Muslim Culture

Abbasid Rule Rule was prosperous for the Islamic religion Riches are pulled in from Europe, Asia, & Africa Build great cities and support advancements in math, art, and science Preserve & Advance Knowledge Blending of international cultures

Muslim Cities Damascus – Cultural Center of Islam Impressive Cities of the Caliphate – Cordoba, Cairo, & Jerusalem Baghdad (capital) – lavish palaces, defenses, and marketplace Peeked at ~1 million!!!

Damascus

Four Social Classes 1 st Class – Muslims at Birth 2 nd Class – Converts to Islam 3 rd Class – “Protected People” – Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians 4 th Class – Slaves – POWs, non-Muslims

Role of Women Qur’an: Men & Women are equal, but submit to men – What? Given rights under the shari’a for marriage, family, & property Originally, women could advance based on their husband’s status Time passes, women are isolated and veiled in public

Scholarship & Knowledge Push for knowledge was great (science, math, astronomy) – Muhammad – p. 274 Push for advancements, translate scientific & philosophical texts Early 800s – House of Wisdom – library/academy for translation of ancient texts into Arabic.

Literature & Art Strong roots in Arabia with the Bedouins The Qur’an was the gold standard Adapt artistic traditions of conquered areas to suit Islamic beliefs Discourage images of living things Use calligraphy (or beautiful handwriting as a substitute) or decorative work (wood, glass, etc.)

Architecture Greatest cultural blending of the Muslim world – Ex: Great Mosque of Damascus build on the site of a Christian Church (Byzantine reflection) Feature works of the Romans and other European cultures

Dome of the Rock

Medical Advancements Al-Razi – greatest physician in the world Wrote the encyclopedia Comprehensive Book – drew medical knowledge from the ancients Also wrote the Treatise on Smallpox & Measles – Recover breathing cleaner air

Math & Science Standard for mathematical solutions, scientific observations, & experimentation Scientists prefer to solve problems with experiments, instead of logical reasoning – Better? Al-Khwarizmi – Through Indian teachings, develops al-jabr Chart the stars, comets, & planets Ibn al-Haytham develops theory on sight, leads to the first telescopes & microscopes

Philosophy & Religion Scholars blend Islam with Greek philosophers teachings Criticized, argue both trying to find the truth Moses Ben Maimon – greatest Jewish philosopher – Push to blend science with religion

The “Ideal Man” P. 279 – Ikhwan As-Safa “The ideal and morally perfect man should be of East Persian derivation, Arabic in faith, of Iraqi education, a Hebrew in astuteness, a disciple of Christ in conduct ….” – What do you think?