seventh century. In the next five centuries the circles separate. Towards the end of our period, the influence of Islam over state and government was minimal, and politics involved many things which had no sanction in religion (kingship, civil wars, etc.). The circles of religion and community overlapped.
The Muslim community was united in its observance of the sharia in rituals and personal matters. It was no more governing itself (poltics was a separate circle) but it was defining its religious identity. The only way the circles of religion and community could have separated was through the progressive secularisation of Muslim society. Philosophers and Sufis advocated this, suggesting that civil society should be made autonomous, and rituals be replaced by private spirituality.
The Islamic decorative genius found full expression in the art of metal objects that are among the best- preserved specimens. This mosque lamp from fourteenth- century Syria has the Light verse inscribed on it. ‘God is the Light ( nur ) of the heavens and the earth His light is like a niche ( mishkat ) with a lamp ( misbah ) The lamp is in a glass which looks as if it were a glittering star Kindled from a blessed olive ( zaitun ) tree that is neither eastern nor western Whose oil would always shine even if no fire ( nar ) touched it’ (Quran, chapter , verse ). Muhammad marries Khadija, a wealthy Meccan trader who later supports Islam - Muhammad has first revelation; first public preaching of Islam ( ) First agreement at Aqaba with Medinan converts Migration from Mecca to Medina.
Arab tribes of Medina ( ansar ) shelter Meccan migrants ( muhajir ) - Early caliphate; conquests of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Egypt; civil wars - Umayyad rule; Damascus becomes the capital - Abbasid rule; Baghdad becomes the capital Buyids capture Baghdad; literary and cultural efflorescence - Rule of Nizamul mulk, the powerful Saljuq wazir who established a string of madrasas called Nizamiyya; killed by Hashishayn (Assassins) - Crusades; contacts between Muslims and Christians Death of Ghazali,