Islam History, Customs and Religion Part Six

1. Islam History, Customs and ReligionPart Six Slide Presentation

2. THE ARABIC ALPHABET ARABIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO ART MATH ENGINEERING MUSIC AGRICULTURE FOODS POETRY LITERATURE AND DRAMA

3. The Arabic Alphabet The Arabic alphabet is read from right to left, top to bottom. Letters whose names appear in blue are those which can't be joined on the left side. Letters with names in red change shape according to position in the word.

4. The Arabic Numerals In the centuries since its discovery, the place-value system of numeration with the zero concept has been propagated throughout the world even more widely than the alphabet of Phoenician origin, and it has become the only universal language humanity now possesses. When its advantages became known to the scholars, and businessmen of civilization in contact with India, they gradually began to adopt this new system, abandoning the imperfect systems which they inherited from their ancestors. The zero and its immense computational capabilities provided humanity with an infinite horizon for the expansion of knowledge.

5. Among those who adopted this new system of numeration and adapted it to their own forms of writing were the Arabs. In the vast empire that they built within less than a century after Mohammed's death, the Moslems forced conquered nations to adopt their language and its writing. Thus, Arabic soon became a means of communication, particularly among scholars of diverse origins. It was in Baghdad that the evolution of Arab science began, assimilating all the Greek and Hindu scientific works that came to the Arab-Islamic world. Mohammed ibn-Musa al-Khowarizmi (c. 780-850), was one of the most distinguished and illustrious mathematicians of the period. Al-Khowarizmi's treatise on arithmetic, "Treatise on Cipher", is the earliest known Arabic work in which the Hindu place-value numeration and computation methods are specifically named. (In Europe, al-Khowarizmi's name, first Latinized as Algorismi, turned into the terms "algorism" and "algorithm", designating computation with the Hindu written numerations before taking on the more general meaning of computation with any notation.

6. The first word of the Arabic title for his other treatise, "Al-jabr w'al-mu-qubalah", later came to designate the branch of mathematics known in English as algebra.) It took over 400 years for al-Khowarizmi's treatise to be translated into Latin, and it took another 200 years for the Hindu-Arabic numeration with the zero and place-value concept to become widely accepted in Europe. The zero rendered all the numerical systems of the past totally obsolete. Algebraic Equation X2 –1 = 0 Solution. This equation is equivalent to X2 = 1 Since 1 has two square-roots, (1 & -1) the solutions for this equation are: X = 1 or X = -1.

7. BEFORE AMERICA WAS DISCOVERED Islamic rule thrived well into the 17th century, expanding with the Ottoman and other empires. While Europe was passing through the middle Ages, and before America was discovered, the Islamic world had made tremendous advances that have had a lasting impact on the world in many fields: scientific, mechanical, medical, literary and artistic. As we examine the religion of Islam we may have a tendency to consider ourselves superior in our knowledge, but consider some of the significant advancements made which we enjoy today.

8. Islamic Art The heart and soul of a Muslim is constantly made aware of the majesty, harmony, rhythm and flow of calligraphic forms, which surround all spheres of his existence, unveiling their beauty upon the pages of the Qur'an, on walls of mosques and other forms of architecture, on carpets and curtains, and even upon objects of daily use from dress to plates and bowls in which food is taken.

9. Art in Writing Calligraphy is believed to be the visual embodiment of the sacred word. Islamic tradition states that Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, was the first calligrapher. The origins of Islamic calligraphy are traced all the way back to god, who is believed to have written the celestial archetype of the Qur'an. According to Qadi Ahmed, a sixteenth century author on the art of calligraphy and painting,

10. 'creation itself is the divine calligraphy with which god covered the pages of changing time with the black and white design of night becoming days and days becoming night.' A chapter in the Quran is entitled 'The Pen' (surat al-qalam), qalam meaning pen in Arabic. It opens with the letter nun. The letter nun in Arabic resembles the inkpot.

11. Sacred Architecture of the Islamic Mosque The sacred architecture of Islam is the mosque which is but a recreation of the harmony, order and peace inherent in nature. While praying in a traditional mosque, the Muslim in a sense returns to the bosom of nature, not externally but through the inner nexus which relates the mosque to the principles and rhythms of nature. http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/islam The word mosque derives from the Arabic masjid, which literally means the place of prostration (sujud). This is the position in Islamic ritual prayers (namaz), in

12. which the forehead of the worshipper touches the ground in the supreme act of submission and surrender before God. Before the prostration however, at the beginning of his prayer, he stands directly as the primordial man, himself his own priest, facing god without an intermediary. This is a unique and significant achievement in the development of mystic thought, where man is viewed not as a fallen being but as god's viceregent on earth, aware of his theomorphic substance and competent and 'perfect' enough to correspond directly with God. It is not, however, only the space of the mosque within which the faithful pray that is important. It is also the floor upon which they prostrate themselves that is of crucial significance. But before attempting to grasp the symbolic significance of the floor, it is important to understand the position of man himself in Islamic thought.

