The motives of Islamic Conquest

Scarcity is a choice.

Governments must ensure needs are met, through laws and money printing.

Secular Democracy is based upon Capitalism, which is based upon Materialism.

RANK	ISLAMIC IDEOLOGICAL ROOTS	ESTIMATED INFLUENCE	EVIDENCE OF IMPACT
1	SPREADING ISLAM (DA'WAH/TABLIGH)	PRIMARY RELIGIOUS DUTY	• Prophet taught "conquest could occur both through war and through preaching the message of faith" THE CONQUEST HADITH AND THE MUSLIM SIEGES OF CONSTANTINOPLE \| History of Istanbul • "Byzantine and Sassanid empires were the two greatest obstacles to Islam" THE CONQUEST HADITH AND THE MUSLIM SIEGES OF CONSTANTINOPLE \| History of Istanbul • "Were Muslim believers motivated by religious zeal to proclaim Islam to non-Muslims?" The Stated Motivations for the Early Islamic Expansion (622–641) - Peter Lang Verlag • Prophet sent Mu'adh to Yemen saying "Make things easy...Give glad tidings" How Islam Spread Throughout the World \| Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
2	JIHAD AS RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION	DIVINE COMMAND	• "Verily, you shall conquer Constantinople. What a wonderful army...what a wonderful commander" THE CONQUEST HADITH AND THE MUSLIM SIEGES OF CONSTANTINOPLE \| History of Istanbul - famous conquest hadith • "Dedicated to expanding House of Islam, concept of jihad used to unify Islamic community" Islam – Rise of the Religion and Empires – He Huaka’i Honua: Journeys in World History I, to 1500 CE Honolulu CC HIST 151 • Hadith indicated "those who participated in siege would achieve great material and spiritual gains" THE CONQUEST HADITH AND THE MUSLIM SIEGES OF CONSTANTINOPLE \| History of Istanbul
3	REMOVAL OF OBSTACLES TO ISLAM	STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE	• "Byzantine and Sassanid empires were the two greatest obstacles to Islam, and thus targets for the umma" THE CONQUEST HADITH AND THE MUSLIM SIEGES OF CONSTANTINOPLE \| History of Istanbul • "Failure to conquer Constantinople was greatest obstacle to spread of Islam into Europe" THE CONQUEST HADITH AND THE MUSLIM SIEGES OF CONSTANTINOPLE \| History of Istanbul • Muhammad's campaigns against those who "persistently denied the truth of Muhammad's mission" Military career of Muhammad - Wikipedia
4	UNIFYING THE UMMAH	POLITICAL NECESSITY	• "'Umar united Muslims through common faith and directed them against common enemy" Islam – Rise of the Religion and Empires – He Huaka’i Honua: Journeys in World History I, to 1500 CE Honolulu CC HIST 151 • "Desire to unify Muslim community after second civil war and rally them against...Byzantine Empire" Early Muslim conquests - Wikipedia • Shift from "inter-Bedouin tribal raids" to external conquest "made it possible for Islam to expand and avoid self-destruction" Jihad - Wikipedia
5	ECONOMIC/MATERIAL FACTORS	PRACTICAL MOTIVATION	• "Objective of conquests was mostly of practical nature, as fertile land and water were scarce" Spread of Islam - Wikipedia • "Most participants in expeditions probably thought of nothing more than booty" Jihad - Wikipedia • Troops received 4/5 of war loot; jizya tax provided revenue Islam – Rise of the Religion and Empires – He Huaka’i Honua: Journeys in World History I, to 1500 CE Honolulu CC HIST 151
6	DIVINE FAVOR/PROVIDENCE	THEOLOGICAL VALIDATION	• "Early Muslim historians viewed conquests as reflection of religious zeal and evidence of divine favor" Early Muslim conquests - Wikipedia • "If Khosrau is destroyed...if Caesar is ruined...Their treasures will be divided in Allah's cause" THE CONQUEST HADITH AND THE MUSLIM SIEGES OF CONSTANTINOPLE \| History of Istanbul • Success seen as proof of Allah's support
7	DAR AL-ISLAM VS DAR AL-HARB	WORLDVIEW FRAMEWORK	• Division of world into "House of Islam" and "House of War" • "Permanent state of war" that could be interrupted by truces Jihad - Wikipedia • By 1500s "accepted that permanent state was peace" Jihad - Wikipedia
8	PROTECTION OF BELIEVERS	DEFENSIVE DUTY	• "Qur'an justifies war in self-defense or in response to aggression" Jihad - Wikipedia • Campaigns against Jewish tribes who "violated Constitution of Medina" Military career of Muhammad - Wikipedia • Protection of Muslim minorities
9	ADMINISTRATIVE PRAGMATISM	GOVERNANCE MODEL	• "For subjects of empire...not much changed in practice" Early Muslim conquests - Wikipedia • Jews and Christians given "special status as communities possessing scriptures" Islam \| Religion, Beliefs, Practices, & Facts \| Britannica • "Forced conversion to Islam was 'almost impossible' as Muslims were small minority" Did Islam Spread by the Sword? A Critical Look at Forced Conversions \| Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
10	GRADUAL CONVERSION THROUGH EXAMPLE	LONG-TERM PROCESS	• "Islam did not become majority religion until 850-1050" in conquered regions Did Islam Spread by the Sword? A Critical Look at Forced Conversions \| Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research • "Muslim merchants...exposed non-Muslims to their beliefs, values, and way of life" How Islam Spread Throughout the World \| Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research • "Converts escaping taxation would have to pay zakat" Early Muslim conquests - Wikipedia
11	NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION	QUR'ANIC PRINCIPLE	• "According to Al-Baqara 256 'there is no compulsion in religion'" Jihad - Wikipedia • "If forced conversion had been impetus...they were miserable failure" Did Islam Spread by the Sword? A Critical Look at Forced Conversions \| Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research • Pagans given choice to "accept Islam or die" but People of Book allowed autonomy Islam \| Religion, Beliefs, Practices, & Facts \| Britannica
12	MARTYRDOM/SPIRITUAL REWARD	INDIVIDUAL MOTIVATION	• Participants would "achieve great material and spiritual gains" THE CONQUEST HADITH AND THE MUSLIM SIEGES OF CONSTANTINOPLE \| History of Istanbul • "Martyrdom from attack on enemy...was praiseworthy" Jihad - Wikipedia • Paradise promised for those who died in jihad