Abkhazians and their place in Islamic history

In this study, in which we examine the Islamization process of a society, the relations of the Abkhaz to Islam and their perspectives on this religion are discussed in the light of historical data, step by step. In addition, the indigenous people and tribal structure of Abkhazia were evaluated by comparing them with other nations with which they interact. In our thesis, different determinations were made by making use of many sources such as Abkhaz, Arab, Armenian, Georgian, Seljuk and Ottoman. In the first part, the old beliefs of the Abkhaz before Islam and their political situation at that time were discussed. In the second part, the subjects about the encounters of the Abkhaz with the Muslims and their struggle with them were discussed. In our third chapter, the Ottoman domination in Abkhazia is mentioned. The contacts of the dominant powers of the period such as Byzantium, Sassanid, Mongolian, Seljuk and Ottomans with the Abkhaz were analyzed in detail, paying attention to chronology. That period is also mentioned in the accompaniment of the notes of the travelers who traveled to Abkhazia. In our last chapter under the title of culture and civilization, many issues such as the law applied among Abkhazians, the penal system, funerals and burials were touched upon. A town that immigrated to Turkey during the period of exile was also shown as an example in the context of diaspora and examined with its details in our thesis. The hierarchical structures, language, culture, traditions and customs of the Abkhaz in society are also included without going beyond the boundaries of our subject. The struggles of the Abkhaz with the Arabs and other states that support the religion of Islam were analyzed in the political context; Various conclusions have been reached about political and national interests. In our study, we made an effort to enrich our thesis in terms of content by including the Ottoman archives and many images. We have made efforts to reach a conclusion on the issue ofwhen the Abkhazians generally accepted Islam. Keywords: Caucasia, Abkhazia, Circassians, Abkhazians, İslamization