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How did geography and trade contribute to the growth of the Muslim Empire, the spread of Islam
and the achievements of the Golden Age? (use specific and relevant details from both chapters
to support your thinking, include images and quotes to increase visual appeal)
Muslims and the Islamic religion were tremendously impacted on by the geography and the trade possibilities of their location. It impacted their growth as a religion, their ability to spread their philosophy, and their achievements during their Golden age.
The Arabian Peninsula was mostly covered by desert wasteland. This geography and climate did not aid the growth of the Muslim faith, but rather decreased it. Because, although surrounded by water, the Arabian Peninsula had no major rivers or lakes and received only a limited amount of rainfall every year. Because of this, trade was the main reason for the growth of the Muslim faith, and civilization. Even though the Arabian Peninsula had a terrible climate and geography for growth and prosperity, the location was ideal. The Peninsula is located between the rich Mediterranean region, as well as the rest of the European continent; and the lush, and powerful Asian Continent. This means that, like Constantinople, The Muslim civilization was the center of all trade routes. This meant that trade became the main factor for the development, and evolution of the vast Muslim Empire.
Being the center of trade was not only beneficial for the growth of the civilization, but also for the spread of their new religion. At the beginning of the sixth centuryVery few people, even within the Arabian Peninsula, did not accept the new religion, not wanting to leave their old God or Gods. However, when different peoples from different parts of Eurasia, passed through the Arabic Empire, they not only exchanged good, but also ideas. This gradually started to convert many different groups of people to the Muslim faith. In 661 the Muslim faith spread through the entire Arabic peninsula and, gradually spread to North Africa, Spain, and Persia, and the border of India by 1180. Not only did this increase the number of Muslims which increased the Empires power, but also united a large group of people together and united them into one society.
Geography and trade mostly affected the Muslim empire between the eighth and thirteenth century. This time period was known as the Golden age of the Muslims. In this age the fusion of ideas between the Chinese, Roman, Greek, Persian, Indian, Egyptian, and the Arabs, resulted in a numerous amount of inventions, and discoveries. The Arabic people discovered new types of medicine, and offered the opportunity of buying your own medication at pharmacies, and also opened local hospitals.The Muslims composed numerous poems, and a variety of literature that people still admire today. Another great contribution was mathematics. The Arabs used previous knowledge and created the first form of algebra and wore equations such as a formula for finding the area of certain objects. Finally, Muslims created an abundant amount of machines, and were specifically interested in ones powered by water.
