Christianity and Islam Expansion The Early Middle Ages

Expansion for Christianity and Islam in the Early Middle Ages

The death of Jesus on the wooden cross and the fallen fruit from the tree for Adam is symbols of both the religions that have become instruments of salvation for their respective believers. However, it was unbearable for the non-believers and against their status quo that they had been living in for years of ignorance that the advent of such religions came to obscure. They could not take it that some messengers of Christianity and Islam came to rule their world by saying they should obey one God and not do unholy things God has forbidden. Therefore, the thesis of the paper stands as: “the expansion of Christianity and Islam in the early middle ages was harsh and intolerable for the non-believers.”

Development of Islam

After the death of Justinian, the great builder who took hold of Byzantines, the said empire was distorted with money and military problems[footnoteRef:1]. There were internal divisional issues regarding religion and control of the imperial government. During the 6th and the 7th century, Persians were attacked, resulting in the reconstruction of the area with Islamic religious interventions. A subtle connection to the Christianity roots could be seen as mosques started building in the areas, and it was thought that pagans and Christianity were combined with Islam that gave rise to saving signs such as those of mosques. [1: "Early Islam", PowerPoint, Customer provided file, n.d.]

The spread of ideas and concepts was deeply rooted in the era when Mohammad and four caliphates kept the message of God disseminating throughout the region[footnoteRef:2]. Word of mouth and spreading the message through one’s speech to people was the only and strongest way the bond with Islam was created. The unification of loyal members was observed during conquests and mobilizing enemies from the Islamic region. Moreover, the pilgrimages in Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem also supported the spread of this religion. [2: Ibid.]

Due to language and power, the separations were seen when Islam arose in the Byzantine Empire and kept penetrating the region. Different languages such as Arabic and Persian kept infusing within the original languages and dialects of the regions where they kept conquering. The clashes between the previous and Islamic leaders caused a great stir for the power control for making certain proclamations during the middle ages.

Development of Christianity

Constantine’s conversion to Christianity has been marked an important milestone in the history of Christianity that came as a result of the 213 CE battle of Milvian Bridge[footnoteRef:3]. As the war was against Maxentius, who was also his co-heir, Constantine wanted support for which he prayed. When he dreamed of the signs from God that he would have victory, his heart was felt by it. This marked another breakthrough that caused a stir on the political ascent of Christianity. It is believed that he took Christianity and church for political purposes, so that amalgamation of the church, art, and state matters was not a problem for him. [3: Hans A. Pohlsander and Suny Albany, Constantine I (306-337 A.D.), n.d., https://www.roman-emperors.org/conniei.htm.]

The culture set by Constantine in his Christian empire was taken as a foundation by the King of Franks, Charlemagne, called the Carolingian Renaissance. Undoubtedly, it should be noted that Constantine was the first amongst the Roman emperors who left an example of military strength and artistic backing as a legacy to be followed afterward. Charlemagne followed the same pattern as he tried to revive his writings skills with his Adminitio generalis and Epistola de luitteris colendis. In both these writings, he believed that the church should be reformed and more morality for his subjects should be ensured for assisting them to view the real side of the religion. He had some challenges to be addressed, such as corruption of the church, gigantic kingdom and its diversity and growth, threats from foreign powers, and the presence of nobles in Frankia[footnoteRef:4]. Besides, cultural reform, political alterations, church amendments, and exposure to art and literature were facets of his Carolingian Renaissance. [4: "Charles Martel (the "Hammer") at the Battle of Tours", PowerPoint, Customer provided file, n.d.]

The spread of ideas was seen through art, church, monks, clergy, and political dimensions spreading fast through the geographical region. There were main Christina pilgrimages that resulted in the spread of the ideas like that in Rome, Constantinople, the Holy Land of Jerusalem, and the cult of Saints[footnoteRef:5]. The monarchy kept regularly changing when Christianity was on the rise. The early kings and monarchs represented themselves as the people’s guide and a strong belief in God. They knew their responsibility lay in their people’s protection; hence, the church grew strong with this belief. The monarchy was embedded in the ‘right to rule’ that assisted in shaping the new laws and regulations for the states[footnoteRef:6]. The elections of new bureaucrats were infused through formal structures created by the leaders as they were meant to define the boundaries of the sovereignty. These developments helped in what is assumed to be contemporary territorial outlining of the nation and state of Europe. [5: "The Early Germanic Kingdoms and Christianity", PowerPoint, Customer provided file, n.d.] [6: Brian Duignan, Premodern Monarchies, 6 August 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/monarchy/Premodern-monarchies.]

