alligraphy, the art of pretty handwriting, was the utmost form of decorative art.

Muslims thought that no other form of writing was worthy enough to transcribe the word of Allah, so they respected calligraphers over all other artists. Calligraphers used calligraphy to embellish ordinary items, not just the Quran. They wrote beautiful lines of poetry on pottery, tiles, cloth, and swords. Sections of the Quran were also used to enhance coins and mosques. 3

volution, the process by which different kinds of living things develop, was presented by a Muslim scholar named al-Jahiz. He stated in The Book of Animals: Animals engage in a struggle for existence; for resources, to avoid being eaten and to breed. Environmental factors influence organisms to develop new characteristics to ensure survival, thus transforming into new species. Animals that survive to breed can pass on their successful characteristics to offspring (al-Jahiz 125). However, some Muslims didnt believe in the theory of evolution, since they felt exposed by nontheological efforts to find out facts. Now days, more Muslim scientists are declaring their acceptance of the theory of evolution. 5

he teachings of Islam are categorized into the Five Pillars of Faith. The Five Pillars of Faith are, in order: Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Siyam, and Hajj. These pillars are the Muslim way of life, and are practiced with the greatest reverence. Shahadah is declaration of faith, declaring that there is one God and only one God, and that Muhammad is the messenger of God. Salat is daily ritual prayer, done five times a day. Zakat is giving to the needy- Muslims believe that they must share about 2.5% of their wealth. Siyam is the fasting that happens during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca- believers join together at Mecca in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, and embark on a succession of rituals. 6 uslims helped spread many games that we play now days, such as polo and chess. Polo, a game originated from the Persians, is played in teams on horseback, in which they use mallets to hit a ball through a goal. Since horses were for the wealthy, polo became popular amongst the rich. Chess was probably created in India, and it became popular amongst all of society. Chess is a difficult game in which two players move pieces on a board, trying to capture the other persons king. Muslims enhanced both polo and chess, making them well-known and liked all over the world. 7

ihad is the struggles within and without oneself. It represents the struggle to respond to something/someone in a way that would please God. There are two different types of jihad: lesser jihad and greater jihad. Lesser jihad is the struggle against an external force, such as standing up to a bully. Greater jihad is a struggle against an interior force, such as studying for your finals instead of going out with your friends. 10

he Quran is the basis of Islam. It guides Muslims in everything- daily life, prayer, the Five Pillars of Faith, almsgiving, etc. The Quran is believed to have been the words of God delivered by the angel Gabriel to Muhammad. Only calligraphy is supposed to be worth to copy the Quran, so all the copies are beautifully and intricately written. Muslims honor the Quran so much, that they forbid letting any part of the holy book to touch the ground or get dirty. They memorize the Quran, and the verses of the Quran appear everywhere- in prayer, during Ramadan, and even on coins. 17 amadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this month Muslims must fast, therefore following the fourth Pillar of Faith, siyam. They cannot eat during the day, but during the night they can eat dates and other food/beverages. Then they must be present at the special prayers where portions of the Quran are spoken. By the end of Ramadan, they have heard the whole Quran. At the end of Ramadan there is a feast where they wear new clothes and exchange gifts and give to the poor. Ramadan promotes generosity, equality, and charity and teaches self-control and forgiveness. 18

ince Jew and Christians also only worship one god, Muslims consider them to be People of the Book. Muslims believed that along with the Quran, the Torah (Jewish Bible) and the Old Testament (Part of Christian Bible) are all the words of God. The Torah and Old

Testament were Gods earlier source of guidance for people. However, Muslims believed that the Quran had Gods final words to people. The Quran was supposed to teach how God wished his worshipers to worship and act. 20

hen Muhammads uncle, Abu Talib, died, he lost his only protector. So, when group of Arab pilgrims from Yathrib to ask Muhammad to settle a dispute in exchange for protection, he agreed. Yathrib was then renamed Madinah, or City of the Prophet. In Madinah more Arabians converted to Islam. However, in 624, the Makkans, feeling threatened, staged an unsuccessful siege on Madinah. A couple years later, Muhammad died in Madinah. 25

alligraphy, the art of pretty handwriting, was the utmost form of decorative art. Muslims thought that no other form of writing was worthy enough to transcribe the word of Allah, so they respected calligraphers over all other artists. Calligraphers used calligraphy to embellish ordinary items, not just the Quran. They wrote beautiful lines of poetry on pottery, tiles, cloth, and swords. Sections of the Quran were also used to enhance coins and mosques. 3

