Muslim Achievements Golden Age
Jan 01, 2016
Muslim Achievements
Golden Age
Muhammad’s Death
632 C.E. Muhammad dies leaving his followers in grief with out a pious and powerful leader.
Abu Bakr – an early convert to Islam takes charge in an effort to keep the Arabs united in Islam.
Movements in Islam
Sunni’s, Shiites and Sufi– Sunni’s – Believe that the “caliph” should be
chosen by the religious leaders of the Muslim community
– Shiites’- the only true successor to Muhammad are the descendants of his daughter and son-in-law. (Fatima and Ali)
- Sufi – Muslim Mystics. Use fasting and meditation to reach Allah. (Missionaries of Islam)
The Spread of Islam
Muslim Lands at the time of Muhammad's Death. 632 C.E.
Muslim Lands under the first four Caliphs. 632-661 C.E.
The Spread of Islam
Muslim Lands under the Umayyad Caliphs. 661-750 C.E.
The Spread of Islam
Why was Islam able to spread?
Conquest
Society
Religion
Muslim Conquest
First four caliphs – Conquered vast chunks of the Byzantine empireSyria & Palestine (Damascus & Jerusalem)
UmayyadNorth Africa – Straight of Gibraltar to Spain
and part of France
Muslim Conquest
Why was conquest successful – Due to the weakness of the Byzantine and Persian empires.
Muslims -welcomed in conquered lands as liberators of the oppressive rulers
Common Religion– Brought Arab tribes together– Belief of the certainty of paradise for those who
die in battle.
Muslim Society
Muslim empire encompassed many different groups.
Learning centers - Syria, Persia, Spain, and Egypt
International flavorMarket towns = citiesBaghdad, Damascus, Cordoba, CairoBaghdad’s population = near 1 million
Muslim Society
Muslim Social classes: Upper class were Muslim born
Second class = Convert to Islam = paid higher taxes than upper class but less than non-Muslim people
Third class = (protected people) = Christians and Jews
Lowest = slaves = POW’s & non-M.
Muslim Society: Role of Women-
“Men are the managers of the affairs of women,” and “Righteous women are therefore obedient.” (Qur’an)
Believers = men & women are equalMore rights then European womenShari’a legal code: rights = marriage,
family & property
Muslim Society: Role of Women-
Qur’an = care for widows & orphans, divorce, & protected a woman’s inheritance
Poor wife = work fields with husband Wealthier women = supervised
household & servants Education = poets & scholars
Muslim Scholarship:
Advancement of science: DoctorsRelied on mathematicians & astronomersProphets emphasized scholarshipPreserved & expanded knowledge during
Middle ages al-Ma’mun = House of Wisdom = library,
academy, & translation center
Muslim: Art & Science
Page from a Manuscript of the Qur’an (37:12-17)Abbasid Caliphatesecond half of 9th century
Illuminated Opening Page from a Manuscript of Hadith (Muslim Tradition)Iran or Iraq12th-early 13th century
Muslim: Art & Science
House of Wisdom = researchers, editors, linguists, & technical advisers
Standards and techniques for research = part of basic methods of today
Muslim: Art & Science
al- Razi = was greatest physician in Muslim world: wrote “Comprehensive Book” & “Treatise on Smallpox & Measles”
Muslim: Art & Science
Mathematician = Al-Khwarizmi created al-jabr = algebra
Muslim: Art & Science
Ibn al-Haytham = wrote “Optics” = used to develop lenses for telescopes and microscopes
Ibn Rushd = tried to harmonize Aristotle & Plato’s views with Islam (Shari’a)
Muslim: Art & Science
Jewish Philosopher = Moses Ben Maimon =“The Guide of the Perplexed” = blended philosophy, religion, and science
Literature: poetry = bravery, love, life, & generosity
“The Thousand and One Nights” = fairy tales & legends
Muslim: Art & Science
Architecture: Building reflected the culture of the people
Blended styles = Roman, Byzantine
Muslim: Art & Science
Unified Muslim state broke up
Three Empires: Ottoman, Safavid, & Mughal
Muslim knowledge was later draw upon during the Renaissance