Islamic Jerusalem and its Christians: A History of Tolerance and Tensions »

Maher Abu-Munshar is a lecturer at Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Aberdeen, UK.

Islamic Jerusalem has a special place in the hearts of the three monotheistic religions. Throughout its history it has been the site of tolerance and tensions. Islamic Jerusalem and its Christians presents a critical look at historical events during the time of two key figures in the history of Islam: firstly Caliph 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, who played a critically important role in the birth and spread of Islam. Secondly Sultan Salah al-Din, the legendary 'Saladdin' of Western Crusader lore, whose peace negotiations with Richard the Lion-Heart, King of England Abu Munshar brings to life here.

This pioneering study uses extensive original research to explore Muslim treatment of non-Muslims in the 7th Century and in the Middle Ages. A valuable source of reference for all interested in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, Religion and Medieval History, Islamic Jerusalem and its Christians establishes and develops new evidence for academic debate.

INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER ONE: Primary Sources and the treatment of non-Muslims
• Introduction
• The Sources of Islamic Jurisprudence
• The need for guidelines to regulate the treatment of non-Muslims
• Treatment of non-Muslims
• Guidelines from the Qur'an
• People of the Book Qur'anic injunctions
• Guidelines from the Sunnah
• An overview of Jihad
• Conclusion
• CHAPTER TWO
• 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab's treatment of Christians Introduction
• A brief historical background of 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab
• The allegation for unjust treatment to the Christians
• Jurist's opinions on the Chain of narrators of the pact of 'Umar
• Examination of the text of Ibn 'Asakir's fifth version
• Validity of attributing the pact to 'Umar
• 'Umar's practice towards the Dhimmis
• Conclusion
• CHAPTER THREE
• 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab's and the Christians of Islamic Jerusalem
• Introduction
• The Status of Christians in Islamic
• Jerusalem prior to the first Muslim conquest
• Steps towards the conquest of Islamic Jerusalem
• The conquest of Islamic Jerusalem
• The reason behind 'Umar's arrival
• The reasons behind insisting on the presence of 'Umar
• Umar's Assurance of safety to the people of Aelia (Al-'Uhda al-'Umariyya)
Various versions of 'Umar assurance of safety
• Al-Tabari's version of 'Umar's Assurance of safety to the people of Aelia
• Origin of al-Tabari's version
• The core of the document
• Exclusion of the Jews
• Christians-Jewish conflict
• The expulsion of and arrangement regarding the Byzantines
• Fulan's issue
• Observations
• The Orthodox Patriarchates of Jerusalem's version and the Christian - Christian conflict
• Conclusion
• The First Muslim Conquest of the city and the attitude of the Christians in Islamic Jerusalem towards the Muslims
• Muslim treatment of Christians in light of 'Umar's Assurance of Safety
• 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab and the Christian's holy places
• The keys of the Church of Holy Sepulchre
• The market in Islamic Jerusalem and the terms of the peace treaty according to Abu 'Ubayd
• The effect of the first Muslim conquest on the Christians of Islamic Jerusalem The Pact of 'Umar to the Christians of Islamic Jerusalem
• Conclusion
• CHAPTER FOUR
• Salah al-Din's treatment of Christians
• Introduction
• The reason behind the Crusades
• The situation of Christians in Islamic Jerusalem prior to arrival of the Crusaders
• The Crusaders in Islamic Jerusalem
• A brief historical background of Salah al-Din
• Salah al-Din's treatment of Christians in Egypt
• Islamic Jerusalem in the mind of Salah al-Din
• Conclusion
• CHAPTER FIVE
• Salah al-Din and the Christians of Islamic Jerusalem
• Introduction
• The steps towards the liberation of Islamic Jerusalem and Muslim treatment of the Christians
• The four accounts of communication
• The threats of Balian
• Salah al-Din and the Christians Holy places in Islamic Jerusalem
• Salah al-Din and the native Christians
• Muslim treatment of the Christians at the time of the Third Crusade
• Conclusion
• CONCLUSION
• BIBILOGRAPHY
• INDEX *