The Emergence of Islam in Europe - Case Study Example

Running Head: THE INFLUENCES OF ISLAM ON EUROPE The Influences of Islam on Europe [The [The The Influences of Islamon Europe By 656 Islam was spread on the entire Arabian Peninsula. After that it spread to three continents Asia, Africa and Europe. It expanded even more rapidly after the Prophets death. The Empire continued to expand and Islam gradually became the chosen faith of the majority of its inhabitants. Some of the reasons that Islam spread so rapidly was that Islam calls for faith in only One God worthy of worship (Braswell, 1996, 41). After the death of Muhammad the Muslims named their leaders Caliphs. Caliph means the deputy messenger of Allah. Between 632 to 750 A. D, the Muslims had conquered of the known world. They controlled North Africa to India and western China. They reached into Europe to Spain and France. During the dark ages in Europe, Islam claimed many first in medicine. For example, they first time uses anesthesia in surgery. (Vertovec, and Peach, 1997, 44) In the same way, the Muslims introduced cauterization of wounds for the first time. Besides this, the Muslims discovered first among others that epidemics are caused by contagion through touch and air. As far as health services are concerned, there are also traces that prove that first ambulatory hospitals were introduced by the Muslims. These hospitals were carried on camels backs. First time, the Muslims introduced prescription, and thus the separation of pharmacology from medicine. Islam is growing very fast in all five continents. There are over 1.2 billion Muslims today. They represent 22% of the worlds population. And Christianity is 33% of the population in the world, at the rate that Islam is growing is expected to become the most popular religion in the globe in 2023. Islam is growing at the rate of 2.9% per year. (Al Sayyad, et. al. 2002, 56) Islam has multidimensional effects on Europe which changed Europe in all respects. The gigantic change was introduced in Spain while the Muslims were ruling this part of Europe. (Rath, and Buijs, 2003, 66) It remained the pioneer for all types of changes in Europe. Socially, Muslims have had a profound affect on Europe. The Muslims brought with them much of their lifestyle, such as their art. They resurrected mosques and unique types of architecture two these two continents. The most noticeable architectural influence was the introduction of the dome, pillar, and minaret. Furthermore, Muslims influenced African and European art through their geometric designs. Islam believes that depicting human figures in art is idolatrous, so they only used geometric designs. (Haddad, 2002, 13) Thus, they changed the traditional art forms to their new modern ones. Additionally, Islam also changed the daily life of Europeans. Men could now have four wives at any given time instead of just one. New laws were also created about marriage and several other issues. For example, divorces had several set regulations on the ability to remarry. Women would have to wait several months after the divorce in order to relax and determine the paternity of the child if a pregnancy were involved. Finally, the social scale was destroyed as a result of the incorporation of Islam into ones daily life, for the Koran preaches that everyone is of the same value and status level. The Koran also improved the economy and way of thought, for everyone gave to the poor and thus prevented a depression. Muslims has also influenced European scientific thought and knowledge. First of all, the Muslims made great strides in astronomy. They created the astrolabe, which measured distances and determined the circumference of the earth. They also invented the sextant, which allowed one to navigate and determine their precise location just by looking at the stars. (Hiro, 1989, 209) Furthermore, mathematically, Muslims introduced geometry and algebra. This tremendously increased mathematical thought, for problems were now easy to solve using the newfound knowledge. Intriguingly, they also invented the number zero, which helps in everyday life. Finally, they improved European architecture by creating perfectly symmetrical designs, which adds durability and strength into architecture. This allowed for the creation of the arch and dome. Ultimately, Muslims had a huge affect on Europe through their numerous scientific breakthroughs. Religiously, Muslims had deep and profound changes in Europe. The Muslims used both assimilation and physical force in order to instill their religious beliefs in Islam upon their peers. In order to overcome the old pagan religions, the Muslims had crusades to spread their word. In Europe, the Muslims first triumphantly conquered Spain and turned it into a town devoted to Islam. (Gordon, 1991, 12) Islam was much stricter and had several regulations. The Koran has five pillars of wisdom, which are strict regulations that one must follow, such