Compare and contrast the treatment of different religions by rulers of the Arab empire..
The treatment of different religions by rulers of the Arab empire varied depending on the time period and the specific ruler in power. However, some general patterns can be observed:
1. During the early years of the Arab empire (7th-9th century), Muslims treated Jews and Christians with relative tolerance, as these religions were considered "people of the book" and were allowed to practice their faiths as long as they paid a special tax called jizya. They were also allowed to hold positions of power and authority, as long as they did not challenge Muslim rule.
2. Under later rulers such as the Abbasids (8th-13th century), the treatment of non-Muslims became more strict, with some rulers enforcing laws that limited their freedoms or forced them to convert to Islam. This was partly due to the increasing influence of Islamic scholars who promoted a more orthodox view of Islam.
3. In contrast, some rulers such as Akbar the Great of the Mughal Empire (16th-17th century) pursued policies of religious tolerance and inclusivity, promoting interfaith dialogue and even creating a new religion that blended elements of Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity.
4. Under the Ottoman Empire (14th-20th century), non-Muslims were considered second-class citizens and subjected to discriminatory laws and taxes. However, there were also periods of relative tolerance and cooperation with other religious groups, especially during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
Overall, the treatment of different religions by rulers of the Arab empire varied greatly depending on the time period and ruler in question, with some allowing religious freedom and others enforcing strict laws or persecution.