Conversion of Copts to Islam in Bahrī Mamluks period: Contexts, Causes & Consequences

Subject Areas : The Journal of Islamic History and Civilisation

معصومعلی پنجه ¹ (ندارد)

Received: 2010-10-09 Accepted : 2010-12-07 Published : 2011-02-20

Keywords: Islamic Egypt, Conversion to Islam, Copts, Mamluks, Masalimah,

Abstract :

Egypt Bahrī Mamluks period was a witness of the Conversion ofCoptic Christians to Islam. The Dominance of Copts on governmental[institutions] divans led to growing the hates of both culama andMuslim people as well as occasionally rising some rebellions againsethe government accompanied with rebellions of Muslims withindifferent periods of riots. The rebellions made to governors the issueorders for the sake of applying of “Ordinances of Umar (Al- Shurut al-Umariyya)” in the Coptic society. Having shown reaction, a numberof Copts tried to show appeara superficial intend to Islam and to makethemselves free from the limitation caused by such the rules, whilethey continued their relations with their previous coreligionists. Suchsuperficial acceptance of Islam resulted the growing anger of Muslimswhich leading to the rebellion of 755 A.H. which became a thueat tothe life and the social security of Copts. Therefore a great number ofthem turned towards Islam and joined to Muslims. The mentionedtendencies separated Copts from divan and, generally, the structure ofthe political power in Egypt and limited their number.