Slavery and the economy
Slavery
- Slavery was very common throughout Muslim lands.
-Some came from non-Muslim areas, and others were purchased by the wealthy and educated.
- Just like the Bible, Qur'an, slavery was not condemned, but it was required that slaves be treated fairly.
- Slaves were given some legal rights, including the right to buy freedom.
- Freeing slaves was praised on a religious act.
- Treating of slaves was under Islam, slavery did not remain a part of Muslim society, but a part of economy.
- Muslim merchants traded in slaves a world wide area.
Economy
- built largely on commerce
- Muslim merchants followed routes that extended northwest to Spain
- also southwest to the Spice Islands of Indonesia
- some merchants were "middlemen" connecting suppliers in the East to markets in the west
- Others made and traded agricultural products
- trade was one of the teachings of Muhammad
- expanded usage of coinage, eased long distance commerce
- used standardized weights and measures, extended credit to buyers over long distances
- trade provided much wealth, maintained empire
led to growth of it's splendid cities (such as Baghdad)
- trade also helped spread faith and ideas