Culture of the first Arab states. History of world and domestic culture ()

Belongs to the peoples of the Arab East important place in the history of human culture. It is no coincidence that medieval geographers called the Arab East the breast of the world: the heart of world civilization beat here for many centuries. Arabic medieval cultures and developed in Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and North Africa, as well as in Southern Spain during the existence of the Cordoba Caliphate and Arab principalities there. Medieval Arab culture at one time was a major step forward in the progressive development of mankind. The great merit of the peoples of the Arab East was that they preserved (especially in the field of science) and passed on future generations many valuable achievements of antiquity.

IN historical science the correct idea of Arab culture was not developed immediately. In the last century, and even now, among many bourgeois scientists there was a widespread erroneous opinion that in all countries that were part of the Arab Caliphate in the 7th-9th centuries and adopted Islam, there was a single “Arab” culture. This understanding of Arab culture, uncritically following the medieval one Muslim tradition, leads to the denial of the independence of cultural development of Iranians, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Tajiks and many other peoples in the Middle Ages. In fact, in the countries with a non-Arab population that were part of the caliphate, local cultures developed, based on ancient traditions, which, like the culture of the Arabs, were a valuable contribution to the development of medieval civilization. Of course, between the peoples of the Near and Middle East in the Middle Ages there was a complex and important interaction for their culture, which gave rise to common features.

The culture of the peoples who inhabited the Arabian Peninsula has been known since ancient times. Ancient geographers called southern, agricultural Arabia “happy.” Here from the middle of the first millennium BC. there were rich states: Minaan, and later Sabaean. In the first millennium BC. In the northwestern part of the peninsula (the so-called “rocky Arabia”) the Nabataean state arose. The prosperity of these kingdoms was determined by profitable economic situation on world routes of communication and extensive intermediary trade with Egypt, Western Asia and India.

The architecture and art of the ancient South Arab states, which have not yet been sufficiently studied, are by their type included in the circle of cultures of the slave-holding societies of Western Asia. The remains of powerful fortifications, dams and cisterns, as well as works of sculpture and applied arts. On the stone steles covered with writings there are images of people, animals and ornaments.

Since ancient times, the bulk of the population of Arabia were nomads engaged in cattle breeding in the steppes and semi-deserts of the peninsula. The deep and complex process of class stratification within Arab society and the political situation associated with the struggle between Iran and Byzantium created the conditions for the emergence of a medieval Arab state. The political unification of the Arabs at the beginning of the 7th century took place under the auspices of a new, which soon became a world religion - Islam. The original place of residence of the founder of Islam and the head of the Arab state - the Prophet Muhammad and his successors - the caliphs (hence the name of the state - caliphate) were the Arabian cities of Medina, and then Mecca.

In the 7th century, the Arabs conquered Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Iran. In 661, Muawiyah, the Arab governor of Syria, seized power and began the Umayyad dynasty. Damascus became the capital of the Umayyads. At the end of the 7th and beginning of the 8th centuries, a gigantic territory was annexed to the caliphate, which included the Iberian Peninsula and all of North Africa in the west, Transcaucasia and Central Asia to the borders of India in the east.

The Arab Caliphate became a large early feudal state, although in some areas for a long time Slavery and even primitive communal relations were preserved. The Arab nobility brutally exploited the peasants and artisans of the conquered countries. Victorious military campaigns and the successes of the new religion could not hide the growth of class contradictions. Fight broad masses with feudal oppression resulted in powerful uprisings and often went under the slogan of liberation from foreign yoke. Already in the 9th-10th centuries, social upheavals essentially caused the disintegration of the caliphate into separate states.

At the same time, awakened by the liberation and class struggle creative forces the peoples who were part of the Arab Caliphate led to a high rise in the medieval culture of the Near and Middle East; its flourishing continued even when the caliphate as a single whole actually no longer existed.

The Arab Caliphate included countries at different levels of social development and with different cultural and artistic traditions. However, the similarity in the forms of development of feudalism in the Near and Middle East gave rise to common features in ideology and other superstructural phenomena. These deep socio-economic reasons, and not the spread of religion - Islam - underlie the unity that also takes place in medieval culture Arab countries.