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he Arabian Peninsula is ths covered in scorching, arid desert. The temperatures can rise above 120F, and can drop below 32F. Rainfall doesnt go pass more than 4 inches, and droughts can last for years. Windstorms are often and powerful, forcing nomads like the Bedouins to wear loose fitting gowns and cotton headdresses to protect them from flying dust, heat, and flies. Camels were the Bedouins main mode of transportation- with their ability to survive for days without water, eat nearly anything, and carry heavy loads for a long distance and time, camels are ideal desert animals. 4

volution, the process by which different kinds of living things develop, was presented by a Muslim scholar named al-Jahiz. He stated in The Book of Animals: Animals engage in a struggle for existence; for resources, to avoid being eaten and to breed. Environmental factors influence organisms to develop new characteristics to ensure survival, thus transforming into new species. Animals that survive to breed can pass on their successful characteristics to offspring (al-Jahiz 125). However, some Muslims didnt believe in the theory of evolution, since they felt exposed by nontheological efforts to find out facts. Now days, more Muslim scientists are declaring their acceptance of the theory of evolution. 5

and actions.

fter Muhammad died, scholars looked into the many reports about Muhammad's words or actions. These accounts, known as hadith, are accepted as having authority for Muslims. The hadith guides Muslims way of life by giving proof of Muhammads words

slam is the way of life of many people, called Muslims, living around the Arabian Peninsula. Islam is centered around the Quran, the Five Pillars of Faith, and the idea that Allah is the one and only God and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. This religion first came from Muhammad and his visions of God sending him messages through the angel Gabriel. Later on, after Muhammad amassed a few followers, the holy book of Islam, called the Quran came to being. Now, the Quran, along with the Sunnah and hadith guide Muslims through their life and struggles. 9

hen Muhammad was born, Mecca was an affluent city that was at the junction of many different trade routes. Merchants brought goods into Mecca from distant lands, growing wealthier and more powerful. Mecca also became a religious centerthe Kaba, a shrine, was used by many to worship first many different Gods, then after Muhammad, only one God. Travelers from all over the Arabian Peninsula came to Mecca to worship. Mecca also became marketplaces and rest stops for caravans. 13

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lthough the majority of Arabs were sedentary (staying on one place), a select few, called Bedouins, were nomads. Nomads are people who move from place to place. The Bedouins moved around the desert raising herds of sheep, goats, and camels. They got everything from their herds- milk, yogurt, cheese, meat, and wool. They would then trade those resources with merchants for products from town. 14 uslims helped spread many games that we play now days, such as polo and chess. Polo, a game originated from the Persians, is played in teams on horseback, in which they use mallets to hit a ball through a goal. Since horses were for the wealthy, polo became popular amongst the rich. Chess was probably created in India, and it became popular amongst all of society. Chess is a difficult game in which two players move pieces on a board, trying to capture the other persons king. Muslims enhanced both polo and chess, making them well-known and liked all over the world. 7

he Hajj is a voyage to the holy city of Mecca that encourages fellowship and equality. It is taken once in a lifetime in the 12th month of the Islamic year. The pilgrims must wear plain white clothing. In the Hajj the Muslims must announce their presence to God, and circle the Kaba seven times. Then, through the period five days they go through a couple of landmarks- the Zamzam well, Plain of Arafat, Mount Arafat, etc. At the end, the pilgrims celebrate with a four-day-feast, sacrificing animals to honor Abrahams sacrifice. To end their pilgrimage, they celebrate the farewell day by circling the Kaba seven more times. 22

ases are found in places where water has been trapped underground. They offer plant life and shade and water necessary for people to live with and grow crops with. Some nomads realized that they could stay at the oases and grow crops, they stopped moving around so much and became sedentary. In oases grows the date palm tree, and it was a priceless resource for the Muslims. While the dates were food and the palm leaves gave shade, the palm wood was also useful in building homes. The leaves were great for making roofs, the fibers for ropes, trunks for irrigation pipes, and some parts of the tree were great firewood. Soon towns grew up around oases, and became trading hubs. 15 amadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this month Muslims must fast, therefore following the fourth Pillar of Faith, siyam. They cannot eat during the day, but during the night they can eat dates and other food/beverages. Then they must be present at the special prayers where portions of the Quran are spoken. By the end of Ramadan, they have heard the whole Quran. At the end of Ramadan there is a feast where they wear new clothes and exchange gifts and give to the poor. Ramadan promotes generosity, equality, and charity and teaches self-control and forgiveness. 18

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hilosophers were a big deal in Islamic culture. They added to the scholarship and learning of the Islamic culture- combining reason and religion together, and using reason and logic to prove things, following the example of the Greeks. Philosophers wrote books about their thinking. A Persian philosopher, Ibn Sina, showed logical argument that the soul was immortal. His works were widely popular and influenced the thinking of many people in medieval Europe. 16

uawiyah, the caliph, started the Umayyad dynasty. Since Muawiyah was competing with Ali for the role of caliph, he kept armies at towns to defend his rule. The Umayyads moved their capitol to Damascus, Syria where they governed over the expansive Muslim lands. The subsequent Umayyad caliphs sent their armies into Asian and India, further increasing the Muslim empire. However, at west-central France, during the Battle of Tours in 732, the Muslim army was defeated by Charles Martel, the Frankish king. That was the furthest reach of the Muslim empire. 21