Popular Muslim Reactions to the Franks in the Levant, 1097-1291

First published 2014 by Ashgate Publishing. The issue of Muslim reactions to the Franks has been an important part of studies of both the Crusades and Islamic History, but rarely the main focus. This book examines the reactions of the Muslims of the Levant to the arrival and presence of the Franks in the crusading period, 1097-1291, focussing on those outside the politico-military and religious elites. It provides a thematic overview of the various ways in which these 'non-elites' of Muslim society, both inside and outside of the Latin states, reacted to the Franks, arguing that it was they, as much as the more famous Muslim rulers, who were initiators of resistance to the Franks. This study challenges existing views of the Muslim reaction to the crusaders as rather slow and demonstrates that jihad against the Franks started as soon as they arrived. It further demonstrates the difference between the concepts of jihad and of Counter-Crusade, and highlights two distinct phases in the jihad against the Franks: the 'unofficial jihad' - that which occurred before uniting of religious and political classes - and the 'official jihad' - which happened after and due to this unification, and which has formed the basis of modern discussions. Finally, the study also argues that the Muslim non-elites who encountered the Franks did not always resist them, but at various times either helped or were unresisting to them, thus focussing attention away from conflict and onto cooperation. In considering Muslim reactions to the Franks in the context of wider discourses, this study also highlights aspects of the nature of Islamic society in Egypt and Syria in the medieval period, particularly the non-elite section of society, which is often ignored. The main conclusions also shed light on discourses of collaboration and resistance which are currently focussed almost exclusively on the modern period or the medieval west. The Issue Of Muslim Reactions To The Franks Has Been An Important Part Of Studies Of Both The Crusades And Islamic History, But Rarely The Main Focus. This Book Examines The Reactions Of The Muslims Of The Levant To The Arrival And Presence Of The Franks In The Crusading Period, 1097-1291, Focussing On Those Outside The Politico-military And Religious Elites. It Provides A Thematic Overview Of The Various Ways In Which These 'non-elites' Of Muslim Society, Both Inside And Outside Of The Latin States, Reacted To The Franks, Arguing That It Was They, As Much As The More Famous Muslim Rulers, Who Were Initiators Of Resistance To The Franks. This Study Challenges Existing Views Of The Muslim Reaction To The Crusaders As Rather Slow And Demonstrates That Jihad Against The Franks Started As Soon As They Arrived. It Further Demonstrates The Difference Between The Concepts Of Jihad And Of Counter-crusade, And Highlights Two Distinct Phases In The Jihad Against The Franks: The 'unofficial Jihad' - That Which Occurred Before Uniting Of Religious And Political Classes - And The 'official Jihad' - Which Happened After And Due To This Unification, And Which Has Formed The Basis Of Modern Discussions. Finally, The Study Also Argues That The Muslim Non-elites Who Encountered The Franks Did Not Always Resist Them, But At Various Times Either Helped Or Were Unresisting To Them, Thus Focussing Attention Away From Conflict And Onto Cooperation. In Considering Muslim Reactions To The Franks In The Context Of Wider Discourses, This Study Also Highlights Aspects Of The Nature Of Islamic Society In Egypt And Syria In The Medieval Period, Particularly The Non-elite Section Of Society, Which Is Often Ignored. The Main Conclusions Also Shed Light On Discourses Of Collaboration And Resistance Which Are Currently Focused Almost Exclusively On The Modern Period Or The Medieval West.-- Resistance To The Franks In Beseiged Cities -- Appeals For Help -- Fighting Alongside The Muslim Armies -- Acts Of Religious Piety -- Opportunistic Attacks -- Financial Resistance -- Other Methods Of Resistance -- Muslim Conversion To Christianity -- Leaving Cities To The Franks -- Working With The Franks. By Alex Mallett. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 147-165) And Index. The issue of Muslim reactions to the Franks has been an important part of studies of both the Crusades and Islamic history for a number of decades. This book examines the reactions of the Muslims of the Levant to the arrival and presence of the Franks in the crusading period, 1097-1291. It focusses on those outside the politico-military and religious elites arguing that it was they, as much as the more famous Muslim rulers, who were initiators of resistance to the Franks Acknowledgements vii List of Abbreviations ix Introduction 1 Part I 1. Resistance to the Franks in Besieged Cities 13 2. Appeals for Help 31 3. Fighting alongside Muslim Armies 49 4. Acts of Religious Piety 61 5. Opportunistic Attacks 75 6. Financial Resistance 85 7. Other Methods of Resistance 91 Part II 8. Muslim Conversion to Christianity 105 9. Leaving Cities to the Franks 121 10. Working with the Franks 129 Conclusion 141 Bibliography 147 Index 167