Important role In the development of Arab culture, its interaction with the high medieval culture of Iran, Central Asia and Transcaucasia played a role. Arabic was not only the language of the holy book of Muslims - the Koran, but it, like Latin in Western Europe, was used by many scholars, writers and poets in all parts of the multilingual caliphate. Vivid examples creative interaction has been preserved by the history of the literature of the peoples of the East. The artistic creativity of many peoples is embodied in famous poem“Leila and Majnun.” Romantic image dying of love Majnun and his beloved Leila - the Romeo and Juliet of the East - born at the dawn of feudalism in the Arab environment, inspired the creation wonderful works best poets medieval Azerbaijan, Iran and Central Asia.

However, not only interaction and a certain commonality are important, but also the high level of culture of the peoples of the Near and Middle East for that time. In the 9th-13th centuries, Arab, as well as Iranian, Azerbaijani and Central Asian cities were the largest centers of learning, famous for their libraries, schools, universities and other educational institutions. Popular sayings of that time are typical: “The greatest adornment of a person is knowledge” or “The ink of a scientist is as worthy of respect as the blood of a martyr.” It is not surprising, therefore, that the 12th-century Syrian writer Osama ibn Munkyz, the author of the “Book of Edification,” assessed the morals of the modern Franks, which he had to deal with not only in the military field, but also in peaceful life, from the perspective of a person of immeasurably greater culture.

Religion had a certain influence on the development of medieval art of the Arabs, as well as other peoples who professed Islam. The spread of Islam marked the abandonment of old, pre-feudal religions and the establishment of monotheism - the belief in one God. The Muslim idea of the world as a single whole created by God was important for the formation of a characteristic medieval era an aesthetic idea about a certain, albeit abstract, harmony of the universe. At the same time, Islam, like everyone else, medieval religions, ideologically justified and consolidated feudal exploitation. The dogmas of the Koran darkened the consciousness of man and hindered his development. However, the views of the people of the medieval East on the world, including their artistic views, cannot be reduced to religious ideas. The worldview of the Middle Ages man contradictorily combined idealistic and materialistic tendencies, scholasticism and the desire for knowledge. reality. One of the greatest scientists and philosophers of the medieval East, Abu Ali ibn Sina (Avicenna), recognized the divine origin of the universe and at the same time argued that scientific and philosophical knowledge exists independently of religious faith. Ibn Sina, Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Ferdowsi, Navoi and many other outstanding thinkers of the medieval East, in whose works and poetic works The progressive features of the era were especially clearly manifested, asserting the strength of human will and reason, value and wealth real world, although, as a rule, they did not openly speak out from an atheistic position.

When we're talking about about the influence of Islam on art, usually indicate the prohibition of depicting living beings under pain of religious punishment. There is no doubt that from its very inception the teachings of Islam contained an iconoclastic tendency associated with the overcoming of polytheism. In the Koran, idols (most likely, sculptural images of ancient tribal gods) are called “an obsession of Satan.” Religious tradition resolutely rejected the possibility of depicting a deity. It was also not allowed to place images of people in mosques and other religious buildings. The Koran and other theological books were decorated only with ornaments. However, initially in Islam there was no prohibition on depicting living beings, formulated as a religious law. Only later, probably in the 9th-10th centuries, the iconoclastic tendency of Islam was used to prohibit a certain category of images on pain of punishment in the afterlife. “Misfortune to him,” we read in the comments to the Koran, “who will depict a living creature! On the day of the last trial, the persons whom the artist presented will leave the picture and come to him demanding that he give them a soul. Then this man, who cannot give souls to his creatures, will be burned in eternal flame”; “Beware of depicting gentlemen or people, and paint only trees, flowers and inanimate objects.”

History has shown that these restrictions, which left an imprint on the development of certain types of art, were not significant in all Muslim countries and were strictly implemented only during periods of particularly intensified ideological reaction.

However, the explanation of the main features of the medieval art of the Arab peoples should not be sought in religion, which influenced but did not determine its development. The content of the artistic creativity of the peoples of the Arab East, its paths and features were determined by the pace of new ideological and aesthetic tasks, which were put forward by the progressive development of society that entered the era of feudalism.

The specifics of medieval art in the Arab countries, as well as throughout the Near and Middle East, are very complex. It reflected live content reality, but, like the entire culture of the Middle Ages, deeply imbued with a religious-mystical worldview, it did this in a conditional, often symbolic form, developing its own special figurative language for works of art.

Arab innovation medieval literature and at the same time her life basis characterizes the appeal to spiritual world human, creation moral ideals that had universal human significance.

