Rise of the non-Arab Muslims:— The Islamic world did not have anything even remotely as similar to the plague doctors in Europe, or religious nutjobs walking from city to city telling people to devote themselves to God in order to end the pestilence. These latter hysterical prone devotees were known as the "flagellants" , who would whip themselves, even when it was obvious they were bleeding. What was perhaps even more significant was that the pestilence gave rise to several non-Arab Muslim empires. [28] These were most notably, the Mughal Empire (1526—1857 [29] ), the Ottoman Empire (1288 [30] /1299 [31] —1922 [31] ), the Safavids (1501—1736 [32] ) and the Great Golden Horde (1259—1419 [33] /1502 [34] ). [28] However one of these empires would fall by the 1400s, even though by the 1370s, they had reached their full strength; this was the Golden Horde, which was hit with the black plague in the 15th century. [28] Timur the Tamerlane would also destroy their capital Saray, and they would become vulnerable to the Russians who were growing ever more powerful. [28] Internal rivalries finally killed off the empire, which broke up into smaller states such as the Kazan Khanate and the Crimean Khanate. [28] Ivan the Terrible then murdered off many Muslims, forcing them to either convert to Orthodox Christianity or to die by the sword. [28] The Crimean Khanate did hold out bravely against the encroaching Russians, and lasted until the 18th century. [28] Since then it had long lasting consequences for the Tatar Muslims who have until this day not been liberated from the Russian yoke. [28] The rest of the Muslim empires would all fall by the 20th century.

A closer inspection of Muslim lands hit by the plague 1346—1351. Egypt (1347—1349) Crimea (1346) in Ukraine, Baghdad (1347 and 1349) in Iraq, Damascus (1348) in Syria, Mecca (1348) in Saudi Arabia, Tripoli (1348) in Tunisia, Muslim and Christian Spain (1348), Marrakesh (1349) in Morocco, Lisbon (1349) in Muslim and Christian Portugal, and Aden (1351) in Yemen.

Historical Sources of the Islamic Plague & Later History:— A witness statement from Ibn al-Wardi (who died in 1349), and who was from Aleppo in Syria wrote an essay called "Risalah al-Naba an 'Alwaba" which described the pestilence's sudden rise within the Muslim world. [25] At least four manuscripts of this description, detailing the spread of the plague are believed to exist, and it is particularly notable that they all use words such as "struck" , "cleansed" , "uprooted" , "reviled" , "ravished" , "humbled" , and "triumphed" within it's structure. [25] It is therefore an extremely important historical source within Muslim history regarding the pestilence. [25] [n. 11] [n. 12] Further plague outbreaks did occur after 1351, most notably North African, Western Asian and European outbreaks occurred from 1360—1363, 1374, 1400, 1438—1439, 1456—1457, 1464—1466, 1481—1485, 1500—1503, 1518—1531, 1544—1548, 1563—1566, 1573—1588, 1596—1599, 1602—1611, 1623—1640, 1644—1654 and 1664—1667; they were not local, but pandemic. [26] The plague had all but disappeared in Europe by 1722 (and which therefore could explain why Europe advanced so much whilst other countries were still ravaged by the plague which had inevitable economic consequences). [26] The 18th century therefore saw Istanbul affected for 68 years, Anatolia for 57 years, Egypt for 44 years, Albania for 42 years, Bosnia for 41 years, Syria for 33 years, Ottoman Bulgaria for 18 years, Algiers for 45 years, Tunis for 19 years. [27] The most serious outbreaks occurred in Istanbul, Salonika and Aleppo, exploding every 20 years, and killing between 10%—33% of people. [27]

