Dbq Essay On Christianity And Islam

In the Arabian peninsula, Islam had started. After Muhammad died, the Muslim community embarked on a series of military conquests that extended their control over much of Eurasia and north Africa. Muslim merchants also became a prominent figure in trade during this time. The Islamic empire extended to the Arabian Peninsula and many areas around it. These places were central in the Mediterranean sea, Indian Ocean, and silk road trade routes. The Muslim merchants became a very big part of trade because of their location at the center of many trade routes from Eurasia to Africa. They were also a prominent part of trade because the camel saddle started to be used frequently in 600 CE. Camels were more equipped to walk through the desert, and so the ability to control them made the Muslims a major part of silk road trade. In addition to this, the Muslim agricultural revolution occurred around 600 CE. This caused more crops like cotton to be cultivated and traded, causing a greater income and virtually more trade between Africa and Eurasia. In the Indian Ocean basin, the Gupta empire had declined and there was no centralized rule in India. However, there were still major trading cities and new technologies caused trade to increase. An example of the new technologies would be the dhows and junks that were used at around 800 CE.

societies. Christianity in its origins had a negative view of merchants while Islam was more positive as

In the “Arabian Peninsula Trade Routes” (Doc. A) it shows how Mecca was very busy with all kinds of trade. Since Mecca is where Islam would start in the upcoming years, traders would come and go taking the teachings of Muhammad with them. Mecca was both the center of trade and the center of Islam which leads to the quick spread of faith through the many traders and merchants that

At their origins, Christians and Muslims had different views about merchants and traders. This can be seen in the first two documents which are excerpts from the holy books of

Even though these aspects describe the ways that change occurred with trade between Afro-Eurasia, one important part did stay the same. North Africa was consistent and always a key part of trade between the continents of Europe, Africa, and Asia. In 300, North Africa was the only area that traded with the Mediterranean. In the time of the gold-salt trade, European venders and Islamic merchants arrived in North Africa. North African merchants still traded even when Europeans started to shift the balance of trade to the Americas starting from the mid-1400s. This is how trade systems between Africa and Europe stayed the same between the years 300-1450.

Trade was a large part in why Islam spread so quickly. Mecca had several trading routes. “By the middle of the sixth century… Mecca was … prosperous and important (Doc A).” They were trading through the two main empires: Byzantine and Persian. East Africa, Spain, India, and China also traded with them. Mecca being at the center of the trading system, they brought in many tourists to see the famous holy shrine. With the help of communication people interested in Islam were also drawn because goods were not just traded, but the Islamic culture as well.

In addition to political and social structure, both civilizations share the same economy. Byzantine and Islamic civilization use similar approaches to promote their economy. They have engaged in trading with other civilizations. Byzantine was a large exporter of grain and silk. Their

The Mongols understood the importance of trade, and they supported trade. They had a positive attitude toward merchants and trade. Unlike most other societies, such as the Confucian Chinese, who looked upon trade with disdain. The Mongols saw the true importance of trade, and they saw it as more than people exchanging goods. They created the Pax-Mongolia or “Mongolian Peace.” This was to guarantee the safety of traders and merchants, specifically Muslim, as they traveled through the Mongolian territory. Because there was no longer a concern of harm coming to merchants, trade along the Silk Road flourished. The Muslims were a very technologically advanced society, and once people saw this, they were all wanting to get their goods. The crusaders called the Muslims “A savage race fit only for extermination,” without knowing how advanced they were. The mongols saw how important they could be to their society.

Christianity and Islam are two of the world’s largest religions. The two are different in beliefs but are similar in origin. Like many religions both Islam and Christianity claim to be the one and only true way to God. Although Islam and Christianity differ in major ways, they also share some similarities.

There are some similarities between Christianity and Islam. Christianity and Islam are both religion. Both religion are founded in the Middle East; and they are founded by Prophets of God. They have both impact the course of history. The Christians and Islam each believed that there is only one true God.

Supported by documents 2, 5, and 7, this statement is very unambiguous. Written towards the beginning of the Islamic faith, in 620-650 CE, document 2 is from the Muslim point of view and the document believes the two and only then will their transaction be blessed. During this time, merchants and trade were highly valued and shown a great deal of respect. The main reason for this belief is the Prophet Muhammad. Islam is based on the teachings of Muhammad so therefor; Muhammad is highly worshiped and looked upon on. The reason that merchants are dear to Muslims is because Prophet Muhammad as well as his wife, Khadija, are born Muslims, thus causing Muslims to appreciate merchants. However, as time goes on, it is noticeable that the respect will be lowered. In addition to document 2, document 5 is written by Ibn Khaldun, a leading Muslim scholar during the fourteenth century. Document 5 describes how it is sometimes necessary to transport goods to a place where they are more keenly demanded and therefore fetch a much higher price for them. As seen, people of both religions grew greedier over time and traded unfairly just to make a higher profit. Also in document 5, the scholar mentions that, “As for trade, although it be a natural means of livelihood, yet most of the methods it employs tricks aimed at making a profit by securing the difference between the

From a review of the 7 documents presented, it is clear that Christianity and Islam condemned inequitable trade, which led to many Christians and Muslims to look down upon merchants; however, honest business, especially as a merchant, is honored highly. In fact, the Qur'an compares fair merchants to martyrs which were some of the holiest people of all [D2]. However, many Christian and Muslim believers found most merchants to be dishonest and greedy. A Christian scholar describes a merchant's job and then concludes that when a person sells something for more than it is worth, it is "unjust and unlawful" [D4].

This trade route definitely made it possible for the religion to diffuse as goods moved between territories and populations, but more importantly they facilitated the movement of these items to otherwise isolated locations, like small towns and villages, consequently exposing millions of these areas to ideas and religious ideologies from which they;d been oblivious to be beforehand. After a while, merchants weren’t the only ones who would exploit the kickoff of trade routes; warriors and proselytizers (people who were dedicated to converting others to a religion) also joined them. These routes were critical in the integrating of peoples of different cultures, religions and philosophies. The merchants would practice their religious traditions routinely, which created a strong influence on the non-Christians and induced them into advancing the spread of

The Arab empire had a better trade than the byzantine empire. I think they had a better trade because they spread out their religion.Another reason they spread out is they had more resources.

The biggest difference in Islam and Christianity is that Muslims don’t believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, which is the basic foundation of Christianity. Muslims believe that Jesus was a servant of God as well as a prophet. Muhammad is believed to be a prophet and a servant of God also; however, Muhammad is said to be the last prophet sent by God to guide humanity. On the contrary, Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and is therefore viewed as God