Dar al Islam

Culture of Islam: Community, Religion of Salvation, Religious

and Trade Empire

Seal of the Prophets

CaliphCaliph – “deputy”

DamascusDamascus

Abu BakrAbu Bakr – 1st Caliph• Close friend & disciple• Meccan merchant

Umayyad Mosque, Damascus

Umayyad DynastyUmayyad Dynasty::

Spread of Dar al-IslamSpread of Dar al-Islam - Religion- Law- Rule of Caliphs- Society NOT based on tribes, clans

Successful because:• FAST spread!FAST spread!• Zeal of new converts.• Byzantine & Sassanid empires at war w/ each

other weakened defenses.• Overtaxed peasants wanted relief

Umayyad CaliphateUmayyad Caliphate

Umayadd Dynasty: • Standardization:Standardization:

– CoinageCoinage– ArabicArabic – official language – ShariaSharia

• JizyaJizya – head tax paid by conquered subjects who did not convert to Islam.

• TolerationToleration of other religions, especially “religions of the book”

Division of Islam:Division of Islam: Shia AliShia Ali

Ali:•Cousin & son-in-law•4th caliph: 656-661 CE •Assassinated

•Over time: distinct doctrines, traditions, holidays…

•Revolts hastened the fall of the Umayadd Dynasty

How will Muhammad’s successor be chosen? How will Muhammad’s successor be chosen? Blood line of the Prophet? Election by Blood line of the Prophet? Election by UmmaUmma leaders? leaders?

ABBASIDABBASIDCaliphateCaliphate

Abbasid Dynasty: Abbasid Dynasty: BaghdadBaghdad750 – 1258 CE

ADMINISTRATIONADMINISTRATION

Spiritual and political integration:Spiritual and political integration:UlamaUlama – religious scholars QadiQadi – religious judges

CaliphsCaliphs -- ruled w/ standing armyGovernors Governors –>Sultans after Abbasid

Golden Age of IslamGolden Age of Islam

• BaghdadBaghdad

• Rivaled

Constantinople

• 500,000

inhabitants

Cosmopolitan BaghdadCosmopolitan Baghdad“Baghdad was a veritable City of Palaces, not made of stucco and mortar, but of marble. The buildingswere of several stories. The palaces and mansions were lavishly gilded and decorated, and hung with beautiful tapestry …of brocade or silk. The rooms were lightly and tastefully furnished with luxurious divans, costly tables, unique Chinese vases and gold and silver ornaments.

Both sides of the river were for miles fronted by the Palaces, kiosks, gardens and parks of the grandees and nobles, marble steps led down to the water's edge, and the scene on the river was animated by thousands of gondolas, decked with little flags, dancing like sunbeams on the water, and carrying the pleasure-seeking Baghdad citizens from one part of the city to the other. Along the wide-stretching docks lay whole fleets at anchor, sea and river craft of all kinds, from the Chinese junk to the old Assyrian raft resting on inflated skins.

The mosques of the city were at once vast in size and remarkably beautiful. There were also numerous colleges of learning, hospitals, infirmaries for both sexes, and lunatic asylums.”

From: Medieval Sourcebook, Fordham University – Yakut, c. 1000 CE

Half Million Inhabitants

EconomyEconomyAgricultureAgriculture - Transplanted - Transplanted crops throughout empire:crops throughout empire:A. Food crops - Spread

– Sugarcane, RiceSugarcane, Rice– New grain varieties -sorghum & wheat – Spinach, artichoke, eggplant, orange,

lemon, lime, banana, coconut, watermelon, mango

– Effect: richer more varied diet, more food, population & life span increased

B. Industrial crops – Textiles– CottonCotton, – Indigo & henna dyes– Effect: thriving textile industry

throughout Dar al-Islam

2.2. IndustryIndustry

• PAPER!PAPER!• Textiles• Pottery, Glassware• Leather• Iron … steel

Engineered New Industrial Engineered New Industrial TechnologiesTechnologies

• WindmillWindmill• NoriaNoria• Water ClockWater Clock

• RocketsRockets• Water drillingWater drilling

MORE TECHNOLOGIESMORE TECHNOLOGIES

• New techniques: – Metallurgy (including early steel production),

Ceramics, CartographyCartography, Building, Weaving, Measurement

• Agriculture:– GraftingGrafting trees, hybridizinghybridizing, stopping blights

& insects, making perfume

– Earliest Mechanized Sugar Refineries

3. 3. LUXURY TradeLUXURY Trade

• Aromatic Resins– Perfumes, cosmetics,

Frankincense & Myrrh…

• Luxury fruits: fresh / dried

• Textiles– Cotton, Persian Carpets

• Jewelry– Gold, Silver mined near Mecca

Created a Hemispheric Trading Created a Hemispheric Trading Zone!!Zone!!

