Islam has molded and shaped the societies of the Middle East since Muhammad spread his teaching about his knowledge and understanding of the almighty Allah. Between 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E., Islamic practices still were constant when it came to its population being influenced by and/or followed the religion’s moral codes and customs, yet only changed as it started to spread and expand into new territories. Customs and moral codes from Muhammad’s teachings had been a continuity in the islamic world, yet it’s trade systems and spread of the religion had varied and changed as the years progressed.
Islam was “birthed” in the 600s and is called to be the youngest of the Universalizing religions. “Islam is linked with Judaism and Christianity”, for all believe in one God, or all having a monotheistic faith. All that Muhammad has taught about the religion were kept in the Qur’an (Koran), modeling all the beliefs and rules one must follow to keep the Islamic faith. All Muslims are to follow and live by the Five Pillars of Faith, which are the five basic rules or precepts of Islam: “to confess one’s faith (“there is no god but Allah”); to pray five times daily, facing in the direction of Mecca; to fast during the month of Ramadan; to give alms to the poor; and to attempt a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca at least once in one’s lifetime.”
Many other traditions to be followed are the abstinence of pork and alcohol, for in the Qur’an it states how God forbids the act and saying how it was impure; avoid painting or putting any figures of animals and humans in art, especially portrayals of Muhammad; and the support of polygamy, which is the custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time, if treated correctly. Patriarchalism was and still is a big aspect of the lives of Muslim women, having to put them under rules such as “being secluded in women’s quarters and required to veil themselves when in public.” Even though women were still under the…
