BLOG 4

Blog 4

June 11, 2012

Chapters 11-13

The spread of Islam has been significant in the history of major religions and continues in the modern era.  The expansion of Islam is worldwide. 22 percent of the worlds populations, identified as Muslim. This new religion became known in the seventh century CE.  Islam was introduced by Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (570-632 C.E), and believed that he was Allah’s messenger. Based on the Muslim believes that Allah is a good God, merciful, powerful and just. All the revelations are recorded in the Quran, which are consider sacred scriptures of the word of God. Muslim believers are expected to live and follow the scriptures. “Muhammad was a highly reflective man and was disappointed by the religious corruption and inequalities of Mecca” (303). He wanted to incorporate social justice, equality, fairness, and religious dedication from his followers. He believed very strongly that religion and social justice had to go together.

The continuous expansion the Muslim religion through out decades has cover major empires and countries, including the United States. “The birth of major religious or cultural traditions of the classical era had emerged from the core of established civilizations,” (302).

A Muslim believer most follow the Quran’s five requirements know as the Pillars of Islam.

1)    Absolute monotheism and final revelation

2)    Prayer 5 times a day

3)    Give your wealth generously to help the needy

4)    Month of fasting-no food, no sex, from the light of dawn to sundown during Ramadan.

5)    Pilgrimage to Mecca

The last one (6^th pillar) “greater jihad,” the personal effort of each Muslim against greed and selfishness. Living a God conscious life.

The death of Muhammad caused a division between his followers and the Shias and Sunnis were created. The dispute was due to the disagreement on who was to lead after Muhammad’s death.

The Mongol in Eurasia in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries were pastoral nomads and circled their lives around the herds of animals. They were not known for being innovative or creative by any means. They never built cities or empires, but there is enough history to show that they made a great contribution in farming and agriculture.

Pastoral nomads who lived in good farming environments took advantage of the land with agriculture. Some of the farming lands were not so productive, they innovated a different type of economy by using the milk, wool, hides, and meat for business. They gather large animals for herding as well. Pastoralism emerged in the Afro-Eurasian world. Mongols developed their communities among families and not in villages or town. Pastoral nomads seem to be egalitarian. Women were offered higher status and a role in public life compared to similar agricultural civilizations. Women shared their included in the productive labor, domestic responsibilities, for food and children. Widows were allowed to remarry with no negative actions, and they could initiate divorce as well. Some women even served in the military or as political advisers. Their live style really depended on the environment. The pastoral nomads were constantly moving, always trying to follow the seasonal changes, water supply, and grass for their herds. It was very interesting to learn about the pastoral nomads, in this chapter they are depicted as hard working people that worked around agriculture and herding.