The fine art of the Arab East is also imbued with great figurative power. However, just as literature used predominantly a conventional form to embody its images, so in the visual arts life content expressed in a special language of decorative art.

The convention of the “language” of medieval fine art among most peoples was associated with the principle of decorativeness, characteristic not only of external forms, but also of the structure itself, figurative structure work of art. The wealth of decorative imagination and its masterful implementation in applied art, miniatures and architecture constitute an integral and valuable quality of the remarkable works of artists of that era.

In the art of the Arab East, decorativeness acquired especially bright and original features, becoming the basis of the figurative structure of painting and giving rise to the richest art of pattern, which has a complex ornamental rhythm and often increased coloristic sonority. Within the narrow framework of the medieval worldview, the artists of the Arab East found their way to embody the richness of the life around them. By the rhythm of the pattern, its “carpet-like quality,” the subtle plasticity of ornamental forms, and the unique harmony of bright and pure colors, they expressed great aesthetic content.

The image of a person was not excluded from the attention of artists, although appeal to it was limited, especially during the period of increasing religious prohibitions. Images of people fill out illustrations in manuscripts and are often found in patterns on objects of applied art; monuments are also known monumental painting with multi-figure scenes and sculptural reliefs. However, even in such works human image subordinated to the general decorative solution. Even when they endowed human figures with many vital features, the artists of the Arab East interpreted them in a flat, conventional way. In applied art, human figures are most often included in the ornament; they lose their meaning self-image, becoming an integral part of the pattern.

Ornament - “music for the eyes” - plays a very important role in the medieval art of the peoples of the Arab East. It to a certain extent compensates for the visual limitations of some types of art and is one of the important means of expression artistic content. Based on classical ancient motifs, the arabesque, which became widespread in the countries of the medieval East, was a new type of ornamental composition that allowed the artist to fill planes of any shape with a complex, woven, lace-like pattern. Initially, arabesque was dominated by plant motifs. Later, girikh became widespread - a linear-geometric ornament built on a complex combination of polygons and multi-rayed stars. In the development of the arabesque, which was used to decorate both large architectural planes and various household objects, the masters of the Arab East achieved amazing virtuosity, creating countless compositions that always combine two principles: a logical, strict mathematical construction of the pattern and the great spiritualizing power of artistic imagination .

The peculiarities of Arab medieval art also include the wide distribution of epigraphic ornament - the text of inscriptions organically included in decorative pattern. Let us note in passing that religion 113 of all arts especially encouraged calligraphy: copying a text from the Koran was considered a righteous deed for a Muslim.

The unique decorative and ornamental structure of artistic creativity was expressed differently in individual types of art. The architectural features common to many peoples of the Near and Middle East were associated with the natural and climatic conditions of the countries and the capabilities of construction equipment. In the architecture of homes, techniques have long been developed for planning houses with courtyards and terraces protected from the heat. Construction technology gave rise to special structures made of clay, brick and stone. The architects of that time created various forms of arches - horseshoe-shaped and especially pointed, and invented their own systems of vaulted ceilings. They achieved exceptional skill and artistic expressiveness in the laying of large domes resting on trumps (a structural system that arose in the pre-feudal period). architecture art culture arabic

Medieval architects of the Arab East created new types of monumental religious and secular buildings: mosques that accommodated thousands of worshipers; minarets - towers from which believers were called to prayer; madrasahs - buildings of Muslim religious schools; caravanserais and covered markets, corresponding to the scale of trading activities of cities; palaces of rulers, fortified citadels, fortress walls with gates and towers.

Arab architects, the authors of many masterpieces of medieval art, paid great attention to the decorative possibilities of architecture. Therefore, one of the characteristic features of the synthesis of arts in monumental architecture is the important role of decorative forms and the special significance of ornament, which sometimes covers the walls and vaults of buildings with monochrome lace or a colorful carpet.

Stalactites (muqarnas) were widely used in the architecture of the Arab East - decorative filling of vaults, niches and cornices in the form of prismatic figures with a thread-like cutout, arranged in rows protruding one above the other. Stalactites arose from constructive reception-- special brickwork to create a transition from the square of the walls to the circle of the dome in the corners of the rooms.

