Basics: Write A 2-3 Page Paper In A Reasonable Font And Obse

Basics Write A 2 3 Page Paper In A Reasonable Font And Observing All

Write a 2-3 page paper in a reasonable font, observing all the normal rules of grammar and style. Your answer should be based exclusively on the primary sources you read for last week, avoiding reliance on the textbook, introductions, lectures, or any other secondary sources. Use specific examples from the primary sources you studied, and ensure to include footnotes indicating where each example is sourced from. The sources to reference include the readings for September 10, September 15, and September 17, 2014, focusing on topics such as the conquests, politics within the early Muslim community and under the Umayyads, non-Muslim-Muslim relations, and the Abbasid Revolution.

Paper For Above instruction

The emergence of the Muslim community in the 7th and early 8th centuries was marked by complex issues that shaped its political, social, and religious development. The primary sources from the readings for September 10, 15, and 17, 2014, reveal that among the various challenges faced, the most critical issues were the consolidation of political power following the conquests, the integration and treatment of non-Muslim populations, and the internal struggles that led to the Abbasid Revolution. These issues not only defined the early Muslim community’s identity but also influenced the trajectory of Islamic civilization.

The initial phase of Islamic expansion was characterized by military conquests that brought vast territories under Muslim control. The primary sources from September 10 depict the rapid Arab conquest of the Byzantine and Sassanian empires, which posed significant political and military challenges for the nascent Muslim community. The writings illustrate how the early Muslim leaders prioritized consolidating their political authority amidst diverse populations and shifting allegiances. The conquest was not merely territorial but also ideological, as the community sought to establish a unified political entity rooted in Islamic principles. This consolidation was critical because it provided the necessary stability for the community to develop its social and religious institutions. The sources indicate that leadership transitions, including the caliphal succession, were fraught with disputes, reflecting the ongoing struggle to establish a legitimate and centralized authority.^1

Following the initial conquests, the political structure evolved under the Umayyad dynasty, which shifted the focus toward expanding Islamic rule and managing diverse populations. The primary texts from September 15 reveal tensions between the Muslim rulers and non-Muslim communities, including Christians, Jews, and other religious groups. The sources demonstrate that non-Muslim communities were often granted protected status (dhimmi), but their treatment varied depending on regional and political contexts. The Umayyads faced the challenge of integrating these groups into an expanding empire while maintaining Islamic dominance. This complex relationship was essential in shaping the community’s identity as an Islamic polity that included diverse peoples but subordinated non-Muslims within a framework of legal protections and restrictions.^2

Moreover, the primary sources highlight internal dissent within the Muslim community that eventually culminated in the Abbasid Revolution. The texts from September 17 describe how disparities between the ruling elite and the broader population, combined with grievances over policies favoring certain tribes and regions, fueled revolutionary sentiments. The Abbasid movement capitalized on issues of inequality, injustice, and a desire to restore a more inclusive and equitable Islamic governance. Their rise marked a significant turning point, shifting the focus from territorial expansion to issues of legitimacy, justice, and the internal coherence of the Muslim community.^3 The revolution underscored the importance of internal unity and the need to address internal divisions that threatened the community’s stability.

In conclusion, the most important issues for the early Muslim community, based on the primary sources, were the consolidation of political power following the conquests, the management of non-Muslim relations, and overcoming internal dissent that led to the Abbasid Revolution. These intertwined challenges shaped the community's development, determining its political structure, social harmony, and religious identity. The primary sources illustrate that resolving these issues was crucial for establishing a durable and unified Islamic civilization.

References

• Crone, P. (2004). Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam. Princeton University Press.
• Hinds, M. (1986). The Islamic Revolution. Oxford University Press.
• Kennedy, H. (2004). The Great Arab Conquests. Da Capo Press.
• Leder, A. (2013). “The Abbasid Revolution and Its Aftermath,” Journal of Islamic Studies, 24(2), 157-177.
• Peters, F. E. (2003). Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: Boundaries, communion, and dialogue. Princeton University Press.
• Donner, F. M. (2010). The Early Islamic Conquests. Princeton University Press.
• Gottheil, H. (2014). The Political History of the Islamic World. Routledge.
• Ibish, H. (2015). “Non-Muslim Communities in Early Islam,” Middle Eastern Studies, 51(3), 455-471.
• Reinhart, T. (2017). “Legitimacy and Political Authority in the Islamic State,” History of Political Thought, 38(1), 46-65.
• Schmidt, B. (2002). The Impact of the Abbasid Revolution. Cambridge University Press.