Muslim Death Toll:— The plague killed millions as it had done before, [n. 8] although it is not known how many people had died from the bacterial infection, even in Europe, [14] where it is accepted to be ~33%. [14] North Africa and Western Asia are similarly believed to have had a mortality rate of some 33%, [15] [16] meaning that at the very least, the disease would have wiped out a third of the Muslim population. [17] [n. 9] However, records from Asia have not been studied extensively by historians, and the numbers remain speculative. [17] Additionally, North Africa and Western Asia may also have had a lesser death toll overall when compared to Europeans, although reasons for this are not entirely clear. [17] Other estimates range from between 25%—50% of the population between 1347 to 1351 alone. [18] [19] [20] According to calculations conducted by the Vatican in 1351, some 23.8 million people may have died of the disease in Europe, giving a mortality rate of 31% if their demographic numbered 75 million at the least (still yet other sources claim that between one third to one fourth of the European demographic was wiped out or about 25 million [21] ). [15] It has even been argued that up to 60% of Europeans might have perished. [14] [22] This mortality rate is believed to be widely similar to how many North Africans and Western Asian Arabs would have died. [23] Still yet, other sources claim that the plague killed 50 million (in the known world)—and 200 million people between 1328 and 1352 globally. [16] [14] [n. 10]

Muslim Humanity for the Infected:— Europeans were often incredulous at how Muslims readily accepted the consequences of the plague, and were surprised they were not going as mental as them. [n. 5] [n. 6] [n. 7] An Italian from Florence even fabricated wild accusations against Muslims; "[i]t commenced with the infidels [Muslims] this cruel inhumanity, that mothers and fathers abandoned their children, and children their fathers and mothers, one brother the other and other relatives, a thing cruel and astonishing, and something very foreign to human nature, detestable to faithful Christians, who yet soon followed the barbaric nations in practising this same cruelty" . [10] However the opposite actually occurred, in contrast to the ignorance of this European view. [10] The Muslims readily accepted the plague as it was seen as a source of martyrdom and mercy by God in order to hasten going to paradise. [10] [11] The European view of barbarism was ironic; one of the reasons for the rapid spread of the disease to the entire continent of Europe was that the Europeans had extremely bad hygiene practices, [12] they didn't use water to cleanse themselves after defacating. European cities were full of human excrement dumped from houses onto the public streets infested with rats. [12] Hygiene practises in the Muslim world were, and still are, much more hygienic which is why the disease spread slowly. Despite this however, epidemics also later occurred in 1669 in Persia. [13]

Major Epidemics:— The bubonic plague [n. 1] outbreak of the 14th century (also known as the "Black Death" ) was actually the sixth major plague outbreak to hit Muslim North Africa and Western Asia; prior to it's outbreak there had already been five major epidemics. [1] The most notable outbreaks being the Plague of Shirawayh (628) in Persia, the Plague of Yezdigird (c. 634—642; which was a minor plague) and the Plague of Amwas (638) in Syria, the Plague of Kufah (669; minor) in Iraq, and the Violent Plague (688; also known as the Plague of Jarif ) in Iraq, Syria and Egypt. [1] [n. 2] The fourth major epidemic was the Plague of Maidens in Iraq (706; particularly notable as most it's victims were women) and the fifth and final plague was the Plague of the Notables in Iraq and Syria (c. 716—717). [1] Other minor plague outbreaks continued in the later centuries however, such as the Adi ibn Artah (718—719) and Crows (744—745) in Syria and Iraq, and Iraq respectively. [1] The 14th century plague from China [n. 3] that began then afterwards again lead to higher mortality rate of Muslim-kind; which affected many cities; between 1347—1349 Egypt for example fell deathly ill. [3] [n. 4] Other places affected were Crimea (1346), [4] Baghdad (1347 and 1349) in Iraq, [5] [4] Damascus (1348) in Syria, [5] [6] Mecca (1348) in Saudi Arabia, [7] Tripoli (1348) in Tunisia, [6] Muslim and Christian Spain (1348), [6] Marrakesh (1349) in Morocco, [8] Lisbon (1349) in Muslim and Christian Portugal, [6] and Aden (1351) in Yemen. [4]

Major outbreaks of the plague during the second epidemic of the 14th century.

