- HISTORY OF ISLAM IN CAHINA

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Mar 30, '08 3:35 PM
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The History of Islam in China begins just a few decades after Prophet Muhammad (saw) began preaching Islam. Trade existed between pre-Islamic Arabia and China's South Coast, and flourished when Arab maritime traders converted to Islam. It reached its peak under the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty.Please Visit Here Sejarah Islam Di Negeri Tirai Bambu Cina

China's long and interactive relationship with the various Steppe tribes and empires, through trade, war, subordination or domination paved the way for a large sustained Islamic community within China. Islamic influence came from the various steppe peoples who assimilated in Chinese culture. Muslims served as administrators, generals, and other leaders who were transferred to China from Persia and Central Asia to administer the empire under the Mongolians. Muslims also entered China from Vietnam where sizeable Muslim communities had sprung up due to Muslim rule in India. This played a large part in the creation of a large Islamic community in Yunnan, which became the largest concentration of Muslims outside of the Northern provinces.

Muslims in China have managed to practice their faith in China, sometimes against great odds, since the seventh century. Islam is one of the religions that is still officially recognized in China.

Uthman(ra), the third Caliph of Islam, sent the first official Muslim envoy to China in 650. The envoy, headed by Sa`d ibn Abī Waqqās, arrived in the Tang capital, Chang'an, in 651 via the overseas route. Huis generally consider this date to be the official founding of Islam in China. The Ancient Record of the Tang Dynasty recorded the historic meeting, where the envoy greeted Emperor Gaozong of Tang China and tried to convert him to Islam. Although the envoy failed to convince the Emperor to embrace Islam, the Emperor allowed the envoy to proselytize in China and ordered the establishment of the first Chinese mosque in the capital to show his respect for the religion. In Arab records there are only sparse records of the event.

Arab people are first noted in Chinese written records, under the name Ta shi in the annals of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). (Ta shi or Da shi is the Chinese rendering of Tazi--the name the Persian people used for the Arabs) Records dating from 713 speak of the arrival of a Da shi ambassador. The first major Muslim settlements in China consisted of Arab and Persian merchants.

In 756, a contingent probably consisting of Persians and Iraqis was sent to Kansu to help the emperor Su-Tsung in his struggle against the rebellion of An Lushan. Less than 50 years later, an alliance was concluded between the Tang and the Abbasids against Tibetan attacks in Central Asia. A mission from the Caliph Harun al-Rashid(766-809) arrived at Chang'an.

It is recorded that in 758, a large Muslim settlement in Guangzhou erupted in unrest and the people fled. The community had constructed a large mosque (Huaisheng Mosque), destroyed by fire in 1314, and constructed in 1349-51; only ruins of a tower remain from the first building.

During the Tang Dynasty, a steady stream of Arab (Ta'shi) and Persian (Po'si) traders arrived in China through the silk road and the overseas route through the port of Quanzhou. Not all of the immigrants were Muslims, but many of those who stayed formed the basis of the Chinese Muslim population and the Hui ethnic group. The Persian immigrants introduced polo, their cuisine, their musical instruments, and their knowledge of medicine to China.

Muslims became fully integrated into Chinese society. One interesting example of this synthesis was the process by which Muslims changed their names.

Many Muslims married Han Chinese women and simply took the name of the wife. But others took the Chinese surname of Mo, Mai, and Mu - names adopted by the Muslims who had the surnames Muhammad, Mustafa and Masoud.

Some Muslims, who could not find a Chinese surname similar to their own, adopted the Chinese character most similar to their own - Ha for Hasan, Hu for Hussain and Sa'I for Said and so on.

In addition to names, Muslim customs of dress and food also underwent a synthesis with Chinese culture.

During the days of the third caliph of Islam, Uthman Ghani (rta), a Muslim deputation led by Sa`ad Ibn Abi Waqqas visited China in 651 A.D (29 A.H.) to invite the Chinese emperor to embrace Islam. They built a magnificent mosque in Canton city. This mosque is known as "The Memorial Mosque".

Islam and Muslims in China

After the early beginnings, relations between the Muslims and the Chinese progressed fairly well. The first Muslim settlement in China was established in Cheng Aan port during the Tang dynasty. Thousands of Muslims have been turning to China in different times. Sometimes these neo settlers had petty skirmishes with the local Chinese. The first regular war was waged at the Chinese border in 133 A.H. The Muslims were led by Ziyad. They were far less in numbers. But they gave a crushing defeat to the Chinese. After this victory, the Muslims came to command complete control over the entire Central Asia.

