Welcome to IslamDuring the Golden Age

Mid-7th Century – mid 13th Century

The EconomyThe Islamic Empire is the world’s leading

extensive economic power! The Islamic Empire trade networks extend from the

Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the east to the Indian Ocean and the China Sea.

The Empire contributes to globalization through trade network.

With the discovery of the Chinese papermaking process, the use of paper grew throughout, beginning with government into the rest of society. Books were published, writing paper was sold, and credit was created.

MedicineAl–Zahrawi’s (936–1013 CE) anatomy text was translated into Latin

and became a medical text used in Europe for centuries.Avicenna (980–1037 CE) wrote The Canon, a medical textbook, as

well as an encyclopedia of philosophy,Al–Razi (864–930 CE), the most famous Islamic doctor of the Golden

Age, was a skilled surgeon and wrote over 200 books on medicine. He studied diseases ranging from small pox to chicken pox. Furthermore, he practiced at the famous Muqtadari Hospital. He was a chemist, who studies cure for ailments, and experimented with using foods to heal.

ScienceAl–Khwarizmi wrote a Algebra textbook

Arabic numerals and the idea of zero made algebra possible

Alhazen (965–1040 CE) explained how eyesight works in his publication the Book of OpticsConducted experiments that inspired the scientific

method

Architecture

Islamic architecture included intricate designs including patterns and arabesques, with great attention to detail using geometric patterns and archways.

Buildings were simple on the outside but overelaborate on the inside. Building materials include: Stucco, Stone and Wood

Famous ArchitectureAlhambra Umayyad palace in Spain Dome of the Rock

Art and LiteratureArt was apparent on pottery, paper manuscripts, textiles, and buildings

and included intricate designs vine and floral designs, as well as geometric designs.

Wood and pottery were common materials. Gold and/or silver were valued materials.

Muhammad’s teachings restricted using humans as figures to represent the faith.

Literature became widespread. One example of a famous Arabian Short Story included Sinbad and Aladdin from Arabian Nights.

Rumi (1207–1273) is famous for his love poems.Averroes (1126–1198) wrote philosophy and religion and worked

extensively to translate the works of Aristotle.Calligraphers created beautiful manuscripts of the Qur’an.

PoliticalIslam began in the Arabian Peninsula and spread

throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, India, and Southeast Asia.

Expansion was possible because of the strong armies, common language, and fair treatment of conquered people.

All Muslims are required to learn Arabic to read the Qur’an, the Islamic Holy Book.

SocietyMuslims pursued rational, humanistic, and scientific dialogs in

their search for meaning and knowledge.Literature covered topics such as poetry, love, science, and

philosophy.They had an early emphasis on freedom of speech.Because the empire expanded over such a large area, the

background of laborers was vast and they learned from each other. Both Men and Women worked. Agriculture and Industry flourished within a Market Economy.