Download Ch.7 Islamic Civilization

Islamic Civilization 600-1400 A.D.
I. Early Civilization in Arabia
A. Geography of Arabian Peninsula
1. Hot, dry, desert territory had few fertile areas or grazing areas for animals
2. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in the north were under constant control by
Persians, Greeks, and Romans
3. Centers of population growth found near small water source called an oasis
B. Arab Bedouin Society 3000 B.C.-600 A.D.
1. Semi-nomadic pastoral herders of sheep, goats, camels only settling for short
periods near water
2. Clans or tribes were small in population and led by chiefs called Sheikhs and
central government was non-existent
3. Polytheistic religious beliefs portrayed most spirits as being demonic and
harmful to mankind and the religious beliefs were very informal and unique to
each clan
(the term jinn or ghoul=demon)
4. Very few Arabs were monotheists due to the general rejection of Judaism,
Zoroastrianism, and Christianity
5. By the 500s A.D. Several Arab trading posts had grown into significant
commercial cities in the middle of the desert
C. Origins of Arab Unification
1. The Kaaba was an important shrine in the city of Makkah (Mecca) that was a
gathering point for Arabs
a. According to legend, the Kaaba was the origin of Abraham's revelation
from God that there is only ONE God
2. Some Arabs became monotheists by the late 500s A.D. And worshiped Allah
exclusively
3. The Prophet Muhammad had a series of revelations delivered by the Angel
Gabriel between 610 and 632 A.D.
a. Preach the true word of God (Allah)
b. Preach social justice
c. Preach God's mercy
4. Not all Arabs in Makkah (Mecca) appreciated or believed Muhammad's
message from God and threatened his life in 622 A.D.
5. Muhammad retreated north to Medinah and formed the first Islamic community
of believers
II. Rise of Islam
A. Islam and the Koran (Quran)
1. Teachings emphasized faith as a lifestyle for followers called Muslims
2. Teachings were meant to bring peace, unity, and order to all people who
submit to the call of Allah
3. Shari'ah- Islamic law code which set forth guidelines for behavior including
prohibition of alcohol, gambling, thievery, dishonesty, and associated
punishments for violators
4. Five Pillars of Islam
a. Faith (Shahadah)
b. Prayer (Salah)
c. Alms (Zakat)
d. Fasting (Sawm)
e. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
5. Islamic houses of worship are called mosques
6. Islamic scholars/leaders of worship are called Imams
III. Spread of Islam
A. Muslims of Medinah Conquer Makkah (Mecca)
1. Muhammad’s small group of followers triumphed over the non-believers who
had been hostile in 630 A.D.
2. Muhammad succeeded in converting more Arabs to the newly established faith
3. Islam became considered the key to peace and unity after Muhammad entered
the Kaaba and destroyed the “false idols”
B. The Caliphate and the Empire
1.Muhammad’s death in 632 led to debate over leadership amongst his followers
2. Rashidun Caliphs- “rightly guided” successors of Muhammad carried on the
expansion of the Arab Islamic Empire into Persia, Palestine, Turkey, and Egypt
3. Debate and conflict over authority developed due to issues of Muhammad’s
bloodline claiming authority while others believed this would be no different than
monarchy
a.Shiite (Shia) Muslims- minority that believed in Muhammad’s bloodline
designated leadership
b. Sunni Muslims- majority that believed any educated, capable Muslim
could lead
4. Religious conversion of multiple non-Arab peoples led to further debate and
conflict within the young religious empire
C. Islamic Dynasties
1. Umayyad Dynasty 660-750 A.D. established capitol at Damascus, Syria and
expanded use of Arabic language and religious conversion of non-Muslims
2. Abbasid Dynasty 750-1258 A.D. established capitol at Baghdad, Iraq and
temporarily reconciled issues between various ethnic groups and Sunni-Shiite
divisions until the Christian-Muslim Crusades
3. Seljuk Dynasty and Ottoman Dynasty 1258-1922 A.D.
Turks ruled over many Islamic territories for many centuries (to be continued in
later chapter)
IV. Islamic Culture
A. Rapid Territorial Expansion 627-1600s A.D.
1. Result? Multiculturalism-----cultural diffusion led to a great deal of enrichment
of Islamic culture from multiple internal and external influences
Ex. Arab, Persian, Egyptian, African, Turk, Mongol, Byzantine (GrecoRoman), Indian
2. Koran (Quran) guided public and private life of Muslim men and women,
proper standards were established within the Islamic holy book
a. Patriarchal society- males dominated economic, social, political, and
household life and support and safeguard females in their family
b. Polygamy- pre-Islamic tradition of multiple wives was common in Persian
and Arabic tradition and was carried on provided that husbands could care
for large families
c. Education (male only) took place in schools called madrasas (some
were religious, others were secular)
d. Veiled Women- Islamic dress code for women is meant to be humble,
conservative, concealing females from men’s eyes and varies nation to
nation
V. Islamic Achievements
A. Intellectual Pursuits
1. Emphasis on preserving and expanding mathematical and scientific studies of
Ancient Greece, Rome, and Byzantine Empire
a. Mathematics- algebra and Arabic numerals (1,2,3)
b. Astronomy- mapping of stars to create precise calendar and enhance
mapmaking and navigation abilities
ex. Invention of Astrolabe
c. Chemistry and Medicinal Science
a. Classification and research of
illnesses/symptoms/treatments/remedies
b. Studying chemicals and reactions (gunpowder)
2. History- Muhammad Ibn Khaldun wrote detailed accounts of famous
individuals and events of his lifetime and made it a point to indicate cause/effect
relationships like earlier Greek and Roman historians
3. Arab and Persian literature was conflicted between pre-Islamic values/heroes
and religious concepts
a. Epic tales and Poetry-The Arabian Nights
4. Arts and Architecture- Multiculturalism of Arab, Persian, Turkish, African,
Spanish, and Byzantine (Greco-Roman)
1. Religious imagery was proclaimed to be idolatry, so no images of Allah or
the Prophet will exist for many centuries
2. Arabesque designs dominate as an art form and combine geometric
patterns and bright colors and are used to decorate mosques, manuscripts,
rugs, clothing, and buildings
3. Mosques, minarets, and palaces dominated the Middle Eastern
landscape and Islamic architecture can be found in India, China, Africa,
Southeast Asia