• Muhammad – merchant“Honest merchants will stand alongside martyrs to the faith on the

day of judgment.”

CaravanCaravan

CaravanseraiCaravanserai

Elaborate Trade Networks Linked Elaborate Trade Networks Linked Dar al-Islam with the Dar al-Islam with the WorldWorld

A. A. Overland Travel:Overland Travel: • SILK ROADSSILK ROADS

• Maintained Indian, Persian, Indian, Persian, RomanRoman ROADSROADS

Persian Royal Road

CartographyTravel Tales

B. B. Maritime TravelMaritime Travel

• Chinese compass, Chinese compass, paper, mapspaper, maps

• Lateen Sail Lateen Sail • DHOWDHOW

• AstrolabeAstrolabe – – Calculate latitudeCalculate latitude

Astrolabe

Mariner’s Ring- latitude at noon or compared to a star of known declination

Land- time, latitude, direction, horoscopes

Sea Trade by 1400 CESea Trade by 1400 CE

Important Trade CommoditiesImportant Trade CommoditiesImport• China

– Silk & Porcelain• India

– spices & aromatics• Byzantine Empire

– Jewelry & Byzantine silk• East Africa

– slaves, animal skins, ivory

• Russia & Scandinavia – Fur, honey, amber,

slaves, timber, livestock

Export• East Africa - Salt • All locations: textiles

– Cotton, brocade (Damascene), Carpets…

• Jewelry

4. 4. BankingBanking• Investment Brokers &

Business Loans• Currency exchange

(Dinar)• Multiple branches

• SakkSakk – letters of credit / “checks”

• Joint ventures - reduce risk

Decline of Abbasid Dynasty

• Sultans Sultans – kept taxes … – kept taxes … secededseceded

• Popular uprisings & peasant rebellions

• Dissenting sectsDissenting sects, heretical , heretical movementsmovements

Abbasid Emperors mere figureheads

Turkic Saljuq Sultans ruled for 200 years and then…

Mongols: 1258Mongols: 1258

5. Culture: Golden Age of 5. Culture: Golden Age of IslamIslam

• Arts, architecture, literature, sciences flourished during Abbasid

• AND were

passed on to

other societies,

including

WESTERN

EUROPE!!!

Finely crafted and decorated pottery and metallurgy, scrolls and books – Qu’rans.

Fine Artisan Work

Ivory camphor canister

Inlaid Scribe’s box

Carved MarbleCapital

Persian MiniaturesPersian Miniatures

-Atelier produced & inspected

-Symbolic, not representations of “individuals”

-Flat, unnatural colors

-Books: Histories of Sultan’s Rule locked away for the sultan…

Culture of Books & LearningCulture of Books & Learning• 751 CE- 751 CE- PaperPaper from China from China “Translation Movement”“Translation Movement”• Built Learning Infrastructure: Built Learning Infrastructure:

– public and private libraries, public and private libraries,

–MadrasasMadrasas – Islamic Universities attached to – Islamic Universities attached to mosques in all Major citiesmosques in all Major cities

– Hospitals & Research institutions Hospitals & Research institutions – Scholars from all over Dar al-Islam came study at the feet of a Scholars from all over Dar al-Islam came study at the feet of a

famous professor. famous professor.

• Transfer of Greek philosophy & learningTransfer of Greek philosophy & learning– Logic & Reason ….classics Logic & Reason ….classics

• Religious toleration Religious toleration – Universities in Al-Andaluz Universities in Al-Andaluz taught in Arabic, Latin, Hebrew…taught in Arabic, Latin, Hebrew…

AstronomyAstronomy • Calendars

• Precision Astronomical

Instruments

• Water Clock

• Many astronomical terms

– Nadir, zenith, azimuth…

– Zodiac symbols

(Scorpion)

Al- Biruni973-1048-Radius of Earth-Astronomer-Cartographer

MedicineMedicine• Code of conduct for doctors

– Examinations for doctors & pharmacologists – Ethics, knowledge

– Hippocratic Oath – violation dismissal

• HospitalsHospitals– Running water, baths: Sanitation– Sections for different treatment, diseases- hay

fever, measles, smallpox, diphtheria, rabies, diabetes…

– SpecialistsSpecialists– Open 24 hours - Could not turn away a patient– SurgerySurgery with precise medical instruments –

tumors, ophthalmic & dental surgery including fillings, amputations…

– BooksBooks – massive medical encyclopedia

Al Razi (865-925) Al Razi (865-925) Medical encyclopedia drawing on Greek, Syrian, Indian, Persian & his own workMedical encyclopedia drawing on Greek, Syrian, Indian, Persian & his own work

