Islam: History, Culture, and Societal Impact
Daily Islamic Practices
Daily Islamic practices include:
- Believing in one God.
- Praying to Mecca five times a day.
Once in a lifetime:
- Pilgrimage to Mecca.
For one month a year:
- Fasting from dawn until sunset (Ramadan).
Byzantine Emperor Before Muhammad’s Birth
The Byzantine Emperor who ruled a few years before the birth of Muhammad was Justinian the Great.
People in the Iberian Peninsula in the 6th Century
The Visigoths established a kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula in the 6th century.
Muhammad’s Flight from Mecca
Muhammad fled from Mecca because the authorities considered him a threat.
Significance of the Year 622 for Muslims
In 622, Muhammad and his followers left Mecca and went to Yathrib, an event known as the Hijra. This year marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Succession After Muhammad’s Death
After the death of Muhammad, several caliphs succeeded him in power.
Carolingian Monarch Crowned in 800
In 800, the Carolingian monarch Charlemagne was crowned Emperor.
Chronological Order
- e
- d
- b
- a
- c
Agriculture on the Arabian Peninsula
Agriculture was scarcely developed on the Arabian Peninsula because there was little water.
Products from Arab Livestock
Arabs obtained milk, meat, wool, and leather from the cattle they bred.
Municipal Authority Responsibilities
The municipal authority was responsible for:
- Monitoring the markets.
- Setting prices, weights, and measures.
- Imposing fines and punishments.
Most important trade routes:
- Caravans (including the Silk Road).
- Maritime routes.
- Fluvial routes.
Social Structure in Islamic Society
Muslims were not all the same; they were divided into three groups:
- Aristocracy.
- Intermediate social groups.
- The popular masses.
Landowners in Islamic Society
Large landowners belonged to the aristocracy.
Places in an Islamic City
- To pray: Mosque.
- To buy: Souk.
- To file a complaint: Alcazar.
- To visit a cemetery: Suburbs.
Within the walls: Mosque and Alcazar.
Technical Advances Transmitted by Arabs
Arabs transmitted technical advances such as the astrolabe, paper manufacturing, the compass, and gunpowder.
Purpose of the astrolabe: To navigate by the stars.
Main Characteristics of Islamic Architecture
Islamic architecture is characterized by:
- Abundant interior decoration.
- Use of arches.
- Slender columns.
- Covered spaces.
Limited development of sculpture and painting: The Qur’an recommended not reproducing the figure of Muhammad or any human or animal figure.
Definitions
- Muslim: A practitioner of the religion of Islam.
- Islam: Submission to God.
- Hijra: The migration of Muhammad in 622.
- Ramadan: Fasting from dawn to sunset.
- Caliph: Successor.
- Vizier: Prime Minister.
- Qur’an: The holy book of Islam, containing the laws of Islam.
- Emir: Governor of each of the provinces.
Chronological Order of Events
- 600
- 622 (Hijra)
- 632 (Death of Muhammad)
- 661 (Beginning of the Umayyad Caliphate)
- 711 (Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula)
- 750 (Beginning of the Abbasid Caliphate)
- 1031 (End of the Caliphate of Cordoba)
Islamic Terms and Concepts
- Lunch: Arab currency.
- Souk: Muslim market in towns.
- Cattle type: Nomadic grazing.
- Agricultural techniques: Irrigation.
- Medina: Area inside the city walls.
- Ravals: City outskirts.
True or False
- False (Muslims were not all equal; there were social divisions).
- True.
- True.
- True.
- False (The caliph had both political and religious power).
Characteristics Not of Islamic Art
Characteristics that are not of Islamic art are 1 and 3.
Fill in the Blanks
Arabic, Umayyad, Qur’an, Baghdad.
Matching Terms
- f
- b
- c
- a
- d
- e
Kaaba
Kaaba: A sanctuary located in Mecca.
Meaning: Sacred House of Allah.
Major Characteristics of Palaces
Palaces were typically surrounded by gardens.
Who lived there: The caliph and his family.
Matching Terms
- c
- d
- a
- b