 The Muslim empire was at the center of a trade network that linked Europe, Asia, and Africa.  Muslims produced goods such as silk, cotton, wool, gold and silver.  Other cultures had high demand for these goods.  The high level of trade made the Islamic empire very wealthy.

 Muslims also exchanged ideas and customs with cultures from around the world.  Spain was an important center for education.  Christian and Jewish scholars carried Muslim ideas to other parts of the world.  Many Europeans considered the Muslim world as an important source of advanced knowledge.

 Under Arab rule, the Muslim Empire was organized into provinces – an area similar to a district or territory.  Originally, the entire empire was ruled by one caliph.  Problems arose with this system so the empire was divided into 3 areas called caliphates – Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba.  Each caliphate was ruled by a caliph.

 Muslims lived according to the Quran.  It guided religion life and daily life.  The Quran gave detailed instructions about how society should be organized and about how people should live.  All Muslims were expected to follow Islamic laws.  Slavery was common, but the Quran encouraged people to free their slaves.  Those that chose to keep their slaves had to treat them humanely.  No free Muslim could be enslaved.  The child of a female slave and her master was automatically free.

 The family was the center of Muslim life.  Each person in the family had a specific role & duties.  Men responsible for meeting the needs of the family.  Women were treated fairly and could own property, but were not responsible for meeting the needs of the family.  Most marriages were arranged by the parents.  The women could refuse the arrangement.  Men were required to give a gift of money or property to the bride.

 It was common for men to have multiple wives.  Limit of 4 wives – all must be treated equally.  The government supported schools and libraries, but the family was also considered responsible for the children’s education.  All students attended religious study groups at their mosque.  Advanced students could attend schools for studying science, math, or law.

 The Muslim world provided many great developments in medicine, geography, and mathematics.  They combined the ideas of Greece, Rome, Asia, India, and China.

 Medicine  Used herbs, foods, and prepared drugs for medical treatment.  Developed procedures for dissection to study the body.  Developed surgical instruments.  Learned to diagnose diseases.  Doctor’s had to pass difficult tests in order to practice medicine.  World’s first school or pharmacy.  Opened a public hospital in Baghdad.  A famous Muslim doctor, al-Razi, Learned to diagnose and treat small pox and measles.  Another Muslim scholar, Ibn Sina, wrote a medical textbook (Canon of Medicine) that was used in Europe for hundreds of years.

 Geography  Muslims became interested in astronomy, navigation, and maps as a result of their involvement in trade.  Improved the method for measuring distance on Earth.  Used measurements to make more accurate maps that included the physical features of the area.  Invented the astrolabe – allowed observers to chart the positions of the stars and calculate their own position on Earth.

 Mathematics  Learned a new numbers system that represented any number using the figures 0 through 9.  Had a concept for zero – meaning an empty place.  This is the same Arabic numeral system used today.  Got the idea for decimals from India.  Developed algebra.

 Islamic art mostly consists of very detailed geometric and floral designs.  Islamic teachings forbid the use of images to show God.  Most art avoided showing human or animal forms.  Developed calligraphy.  Very advanced architecture.  Domed buildings, etc.  Outstanding poetry and literature.