Daily Life in the Islamic Golden Age

By Don Nardo

What was life really like for everyday people in the Islamic Golden Age? In this detailed exploration of daily life in one of history’s greatest civilizations, readers will use primary sources and information from archeological discoveries to discover fascinating insights and debunk popular myths. Immersive timelines, maps and references to important people and events will bring children on a time-traveling journey through the ancient Islamic world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Aug 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781484666067

Don Nardo

Noted historian and award-winning author Don Nardo has written many books for young people about American history. Nardo lives with his wife, Christine, in Massachusetts.

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Daily Life in Ancient Civilizations: Daily Life in the Islamic Golden Age by Don Nardo

Contents

Cover

Title Page

How did the Islamic Golden Age Come About?

How did golden Age Muslims Worship Each Day?

What were Houses and their Contents Like?

What was Family Life Like in the Golden Age?

Did Children Go to School?

What did People in the Golden Age Do for Fun?

How did Art and Science make Everyday Life Better?

What is the Legacy of Life in the Golden Age?

A Day in the Life of a Child in the Islamic Golden Age

Timeline

Glossary

Find Out More

Index

Copyright

Back Cover

Cover

Title Page

Contents

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back cover

HOW DID THE ISLAMIC GOLDEN AGE COME ABOUT?

In 750

ce

, a ruler named Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah came to power in a mighty empire. It stretched from Afghanistan in the east to Morocco in the west. Al-Saffah was given the title caliph, which meant leader of the Muslim community. Muslims were followers of the religion known as Islam, just as they are today.

The will of Allah

In religious matters, al-Saffah and other Muslims of his day had a strong role model. He was Islam’s founder, the prophet Muhammad. Born in Mecca, in western Arabia, in about 570

ce

, the prophet Muhammad worked as a merchant in his early adult years. He said that when he was around 40 years old, the angel Gabriel appeared to him.

A map of the Middle East and North Africa with the Abbasid Empire.

This map shows what the Middle East and North Africa looked like in the centuries immediately following the Arab Muslims’ takeover of that region.

The heavenly angel said that God had chosen Muhammad as his prophet, meaning his messenger. The prophet Muhammad’s task as messenger would be to reveal God’s will to humans. He taught that there is only one god, whose Arabic name is Allah.

The prophet Muhammad steadily gathered converts to a new religion called Islam. By the time he died in 632

ce

, there were many thousands of Muslims in Arabia. Muslims soon conquered all