These early successes opened the doors of China for the Muslim missionaries. In 138 A.H. General Lieu Chen revolted against Emperor Sehwan Tsung. On a request for help from the emperor the Abbasid caliph, Al-Mansur deputed a unit of 4,000 armed Turk Muslim troops to China. With their help the emperor overpowered the rebellion. After crushing the rebellion, the Turk soldiers settled in China. They married Chinese women. The Muslim influx to China continued thereafter through sea and land routes.

The early Muslims settling in China bore all sorts of circumstances. The long rule of the Manchu dynasty (1644-1911 AD) was the hardest for the Muslims. During this period the following five wars were waged against the Muslims: (1) the Lanchu War, (2) the Che Kanio War, (3) the Sinkiang War, (4) the Uunanan War, and (5) the Shansi War. In these destructive wars, the Muslims suffered inestimable losses. Countless Muslims were martyred. Half of Kansu’s population, totalling 15 millions, was Muslim. Only 5 million could escape alive. Chinese Muslims sustained similar setbacks in several other small and big wars. During the past three centuries, the Muslim population has decreased at 30%.

However, despite the great Muslim massacres during the past, the present Chinese Muslim population still exceeds 60 million. The Chinese Muslims follow the Islamic theory and practice. They practice all the five fundamentals of Islam. They differentiate between the forbidden (Haram) and the permissible (Halal). They are leading a decent and a civilized life in China.

Pro-Muslim Shift in Chinese Policy

The great Chinese statesman, Mao Tse-tung (1893-1976) achieved his political objective through ‘The Long March’. When he settled down at his headquarters at Niyan, the Chinese Muslims supported him. The Muslims also joined his Red Army. However, at no stage of their cooperation with the great Chinese leader did the Muslims forsake their Islamic identity even for a while. In 1954, the Muslims were given guarantees about their prayers, traditional rites, civilization and culture. As compared to other minorities they were extended more liberal facilities, especially in the matters of cementing ties with the Muslim world. Friendly relations with the Muslim countries is a great economic need for modern China. Muslims have accordingly loomed large in China’s foreign policy ever since 1985. The under-developed areas predominated by the Muslims are now extended preferential treatment.

During China’s Cultural Revolution (1966-76) locks were forcibly put on a number of Chinese mosques. All such mosques have now been restored to the Muslims. Chinese Muslims have been accorded complete religious freedom. The Chinese Radio even broadcasts Qur’anic lectures. The Muslims feel satisfied with such welcome official measures. The pleasant pro-Muslim shift in the Chinese policy is currently making an exceedingly favourable impact on the dissemination of Islam in China. China has exceptionally cordial relation with its neighbouring Muslim state, Pakistan. Throughout this period only on unpleasant incident of a petty clash between Chinese and Muslims was reported in 1990 at the Pakistan – China border at Khunjrab.

Report on Chinese Muslim population

Beijing, Muharram 14/Apr 19 (IINA), 2000 - The number of Muslims in China is estimated at 200 million at the moment. Muslim traders introduced Islam to China way back in 681 AD, and there are ancient mosques in China that are over a thousand years old.

The Deputy President of the Chinese Muslim Society told ALDAWA that there are 3,500 mosques in China at the moment, with the number of Imams standing at 4,000. He said that Muslims in China are now living in state of relief and openness, particularly for the last twenty years, adding that before that they were being persecuted and oppressed. He said now new mosques are being built, and the number of Muslims is on the increase in the country as a whole, with many Muslims attending mosques and prayers regularly.

The Deputy President of the Chinese Muslim Society went on to say that there nine Islamic universities in China at the moment, and attached to every mosque is a Quran schools. This means that there are 3,500 Quran schools, in which the Quran, Hadith and the Islamic doctrine are being taught, with attendance being on the increase. Furthermore, he said, there are Chinese Muslim students pursuing further Islamic Studies at universities in Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria, at the same time learning the Arabic language.

The majority of Chinese Muslims are involved in commerce and industry, and cooperation between China and Islamic countries has its salutary and positive effect on the Muslim community in China, said the Deputy President.

He appealed for an increase in the number of scholarships that are extended to Chinese students, and also support for Islamic schools and universities, in addition to the sending of Daawa activists and supporting the Islamic publications that are published in China.

