ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
An extensive trade network brought prosperity to the Islamic world, which
necessitated the creation of new rules. The Quran provided fundamental guidelines
for all Muslims, not only in spiritual affairs, but also in politics, economics, and social
life.
Prosperity in the Islamic World
Overall, the period of the Arab Empire was prosperous. The Arabs carried on
extensive trade, not only within the Islamic world but also with China, the Byzantine
Empire, India, and Southeast Asia. Trade was carried both by ship and by camel
caravans, which traveled from Morocco in the far west to the countries beyond the
Caspian Sea.
Starting around 750, trade flourished under the Abbasid dynasty. From south of
the Sahara came gold and slaves; from China, silk and porcelain; from eastern Africa,
gold and ivory; and from Southeast Asia and India, sandalwood and spices. Within the
empire, Egypt contributed grain; Iraq provided linens, dates, and precious stones; and
western India supplied textiles. The development of banking and the use of coins made
it easier to exchange goods.
The Role of Cities
With flourishing trade came prosperous cities. While the Abbasids were in power,
Baghdad, the Abbasid capital known as the City of Peace, was probably the greatest
city in the empire and one of the greatest cities in the world. After the rise of the
Fatimids in Egypt, however, the focus of trade shifted to Cairo. A traveler described
Cairo as “one of the greatest and most famous cities in all the whole world, filled with
stately and admirable palaces . . . and most sumptuous temples.” Another great trading
city was Damascus in modern-day Syria. Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus were the
centers of administrative, cultural, and economic activity for their regions. Aside from
these capital cities, travelers did not find Islamic cities to be especially grand, though
the cities did outshine those of mostly rural Europe. This is exemplified by Córdoba,
the capital of Umayyad Spain. With a population of two hundred thousand, Córdoba
was Europe’s largest city after Constantinople.
Islamic cities had a distinctive physical appearance. Usually, the most impressive
urban buildings were palaces for caliphs or local governors and mosques for worship.
There were also public buildings with fountains and secluded courtyards, public baths,
and bazaars or marketplaces. The bazaar, or covered market, was an important part
of every Muslim city or town. Customers could compare prices and seek the best
bargains. To guarantee high standards, inspectors enforced rules, such as the daily
washing of counters and containers. One rule stated, “Grilled meats should only be
made with fresh meat and not with meat coming from a sick animal and bought for its
cheapness.” The bazaar housed many crafts people’s shops, as well as services like
laundries and bathhouses.
The Importance of Farming
The Arab Empire was more urbanized than most other areas of the known world
at the time. Nevertheless, a majority of people still lived in the country, making their
living by farming or herding animals. During the early stages of the empire, most of the
farmland was owned by independent peasants. Later, wealthy landowners began to
amass large estates. Some lands were owned by the state or the court and were
farmed by slave labor. In river valleys like the Tigris, Euphrates, and Nile River valleys,
however, most farmers remained independent peasants and continued to farm the
way their ancestors had.
Islamic Society
To be a Muslim is not simply to worship Allah but also to live one’s life according
to Allah’s teachings as revealed in the Quran, which was compiled in 635. As Allah has
decreed, so must humans live. Questions concerning politics, economics, and social
life are answered by following Islamic teachings.
Social Structure
According to Islam, all people are equal in the eyes of Allah. In reality, however,
this was not strictly the case in the Arab Empire. There was a fairly well-defined upper
class that consisted of ruling families, senior officials, nomadic elites, and the
wealthiest merchants. Even ordinary merchants, however, enjoyed a degree of respect
that merchants did not receive in Europe, China, or India. One group of people in the
Islamic world was not considered equal. They were the slaves. As in the other
civilizations we have examined so far, slavery was widespread. Because Muslims
could not be slaves, most of their slaves came from Africa or from non-Islamic
populations elsewhere in Asia. Many had been captured in war. Slaves often served
in the army. This was especially true of slaves recruited from the Turks of central Asia.
Many military slaves were freed. Some even came to exercise considerable power.
Many slaves, especially women, were used as domestic servants. These slaves were
sometimes permitted to purchase their freedom. Islamic law made it clear that slaves
should be treated fairly, and it was considered a good act to free them.
The Role of Women
The Quran granted women spiritual and social equality with men. Believers, men
and women, were to be friends and protectors of one another. Women had the right to
the fruits of their work and to own and inherit property. Women had played prominent
roles in the rise of Islam during the time of Muhammad. Islamic teachings did account
for differences between men and women in the family and social order. Both had duties
and responsibilities. As in most societies of the time, however, men were dominant in
Muslim society. Every woman had a male guardian, be it father, brother, or other male
relative. Parents or guardians arranged marriages for their children. The Quran
allowed Muslim men to have more than one wife, but no more than four. Most men,
however, were unable to afford more than one, because they were required to pay a
dowry (a gift of money or property) to their brides. Women had the right to freely enter
into marriage, but they also had the right of divorce under some circumstances.
Adultery was forbidden to both men and women. After the spread of Islam, older
customs eroded the rights enjoyed by early Muslim women. For example, some
women were secluded and kept from social contacts with males outside their own
families.
The custom of requiring women to cover virtually all parts of their bodies when
appearing in public was common in the cities and is still practiced today in many
Islamic societies. It should be noted, however, that these customs owed more to
traditional Arab practice than to the Quran. Despite the restrictions, the position of
women in Islamic society was better than it had been in former times, when women
had often been treated like slaves. Even today the rights and customs related to
Islamic women are still under debate. Traditional Muslims argue that the meaning of
the sacred texts is being manipulated by those who advocate reform, and that the will
of Allah, and not social needs, should be the ultimate law.
