Islam emerged in the Arabian Peninsula in the seventh century AD and spread throughout the world via a vast empire. The word "Islam" means "submission" to God Muslims are those who submit to God and follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad was the last of God's messengers on Earth, following in the footsteps of Abraham, Moses, and others. Abraham is a common ancestor for both Christians and Muslims. This article will explain to you the concepts related to Islam which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Islam - Origin

• Islam was founded in the Arabian city of Mecca (in the 7th century CE). Prophet Muhammad was its founder.
• The religion is based on the belief that there is only one God, Allah, and that Prophet Muhammad is His messenger.
• According to Islam, Allah revealed the holy book Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, and there are five fundamentals of Islam that serve as a basic guide for Muslims on how to spend their life.
• The responsibility of providing religious and political leadership to Muslims was handed on to the Caliphs (Islamic leaders) known as Rashidun after the Prophet's death (632 CE).
• The term Caliph was given to the monarchs who succeeded Prophet Muhammad and is derived from the Arabic word "Khalifa," which means deputy.
• The Caliphs were the rulers of the Umayyads and Abbasids.

Islam - Significance

• The word 'Islam' means 'surrender.' A Muslim is defined as someone who accepts Allah's will and submits to it.
• Allah is regarded as the only God, the world's creator, sustainer, and restorer.
• The sacred books, the Quran, reveal Allah's will, to which all human beings must adhere.
• God sent a number of prophets to mankind, according to Islam, to educate them how to live according to his rules.
• As God's prophets, Jesus, Moses, and Abraham are revered. Muhammad, according to Muslims, was the final prophet.
• The emergence of Islam can be traced back to Muhammad's travels. The Angel Gabriel is said to have delivered the word of God to Muhammad.
• Muslims built their regulations on the Quran and the Sunnah, their holy book. The Sunnah is regarded as Prophet Muhammad's practical example.
• Prophet Muhammad's sayings or day-to-day teachings were recorded by his followers after his death and are known as Hadith, the Muslims' holy book.
• Before the prophet's death, the holy book of Quran was compiled, and it was twice validated by him before being turned into book form after his death.
• The Islamic regulations or Sharia, are founded on this text and the Sunnah.
• Hanafi, Shafei, Maliki, and Hambali are the four major Islamic schools of thought and jurisprudence in India.

Tenets of Islam

• The main tenets of Islam are that there is only one Allah (god's manifestation) who sent his messenger to help the people of Earth, and that Prophet Muhammad was the final Prophet.
• The five tenets are - Shahadah (travelling to Mecca), Salah (five daily prayers), Saum (fasting during Ramadan), Zakat (alms), and Hajj (holy pilgrimage to Mecca once in life).
• They also believe in a Day of Judgment when one's good and bad deeds will be judged and one will be sent to either hell or heaven based on their actions.
• Muslims should offer namaz, or prayer five times a day.
• The Juma Namaz, or Friday prayers, are expected to be held in the communal mosque.
• During the month of Ramzan, which culminates in Eid celebrations, Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset.
• According to the Prophet, one must offer a percentage of one's profits to the poor and needy, which is known as Zakat (charity).

Sects in Islam

• Although Islam has many sects, there are two primary sub-divisions: Shia (Ali's supporters) and Sunni (those who follow the Sunnah).
• The difference between the two is predicated on who should be Prophet Muhammad's successor.
• The Sunnis felt it should come from people who were close to the Prophet and his first supporters, such as Abu Bakr.
• The Shias, on the other hand, felt that the Prophet's successor should come from his own family and backed Ali.
• Although Sunni Muslims make up the majority of Muslims in India, Shias are visible during Muharram when they reenact Ali's horrible death.
• There have been times in history when the religion has undergone transformations and movements that have had an impact on the shape of Islam on the subcontinent.
• Shiaism - Shiaism is a minority branch of Islam that accounts for around a tenth of the Muslim world's total population.
• Shiites make up a significant portion of the population in several Arab countries, including Iraq, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Iran.
• The Shiahs regard Ali, the Prophet's son-in-law, as his rightful heir.
• They believe Ali was the first legitimate Imam or Khalifah (Caliph), and hence dismiss Abu Bakr, Omar, and Usman, the Sunni Muslims' first three Khalifas, as usurpers.
• The validity of the first four Khalifahs or Caliphs is recognised by Sunnism, which is the primary branch of Islam.
• According to Sunnis, the Prophet's office is not hereditary, and no one may claim to be his sole heir. The community elects a leader, known as the Khalifah, from among its members.
• Hanafiyah (followers of Imam Abu Hanifah), Shafiyah (followers of Imam Ash-Shafii), Malakiyah (followers of Imam Malik), and Hanbaliyah (followers of Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal) are the four orthodox Sunni Muslim sects.

Prophet Muhammad

• Prophet Muhammad is regarded as Allah's messenger and the last of all Prophets who brought Islam back to its original purity.
• Prophet Muhammad was born in Makkah in the year 570 AD.
• Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation from Allah at the age of 40 in a cave near Makkah, by the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel).
• The revelations lasted for 23 years, and they are known as the Quran as a whole.
• In Makkah, he began preaching these revelations to the common people. Due to fierce opposition from the unbelievers, Prophet Muhammad and his companions embarked on the Hijra, or great migration, to Yathrib, which ultimately became known as Medina.
• The start of the Muslim calendar is marked by this emigration.
• Islam began to flourish at Medina, where Prophet Muhammad died at the age of 63.
• Muslims use the phrase 'Peace Be Upon Him' following the Prophet's name as a symbol of reverence.