An extremely important role in artistic culture countries of the Arab East belonged to applied art. The economic basis for this was the intensive development of crafts. In artistic crafts, local ancient traditions of art, closely connected with folk life, have found a vivid expression. The Arabs - masters of applied art - were characterized by a high aesthetic “sense of things”, which allowed, without disturbing practical functions object, give it a beautiful shape and skillfully place a pattern on its surface. In the applied decorative art of the Arab East, the importance of the culture of ornament was especially clearly manifested, its enormous artistic possibilities. Ornament brings aesthetic content to perfectly crafted oriental fabrics, carpets, painted ceramics, bronze and glass items. Works of applied art of the Arab East have one more characteristic: important quality: they usually form a very holistic and expressive decorative ensemble with an architectural interior.

The main type of painting that developed in the Near and Middle East during the Middle Ages was the illustration of secular manuscripts. Arab masters made extensive use of this opportunity, creating, along with the rich ornamental decorations of manuscripts, excellent series of colorful miniatures, giving a poetically imaginative story about the fate of the heroes of a literary work.

In the 16th century, most of the countries of the Arab East were captured by Ottoman Turkey, whose dominance was later replaced by the oppression of Western European colonialists, who hampered the development of national culture and art. However, even during the period of decline, when foreign invaders implanted forms in architecture and fine arts that were alien to the peoples of the Arab East, truly national artistic creativity did not die. It lived in the works of Arab peasants and artisans, who, despite poverty and difficult living conditions, sought to create patterns on clothes and objects. folk utensils realize your ideas about beauty.

Let's take a closer look at the culture of Arab countries using the example of the art of medieval Egypt.

Geography of modern Arab world surprisingly diverse. The Arabian Peninsula was divided among themselves Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman and other states. Iraq became the successor civilizations of Mesopotamia; Syria, Lebanon and Jordan occupy the territories of ancient Syria. Egypt inherited possessions stretching along the Nile Ancient Egypt. On the North African coast Mediterranean Sea, which received the name Maghreb (Arabic, “west”) from medieval Arab geographers, contains the states of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. The history and culture of Arab countries is also closely connected with Iran and Turkey.

Arab medieval culture also developed in those countries that underwent Arabization (adopted Islam), where the classical Arabic dominated for a long time as the state language.

The greatest flourishing of Arab culture occurred in the 8th–11th centuries:

1) poetry developed successfully;

2) were compiled famous fairy tales"Thousand and One Nights"; Many works of ancient authors were translated.

During this period, the Arabs made a significant contribution to world mathematical science, the development of medicine, and philosophy. They created unique architectural monuments.

2. Religion. Islam

basis religious life the inhabitants of the East were Islam. Islam (Arabic, “submission”) is the youngest of the world’s religions. In the modern world, Islam is the second most followed world religion. It is a monotheistic religion, and in almost all countries with a predominantly Muslim population, Islam is state religion. But Islam is not only a religion. This is a system of relationships between a person and society that determines the way of life of a Muslim.

Islam arose in Arabia in the 7th century, and its founder was Muhammad. This religion developed under the influence of Christianity and Judaism. As a result of the Arab conquests, it spread to the Near and Middle East, in some countries Far East, Asia and Africa.

Ideal shape Islamic statehood is an egalitarian secular theocracy. All believers, regardless of their social status, were equal before the divine law; imam or mullah is the leader of a common prayer, which can be led by any Muslim who knows the Koran. Legislative power is possessed only by the Koran, and executive power - religious and secular - belongs to God and is exercised through the Caliph.

Main directions of Islam:

1) Sunnism;

3) Wahhabism.

Reformers of the 2nd half of the 19th – early 20th centuries. (for example, al Afghani) understood the reformation as the purification of Islam from distortions and layers through a return to the early Muslim community. In the 20th century largely as a reaction to the influence of the West, ideologies based on Islamic values (pan-Islamism, fundamentalism) arise in Muslim countries.

3. Life and customs of Muslims. Sharia

The main source of Muslim doctrine is the Koran (Arabic, “reading aloud”). The second source of Muslim doctrine is the Sunnah - examples from the life of Muhammad as an example of solving religious socio-political problems. The Sunnah is made up of hadiths that tell about the statements of Muhammad on a particular issue. Through revelation, signs and names, man can only partially comprehend the meaning of the divine in the world, and a Muslim is obliged to believe in this. Each religious group in Islam was united into a separate community (ummah).