He pointed out that the Chinese government does give support to the Islamic schools, and also repairs mosques. Please Visit Here Sejarah Islam Di Negeri Tirai Bambu Cina

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8 CommentsChronological Reverse Threaded

leharos wrote on Mar 30, '08

Alhamdulillah....I really would luv 2 visit China n
visit some of their mosque one of these days.

newyorkermen wrote on Mar 31, '08

Dalam di jantung orang Muslim tua Beijing perempat berbohong Sapi Jantan jalan.
Namanya adalah tidak ada jika tidak menyediakan - bau busuk jalan Sapi Jantan daging sapi mentah.
Bongkah sangat besar itu beruntai dari sangkutan besar di luar jajaran penjagal Halal.

Lawan mesjid jalan Sapi Jantan menempatkan jajaran toko mi kecil.
Di lunchtime toko terjejal dengan mahasiswa muda dari sekolah tinggi Muslim yang dekat, melahap mangkuk mi daging sapi panas.
Gadis di rok pendek tertawa dan lelucon dengan teman sekelas pria, dan satu orang gadis belasan tahun menghisap rokok.

Ini adalah jantung masyarakat Muslim Beijing, tetapi agama Islam di beruang Cina kecil kemiripan sampai penjelmaan Timur Tengahnya.
Anti- American stance

Di belakang pojok satu toko saya menemui Mr Xing.
Di atas satu mangkuk mi panas yang mengalahkan, saya sementara mulai membicarakan subyek.
"Anda memikirkan apa Amerika yang mana melakukan di Afganistan?"
Saya bertanya dia.
Mata lemahnya melihat saya dari kaki sampai kepala.
Apakah "anda adalah orang Amerika?"
Dia bertanya.
Bukan, saya menenteramkannya.
"Di kasus itu akan kata saya kepada anda - Amerika yang mana melakukan mengerikan."
Mengapa mereka mengebom yang ini miskin Afghans, apakah tak ada mereka sudah menderita cukup?
"Tetapi pasti Amerika mempunyai hak untuk membalas untuk 11 September," kata saya.VISIT HERE NOW Sejarah Islam Di Negeri Tirai Bambu Cina

zahid6491malik wrote on Sep 13, '08

SUBHAN ALLAH

newyorkermen wrote on Sep 15, '08

Assalamualaikum ....Wr.....Wb.
Ini Bermanfaad bagi umat Muslim & No Muslim Di Dunia anda : Suara Media Jendela Dunia Information Technology & Berita Dunia Islam : Dua bahasa Link: http://eng.suaramedia.com
http://www.suaramedia.com/
Please seand email to all your Friend Thank You Very Much

furnitureinfashion wrote on Apr 16, '09

Salaams,

Interesting Article bar stools

What is i like in china at the moment.. Regards

Aysha

newyorkermen wrote on Aug 16, '09

The Best Media Islam

Marhaban Ya Ramadhan,,,Mari kita tingkatkan amal ibadah kita di Bulan Suci Ramadhan ini.Semoga Amal Ibadah kita diterima ALLAH SWT. http://www.SuaraMedia.com adalah Pusat Media Islam online yang mengedepankan berita teraktual dengan visi menjadi portal nomor satu di Indonesia. Dalam menyambut Bulan Suci Ramadhan 1430 H SuaraMedia.com memberikan Fasilitas Iklan Baris Gratis .Jangan Tinggalkan Kesempatan Bagus ini!!
Bila Anda Berminat Silakan Daftar http://www.suaramedia.com dengan mencanumkan Nama lengkap, Nama Perusahaan, Alamat, No.Telepon, E-mail dan Produk yang akan diiklankan. Visit http://www.suaramedia.com/iklan-gratis.html

mazwindaz wrote on Feb 3, '11

Melalui artikel di "blog/situs" ini saya lebih banyak kenal sejarah Islam di China. Ternyata Islam bukan sesuatu yang asing bagi etnis dan sejarah China. Hanya penjajah BLD berhasil menjauhkan etnis China-Indonesia menjadi jauh dan asing terhadap Islam dan masyarakat Islam di Indonesia. Semoga perkembangan kini di Indonesia bisa membaurkan lebih baik dan akrab antara etnis China-Indonesia dengan Islam dan masyarakat Islam Indonesia. aamiin....

nadyababud wrote on May 3

Mogah-mogah isang gak hanya berkembang di cina saja INSAALLAH keseluru DUNIA AMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN........................... :D

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newyorkermen

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