Showing posts with label similarities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label similarities. Show all posts

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Ben's Accounts on Baghdad and Constantinople

In Benjamin of Tuleda's descriptions of Baghdad and Constantinople, there are multiple differences of both cities.  The description of Baghdad mostly has to do with the magnificent and expensive sounding palace and festivities carried out in it.  The caliph is mentioned multiple times as well.  The city also has a hospital and an asylum. Constantinople is described to be rich and full of merchants. There are so more festivities and churches found in Constantinople than in Baghdad according to Benjamin's description.  Overall, Constantinople seems like a trade city while Baghdad is more of a home to the caliph. When comparing Benjamin's accounts of both cities, he seems to have more to say about Constantinople than Baghdad.  This makes Constantinople sound more exciting and almost better than Baghdad because it has more.  However, he makes the caliph in Baghdad sound really generous with the description of the hospital and asylum.  The two cities are pretty similar in that they are successful and have some forms of entertainment for the people.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Quran Teachings

The Quran's teachings are basically telling the followers or Islam what they should do and what they must be. The Quran also mentions how Allah should always be praised and how he should not be forgotten.  The relationship between Allah and human beings is that the humans follow him and he will reward them if they follow him with lots of devotion. 
Compared to Zoroastrians, Muslims must follow a set guideline, Zoroastrians followed moderation and did not have any "rules." Zoroastrians also followed other gods in addition to Ahura Mazda.  The Quran says "You alone we worship, and to You alone turn for help" which means they can only believe in Allah and no other gods.  When comparing Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the three say that they should only follow one God and one God only. 
Jews, Christians and Muslims all have something that tell them how they should behave and what they should be.  There are the Ten Commandments for Jews and Christians and the Five Pillars for Muslims.  The three also have some form of a judgement day just like Zoroastrianism. But the Quran and its teachings are very specific and strict compared to that of the other three religions.