Middle Ages Regents Practice

What motivated Muslims to defend Jerusalem during the Crusades?

1. It was a sacred city for them

2. To expand their empire into Europe

3. To convert Christians to Islam

4. It served as a military stronghold

The correct answer is: It was a sacred city for them

Muslims were motivated to defend Jerusalem during the Crusades primarily because it is considered a sacred city in Islam. Jerusalem holds significant religious importance, being home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a site of deep spiritual reverence for Muslims. This city is not only a historical center for Jewish and Christian faiths but also is recognized in the Islamic tradition as having connections to various prophets and events. The defense of Jerusalem was seen as a duty to protect a holy site from foreign incursions, and thus, the reverence for the city spurred strong motivation for Muslims to resist and protect it during the Crusades. Other motivations, such as expanding an empire or converting Christians, played minor roles in that context and are not the primary reasons for the fervent defense of the city. The strategic military significance was another factor, but the spiritual connection remains the foremost motivation driving the determination to defend Jerusalem.