Islamic Conquests Throughout the Ages

The literal interpretation of al-fath opposes the concept of closure, signifying an act of opening. However, in this context, it refers to the conquest of territories engaged in hostilities against the Muslim community and the ingress into enemy lands. The plural form is futooh. Furthermore, the term faith can also denote triumph and conquest.

The comprehension of al-futooh extends beyond mere military triumph. It encompasses all facets of existence – be it military, ethical, or moral. This comprehensive approach led to the willing and conviction-based acceptance of Islam by the inhabitants of the conquered lands. This acceptance triumphantly upheld the doctrine of Tawheed (the belief in Allah’s Oneness) and stood in contrast to the prevalent shirk (idolatry or polytheism) in those regions.

With this overarching interpretation, the term futooh refers to the collective striving (jihad) undertaken by Muslims, the conquest of territories that paved the path for propagating the call to Allah and disseminating the teachings of Islam across the world. It also involves dismantling the oppressive forces of malevolence that hindered both Muslims and the local populations in these diverse lands from embracing Islam.

This concept encompasses military endeavors as well as the accompanying da’wah (invitation to Islam), beginning from the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). It gained prominence during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (may Allah be pleased with him) and continued through the reigns of the righteous Caliphs who succeeded him. It extended into subsequent Islamic eras such as the Umayyads, Abbasids, Ayyubids, Mameluks, Ottomans, and other contemporaneous or successive Islamic states. Additionally, this notion encompasses significant defensive operations within the framework of conquests, aimed at repelling adversaries and safeguarding prior conquests.

This book provides an authentic and succinct account of all the notable events spanning these epochs.