vulnerable.