Islamic Spain was characterized by a multi-cultural mix of monotheistic religions such as Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Even though the three monotheistic religions co-existed peacefully, Jews and Christians lived under various restrictions. Historically, the period of Islamic Spain is credited for bringing a high degree of civilization in Europe synonymous to the Italian Renaissance and the Roman Empire (Halilović, 2017). This was established when Muslim forces invaded and conquered the Iberian peninsula in 711, thus making it be the greatest era of Muslim civilizations that peaked in the 10th century. It is important to note that the period of Islamic Spain was a succession of different rules unlike the common belief that it was a single period. Therefore, it covered the succession of rules such as the Dependent Emirate, the Independent Emirate, the Caliphate and the Almoravid Era. This was instrumental for Renaissance since it is during this period that colleges, libraries and even the public baths were established. Similarly, poetry, literature, and architecture flourished significantly during the period of Islamic Spain. This paper will seek to outline why the period of Islamic Spain was instrumental for the Renaissance.
Why the Period of Islamic Spain was Instrumental for Renaissance
The period of Islamic Spain is known to be a golden age when the colleges, libraries and public baths were established. Therefore, such establishments played a crucial role for Renaissance given that poetry, literature, and architecture were able to flourish. Unlike another historical period, it should be acknowledged that both the non-Muslims and the Muslims played a key role in the culture to flourish during the Islamic Spain period, thus significantly contributing to the Renaissance. This is because there was interfaith harmony and the subsequent ethnic tolerance between Jews, Christians and the Muslims. Therefore, such crucial aspects played an instrumental role for Renaissance.
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During the period of Islamic Spain, it is important to note that Islam and its subsequent followers played a key role in creating a civilized society promoting interfaith harmony and ethnic tolerance. Such major development during the period of Islamic Spain helped in setting a precedent that was emulated in other parts of the world (Halilović, 2017). Such developments played an instrumental role for Renaissance since the well-balanced civilization created during the period of Islamic Spain brought together faith and science, thus kicking off the Renaissance. As such, this was a major distinguishing factor between the Islamic civilization brought about during the period of Islamic Spain and other forms of civilization that mainly prioritize human instincts and physical needs as well as the material aspect of life.
The Islamic civilization brought about during the period of Islamic Spain played a key role in drawing humankind close to God. By creating the link between science and faith, it also played a key role by reiterating the essence of material progress and moral development. It is for this reason that the Islamic civilization brought about during the period of Islamic Spain contributed to the immense global civilization development in the whole context of the Renaissance. Furthermore, the Islamic civilization witnessed during the period of Islamic Spain played a key role in the creation of the spirit of impartiality, justice, and tolerance among people irrespective of their religious affiliations (Halilović, 2017). This helped in ensuring that people having different views and beliefs about life could peacefully live together with utmost mutual respect, peace, and safety. Therefore, whereas synagogues and monasteries were governed by the Muslims, churches and mosques stood next to each other, thus indicating the instrumental role played by the period of Islamic Spain in as far as Renaissance is concerned. Therefore, it is for this reason that the Islamic civilization witnessed during the period of Islamic Spain left profound imprints in Europe and the Iberian Peninsula. It is during this era that different aspects of culture and science prospered significantly.
As an instrumental indicator of Renaissance, the period of Islamic Spain created a conducive environment for the establishment of libraries and schools. This paved the way for the procurement of books due to a significant number of people that wanted to be literate. As a result, it is during this period that art and literature flourished, thus forming part of the Renaissance that was witnessed in other parts of Europe (Halilović, 2017). Whereas buildings were also constructed during this period, it is also important to acknowledge that Islamic art and its corresponding qualities were broadly cultivated. This contributed to making Cordoba the civilization capital of the West and Spain. Furthermore, the period of Islamic Spain also created a conducive environment for the establishment of many technical and medical schools. This also enhanced the development of chemical plants, hospitals, and observatories. It is for this reason that the university that became the beacon of culture, education and thought in Cordoba was established, thus making Cordoba the renown home of scientists and scholars in botany, mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, pharmacy, and medicine (Halilović, 2017). This explains why people different European countries having the quest for science and knowledge used to throng Cordoba. The civilization and scientific movement brought about during the period of Islamic Spain later spread to other cities in Spain such as Toledo and Granada.
Conclusion
Based on the outlined arguments, it is clear that the period of Islamic Spain was instrumental for Renaissance since it promoted Islamic civilization promoting religious harmony and ethnic tolerance. It is also during this period that art and literature flourished following the establishment of many libraries and schools. Therefore, key developments witnessed during this period contributed to the Renaissance.
References
Halilović, S. (2017). Islamic Civilization in Spain-a Magnificient Example of Interaction and Unity of Religion and Science. Psychiatria Danubina , 29 (1), 64-72. Retrieved from: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/5251/28e0334ce7940dbde5ffd9c6784e17282c0b.pdf
