Persian ethnic sentiment and Islam
العصبية الفارسية والإسلام
Arslan describes two senior Persian scholars he knew, devout Shi'is who loved the family of the Prophet ﷺ, yet turned hostile to Arabs when nationality came up. He reads this tension against pre-Islamic Persian religions and against later movements, such as Babak al-Khurrami's revolt under al-Mu'tasim, which he presents as a revival of Mazdakite and Magian ideas. He argues that Islam makes no distinction between Arab and non-Arab. This is his observation and argument, not a verdict on any community.
At a glance
- Era
- The Early Abbasid Caliphate
- Review
- Draft Completeness 1/5 · Help complete it
Overview
Shakib Arslan describes what he observed in two great Persian scholars, pious and Shi'i, who loved the family of the Prophet, and who turned to Persian national fanaticism and disliked the Arabs whenever the talk turned to nationalities. This is an observation from his own life; it is his view, and it is not to be taken as a judgement on a community or on individuals. 1
Arslan's explanation
He holds that this contradiction is connected with ancient Persian history and with the movements that arose after the conquest, such as the movement of Babak al-Khurrami in the days of al-Mu'tasim, which in his account had a Magian and Mazdakite tendency. 1
He presents his view that Islam is a religion that does not distinguish between Arab and non-Arab, and gives examples from the history of the conquests and of the caliphs in their treatment of the conquered peoples. 1
A further source is needed: the report of Babak al-Khurrami relies on old Arabic records from which Arslan quotes, and it needs an original reference and a modern study.
Sources
- Stoddard, Hadir al-ʿalam al-islami (Arabic translation with Arslan's commentary)
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “Persian ethnic sentiment and Islam”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/concept/persian-ethnic-sentiment-and-islam/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed 2026-10-17.