Islamic History: A New Interpretation 2 A.D. 750-1055, (A.H. 132-448)

By M.A. Shaban

Book Overview

This book is a sequel to the author's Islamic History A.D. 600-750 (A.H. 132). A New Interpretation. It presents for the first time a clear narrative analysis of the central events in the Islamic domains between the rise of the 'Abbasids and the Saljuq invasion (A.D. 750-1055/A.H. 132-448).

This period witnessed the establishment of a new regime, its failure to live up to its revolutionary ideals and the gradual dissolution of a vast empire into lesser political entities. The task of creating a political structure supported by viable institutions to rule their territories proved beyond the 'Abbasids. Nor were they able to accomplish the economic integration of the empire, largely because they could not reconcile the economic interests of the rapidly expanding urban centres with those of the rural communities. The result was endemic revolts in rural areas, notably those of Babak, the Zanj and the Qaramita.

The wealth of the 'Abbasid empire attracted vast volumes of international trade. Each region in the empire wished to pursue its own interest in this trade, and competition for an ever-larger share soon developed into uncontrollable interregional strife. Lacking political and economic organization to maintain the integrity of their empire, the 'Abbasids resorted to military power. Consequently military leaders established their own rule in the regions and became powerful adversaries to central government. On the other hand the local populations in the outer provinces rose under their chiefs and also became aggressive opponents. It is these developments that explain the rise of the Tahirids, Samanids, Saffarids, Buyids, Ghaznavids, Tulunids, Hamdanids, and other regional powergroups.

Dr Shaban also studies the rise to power of the Fatimids, who established themselves in power in Tunisia and later in Egypt, replacing the crumbling rule of military dynasties in both provinces. The revolutionary idealism of the Fatimids, however, failed to win the s

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521294533
• ISBN13: 9780521294539
• Release Date: November 1978
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Islamic History - A New Interpretation

Shaban's work focuses primarily on the economic factors which influenced early Islamic history. He re-examines such well studied topics as the reasons behind Medina's acceptance of Mohammad (and his followers) leadership and the deaths of Ali, Hasan & Hussain through an economic rather than a theological lense. Accordingly, he stresses throughout his work that the spread of Islam outside the Arabian peninsula was far more a result of economic necessity than religious zeal.Shaban's work is perhaps most accesible when he focuses on the very early period of the Prophet and the rightly guided Caliphs. As he moves into the early Ummayad period the work becomes rather dense and somewhat difficult to follow. None the less, his observations on the respective geopolitical positions of Syria, Arabia, and Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) during the period when Islam was expanding outside of the peninsula, whatever the reasons, are fascinating and go a long way in answering questions about the Middle East as it stands today.Shaban's work can best be appreciated by someone who is familier with "accepted" theories of Islamic history and yet is interested in a different yet highly plausible account of how the faith spread beyond its early converts.