World Literature: The Rise of Islam and Islamic Literature

The Rise of Islam

Muhammad and his Teachings became the basis of a new religion and Community during the seventh century known as Islam (Qur’an).
After Muhammad's death, his family continued his political and religious leadership of the Islamic community but not his prophetic office.
In the mid-eight century, Baghdad was founded and became the center of rich, cosmopolitan culture that was nourished with the ablest minds and greatest talents.
In 1219-1220 the Mongol Genghis Khan's armies invaded the Islamic Empire in the East and after creating the Mongol dynasties, converted to Islam.
The Islam world came to be divided the Ottomans (West), the Safavids (Iran), and the Moguls (India).

Revelations were Received by Muhammad from 610-632 C.E.
It is thought to not have been created, like God, but to exist for all eternity.
cannot be translated and only interpretations of the Koran are used for teaching purpose.
Is a work that is to be heard and recited, and is more dialogic than narrative.
The Koran is comprised of verse that are gathered and organized by subject matter into Suras.
The Style of the verses vary enormously, even though the Qur’an was revealed in a shorter period of time.
The longer Suras are a mixture of styles - exhortation, evocation, legal prescription, and sage counsel.
The meaning of the Koran is for all humanity.
The opening Sura, The Exordium, is recited by Muslims before every prayer and is inscribed on written documents.
The Story of Joseph, in the Koran, mainly focuses on the general theme of the importance of trusting in divine guidance.
The story of Noah, emphasis his prophetic role rather than the ark and salvation of the animals, and teaches that shared belief replaces blood as the strongest bond that unites people

510 - 622 C.E

The great age of Arabic oral heroic poetry.

622 - 750 C.E

Invention of the love lyric, also called the ghazal (guh-zal').

750 - 1055 C.E

The Golden Age of Arabic letters.

"The Biography of the Prophet " is written by Ibn Ishaq about Muhammad.

810 - 850 C.E

Heyday of Al-Jahiz, the greatest master of arabic prose literature.

813 - 833 C.E

Caliphate of al-Ma'mun, who promotes the translation of Greek philosophy and Science into Arabic.

"A Thousand and One Nights” may have entered Arabic about this time.

819 - 1005 C.E

The Samanid court encourages poets and writers in Persia and sponsors a new version of the Shahname

1010 C.E

Ferdowsi completes his poetic version of the Shahname.

913 - 961 C.E

The Golden age old Islamic culture in Spain, which includes the establishment of the first major centers of learning in medieval Europe.

1177 C.E

Attar completes "The Conference of the Birds."

1218 C.E

Jalalioddin Rumi composes both his great lyric works and the "Spiritual Couplets."

1257 - 1258 C.E

Sa'di composes the "Bustan and Golestan."

1370 - 1405 C.E

Persian poetry enters a period of gradual transformation and renewal.