Coins are an important way for Islamic empires to express what is important to them. Over the decades of Islamic expansion coins were used with designs. These were coins remained in use from the Byzantine and Sasanian empires. Coins began to evolve as Muslims started to depict their own designs from the Byzantine and Sasanians. During the Umayyad dynasty things started to change with the appearance of coins. New designs were implemented during this time that were not the norm. An Umayyad caliph by the name of ‘Abd al-Malik was the one to start this alternation of the design for these coins. This was something that was important for him to strike and to maintain as the coin usage. The importance was because of religion, government, and change …show more content…
‘Abd al-Malik in r. 685-705 shows less significance in rulers and emperors in his designs in coins. This was opposite of the Byzantine who had Heraclius and his sons on the front of the coin with a mint mark on the back (Source 1). As ‘Abd al-Malik was in rule he changed the back with an inscription of “In the name of God: there is no god but God alone. Muhammad is the Prophet of God” (Source 1). This shows that he may have been trying to show the difference between Islam and Christianity. The first change in the coin though still had some similarities such as the cross and the three figures upfront. This could have possibly been because people were not wanting to change what they were use to. As change began to be more noticeable he wanted the coins of his people to show that Muhammad was the messenger of God and even though polytheist dislike it that he might make it the victorious religion (Source 3). He wanted to show overall difference by cutting out the designs and showing the inscriptions of phrases with the name of God (Source 2). Doing this was something that had never been done before and was not excepted by Byzantine emperors. This was a way for “Abd al-Malik to show how the Islamic empire has grown and a way to show dominance. Another aspect that was a turning point was Islamic law. This law is draw from both the Quran and Muhammad’s life and teaching. This was a religious …show more content…
Caliphs were not suppose to have this much influence with government. They were suppose to act as a substitute for Muhammad. This caliph showed his prominence by actually writing his name ‘Abd al-Malik on the other side of their coin which said prophet Muhammad (Source 3). This was a way for Islam to start their own currency and get away from the rule of the Byzantine who did not agree. Islam was discouraged because it would reduce intake of takes on non-Muslims in the Byzantine and Sasanians. The tax was a big part of Byzantine government and could possibly hurt the empire. A lot of what ‘Abd al-Malik was doing was changing the government and was helping him build his own. Being able to expand the Islamic community by military and politics was another influence that ‘Abd al-Malik had by the start of the design of the coins. All of these things are reasons that could have been part of is motivation to imprint their own currency. Islamic people able to separate themselves from the Byzantine community and surround themselves with their own wealth from their currency. The government and the economy started to pick up with the new use of coins and currency with rural productivity and population growth of cities. Trade had big influence in this expanding partnerships and transferring money great distances. Language was another major factor in this government. All records were to be
As you can see, the Byzantine and Arab empires had many characteristics that came to define them. Whether it was through their religious beliefs, political structure, or economy, each was able to create a vast, long lasting empire which came to define the post-classical period.
Three Muslim empires rose during the spread of Islam. These empires are different, yet also similar. They are the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals. They united other Muslims but also conquered other territories to form their own empires.
The early Islamic Empire expanded by war, and making peace. In Document A: Battle of the Yarmuk, it talks about the war going on between the Muslims and The Greeks. Then Document B: Treaty of Tudmir, it talks about a treaty that the Muslims made with Theodemir, which was the Christian King of the region in southern Spain.
...t advances in art and literature in the Islamic Caliphates during its rise differed greatly from the few advances during the rise of the Byzantine Empire,
...era to protect the dynasty and religion. Furthermore, it presents itself as an art object representative of the ottoman period due to the material used, arabesque and calligraphic inscriptions.
However, despite his internal flaws and choices, the Byzantine Empire made many great achievements under his reign. From the scattered beliefs of the people to one single faith, to the law code that erased all confusion regarding citizens and clarified them, to the lands of the West that were reconquered, and to the construction of ingenious and beautiful structures that astound people to this day. He made three great contributions, the creation of marvelous structures and cities such as Constantinople, a foundation built upon a single faith in God, and the Justinian Code. His political and social reforms, economic successes, and military conquests mark his legacy as a testament to the creation of a new Byzantine Empire.
They began to take rent from the people who lived there, place taxes on local markets and tollbooths were placed at the entrance to the cities. This all helped to create the fiscal-military state which made it possible for rulers to pay their armies and guards with cash. It was the conquering of the Byzantine Empire that helped to make money more accessible to the Ottoman Empire, the Byzantine Empire was part of the Roman Empire which was the longest lasting Empire and most likely more advance than some of the smaller Empires. Metals such as silver, lead, and iron were necessary to keep enough money to pay the armies their salaries. The Ottomans took over the silver, iron and lead mines in Serbia and Bosnia making them the masters of metal production. Both the Habsburgs and the Ottomans used large amounts of gold and silver to purchase firearms, cannons and ships to conquer the world.
Both the Byzantine Empire and the Muslim Empire specifically were two very prominent societies that gained popularity from the fourth to the sixth century. Though the Byzantine and Muslim empires rose at the same time they were extremely different in ways of having separate rulers, beliefs, and people, however they were both greatly influenced by the Roman Empire. They both resembled in ways of their religion, art, and law. They Byzantine Empire was centered around the city of Constantinople and managed to remain in power for more than 1000 years. At the height of their power they were the most powerful both economically and militarily in...
