ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION CHAPTER 6 SECTION CE

EQ: How did trade and favorable geography allow both urban and rural areas to flourish during the period of the Arab empire? OBJ: I will be able to describe key economic, political, and social developments in Islamic history.

PROSPERITY IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD The Islamic empire was very wealthy. and made the majority of its wealth through trade with a number of other established civilizations Imports – Gold, Slaves, Ivory, (From West Coast of Africa) ; Silk, Porcelain (China) ; Spices & Sandalwood (SE Asia & India) Exports – Linens, Dates, Stones, & Grain

THE ROLE OF CITIES A number of cities grew under the Islamic Empire The movement of the capital allowed many cities that held administrative positions to expand due to trade Wealthy Islamic cities included Baghdad, Damascus, Cordoba, and Cairo Architecturally, the grandest buildings in these cities were either administrative buildings or Mosques Bazaars, or outdoor covered markets were also features of large Islamic cities –Bazaars gave citizens access to goods including those from within the Islamic empire and some of imported commodities from outside the empire

THE IMPORTANCE OF FARMING Farming continued to be the main source of income for poorer citizens within the Islamic world In addition to farming, poorer citizens herded animals as another means of getting income & food Wealthy land owners were also able to acquire large areas of land where they used slave labor to cultivate the land

ISLAMIC SOCIETY Though all Muslims were equal in the eyes of Allah, a social hierarchy still developed inside the Islamic Empire - Ruling Families, Senior officials, Nomadic elites, Merchants - Poorer Muslims - Non- Muslims - Slaves (always non-Muslims) Slaves were both male & female, and were always non Muslims since the Quran forbids one Muslim to enslave another Slaves fought in wars & female slaves worked within the homes of the wealthy

THE ROLE OF WOMEN The Quran views men & women as equals –Women in the Islamic world had some freedoms that other women in this time period did not possess including the right to inherit property Socially, Islamic society is a male dominated and women always needed a male guardian ( Father, Husband, Brother, etc.) Marriages were arranged by the parents of the 2 individuals –Women could only marry once, and men could have up to 4 wives they paid dowry to their new brides Although marriages were arranged, women had a right to initiate a divorce under certain circumstances

THE ROLE OF WOMEN Women usually wear something that covers up their bodies It is more of an older Arab tradition rather than a command rom Quran –Many Muslim women still wear this traditional clothing today. - Hijab – Head scarf covers head & Neck - Chador – Covers full body, face exposed - Burka – Cover entire body including face

TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC CLOTHING FOR WOMEN BurkaHijab Chador