Medieval Europe was a place of violence, barbarism and ignorance.
Blind bigotry and barbarity ruled society.
Measures such as forcible conversions, torture, and slaughter in the name of religion had spread all over Europe.
Medieval Europe first made the acquaintance of Islam with the founding of the Andalusian Ummayyad state.
With the Ottomans, regarded as one of the greatest empires in the history of the world, Islamic virtue and culture led to major advances on the continent.
Many historians and sociologists today openly state that Islam played a major role in the development of the European culture.
Islam, which first entered Europe through Andalusia, is having an even greater impact on the region today.
THE GLORIOUS RISE OF ISLAM IN EUROPE, FROM ANDALUSIA TO THE PRESENT DAY
There are now some 38 million Muslims living in Europe as of 2009.
That number is growing day by day.
But this is not the first time that Europe has become acquainted with Islam.
On the contrary, Islamic culture has always been an inseparable part of Europe.
The first incident demonstrating to the Europeans that Islam was to occupy a large place in their lives was the capture of Jerusalem by the blessed Omar.
With that, Europe for the first time realised that Islam was expanding and heading towards its own frontiers.
Indeed, the idea of recapturing Jerusalem from the Muslims was one of the main pretexts for the Crusades.
On the course of their travels, the Crusaders who set out with that aim in mind encountered a truth they had never expected; a dazzling Islamic civilisation that bore no resemblance to Christian Europe.
This was the first development that would lead to a new age in Europe.
While the Crusades were still taking place, European societies entered into a closer relationship with Muslims in lands far closer than those in which the Crusades were being waged.
For example in the southern part of the continent, in the Iberian Peninsula, or Spain as it is known today.
The state of Andalusia was founded in those lands in the wake of the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.
With the foundation of that state, the accumulated science and philosophy of Islamic culture would have a major impact on Europe until the end of the 15th century.
ANDALUSIA: THE FIRST ISLAMIC FOOTHOLD IN EUROPE
Spain in the Middle Ages was ruled by a Visigoth monarchy.
But that state was utterly weakened by struggles for the throne, internal dissension and social and religious conflict.
Ordinary people were crushed under religious discrimination, oppression and intimidation.
With the Muslim conquest of Andalusia in 711 A.D., a new age dawned for Europe.
Within a short space of time, Malaga, Elvira and Cordoba were also captured with the help of societies unhappy with Visigoth rule.
Thus the region quickly fell under Ummayyad rule.
Andalusia would remain a Muslim nation for the next 8 centuries, and would introduce Islam to Europe.
The installation of Islam in the region would mean an end to religious discrimination.
Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities began living in a harmony the like of which had seldom been seen before.
This exemplary behaviour on the part of the Muslims of Andalusia stemmed from their adopting the Qur'an as their guide.
Thus the justice and compassion required by the moral values of the Qur'an came to dominate society.
Many historians who have studied the impact of Andalusia on Europe are agreed that the state was one of the most important factors in the development of European civilisation.
The famous Spanish historian Blasco Ibanez describes the civilisation built by Muslims in Spain in these words:
Renewal in Spain came not from the north, but from the south as a result of Muslim conquests. This was a movement of civilisation more than a conquest. Thanks to this, the wealthiest and brightest civilisation in Europe flourished in Spain right through the Middle Ages, from the 8th century to the 15th.
At this time the people in the north were wracked by wars of religion, and bloodthirsty hordes (barbarians) acted en masse, while the population of Andalusia exceeded 30 million, and all races and religious groupings acted in harmony within that population, a huge figure for the time, and the public displayed a most vibrant pulse." (Blasco Ibanez, A la Sombra de la Catedral, Madrid t.y., pp. 22-23)
Andalusia quickly became one of the most respected works of art and ideas of Islamic civilisation.
Andalusia was the source of the light that broke through the darkness of the Middle Ages and the Inquisition.
Great scholars such as Ibn Majah, Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi, al-Qurtubi and al-Shatibi flourished here.
These Muslim scientists, who made huge advances in many fields, such as technology, medicine, astronomy, algebra and chemistry, proved themselves in the eyes of the whole world in the field of civilisation and culture.
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Islam : The light illuminating the world (Harun Yahya)by HarunYahyaEnglish827 views
@hayunspain LOL!!....i never said anything wrong :),and just in case you dont know but moorish history is spaninard history as well.This is your own history!!!!!!
Arabchick21 2 months ago
@Arabchick21: God bless Spain! ( is not a moorish territory anymore)
hayunspain 2 months ago
I cant waait! Islam is coming to everyone! and Islam is a true religon! No matter what people do they cant harm Islam and the Muslims! We are called terrorist today , people are burning our holy book! people are drawing pictures of our prophets! But they will all fail =) cause something perfect cant be destroyed! Islam is Perfect! I bear witness that there´s no god but Allah and Mohammad peace be upon him is the last messenger ! Islam is a religon for everyone! Black whit ect... Islam is peace
MrMirwaiis 2 months ago
GOD BLESS SPAIN AND ITS OLD ANCIENT MOORISH HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!
Arabchick21 2 months ago
@Justin054J54 The Fatamid Caliphate, Umayyads & Great Seljuk Empire were expansionist, and conquered their neighbours. At least one of the Islamic states (I think the Ottoman Empire, but I cannot remember which) used tax laws to encourage conversion, non-Muslims paid higher taxes - this caused problems in later centuries because after enough people in conquered territories converted to Islam the tax income of the empire was heavily reduced as a result.
Railstarfish 5 months ago
I am disappointed to see my comments here were deleted, I used historical sources as evidence and took the time to research them. Medieval Europe was far from the barbaric dystopia this video suggests, in fact, Muslims were known to move by choice to Frankish-ruled Crusader stated for opportunities provided by the rule of law - suggesting they disagreed with the comments concerning religious discrimination.
Railstarfish 5 months ago
I'm sure this isn't true, not all of it at least. You could praise and congratulate the Muslims all you want. They weren't perfect. For example, Saladin didn't always abide by Islamic rule and virtue. For example, in 1188, and unknown chronicler published writings about Saladin and how he was cruel to certain Christians who didn't necessarily do anything wrong. In 1188, Saladin ordered 2 Christian message-carriers because they wouldn't convert to Islam
ksj6016 6 months ago
then how did jihad play into the rise of islam during those first few centurys?
Justin054J54 6 months ago
this the true which many people do not know
many thanks for thes video
amersaid1 6 months ago