Jackson Rogers
When talking about religion, what comes to mind? Christianity and Islam are one of the first things that come to my mind. Islam is the belief in God and that Muhammad was the final prophet from God. Christianity is the belief that Jesus was sent from God to die for us and whoever has a relationship with Him will be saved and will have eternal life. As these religions are very different, they both believe in the same God. The Byzantine empire and the Islamic empire were influenced by these two religions and they were extremely important to them. Many places such as Mecca and Hagia Sophia were influenced by Christianity and Islam.
One extremely important place in the Islamic Empire is Mecca. “Mecca, a city in western Saudi Arabia 60 kilometers east of the Red Sea port of Jidda, is the most holy site for Muslims” (Fritze). Muslims have to travel to Mecca to perform the ritual Hajj at least once in their life. Hajj is where you travel to Mecca to perform many rituals and worship Allah which is the Arabic word for God. To perform these rituals, you have to be in a state of purity. “To be in a state of purity, you must follow these guidelines: can not engage in marital relations, can not shave or cut their nails, can not use cologne or perfume or any scented oils, can not kill or hunt anything, can not fight or argue, women must not cover their faces, men can not wear clothes with stitching, bathing is allowed but you can not use scented soaps” (“Hajj: Pilgrimage”). Another ritual that is similar to Hajj is Umra which takes place in Medina.
Medina is said to be Mecca’s twin city and is also where Muhammad is buried. Some of Umra, another ritual like Hajj, takes place in Medina. “The Umra is an extra, optional pilgrimage and does not count as the once-in-a-lifetime Hajj” (“Hajj: Pilgrimage”). You start Umra by going to a place right outside of Mecca, bathe, and put on special white clothes called Ihram to symbolize purity. “After you have bathed and put on the Ihram, recite a prayer called Talbiya Du’a which is, ‘Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am at your service! You have no partner. Here I am at your service. All praise and blessings belong to you. All dominion is yours and You have no partner’” (“Hajj: Pilgrimage”). Prayers like this one and others are recited many times in both Hajj and Umra by Muslims.
Hagia Sophia is a church that was built in Constantinople when Justinian was the leader. “Despite its beauty and awe-inspiring architecture, the Hagia Sophia suffered many crises and has been restored several times. Earthquakes in 553 and 557 damaged the building, and in 558 the great dome suffered a partial collapse. Justinian hired Isidorus the Younger—the nephew of one of the original architects—to build a new dome and restore and strengthen the building where needed. Five years later, in December 563, Justinian rededicated the Hagia Sophia with great ceremony. Earthquakes have shaken Constantinople numerous times since then, and each time there was damage to the Hagia Sophia, restoration efforts were made” (Stockdale). In Hagia Sophia there are many mosaics and details that are of Jesus. The Byzantines believed that there is one God and He sent Jesus to die for our sins so if we have a relationship with Him, we will have eternal life.
In conclusion, the Byzantine empire and Islamic empire were very influenced by Christianity and Islam. Hagia Sophia, Medina, and Mecca have shown what beliefs and rituals each empire had and has impacted the world today. Even though Christianity and Islam are very different, they are connected because they both believe in one God but in different ways on how to get back to Him.
Works Cited
Crowther, Nigel B. “Sports in the Byzantine Empire.” World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1498049. Accessed 11 Dec. 2016
Fritze, Ronald. “Mecca.” World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/600820. Accessed 11 Dec. 2016.
“Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca.” BBC, 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/hajj_1.shtml. Accessed 11 Dec. 2016.
“Mecca and Medina.” British Library, www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/meccamedina.html. Accessed 11 Dec. 2016.
Stockdale, Nancy L. “Hagia Sophia.” World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2016, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1037449. Accessed 11 Dec. 2016
1. I like how you started with a question.
ReplyDelete2. I learned Medina is where Muhammad is buried.
3. I really like your paper, I would like to know more Umra.
1. I like how you started with a question.
ReplyDelete2. I learned Medina is where Muhammad is buried.
3. I really like your paper, I would like to know more Umra.
I really liked this essay because it compared two locations while still explaining the religion of each empire. I learned a lot about the the beginning of each religion and what kind of rituals they practice and worship. I wish i learned more about how religion affected the followers. Good Job Jackson!!
ReplyDeleteAnnalee
ReplyDelete1. I liked how specific and in detail you went when explaining the important cities of Islam and the Byzantine Empire.
2. I learned about the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, I had never heard of it.
3. I would like to know more about Byzantine places, because I feel this paper was more focused on the Islamic side of it, but it was amazing!!