The Koran, in addition to sermons, prayers, spells, edifying stories and parables, contains ritual and legal regulations regulating different sides life of Muslim society. In accordance with these instructions, family, legal, and property relations of Muslims are built. The most important part of Islam is Sharia - a set of norms of morality, law, cultural and other guidelines that regulate all social and personal life Muslim.

Traditional norms of behavior eastern society combined with traditional thinking and mythology, an important part of which were angels and demons, or jinn. Muslims were very afraid of the evil eye, believed in the immortality of the soul and afterlife. Great importance in the Arab East it was given to dreams. Various fortune tellings were also widespread.

4. Science. Literature. Arabic

Since the 7th century. How applied Science religious disciplines develop:

1) grammar;

2) mathematics;

3) astronomy.

Their development occurred in the process of close contacts between Muslims and other Eastern cultures:

1) Syrian;

2) Persian;

3) Indian.

The main scientific achievements of Arab scientists date back to the Middle Ages.

The contribution of the Arabs to mathematical science was significant. Abu-l-Wafa derived the sine theorem of trigonometry, calculated the table of sines, and introduced the concept of secant and cosecant. The poet and scientist Omar Khayyam wrote Algebra. He also successfully worked on the problem of irrational and real numbers. In 1079 he introduced a calendar more accurate than the modern Gregorian calendar. Arab medieval medicine was glorified by Ibn Sina - Avicenna(980-1037), author of the encyclopedia of theoretical and clinical medicine. Abu Bakr, a famous Baghdad surgeon, gave a classic description of smallpox and measles and used vaccinations. Arab philosophy largely developed on the basis of the ancient heritage.

Historical thought also developed. If in the 7th–8th centuries. the Arabic language itself has not yet been written historical works, and there were many legends about Muhammad, the campaigns and conquests of the Arabs, then in the 9th century. Major works on history are being compiled. The most famous historian of the 14th–15th centuries. was Ibn Khaldun, the first Arab historian to try to create a theory of history. As the main factor determining historical process, he highlighted the natural conditions of the country.

Arabic literature also attracted the attention of scientists. At the turn of the 8th–9th centuries. An Arabic grammar was compiled, which formed the basis of all subsequent grammars. Arabic writing is regarded as the greatest cultural value.

The centers of medieval Arab science were the cities of Baghdad and Basra. Was especially lively scientific life Baghdad, where the House of Science was created - a kind of association of an academy, an observatory, and a library. Already in the 10th century. In many cities, secondary and higher Muslim schools - madrasahs - appeared. In the X–XIII centuries. in Europe the iconic symbol became known from Arabic works decimal system for writing numbers, called “Arabic numerals”.

Brought lasting world fame Omar Khayyam(1048–1122), Persian poet, scientist, his poems:

1) philosophical;

2) hedonic;

3) free-thinking hacks.

In the X–XV centuries. Gradually, a now world-famous collection of Arabic folk tales"Thousand and One Nights". These are tales about Ali Baba, Aladdin, Sinbad the Sailor, etc. Orientalists believe that the heyday of Arabic poetry, literature, and culture in general occurred in the 8th–9th centuries: during this period, the rapidly developing Arab world stood at the head of world civilization . From the 12th century the level of cultural life is declining. Persecution of Christians and Jews begins, which was expressed in their physical extermination, secular culture is oppressed, and pressure on the natural sciences increases. Public burning of books became common practice.

5. Fine arts and calligraphy

Islam, advocating strict monotheism, has since ancient times fought against the tribal cults of the Arabians. In order to destroy the memory of tribal idols, sculpture was prohibited in Islam, and images of living beings were not approved. As a result, painting also did not receive significant development in Arab culture, being limited to ornaments. From the 12th century The art of miniatures, including books, began to develop.

A handwritten book was valued in Muslim society as a shrine and a treasure. Despite all the differences in artistic techniques and subjects, book illustrations of that time also have a lot in common. Conventionality in depicting the scene and characters in miniatures is combined with a masterful command of line and color, and a lot of details. The poses of the characters are expressive.

4.1. Literature

In the first centuries of Islam, the art of rhyming became a court craft in large cities. Poets also acted as literary critics. In the VIII-X centuries. Many works of pre-Islamic Arabic oral poetry were recorded.

The attitude of the Arabs towards poets, for all their admiration for poetry, was not unambiguous. They believed that the inspiration that helps them write poetry comes from demons, the devils: they eavesdrop on the conversations of angels, and then tell priests and poets about them. In addition, the Arabs were almost completely uninterested in the specific personality of the poet. They believed that little should be known about the poet: whether his talent was great and whether his ability to clairvoyance was strong.