13. Man in Islam is considered the most perfect of god's creations. It is the forehead of this most perfect of god's creations that touches in prayer the floor of the prayer hall, thereby sanctifying the floor of the mosque and returning this floor to its purity as the original earth at the dawn of creation. The first historical mosque is believed to have been the house of Prophet Muhammad himself. The first 'official' mosque was at Medina, which architecturally was a prototype of the house of the Prophet, and in a sense was an extension of it. The Prophet himself, it is believed, had first prayed before the divine throne (al-'Arsh) before he prayed upon the ground (farsh), thus sanctifying earth as the mirror and reflection of heaven. It is this sanctification of the ground by the Prophet that bestowed a new metaphysical meaning upon the ground and the carpet covering it. The carpet, whether of simple white color or full of geometric and arabesque designs and patterns, is a reflection of

14. heaven and enables one to experience the ground upon which one sits as purifying, and to participate in the sacred character of the ground.

15. Man is much the same as a tree. He has been put on earth like a seed. But he can only grow into a tree by virtue of his own efforts. Providence, however, has granted him innumerable sources of nourishment and opportunities exist on earth to partake of them. Keeping these conceptions in mind, it was but inevitable that the unifying art of Islam eventually combined calligraphy with stylized plant forms (arabesques). Many Islamic monuments from Anatolia to Agra display this intertwining of calligraphy and arabesque forms.

16. One of the most striking features of all Islamic architectural monuments is their focus on the enclosed space, on the inside as opposed to the outside, the façade or exterior articulation of a building.

17. The elements of Islamic decoration are mostly limited to calligraphy, geometry and foliation, and their manipulation results in a rich and sumptuous effect.

18. Persian (oriental) rugs serve many purposes, in homes with little furniture as we know it use rugs to provide a place to serve food. This is a typical Islamic home at mealtime. Persian carpets and rugs have always been and still are an intrinsic part of Iranian culture and its people's daily lives. Carpets and rugs are in many cases the most valued possessions, and they are an integral part of an Iranian home.

19. Rugs are used for sitting, eating, sleeping, and prayers. They are found in real life and in fiction literature.

21. Arabic Engineering The basic design of the modern water wheel came from Arabic efforts to move water from place to place and use water power in the desert.

22. Water storage cisterns have moved from this design to this design, a large water storage cistern in Istanbul. The ability to store and have water for future use is always appreciated in dry countries.

23. Photograph of irrigation plots in the desert. Water rights are another source of conflict in the middle east.

24. Saudi Arabia has engineered deep water wells to supply needs as well as drilling for oil.

25. Arabs invented the water clock which kept accurate time and uniquely displayed their engineering skills. Modern water clock on display at the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis, Ind.

26. Arabic Musical Instruments In every Arab country, one hears the same distinctive sounds; whether instrumental or vocal, the melodies are remarkably similar in emotive power, tonal range, and rhythmic drive. Although the practiced ear can recognize variations of musical style, as it can the dialects of language which distinguish the spoken word from country to country, the sounds remain unmistakably those of the music of one people. Lyre Zither Oud

27. Tambourine Flute Arabic instruments were copied from Egypt, Greece, India and China and improved upon. Oud or guitar

28. Food Production Techniques Varieties of grapes from a single vine, increased size and deeper colors.

29. Olive Production

30. Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem, olive trees claimed to be 2,000 years old. Ripe olives, still on the tree, are a delicacy. The trees in Gethsemane are highly protected.

31. When Muslims invaded europe they took with them the art of growing olives and grapes. Greece, Italy and Spain are well know for growing them today. Old olive groves in Spain date from the conquest of Islam.

32. Making Arabian Coffee • 1/2 liter (about 1 pint) water 3 tablespoons coffee 3 tablespoons (or more) sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon cardamom 1 teaspoon vanilla or vanilla sugar • Mix all ingredients in a pot and heat until foam gathers on top. Do not pass through a filter. Stir it up before you serve it.

34. Sugar Cane Development Sugar Cane grows prolifically in upper Egypt near the Nile river.

35. Long History of Sugar Cane Iran has a long history of sugarcane plantations. These sugarcane plantations were in vogue in the south-west of Iran in the first millenium B.C, and the region of Ilam was nicknamed Khozestan (the land of sugar) because of the many sugar plantations found there. The history of trade in sugarcane shows that the Iranians were the first nation to obtain crystal white sugar in a solid form (crystals) from sugarcane thousands of years ago which were supplied as a staple item of commerce to the then world markets.