Islam in India

• As early as 6 AD, Arab traders brought Islam to India via the Malabar Coast of Kerala.
• Several centuries later, the local population that converted to Islam formed the Moplas, a close-knit social and cultural group.
• The Delhi Sultanate, India's first Muslim empire, was founded in the next 200 years, with Delhi as its centre.
• The Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Lodis, and Mughals were among the Muslim dynasties that came after them.
• In India, the Mughal period was the golden age of Islam. Under Mughal authority, the faith flourished, and many Indians converted to Islam.
• Muslims now make up roughly 12% of India's population, with the majority of Muslims living in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Kashmir.

Major Movements in Islam

Conclusion

Islam arrived in India with Arab traders on the west coast, but it steadily spread across the country after several Islamic monarchs conquered the country. Since its introduction in India, Islam has resulted in a dynamic fusion of cultures throughout the country. Islam has had a significant positive influence on Indian art and architecture.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was the primary role of Sufism in the spread of Islam in India?

A) Promotion of military conquest
B) Emphasis on mystical devotion and inclusivity
C) Establishment of Islamic kingdoms
D) Promotion of strict adherence to Islamic laws

2. Which Mughal emperor is known for promoting religious tolerance and dialogue between Hindus and Muslims?

A) Akbar
B) Aurangzeb
C) Babur
D) Shah Jahan

3. How did Islamic rule affect the architectural landscape of India?

A) It led to the destruction of all Hindu temples
B) It led to the construction of Islamic structures like mosques and tombs
C) It had no effect on Indian architecture
D) It resulted in the decline of Indian architectural traditions

4. What role did Persian influence play in the development of Urdu literature?

A) It had no impact
B) Persian influence led to the creation of a new literary style combining Persian, Arabic, and local languages
C) Persian influence led to the dominance of Arabic in Urdu
D) Persian influence led to the decline of Sanskrit literature

5. What was the impact of Islamic education on medieval India?

A) It led to the decline of traditional Indian learning systems
B) It contributed to the preservation and translation of ancient knowledge
C) It had no significant impact
D) It exclusively focused on military training

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the cultural impact of Islam on the art and architecture of India during the medieval period.

Answer: Islam had a profound impact on the art and architecture of India, especially during the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. Islamic art introduced new architectural styles, characterized by arches, domes, and minarets, which were different from traditional Indian temple architecture. The Mughal period saw the rise of Indo-Islamic architecture, blending Persian, Central Asian, and Indian styles. Notable examples include the Taj Mahal, the Jama Masjid, and the Qutb Minar. Islamic art also introduced calligraphy, intricate tile work, and detailed carvings that became prominent in mosques and tombs. Additionally, Persian influence led to the flourishing of miniature painting and the development of a unique style of Indo-Persian literature in Urdu. The fusion of these diverse artistic traditions enriched India’s cultural heritage, leaving an enduring legacy in architecture, art, and literature.

Q2: Examine the role of Sufism in fostering religious tolerance in medieval India.

Answer: Sufism played a vital role in fostering religious tolerance in medieval India. Sufi saints, through their teachings of love, devotion, and the universality of God, appealed to a wide range of people, including Hindus, Muslims, and others. Sufism promoted the idea of religious tolerance by emphasizing the shared spiritual values of all religions. Sufi shrines and gatherings became centers of interfaith dialogue, where people from different religious backgrounds could come together. Figures like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya promoted these values, influencing the development of a syncretic culture in India. The influence of Sufism helped mitigate the impact of sectarianism and foster a sense of unity among the diverse communities in medieval India.

Q3: Analyze the impact of Islamic rule on Hinduism in India. How did the two religions coexist during the medieval period?

Answer: The impact of Islamic rule on Hinduism was multifaceted. While the rise of Islamic rule in India led to significant political and social changes, including the imposition of Islamic laws and institutions, it also saw periods of coexistence and cultural exchange. Under rulers like Akbar, there was an emphasis on religious tolerance and dialogue, which allowed for the peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims. The Mughal emperors, for example, patronized Hindu temples, supported Hindu religious practices, and even appointed Hindu officials in their administration. The Bhakti and Sufi movements played key roles in bridging the divide between Hinduism and Islam, promoting spiritual unity. Despite the challenges posed by some periods of conflict, Hinduism adapted to the changing religious environment, leading to a rich synthesis of religious, cultural, and artistic traditions during the medieval period.

Previous Year Questions on Islam

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: What role did Sufism play in the spread of Islam in India?

A) Sufism was a military strategy for spreading Islam
B) Sufism emphasized mystical devotion and integration with local cultures
C) Sufism was focused on the spread of Shia Islam
D) Sufism led to forced conversions to Islam

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Sufism emphasized mystical devotion and integration with local cultures, leading to the peaceful spread of Islam in India, especially in rural areas.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Discuss the contributions of the Mughal Empire to the spread of Islam and its cultural impact in India."

Answer: The Mughal Empire contributed significantly to the spread of Islam by consolidating Islamic rule, promoting religious tolerance, and supporting Islamic cultural practices. The Mughal emperors, particularly Akbar, played a crucial role in fostering an inclusive environment by engaging in interfaith dialogue and encouraging the coexistence of Hindu and Muslim traditions. The Mughal Empire also supported the flourishing of Islamic arts, architecture, and literature, with contributions like the Taj Mahal, the development of Urdu as a literary language, and the patronage of Persian and Indian cultural fusion. These efforts helped establish Islam as a major cultural and religious force in India, blending Islamic traditions with local practices.