Chapter 11

This chapter talked about how Islam. It reviewed how Islam was created, the changes it went through, and how it spread. "The Kaaba, the most prominent religious shrine in Arabia was in Mecca." (p. 303) The town of Mecca became popular and was a place where many went to worship. Arabia had the Persian Empire on one side and the Byzantine Empire on the other; this put Arabia in the middle of trade and in the middle of Judaism and Christianity. Many thought that Arabia would become Jewish or Christian due to its whereabouts, but they were incorrect.

Muhammad Ibn Abduliah of Mecca became "Allah's messenger to the Arabs," (p. 300) and taught from the Quran as the followers of Allah believed that they "had to submit" to Allah to be "in paradise after death." (p. 305) The Quran did not agree with the lives of those in Mecca and had its own message to the people. The Quran wanted the peoples of Arabia to live with "solidarity, equality, (and) concern for the poor." (p. 305) The Quran taught five messages "known as the Pillars of Islam:"

1. "Absolute monotheism and final revelation"

2. "Prayer...fives times a day" at specific times and "facing...Mecca"

3. "Give wealth to maintain the community and to help the needy"

4. "Month of fasting"

5. "Pilgrimage to Mecca" (p. 305-306)

Muhammad's teachers were not viewed positively with "the wealthy and ruling families of Mecca" (p. 306) and his followers moved to "Yathrib," which is thought to be a "turning point in early history of Islam." (p. 306) Yathrib later became "Medina". Here, Islam became its own religion and was "open to all," (p. 307) and Muhammad became ruler of this new religion.

After Muhammad's death, the Arabs conquered areas in Spain, India, Europe, China, and North Africa. They were extending their trade area and the reach of their religion. The Arabs were open to other religions, but they were not actively trying to convert others to their religion, but restrictions and taxes were put on other religions. There were perks for others converting to Muslim:

·   They could get out of slavery or prison

·   They could avoid "Jizya, a tax imposed on non-Muslims"

·   They did not have to hide religion during trade

·   They were able to reach "official positions" (p. 310) that non-Muslims could not

"Political and social conflicts" arose as Islam spread. Many had their own interpretation and ideas of how the Islamic World should function. Two of the main conflicts of ideas was between "the Sunni Muslims" and "the Shia." (p. 311) The Sunni thought "that the caliphs were rightful political and military leaders," and the Shia thought that "leadership...should derive from the line of Ali and his son Husayn, blood relative of Muhammud." (p. 311) As time went on, some wanted to define what it meant "to be Muslim." (p. 313) It was found that being Muslim meant to have "correct behavior" as written in Sharia and that "direct and personal experience of the divine" and that it was necessary to give up "the material world." (p. 313)

Islamic women had some freedoms, but also restrictions. They were in charge of their property, and could choose to divorce. In early Islam women could hold political positions and could pray "in Mosques," (p. 315) and they did not have to wear veils. More restrictions were implemented with the growth of Islam. There was: "veiling and seclusion" and "separate quarter within the homes." (p. 315) Even though women were more oppressed, they did have the option to be a "teacher of the faith...mullahs." (p. 316)

The Islam religion was spreading, but they no longer had their own land area. Strayer asks what held the religion together and states that there was a "common commitment to Islam...Ulanh passed on the core teachings of the faith...religions order of the Sufis...(and) they were able to incorporated other religions into Islam." (p. 323-324)

As Muslims grew there were able to make learn new skills. They were able to create "large trading practice." (p. 325) They learned how to get water from hills. They "developed algebra as a...mathematical discipline". They started "work on astronomy and optics," and they started "a...tradition in medicine and pharmacology." (p. 325-326)

Chapter 12

This chapter looked at the history of the pastoral nomads. First it distinguished pastoral communities and civilizations from agricultural communities and civilizations. Then, Strayer looked at how the pastoral people's ideas helped them to build a large empire. The chapter then reviewed how the Mongol Empire came to be, and how it was able to withstand and conquer other empires. Strayer then compared how the Mongols invaded China, Persia, and Russia. The chapter ended with reviewing how the Mongols changed the "world economy" and how it spread the plague. (p. 354)

Below is a list of items that distinguished pastoral communities and civilizations from agricultural communities and civilizations:

·   They had "less productive economies"

·   They "needed large grazing areas (to)... support...smaller population"

·   They "lived in small...scatter encampments"

·   They organized themselves in kinship-based groups"

·   "Women (had) a higher status, fewer restrictions, and greater role in public life"

·   They lived a very mobile life and "shifted their herds in regular patterns." (p. 334-336)