Chapter 2: Development of Islamic Civilization to the Fifteenth Century

Patterns of Islamic History

750-945 an absolutist empire centered Baghdad experienced a period of economic growth, cultural richness, and
political stability that made it dominant world power of the era
945 an Iranian military dynasty, the Buyids, took over and reduced the power of Caliph and made the Iranian ruler
the decision making authority in the Abbasid Empire
Abbasid Empire wasn't the only power group, there were more groups of regional Islamic empires
The Creation and Uses of Wealth
Baghdad
o carefully controlled irrigation systems of the lower Tigris-Euphrates and grew into a huge cosmopolitan
city with a population of 1 million inhabitants in the 9th century
o hub of vast trading network that linked it to China, India, Africa, and the entire Mediterranean region
merchants exploited the commercial opportunities of the expanding international marketplace to acquire huge
fortunes and with this power enabling them to play a prominent role in shaping the contours of Islamic society in
this period
increased agricultural production
the wealth generated from the produce of land and the profits of commerce enabled Abbasid high society to enjoy
a refined style of living
o pattern of patronage that benefited artisans, physicians, and writers (Arab poets)
ideas
o like material goods, were transported back and forth along the caravan routes and sea-lanes
o contributions to algebra (al-jabr) and trig
o Muslim astronomers, physicians, and chemists produced works that influenced European
o translated the works of noted Greek philosophers and physicians (Galen, Aristotle, Plato) into Arabic
o the idea of paper was implemented in the Arabian world before it was introduced to Europe
Islamic Rituals and Institutions
Islamic scholars incorporated ideas and traditions from the Quran to their cultures
this effort at synthesis led to the elaboration of theology and to the development of a comprehensive legal system
based on the Quran but not restricted to it
o set of rituals provided Muslims with a sense of common identity and gave an Islamic dimension to their
daily lives
The Five Pillars of Faith
1. Proclamation of Faith (Shahadah)
o "I attest that there is only one God and Muhammad is his Prophet," Muslims affirm their faith in Islam
o basic religious principle of Islam is monotheism
o accept Muhammad's role as the final prophet of God
o Islam was therefore portrayed not as a new religion but as the revival of the true word of God that have
been revealed to Abraham and to other prophets throughout the course of human history
2. Prayer (Salat)
o perform the ritual prayer five times daily at intervals from dawn to sunset
o not casual communication with God but rigorously prescribed set of movements and recitations during
which believes face in the direction of the Ka'ba in Mecca and acknowledge total submission by touching
their heads on the ground
o day of worship is Friday
3. Fasting (Sawm)
o all adult Muslims whose health permits to abstain from food, drink, and sexual activity from dawn to dusk
during the month of Ramadan (month Muhammad received revelation)
o fasting is a time of atonement and reminder of God's generosity
4. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
o Muslims should make a pilgrimage to Mecca and its shrine at least once in their lives
o the pilgrimage has served as a reminder to Muslims the world over of their shared faith
o the duty of the caliph is to keep the pilgrimage route safe (sacred administrative trusts)
5. Alms (Zakat)
o charity to the less fortunate

o
o

zakat is a annual wealth tax that Muslims must pay

(not specified) but practice has been 2.5% of a person's accumulated wealth and assets

Jihad
means striving the path of God
Muslim writers have emphasized the need to internalize jihad in order to achieve religious form
"holy war"
The Shori'ah: The Integration of Religion and Society
all-embracing sacred law of the Islamic community
not a single code of law; rather, it consists of four different sources to which legal experts may refer when
assessing the propriety of human actions
a. Quran: although it sets laws for marriage, divorce, and inheritance, it does not address much of other
more prevalent issues
b. sunnah: tradition of the Prophet (Allah did chose him after all)
c. analogy (qiyas)
d. consensus of the community (ijma)
e. ijtihad: gave the right to learned scholars to interpret the intent of God's revelation and provided Islamic
jurisprudence
Role of the Ulama
"those who know"
individuals trained in doctrine and prepared to transmit it
this broadly based group of teachers, religious scholars, and legal functionaries occupied a central position in
Islamic society
schools of instruction train the Ulama
Sufism
Islamic mysticism, embodies a rich variety of religious experiences
began as a movement among individuals who opposed the worldliness and materialism of the Umayyad court in
Damascus
represent emotional relgious experience
chanting, rhythmic dancing
community groups were called brotherhoods
The Status of Women in the Quran
women's roles in society differed depending on the social class to which they belonged and the region of the
Islamic world in which they lived
pre-Islamic Arabia women were sold to their husbands by their family or tribe in exchange for a dowry but the
Quran made it so that the dowry would go to only the wife and not the family
the woman was allowed to keep the dowry even if she got a divorce
the Quran also polygamy limited (the maximum number of wives became 4)
the status of women are generally declined
Two Versions of Leadership: Sunni Caliph and Shi'a Imam
the fundamental difference between them is over who should hold the political leadership of the Islamic
community and what the religious dimension of that leadership should be
Sunni Muslim
accept the legality of the selection of the Rashidun caliphs and their successors, the Umayyads and the Abbasids
caliphs are just mortal people
sunni is derived from sunnah meaning tradition or custom
constitute the vast majority of the Muslim population and designated as orthodox Muslims
Shia
contend that with the exception of Ali and his descendants, all of the caliphs were usurpers
supports of Ali