Connor Espenshade
Mrs. Petersen
Western Civilization VT
November 13, 2018
Newspaper Project
Constant Divide:
Islam is a religion fundamentally built on the revelations of the final prophet, Muhammad. This religion became divided over time into two major groups: the Shiites and the Sunni.
But first: the basics of Islam. Allah (Arabic translation for Hebrew word for God) created the universe. He spoke through multiple prophets, the final one being Muhammad. He received visions at the age of 40. Muslims believe that Jesus will return during the end times and, while, unlike Christians, that he was not the Son of God, that Jesus was an esteemed prophet (Cohen). They follow five pillars that include praying five times a day while facing Mecca, believing Allah is the only God, and other things (Petersen, “Byzantine Student Notes”).
Muhammad made the same mistake as Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan made: they didn’t set up a plan for succession (CrashCourse). This meant that exactly who Muhammad’s successor was
disputed. One group, the Sunni, believed the caliph, or leader, should be chosen on merit (Cohen). Another group, the Shiites, believed only a direct descendant of Muhammad should lead the Muslim population, and followed the descendants of Ali, a cousin of Muhammad (Cohen).
These two groups grew further and further apart over time. Shiites exclusively also believe in twelve Imams, religious leaders chosen by Allah. However, both groups fundamentally believe in Allah and Muhammad as God and Prophet, respectively.
Europe in Chaos
The barbarian invasions have destroyed Rome and decimated Europe’s shared government into many insecure regions (Martin). Europe has turned from being the world’s leader in intellect to a continent trapped by fear. Their feudalistic society promotes self-sufficency over trade, loss of learning so as not to learn from pagans (the Greeks), and safety from the Vikings.
The Europeans are also insanely focused on the balance of power and the separation of power between the Roman Catholic Church and monarchial governments. Pepin the Short (his actual name), was anionted king by the pope, and his son, Charlemagne, was crowned by the pope, giving him tremendous secular power! (Petersen “Middle Ages Student Notes”) They are worse than the Arab rule, at least we have a completely unified church and state!
The Roman Catholic Church exerts even more power over society when it threatens excommunication (removal from the church and therefore prevention from entering Heaven) and interdicts (prevention of certain ceremonies) to have a say in secular matters. This arose when King Henry IV (Holy Roman Emperor) condemned Pope Gregory VII’s proclamation for priests to renounce their wives. After the pope excommunicated the king, Henry was forced to wait outside in the cold for several days before the pope would forgive him and readmit him into the Church (Petersen, “Middle Ages Student Notes”). Clearly, Europe has become both more barbaric and more religious.
CONSTANTINOPLE FALLS
Islam spread very rapidly to a great number of people due to the concept of jihad (holy struggle and martyrdom as ticket to heaven) and little resistance (Petersen, “Byzantine Student Notes”). Islam eventually spreads to the Ottoman Turks.
Constantinople had been attacked several times in the past, and had formidable defenses, including huge, thick walls and Greek fire, or “fire” that burned in water (Cartwright). Nothing could penetrate these defenses. That is, until the Turks brought something new to the Eastern legacy of Rome: cannons (Cartwright).
The leader of the Ottoman Turks, Mehmet II, spends 7 weeks constantly bombarding the city’s defenses and kills Emperor Constantine XI (Petersen, “Byzantine Student Notes”). After Mehmet launched an all-assault on the city, Byzantine women and children were forced to defend the walls until the Turks noticed and entered through the unlocked Kerkoporta gate. At this point, the inhabitants of the city committed suicide to escape the rape and horrors of the Turks (Cartwright).
Constantinople would remain a centerpiece of an empire; however, it now belonged to the Turks. With the famous Hagia Sophia church converted to a mosque and its name changed to Istanbul, the city built on Christianity had been changed in nearly every way.
Opinion: A Case for Religious Tolerance
Islam is as much a secular empire as it is a religious movement. Not only does it have a large following of devout believers, these Muslims are willing to fight and die to expand the Muslim empire.
When Muslims conquer a group of people, they given the conquered three options. The first is perhaps the simplest: convert to Islam. The second option, a tax, is a financial burden but this otherwise allows the conquered people to keep their religion, something Europe during the Middle Ages did not allow you to do (Reconquista). The third option was, of course, to die for not submitting to Allah (Petersen, “Byzantium Student Notes”).
While these options are fair, I want to make a case for an even greater amount of religious tolerance: allowing people to believe what they want, while still preaching Islam.
The Quran actually raises this principle in 2:256: “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong” (Qur’an 2.256).
But why, why shouldn’t the conquered submit to their overlords’ religion? More importantly, why should the overlords allow different religions to be practiced. It’s quite simple: by not forcing people to belief something, they must choose to believe it.
This principle seems obvious but has vast implications. Religion is not like government; religion is choosing who to follow to live your life. If you are being forced to choose someone, you are by definition are not choosing the to follow, but to escape trouble.
If Muslims exposed their conquered to hear the Islamic message and make that choice for themselves, the Islamic community would be more committed and unified.
Works Cited
“12 Healthy Herbs and Spices: A Closer Look.” CNN, Cable News Network, 24 Aug. 2017, www.cnn.com/2017/08/24/health/gallery/health-benefits-of-herbs-and-spices/index.html.
Bok, Chip. “Political Cartoons.” Townhall, Townhall.com, 12 Sept. 2014, www.townhall.com/political-cartoons/2014/09/12/122323.
Cartwright, Mark. “1453: The Fall of Constantinople.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 11 Nov. 2018, www.ancient.eu/article/1180/1453-the-fall-of-constantinople/.
Cohen, Rachel. “Do You Know the Basics of Islam?” International Mission Board, International Mission Board, 11 May 2018, www.imb.org/2018/05/11/do-you-know-the-basics-of-islam/.
CrashCourse. Wait For It…The Mongols!: Crash Course World History #17. YouTube, YouTube, 17 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=szxPar0BcMo&list=PLBDA2E52FB1EF80C9&index=17.
Krawiec, Emma. “Feudalism, the Manor System, and the Church.” World History, www.krawiecelectronicportfolio.weebly.com/feudalism-the-manor-system-and-the-church.html.
Martin, Matthew. “The Rise of Feudalism in Europe During the Middle Ages.” Kyrene School District, www.kyrene.org/cms/lib/AZ01001083/Centricity/Domain/1701/Feudalism%20Notes.pdf.
Petersen, Jody. “Byzantium Student Notes.” 3 Oct. 2018.
Petersen, Jody. “Middle Ages Student Notes.” 21 Oct. 2018.
“St. Gregory VII.” Catholic Lane, 25 May 2015, www.catholiclane.com/st-gregory-vii/.