| The Turkish tribes that lived in the east of the Seyhun River, in
other words, in the great Turkestan and in the regions that were located in the north of
the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea were not subject to the political dominion of Abbasi
caliphate. The religion of Islam entered in these regions as a result of some military
expeditions, the reciprocal commercial relations and the activities of dervishes and
Muslim mystics and settled in these regions thereof.
- The military
expeditions towards the countries beyond Seyhun were organised by Samani emirs and they
achieved great success. Samani Emir, Nuh b. Esed, established dominion in Isficab in the
year of 840. He had taken some precautions of defence in order to protect the arable
fields and vineyards of the people in the region and he had some city walls be
constructed. On the other hand, Tahiri people organised expeditions towards the country of
Oguz people. While these situations continued, the caliphs provided assistance for the
improvement of the economical situations of the countries that they conquered. For
example, el-Mu'tasım had donated 2.000.000 drachmas for the development of agriculture in
the village of Şaş. Similarly, İsmâil b. Ahmed that was one of the Samani Emirs raided
towards the region that was dominated by Karluk people in the year of 893. Then, he
penetrated into the capital city of Talas. There was Karluk Ruler's wife among the
prisoners. Pursuant to the conquest, the big church of the city was transformed into a
church and in the same years, Nasr b. Ahmed carried out an expedition towards the Western
Şavgar. Turks did not remain quiet and shy against these raids. They invaded the
Transoxania for a short period in the year of 904 and they took back Balasagun from
Arabians in the year of 942.
Samani people sometimes encountered severe
resistance in the course of their expeditions upon the Turkish countries; despite this
resistance, the raids continued. As a result, the borders of Islam extended towards
Balasagun in the year of 905. As it has been stated above, this place was taken back by
the Turks in the year of 942.
Together with the Samani people, the Turks who had become Muslims joined in these severe
struggles against the Turks that had not adopted the Islam with eagerness and enthusiasm.
On the other hand, the border cities were declared as the House of Holy War. These severe
military struggles were a great help for Turks and Muslims to get acquainted with each
other. In other words, Turks had the opportunity to be much familiarised with the religion
of Islam. This acquaintance is of great significance in respect of the adoption of Islam
by Turks.-
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