Transcript Islam - Central Kitsap High School
Dar al Islam
Muslim scholars in Baghdad, the world's scientific capital of the time.
Medieval Muslim manuscript describing the planetary motion.
LEARNING TARGETS for this PPT What is Islam How did it spread How/why was this a period of “brilliant flowering of scholarship”
http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top ten-countries-with-largest-muslim-populations-map.html
Muslim: One who submits to the will of God
The Qu’ran -- “the recited”
An early manuscript of the Qur'an
Revealed Prophets
Adam Noah Abraham Isaac Ishmael Moses David Solomon Zacharias Elisha Elias John the Baptist Jesus
Mohammed
The 'Five Pillars' of
What is the point of this cartoon?
Hajj
The annual pilgrimage to Mecca-
the Hajj
-is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. About two million people go to Mecca annually Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that “all stand equal before Allah.”
To see clip of circiling the Kaba http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=YzAJIXwc49A
The
ago.
Ka’baa
The place of worship which God commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years The building was constructed of stone on is believed to be the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God ordered Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place.
The Black Stone is a significant feature of the Kaaba, stated by Muslims to have been placed there by Ibrahim ( Abraham ) and Ismail ( Ishmael ), a stone from paradise sent by the angels to Ibrahim.
[ Located at the eastern corner of the Kaaba, it is about 30 cm (12 in) in diameter and surrounded by a silver frame
The “Golden Age” of Islam under Abbasid Dynasty
Astronomy discovered stars compiled astronomical tables and almanacs established observatories Mathematics “Arabic” numerals Zero Algebra, algorithm Inventions quadrant and astrolabe Medicine first hospital – Baghdad 706 surgery emphasized empirical observation hygiene and pharmacology Universities and Libraries Literature Religious Toleration Preservation of Greco Roman (classical) world
Scientists
Jaber Ibn Haiyan (Geber) alchemist/metallurgist died 803 CE Ibn Sina (Avicenna) physician/philosopher 981-1037 CE Ar-Razi (Rhazes) physician/ philosopher 864-930 CE Abu Al-Qasim Al-Zahravi (Albucasis) surgeon/author 936-1013 CE Ibn Rushd (Averroes) physician/philosopher 1128-1198 CE Al-Khawarizmi (Algorizm) mathematician/ astronomer 770-840 CE
Why such a flowering? “Seek Knowledge Even Unto China ”
Not the same conflict b/w faith and science as in western Europe Jamelie Hassan Seek Knowledge Even Onto China, 1993-95 vinyl calligraphy and painted wall varying dimensions Collection of the artist Photo: John Tamblyn
Why this flowering of arts, science, philosophy?
What about the practice of Islam would encourage the pursuit of astronomy and geography?
Ibrahim al-Fazari
(d. 777 C.E.): constructed the first Muslim astrolabe circa 750 C.E.
Cartography
Islamic Map of the World 1154, South is at the top
Muslim scholars in Baghdat, the world's scientific capital of the time.
Islamic scientific manuscripts of the Medieval Age; meticulous studies on human anatomy and zoology.
Theme of Dar al Islam: Borrow, Blend, & Build
Islamic society originally reflected the nomadic & mercantile Arabian society. Adopted Persian techniques of gov’t & finance and literature after conquering Sassinads. Transmitted Indian & Chinese knowledge via trade & conquest (eg paper making, “Hindu numerals”) Preserved Greek & Roman learning (Aristotle & Plato) …and Created own knowledge!
Islamic Art
Calligraphy
Rugs
Literature
Music
Miniatures
Architecture
Arabesque and Geometrical Design
Arabesque:
a style of decoration characterized by intertwining plants and abstract curvilinear motifs. Religious leaders forbade the depiction of animals & people. This style is the essence of decorative Islamic art.
Geometric Designs:
Intricate patterns emphasizing symmetry and repeated rhythms
Calligraphy
Islamic leaders saw in figural arts a possible implication of idolatry, so Islam's early theocracy looked to the artistry of calligraphy for religious expression. In Islamic and Arabic cultures, calligraphy became highly respected as an art -- the art of writing.
Architecture
focus on
interior space as opposed to the outside or façade:
architecture and decoration that must be experienced by being entered and seen from within..
Feeling of weightlessness -- metaphysical space “Paradise on earth” Vaults & arches, domes, minarets, mihrabs Vibrant
blues
: Cobalt blue & turquoise - “of the Turks”
The Blue Mosque Istanbul, Turkey
Branches of Islam
Dispute begins soon after Muhammad’s death in the community of Muslims over the question of “who is the rightful successor to the Prophet?"
Sunni:
believed that leadership should fall to the person who was deemed by the elite of the community to be best able to lead the community The name Sunni comes from the Arabic
sunnah
, meaning the custom or example of the prophet Muhammad-- "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."
Branches of Islam
Shi’a:
Began as political faction supporting the power of Ali, who was a son-in-law and cousin of Muhammad and the fourth caliph of the Muslim community.
. Shia" comes from the Arabic phrase
shi'at 'Ali
, which means the partisans of Ali
Shia Muslims recognize only the authority a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself
Shia'ism has its own call to prayer , prayer forms, and ritual practices as well .