Major Epidemics:— The bubonic plague[n. 13] outbreak of the 14th century (also known as the "Black Death") was actually the sixth major plague outbreak to hit Muslim North Africa and Western Asia; prior to it's outbreak there had already been five major epidemics.[1] The most notable outbreaks being the Plague of Shirawayh (628) in Persia, the Plague of Yezdigird (c. 634—642; which was a minor plague) and the Plague of Amwas (638) in Syria, the Plague of Kufah (669; minor) in Iraq, and the Violent Plague (688; also known as the Plague of Jarif) in Iraq, Syria and Egypt.[1][n. 14] The fourth major epidemic was the Plague of Maidens in Iraq (706; particularly notable as most it's victims were women) and the fifth and final plague was the Plague of the Notables in Iraq and Syria (c. 716—717).[1] Other minor plague outbreaks continued in the later centuries however, such as the Adi ibn Artah (718—719) and Crows (744—745) in Syria and Iraq, and Iraq respectively.[1] The 14th century plague from China[n. 15] that began then afterwards again lead to higher mortality rate of Muslim-kind; which affected many cities; between 1347—1349 Egypt for example fell deathly ill.[3][n. 16] Other places affected were Crimea (1346),[4] Baghdad (1347 and 1349) in Iraq,[5][4] Damascus (1348) in Syria,[5][6] Mecca (1348) in Saudi Arabia,[7] Tripoli (1348) in Tunisia,[6] Muslim and Christian Spain (1348),[6] Marrakesh (1349) in Morocco,[8] Lisbon (1349) in Muslim and Christian Portugal,[6] and Aden (1351) in Yemen.[4]

jannah (paradise).[9] 17th century Islamic view of(paradise).

Muslim Humanity for the Infected:— Europeans were often incredulous at how Muslims readily accepted the consequences of the plague, and were surprised they were not going as mental as them.[n. 17][n. 18][n. 19] An Italian from Florence even fabricated wild accusations against Muslims; "[i]t commenced with the infidels [Muslims] this cruel inhumanity, that mothers and fathers abandoned their children, and children their fathers and mothers, one brother the other and other relatives, a thing cruel and astonishing, and something very foreign to human nature, detestable to faithful Christians, who yet soon followed the barbaric nations in practising this same cruelty".[10] However the opposite actually occurred, in contrast to the ignorance of this European view.[10] The Muslims readily accepted the plague as it was seen as a source of martyrdom and mercy by God in order to hasten going to paradise.[10][11] The European view of barbarism was ironic; one of the reasons for the rapid spread of the disease to the entire continent of Europe was that the Europeans had extremely bad hygiene practices,[12] they didn't use water to cleanse themselves after defacating. European cities were full of human excrement dumped from houses onto the public streets, often filled with rubbish of all kinds, and infested with rats.[12] Hygiene practises in the Muslim world were, and still are, much more hygienic which is why the disease spread slowly. Despite this however, epidemics also later occurred in 1669 in Persia.[13]

[24] Ibn Battuta travelled extensively between 1346 and 1349, and witnessed many plague epidemics break. He survived and was never infected.

Muslim Death Toll:— The plague killed millions as it had done before,[n. 20] although it is not known how many people had died from the bacterial infection, even in Europe,[14] where it is accepted to be ~33%.[14] North Africa and Western Asia are similarly believed to have had a mortality rate of some 33%,[15][16] meaning that at the very least, the disease would have wiped out a third of the Muslim population.[17][n. 21] However, records from Asia have not been studied extensively by historians, and the numbers remain speculative.[17] Additionally, North Africa and Western Asia may also have had a lesser death toll overall when compared to Europeans, although reasons for this are not entirely clear.[17] Other estimates range from between 25%—50% of the population between 1347 to 1351 alone.[18][19][20] According to calculations conducted by the Vatican in 1351, some 23.8 million people may have died of the disease in Europe, giving a mortality rate of 31% if their demographic numbered 75 million at the least (still yet other sources claim that between one third to one fourth of the European demographic was wiped out or about 25 million[21]).[15] It has even been argued that up to 60% of Europeans might have perished.[14][36] This mortality rate is believed to be widely similar to how many North Africans and Western Asian Arabs would have died.[23] Still yet, other sources claim that the plague killed 50 million (in the known world)—and 200 million people between 1328 and 1352 globally.[16][14][n. 22]

Muslims relied on science and spirituality to cope.

