The Muslim or Moors as they are refereed to in many texts were a prosperous people in Spain. They dominated the agricultural and engineering world and were also highly active in small businesses. They lived within their society, keeping their custom, whether they were religious or social, while respecting others. Most importantly they were able to live among everyone else, Gentile or Jew. But that soon changed. In 1492, Ferdinand of Argon and his queen Isabel essentially eradicated the Muslims as a political unit by conquering the Moorish kingdom of Granada and ordered Christianity as the uniform religion throughout the domain which was conquered. In 1499, Muslim religious leaders of Granada were manipulated to give up over 5,000 books with ornamental binding to be burned. Only a few books on medicine were spared. After 1502 in Andalusia and 1526 in Catalonia and Argon, Muslims were given two options, either convert to Christianity by baptizing or be forced into exile. So, many Spanish Muslims chose to become New Christians but only by sight. Most of them gave this false piety of being a Christian and practiced Islam in secret. The Muslims were able to, despite that Christian beliefs contradicted those of Muslim beliefs, because they applied the principle of Taqiyyah or a precaution that made dissimulation and dishonor permissible when under the treat of life. In 1504, the Grand Mufti of Oran, Ahmed Ibn Abu Juma’a, issued a decree which he stated that Muslims may drink wine, eat pork, among other things if they were compelled to do so and if their intentions were not to sin.
The biggest problem was that there was no legal status for neither Jews nor Muslims under Christian rule. They were mainly under the rule of the rulers, prejudice of the populace and the objections of the clergy. As time continued, Spain became a Christian nation and purity in faith was, in essence, purity in blood which made the New Christians also known as Conversos strongly look down upon. As a member of the diminishing Muslim culture, the Muslims were known as Moriscos or “little moor’ because every aspects of their lives, culture, religion, and language were viewed as and condemned as uncivilized and pagan. Moriscos who were New Christians were branded as potential heretics. Trivial things such as eating couscous, using henna and throwing rice as a wedding were all deemed as unchristian like and the person may need to do penance. Despite their assimilation and vigorous attempt to fit into society, the need for expelling them was still imminent. So, in 1582, Phillip II’s council proposed expulsion for reason that expulsion was the only way to have ceased the tension between the Christians and Muslims. On January 11th 1608, the Council of the State unanimously approved expulsion. And later in the year Muslims or Moriscos from the kingdom of Andalusia, Argon, Castile, Extremadura were expelled and forced to immigrate to places such as Maghrib or Barbary Coast and to other parts of Europe such as Italy.
The Muslim or Moors as they are refereed to in many texts were a prosperous people in Spain. They dominated the agricultural and engineering world and were also highly active in small businesses. They lived within their society, keeping their custom, whether they were religious or social, while respecting others. Most importantly they were able to live among everyone else, Gentile or Jew. But that soon changed. In 1492, Ferdinand of Argon and his queen Isabel essentially eradicated the Muslims as a political unit by conquering the Moorish kingdom of Granada and ordered Christianity as the uniform religion throughout the domain which was conquered. In 1499, Muslim religious leaders of Granada were manipulated to give up over 5,000 books with ornamental binding to be burned. Only a few books on medicine were spared. After 1502 in Andalusia and 1526 in Catalonia and Argon, Muslims were given two options, either convert to Christianity by baptizing or be forced into exile. So, many Spanish Muslims chose to become New Christians but only by sight. Most of them gave this false piety of being a Christian and practiced Islam in secret. The Muslims were able to, despite that Christian beliefs contradicted those of Muslim beliefs, because they applied the principle of Taqiyyah or a precaution that made dissimulation and dishonor permissible when under the treat of life. In 1504, the Grand Mufti of Oran, Ahmed Ibn Abu Juma’a, issued a decree which he stated that Muslims may drink wine, eat pork, among other things if they were compelled to do so and if their intentions were not to sin.
The biggest problem was that there was no legal status for neither Jews nor Muslims under Christian rule. They were mainly under the rule of the rulers, prejudice of the populace and the objections of the clergy. As time continued, Spain became a Christian nation and purity in faith was, in essence, purity in blood which made the New Christians also known as Conversos strongly look down upon. As a member of the diminishing Muslim culture, the Muslims were known as Moriscos or “little moor’ because every aspects of their lives, culture, religion, and language were viewed as and condemned as uncivilized and pagan. Moriscos who were New Christians were branded as potential heretics. Trivial things such as eating couscous, using henna and throwing rice as a wedding were all deemed as unchristian like and the person may need to do penance. Despite their assimilation and vigorous attempt to fit into society, the need for expelling them was still imminent. So, in 1582, Phillip II’s council proposed expulsion for reason that expulsion was the only way to have ceased the tension between the Christians and Muslims. On January 11th 1608, the Council of the State unanimously approved expulsion. And later in the year Muslims or Moriscos from the kingdom of Andalusia, Argon, Castile, Extremadura were expelled and forced to immigrate to places such as Maghrib or Barbary Coast and to other parts of Europe such as Italy.