Name: Block: Date: Ibn Muqlah 4.940 Ina culture in which calligraphers are honored, bn Muglah was considered one of the best. Born ata time when there were many scripts and no standards, Ibn Muqiah helped develop a set script that is still in use today. ‘As you read the biography below, think about how ibn Muglah influenced the art of calligraphy. In Islam, bookmaking is revered and calligraphers are held in the highest esteem, Writing, rather than an image, is often the focus of Islamic art, and copying the Qur'an is a revered vocation. So Ibn Muglah, a calligrapher and a government official, commanded great respect. Tn tenth-century Baghdad (modern day Iraq), there were many different sccipts and no standardization, Ina culture that placed such importance on writing this was 2 problem that needed to be solved. Ibn Muglah found an answer. Ibn Muglah wanted the calligrapher’s art to be beautiful and predictable at the same time. This meant that the parts of letters would have consistent relationships of size and shape. To do this, there had to bea standard unit of measure. Ibn Muglah cleverly chose a unit of measure that every calligrapher had on the tip of his pen: the “rhombic dot.” This is the diamond-shaped dot made by touching the pen’s point, or nib, to paper. This choice worked because it automatically took large and small pen nibs into account; the artist did not have to remember a different rule when using a different pen. [bn Muglah’s rules told how many dots to use for the length of each kind of stroke, ‘This kind of writing by rule created “proportioned scripts,” or scripts in which the different parts of the letters had set lengths and relationships. ‘Though the rules resulted in a number of scripts, the Naskhi script, which Ibn Muglah either invented or helped develop, came to have particular importance. Ibn Muglah’s work as a calligrapher brought him lasting fame. Although many considered his scripts beautiful, years later, the calligrapher Ibn Al- bawwab would make improvements to the scripts. He helped preserve Ibn Muglah’s work and spread his scripts throughout the Islamic world, Used for copying the Qur'an, Naskhi is said to be the most popular script in the Arab world today.Name: Block: Date: Razia 4.1240 The first Islamic woman to govern a country, the only Muslim woman to rule in Indio, and the daughter and granddaughter of former slaves, Razia was a unique leader. Perhaps because of this background, she displayed a tolerance of differences that would shape her life. ‘As you read the biography below, think about the ways in which Razia demonstrated tolerance. Even when Razia was young, her father, Iitutmish, was well aware of her abilities, He made sure that his daughter had an excellent education. Twice when he went off to battle, he left Razia in charge of the government. And then he did what no sultan had ever done before: He appointed a womian—his daughter Razia—as his heir. However, Iitutmish’s former advisors, the Council of Forty, did not welcome the idea of a woman reigning. Defying the sultan’s wishes, the nobles gave the power to Razia’s brother. When he proved incompetent, the nobles unhappily allowed Razia to ascend the throne. Razia continued to do unexpected things, drawing the anger of people who wished she would be more traditional. Razia not only dressed like a man but algo violated the custom of keeping her face concealed with a veil. She also led her army into battle astride an elephant. Perhaps because she had endured discrimination herself, Razia was remarkably tolerant for her day and age. ‘This attitude only further angered her advisors. Razia is said to have tried to abolish the tax on non-Muslims, but the Forty wouldn'tallow it. She also is said to have tried to fill a court position with a Hindu who had converted to Islam, Again, the Forty opposed her move. In the public libraries she established, Razia included other traditions besides Islam, such as the works of ancient philosophers. Reportedly, the works of Hindu scientists were studied in schools. ‘As controversial as these actions were, it was apparently her decision to appoint an African slave as her personal attendant that led the Forty to end her rule. After a reign of only four years, Razia was killed in battle trying to preserve her throne.Name: Block: Date: al-Razi ¢, B65-c. 930 WHY HE MADE HISTORY Physician al-Razi had a gift for clear 4g understanding. His insights shaped medical practice in the Middle Ages. Moreover, his standardization in the practice of alchemy formed the beginnings of modern chemistry. ‘As you read the biography below, think about how al-Razi contributed to scientific understanding. Al-Razi was born in Persia, near the city now known as Tehran, Iran. His early career was in music, However, around age 30, he moved to Baghdad and began to study medicine. Soon al-Razi was appointed chief physician and director of a large hospital in Baghdad. For the rest of his life, al-Razi healed, traveled, and wrote, He is said to have written over 230 books. Four of these stand out as the most influential. Kitab al-Mansuri (The Book of Medicine for Mansur) was a medical handbook famous in both the Islamic world and in the West. From the time of its translation in the twelith century through the 1500s, the ninth chapter was included in the curriculum for medical students in Europe. ‘Al-judari wa al-Hasabah (Treatise on Smallpox and Measles) was known for explaining the difference between smallpox and measles. Forty editions were published. This included translations in, Greek and Latin. The book was still in use in 1866. Al-Razi’s focus on childhood diseases in works such as this earned him the title “father of pediatrics.” His two works Kitab al-Asrar (The Book of Secrets) and Kitab strr al-Asrar (The Book of the Secret of Secrets) helped transform the practice of alchemy into the science of chemistry. Al-Razi worked both to standardize laboratory practice and to categorize chemical substances—the earliest known attempt to do so. In Kitab al-Hawi (The Comprehensive Book of Medicine), al-Razi collected what he considered the best of Greek, Islamic, and Hindu medical knowledge. ‘Then he added his own observations. Famous in islam, the book became an important reference work and teaching guide in Western medicine in the late 1200s. In addition to al-Razi's important writings, his medical practice was also groundbreaking, He used diet as part of his treatment, He also emphasized the importance of bedside manner. He is credited as the first to use animal gut for stitching in abdominal surgery. ‘Al-Razi’s interests extended beyond the sciences, as well. He wrote works on mathematics, philosophy, and chess. A man of broad and varied interests,Name: Block: Date: al-Razi enriched not only himself but countless others through his work and his knowledge, HW; In class you read the story of three famous Muslim people who lived during the Abbasid Empire. Now it’s your turn, Below is a list of important historical Muslims who lived during the Abbasid Empire. Select one and do some research on them. In 1 page, double-spaced typed or handwritten essay, write a short biography. Make sure to include where they were born, lived, major accomplishments, why they are important, and death. 1) Al-Khawarizmi, mathematician 2) Ibn Rushd (Averroes), philosopher/scholar 3) Ibn Sina (Avicenna), medical scholar 4) Ibn Khaldun, historian 5) Jalal Rumi, poet 6) Omar Khayyam, poet NOTE: a) You CAN use this person in your final paper, so do the research NOW so you don’t have to do it LATER! b) This assignment can count as your ROUGH DRAFT for Friday! So ifyou complete this assignment for Friday, you are killing two birds with one ‘stone!