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| By Charles de Steuben - Bataille de Poitiers en octobre 732 - Unknown source, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=363367 |
Douglas reminded us of the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto on October 7. Today is the 1,292nd anniversary of the Battle of Tours, where armies from Gaul and Aquitaine led by Charles Martel defeated an Islamic army led by Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi, governor of al-Andalus (AKA Spain).
There is some debate about its historical importance, but in any case it seems to be agreed that it sealed Frankish domination over western Europe. What seems to be in question is the extent to which it stopped the Islamic imperial advance into Europe. Was this incursion merely a raid in force or was it an actual invasion to help the Umayyad empire expand? At least, that's the debate as I understand it; this isn't my area.
Lepanto?
ReplyDeleteThe Qu'ran teaches:
Q.9: 29 ”Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, even if they are of the People of the Book [Jews and Christians 1], until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”
and
Surah 47:4: "When ye meet the unbelievers, smite at their necks"
and
Surah 4:74: "To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah" [whether he is slain or gets victory] "soon shall we give him a reward of great value."
In other words, Christians are to "convert, submit, or die"
The Hadith (in Abu Huraira) tells us the "prophet" said, "I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' and whoever says, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' his life and property will be saved by me except for Islamic law, and his accounts will be with Allah, (either to punish him or to forgive him.)"
The current understanding of Tours, as best I can tell, is that it was fairly important at the time, because it marked the end of official organized raids into the Frankish lands. And it later served as an inspiration for further efforts to reconquer the Visigothic lands of Iberia. Abd-al-Rahman's force wasn't what we'd call an army today, but it was large enough to disrupt things in the Frankish lands, and was a scouting raid for further expansions. Tours blocked that.
ReplyDeleteFull disclosure: I do not read French or Spanish, and have not kept up with the absolute latest journal articles and books on the topic.
LittleRed1
Thanks! As for keeping up, it was never my area at all, so you know more than I about it.
ReplyDelete