Section 3: Islamic Civilization

• Trade flourished in the Arab Empire.• Baghdad called the City of Peace was one

of the greatest cities in the world.• The Fatimid, a new dynasty in Cairo,

Egypt shifted trade making it the greatest city in the world.

Role of Cities

• The bazaar, or covered market, was an important part of every Muslim city.– Merchandise Inspectors guaranteed high

standards: “Grilled meats should only be made with fresh meat, not meat coming from a sick animal.”

• Most people still lived in the country, making their living by farming or herding animals.

Social Structure

• To be a Muslim is not simply to worship Allah, but also to live life according to Allah’s teachings as revealed in the Quran.

• According to Islam, all people are = in the eyes of Allah. This is not always the case….

Social Structure

• Muslims could not be slaves; slaves were taken from Africa and other parts of Asia for hard labor, military, and domestic servants (women).

The Role of Women

• Men dominate in Muslim society.

• All women had a male guardian.

• A Muslim man could have up to four wives.

• Muslim men were required to pay a dowry (a gift of money or property) for their brides (most could only afford one).

• Right to divorce; adultery forbidden

Role of Women

• After the spread of Islam, older customs eroded the rights enjoyed by early Muslim women. Some became secluded from social contact:– “some…have said that a woman should leave

her house on three occasions only: when she is conducted to the house of her bridegroom, on the deaths of her parents, and when she goes to her own grave.

Understanding the Hijab

• Read 202

• The practice of having women cover virtually all parts of their bodies when appearing in public is still followed today in some parts of the Muslim world.