Showing posts with label Overview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Overview. Show all posts

The History of Islam – A Complete Overview (Chapter # 1)

on Saturday, September 8, 2012

The History of Islam – A Complete Overview (Chapter # 1)

Before going to look at the history of Islam, it would be a good idea to first have a quick look upon the pre Islamic era and particularly the condition of Arab world before the arrival of Islam. Before the advent of Islam in Arab, the ignorance was very common in Arab. There was no concept of education in Arab, people use to bury their daughters alive, and idol worship was common, people of Arab used to worship more than 365 idols. Vulgarism and drinking habits were their common attributes. So, now you can well imagine the whole condition of Arabs before the advent of Islam. But just after the advent of Islam, the Arabs experience socio, political economic revolution.

First let us have look upon the immediate consequences after the advent of Islam in Arab world, these immediate consequences started showing during the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him). Islam gave the system of Adal (justice) due to which the level of crime significantly reduced. Before Islam it was common to observe killing, adultery, rape and theft and other such issues. Due to the justice system of Islam all such crimes rapidly reduced. Similarly, Islam gave respect and honor to women who were humiliated and suppressed before the arrival of Islam. Islam made it compulsory for every Muslim to get educated.

During the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the centers of Islam were the holy cities of Madina and Makkah. However, after the prophet Islam started to spread outside the Arabia as well. We can divide the post prophet (peace be upon him) era into three categories that are the era of 4 caliphs of Islam namely Abu Bakar (R.A), Umar (R.A), Usman ( R.A) as well as Ali (R.A), the era of Umayyad and Abbasid dynasty and the era afterwards. Each era has a number of distinctive features that we would discuss latter. Here it is worthwhile to mention that the eras of Abu Bakar (R.A), Umar (R.A), Usman (R.A) and Ali (R.A) were purely based upon the principles of Khilafah and all four were nominated by the consensus of Muslims, however afterwards the Eras of Umayyad as well as Abbasid both were based upon imperialism. Muslims in their rule made sure the enforcement of Islamic laws and principles; they enforced the justice system of Islamic rewards and punishments in its true form and as a consequence the crime rate tremendously minimized.

During the Era of Abbasid Muslims were known as the most educated nation in the whole world, Baghdad (Iraq), Undlas (Spain) and Cordova (Egypt) were considered to be three great pillars of Islam. The world renowned universities were located in these three cities. People from all over the world used to come and study in those universities. During this Era Muslim scientists did many new innovations, Jabir Bin Hayyan, Boo Ali Sina and Al-Kundy were a few great Islamic scientists of that Era. After Abbasid, the great Egyptian Density and Indian rulers are prominent in Islamic History. Don’t miss the next coming chapters.


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

About the author

I am running a freelance company to provide development, designing, seo and writing services.



View the Original article

Morocco Cultural Overview

on Friday, July 20, 2012

Morocco is an Islamic state and the majority of the population is Muslim. Mohammed King VI tried his best to modernize the country while keeping the Islamic touch alive and his efforts have finally paid off. Efforts are made to keep the country move forward along with the teachings and education of Islam so that people do not go away from their religion. For this purpose government has started a website, radio and TV channel and it has actually paid off. Well, some ceremonies and discussions are held in the presence of some elite Islamic personnel so that things can work out properly in the course of spreading Islam and making the country modernize at the same time.

Moroccon Language

Arabic and French are the official language of Morocco. However, Arabic is spoken by the common people while French is taught at schools. This is why French is broadly used in higher class and government. In some cities, English is given due respect and people mostly communicate in English. Spanish is very common in the northern areas of the country. The majority of the people belong to Berber background. Though these people have converted to Islam but still some touch of the background is seen in their culture and traditions.

Islamic Clothing of Morocco

Clothing is different in different regions of the Morocco that are mostly influenced by the Spanish, Turkish and English culture. Men in Morocco mostly wear djellaba which is a long, loose, full sleeve attire with a top covering. On some special occasions men prefer waering a special red hat known as tarbouche or Fez. In Morocco both men and women wear yellow colored heelless leather slippers known as Baboosh. Women also prefer wearing high heel sandal as they add to their beauty and elegancy. Women mostly wear bright colored dresses that are full of embellishment. Their dresses look amazing and are popular around the world.

Moroccon Food

Food is very popular among Moroccons and they are fond of eating. Some sort of healthy soups called harira; fairly sweet empanada having beef of dove; cuscus containing semola, egg, hen, lamb or maybe greens; Tajine made out of lamb or even poultry; fowl stuffed with walnuts, semola and also raisins; the particular roasted animal meat associated with lambs known as mchoui; as well as the candies from the kab-el-ghzal and almond tend to be a few of the delightful meals of Morocco that would captivate just about any customer.

Moroccon Social Life

Morocco is Islamic state where the principle of democracy has strong hold and it is much appreciated by the Moroccan. In the society every men and women are given equal status without any discrimination so that the cycle of life may keep on moving trouble free. People are allowed to follow their religion and Moroccan respect the views and beliefs of every citizen. This country has modernized and one can say that it is losing its Arabic touch.

