Muslim conquests

Area Under Muslim Rule at some point in History

The Muslim conquests, also known as the Islamic conquests, Arab conquest, or Arab Islamic conquest, refer to the series of military campaigns and peaceful expansions that led to the establishment of Islamic rule across vast regions. These conquests resulted in the spread of Islam and significant cultural, political, and social transformations in the affected areas.

Overview of Conquests and How They Occurred

Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Yemen, Qatar, Bahrain: Tribes waged war on early Muslims resulting in loss.(see Early Muslim conquests).

Iraq: Freed population from Sassanian oppression (see Muslim conquest of Persia).

Iran: Sassanian Empire weakened by internal conflicts and oppressive practices (see Muslim conquest of Persia).

Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon: Byzantine Empire waged war on Muslims (see Muslim conquest of the Levant).

Egypt: Conquered after the fall of the Byzantine Empire; strategic for Islam’s spread and liberation of Christian minorities under Byzantine rule (see Muslim conquest of Egypt).

Syria: Defense and expansion after Byzantine aggression and support of local populations oppressed by Byzantine rulers (see Muslim conquest of the Levant).

Turkey: Fall of Byzantium; Turks converted to Islam and expanded its influence peacefully and militarily.

Spain, Portugal: Muslims were invited during civil wars to support factions, and they stayed to unify and stabilize the region under Islamic rule (see Muslim conquest of Spain).

Afghanistan: Freed population from Sassanian oppression (see Muslim conquests of Afghanistan).

Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan: Islam spread peacefully through the conversion of local rulers along the Silk Road (see Muslim conquest of Transoxiana).

Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco: Conquered after the fall of the Byzantine Empire (see Muslim conquest of the Maghreb).

Mali, Niger, Chad, Senegal: Local rulers converted to Islam due to interactions with Muslim traders; they aligned with Muslims and peacefully brought their lands under Islamic rule.

Sudan: Local rulers converted to Islam due to trade relationships with Muslim merchants, peacefully integrating their territories into the Islamic world.

Somalia: Islam spread peacefully through Arabian trade routes; local rulers converted and aligned with the Islamic community.

India (including modern Pakistan and Bangladesh): Many local dynasties were oppressive and unjust, leading to conquests by Muslim rulers who promised fair governance and justice (see Muslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent).

Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei: Local rulers converted via maritime trade relationships with Muslim merchants, spreading Islam peacefully across the region.

Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo: Islam spread peacefully under Ottoman rule as locals converted to Islam due to the Ottomans’ policies of religious tolerance, administrative benefits, and fair taxation.

Nigeria: Islam spread peacefully through trade relationships with North African Muslim merchants. It was adopted by local rulers who integrated Islamic practices into governance and society.