Evolution of Early Islam, 'Believers' and Perennialism under Caliph Abd al-Malik (d.705 AD) | Lets Talk Religion

Who are Lets Talk Religion?
This channel aims to educate on the subject of religion from an academic perspective and to open up for informed discussions on the subject. You will find videos discussing the big religions of the world, historical reviews of important figures and works as well as documentaries about numerous related subjects.

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Who is Abd al-Malik?
Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan ibn al-Hakam (647-705 AD), was the fifth Umayyad caliph, ruling from April 685 until his death in October 705. A member of the first generation of born Muslims, his early life in Medina was occupied with religious pursuits. He held administrative and military posts under Caliph Muawiya I (r.?661-680), founder of the Umayyad Caliphate, and his own father, Caliph Marwan I (r.?684-685). By the time of Abd al-Malik's accession, Umayyad authority had collapsed across the Caliphate as a result of the Second Fitna and had been reconstituted in Syria and Egypt during his father's reign.

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What is Perennialism?
Perennialism is a philosophical and educational perspective emphasizing that universal, unchanging truths and timeless principles should be the focus of human knowledge and education. It asserts that core human nature and essential truths are constant across time, cultures, and religious traditions. The perennial philosophy states that at the heart of each authentic tradition and religion lies One Universal, Timeless Truth that transcends all time and space.

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What is Early Islam?
Early Islam or the history of Islam is believed, by most historians to have originated with Muhammad's mission in Mecca and Medina at the start of the 7th century CE. Although Muslims regard this time as a return to the original faith passed down by the Abrahamic prophets, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, and Jesus, with the submission (Islam) to the will of God. According to the traditional account, the Islamic prophet Muhammad began receiving what Muslims consider to be divine revelations in 610 CE, calling for submission to the one God, preparation for the imminent Last Judgement, and charity for the poor and needy.

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What is Evolution?
Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. Evolutionary processes give rise to bio-diversity at every level of biological organisation, including the levels of species, individual organisms, and molecules. In the mid-19th century, Charles Darwin formulated the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection, published in his book On the Origin of Species (1859). Evolution by natural selection is a process first demonstrated by the observation that often, more offspring are produced than can possibly survive.

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What is Islam?
One of the major religions of the world, Islam literally translates to "submission," as a follower of Islam (Muslims) devotes their life to that of their God. The religion began with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century. The theology of Islam is based on the Qur'an, which was given to Muhammad by God. Some of the major fundamental principles of Islam include the Five Pillars, which hope to unite all Muslims into a community. Two different factions of Muslims exist - the majority are known as Sunni, with a small percentage known as Shi'a - both predominantly reside throughout the Middle East. Muhammad died in 632 AD and the religion of Islam formally started after his death. The Quran was formally compiled and finalised in 650 AD, prior to which it was 'memorised' and written across many parchments.

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