Turkish Meeting With Islam Before the Seljuk

Abstract

The relations of the Turks with Islam were different in different ways against the regions they took as a nomadic community and against the authorities that were in the dominant power position there. The earliest period when Turks were aware of Islam and knew Arabs is the period of the Prophet Muhammad. It is understood that the Prophet Muhammad knew the Turks from international fairs and from the narrated hadiths he used for Turks. During the Khorasan conquests that took place in the period of Hülefa-i Raşidin, we come across with more clear information about the Turks in this period, with the advice that they should not be confronted with the Turks. Towards the end of the period of the four caliphs, it is obvious that Turks and Arabs were border neighbors. In the later Umayyad period, as a result of the raids made in both Transoxiana and Khorasan regions, close contact was made with the Turks, and the Turks served in the Umayyad armies. Although the Turks established close relations with Islam during the Umayyad period, the Abbasîd period will be more productive for the Turks in terms of the rapid spread and acceptance of Islam due to the oppressive policies implemented by the Umayyad governors. It will not be a coincidence that the pre-Seljuk Turkish communities and Seljuk tribes met with Islam and quickly adopted Islam. Both Turkish religions, which are similar to Islam, and the prestige that Turks will gain with Islam will be effective in the easy adoption of Islam by Turks. As a result of the Turks entering the race in the field of Islam and being a partner in the political authority, taking the protection of Islam will make them the political leader of Islam.