1. Mr. Adams World History Fall 2011
Islamic Impact
Mr. Adams
World History
Fall 2011

2. SOCIETY
Section 1

3. Society The Family Islam set forth roles within family
Man head of family
Men could have several wives
Husbands supposed to treat all wives equally

4. Women’s Rights Society
According to Qur’an, women equal to men before Allah
Women could inherit property, seek divorce in some cases

5. Society
Slavery
Qur’an did not condemn slavery, required slaves be treated fairly
Freeing slaves praised as religious act

6. ASTRONOMY
Section 2

7. Astronomy
Muslims needed to predict phases of moon to plan religious festivals
Perfected astrolabe, used in navigation to plot positions of stars, planets

8. MATHEMATICS
Section 3

9. Mathematics
From India, adopted symbols 0 through 9
Making its way to Europe, this system became known as Arabic numerals
Algebra and trigonometry also came from Muslim thinkers

11. MEDICINE
Section 4

12. Medicine
Doctors in Baghdad had to pass rigorous tests in order to practice
Baghdad had world’s first school of pharmacy
Muslim doctors developed many skills, including eye surgery

13. GEOGRAPHY
Section 5

14. Geography
Fifth Pillar of Islam was a Hajj to Mecca
Religious pilgrims needed a way to find their way
Travel guides were created

15. ART
Section 6

16. Art
Muslim artists worked in range of materials, wood, metal, ceramics, textiles
Religious art does not contain human, animal figures
Why Not?

17. Art Muslims were worried about Idolatry
Believed portraying people, animals could tempt worship
Worshipping anyone, anything besides Allah the worst possible sin
Avoidance of figures led to use of geometric patterns, floral designs

18. ARABESQUE

19. How did writing become art?
CALLIGRAPHY
Another distinctive feature of Islamic art, calligraphy—beautifully styled writing
How did writing become art?
Artists who produced copies of Qur’an sought perfection in reproduction of word of Allah

20. Calligraphy

21. Qur’an Most significant written work in Islam is Qur’an itself
Clear style, message have won millions of converts to the faith
Influenced later development of Arabic language

22. ARCHITECTURE
Section 7

23. Architecture in Muslim world also developed distinctive features
Muslim Architecture
Architecture in Muslim world also developed distinctive features
Minarets, tall towers from which faithful called to prayer
Domes

24. Muslim Architecture

25. Muslim Architecture