1. ISLAMIC CULTURE ISLAMIC LAW (Shari’a)
Evolved over time in response for the need for a legal system
Traditions of the Prophet (sunna) as revealed in reports (hadith) are the source of law
Collected and edited tens of thousands of hadith
Embody a vision of an umma with common moral values, while political and ethnic distinctions lose importance

2. ISLAMIC CULTURE CONVERTS AND CITIES
Conversion and urbanization were related
During early Islamic expansion, converts needed to learn about new religion
Best place to learn was in urban areas where Muslims were concentrated
Discrimination in native, non-Islamic rural areas and villages also push people to cities

3. ISLAMIC CULTURE CONVERTS AND CITIES
Urban social life and the practice of Islam varied:
Muslims had no central authority to prescribe religious dogma
Growing cities also lead to economic gains:
Expanding market for agricultural and manufactured products
Increase in trade

4. ISLAMIC CULTURE CONVERTS AND CITIES
Medicine and astronomy built on Hellenistic traditions:
Also incorporated their own observations and experiences
Develop skills and theories much more sophisticated than European counterparts

5. ISLAMIC CULTURE WOMEN AND ISLAM
Muslim women wore veils and were often secluded; a continuation of Byzantine and Sasanid Empires
Women could be influential within the family, but only slave women could have a public role or appear in public before men

6. ISLAMIC CULTURE WOMEN AND ISLAM Muslim women had Islamic legal rights:
Inheritance, ownership and retaining of property
Divorce and remarriage
Birth control
Testify in court
Go on pilgrimages

7. ISLAMIC CULTURE WOMEN AND ISLAM
Stories of A’isha illustrate Muslim fears of women:
Sexual infidelity
Meddling in politics
Khadija and Fatima are held up as models of female propriety

8. ISLAMIC CULTURE RECENTERING OF ISLAM
The decline of the caliphate and factionalism within the ulama deprive Islam of a religious center; several attempts are made to develop religious authorities:
Madrasas – religious colleges
Sufi - brotherhoods

9. ISLAMIC CULTURE RECENTERING OF ISLAM
Sufi brotherhoods were mystic fraternities whose members sought union with God
Attempted to connect with God through rituals and training
Would go into ecstasies and expressed their ideas in poetry
Develop organizations of Muslim men

10. ISLAMIC CULTURE ISLAMIC ARTWORK
The art of Zillij – geometric patterning
In practice for 1000 years
Based on learning, discipline and faith
Cosmic intelligence is related to order and study
Inspire the viewer in meditative reflections
Islamic tradition frowns on representation (idolatry)
Beauty is found in decorative art

11. ISLAMIC CULTURE
ISLAMIC ARTWORK