as pray five times a day. Islam changed Europe in several different ways with its Muslim followers. They created numerous changes in these countries through their cultural, scientific, and religious influence. For instance, Islam introduced several new art styles, social class changes, and gender roles into European societies. Scientifically, the Muslims introduced a multitude of new technologies for mathematics, astronomy, and architecture. (Allievi, and Nielsen, 2003, 121) Religiously, the Muslims converted the Europeans with their beliefs in Islam, thus removing the old pagan and Christian faiths with their own strict ones. Ultimately, Muslims have effected, changed and influenced European culture in three striking manners, culturally, scientifically, and religiously. Muslims introduced several changes in European culture and society. Most notably, the Muslims brought with them their unique architectural styles. For example, through the creation of mosques in order to convert the Europeans, they established centers of creative architecture. The mosques that were constructed in Europe introduced three distinctive and innovative architectural structures. These were the dome, pedestal, and minaret. These have been incorporated into several other structures in European society, especially in Spain where the Muslim rule was most profound. (Lewis, and Schnapper, 1994, 134-35) Before in European art, faces were shown. However, with the introduction of Islam, all artwork became abstract and full of geometric shapes. This is because the Muslims felt that including faces in artwork was idolatrous and against their religion not to worship any idol. Muslim introduced several changes in the European way of life. New rules were set in places that were dependent upon the Koran, the Muslim holy book. (Jeremiah, 1995, 24) These were strict and included several punishments for crimes and horrible behavior. Marriage laws were also made. For example, men could only marry four women at any one time. To divorce, they have to say that they will divorce three times in a row. The process isnt as complicated as in the United States. Furthermore, a woman must have a period of contemplation after the divorce in order to relax and determine the paternity of a possible pregnancy. Finally, the Koran completely removed the caste system or any form of social class scale from the societies that it assimilated. Muslims had a most profound effect upon European societies through their introduction of several new architecture styles, art forms, and regulations. Scientific knowledge is probably the most influenced part of European societies caused by the Muslims. First of all, the Muslims invented algebra, geometry, and the number zero, which all increased the ease at which one could calculate difficult mathematical problems. This tremendously increased the productivity of both societies since math makes everything easier and more applicable. Furthermore, the sextant allowed the sailors and merchants to determine their exact location by just gazing at the stars, thus improving the trade between these countries and improving their economies. (Braswell, 1994, 54) Scientifically, Muslims had a prolific effect on European science through the introduction of several new technologies and techniques. Muslims introduced their religion to Europe in order to spread the word of God, but in the process, there religious affect was much more profound. First, the Muslims had missionaries in order to try to convert others. The Christians of Europe became startled by the emerging crusade, thus trying to stop it, yet failing several times. References Allievi, S. and J. Nielsen, eds. Muslim Networks and Transnational Communities in and across Europe. Leiden, Boston: Brill 2003. 121 AlSayyad, N. and M. Castells, eds. Muslim Europe or Euro-Islam, Politics, Culture and Citizenship in the Age of Globalization. Landham, Boulder, New York, Oxford: Lexington Books, 2002. 56 Braswell, George Jr. ISLAM. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, 40-41. Braswell, George Jr. Understanding Sectarian Groups in America. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994, 53-55. Gordon, S. Matthew., Islam World Religions, New York: Brown Publishing, 1991, 89 Haddad, Y.Y., ed. Muslims in the West: From Sojourners to Citizens. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. 12-13 Hiro, Dilip, Holy Wars: The Rise of Islamic Fundamentalism, New York: Routledge, Chapman and Hall Inc. 1989, 209 Jeremiah, David. Invasion of other Gods. Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1995, 22-25. Lewis, B. and D. Schnapper, eds. Muslims in Europe. London: Pinter, 1994. 134-35 Rath, J., and F.J. Buijs. Muslims in Europe, The state of Research. Report for the Russel Sage Foundation, New York, 2003. 66 Vertovec, S. and C. Peach, eds. Islam in Europe, The Politics of Religion and Community. Basingstoke: McMillan, 1997. 43-45 Read More