Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 158 pages
- Published by: Harvard University Press December 3, 1979
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0674170350
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0674170353
Reader ReviewsPrinted by Harvard University Press in Cambridge, Mass. USA. Chapter topics: 1-Introduction; 2-Regional Variation in Islamic History; 3-The curve of conversion in Iran; 4-Conversion as a social process; 5-Development of Islamic society in Iran; 6-Curve of Muslim names; 7-Iraq; 8-Egypt and Tunisia; 9-Syria; 10-Spain; 11-Consequences of conversion. This book discusses how non-Muslims in lands invaded by Muslim armies changed their non-Muslim names to Muslim names after they were subjugated. The author uses some mathematical models in analyzing his materials, along with graphs that clearly portray during what time periods the name changes occurred. The author noted in part: "...non-Arabs who converted to Islam were obliged to become mawali, that is, fictive members of Arab tribes. Only thus could they obtain any social identity as Muslims. Yet being a mawla of an Arab tribe was fraught with disadvantages. Mawalit were regarded as racially inferior by many Arabs because they did not truly share the pure blood lineage that was the focus of tribal honor and loyalty. They were discriminated against in marriage, denied inclusion on the military payroll, and made to suffer revilement and social slights."(p.41) In summary the author opined: "The two important interpretative ideas that arise most strongly from the preceding chapters are, first, that conversion to Islam leads almost inevitably, after it has passed its halfway point, to the weakening or dissolution of centralized government; and second, that the conversion process in and of itself gives rise to a clash of interest between elements of the population that convert at different periods of time."(p.129) This book is not for the student who is trying to figure out "What is Islam?", but it should be of interest to those scholars who might be interested in learning more about how quickly or gradualy non-Muslims converted to Islamic names (after their lands were invaded) to enhance their economic or social standings. The author also discusses the religious disruptions that these name changes made -- -- and the impact of Islam upon the locals in revising their social, religious and legal norms -- and vice versa how local customs (such as the Iranian Umayyad period) influenced the development of Islamic customs. "What built the Muslim community as a distinct and historically visible social entity was social conversion. It was also social rather than formal conversion that created pressures for change witch affected the course of Islamic religious development."(p.37) "The second obvious observation is that non-Muslim revolts die out as the middle point in the conversion process is reached....(T)he pool of potential recruits to such movements had dwindled to nothing....(O)ne can see the turnover point between revolution against Islam and revolution within Islam." (p.44-45) The author reviews how Islam invaders, by ruling from with a city, developed new legal codes; and those who were conquered, if they wanted to achieve political power, converted quickly to learn Arabic and Islam -- whereas the farmers were slower to convert as they had no immediate need for learning Islam.(p.59) "Taken together...three indirect consequences of conversion indicate that the true central thread of Islamic history lies not in the political realm of the caliphs and sultans but in the social realm where the ulama served as the functioning heart of the historic Muslim community." (p.138)
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