The Muslims conquered Egypt primarily because they believed it would significantly strengthen their power and provide substantial economic resources due to its wealth and perceived military weakness.
Here's a breakdown of the key reasons:
-
Economic Benefits: Egypt was seen as an incredibly wealthy land. Control of Egypt meant access to vast resources, including agricultural lands (particularly the Nile River valley), trade routes, and taxes. This wealth would strengthen the Muslim caliphate and finance further expansion.
-
Strategic Importance: Egypt occupied a crucial strategic location. Conquering it would provide a vital foothold in North Africa, facilitating further conquests westward and securing the southern flank of the expanding Islamic empire. Control of Egypt also meant control of the sea routes in the Eastern Mediterranean.
-
Perceived Military Weakness: Compared to other territories held by the Byzantine Empire, Egypt was thought to be relatively weakly defended and less resistant to conquest. This made it an appealing target for a relatively swift and decisive military victory.
-
Caliph's Approval: The conquest was proposed to the Caliph (likely Umar ibn al-Khattab). The justification provided, as referenced, explicitly stated that conquering Egypt would grant "great power to the Muslims and will be a great aid to them, for it is the wealthiest land and the weakest in fighting and war power." This appealing combination of high reward and comparatively low risk convinced the Caliph to authorize the invasion.
In summary, the Muslim conquest of Egypt was driven by a desire for economic prosperity, strategic advantage, a perception of military weakness in Egypt, and the belief that control of Egypt would greatly enhance the power and resources of the expanding Muslim caliphate.
