Islamic Culture and Art - Central Kitsap High School
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Transcript Islamic Culture and Art - 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.
Interactive map http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/0072957549/student_view0/chapter14/int
eractive_map_quiz.html
Bad map no spain
Pt of this ppt:
What is Islam
How did it spread
How/why was this a period of “brilliant flowering of
scholarship”
Muslim Population Today
India/Pakistan/Bangladesh
Africa
Arab countries
Southeast Asia
Iran
Central Asia
China
Europe
North America
South America
Australia
Worldwide
250-300 Million
200 Million
180 Million
170 Million
50 Million
50 Million
50 Million
20 Million
6 Million
3 Million
1 Million
over 1 Billion
Country with the MOST Muslims today: Indonesia
The Qu’ran -- “the recited”
An early manuscript
of the Qur'an
Muslim: One who submits
to the will of God
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 Ka’baa
The place of worship which God
commanded Abraham and Ishmael
to build over four thousand years
ago.
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
In this 1315 persian illustration, The Islamic prophet Muhammad solves a dispute
over lifting the black stone into position at al-Kaaba. - In the center, Prophet
Muhammad, with two long hair plaits, places the stone on a carpet held at the four
corners by representatives of the four tribes, so that all have the honor of lifting it.
The carpet is a kelim from Central Asia. Behind, two other men lift the black
curtain which conceals the doors of the sanctuary. This work may be assigned to the
Master of the Scenes from the Life of the Prophet
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 GrecoRoman (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."
Shi’a:
Branches of Islam
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 Five Pillars
of Islam, which are the basic tenets of the religion. Most Shias and
Sunnis consider each other Muslims, although ethnic and political
issues may divide them
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 into
India, Central Asia, Turkey, and sub-Saharan Africa
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 - Islam calls for faith in
only one God worthy of worship
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 7th & 8th 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 - 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
convert to the new religion.
Treatment of conquered peoples - 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
and Jews "people of the book” (dhimmis). Many conquered people
converted to Islam, not only because of its appeal, but because as Muslims
they did not have to pay a poll tax (jizya)
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 15th 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 preIslamic 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?
the political-religious state comprising the Muslim community and the lands
and peoples under its dominion in the centuries following the death (ad 632)
of the Prophet Muḥammad
What is a caliph?
and the title for the ruler or head of state of the Islamic Ummah
(an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah);
He is the administrator of the caliphate and a relgious leader
The word derives from the Arabic خليفةKhalīfah (help·info),
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
Attacked Byzantium –led to Crusades
Preserved Western culture (just like Byz’s did)
Tolerant of local customs (like Romans) –though a
theocracy, tolerant! Dhimmis, but still tried to convert nonmuslims
Egalitarian –therefore high conversion among low classes
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.
Watch: Crash Course Islam
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.
Cotton
Spread of sugar
The westward diffusion of sugarcane in pre-Islamic
times (shown in red), in the medieval Muslim world
(green) and by Europeans (violet