The Muslim World - Movements and Achievements

1. The Muslim World - Movements and Achievements

2. Essential Questions • What caused the split between the Sunni and Shi’a? • How are these two groups still similar to one another? • What were five science or math advancements of the Muslim World? • What other influences does the Muslim World have on us today?

3. Movements within Islam Notes

4. When & Why • In 661 C.E., the prophet Muhammad passed away and a family known as the Umayyads rose to power. • They set up a hereditary system of succession and moved the capital of the Muslim World to Damascus in Syria. • They also began to surround themselves with wealth and ceremony similar to that of non-Muslim rulers.

5. Abbasid Dynasty • 750 C.E. • Shiites revolted against Umayyaads created own dynasty called “Abbassid” dynasty • Capital: Baghdad • Period of enlightenment • achievements

6. Sunni • caliph should be chosen by leaders of the Muslim community • viewed caliphs as leaders, not religious authorities • comprise 90% of Islam followers

7. Shi’a (Shi’ite) • believed that the only true successor to Muhammad were descendents of Muhammad’s daughter and son-in-law (Fatima and Ali) • believed descendents were divinely inspired • most are located in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen

8. Sunni and Shi’a • one God • look to Qur’an for guidance • make hajj to Mecca

10. Muslim Achievements Notes

11. City Building and Architecture • City of Baghdad • 100,000 architects, workers, etc. to build the city • “round city”

13. City Building and Architecture • Mosques • Usually had a minaret (tower) and a prayer room inside • Variety of design styles that reflected the diversity of Muslim lands

14. The Great Mosque in Mecca

15. Scholarship and Learning • Arabic language • Became the language of learning and scholarship

16. Scholarship and Learning • World’s first universities • Ibn Sina • Most famous philosopher • All knowledge from God, had proof that the soul was immortal

17. Science and Technology • Zoology • The scientific study of animals • Astronomy • Compasses used to locate the direction of Mecca • Figured out the exact times for prayer and length of Ramadan

18. Science and Technology • Underground Wells • Used to bring water to cities from reservoirs, sometimes 50 feet underground

19. Geography and Navigation • Calculated Earth’s circumference within 9 miles of its correct value • Produced a world atlas with dozens of maps • Compass

20. Mathematics • Al-Khwarizmi “the father of algebra” • Spread Indian concept of zero, used Arabic numbers

21. Medicine • First world hospitals • Al-Razi realized that infections were caused by bacteria

22. Bookmaking and Literature • A Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights) • Rumi, wrote Islamic mysticism

23. Art and Music • Rejected images of humans or animals in visual art, used shapes and patterns • Calligraphy, beautiful handwriting • mosaics • First conservatory, or music school

26. Recreation • Polo: “sport of kings” and on horseback • Chess: adapted and improved the game