Final answer:
From 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E., the political structure of Islam evolved from the early teachings of Muhammad to a fragmented array of dynasties and empires. Despite internal and external conflicts, the role of the ulama and trade regulations under Sharia law provided a unified identity. Key changes included the rise and fall of empires like the Ottomans and Mamluks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period from 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E. saw significant changes in the political structure of Islam. Initially, the teachings of Muhammad initiated Islam as a political power during the decline of the Roman and Persian Empires. This period also witnessed the prohibition of Greek philosophy, which later subsided, leading to a resurgence in Islamic intellectual pursuits.
Over time, the Muslim world expanded through trade and conquest, reaching West Africa and India. The fall of the Abbasid Caliphate to the Mongols marked the end of one era and was followed by the rise of the Ottoman and Safavid empires.
However, political fragmentation occurred due to succession issues and military conflicts, an example being the formation of the Mamluk dynasty. The role of the ulama as advisors and legal scholars helped maintain a sense of unity within the diverse Muslim community, despite the political discontinuities.
Additionally, the Islamic world benefited from a regulated system of trade, with Sharia law providing institutional continuity.
Notably, political fragmentation was exacerbated by internal conflicts such as those between the Seljuks and Fatimids, and European Crusades, which established colonies within Islamic territories. The Mamluk Sultanate's decline after 1341 and the bubonic plague further destabilized the region, leading up to its eventual defeat by the Ottomans.