Sunni & Shi’a Today
Despite the variations, Shias and Sunnis all believe in the issues may divide them Five Pillars of Islam, which are the basic tenets of the religion. Most Shias and Sunnis consider each other Muslims, although ethnic and political
Branches of Islam
Sufiism: --not a branch persay, but a mystical application of Islam
Mystic belief and practice in which Muslims seek to find divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God Flowering of Sufi literature, especially mystical love poetry, represents a golden age among the Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu languages. Using merchant trade routes, sufi missionaries
spread Islam
India, Central Asia, Turkey, and sub-Saharan Africa into
Sufis: Effective missionaries Whirling dervish: focus on devotion Sufis led aesetic and holy lives
The Spread of Islam
Cultural Reasons:
The simplicity of its doctrine only one God worthy of worship - Islam calls for faith in The unity of a faith—shared practices, a community to take care of you the appeal of equality Clear code of conduct: Sharia
But Why Else??? ….
Religious Zeal +
???
= Rapid Spread in 7
th
& 8
th
c.
Well-disciplined armies - For the most part, the Muslim commanders were able, war tactics were effective, and the armies were efficiently organized. Weakness of the Byzantine and Persian Empires convert to the new religion. - As the Islamic armies spread north, they were aided by the weakness of the empires they sought to conquer. Both the Byzantine and Persian Empires were weaker than they had been in previous times, and many of their subjects were willing to Treatment of conquered peoples and Jews "people of the book” ( - The Qur'an forbid forced conversions, so conquered people were allowed to retain their own religions (Pact of Umar). Muslims considered Christians and Jews to be superior to polytheistic people, not only because they were monotheistic, but also because they too adhered to a written religious code. As a result, Muslims called Christians
dhimmis
converted to Islam, not only because of its appeal, but because as Muslims they did not have to pay a poll tax
(jizya
) ). Many conquered people
Islamic Spain “Moors of Spain”
Al-Andalus
( Arabic name given to a nation and territorial region commonly referred to as Moorish Iberia.
Cordoba western capital: RICH, public libraries & school
Major arts & sciences center
BUT not great military leaders in later years; landholdings gradually reduced to just Granada by 15 th c. See images of “reconquista” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moor s
Islamic period garden in Granada , Al-Andalus
Al Andalus
Encouraged Jewish scholarship (when Jews were persecuted elsewhere in Europe)
Image of a Jewish cantor reading the Passover story in al-Andalus, from a 14th century Spanish Haggadah
By 1100 “There existed in Cordoba alone, 200,000 houses, 600 mosques, 900 public baths, 10,000 lamps, 50 hospitals, lighted and paved streets. There were bookshops and more than 70 libraries with over 400,000 books.”
Mosque at Cordoba
Women in Islam
Women are seen as fully
equal
in God’s eyes.
However, Qur’an makes clear gender distinctions in social practices: men can have up to 4 wives and adultery by married women is a serious offense.
Many
restrictions
on women were carryovers from pre Islamic traditions (e.g. veiling, seclusion) BUT, women can
divorce
men and
own property
.
Shari’a came to include & institute seclusion of women as Islam spread
.
What’s a caliphate?
political-religious state comprising the Muslim community (ummah)
What is a caliph?
title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah (an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah); Both the administrator of the caliphate and a religious leader derives from the Arabic ةفيلخ Khal ī fah which means "successor" or "representative“ Requirements differ depending on sect
Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258)
Ruled until defeated by Mongols Baghdad capital: political, econ, scientific/intellectual center Built around trade: used credit (
chek
) to avoid dangerously carrying coins Constant contact with Christian West Preserved Western culture (just like Byz’s did) Tolerant of local customs (like Romans) –though a theocracy, tolerant! Dhimmis, but still tried to convert non muslims high conversion among low classes because of egalitarian appeal Slavery widespread; Muslims could not be enslaved, so slaves therefore came from Africa and non-Islamic groups
Abbasid Map
By mid-10th c. breakaway former provinces began to challenge Abbasid rule.
The caliphs became puppets controlled by sultans, the actual rulers. Starting in 1055, The Seljuk Turks ruled the remnants of the Abbasid empire for two centuries.
The Mongol siege of Baghdad, 1258 BBC Oct 25, 2014 The Abbasid caliphate lasted for half a millennium before coming to a brutal end in 1258. When Baghdad fell to the Mongols, the last of the city's caliphs was rolled in a carpet and trampled to death under the hooves of Mongol horses - this was, bizarrely, a mark of respect, as the Mongols believed that people of rank should be killed without their blood being shed.
The Spread of New Crops and Agricultural Experimentation
:
Diplomats and merchants found new crops or animals in their travels through dar al Islam and introduced them into new areas. Including: sugarcane, rice, spinach, artichokes, eggplant, oranges, lemons, limes, bananas, coconuts, watermelons, mangos, cotton, indigo, and henna. New foods created a richer and more varied diet and farmers were able to extend their growing season and produce increased quantities of food.
Spread of sugar Cotton
The westward diffusion of sugarcane in pre-Islamic times (shown in red), in the medieval Muslim world (green) and by Europeans (violet