ISLAMIC CULTURE ISLAMIC LAW (Shari’a) Evolved over time in response for the need for a legal system Traditions of the Prophet (sunna) as revealed in reports (hadith) are the source of law Collected and edited tens of thousands of hadith Embody a vision of an umma with common moral values, while political and ethnic distinctions lose importance

ISLAMIC CULTURE CONVERTS AND CITIES Conversion and urbanization were related During early Islamic expansion, converts needed to learn about new religion Best place to learn was in urban areas where Muslims were concentrated Discrimination in native, non-Islamic rural areas and villages also push people to cities

ISLAMIC CULTURE CONVERTS AND CITIES Urban social life and the practice of Islam varied: Muslims had no central authority to prescribe religious dogma Growing cities also lead to economic gains: Expanding market for agricultural and manufactured products Increase in trade

ISLAMIC CULTURE CONVERTS AND CITIES Medicine and astronomy built on Hellenistic traditions: Also incorporated their own observations and experiences Develop skills and theories much more sophisticated than European counterparts

ISLAMIC CULTURE WOMEN AND ISLAM Muslim women were veiled and secluded; a continuation of Byzantine and Sasanid Empires Women could be influential within the family, but only slave women could have a public role or appear in public before men

ISLAMIC CULTURE WOMEN AND ISLAM Muslim women had Islamic legal rights: Inheritance, ownership and retaining of property Divorce and remarriage Birth control Testify in court Go on pilgrimages

ISLAMIC CULTURE WOMEN AND ISLAM Stories of A’isha illustrate Muslim fears of women: Sexual infidelity Meddling in politics Khadija and Fatima are held up as models of female propriety

ISLAMIC CULTURE RECENTERING OF ISLAM The decline of the caliphate and factionalism within the ulama deprive Islam of a religious center; several attempts are made to develop religious authorities: Madrasas – religious colleges Sufi - brotherhoods

ISLAMIC CULTURE RECENTERING OF ISLAM Sufi brotherhoods were mystic fraternities whose members sought union with God Attempted to connect with God through rituals and training Would go into ecstasies and expressed their ideas in poetry Develop organizations of Muslim men

ISLAMIC CULTURE ISLAMIC ARTWORK The art of Zillij – geometric patterning In practice for 1000 years Based on learning, discipline and faith Cosmic intelligence is related to order and study Inspire the viewer in meditative reflections Islamic tradition frowns on representation (idolatry) Beauty is found in decorative art

ISLAMIC CULTURE ISLAMIC ARTWORK