Question

please read the associated packet and respond to the questions. if you do not have enough room to answer your questions, please answer them on a separate sheet of paper.
astronomy

1. where did most of our information for astronomy come from for centuries?
2. what was an astrolabe?
3. what did muslims astronomers believe about the rotation of the earth?

art

1. why did muslim art avoid pictures of humans?
2. what was arabesque art?
3. what was the purpose of using geometric shapes in islamic art?
4. despite the religious guidelines, paintings of human and animals can be found in islamic art. where would you find islamic art with animals and humans as subject matter?

calligraphy

1. what does calligraphy mean?
2. why was calligraphy first used by muslims?
3. why were calligraphers placed above every other kind of artist?
4. words written in calligraphy in the islamic world are admired for their what?

irrigation

1. why did muslims have to develop irrigation?
2. what was a water wheel?

learning

1. what was the house of wisdom and when was it founded?

Explanation:

1. For astronomy - For centuries, most information came from direct observation of the night - sky. An astrolabe was an ancient astronomical instrument used for solving problems relating to time and the position of celestial bodies. Muslim astronomers made significant contributions and some believed in the Earth's rotation long before it was widely accepted in the West.
2. For art - Muslim art avoided pictures of humans due to religious beliefs against idolatry. Arabesque art is characterized by intricate, flowing, and geometric patterns. Geometric shapes in Islamic art were used to represent the infinite nature of Allah. Paintings of humans and animals in Islamic art can be found in private palaces and non - religious buildings.
3. For calligraphy - Calligraphy means the art of beautiful handwriting. Muslims first used calligraphy to transcribe the Quran. Calligraphers were placed above other artists because of the high value placed on the written word of Allah. Words written in calligraphy in the Islamic world are admired for their beauty, precision, and spiritual significance.
4. For irrigation - Muslims had to develop irrigation due to arid climates in many Islamic regions. A water wheel is a machine for converting the energy of flowing or falling water into useful forms of power.
5. For learning - The House of Wisdom was a major intellectual center in Baghdad, founded in the 8th - 9th centuries, where scholars from different cultures gathered to translate and study ancient texts.

Answer:

1. Astronomy:

• 1. Direct observation of the night - sky.
• 2. An ancient astronomical instrument for solving problems related to time and celestial body positions.
• 3. Some believed in the Earth's rotation long before it was widely accepted in the West.

1. Art:

• 1. Due to religious beliefs against idolatry.
• 2. Art characterized by intricate, flowing, and geometric patterns.
• 3. To represent the infinite nature of Allah.
• 4. In private palaces and non - religious buildings.

1. Calligraphy:

• 1. The art of beautiful handwriting.
• 2. To transcribe the Quran.
• 3. Because of the high value placed on the written word of Allah.
• 4. For their beauty, precision, and spiritual significance.

1. Irrigation:

• 1. Due to arid climates in many Islamic regions.
• 2. A machine for converting the energy of flowing or falling water into useful forms of power.

1. Learning:

• 1. A major intellectual center in Baghdad, founded in the 8th - 9th centuries, where scholars from different cultures gathered to translate and study ancient texts.