Who were the Mozarabs, and how did they manage to balance their Christian identity with living in Islamic Spain?

The Mozarabs, Christians living under Islamic rule in medieval Iberia, navigated their religious identity by adopting the Arabic language and culture while maintaining their Christian faith and Latin traditions. This meant using Arabic in daily life and religious contexts, translating religious texts into Arabic, and participating in cultural exchange with both the Islamic and Latin Christian worlds. Scholar Cyrille Aillet describes this as living "in-between two worlds," assimilating into both while forging their own unique identity.

What does the term "Mozarab" actually mean, and what does it tell us about their cultural identity?

The term "Mozarab" comes from the Arabic word *must'arib*, which means "one who Arabizes." This highlights the Mozarabs' adoption of Arabic language and cultural practices. However, it's important to note that this Arabization didn't mean they completely gave up their Christian faith or Latin cultural heritage. They maintained their religious practices and connection to the Latin Christian world.

Besides maintaining their Christian faith, what specific actions did the Mozarabs take to preserve their identity and cultural heritage?

The Mozarabs engaged in several key practices to maintain their Christian identity. They continued to adhere to the Visigothic or Mozarabic rite, ensuring their religious practices remained distinct. Their religious elite cultivated the study of Latin, preserving their connection to the broader Latin Christian world. They also translated religious texts into Arabic, making their faith accessible in their adopted language. Furthermore, they adopted and adapted religious concepts and formulas from Muslim and Eastern Christian sources, while also maintaining connections to Western traditions.

What was the legal and social status of the Mozarabs within Islamic Spain?

The Mozarabs existed as a *dhimmi* community, which means they were protected non-Muslims living under Islamic rule. This status allowed them to maintain their Christian faith and traditions while living within Islamic society. This also came with certain restrictions and obligations, but it provided a framework for their coexistence.

What can we learn from the Mozarabs' experiences about navigating religious and cultural identity in diverse societies today?

Studying the Mozarabs offers valuable insights into interfaith relations and the dynamics of religious identity. Their story shows that adopting aspects of another culture does not necessarily mean abandoning one's own beliefs or traditions. Their experience demonstrates the possibility of maintaining one's faith and cultural heritage while engaging with and integrating into a different cultural environment. It highlights the importance of language, translation, and cultural exchange in navigating religious identity in diverse societies and offers a historical perspective on how communities can negotiate their identities in complex, multi-confessional settings.

Surreal illustration of medieval Iberian city symbolizing Mozarabic cultural exchange.

Bridging Worlds: How Medieval Christians Navigated Identity in Islamic Spain

Avery Sinclair in Culture & Society December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the fascinating story of the Mozarabs, Christians living under Islamic rule in medieval Iberia, and how they negotiated their religious identity through language, translation, and cultural exchange."

Medieval Iberia, a land where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures intertwined, presents a unique setting for exploring the complexities of religious identity. Among the most fascinating groups in this vibrant society were the Mozarabs—Christians living under Islamic rule. Their story, often overlooked, offers valuable insights into how individuals and communities negotiate their faith and cultural heritage in a diverse and sometimes challenging environment.

This article delves into the world of the Mozarabs, examining how they maintained their Christian identity while adopting aspects of Arabic language and culture. We will explore their use of language, their approach to translating religious texts, and the ways in which they engaged in cultural exchange with both the Islamic world around them and the Latin Christian traditions of their ancestors.

Our exploration will center around a remarkable artifact: Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cod.Ar. 238, a fourteenth-century manuscript containing an Arabic translation of the Gospels with Mozarabic origins. By examining this manuscript and other historical sources, we will uncover the strategies the Mozarabs employed to navigate their religious identity in a multi-confessional society.

The Mozarabs: Living in Between Worlds

Surreal illustration of medieval Iberian city symbolizing Mozarabic cultural exchange.

The term "Mozarab" itself provides a starting point for understanding this community. Derived from the Arabic word must'arib, meaning "one who Arabizes," it highlights the Mozarabs' adoption of Arabic language and cultural practices. However, it's crucial to remember that this Arabization did not equate to a complete abandonment of their Christian faith or Latin cultural heritage.

The Mozarabs maintained their Christian religious practices, adhering to the Visigothic or Mozarabic rite. Their religious elite continued to cultivate the study of Latin, ensuring a connection to the broader Latin Christian world. Simultaneously, they navigated their status as a dhimmi community—protected non-Muslims living under Islamic rule.

Language as a Bridge: The Mozarabs embraced the Arabic language, using it in their daily lives and even in religious contexts. This linguistic adaptation facilitated communication and integration within Islamic society.
Translation as a Tool: The Mozarabs translated religious texts, including the Bible, into Arabic. This made religious knowledge accessible to Arabic speakers and allowed them to express their faith in their adopted language.
Cultural Exchange: The Mozarabs participated in cultural exchange with both the Islamic world and the Latin Christian world. They adopted and adapted religious concepts and formulas from Muslim and Eastern Christian sources, while also maintaining connections to Western traditions.

This balancing act—maintaining Christian faith and Latin traditions while embracing Arabic language and culture—defined the Mozarabic experience. They lived, as scholar Cyrille Aillet aptly describes, "in-between two worlds," assimilating into both while forging their own unique identity.

Lessons from the Mozarabs: Identity, Dialogue, and Respect

The story of the Mozarabs provides valuable insights into the dynamics of religious identity and interfaith relations. Their experience demonstrates that adopting aspects of another culture does not necessarily equate to abandoning one's own beliefs or traditions.

While the Mozarabs engaged in cultural exchange and linguistic adaptation, they also maintained clear boundaries between their community and others. They used language, translation, and religious practice to define their identity and assert their distinctiveness.

Ultimately, the Mozarabs' story highlights the importance of dialogue and mutual respect in navigating religious difference. Despite their distinct identities and occasional tensions, Christians and Muslims in medieval Iberia were able to engage with each other, learn from each other, and, in some cases, even find common ground.