Describe the impact of al-Masur on Islam.(1 point)
Responses
He recruited scholars to translate texts.
He built new canals.
He translated the Koran.
He moved the capital of the Abbasid Dynasty to Baghdad and unified the kingdom.
Describe why the Muslims created calligraphy.(1 point)
Responses
They wanted to show nature in creative ways.
They wanted to study geometric patterns.
They needed a way to record the stars.
They were looking for a beautiful way to represent God’s word.
The response "They were looking for a beautiful way to represent God's word" is the most accurate. Muslims created calligraphy as a means to express the beauty of the Quran and the importance of God's word. Arabic calligraphy is considered a sacred art form in Islam, and it is used to decorate religious texts, mosques, and other Islamic architectural structures. It serves as a visual representation of the divine message and is highly revered within the Muslim community.
How did Muslims contribute to the field of science?(1 point)
Responses
They wrote books about Earth’s surface.
They developed hospitals, colleges, and pharmacies.
They read works by the Greeks and Romans.
They studied the stars to make art.
The response "They developed hospitals, colleges, and pharmacies" is the most accurate. Muslims made significant contributions to the field of science by establishing hospitals, colleges, and pharmacies during the Islamic Golden Age. These institutions served as centers of learning, where scholars from different disciplines, including medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and chemistry, conducted research and exchanged knowledge. Their advancements in medicine, for instance, included the development of hospitals with specialized departments, the writing of medical textbooks, and the advancement of pharmaceutical practices. This contributed to the overall progress and dissemination of scientific knowledge in the Islamic world.
Analyze why the conquering of Mecca in 630 was important for Islam.(1 point)
Responses
It solidified Islam as a faith and one backed by military support.
It signaled Islam dominated the Christian world.
It meant Islam could exist with the tribal pagan religions.
It allowed the Kaaba to be filled with traded goods.
The response "It solidified Islam as a faith and one backed by military support" is the most accurate. The conquering of Mecca in 630 by the Muslim forces led by Prophet Muhammad played a significant role in the establishment and legitimacy of Islam. This event solidified Islam as a faith and demonstrated its strength and military backing. The conquest of Mecca allowed the Muslims to take control of the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, and cleanse it of the idols that had been worshipped by the local population. This act symbolized the triumph of monotheism and the establishment of Islam as the true religion in the Arabian Peninsula. It greatly strengthened the credibility and influence of Islam and its followers, paving the way for the spread of the faith to other parts of the world.
Summarize why Judith Herrin believes the fall of Constantinople was a turning point for Western history.(1 point)
Responses
Scholars fled with knowledge that sparked the Renaissance in Europe.
It led to the voyages of discovery by Columbus because trade was blocked.
It meant that cannons would not work for sieges in the future.
It marked the beginning of the Third Rome in Europe.
The response "Scholars fled with knowledge that sparked the Renaissance in Europe" accurately summarizes Judith Herrin's belief about the fall of Constantinople. According to Herrin, the fall of Constantinople in 1453 resulted in a large number of Greek scholars fleeing to Western Europe, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge, ancient manuscripts, and intellectual traditions. This influx of Greek scholars and texts played a significant role in sparking the Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in classical learning, arts, and sciences in Western Europe.
The correct answer among the given options is:
- He moved the capital of the Abbasid Dynasty to Baghdad and unified the kingdom.
To determine the impact of al-Masur on Islam, we need to assess the choices provided. The first option, "He recruited scholars to translate texts," refers to the establishment of the Bayt al-Hikmah (House of Wisdom) during al-Masur's reign. While he did recruit scholars to translate various texts from different cultures, this had a broader impact on knowledge and scholarship rather than specifically on Islam.
The second option, "He built new canals," does not have a direct impact on Islam and seems unrelated to al-Masur's contributions.
The third option, "He translated the Koran," incorrectly attributes the translation of the Quran to al-Masur. In reality, the Quran had already been translated into Arabic during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, so this choice is inaccurate and does not reflect the impact of al-Masur on Islam.
The correct option is the fourth one: "He moved the capital of the Abbasid Dynasty to Baghdad and unified the kingdom." This choice accurately depicts the major impact of al-Masur. By shifting the capital from Kufa to Baghdad, al-Masur centralized power and implemented various administrative reforms, leading to the unification of the Abbasid Dynasty. This historical development had a significant influence on the subsequent development and spread of Islam.
The statement "He recruited scholars to translate texts" is not accurate. Although al-Ma'mun, the 7th Abbasid caliph, did establish the House of Wisdom in Baghdad and patronized scholars and translators, this statement specifically attributes the action to al-Masur, who was not directly involved in such activities.
The statement "He built new canals" is also incorrect. Although al-Ma'mun did carry out infrastructure projects, including the construction of canals, this action cannot be specifically attributed to al-Masur.
The statement "He translated the Koran" is partially accurate. While al-Ma'mun did initiate a translation project during his reign, it was primarily led by scholars under his patronage, such as Hunayn ibn Ishaq. It is uncertain whether al-Masur himself played a direct role in the translation process.
The statement "He moved the capital of the Abbasid Dynasty to Baghdad and unified the kingdom" is incorrect. Al-Ma'mun is credited with moving the capital to Baghdad, but al-Masur was not directly involved in this decision.
Overall, the impact of al-Masur on Islam is not well-documented, and there is limited historical information available about his specific contributions.