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 ones 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

Constantines 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...…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 ocial 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.

Conclusion

The cultural and religious advancement for these two religions was possible through their respective leaders and conquerors, who brought the principles and morals to be followed strictly. However, the difference was slightly seen between Christianity in that they followed the religion themselves and wanted their followers and subjects to be strict about it. This was not the case in Islam; the religion was meant to protect the non0muslimas with the unending efforts to convert them to Muslims. The early middle ages brought numerous changes in literary, political, linguistic, alliances, and religious, cultural alterations that formed the initial foundations not only at those times but seen strongly entrenched in the modern…