11-3 Golden Age of Islam

Section 3: Islamic Civilization

Ojectives

1. You will find out how the location of Arabia affected trade in the Muslim Empire.

2. You will learn about Muslim government, society, and family life.

3. You will also learn about Muslim achievements in the sciences.

4. You will discover how Islam influenced Arab art and literature.

While western Europe was living in the "Dark Ages," the Middle East was experiencing a Golden Age (economic prosperity, political stability and cultural Achievements.)

Focus Questions

1. How did old Arab customs and Islamic law affect Muslim family life?

2. What evidence would you give that the Muslims were outstanding scientists?

3. How did Islamic teachings influence Muslim art and architecture?

Vocabulary

al-Razi: One of the greatest doctors of the Islamic world, who compiled a huge medical encyclopedia and first described smallpox and measles

Ibn Sina: Islamic doctor and scholar who wrote a famous medical textbook used in Europe for centuries

al-Idrisi: Muslim geographer who made new, more accurate maps based on observations

astrolabe: Instrument used to calculate position on earth by looking at the stars

minaret: Tower attached to the outside of a mosque, from where a crier would call Muslims to worship

The Thousand and One Nights: Popular collection of Muslim folktales

Sharia: Islamic Law

Polygamy: Practice of more than one wife, Muslim men can have up to 4 wives.

Section 3 Summary

Trade was central to Muslim culture. The empire was at the center of a world trade network that linked Europe, Asia, and Africa. The empire grew wealthy on

trade. Muslims also exchanged ideas with other cultures. The Muslim Empire was divided into three provinces ruled by caliphs in Baghdad, Cairo, and Córdoba.

The Qur’an gave laws and detailed instructions about how society should be organized and how people should live (Sharia - Islamic Law).

The family was the core of Muslim daily life. Muslims showed concern for all members of their extended family and respect for elders. Family members had

specific roles and duties.

The Qur’an gave women more rights than they had held in traditional Arab customs. Arabian men often had several wives (polygamy). The Qur’an restricted them to four,

who had to be treated equally. A divorced woman could keep her own money and remarry. She could inherit money and own property.

The government supported schools and libraries. Advanced students could attend schools of science, mathematics, or law. Although divided politically, the

Muslim world was a united civilization. Arabs adopted the best ideas, customs, and institutions they found in peoples they conquered.

Muslims made important contributions to medical science. They first used the technique of distillation, still used today, to prepare medicines. They developed

surgical instruments and processes, diagnosed diseases, and pioneered ideas about hygiene. Muslims established the world’s first school of pharmacy and created

the first encyclopedia of drugs. One of the greatest Muslim doctors, al-Razi first described small pox and measles. He also compiled a huge medical encyclopedia

that was translated into Latin and used in Europe. Among the great Islamic scholars were also doctors was Ibn Sina wrote a famous medical textbook in the

1000's that was used in Europe until the 1600's.

Baghdad astronomers found a more accurate way to measure distances, allowing geographers to make more accurate maps. One Muslim geographer, al-Idrisi

people to other lands to draw geographic features and used their information for his maps. Muslims improved a small instrument invented by the Greeks, called

the astrolabe, which calculate a person’s position on Earth by charting the stars.

By the 1100's, mariners throughout Europe and the Muslim Empire were using astrolabes. The Muslims learned a number system from India that expressed all

numbers using only 10 figures, including zero. Muslim scholars introduced this number system into Greek mathematics. Europeans called the figures “Arabic.”

They are the numerals we use today. Muslims also got the idea of decimals from India and developed algebra.

Islam forbids the use of images to show God. Islamic religious artists also avoided showing human or animal forms. Instead they created beautiful geometric

and floral designs. Calligraphy, the art of fine handwriting, became the highest art form. Islamic architects built fine mosques, palaces, marketplaces, and

libraries. The mosque at Córdoba, in Spain, is a magnificent example. Designed to hold thousands of worshipers, the main part of the mosque was a vast area for

prayer. There was often a minaret, or tower, on the outside of the mosque from which, five times a day, a crier would call Muslims to worship.

The Islamic empire also produced outstanding poetry and literature. The caliphs were great patrons of the arts. One story tells of a ruler who married a new

bride each night, then had her executed the next day. To save herself, one wife began to tell a story and promised to finish it the next night. Eager to hear the

ending, her husband delayed her execution night after night as she charmed him with stories. After a thousand and one nights, the king spared her life. Many

Muslim folktales were written around this tale and are collected as The Thousand and One Nights. It includes the story of Aladdin and other well-known

stories.

Answers to the focus questions.

1. How did old Arab customs and Islamic law affect Muslim family life?

• Old Arab customs determined many aspects of Muslim family life, but the Qur’an gave women more rights. Polygamy, which had been common in Arabia was allowed, but the Qur’an restricted a Muslim man to four wives, and he had to treat them equally. The Qur'an allowed a divorced woman could keep her own money and remarry. She could inherit money and own property.

2. What evidence would you give that the Muslims were outstanding scientists?

• Muslims were outstanding scientists, as seen by the number of their ideas, texts, and inventions that were adopted by other parts of the world. Some of these ideas and inventions are still used today.

3. How did Islamic teachings influence Muslim art and architecture?

• Islamic teaching restricted the use of the human form in religious art, so artists created beautiful geographic and floral patterns. These patterns are seen in Islamic architecture and textiles. The restriction of the human form also encouraged the art of calligraphy, which became the highest Islamic art form.