The First Islamic Conquest of Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem)
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The First Islamic Conquest of Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem) A Critical Analytical Study of the Early Islamic Historical Narratives and Sources By Othman Ismael Al-Tel BA, MA. Islamic History A Thesis submitted to the University of Abertay Dundee For the degree of-Doctor of Philosophy Ph.D October 2002 I certify that this thesis is the true and accurate version of thesis approved by the examiners. Signed. .. .......Date... ^ t.. \ 0 ..'.. X~ .. (Director of Studies). Abstract This thesis is an attempt to find some concerte scientific historical explanation and interpretation of the many questions which have arisen concerning the reasons behind the inaccuracies and contradictions in the early Islamic narratives and sources with regard to the first Islamic conquest of Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem). The study attempts to establish new evedence and to develop new evidence for anacademic debate concerning the early Islamic history of Aelia. It examines the historical evidence of the first Islamic conquest of Aelia by critically analysing the early historical narratives and sources as well as examining the historical background of some important narrators who related these accounts. It also critically examines the topography and geographical boundaries of the Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem) region in order to define its true historical boundaries. These geographical boundaries later become most useful in finding plausible explanations for the reasons behind the inaccuracies in the early Islamic sources regarding many issues relating to the first Islamic conquest. In order to provide more support for an accurate picture of the first Islamic conquest of Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem) the study further analyses the history of Aelia beginning from the start of the first Islamic conquests in Syria in 13 A.H/ 634 A.D until the arrival of Umar Ibn al-Khattab in the region in 16 A.H/ 637 A.D. This is done in two ways. First, it examines early narratives in order to accurately define the period of time that the Muslim army spent besieging the walled part of Aelia. Secondly, it endeavours to explain and clarify the reasons behind the uncertainty and inconsistency in the identity of the military leader who carried out the siege operation. This has been clear done by critically analysing the relevant narrations and defining the accurate identity of the II military leaders who lead the conquest of Aelia and dates of the conquest. Further support of the view taken in the basis are provided by discussing the true reason behind ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab first historic visit to Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem), analysing the early narrations and sources, linking the reasons mentioned therein with the surrounding contemporary circumstances and explaining the reasons for the inaccuracies of the Islamic sources and accounts. It further highlights the reasons behind the different visits of ‘Umar’s to Syria and his activities in each visit, and also examined the attitude of Aelia people towards the first Islamic conquest in the light of ‘Umar’s Assurance of Safety (aman) to its people. Lastly, the study examines the early Muslims organisation and administration of Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem) as well as the clear Islamic interest in the region. Ill Contents Title......................................................................................................................................................1 Abstract.............................................................................................................................................11 Contents.................................................................................................................................111-V11 Convert to Western Calendar.................................................................................................. V I1 Arabic Transliteration Scheme.....................................................................................................IX Abbreviation Used...........................................................................................................................X Dedication.......................................................................................................................................XI Acknowledgments........................................................................................................... XI1-X111 Introduction Introduction..................................................................................................................................- 1. The Problems of the Study........................................................................................................6 1.2. The Aims of the Study...........................................................................................................13 1.3. Research Methodology....................................... I-3 1.4. Structure of the Thesis...........................................................................................................14 Chapter One Sources and Historical Background Introduction......................................................................................................................17 1.1. Early Primary Sources....................................................................................................18 1.2. Later Sources....................................................................................................................19 1.3. Early Islamic Narrators.................................................................................................. 21 IV 1.4. Main Narrators’ Historical Backgrounds..................................................... 1.2.1 Modem Studies............................................................................................. Chapter Two The Topography and Geographical Boundaries of Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem) Region ...................39 ................ 41 2.2. Examining of the Geographical Accounts............ ..................45 2.3. Discussion of Modem Scholars Arguments........................... ...................59 ...................64 Chapter Three Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem) between 13-16 A.H/ 634-638 A.D Introduction......................................................................J . 67 3.1. The Problem of the Commander-in-Chief.......................................................69 3.2. The Area of each Commander................................................................................. 74 3.2.1. The reasons behind Abu Bakr choosing ‘Amr Ibn al-‘As................................77 3 2 2 The conquest of most of the Aelia region after the battle of Ajnadln, 13 A.H/ 634 A.D..........................................................................................................7C Conclusion................................................................................^ , . io: V Chapter Four The Date and the Names of the Conquerors of Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem) Introduction.................................................................. 106 4.1. Early Accounts.......................................................... 107 4.2. Modem Scholars arguments.................................... 109 4.3. Analysis of the Early Account................................ 111 4.4. The Real Dates and Conquerors of the Aelia (IslamicJerusalem)R egion............................ 115 4.4.1. The Reasons Behind the Inaccuracies.............. 117 4.4.2. The Problem of the Boundaries and the Different Terminology............... .......... 119 4.4.3. The Conquerors of Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem) 122 4.4.3.1 .Early Accounts................................................. .122 4.4.3.2. Modem Scholars Arguments...................... ,132 4.4.3.3.The Names of the Conquerors of Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem).................................... 136 Conclusion................................................... 142 VI Chapter Five Discussion of the Reasons behind ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab’s Visit to Aelia (Islamic Jerusalem) Introduction...........................................................................................................................144 5.1. The early Accounts...............................................................................................................147 5.2. An analysis of the Reasons.....................................................................................•••••.....150 5.3. Discussion of the Early Accounts and The Arguments of Modem Scholars...............................................................................................................156 5.4. ‘Umar’s Visits to Syria: Causes and Objectives..................................... 167 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................179 Chapter Six Demarcating the Re-construction of a Mosque (Al-Aqsa) in Islamic Jerusalem Introduction............................................................................................................................ 182 6.1. Early Accounts and Narration’s......................................................................................... 183 6.2. Analysis of the times, places, and chains (Isnads) of the early Narratives and Sources....................................................................................192 6.2.1. The role of Ka’b al-Ahbar in Jerusalem.....................................................................197 VII 6.3. Non-Islamic and Later Islamic narratives and Sources..............................................199