Christendom Vs Muslim Civilization Essay

11/5/2015

Compare and Contrast Christendom with Muslim Civilization

Around 625 AD, two civilizations arose, the Christianity based region of Christendom and the Muslim Civilization. These civilizations lasted till around AD 1200. The region of Christendom are also referred to as the “Dark Ages”, whereas the Muslim Civilization outshone Christendom, and were referred to as the Golden Ages. There were a few similarities between these two civilizations. but it was the contrasts between these two regions that helped the Muslim Civilization become the “Golden Ages”. The Muslim Civilization and Christendom shared similar characteristics when it came to the fact that people were encouraged to live charitable lives and both religions had large-scale

Everyone was expected to help out, and even those who had little to give, which goes to show how people were encouraged to live a charitable life. In the third pillar of Islam it mentions the giving of alms, which is a 2.5% of a person 's annual income. Similarly it is mentioned in the Bible that “Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.” (Proverbs 19:17) Furthermore it is also mentioned in the Quran that “Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Quran, 2:27) “ The evidence shows that within both the Muslim Civilization, and Christendom, living a charitable life was something that was expected of them by their holy books. In the Muslim Civilization, it was one of their five pillars of Islam that they had to abide too. In addition the giving of charity has been mentioned several number of times in the Quran as well as the Bible. Although both the Muslim Civilization and Christendom were both similar in many aspects, they had many differences as well which helped to make the Muslim Civilization a far more superior time to live

On one hand knowledge was rewarded and valued greatly which helped the flourishment of the Muslim Civilization, whereas on the other hand knowledge was scorned and thus leading to be a major factor in why Christendom was referred to as the dark aged.. Knowledge was valued more within Islam, as stated by Prophet Muhammad that “Seeking of knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim”. (Ibn Majah 1/224 and Tirmidhi 218) Furthermore as stated in the Quran “Allah grants wisdom to whom he pleases and to whom wisdom is granted indeed he receives an overflowing benefit.” (Quran 2: 269) In contrast to what islamic figures said St. Bernard of Clairvaux declared, “the pursuit of knowledge -- was a pagan act and therefore vile.”Moreover Sigismund stated he was “above grammar.” (Manchester, 6) Consequently one can clearly see that where on one hand knowledge is being imposed as a duty on the people of the Muslim Civilization, it was clearly looked down upon within Christendom. Within the Muslim Civilization the seeking of knowledge was incumbent upon every muslim, whereas on the contrary in Christendom even the emperor himself didn’t value knowledge, and stated that he was above grammar himself. In essence on one hand knowledge was being promoted and encouraged, whereas on the other hand it was looked down upon, and