Current Events > Islam, Credit Law and Contract Law

(+) Yeah! (+)

Of all places I found a study in PubMed Central.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8046173

In this study we explore the historical determinants of contemporary Muslim representation. Motivated by a plethora of case studies and historical accounts among Islamicists stressing the role of trade for the adoption of Islam, we construct detailed data on pre-Islamic trade routes, harbors, and ports to determine the empirical regularity of this argument. Our analysis conducted across countries and across ethnic groups within countries establishes that proximity to the pre-600 CE trade network is a robust predictor of todays Muslim adherence in the Old World. We also show that Islam spread successfully in regions that are ecologically similar to the birthplace of the religion, the Arabian Peninsula. Namely, territories characterized by a large share of arid and semiarid regions dotted with few pockets of fertile land are more likely to host Muslim communities. We discuss the various mechanisms that may give rise to the observed pattern.

It is one explanation for why Islam has been successful. I prefer explanations that involve religions like Islam and Christianity spreading due to providing a life style more workable than the previous life style.

There are scholars who say Islam provides credit law and contract law which makes trade easier.

CobraGT posted...

I prefer explanations that involve religions like Islam and Christianity spreading due to providing a life style more workable than the previous life style.

"Join our community and you're more likely to survive than you were, as long as you follow the rules of our social contract," feels like... a pretty obvious conclusion to draw for how a community grew and gained prominence in a region.

Is there a bigger takeaway that I'm missing from this? I can sometimes miss entire forests if I'm looking at the wrong trees.

Capitalism says hi. Were all part of a community whether we like it or not.

CobraGT posted...

Namely, territories characterized by a large share of arid and semiarid regions dotted with few pockets of fertile land are more likely to host Muslim communities.

Northern Africa is certainly arid and infertile but the people there were forcibly converted to Islam after waves of conquest by early Muslim caliphates. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia/Malaysia are not mostly arid or infertile, and have zillions of Muslims.

DnDer posted...

"Join our community and you're more likely to survive than you were, as long as you follow the rules of our social contract," feels like... a pretty obvious conclusion to draw for how a community grew and gained prominence in a region.

Is there a bigger takeaway that I'm missing from this? I can sometimes miss entire forests if I'm looking at the wrong trees.

Yes. You have a chance to learn something new and you passed it up. I believe that you assumed people are never smart and are always stupid.

sfcalimari posted...

Northern Africa is certainly arid and infertile but the people there were forcibly converted to Islam after waves of conquest by early Muslim caliphates. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia/Malaysia are not mostly arid or infertile, and have zillions of Muslims.

Dates and places? For your blanket statement?