HST405

ISLAM IN THE WORLD

Assignment Topic:  Based on your Reading Materials and Lectures, Discuss the contributions of the

Abbasid and the Fatimid periods. Critically discuss the Abbasid-Fatimid relation.

SUBMITTED TO

Dr Nahid A. Kabir

Professor of History

Department of English and Humanities (ENH)

SUBMITTED BY

Efaz Mahamud Azad

ID:1630930

SOL, BRACU
 The first phase of ruling of Muslim community in the world through Caliphate (632-661)

ended with the death of Ali ibn Abu Talib, abandoned the community in complete chaos, while

Muawiya took the caliphate in a disputable situation and established the Umayyad dynasty. They

took the orthodox approach of ruling where community had been ruled by Arab aristocrats. This

however create objections among the Muslim community mainly because of discretionary

approach on non-Arab Muslims, nepotism, violent approach against Kharijites and Shias, which

eventually gave rise of Islamic revolt and ended with the fall of Umayyad dynasty1. This fall

would be the beginning of new rea, remembered as the “Golden Age” of Islam under the ruling

of Abbasid Caliph Harun-al-Rashid and eventually ended with the collapse of the Abbasid

Caliphate, after the Mongol Invasion in 1258CE2. With the Abbasids came to power the heart of

Muslim power moved to Bagdad (Iraq) from Syria as the descendants of Abbasids dynasty was

from that region. The Abbasid dynasty had ruled the Muslim world with absolute autocratic

power from 750 to 1258, making the largest Muslim Empire of the world having neighbors like

Chinese and Indians in the east and the Byzantine empire on the west. The Abbasids were able to

1
Islam: The Straight Path 4th Edition
by John L. Esposito Oxford University Press, 1998

2
The Islamic Golden Age: A Story of the Triumph of the Islamic Civilization
By Ahmed Renima
Assistant Professor of History,
University of Chlef, Algeria
Habib Tiliouine
Professor of Education and Psychology
University of Oran, Algeria
Richard J. Estes
University of Pennsylvania
School of Social Policy & Practice
Philadelphia PA USA
maintain an unbroken and strong line of visionary Caliphs for over three centuries, which made

the dynasty a formidable one, flourished with great intellectual and cultural developments.

Despite the contribution of the great cultural achievements and the spread of Islam, Abbasid

political power began to decline from the mid-ninth century3. There were several factors

facilitating the gradual decline of the golden dynasty of Muslim. While Abbasid Caliph moved

their capital to further east (Bagdad), another Muslim ruling dynasty was spreading in the west

throughout all the way to Spain (Al-Andalus), which left the region of Syria and Palestine in the

hands of Egypt4. Since the death of the Prophet (PBUH) the conflict over leadership of Muslim

community between Sunni and Shias got increased. The Shia Ubayd Ullah ai-Mahdi Billah of

the Fatimid dynasty, who claimed descend from Muhammad’s (PBUH) daughter, declared

himself Caliph in 909CE, with the advantage of unstable situation in Egypt he created a separate

line of Caliph in North Africa5. Soon the Fatimids declare Cairo as their new Capital and will

emerge as a strong force which will eventually challenge the weakening Abbasid dynasty6.

Under both Abbasid and Fatimids dynasty Muslim world flourished in every sphere of life. The

Abbasid rule is recognized as an era of strong centralized government, economic prosperity, and

a remarkable civilization7. The Abbasids dynasty gained a numerous wealth through ruling of a

vast empire. The early years of ruling of this dynasty witnessed an unprecedented success in

trade, commerce, industry and architecture8. They also allowed to practice and also facilitated

3
A History of the Islamic World by Fred James Hill & Nicholas Awde

4
www.bu.edu/mzank/Jerusalem/p/period4-3.htm

5
ibid
6
A History of the Islamic World by Fred James Hill & Nicholas Awde
7
Islam: The Straight Path 4th Edition
by John L. Esposito Oxford University Press, 1998

8
ibid
many scholars of other religion like: Aristotle, Plato and Ptolemy. Intellectual giants of Islam of

this period were Al-Razi, Ibn-sina, Al-Farabi, Al-Beruni, Al-Ghazalially etc9. It was period of

human history, that encompasses the remarkable achievements made by Islamic scholars in

every sphere of life made it the Golden period of Islam. Similarly, the Fatimids gave a

considerable attention on the ground of science and literature. They introduced a well structured

and efficient political and legal system. Al-Azhar Mosque, the mosque of Ahmad bin Tulun, the

seven mosques, Al Jami AL Aqmar mosque; Dar al -Ilm Madrasat, al-Hafiziyya were the

magnificent architectural buildings of that period10. They had also constructed several hospitals

and schools in Egypt.

As stated earlier the conflict between Sunni and Shia over leadership ongoing since the death of

prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The Shias played an important role in overthrowing the Umayyad

empire. Mostly, Shias supported the Abbasids and the Abbasids used their help in exchange of

sharing the power with the Shias. However, once came into power the Abbasids took the

orthodox approach of Sunni Islam and disavowed any support to Shias11. As a result, the hatred

between the Abbasids and the Shias was visible. The dynasty of Fatimids was backed up by

Shias. So, the conflict between the Abbasids and the Fatimids was historical and certainly was

not the result of contemporary politics.

9
ibid
10
Intellectual Life during the Reign of the two Fatimid Caliphs: al-ʾĀmir bi-ʾAḥkām Allāh and al-Ḥāfiẓ li-Dīn Allāh

Saleh Kharanbe, Ph.D. Ohalo College Israel

11
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldcivilization/chapter/the-abbasid-empire/
The empire of Abbasids and the Fatimids are the two empire will be remembered for their

conduct, achievements to human civilization. Their approach later eventually fueled in shaping

the modern Islam.