The Islamic World
Prompt: To what extent was Islam a unifying cultural force in Afro-Eurasia?
Overall thesis: The Islamic world was essential for most of the Afro-Eurasia cultures because it provided stable civilizations. Many of the civilizations in these areas were separated and struggling. However, when the Muslims began to take over vast areas of land, Islam provided a stable religion across an area that had previously contained different cultures.
Document 1:
Muezzin call to prayer, recited five a day from a mosque’s minaret.
- a simple prayer that outlines the basic beliefs of the religion.
- no sign of conflict or disagreement of the religion.
[ unified ]
Document 2:
Hadith, Isma’il al Bukhari.
- goes more into depth of the Islam religion, describing the Five Pillars.
- describes the Apostle of Allah.
[ unified ]
Document 3:
The Alchemy of Happiness, Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali.
- discusses the relationship between God and his followers.
- portrayed as a short story with the inquiry of the Prophet.
[ unified ]
Document 4:
Book of the Maghrib by Ibn Said, 13th century.
- portrays the conflicts the Iberian peninsula, Andalus, had to face.
- during three centuries and a half, Andalus reached an utmost degree of power and prosperity under the rule of princes of the dynasty.
[ divided ]
Document 5:
“The Pilgrimage of Mansa Musa,” Al Umari (14th century).
- describes the journey Mansa Musa traveled as he spread the word of God.
- a primary account, including friendly dialogue between Umari and Musa.
[ unified ]
Document 6:
The Muqaddimah, Ibn Khaldun.
- states a few observations made on Muslim scholars have previously been non-Arab.
- portrays the surprising intelligence and knowledge scholars had, causing Islam to gain popularity and royal authority.
[ unified ]
Document 7:
Letter from (Ottoman Sultan) Selim to (Safavid Sultan) Isma’il, 1514.
- tone of the letter sounds like a sort of confrontation between the two over an issue.
- the issue being Ottoman subjecting the upright community of Muhammad.
[ divided ]
Document 8:
Book of Travels, Benjamin Tudela, 12th century.
- portrays the image of the society or Baghdad during the time under the rule of Caliphs.
- goes into simple details of its environment.
[ unified ]
Document 9:
The Capture of Jerusalem, Ibn al Athir, 1187.
- crusades between the Franks and the Muslims began to emerge, creating harsh tensions.
- considered the fiercest struggle imaginable at the time.
[ divided ]
Document 10:
Travels of Ibn Battuta, 1353.
- described the route Battuta traveled and his observations made.
[ unified ]
Document 11:
Akbar consulting scholars of various religions.
- Akbar is peacefully communicating with people of a different religion than that of Islam.
- no violence or signs of disagreements are being portrayed.
Document 12:
Map of Islamic Expansion from 632 – 733 CE.
- the Islam religion covered almost all of Southwest Asia.
- managed to enter parts of Africa and Europe as well.
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