AllMovie

Each episode of the Traditional World of Islam takes viewers to the Middle East and Northern Africa, the lands of the classical Islamic empires. Islam is presented as the sole unifying force throughout these empty, arid lands, and Islam itself is presented not as a philosophy in evolution, but one in a state of entropy, neither slipping, nor progressing. The narration of every episode includes quotes from religious texts as well as from Islamic poets. This particular episode includes an investigation of the Haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca required of every Muslim. Also included are discussions of traditional Islamic views on trade and warfare.