ای ایران;810466 said:
There is no misconception about it from our (Iranian) point-of-view. Islam was spread in Iran and throughout the former Sassanid empire by conquest and subsequently largely through pressure, duress and force over a period of several centuries. This was true more-so in the east and northeast of Iran. There were many inducements made for Iranians to convert in order to receive social and economic benefits which were otherwise denied to the largely Zoroastrian Iranians. The process of conversion in Iran was slower in some areas than in others, but the overall process took a long time and never managed to “Islamize” or “Arabize” Iran. Revolts and rebellions against the Arabs and Islam were not uncommon in the north and northeast of Iran decades after the Sassanian collapse. When more zealous Moslem rulers were in power, inducements were often replaced with pressure or persecution. This is the reason why several waves of exile of Zoroastrians from Iran to India took place at various times between the 7th to 18th / 19th centuries.
It is my view that Iranian’s eventual acceptance of Islam had been possible largely because of the successful revolt against Arab domination and the revival of the Persian identity, language and culture in Iran after 2 centuries of Arab rule. Iranian’s were not only able to expel the Arabs but were able to then adapt, mould and influence the development of Islam, much like the Turks would later do themselves in their own area’s of influence. It was this later ability to adapt and to then shape Islam in a way of our choosing which is why Iranians eventually came to terms with being Moslem and therefore, had no need to revert back to Zoroastrianism.
But once again there is no misconception from our history and from our point-of-view of how Islam was brought to Iran and what was once a greater Iranian cultural sphere - this was by force.
I have not denied that there were some forced conversions but majority were voluntary. You have yourself accepted this:
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It is my view that Iranian’s eventual acceptance of Islam had been possible largely because of the successful revolt against Arab domination and the revival of the Persian identity, language and culture in Iran after 2 centuries of Arab rule. Iranian’s were not only able to expel the Arabs but were able to then adapt, mould and influence the development of Islam, much like the Turks would later do themselves in their own area’s of influence. It was this later ability to adapt and to then shape Islam in a way of our choosing which is why Iranians eventually came to terms with being Moslem and therefore, had no need to revert back to Zoroastrianism
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I have read Iranian history in detail and also am aware of the famous story of “hormuzaan”. Actually, Iranians (Barmaki) were running Muslim empire within a century.
To strengthen my argument that conversions to Islam were largely voluntary; let me ask you how did the Mongols and Tartars accept Islam?
Chengiz captured Islamic empire of Khwarizm Shah and laid waste to most of Iran. Sons of Halaku ruled it as Il Khans, but after a century or so all converted There was neither compulsion there nor inducement. Even the Uzbeks; decedents of Jochi, who ruled Christian lands before they were expelled converted to Islam.
Centre of intellectual activity shifted eastwards a couple of centuries after advent of Islam. Nishapur/Tus was the hub of activity producing great men such as Nizamul MulkTusi, Omar Khayyam, Al Ghazali and even Firdousi. Even the great Imam Abu Hanifa was born at Kabul and of non Arab parentage.
In the Iberian Peninsula, Muslim ruled for 700 years, if there were forced conversions, most of the Spain would be Muslim today. On the other hand after the reconquest, Muslim population was given the choice of either converting to Christianity or leaving the country.
In the subcontinent, capital of the Afghan and Mughal empires was at Delhi and Agra, but percentage of Muslim population there is no more than 15 to 20%. On the other hand Muslims constitute the majority in the Western and Eastern peripheries.
IMO a lot of educated Muslims, not being fully aware of the history have accepted the Western propaganda as absolute truth.
