The Islamic World Exclusive! Interview with Arab merchant Sofia #28 Claudia #8
Table of Contents Map Of Islamic Empire at its Height Life of Nomad Journal Entry Muhammad Qu'ran and the Sunnah The Five Pillars of Islam Interview Exclusive! Advertisements Reference List pg.1 pg.2 pg.3 pg.4 pg.5 pg.6 pg.7 pg.8
Map of Islam at its Height pg.1
Journal Entry Entry #1 Dear journal, I am beginning a new journey. As of today, i will be heading to an oasis. A few days ago I left my village to go to the desert. And now I am here. I don't know particularly why i decided to head to the desert, I just thought that it would be a good journey. My life at home is very uninteresting. The sun is killing me though, It is scorching hot. I think the heat is starting to get to me. I feel dizzy and my throat is dry from all the sand getting in my mouth when I wake up. But I mustn't stop now, I must continue my journey. pg.2
Journal Entry #2 Entry #2 Dear journal, I am half-way to my destination. So far it has been 7 hours traveling in the desert on my camel. I have decided to take a break. My stomach is rumbling and beginning to hurt. For the past hour I have only eaten dried nuts, but of course it does not satisfy my needs. In about 7 more hours I will reach the nearest oasis, where I can relax and drink water as my body pleads for it.
Journal Entry #3 Entry #3 Dear journal, I am finally here. I have completed my journey. 16 hours; it took me that long. But it was worth it. And I guess it was fun along the way, I tried to make the best of my journey. The water tastes fresh, I am in love with it. It has quenched my thirst and satisfied my needs. Maybe later I will start a new journey, but for now I am going to stay here and relax for a while.
Muhammad pg.3 Muhammad was born in A.D. 570 and when hid father died his grandfather took care of him in an unhealthy city called Makkah. His grandfather was a political leader in Makkah so he couldn't leave for the benefit of Muhammad. Abd al- Muttalib entrusted his grandson to a tribe of nomads to take care of him in the desert. Muhammad's mother died when he was six years old and his grandfather died when he was eight. The property and money from Muhammad's father and grandfather couldn't be passed in to him because, in Arab customs, he was not of age. Muhammad's uncle then headed the family, took care of Muhammad and they rode on camels to Syria on trading journeys. When Muhammad was twenty-five years old, he married a wealthy woman named Khadijah and had six children but two did not live past childhood. Muhammad's marriage made him very wealthy and he became a member of Makkah's prosperous merchant class. Muhammad was a very thoughtful person because of him childhood and so he would go up to the hills and reflect. One day Muhammad said that he was claimed "the Messenger of God" by an angel. Muhammad died in A.D. 632.
Qu'ran and the Sunnah pg.4 The Qu'ran was the holy book of Islam. Written inside were the messages that Muhammad said he received from Allah. Muslims strive to follow the Qu'ran. It instructs that Muslims should be honest and treat others fairly. They were not allowed to murder, lie, or steal. Eating pork, drinking liquor, and gambling were forbidden. Most of the rules in the Qu'ran apply to a Muslim's daily life. The Qu'ran and the Sunnah created a code together on how society should be run. The Sunnah is a name given to customs based or Muhammad's words and deeds. It was the way of life prescribed as a normative for Muslims on the basis of teachings and practices of the Islamic prophet.
pg.5 Five Pillars of Islam
Interview pg.6 Q: How has trade helped Islam spread? A: The traders taught other traders the Arabic language of trade and government. Q: How have cultures and cities been affected by the expansion of Islam? A: Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus were located on trade routes that ran from the Mediterranean Sea to central Asia and it helped Muslim villages who farmed. Q: What are some things Muslims have achieved? A: Muslims have achieved many things that have impacted us in a big way. Muslims invented algebra, perfected the Greek astrolabe, and created the Arabic numerals also known as the numbers 0 through 9. al-razi, one of the best known Muslim chemists, found out a way to categorize different substances: mineral, animal, and vegetable. He also wrote books for doctors to help them identify diseases. Q: Who is Muhammad and why is he important? A: Muhammad was a very important man. He was also very kind, as he taught and believed that everybody should be treated equally, the rich should share their goods, and people should give generously to the poor.
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pg.8 References - Medieval and Early Modern Times - wikipedia.org - ask.com - islamicity.com - sunnah.com