DBQ Muslim vs. Christian Trade written by toni-Ann Peck and plagiarized by Mr. Ramsey

Introduction Christianity and Islam were two dominant and growing religions from the 1st and 7th century, respectively. Trade in the two religions differed greatly at first, one believing that it was sinful, the other embraced it. However, by the end of the Post Classical era, they became increasingly similar. Christian teachings warn against a life of trade, whereas Muslims endorse trade as an accepted way of life (Docs 1,2,3,6). Even with these differences both preach the necessity of fair trade (Docs 2,4,5,7). By the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Muslims and Christians both changed. Muslims demanding fairer trade and Christians becoming more welcoming of trade (Docs 4,5,6,7). The perspective of a Muslim ruler is missing from these documents. In a letter to his financial advisor he would have expressed his endorsement of trade because it attracted foreigners’ money while simultaneously introducing them to Islam.

Contrast ARGUMENT Christians speak out against trade because it causes people to covet material gain. However, Muslims allow fair commerce. In the Bible, Matthew recounts Jesus’ teachings about merchants, saying that rich men are not likely to go to heaven (Doc. 1). This shows that Christians found trade sinful; likely because of the tie it creates to earthly possessions. This document is very reliable because it was written by one of the founders of Christianity. The Qur’an gives rules governing trade, stating that just transactions will allow a merchant into heaven (Doc. 2). This shows that Muslims find commerce an acceptable practice, and in fact endorse fair trade. This source is extremely reliable because it was written by the founder of Islam. Reginald’s account of St. Godric’s life states that Gordic enjoyed the profits of his trade less and less as he followed Christianity more absolutely, until he stopped and gave to the poor (Doc 3). This shows that the Christian faith requires people to think very little about material wealth, contrary to the requirement of trade to define one’s worth. This document, however, may not be reliable because it was written right before Godric’s death. Reginald could have changed it to make St. Godric out as an outstanding individual based on personal favoritism. Document 6 is a compilation of letters regarding trade. Two from churches haggling to order religious paintings and wool, and on from a mother telling her son to stop trading in hopes of more riches (Doc. 6). The letter from mother to son shows how commerce was adverse to Christianity and undermined it more than anything. All of these documents show that Christians disapproved of trade, unlike Muslims who made it a large part of their lives and religion.

Compare argument Christianity and Islam also shared the value of fair trade; deceitful trade was deplorable to both religions. Document 2 shows that Muslims only support equal trade; unfair commerce is not endorsed by the Qur’an. Thomas Aquinas quotes Matthew in the Bible and Cicero the Roman writer in his theology rebuking fraud (Doc 4). This shows that Christians will not pardon the practice of double dealing. Ibn Khaldun writes that commerce, by definition, is a deceitful practice, full of lies and tricks, but that at the same time, it’s a natural way of life that still requires Muslims to enact the fair exchange of goods (Doc 5). This shows that Muslims also knew the nature of the job they endorsed, and warned against becoming a sinful merchant. The Islamic court of Ankara judged a case where the Turkish weavers’ guild brought up charges against a merchant for unfair purchase and hoarding of materials (Doc 7). This shows the animosity that Muslims hold for unjust commerce. They found it unfair for one person to monopolize on an industry and leave every other merchant of the same trade with nothing. This source is reliable because of its state importance. As a government document, there is little chance of bias being in it. All of these documents show that both Christianity and Islam are shown to oppose deceptive trading practices.

Change over time augment Christian and Muslim attitudes toward trade changes significantly over the years, about switching opinions between them. Document 4 shows that Christians were beginning to accept trade as a common, honest occupation. Document 5 shows how Muslim intellectuals view trade as changing into a disreputable occupation, natural as it was. Document 6 shows that Christians have become use to the trade world, and were using tactics like waiting for a sale and negotiating for lower prices. Document 7 shows that Muslims have come to realize how difficult it is to keep people from cheating each other, and now are calling for fairer trade. All of these documents show that opinions and trade between Christians and Muslims had all but switched places by the fifteenth century. Christians have become more tolerant and accepting to trade, while Muslims have made strict laws concerning trade because of its negativity.