Charlemagne was determined to transform Europe with education and military fortification, for which he launched campaigns throughout Europe for bonding Europe and Christianity. The military planning and strong commanders helped him accomplish what has been witnessed today as modern Europe. It was deemed as the military expansion that impacted the development of today’s Europe since the appointment of Charlemagne was a consequence of political, doctrinal, and military failure from the Byzantines[footnoteRef:7]. The monetary and governmental strength that gave rise to cultural and church rising was seen alongside these endeavors. The entire process and efforts were taken from Constantine Empire’s influence taken forward by Charles, the epic military figure of the middle ages. [7: "Western Europe and Byzantium", PowerPoint, Customer provided file, n.d.]

Struggle for Power

When Islam came as an emerging religion after conquering the Byzantine Empire in Syria, it came with some ease on the people as peace and security were two main features introduced rather than domination. It was evident that Christians and Jews preferred Muslim rule as they commended their justice and free-of-suppression characteristics in the state, which were rule-changing ideas compared to the previous leaders[footnoteRef:8]. [8: Fordham University, Medieval Sourcebook: Al-Baladhuri: The Battle of the Yarmuk (636) and After, 20 January 2021, https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/yarmuk.asp.]

When it comes to Christianity, the Christian kings like Constantine showed the same respect for their subjects along with fairness and justice, even for their slaves. The governmental institutions were built on morality and made the church the highlighted feature of the imperial government. The security of frontiers was also not ignored.

Benefits of Terrors

The early studies revealed that Christians were not respectful towards the Romans as their preaching seemed oppressive[footnoteRef:9]. There was strong opposition to the Roman beliefs, and Christians soon became unpopular. There was a deep consciousness that Christians were completely distinct from Romans and Jews. [9: Matt Stefon, Relations between Christianity and the Roman Government and the Hellensitic Culture, 26 November 2020, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity/Relations-between-Christianity-and-the-Roman-government-and-the-Hellenistic-culture.]

For non-Muslims living in an Islamic empire, it was with protection and security of the non-Muslims. Their protection remained a priority, especially in Umar’s caliphate, in which non-Muslims refused to build and not teach Quran to their kids[footnoteRef:10]. It was peacefully accepted by the caliph Umar since their protection was guaranteed through taxation. Dhimma was taken as a pact of safeguard by the caliph during these times acclaimed by the citizens[footnoteRef:11]. [10: Fordham Univeristy, Medieval Sourcebook: Pact of Umar, 7th Century? 20 January 2021, https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/pact-umar.asp.] [11: Ahmed El-Wakil, ""Whievere Harm a Dhimmi I Shall be his Foe on the Day of Judgement": An Investigation into an Authentic Prophetic Tradition and its Origins from the Covenants", Religions, 2019.]

What Culture Was Harder To Live In If You Wouldn’t Convert?

If I did not convert to any religion, living under Muslim rule rather than Christianity would be more convenient. Although there was great progress in Christian rule in terms of art, politics, and military, there still was great dissimilarity in the security of people and their perception of protection when under Muslim rule. The Caliphs set an example of Islamic fairness and justice that assured the non-Muslims were taken care of despite belonging to another religion. The Islamic ethics were strong as they aimed at social welfare without racial or religious discrimination[footnoteRef:12][footnoteRef:13]. [12: Kasetchai Laeheem, "Relationships between Islamic Ethical Behavior and Islamic Factors among Muslim Youths in the Three Southern Border Provinces of Thailand", Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 2019: 305-311.] [13: Craig Considine, "Religious Pluralism and Civic Rights in a "Muslim Nation": An Analysis of Ptophet Muhammad's Covenants with Christians", Religions, 2016.]

The culture of Christianity is hasher since it seems that taking over through war and imposition of own rules is not only the target. There should be equality and peace within the people, who, if they are not convinced to change to Christianity, should have the right to practice their religions with protection. They should not be constantly suppressed with military strength; instead, they should be persuaded that Christian believers equally value their lives.