Embracing Islam by the Oghuz
of Northern Jaxartes in the Fourth Century

Mohsen Rahmati[1]

Abstract

Oghuz nomads that inhabited the northern plains of Khârazm Sea and Jaxartes River resisted the influence of Islamic culture and instructions for two centuries, while having a nomadic life. However, despite their resistance to the advance of Muslims Ghazis in to their territory, they were gradually being influenced by the Islamic instructions.  By the mid of the fourth century, Islam had become the religion of most of the Oghuz. Adopting a historical-analytic research method and questioning the scant existing data, this article seeks to clarify the process of embracing Islam by the Oghuz.  The study shows that despite disparities between the lifestyle of the Oghuz nomads settling in the plains of northern Jaxartes and Islamic instructions, and the military resistance of the Oghuz to Islamic troops, they were gradually being affected by the Islamic culture and instructions by different manners, like the religious efforts of Muslim missionaries and holy warriors (Ghāzis), political affairs and relationships, and above all, activities of Muslim merchants there.