Therefore, not all the great poets of the Arab East have been preserved complete and reliable information.

In medieval Arab culture, poetry and prose were closely intertwined: poetry was most naturally included in love stories, medical treatises, heroic stories, philosophical and historical works, and even in the official messages of medieval rulers. All Arabic literature was united by the Muslim faith and the Koran: quotes and phrases from there were found everywhere.

4.2. The science

Arab scientists made great contributions to the development of algebra, spherical trigonometry, mathematical physics, optics, astronomy and other scientific disciplines. Chemistry reached a high level of development among the Arabs. In general, it can be said that Arab scientists in the field of chemistry discovered sulfur oxide, nitric oxide, silver nitrate and other compounds, as well as distillation and crystallization.

Medicine achieved great success - it developed more successfully than in Europe or the Far East. Arab medieval medicine was glorified by Ibn Sina - Avicenna (980-1037), the author of an encyclopedia of theoretical and clinical medicine, who summarized the views and experience of Greek, Roman Indian and Central Asian doctors "Canon of Medical Science". For many centuries, this work was a mandatory guide for doctors. The greatest surgeon of the Arab world, al-Zahrawi, raised surgery to the rank of an independent science; his most important treatise “Tashrif” laid the foundation for illustrated works on surgery. He began to use antiseptics in the treatment of wounds and skin lesions, invented threads for surgical sutures, as well as about 200 surgical instruments, which were subsequently used by surgeons in both the Muslim and Christian worlds.

Arab scientists are responsible for the creation of pharmacy as a recognized profession; pharmacology has become an independent science, independent of medicine, although related to it. They attached great importance to chemotherapy; many medicinal herbs from the Arabic pharmacopoeia are still used in treatment: senna, knotweed, etc.

Arab geographers and naturalists enriched zoology and botany by studying the flora and fauna of many countries.

It should be noted that many hospitals were built in the Arab world, including special hospitals for the mentally ill; often these hospitals were associated with scientific institutions. Usually, in accordance with the tradition of Arab-Muslim construction, a mosque, a hospital and a school or other public institutions were built in the new city, which contributed to the physical and spiritual health of a person.

The philosophical tradition of the Muslim East is also of interest, which has two components - Hellenism and Islam, which determines its special features. Arab philosophy largely developed on the basis of the ancient heritage. Scientists and philosophers were Ibn Sina, the author of the philosophical treatise “The Book of Healing”. Scientists actively translated the works of ancient authors.

Historical thought also developed. If in the VII-VIII centuries. Historical works had not yet been written in Arabic and there were simply many legends about Muhammad, the campaigns and conquests of the Arabs, then in the 9th century. Major works on history are being compiled.

4.3. Architecture. Art

Medieval Arab architecture developed on the basis of Arab processing, primarily of Greek, Roman and Iranian artistic traditions. The most famous architectural monuments of that time are the Amraa Mosque in Fustat and the Cathedral Mosque in Kufa, created in
VII century At the same time, the famous Dome of the Rock temple was built in Damascus, decorated with mosaics and multi-colored marble. From II-VIII centuries. the mosques had a rectangular courtyard narrowed by galleries and a multi-columned prayer hall. Later, monumental portals appeared on the main facade. From the 10th century buildings begin to be decorated with elegant floral and geometric ornaments, which included stylized inscriptions - Arabic script. Such an ornament, the Europeans called it arabesque, was built on the principle of endless development and rhythmic repetition of the pattern.

Islam, advocating strict monotheism, fought against the tribal cults of the Arabians. In order to destroy the memory of tribal idols, sculpture was prohibited in Islam, and images of living beings were not approved. As a result, painting did not receive significant development in Arab culture, being limited to ornaments.

In general, fine art has become carpet-like; its characteristic features have become colorful and patterned. The combination of bright colors, however, was always strictly geometric, rational and subordinated to Muslim symbolism.

The Arabs considered red the best color for the eyes - it was the color of women, children and joy. As much as red was loved, gray was despised. White, black and purple colors were interpreted as the colors of mourning, rejection of the joys of life. The color green, which had exceptional prestige, stood out especially in Islam. For many centuries it was forbidden to both non-Muslims and the lower classes of Islam.