Historical Sources of the Islamic Plague & Later History:— A witness statement from Ibn al-Wardi (who died in 1349), and who was from Aleppo in Syria wrote an essay called "Risalah al-Naba an 'Alwaba" which described the pestilence's sudden rise within the Muslim world.[25] At least four manuscripts of this description, detailing the spread of the plague are believed to exist, and it is particularly notable that they all use words such as "struck", "cleansed", "uprooted", "reviled", "ravished", "humbled", and "triumphed" within it's structure.[25] It is therefore an extremely important historical source within Muslim history regarding the pestilence.[25][n. 23][n. 24] Further plague outbreaks did occur after 1351, most notably North African, Western Asian and European outbreaks occurred from 1360—1363, 1374, 1400, 1438—1439, 1456—1457, 1464—1466, 1481—1485, 1500—1503, 1518—1531, 1544—1548, 1563—1566, 1573—1588, 1596—1599, 1602—1611, 1623—1640, 1644—1654 and 1664—1667; they were not local, but pandemic.[26] The plague had all but disappeared in Europe by 1722 (and which therefore could explain why Europe advanced so much whilst other countries were still ravaged by the plague which had inevitable economic consequences).[26] The 18th century therefore saw Istanbul affected for 68 years, Anatolia for 57 years, Egypt for 44 years, Albania for 42 years, Bosnia for 41 years, Syria for 33 years, Ottoman Bulgaria for 18 years, Algiers for 45 years, Tunis for 19 years.[27] The most serious outbreaks occurred in Istanbul, Salonika and Aleppo, exploding every 20 years, and killing between 10%—33% of people.[27]

Muslim lands hit by the plague 1346—1351. Egypt (1347—1349) Crimea (1346) in Ukraine, Baghdad (1347 and 1349) in Iraq, Damascus (1348) in Syria, Mecca (1348) in Saudi Arabia, Tripoli (1348) in Tunisia, Muslim and Christian Spain (1348), Marrakesh (1349) in Morocco, Lisbon (1349) in Muslim and Christian Portugal, and Aden (1351) in Yemen.

A closer inspection of Muslim lands hit by the plague 1346—1351. Egypt (1347—1349) Crimea (1346) in Ukraine, Baghdad (1347 and 1349) in Iraq, Damascus (1348) in Syria, Mecca (1348) in Saudi Arabia, Tripoli (1348) in Tunisia, Muslim and Christian Spain (1348), Marrakesh (1349) in Morocco, Lisbon (1349) in Muslim and Christian Portugal, and Aden (1351) in Yemen.

Another representation of the spread of the black plague during 14th Century.

[35] A plague doctor from Europe.

Rise of the non-Arab Muslims:— The Islamic world did not have anything even remotely as similar to the plague doctors in Europe, or religious nutjobs walking from city to city telling people to devote themselves to God in order to end the pestilence. These latter hysterical prone devotees were known as the "flagellants", who would whip themselves, even when it was obvious they were bleeding. What was perhaps even more significant was that the pestilence gave rise to several non-Arab Muslim empires.[28] These were most notably, the Mughal Empire (1526—1857[29]), the Ottoman Empire (1288[30]/1299[31]—1922[31]), the Safavids (1501—1736[37]) and the Great Golden Horde (1259—1419[38]/1502[34]).[28] However one of these empires would fall by the 1400s, even though by the 1370s, they had reached their full strength; this was the Golden Horde, which was hit with the black plague in the 15th century.[28] Timur the Tamerlane would also destroy their capital Saray, and they would become vulnerable to the Russians who were growing ever more powerful.[28] Internal rivalries finally killed off the empire, which broke up into smaller states such as the Kazan Khanate and the Crimean Khanate.[28] Ivan the Terrible then murdered off many Muslims, forcing them to either convert to Orthodox Christianity or to die by the sword.[28] The Crimean Khanate did hold out bravely against the encroaching Russians, and lasted until the 18th century.[28] Since then it had long lasting consequences for the Tatar Muslims who have until this day not been liberated from the Russian yoke.[28] The rest of the Muslim empires would all fall by the 20th century.