Extra Credit-Muslim Rulers


Muslim Rulers


Few days ago I was talking to my niece about my world history class and chapter 9 specifically which talks about Arabia, Islam etc..She shared with me an article she read about The Pact of “Umar”.  The Pact of ‘Umar, is one of the documents produced by the Muslim rulers, which was used to keep the social hierarchy in place. Since Islam was considered the most modern form of monotheism, all non-Muslims—which were mostly Jews and Christians—were expected to follow their restrictions. The restrictions and privileges were composed into specific categories with a similar goal. As the Islamic Empire expanded across the Mediterranean, so did their status in the social hierarchy in society. Muslim rulers created specific guidelines for all non-Muslims to follow; thus placing themselves at the top of the hierarchy pyramid.

Muslim rulers opposed non-Muslims to preach their faith because they believed that the Quran was the most accurate version of monotheism. This belief placed them above Jews and Christians in the social hierarchy pyramid. In the Pact of ‘Umar, non-Muslims were forbidden to teach their children the Quran. Since non-Muslims were considered subordinate, they would spread an incorrect version of the Quran and thus jeopardize the future generation of Islam believers. This privilege granted to non-Muslims further explains the practice of claiming the top of the social hierarchy in the Islamic Empire and efforts to expand their empire with new Muslim believers. While Islam was being encouraged, any other form of religious practice was forbidden to exist in society such as the display of crosses or books in “Muslims’ streets or marketplaces”. By claiming the streets and market places as their belongings, further exemplifies the superiority of the Muslim rulers.

Through the Pact of ‘Umar, the life of a non-Muslim is perceived as limited. Without embracing Islam, it would be nearly impossible to live peacefully in the empire; unless a non-Muslim was fortunate enough to go unnoticed. 

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