4.4. Life and customs of the Arabs

The Koran, in addition to sermons, prayers, spells, edifying stories and parables, contains both ritual and legal regulations that regulate various aspects of the life of Muslim society. In accordance with these instructions, family, legal, and property relations of people were built. In addition to the Koran, Sharia plays a regulating role in the life of Muslims, which regulates the entire public and personal life of a Muslim. The Sharia establishes a rating scale for all actions of believers.

Obligatory actions included those whose failure to perform was punishable during life and after death: reading prayers, observing fasting, and various rituals of Islam.

Desirable actions included additional prayers and fasting, as well as charity, which were encouraged in life and rewarded after death.

Indifferent actions - sleeping, getting married, etc. - were neither encouraged nor prohibited.

Disapproved, although not punishable, actions were actions caused by the desire to enjoy earthly goods: the culture of the medieval Arab East, prone to luxury, was sensual. This was especially evident in food. In the cities, expensive Indian pistachio kernels soaked in rose water and apples from Syria were held in high esteem. Incense used in life played an important role: fragrant oils were prepared from lotus, daffodils, white jasmine, lilies, cloves, roses, and baths made from violet oil were popular.

Valuable actions included those that were punished both during life and after death: for example, it was forbidden to drink wine, eat pork, gamble, engage in usury, perform witchcraft, and others. Despite the prohibitions of Islam, many residents of the medieval Arab East continued to drink wine (this was especially typical for cities), but all other prohibitions - pork, blood, the meat of any animal killed not according to Muslim rites - were strictly observed.

4.5. Position of man and woman

Based on the Koran and taking into account pre-Islamic traditions, the law of inheritance, guardianship, marriage and divorce was developed. Marriage was seen as the most important event in the life of a man and a woman. The union of a cousin and sister was considered ideal, and the number of legal wives was limited to four. The subordinate position of women in the family and in society was confirmed, and kinship was kept strictly on the paternal side.

The man was recognized as the absolute leader. God's blessing, as was believed in the Arab East, lay precisely on the sons, and therefore only after the birth of a son was a person here considered full-fledged. A real man was distinguished by generosity, generosity, the ability to love and have fun, valor, and loyalty to his word. The man was required to constantly assert his superiority, to be persistent, patient and ready for any adversity. He was responsible for caring for the elders and the younger; he had to know his genealogy and family traditions.

4.6. Mythology of the Arab East

Traditional norms of behavior of Eastern society were combined with traditional thinking. It, in turn, was largely determined by mythology.

Its most important component was jinnology - the study of jinn. Jinns could be good or evil; the good ones accepted Islam, the evil ones remained infidels, but a person should be wary of both. In general, in the Arab East they believed that jinn lie in wait for a person at every step. Therefore, even in everyday everyday life one had to be on guard: for example, before lighting a fire in the hearth or getting water from a well, one should ask Allah for protection from demons and demonesses.

Amulets provided certain protection from evil forces. The most important amulet was a palm made of copper with a blue bead - it was the “palm of Fatima” - named after the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.

They were very afraid of the evil eye and many phenomena in life were explained to them - from illness to crop failure. It was believed that the power of the evil eye increases many times over if it is accompanied by unkind or, on the contrary, too flattering speeches. This is how evasiveness in speech was brought up, a tendency to constantly make reservations: “By the will of Allah,” the desire to hide one’s private family life from strangers behind a blank wall. This also influenced the style of clothing, primarily for women: women wore blank face coverings and rather shapeless dresses that almost completely hid their figure.

Thus, it can be said that Arab thinkers and scientists replenished the sum human knowledge new and original information had a tremendous impact on the culture of the West, especially in such fields of knowledge as mathematics, astronomy, medicine and philosophy. thereby enriching all humanity.

Conclusion

Arab medieval culture developed in those countries that underwent Arabization, embraced Islam, and in which classical Arabic dominated for a long time as the language of government institutions, literature and religion.

All medieval Arab culture, everyday life and the way of life of people, moral norms in society developed under the influence of the Islamic religion, which arose among the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century.

The greatest flourishing of Arab culture occurred in the 8th-11th centuries. At this time, poetry was successfully developing, which was characterized by a secular, cheerful and at the same time philosophical character; Many works of other peoples, primarily ancient authors, were actively translated into Arabic.