Pages from Medical Texts

Aristotle, Galen, Plato and an Abbasid doctor depicted on Medical Codex. Inscription: 'These are the wise who know God: He is the wise the healer'

GeographyGeography“Books of Routes” for postal

carriers

• CartographyCartography – map making– integration of mathematics, art,

necessities of trade…

• Travel WritingTravel Writing –Ibn BattutaIbn Battuta – qadi – – Highlights: North Africa, Mecca &

Medina, sailed down the Nile, Constantinople, India & China. He died in Granada at 73.

Social SciencesSocial Sciences

Ibn KhaldunIbn Khaldun - historian• Analyzed: Rise & fall

of civilizations• Analyzed: relations

betw technologically advanced & traditional societies.

Ibn RushdeIbn Rushde – “Averroes” – “Averroes” Ibn Sina Ibn Sina – “Avicenna”– “Avicenna”• Integrated Aristotelian &

Islamic Thought• Translated into Latin

affected W. Philosophy

Al-GhazaliAl-Ghazali• SufiSufi theologian: theologian:

–Against Against Philosophy & Philosophy & ScienceScience

• “Human reason cannot grasp the power that is Allah!”

Rumi“You were born with wings; why do you crawl through life?”

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”

“The wound is the place where the light enters you.”

“There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled.There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled.You feel it, don't you?”

““Knock, And He'll Knock, And He'll open the door.open the door.Vanish, And He'll Vanish, And He'll make you shine make you shine like the sun.like the sun.Fall, And He'll Fall, And He'll raise you to the raise you to the heavens.heavens.Become nothing, Become nothing, And He'll turn you And He'll turn you into everything.” into everything.” 

Polymath ScholarsPolymath Scholars““Renaissance Renaissance

Men,” Men,”

not just not just specialistsspecialists

What other societies, times, places What other societies, times, places valued this type of ability?valued this type of ability?

What does this SAY about a society?What does this SAY about a society?

MathMath• Algorithms & Algebra! Algorithms & Algebra! • Trigonometric functions (except sine)Trigonometric functions (except sine)• Proof by mathematical inductionProof by mathematical induction

• Analytic GeometryAnalytic Geometry

• Introduction of Introduction of “Hindi”“Hindi” (“(“Arabic”)Arabic”) numerals. numerals.

• Decimal point notationDecimal point notation• Spherical trigonometrySpherical trigonometry• Frequency analysis & cryptanalysisFrequency analysis & cryptanalysis

• Non-Euclidian GeometryNon-Euclidian Geometry

• Al Khwarazim – 790-840 – first Algebra bookAl Khwarazim – 790-840 – first Algebra book

• Algebraic Geometry – Omar KhayyamAlgebraic Geometry – Omar Khayyam

I am a Famous Persian Polymath:– Mathematician– Philosopher– Astronomer– Mechanical Engineer– Traveler & Geographer– Musician– Drinker? Or maybe not…– Womanizer? Or maybe not…

– POET

•Am I an agnostic hedonist agnostic hedonist or a mystical Sufi inspired by Plato’s writing?

““A Book of Verses A Book of Verses underneath the bough, underneath the bough,

A Jug of Wine, a Loaf A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread –of Bread –

And Thou And Thou

Beside me singing in Beside me singing in the Wilderness –the Wilderness –

Oh, Wilderness were Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!”*Paradise enow!”*

= If only Wilderness were a sufficient Paradise!”

Awake! For Morning in the Bowl of Night

Has flung the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight:

And lo! The Hunter of the East has

Caught The Sultan’s Turret

in a Noose of Light!

The Moving Finger The Moving Finger writes: and having writ writes: and having writ Moves on. Moves on.

Nor all thy Piety nor Wit Nor all thy Piety nor Wit

Shall lure it back to Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, cancel half a Line,

Nor all thy Tears wash Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.out a Word of it.

Dreaming when Dawn’s Left Hand was in the SkyI heard a Voice within the Tavern cry“Awake, my Little ones, and fill the CupBefore Life’s Liquor in its Cup be dry.”

Then to the rolling Heav'n itself I Then to the rolling Heav'n itself I cried,cried,Asking, "What Lamp had Destiny Asking, "What Lamp had Destiny to guide Her little Children to guide Her little Children stumbling in the Dark?"stumbling in the Dark?"And -- "A blind Understanding!" And -- "A blind Understanding!" Heav'n replied.Heav'n replied.

