Chapter III

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM AMONG THE CHRISTIAN NATIONS OF WESTERN ASIA.

The Arab conquests and expansion of the Arab race after the death
of Muḥammad. Conversion of Christian Bedouins. Causes of the early
successes of the Muslims. Toleration extended to those who remained
Christian.—The settled population of the towns: failure of
Heraclius’s attempt to reconcile the contending Christian sects.
The Arab conquest of Syria and Palestine: their toleration: the
Ordinance of ʻUmar: jizyah paid in return for protection and in
lieu of military service. Condition of the Christians under Muslim
rule: they occupy high posts, build new churches: revival in the
Nestorian Church. Causes of their conversion to Islam: revolt
against Byzantine ecclesiasticism: influence of rationalistic
thought: imposing character of Muslim civilisation. Persecutions
suffered by the Christians. Proselytising efforts. Details of
conversion to Islam.—Account of conversions from among the
Crusaders.—The Armenian and Georgian Churches 45

CHAPTER IV.

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM AMONG THE CHRISTIAN NATIONS OF AFRICA.

Egypt: conquered by the Arabs, who are welcomed by the Copts as
their deliverers from Byzantine rule. Condition of the Copts under
the Muslims. Corruption and negligence of the clergy lead to
conversions to Islam.—Nubia: relations with Muhammadan powers:
gradual decay of the Christian faith.—Abyssinia: the Arabs on the
sea-board: missionary efforts in the fourteenth century: invasion
of Aḥmad Grāñ: conversions to Islam: progress of Islam in recent
years.—Northern Africa: extent of Christianity in North Africa in
the seventh century: the Christians are said to have been forcibly
converted: reasons for thinking that this statement is not true:
toleration enjoyed by the Christians: gradual disappearance of the
Christian Church 102

CHAPTER V.

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM AMONG THE CHRISTIANS OF SPAIN.

Christianity in Spain before the Muslim conquest: miserable
condition of the Jews and the slaves. Early converts to Islam.
Corruption of the clergy. Toleration of the Arabs, and influence of
their civilisation on the Christians, who study Arabic and adopt
Arab dress and manners. Causes of conversion to Islam. The
voluntary martyrs of Cordova. Extent of the conversions 131