The Arabs made significant contributions to world mathematical science, the development of medicine, and philosophy. They created such unique architectural monuments as mosques and famous temples in Mecca and Damascus, giving significant originality to the buildings, decorating them with ornaments - Arabic script.

The influence of Islam determined the underdevelopment of painting and sculpture in Arab culture, predetermining the departure of fine art into carpeting.

Islam is the youngest of the three world religions, the importance of which is steadily increasing. In the modern world, Islam is the second most followed world religion.

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Arabic artistic creativity. Colorful pattern...

Arabic Republic of Egypt (3)

Abstract >> Physical education and sports

... culture. Egypt is a historical center of cultural and spiritual life Arabic East, ... jewelry and lace. Addressing Muslim values, more and more women - ... trade. We must not forget about specifics this resort is close to unique...

Abstract >> Economics

Such a body makes an important contribution specifics into legal status... countries Arabic East considered divine. For such a crime Muslim criminal... crops, language. This work is an analysis of the essence of the state in countries Arabic East ...

Organizational culture and the image of the travel agency

Coursework >> Physical education and sports

At the core culture USA. Culture Japanese enterprises are associated with Buddhist ethics, culture countries Arabic East- With Muslim, culture Russia - with... real correspondence existing image or specifics companies. To be original means...

Geography of modern Arabic Arabic medieval culture also developed in those countries that underwent Arabization (adopted Islam), where classical Arabic dominated for a long time as the state language.

The greatest flowering of Arab culture occurred

for the 8th–11th centuries:

1) poetry developed successfully;

2) the famous fairy tales “A Thousand and One Nights” were composed;

3) many works of ancient authors were translated.

The basis of the religious life of the inhabitants of the East was Islam. Islam (Arabic for “submission”) is the youngest of the three world religions. In the modern world, Islam is the second most followed world religion. It is a monotheistic religion, and in almost all countries with a predominantly Muslim population, Islam is the state religion. Islam arose in Arabia in the 7th century, its founder was Muhammad. This religion developed under the influence of Christianity and Judaism. The ideal form of Islamic statehood is an egalitarian secular theocracy. All believers, regardless of their social status, were equal before the divine law; imam or mullah is the leader of a common prayer, which can be led by any Muslim who knows the Koran. Legislative power is possessed only by the Koran, and executive power - religious and secular - belongs to God and is exercised through the Caliph. Main directions of Islam:

1) Sunnism;

3) Wahhabism.

Peculiarities culture Arabic countries. Religion. Islam. Life And morals Muslims. Sharia. Geography of modern Arabic the world is amazingly diverse. Arabic medieval culture developed in those countries who have undergone Arabization...

Peculiarities culture Arabic countries. Religion. Islam. Life And morals Muslims. Sharia.
Science, literature, fine arts, calligraphy and architecture Arabic countries. Since the 7th century. as applied sciences to religious disciplines are developing

Peculiarities culture Arabic countries. Religion. Islam. Life And morals Muslims. Sharia. Geography of modern Arabic the world is amazingly diverse. Arabic medieval culture complex... more ».

Peculiarities culture Arabic countries. Religion. Islam. Life And morals Muslims. Sharia. Geography of modern Arabic the world is amazingly diverse. Arabic medieval culture complex... more ».

Peculiarities culture Arabic countries. Religion. Islam. Life And morals Muslims. Sharia.
Arabic medieval crops. Theatre, painting, architecture, sculpture and decorative arts of Japan culture.

Islam is not only faith and religion. Islam is a way of life, the Koran is “ Arab judge."
Sharia(from Arabic sharia - the right path, road, - a set of legal norms, principles and rules of behavior, religious life and actions Muslim.

Every Muslim knows Arabic sound and meaning of the Symbol religion Islam: “La ilaha illallah.
The main task Sharia there was an assessment various circumstances life from the point of view religion.

Basic religion, common in country.
Their culture And everyday life indicate that these peoples have adapted well to life in complex natural conditions North.
Tatars, Bashkirs, many peoples of the North Caucasus profess Islam.

Islam. Originated in Arabia in the 7th century, therefore it is the youngest world religion.
Basic principles Islam set out in the Koran - the holy book Muslims(VII–VIII centuries).
Mostly Islam covers countries East.

Just download history cheat sheets culture- and you are not afraid of any exam!
Ancient Rome means not only the city of Rome, but also all that it conquered countries And
The first work of the creator of the “new comedy” - comedy morals– Menander (342–291...

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