Transcript Expansion and Renewal in the Islamic World

Expansion and Renewal
in the Islamic World
Christianity
Many African religious practices followed slaves to the
Americas.
Common African religious traditions:
Divination, dream interpretation, visions, spirit posession
All became part of Christianity in the New World.
Europeans perceived these practices as witchcraft or devil
worship.
Blended religions still persisted (Voodoo, Santeria, etc.)
Islam
Continued to spread throughout the Early Modern
Era.
Islam was incorporated into local customs and
religious practices.
The spread of Islam not usually a result of conflict.
Sufis- traveling Muslim holy men.
Why were Sufis able to spread Islam peacefully?
Sufis
They posed no threat to local leaders.
Established informal schools.
Served as advisors to local authorities.
Acted as healers.
Did not insist that converts give up their old
practices.
Diverse Spread of Islam
Practiced differently in different places.
For example: (not necessary to write)
Sumatra- dietary codes enforced, women restricted
from power.
Java- many women served in royal courts and as
spiritual leaders.
Religious syncretism – merging of religious ideas.
How did orthodox Muslims view religious
syncretism?
Orthodox Muslims
Syncretism almost always accompanied the spread of
Islam.
This was offensive to orthodox Muslims.
Even considered heretical.
By the 18th century, there was a movement to reform
traditions in the Islamic world.
Mughal Empire, for example.
Religious wars in West Africa.
Conflict in Southeast and Central Asia.
Islamic Renewal in
Arabia
Movement originated in the teachings of Muhammad
ibn Abd al-Wahhab.
He argued that problems in the Muslim world were
related to deviations from pure Islam.
Weakening of the Ottoman Empire
He was particularly upset by the widespread
veneration of Sufi saints.
He considered it idolatry, and disrespectful to
monotheism.
Wahhabi Movement
1740’s - Wahhabi movement receives the political
backing of Muhammad Ibn Saud.
This religious movement becomes an expansive state.
Within this state:
Offending tombs razed
“idols” eliminated
Use of tobacco hashish and musical instruments forbid
Non-religious taxes abolished.
Women’s Rights
In contrast to modern Saudi Arabia, Wahhabi Islam
emphasized women’s rights (to an extent).
Right to consent to marriage, to control her dowry,
to divorce.
Right to engage in commerce.
Were not forced to wear head-to-toe coverings.
Women and men allowed to work together for
business or medical purposes.
Overall
Wahhabi movement spread to central Arabia,
encompassing Mecca.
The movement’s influenced spread across the Islamic
world.
This sets the stage for Muslim involvement on the
world stage.
Questions
What is similar about the spread of Islam and the
spread of Christianity?
How did Islam spread peacefully?
Why did Orthodox Muslims feel the need to reform
Islam?
What is religious syncretism?
What potential implications could this have for the
future?