Islamic rule in the region, which includes the land of Canaan, began with the Arab-Muslim conquests in the 7th century. The conquests marked a transformative period in the history of the region, bringing about significant cultural, religious, and political changes. Here is an overview of Islamic rule in the land of Canaan:

1. Arab-Muslim Conquests (7th Century):
   - The Arab-Muslim conquests of the 7th century, particularly the Battle of Yarmouk in 636 CE, led to the defeat of the Byzantine forces and the establishment of Islamic rule in the region.
   - The Rashidun Caliphs (Rightly Guided Caliphs), including Caliphs Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, played key roles in these conquests.
2. Umayyad Caliphate (661–750):
   - The Umayyad Caliphate succeeded the Rashidun Caliphate. Under Umayyad rule, the administrative center of the caliphate was moved to Damascus.
   - The Dome of the Rock was constructed on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem during the reign of Caliph Abd al-Malik in the late 7th century.
3. Abbasid Period (750–969):
   - The Abbasid Caliphate succeeded the Umayyads, and Baghdad became the new capital.
   - Jerusalem remained a significant city, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque was built during the Abbasid era.
4. Tulunid and Fatimid Periods (9th–11th Centuries):
   - The region witnessed the rule of the Tulunids and then the Fatimids, who established their own caliphates with Cairo as the capital.
   - The Fatimids expanded their influence into the Levant, including Palestine.
5. Seljuk and Crusader Periods (11th–12th Centuries):
   - The Seljuk Turks and later the Crusaders briefly controlled parts of the region during the 11th and 12th centuries.
   - The Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, leading to Muslim efforts to reclaim the city.
6. Ayyubid and Mamluk Periods (12th–15th Centuries):
   - Salah al-Din (Saladin) recaptured Jerusalem in 1187, leading to the establishment of the Ayyubid Dynasty.
   - The Mamluks succeeded the Ayyubids and ruled the region until the Ottoman conquest in 1517.
7. Ottoman Rule (16th–20th Centuries):
   - The Ottoman Empire, which succeeded the Mamluks, ruled the region for centuries. Jerusalem remained an important center.
   - During the Ottoman period, there were demographic changes, and various religious communities coexisted.
8. The collapse (1914):
   - The collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I (1914) led to the establishment of British and French mandates in the Middle East.

Key points regarding the Arab-Muslim conquests and early Islamic rule include:

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1. Relatively Tolerant Policies:
    - The early Islamic caliphs, including the Rashidun Caliphs and the Umayyad Caliphs, generally adopted policies of tolerance toward the non-Muslim populations in the conquered territories.
    - The Pact of Umar, a historical document attributed to the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, outlined certain rights and protections for non-Muslims living under Islamic rule.
2. Coexistence of Communities:
    - Local populations were allowed to retain their religious and cultural practices under Islamic rule. Jerusalem, for example, continued to be a multi-religious city with significant Christian and Jewish communities.
    - Many conversions to Islam during the early Islamic period were likely voluntary and driven by personal beliefs and convictions.
   - Islam's appeal, with its message of monotheism and social justice, may have resonated with some of the local population.
3. Dhimmi System:
    - Non-Muslims living under Islamic rule, known as dhimmis, were generally afforded protection and certain rights in exchange for paying the jizya tax. Conversion to Islam meant exemption from the jizya but also entailed changes in social status.
   - Some individuals and communities chose to remain non-Muslims, while others converted.

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During the early Islamic period, particularly after the Arab-Muslim conquests in the 7th century, there is no widespread historical evidence to suggest that Muslims engaged in large-scale or systematic exile of the local population from the lands they conquered. The Arab-Muslim conquests led to significant changes in governance, culture, and religion in the conquered territories, but mass expulsions or forced migrations were not a characteristic feature of Islamic rule during this period. Hence, the inhabitants of the land remained the same. 

 

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