World History/Andrews
Ch9.”The World of Islam”
Walid Faqihi
Islam and the Cultural Encounter
A Four-Way Comparison
Historians have argued about whether there is “Civilization” in period from 500 AD to 1500 AD or not. But there are an obvious evidence support the claim about the existence of those civilizations. In this case we will focus on the Islamic civilization. One of the arguments will be that there was a united one faith in mass areas like North Africa, Persia, and the Middles East. Islam rapidly becomes the dominant faith which is one of the essential elements in the previous classical civilizations. Related to one faith element “Islam” which means one religion united most of the people under the state of Arabs and Muslims, of course that’s also will mean one language. Because the large group of Christians and Greek speaking population has to adopt or learn the new dominant language.*
The
Arabian Peninsula is evidence to Strayer’s argument in that it informs
us of their own values and how they worshipped. How Islam became the new faith
with growing numbers of conversions serves as evidence in that it is just as
significant in the Classical Era. We need to know how Islam became a popular
religion and what consisted of this new faith. If everyone has an accurate
understanding of Islam’s growth and meaning as well as places like the Arabian
Peninsula where Islam first took prominence, then everyone in today’s world
will know how to handle certain issues concerning the religion Islam and its
followers accordingly. There needs to be a better understanding of the practice
and history of Islam and its homeland in order to deal with conflicts that
exists between people of different beliefs and values in a civilized and
educated manner.
Faith and religion was a great part of the classical era. It was evolving as well. The seminal thinker was Muhammad. The people in this era practiced the ulama. There was a school called the Quranic school that passed on the core teaching of the faith, but not only did the school teach about religion, the school also taught everyday teachings that a normal school would teach such as: math, philosophy, theology, etc. Religion is a piece of evidence that Islam was a part of the classical era.
Trades routs were so important in North Africa because it’s one of the main elements that flourished the region (West and East). Connecting them via the Saharan desert, in order to carry the basic goods of leaving. Moreover, felling the lack of products in each side that are the most needed, such as salt. However, Gold was the main natural source in that region. So, having Muslims get control of the region means that they put their hand on the heart of African trade. In which provides big profit and luxuries goods to the Islamic empire. Epically those roads are already built and designed with an important infrastructure. Indeed the new faith brought new culture, with some resistance, for instance in Africa, the African tried to Africanized Islam when they kept their ancient religion.*
After Muhammad died, Arab armies began to invade other empires in search for power. During this time they had a struggle for power over who would be leader. At the same time the people they conquered were forced give up their religion and convert to the Muslim religion. It was a hard transition for some but for others it was beneficial because they could avoid taxes. This was a complex empire that craved power, the definition of the classical empire.
After Muhammad died, Arab armies began to invade other empires in search for power. During this time they had a struggle for power over who would be leader. At the same time the people they conquered were forced give up their religion and convert to the Muslim religion. It was a hard transition for some but for others it was beneficial because they could avoid taxes. This was a complex empire that craved power, the definition of the classical empire.
The legacy that the Muslim left in Al-Andalus (in Modern life Spain) is clearly visible with the stunning states that have been built at that time, and it was Muslims Golden Ages. Unfortunately it did not last for long. During that period freedom of speech was declared well as the opportunity for all to rise in bureaucracy of the state. Cordoba the capital of Al-Andalus was an enlightenment center. Astronomy, medicine, art, architecture, and literature flourished at that time. In the other hand, the important of agriculture in an economic and trade marketing manner. Spain’s agricultural economy was the most prosperous in Europe during that time, which was one of the essential elements of a civilization.*
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