THUGHUR SHAMI AND ÁWASIM (HISTORICAL, CULTURALAND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE CONQUESTS TO THE END OF 3 CENTURY A.H)

Since the very early years after Hijrah, Sham (Greater Syria),especially with promises of conquest made by the Prophet (pbuh)to the Muslims, was of special importance. Natural and culturalfeatures of the region and its neighborhood to the EasternRoman Empire had always attracted the attention of variousstates. Following the disintegration of the Islamic Caliphate, thiscaused permanent conflicts among the local and regionalgovernments. On the other hand, the borders region alwayswitnessed wars between the Muslims and the Byzantines. Thecoinage of the word thughur (Borders and áwasim (forts), in thepolitical literature ofMuslims since the early centuries A.H. andtheir repetition in sources, indicates the high importance of theseregions.The cultural and social peculiarities ofthughur and ’awasimhad a significantrole in shaping many regional developments andintellectual and social trends. These regions did not have acoherent ethnic and cultural identity; rather, they enjoyed a kindVol.6,Spring2005,Serial.No.21 5 of fluidity in their cultural identity. For many centuries, thisheritage was passed to the residents of these regions such thatthey always inherited the thoughts, culture and civilization ofnations from the east and west of the Muslim world. Theycombined such diverse elements creating a new identity forthemselves.