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Why and How the Mongols became Muslim

Kings and Generals・14 minutes read

The Mongols interacted with the Islamic world through trade and conquest, leading to conversions to Islam among Mongol leaders and people. While initially tolerant of religious practices, Mongol rulers like Ghazan and Oljeitu embraced Islam and shaped their empires accordingly.

Insights

  • The Mongols initially brought devastation to the Islamic world, sacking Baghdad and destroying the Khwarezmian Empire, but later many Mongols in the west converted to Islam by the end of the thirteenth century, with some even following the sharia.
  • Despite the initial destructive encounters, Islamic interaction with the Mongols began through trade in the twelfth century, leading to the eventual conversion of many Mongols to Islam due to proximity and the valuable skills Muslims offered, culminating in the establishment of Islamic states within the Mongol Empire, with varying degrees of religious tolerance and oppression.

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Recent questions

  • How did Islamic interaction with the Mongols begin?

    Through trade and alliances with Muslims like Hasan and Ja’far Khoja, the Mongols began interacting with the Islamic world in the twelfth century. This initial contact laid the foundation for future relationships between the two cultures.

  • Why did many Mongols convert to Islam by the end of the thirteenth century?

    Many Mongols in the west converted to Islam by the end of the thirteenth century due to the proximity of Islamic centers and the influence of prominent figures like Korguz and Berke Khan. This conversion was also influenced by the valuable skills that Muslims brought to the Mongol empire.

  • How did Ghazan's conversion to Islam impact his rule?

    Ghazan's conversion to Islam was a strategic move to gain support from Baidu’s Muslim followers. This led to the imposition of the jizya tax and the destruction of non-Muslim centers in his empire. However, his rule faced criticism for not being perceived as a true Muslim, with accusations of worshipping Chinggis Khan instead of following sharia.

  • What was the religious landscape of the Ilkhanate under Ghazan's reign?

    Under Ghazan's reign, the Ilkhanate was considered an Islamic state, with the majority of its army and upper echelons being Muslim. This marked a significant shift towards Islam within the empire, contrasting with the slower conversion process in the Golden Horde and Chagatai Khanate.

  • How did Oljeitu's approach to religion differ from Ghazan's?

    Oljeitu had a flexible approach to religion, converting from Nestorian Christianity to Buddhism to Sunni Islam and eventually to Shi’a Islam. Influenced by advisers and scholars in his court, Oljeitu's religious journey showcased the diverse religious landscape within the Mongol empire during his reign.

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Summary

00:00

Mongol-Islamic Relations: Tolerance, Conversion, and Trade

  • The Mongols unleashed horrors on the Islamic world, leading to the sack of Baghdad and the destruction of the Khwarezmian Empire.
  • Many Mongols in the west converted to Islam by the end of the thirteenth century, with some heirs of Chinggis Khan following the sharia.
  • Mongols were religiously tolerant when beneficial, but NordVPN is recommended for data protection and content access.
  • Islamic interaction with Mongols began in the twelfth century through trade, with Muslims like Hasan and Ja’far Khoja allying with Chinggis Khan.
  • Chinggis Khan's expansion initially saw Muslim merchants in prominent roles, with Jebe Noyan allowing religious freedom in the Tarim Basin.
  • The Mongol conquest of the Khwarezmian Empire was highly destructive, leading to mass deaths and the sack of Baghdad.
  • Mongols did not persecute based on religion but oppressed beliefs contrary to their customs, like halal slaughter.
  • Islam succeeded in converting Mongols due to proximity, with many Mongols in major centers being Muslims.
  • Muslims were valuable to the Mongols for their skills, leading to their spread across the empire and high-ranking positions.
  • Conversion of Mongols and their servants to Islam began in the 1240s, with prominent figures like Korguz and Berke Khan converting.

14:26

Religious Conversions and Conflicts in Ilkhanate

  • Ghazan converted to Islam to gain support from Baidu’s Muslim followers, leading to the destruction of non-Muslim centers in his empire and the imposition of the jizya tax, which was later rescinded after Nawruz's downfall in 1297.
  • Ghazan declared jihad against the Mamluks but faced criticism for not being a true Muslim, with accusations of worshipping Chinggis Khan instead of following sharia.
  • Oljeitu, Ghazan's successor, had a flexible approach to religion, converting from Nestorian Christianity to Buddhism to Sunni Islam and eventually to Shi’a Islam, influenced by advisers and scholars in his court.
  • The Ilkhanate under Ghazan's reign was considered an Islamic state, with the majority of its army and upper echelons being Muslim, while the Golden Horde and Chagatai Khanate took longer to convert to Islam, with Özbeg Khan playing a significant role in the conversion process through violent means.
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