37. Egypt has long been known for its excellent cotton.

38. Development of the Apricot Apricot, peaches and loquat development and growing has been a major part of Near East agriculture for many centuries.

39. Apricot World Production Apricot Production World Statistics Total World - 2,700 (1000s MT) 1. Turkey - 538               6. Italy - 142 2. Iran - 243                    7. USA - 118  3. Pakistan - 190            8. Morocco - 115 4. France - 186               9. China - 99  5. Spain - 150               10. South Africa - 63

40. Preserving Fresh Fruits Sun dried fruits have been and are a very big thing around the Near East, with the people eating them as part of the regular daily diet. Dried fruit can keep for a very long time in tightly closed metal or glass containers, often several years. Nuts, which contain almost no water to start with, keep much longer than the juicier dried peaches and apricots. But heavily dried apples, bananas, and raisins can also keep in jars for over a year. In markets - the fruit is usually sold from burlap sacks. With relative short growing seasons, due to rainfall not climate, there was a need to develop a process to keep fruits for long periods of time. Drying and storage were the key to preservation. Even if the dried fruit did not taste best it still contained the sugar and vitamins for nutrition long after it was dried.

41. PRE-ISLAMIC LITERATURETHE STRUCTURE of the Arabic language is well-suited to harmonious word-patterns, with elaborate rhymes and rhythms. The earliest known literature emerged in northern Arabia around 500 AD and took the form of poetry which was recited aloud, memorized and handed down from one generation to another. It began to be written down towards the end of the seventh century. The most celebrated poems of the pre-Islamic period were known as the mu’allaqat ("the suspended"), reputedly because they were considered sufficiently outstanding to be hung on the walls of the ka'ba in Mecca. Modern literature contribution is hampered by censorship. The lack of an educated readership have restricted literary activity in many countries. Although banned in Saudi Arabia and little known in the west, Cities of Salt by Abdelrahman Munif is considered by many to be one of the great modern novels. It deals with the discovery of oil in a remote oasis, and the impact of American business and corrupt Arab rulers on the lives of the poor local community.

42. Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet : On Eating and Drinking Then an old man, a keeper of an inn, said, "Speak to us of Eating and Drinking." And he said: Would that you could live on the fragrance of the earth, and like an air plant be sustained by the light. But since you must kill to eat, and rob the young of its mother's milk to quench your thirst, let it then be an act of worship,

43. And let your board stand an altar on which the pure and the innocent of forest and plain are sacrificed for that which is purer and still more innocent in many. When you kill a beast say to him in your heart, "By the same power that slays you, I to am slain; and I too shall be consumed. For the law that delivered you into my hand shall deliver me into a mightier hand. Your blood and my blood is naught but the sap that feeds the tree of heaven." And when you crush an apple with your teeth, say to it in your heart, "Your seeds shall live in my body, And the buds of your tomorrow shall blossom in my heart, And your fragrance shall be my breath, And together we shall rejoice through all the seasons."

44. Arabic Contributions The Arabic language is rich in poetry, literature, and drama. Among the earliest publications of the Arabs were the translations into Arabic of the Greek and Roman classics - the works of Aristotle, Plato, Hippocrates, Ptolemy, and Galen. A Thousand and One Nights, Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat and Kahlil Gibran’s , The Prophetare among the most widely read of Arabic literature. The fascination with Arabic, following the Hellenistic period of Louis XIV, is particularly evident in Shakespeare's characterizations of the Moors in Othello and the Merchant of Vince (Prince of Morocco), in Christopher Marlowe's Tamburlaine the Great, and in George Peel's The Battle of Alcazar.

45. Stories from the Thousand and One Nights The desperate entertainments of a wife delaying execution by her husband, this translation of 42 stories from a much larger collection has become the most well-known of folk tales for younger readers: Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp, the Voyages of Sinbad, and Ali-Baba and the Forty Thieves. Shahrazad relating a story to the SultanTell me what you want of me; here am I, your slave, and the slave of him who holdeth the Lamp.—’Ala-ed-Din and the Wonderful Lamp

46. Muslim World Contributions When we examine the beliefs of Islam and point out the differences between them and the Bible, we are not minimizing the intellect of Muslims. All these great world contributions, and there are others, show our appreciation for their abilities and work. In this study we are looking at their religious beliefs. Muslims believe life is a testing period, where angels record one’s good deed and bad deeds. At a judgment these deeds will be revealed. Those who have done well will enter a paradise where dark haired maidens will serve the every need of men. Those who do poorly are banished to hell. Most are working to be in paradise and to some the appeal is strong enough to hasten departure by taking their own life while, as they consider it, defending Islam.

47. End of Part Six Slide Presentation Click On Right Arrow to End or Move to Slide 1 To Start Over