Author: Obaidullah Noorzahi
Islam In Europe (Part One)
Abstract
The introduction of Islam to Europe dates back to the 7th century CE, beginning with a letter from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the Roman Empire. The year 711 CE marked the first significant contact between Islam and the Western world, as Muslim groups, primarily from North Africa, entered Europe. The 800-year Islamic civilization in Spain and the 250-year Islamic rule in Sicily firmly established Islam as part of European history.
The initial encounter between Muslims and Europeans occurred with the conquest of Al-Andalus (modern southern Spain) under the leadership of Tariq ibn Ziyad, a renowned Muslim commander.
According to historical evidence and the accounts of Orientalists, Spain remained under Muslim rule for eight centuries. Before the arrival of Muslims, the region lacked progress in science, literature, and industry. However, the establishment of free schools, universal education, and advancements in fields such as mathematics, astronomy, botany, history, and philosophy transformed Spain. These contributions helped Europe emerge from the intellectual stagnation of the Middle Ages.
Gustave Le Bon, in his book The Civilization of Islam and the West, writes: “Over several centuries, Muslims transformed Andalusia scientifically and financially, placing it as a crown jewel of Europe. This revolution was not only scientific and economic but also moral. Their treatment of subjugated peoples was so humane that non-Muslims were allowed to hold their religious gatherings freely.”
Introduction
The initial encounter between Muslims and Europeans occurred with the conquest of Al-Andalus (modern southern Spain) by Tariq ibn Ziyad. By crossing the strait separating Africa from Europe, Tariq entered the area now known as Gibraltar (Jabal al-Tariq, meaning “the Mountain of Tariq”) and subsequently invaded the Iberian Peninsula (modern Spain and Portugal).
After approximately a century of fierce battles with local states, Muslims gained control over the Iberian Peninsula. Their rule in Western Europe lasted about seven centuries, with complete dominance during the first four centuries. In later periods, the northern parts of Iberia came under Christian kingdoms like the Republic of Catalonia, the Kingdom of Valencia, Castile, and León. Meanwhile, southern Iberia remained under the rule of Islamic governments, such as the Umayyad Caliphate of Al-Andalus and dynasties like the Almoravids and the Idrisids of Morocco.
In 1491 CE, Christian forces in Spain, unified through the marriage of the King of Aragon (ruler of eastern Iberia) and the Queen of Castile (ruler of western and central Iberia), conquered the southern regions, launching an all-out war against Muslims. This campaign resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 Muslims and the forced expulsion of nearly one million (a quarter of Spain’s population at the time). The expulsion of Muslims from Spain stands as one of history’s largest forced migrations.
Following these events, the Spanish Inquisition, under the authority of the Church, took control. Through interrogations, torture, and threats, the Inquisition sought religious uniformity. Muslims, Jews, and later Protestants were the primary victims of this three-century reign of terror in Spain and Portugal.
Islam’s Encounter with Christians
At the dawn of Islam, some Arab tribes adhered to Christianity, and the Levant was a significant Christian center. After the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated from Mecca to Medina and was warmly received, several Christians residing in Medina embraced Islam.
Groups of Christians from Najran and Yemen traveled to Medina to learn about Islam, asking numerous theological questions. The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded to their inquiries with logical reasoning. While some accepted Islam, others rejected it out of stubbornness. To end the disputes and reveal the truth, the Prophet invited this group to a mubahala (mutual invocation of curses). As a result, the Christians of Najran were defeated, and the Prophet neutralized their plans.
Later, another conspiracy emerged against Muslims, incited by a Christian monk named Abu Amir. Before the Prophet’s migration to Medina, he had been a prominent Christian leader in the region. However, the Prophet’s arrival diminished his influence, and Islam’s rapid spread infuriated him. He allied with the hypocrites of Medina, led by Abdullah ibn Ubayy, and sought the support of the Roman Empire to wage war against Muslims.
Upon learning of his schemes, the Prophet prepared the Muslims for battle against the Romans. Despite harsh conditions and long desert marches, the Muslim army reached Tabuk. Fearing confrontation, the Roman army retreated, marking a significant political victory for Muslims. The Prophet stayed in Tabuk for several days, securing non-aggression agreements with Roman envoys.
Christian leaders continued to oppose Islam, enforcing strict political pressure within the Roman Empire. Converts to Islam, such as Farwah ibn Amr (the governor of Oman), faced severe persecution. Farwah was eventually dismissed and executed in Palestine for accepting Islam.
However, Christians were never oppressed by Muslims. During the Prophet’s time and afterward, Christians enjoyed Muslim protection. In Islamic conquests, Muslims treated defeated Christians with tolerance, imposing a minimal jizya tax, often waiving it for the poor and needy.
This humane behavior inspired many Christians to embrace Islam wholeheartedly. For instance, when Antioch (a Roman territory) fell to the Muslim army, the head of the Christian bishops remarked:
“This is divine justice that brought the children of Ishmael (Muslims) from distant lands to liberate us from Roman oppression.”
Continues…
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