Chapter 11 Section 3 Islamic Civilization

A Culture of Traders Trade was important to the Muslim culture because the empire was at the center of a world trade market that linked Europe, Asia, and Africa The Muslims produced textiles, tapestries and carpets. They were also skilled metal workers Muslims also exchanged ideas with other cultures as well. {Many Europeans regarded the Muslims as being a great influence because of their innovations in astronomy, geography, banking and commerce}

Muslim carpet

Muslim Tapestry

Government and Society { Muslims throughout the Islamic empire lived according to the Qur’an. It guided both their religious and daily life} The Qur’an gave detailed instructions about how society should run and hoe people should live {Islam discouraged the practice of slavery} those who chose to keep slaves were required to treat them humanely. Family was the core of Muslim life. Everyone has a duty or specific role Men were responsible for the families needs {Women had the right to just treatment , and had some property rights}

Continued…. Arranged marriages were the norm in society but the Qur’an gave a woman the right to refuse the marriage Polygamy was common in Arabia but men were limited to four wives and all had to be treated equally Later, however, women began to be secluded and lost some rights The family and the mosque assumed responsibility for education

The Sciences Muslims made great contributions to the field of medical science with the advances in the use of herbs, food and prepared drugs. One of the greatest doctors of the Islamic world was al-Razi he wrote a paper about small pox and the measles and composed a huge medical encyclopedia Because the Muslims were traders they were naturally interested in astronomy, navigation and maps. {Arab astronomers adopted an instrument called the astrolabe} astronomers allowed observers to chart the positions of the stars and thus calculate their own position on Earth

al-Razi

Astrolabe

The Arts {Islamic teaching forbids the use of images to show God under any circumstance} Instead artists created beautiful geometric and floral designs Architecture became one of the greatest forms of art Mosques were built to show the glory of Islam {Over time mosques became more elaborate as they were a way of showing power} {These mosques were not just used as places of worship but also as places of learning and community centers}

Nishapur Islamic Pottery

Section Review Many Europeans regarded the Muslims as being a great influence because of their innovations in _________, geography, _______ and commerce Muslims throughout the Islamic empire lived according to what book? Islam discouraged what inhumane practice? Who had the right to just treatment , and had some property rights? Arab astronomers adopted an instrument called the ________ Mosques were not just used as places of worship but what else?

They thought of the storage ottoman before Ikea