Their power was immense. Their walls were up to 40 feet high, and their armies were feared. With the help of key allies like Venice and the Holy Roman Empire, the Byzantines were able to accumulate wealth at an astonishing rate. The Byzantines were a gateway to the Middle East and India. They served as a blockage for the Turks and Egypt. The Byzantines were able to do more and be more because they had knowledge that most of Europe did not have. The Byzantines went through many rules, each better than the last. The Byzantines didn’t allow armies to march onto their cities until the eventual sack of Constantinople. The Byzantines are a rule that will be remembered for
... a key role in uniting the Islamic Empire by serving as the precedent which dictated laws concerning both private and public behavior. As the Muslim empire grew in size and influence, Sharia became more focal, and nearly all Arabs, and certainly all Muslims, looked to the laws for instruction. Plus, due to the large number of conversions to Islam, Sharia essentially became the law of the land. Also, because of the nearly complete allegiance to Islam and the laws which it abided by, fewer conflicts based on morals arose, since Muslims respected the same power and accepted the same laws and beliefs. It was the common recognition of Islam and Sharia that helped Muslims feel unified as a religious front, more so than they did in various tribes with various beliefs. Sharia produced a communal sense of order and aided in establishing a peaceful, productive Islamic Empire.
During this time, Mecca was mostly populated with polytheistic followers. In 610 C.E, Prophet Muhammad, had his first revelations that advance the Islamic culture. His revelations became a way of life for his followers. When the religion started rising in numbers, Muhammad and his followers was exiled from Mecca. When the followers migrated to Medina, Islam began to spread. This religion had much influence in the locations it was practiced in. The Quran is the way of life to its people. The five pillars expressed in the Quran were the religious laws Muslims were expected to follow. They were expected to only accept there is one God and one messenger, Muhammad, pray five times a day, give the poor 2.5 percent of their savings, fast during the month of Ramandan, and pilgrimage to Mecca, where the Holy Ka’ba is located. Besides the religious impact, Muhammad also created a political empire. He united different tribes and customs. Muhammad was very influential that after his death, the religion faced a challenge. They did not have a successor or leader, so many followers left the religion, refused to pay taxes, and wars begun. In the mid- seventh century, the Muslims started wars with the Byzantine and Persian Empires and conquered them. Muslims ruled over many religious groups including Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians. As the Muslims became powerful, they created laws that taxed other religious groups to practice their faith. In the “Pact of Umar”, Christians agreed under extreme circumstances in order to practice their faith. They agreed to not fix the damages done to their churches, to not display any religious ornaments, to not spread the faith, and many more. The Muslims conquered and progressed in
Much of past civilizations have endured many failures and triumphs throughout their existence. In the third century, there were many civilizations that started to flourish. One of these civilizations that started to expand was the Byzantine civilization. The Byzantine civilization, also regarded as Byzantium, was part of the Roman Empire which was divided in 395 AD. Byzantium had shared the same attitude, as the Roman Empire, toward exercising its authority over its citizens and throughout its empire. The Islamic civilization had started thrive in the fifth century. The Islamic civilization was unified together as unison by Islam and it has expanded its civilization throughout parts of Europe through jihad. Because of their expansions throughout parts of Europe, they shared various similarities which include their political system, social structure, and economy.
Evidently, the Byzantine and Islamic cultures are divergent in terms of their own civilizations, including their religions, which constitutes in influencing their clash. Before the clash between the two cultures, the Byzantine was viewed as the most potent and successful ruler in the world, controlling a vast amount of land near the Mediterranean and defeating its biggest competition, the Persians. Considering how elite the Byzantine was perceived, how could they fall to such a small civilization in the Islamic culture? When Prophet Muhammad invited the ruler of the Byzantine empire to accept Islam, this ultimatum basically stated that if the Byzantine civilization does not accept Islam, they will pay the consequences for their sin and be punished by the Holy God, leading to the clash between the two (Kunselman, 2012). Overall, the conflicting attitudes in the cultures
Another important characteristic of Islamic art is calligraphy (handwriting). Islamic artists used Arabic script as part of their designs for religious books, wall decorations, and art objects. Calligraphy was used for copies of the Koran, the holy book of the Islamic faith. Other significant features in Islamic architecture include columns, piers and arches, organized and interwoven with alternating sequences of niches and colonnettes. The role of domes in Islamic architecture has been significant. Its usage spans centuries, first appearing in 691 with the construction of the Dome of the Rock mosque, and returning even up until the 17th century with the Taj Mahal. And as late as the 19th century, Islamic domes had been included into Western architecture.
Our group have been assinged to discuss on the topic above but in Islamic Banking perspectives. Therefore, before going any further, let us clarify definition of the Principles of Islamic Banking and clarify what are the elements involve in the Principles of Islamic Banking. Beside, we will also do some comparison of product or services offered by both banks which are conventional and Islamic banking. Apart from that, we will also clarify the problems or challenge faced by the agency which practices the Islamic banking in their agency.