Chapter 9:

As I read Chapter 9, regarding the Messenger Muhammad Iba Abdullah I learned that he was born in Mecca in Qraish tribe. When he was a child his mother and father passed away and he was under the care of his uncle and grandfather. 
When he was twenty five he married to wealthy widow Khadijah. Khadijah and Muhammad had six children. He used to travel out of the city towards mountain area for meditation. He had his first revelation in mountains of Hera. Khadijah was his first follower.  Muhammad was the messenger of Allah( God) . It was interesting to me, that how Muhammad was raised and how honest he was in his life.

        What interested me in this chapter was the quote that said: "Behold, those who sinfully devour the possessions of orphans but fill their bellies with fire: for [in the life to come] they will have to endure a blazing flame!" (445). This is a symbolic language, and as reading it few time I got a grasp on it and I believe what it means is that those whom take advantage of the weak or take advantage of others are taking up themselves “soul” with "fire" or a negative energy which at the end they will pay the price some how or when the judgment day come. I also read this quote few years ago in a group and we talked it about it.

       Moreover, further in to the reading it mentioned on paying a Zakat. What Zakat means in my understanding is a mandatory donation to the poor those who have the income and can make the donation. I did more reading and I think when mentioned donation, meaning 1/5 of the income has to be giving out or to the poor. Furthermore, anyone that does not comply with this they can either be fined or sentenced depending on the judge or be put to death if they deny such obligation in paying the Zakat.
    

The men and women role is not egalitarian. In Islam, it is mentioned that men are allowed to marry to four women if they are free and have the ability and they can also marry two women if they are a slave. However, it did not say anything about how man men woman can get married to or how many time a women can get married. I believe women are allowed to get married once and to one person. Women are expected to be obedient to their husbands and to listen to them. If such manner is not seen they are allowed to make her sleep in a different room or lightly beat her, it does not mentioned how lightly is acceptable.

Chapter 11:

 While reading chapter 11, I liked the part of Anda, which is a close relationship between two related men. Reading about the Temujin and Jamugha, made me happy to see how close they were to one and other and acting like brothers protecting and loving each other unconditionally. It is interesting because Mongols do have an aggressive behavior and usually do not show any sign of love and respect and it is in part because the way they are brought up culturally.

            Reading the documents I realized that the Mongols may not be bad people after all, furthermore as I ready the document about Russia, my idea of loving Mongols disappeared. The Mongol invasion of or in Russia is sad, because so, many people were killed in the fire, and how children were killed in front of their mothers and fathers, and vice versa. It is a heartbreaking thing to talk about, but in my past study back home, Mongols are known the harshest in not carrying and thinking about the people and realizing how horrible Mongols were and how aggressive and angry they were in trying to conquer.

Chapter 12:

             One of 15th century civilization is considered to be the Aztec Empire. It is interesting to know that these groups of people became warriors and knights of their people. I remembered that I had another class that briefly went over their way of life and actually watched a brief movie that was made based on their belief that they took out hearts of their captives and I believed burned it or feed for the sun to come out the next day.

The Aztec empire was from Mexico that became mercenaries to power people in the Americas. The people in Mexico were able to develop a military that many people feared from them. The Aztec rulers had full control of the empire and their population was from 5 to 6 million people. With this many people, it was sure to be difficult to maintain order and structure. There were a lot of rebellions against the empire by the people. One of the reasons can be said was because they had to take clothing, textiles, jewelry and other luxuries to their rulers.

            Even though, their beliefs were unique and harsh like slavery and sacrifices, at the same time they had little advancement for example in architectural designs, agriculture and goods. Aztec empire can be said that they were advanced for their time.