How Medieval Islam Thrived During Europe's Dark Ages | An Age Of Light | Absolute History

Along with Christianity, the Dark Ages saw the emergence of another religion — Islam. After emerging in the Near East, it spread across North Africa and into Europe in such a short time that there was originally no art. In more settled times, highly decorated mosques began to be built based on the prophet Mohammad's own home. Their architectural and scientific achievements, including the mapping of the stars, dwarfed anything existing in the western world. Januszczak visits the Dome of the Rock, desert palaces forgotten by modern Islam with their more sensual artwork, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun where it was believed Noah's Ark landed, and the Mosque of Cordoba. He identifies the Nilometer used to measure the flood of the Nile and uses an astrolabe that Muslims used to find the direction of Mecca.

#AbsoluteHistory

[shofiakartika]

It's so horrible how many people on the comment section is just islamophobic. These people may have been the same people that talk about humanity rights and all but can't even respect one religion. Such a shame.

[mamdohrefa]

I am an Egyptian Muslim and proud of that And I thank all the Arabs who came and liberated my ancestors, the Pharaohs, from the oppressive rule of the Romans 🇪🇬❤

[jimr]

Islam has by far the most incredible artwork of any of the Abrahamic religions. Even as someone who is not mathematically minded at all, I love how their artwork is so intertwined with math. It's all just so indescribably gorgeous.

[kenna]

It would be really great if this channel had subtitles

[amystewart]

Imagine what kind of person would rather comment islamaphobic and false information on a historical documentary rather than actually learn something from it lol

[cyndialver]

Beautiful architecture. I would love to see it in person.

[gordonwallin]

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[TrapperAaron]

1:1 isn't exactly the most complex of mathematical relationships.

[Lacteagalaxia]

Very few things can be compared in the beauty to Palace of Royal alcázares of seville ; alhambra of granada or cathedral- mosque of Córdoba unique in the world; they are worth as many great monuments togheter;the jewels of islamic art in Spain and very possibly in the world; pride of my country and It is vast and rich unique history in western Europe🇪🇦❤️

[bunyipdragon]

I am neither Christian not Islamic but it fascinates me how many people comment negatively on both religion when their only knowledge is what they perceive from movies and tv. The extreme of both these religions have a lot to answer for, both through history and present day. For the lay person in present day their isn't a huge difference except for their rulers who use religion as a control. Check out Jesus in the Islamic faith as an example of both religions.

[BryantPP]

I'm always interested to know if these precious sites are air conditioned.

[Peter-uydd]

Incredible film, Waldemar. Extremely knowledgeable and avoiding media-typical superficiality. Thank you very much.

[svovy]

Looks nice, but is entirely uninformative on why Islam thrived during this period
Too much focus on architecture and iconography (products of thriving society). Not enough focus on history; the conquest, how early Islamic society was organized, or what values allowed Islam to overtake the regions it did (reasons societies thrive).

[gabotron]

Is the name of the bath house spelled Kaziramra? I cannot find any references to it
EDIT: It's Qusayr Amra! (or Qasr 'Amra)

[heinzie]

And now Islam is having it's dark ages.

[urmom]

There are many inaccuracies, more specifically about Islam, promises made in the Quran, and what the religion itself stands for, it may be quite possible that some of the artifact's and buildings (like the bath house), are not to be credited directly to Islam, but to Arabs or some other sect, its important not to mix culture with religion. Its also important to hear from a professional scholar or professor (specializing in Islam, or believing in Islam) to speak on this and analyze this, this film felt kind of oversimplified and misinterpreted. this is what I noticed as a Muslim and also as someone who has for long now been closely learning about Islamic art, history and architect.

[shotgunbettygaming]

Yeah when we think of the Dark Ages, ppl dominantly think of Europe, particularly the world powers of England, France, etc. A lot of people don't even think of the whole rest of the world. It was only the 'Dark Ages' for central Europe, not necessarily everyone else.

[brokenarrow]

Minorities never existed when there is Islam, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon were ones Christian, lran were Zoroastrian.

[CochinKerala]

Incredible \slamic science stright from their books of Hadith.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4002
Narrated Abu Dharr:
*I was sitting behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who was riding a donkey while the sun was setting. He asked: Do you know where this sets ? I replied: Allah and his Apostle know best. He said: It sets in a spring of warm water (Hamiyah).*

[designoengineering]

sorry you are mistaken, some information are not accurate drawing pictures of human is not allowed in islam, as it is forbidden in the law of Moses, the Omayyad caliphate never did this ceiling pictures of women, especially it was the most strong state that adheres to the teachings of Islam after the Rasheedin caliphate . the drawings maybe belong to the late roman time . thank you .