Islamic Society

1. Islamic Society

2. Social Structure • Spiritual equality (not wealth) • Elite were ruling families and wealthy merchants • Non-Muslims lower in society • Paid jizya, or religious tax • Slaves used for war and labor • Treatment supposed to be reasonable

3. Economy and Trade • Trade routes increased wealth and improved diet • Advanced banking system • Introduction of credit and use of banking • Farming estates controlled by the wealthy

4. Rights of Women • Quran granted spiritual and social equality • Could own property and divorce • Husbands paid dowry, or sum of money, to wife’s family • Older traditions restricted rights • Required women to cover all parts of their body

5. Scholarship and Philosophy • Translated Greek works into Arabic • Eventually recorded works in books • Philosophic commentary on Aristotle أرىكلإنسانيرىعيبغيرهويعمىعنالعيبالذيهوفيه “Everyone is critical of the flaws of others, but blind to their own.” أشدالفاقةعدمالعقل “Lack of intelligence is the greatest poverty.”

6. Mathematics and Astronomy • Mathematics borrowed from India • “Hindi” numerals now known as “Arabic” numerals • Trigonometry and algebra • Developments in Astronomy • Astrolabe used positions of stars to tell direction

7. Medicine and Science • Al-Razi • Medical encyclopedia • Contagious diseases • Translated works sent to Europe • Ibn al-Hazen • Best known for work with optics and astronomy

8. Art and Architecture • Arab, Turkish, and Persian traditions • Arabesques • Geometric patterns repeated over and over again

9. Mosques represent glory of Islam • Muezzin calls Muslims to prayer • Tower he calls from known as a minaret

10. Great Mosque of Samarra

11. Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca

12. Mosque of Djenne – Mali, Africa

13. Jami UlAlfar – Colombo, Sri Lanka

14. Grand Mosque, Dubai

15. Mosque – Tempe, Arizona