mawālī
Quick Summary
The term mawālī (singular: mawlā) refers to recent converts to Islam, particularly non-Arabs who were extended the status of protected clients by Arab peoples. This term emerged during the early Islamic period, when the expansion of the Muslim empire led to a growing number of converts from various backgrounds.12
Initially, non-Arab converts were often discouraged from joining the Muslim community as equals, being accepted primarily as clients of Arab tribes. This practice created social and economic tensions within the burgeoning Islamic world. The Abbasid caliphate, which overthrew the Umayyads in 750 CE, saw a shift towards a more international base for influence within the empire, emphasizing membership in the community of believers over Arab nationality. This was partly due to significant support for the Abbasids coming from Persian converts.23
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North AfricaKhārijite Berber resistance to Arab rule…Islam, they were treated as mawālī (“clients”) of the Arab tribes and consequently had a status inferior to, and received less pay than, the Arab warriors. Furthermore, the Arab ruling class alone reaped the fruits of conquest, as was clearly the case in Spain. The grievances of the warriors highlighted…
Read More…Islam, they were treated as mawālī (“clients”) of the Arab tribes and consequently had a status inferior to, and received less pay than, the Arab warriors. Furthermore, the Arab ruling class alone reaped the fruits of conquest, as was clearly the case in Spain. The grievances of the warriors highlighted…
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ShiʿiEarly development…non-Arab converts to Islam (called mawālī) drawn from among Iranians, Turks, Egyptians, Indians, Aramaeans, and other non-Arabs. The mawālī, even after their conversion, were still required to pay the head or “poll” tax (jizyah) required of non-Muslims. They also paid a higher rate of land tax (kharāj). The number of…
Read More…non-Arab converts to Islam (called mawālī) drawn from among Iranians, Turks, Egyptians, Indians, Aramaeans, and other non-Arabs. The mawālī, even after their conversion, were still required to pay the head or “poll” tax (jizyah) required of non-Muslims. They also paid a higher rate of land tax (kharāj). The number of…
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SpainThe conquest…many of them were also mawālī (i.e., connected by patronage with an Arab) or even themselves of Amazigh lineage. This group formed the majority of the population because during the first three centuries social and economic motives induced a considerable number of natives to convert to Islam. Christians and Jews…
Read More…many of them were also mawālī (i.e., connected by patronage with an Arab) or even themselves of Amazigh lineage. This group formed the majority of the population because during the first three centuries social and economic motives induced a considerable number of natives to convert to Islam. Christians and Jews…
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