Overview of the Egyptian culture

on Friday, May 25, 2012

Egypt’s Culture 

The culture of Egypt like its history shows diversity and influence of many foreign countries. Having history of 5000 years, Egypt ‘s vast and rich culture constitutes an important element in the life of the country, which reflects the different colorful shades of history and of the earliest civilizations.

From language to literature and from arts to music and dance, the value of cultural diversity cannot be underestimated. The ancient Egyptian language belongs to the family of Afro-Asiatic languages and was among the first written languages known by the hieroglyphic signs inscribed on the monuments and papyrus sheets.

The present Arabic language is the gift of Arabs to the Egypt during their invasion in 7th century. Of the many Arabic varieties, Egyptian Arabic is the second most widely spoken dialect throughout the Arabic speaking world. Beside of the official language, there are other languages also that are spoken by the minority ethnic groups.

The oldest Egyptian literature in Egypt’s culture is known as the Pyramid Texts. Broadly literature of Egypt is divided into two parts: religious literature and secular literature. Religious literature is all about the various hymns dedicated to gods and its mortuary texts. Whereas Secular literature includes the wisdom texts i.e. forms of philosophical instruction. In Egypt history Middle Kingdom period was considered as the golden age of Egyptian literature.

One major change in the literature of Egypt’s culture  occurred during the Greco-Roman period. It was the period when certain Egyptian literature masterpieces were translated into other languages and Greco-Roman literature fused with the native writing style. One example of this fusion is the Rosetta Stone-a masterpiece of Egyptian Literature. The great city of Alexandria became the main center of literature culture of Egypt.

The wall paintings of the Pharaohs era were the earliest examples of art form developed in  Egypt’s culture.However they lacked linear perspective. Modern and contemporary Egyptian art is much better in perspective manner on world art scene. Similarly Egyptian music is a mixture of Egyptian, Arabic, African and Western influences. Before 7th century AD, harps and flutes are the two indigenous instruments of music in Egypt. But a wave of change occurred after the arrival of Arabs that brought with them the Percussion and Vocal music. Egyptian Pop music is now a part of Egypt culture while the folk music is also popular but is played only during the wedding ceremony or festivities.

Beside of the art and literature section, there is one more section of  Egypt’s culture that is different from the formers but win hearts by its flavor and taste i.e. Cuisine. Egyptian Cuisine shares many dishes with the neighboring countries but yet it tastes totally different. Mashed fave beans are considered as the national dish of the Egypt. Breads are the major part of main courses. Kebab and Kofta, usually of lamb meat, chops & minced meat are the other popular dishes.

The Egypt’s culture has thousands of years of recorded history. Ancient Egypt was among the earliest civilizations. For millennia, Egypt maintained a strikingly complex and stable culture that influenced later cultures of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. After the Pharaonic era, Egypt itself came under the influence of Hellenism, for a time Christianity, and later, Islamic culture. Today, many aspects of Egypt’s ancient culture exist in interaction with newer elements, including the influence of modern Western culture.

Egypt the country of ancient civilization and pyramids is among one of the main attractions of this world. The land of ancient wonders stimulates thousands of travelers each year to explore this country.

Travel information to Egypt mainly consists of information related to history, geography, religion, culture and tourist attractions. Egypt travel guide give the respective information about the country necessary before heading to Egypt.

Located in the northeastern part of African continent, Egypt is bordered by Israel in northeast, by Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the east and by Sudan in the south. Libya resides in west of the Egypt. Dominated by Nile River and Eastern and Western deserts, Egypt has total area of 1,001.450 km sq, populated by around 79 million people.

Divided into 27 governorates, Egypt’s official name is Arab Republic of Egypt and the capital city is Cairo. Cairo is not only the capital of this second most populous country of African continent but also the major destination of Egypt. Other popular destinations include Alexandria, Giza, Aswan, Luxor, Sharm el Sheikh and many more.

But it is the history of Egypt that makes it most attractive and interested to explore. Egypt well known for its history, is home of one of the ancient civilizations of this world and also contain one of the seven wonders of the world-the Pyramids. Apart from these two gems the  Egypt’s culture also features ancient temples, monuments and world famous ancient cities.

Like history and geography, religion of Egypt also show diversity and plays central role in demographically division of Egypt. About 85% of the total populations of Egypt are the adherents of Islam. Among the others remaining Christianity is the main religion. Beside of the religion, Egyptians are the largest ethnic group residing in Egypt along with other minorities including Bedouin Arab, Berber speaking Siwis, ancient Nubian communities and many others.

 Egypt’s culture  is the ultimate result of historical diversity of this country. From music to arts and from literature to festivals all represent the true spirit of foreign influence along with the native effect. From the fertile Nile river valley to the Great Sand Sea and from the temple of Karnak to temple of Hathor and from the Sinai Mountain to the Tiran island Egypt present the perfect picture of sightseeing scattered all over the country

.



View the Original article