•

Omar Khayyam• QuatrainsQuatrains

• Carpe DiemCarpe Diem

• Love? Drinking?Love? Drinking?

OROR

• Inspired Inspired Mysticism?Mysticism?

Devout Muslim, or atheistic Devout Muslim, or atheistic hedonist?hedonist?

LiteratureLiterature

• 1001 Nights1001 Nights–AladdinAladdin - - –Ali Baba and the Forty Ali Baba and the Forty

ThievesThieves–SinbadSinbad

al-andaluz High art, learning, culture in tolerant

MoorishMoorish society.

Great Mosque at CordobaGreat Mosque at Cordoba

Great Mosque at Cordoba

Mihrab at Great Mosque, Cordoba

Detail: Mihrab

Ceiling: Great Mosque, Cordoba

Alhambra Palace,Alhambra Palace,GranadaGranada

A Pearl A Pearl set in an Emeraldset in an Emerald

Royal Palace of Alcazar, SevilleRoyal Palace of Alcazar, Seville

One of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in the world

Gardens of the Alcazar Palace

La Giralda –Originally a minaret, became a church bell tower

A n d a l u c i a n A n d a l u c i a n P o e t r yP o e t r yZARRA’s ZARRA’s

EARRINGSEARRINGS

My earrings, my earrings! My earrings, my earrings! They’ve dropped into the well, They’ve dropped into the well,

And what to say to Muca, I And what to say to Muca, I cannot, cannot tell.cannot, cannot tell.

‘‘Twas thus, Granada’s Twas thus, Granada’s fountain by, Spoke Albuharez’ fountain by, Spoke Albuharez’ daughter. daughter.

Andalucian poetry inspired European minstrels of middle ages. Andalucian poetry inspired European minstrels of middle ages.

The Well is deep; The Well is deep;

Far downFar down

They lie beneath the cold blue water.They lie beneath the cold blue water.

To me did Muca give them, when he To me did Muca give them, when he spake his sad farewell, spake his sad farewell,

And what to say when he comes back, And what to say when he comes back, alas! I cannot tell. alas! I cannot tell.

My earrings! My earrings! My earrings! My earrings! They were pearls in silver set, They were pearls in silver set,

That when my Moor was far That when my Moor was far away, I ne’er should him forget. away, I ne’er should him forget.

That I ne’er to other tongue That I ne’er to other tongue should list, nor smile on other’s should list, nor smile on other’s tale, But remember he my lips tale, But remember he my lips had kissed pure as those had kissed pure as those earrings pale– When he comes earrings pale– When he comes back, and hears that I have back, and hears that I have dropped them in the well, dropped them in the well,

Oh, what will Muca think of me, Oh, what will Muca think of me, I cannot, cannot tell. I cannot, cannot tell.

My earrings! My earrings! He’ll say they should have been Not of pearl and of silver, But of gold and glittering sheen, Of Jasper or of Onyx and of diamond shining clear, Changing to the changing light, with radiance insincere--That changeful mind unchanging gems are not befitting well – Oh, what will Muca think of me, I cannot, cannot tell.

He’ll think when I to market went, I loitered by the way; He’ll think a willing ear I lent to all the lads might say;He’ll think some other lover’s hand, among my tresses noosed from the ears where he had placed them, my rings of pearl unloosed; He’ll think, when I was sporting so beside this marble well, My pearls fell in – and what to say, alas! I can not tell.

He’ll say, I am a woman, and we He’ll say, I am a woman, and we are all the same;are all the same;

He’ll say I loved him when he He’ll say I loved him when he was here to whisper of his flamewas here to whisper of his flame——

But when he went to Tunis my But when he went to Tunis my virgin troth had broken, virgin troth had broken,

And thought no more of Muca, And thought no more of Muca, and cared not for his token. and cared not for his token.

My earrings! My earrings! My earrings! My earrings!

O luckless, luckless well, O luckless, luckless well,

For what to say to Muca, alas! For what to say to Muca, alas!

I cannot tell. I cannot tell.

I’ll tell the truth to Muca, I’ll tell the truth to Muca,

And I hope he will believe And I hope he will believe that I thought of him at that I thought of him at morning, and I thought of morning, and I thought of him at eve. him at eve.

That, musing on my lover, That, musing on my lover, when down the sun was when down the sun was gone, His earrings in my gone, His earrings in my hand I held, by the fountain hand I held, by the fountain all alone; all alone;

And that my mind was o’er And that my mind was o’er the sea, when from my hand the sea, when from my hand they fell, and that deep his they fell, and that deep his love lies in my heart, as they love lies in my heart, as they lie in the well. lie in the well.