Unit 9 Ways of the World

In what ways did Islam draw on other civilizations in Afro-Eurasian? In what ways did it transform them?

-Adopted Abrahamic, Zoroastrianism, Persian language, great philosophy -Believes Abraham is a prophet - Commercial cities -Taxes on local trade

What accounts for the widespread conversion to Islam?

-Brought peace to warring states -Spread empire= spread of religion -Easy to convert to Islam (5 pillars of Islam) -Slave and prisoners of war converted -Military success brought followers

What similarities and differences can you identify in the spread of Islam to India, Anatolia, West Africa, and Spain?

1) Islam spread to India, Anatolia, and Spain in part through force of arms of Islamic armies, while Islam arrived in West Africa with Muslim traders. 2) Sufis facilitated local traditions in India and Anatolia. 3) In India, Spain, and West Africa , Islam because the dominant faith.

What distinguished the early centuries of Islam from a similar phase in the history of Christianity and Buddhism?

Islam differed sharply from christens and Buddhism because founded wasn't simply religious figure, but also military and political one. This resulted in in less separation of church from state. All 3 religions were founded by single historical figures who had powerful religious experiences that provided clear path to salvation and preached equality for all.

"Islam was simultaneously a single world of shared meaning and interaction and a series of separate, distinct, and conflicting communities." What evidence could you provide to support both sides of this argument?

Islam was cohesive in ways such as trade,goods, technology, crops, ideas and others. However it was politically fragmented so, different version of Islam and different cultures emerged, some were more patriarchal than others were.

How was Arabia transformed by the rise of Islam?

Islamic community found itself constituted as a state and soon as a huge empire, most Arabia had control of the new Islamic state, brought peace to the warring tribes of Arabia,culture and language of Arabia was spread along with Islam.

What changes did Islamic expansion generate in those societies that encountered it, how was Islam itself transformed by those encounters?

Many populations partly or wholly converted to the Islamic faith while also removing or altering old religions and political traditions. Religions and Islam were tied together with trade with the Greeks allowed the Islam to evolve.

How can you account for the immense religious, political and military success of Islam in its early centuries?

Military success is shown through the arabs strong and unified force. Before Islam came along, the arabs weren't centralized around any religions so it was accepted by all of them.

How did Muslims view other religions?

Muslims believe that God previously revealed himself to the earlier prophets of Jews and Christians.

How did the rise of Islam change the lives of women?

Polygamy was allowed. In infanticide was illegal. Women rights went down as Arab Empire went up. Seclusion for women to wear veils. Poor didn't apply to these.

Where did they train and for what?

Sub Saharan Africa with India and China by Silk Road, Indian Ocean routes Gold and Sliver for slaves,salt,gems,and rare minerals.

What is the difference between Sunni and Shia Islam?

Sunni: Believed religious authority should be in the hands of the religious scholars Shia: Leaders should be ancestors of Mohammad

"Islam had a revolutionary impact on every society that is touched." What evidence might support this statement, and what might challenge it?

Support: The role of Islam in long distant trade, Religions that branched from it, and shaping political culture. Challenge:Local practices, survival of Persian traditions. Christianity increased and Islam decreased.

In what ways might Islamic civilization be described as cosmopolitan, international, or global?

The Islamic civilization embraced everyone in the Afro-Eurasian hemisphere. They also were in charge of trade so it spread. No other religions were known, so there was no reason to fight over religion.

What makes it possible to speak of the Islamic world as a distinct and coherent civilization?

There was a common commitment to Islam. Education was stressed. Devotional teachings. Madrassas spread where ever the civilization went.

In what ways was the world of Islam a "cosmopolitan civilization"?

Through trade, many people settled. Cities grew due to trade. Technology spread across civilization.

The Muslims-

Translated Invented Understood Developed Utilized Refined Advanced

How did trade help spread Islam?

Wealth helped influence people to join Islam

What did the Quran expect from those who followed its teachings?

Followers had to submit to Allah. Denounced hording of wealth, the exploration of the poor, the charging of high interest, rates of loans, corrupt business deals, the abuse of women, neglect of widows and orphans. Quran demanded social justice. Had 5 pillars.

5 Pillars of Islam

Belief, Worship, Fasting, Almsgiving, and Pilgrimage.

What did Muslims accept for religions?

Both the teachings of Jewish Torah and the Christian Gospels

Why were Arabs able to construct such a huge empire so quickly?

Central government, that operated, both land and sea. United the population. Easy to adopt religion, and conquered people didn't have to accept it. Armies were segregated from Native population.

In what ways were Sufi Muslims critical of mainstream Islam?

Critical of the schloraly and legalistic practitioners of the Sharia. Many criticized excessive devotion to Quaran.

In what ways was Anatolia changed by its incorporation into the Islamic world?

90% turned to Islam. Ottomam empire was formed and took down the Byzantine Empire.