Harvard University Reaction of Both Chinese & Islam Towards Contagion & The Black Plague Paper Please revise the essay and make sure that the grammar is go

Harvard University Reaction of Both Chinese & Islam Towards Contagion & The Black Plague Paper Please revise the essay and make sure that the grammar is good, the sentences make sense, and that the information flows well. also please make sure that the English is at college level. also, use footnotes to add explanation for passages and information that are difficult to understand. Surname 1
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The reaction of both Chinese and Islam towards contagion and the black plague
Introduction
Living in certain areas in the world would be heartbreaking and dreadful during the 14th
century. The black epidemic was terrifying and unfairly contagious. This plague is one of the
most deadly occurrences in global history. However, this disease became famous as a result of a
significant outbreak in Europe though it is not its place of origin. The understanding of the black
plague would be natural due to the critical analysis of the origination of this plague. Also, the
details regarding its history and its effects would make it easy to understand. However, this
plague originated from Italy then later spread to Europe. This plague occurred in various places.
We had bubonic, septicemia, and pneumonic plagues of black deaths.
However, Black Death caused the death of many people and, most notably, in Europe. It
did not only destroy families, but it also shaped the European life among the following years.
Millions of people were malnourished until the plague took over. Most people lived in fear of
contacting or getting this deadly disease. No form of explanation or consolation would convince
people to accept their situations on this Black Death or plague. Most people lived in fear and
guilt due to t this plague for most groups, and especially the Christians thought that it was a gift
from God. Black epidemic affected so many communities, including the Chinese group. Also,
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Islam felt the deadly negative impacts of black deaths. In this paper, I will examine the reaction
of both Chinese and Islam towards contagion and the black plague.
Black plague in China
Of all the countries that were affected by the Black Death, the Chinese were greatly
affected. The effects of black disease are felt in China, even in the current world. These plagues
greatly affected people and also the climate. “The large-scale pattern in effect on precipitation
on the plague in China coincides with the pattern of the climate” ( Xu et al. 4). For instance,
several cases of the impact of this disease revealed that two people had been diagnosed with the
pneumonic black illness in Beijing. The conditions are highly contagious; it is not treated in
time. This disease is highly infectious if it is not treated in time. This disease is fatal within 24
hours to 72 hours (Concord 2000, n.p). A few days ago, it was confirmed that a couple went to
the state’s capital city Beijing, earlier this week to seek treatment for this dreadful disease.
Another news report that a hunter ate rabbits in Mongolia and later was diagnosed with a
bubonic form of Black Death.
The bubonic form of this plague was confirmed to be more deadly compared to
pneumonic disease. The signs and the symptoms of this disease say it all. One of the common
symptoms is general body weakness. Many people that were affected by this problem
experienced such a problem. This form of plague resulted in the loss of numerous lives in the
entire globe. In the earlier stages, there were no proper methods of treatment for this disease.
This act results in a lot of deaths.
However, the mention of the black plague creates numerous and dreadful images into
people’s minds. Although China has few cases recorded concerning deaths that resulted from
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black deaths, the government has worked to ensure that it prevents this disease from spreading
in this state. The government has worked in conjunction with other organizations such as the
world health organization to ensure the health safety of the Chinese. As per their records, only
five people have died from the black plague since 2014 (Benedict 2). Comparison between
China and other states reveal that cases of deaths resulting from black disease are few. This
comparison shows the government’s effort to ensure that all citizens are prevented from the issue
of the black plague. All patients diagnosed with this disease are treated within 24-72 hours in
china, thus avoiding adverse effects and curb the death of many citizens.
Moreover, many researchers have carried out a study on this disease, thus understanding
its root cause. A few days ago, researchers reported that bacteria, ‘Yersinia Pestis cause the black
plague in china.’ this bacteria is found in mammals and flies according to the world health
organization. “In 1894, bubonic plague appeared in Canton and Hong Kong” (Benedict 1). This
rate of spreading bubonic plague was felt in many areas. Later in the twenty-first century, it was
reported that the ailing couple was treated in one of the Chinese health centers. The hunter who
ate rabbit from Mongolia was also addressed in Beijing. He had the bubonic plague, and the
couple had a pneumonic disease. Bubonic plague greatly affected the Chinese community, who
later reacted to it through various acts. Those that were affected by this illness experienced signs
like abdominal pains, extreme body weakness, diarrhoea, vomiting, bleeding from the mouth, or
nose, among others. These symptoms were dangerous to handles. When the deceased was being
buried after prolonged exposure to this disease, people we not allowed to move anywhere close
to the corpse or the coffin since this disease was highly contagious.
Black plague in Islamic regions
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The Islamic world is not an exception to the parts or areas that were impacted by this
epidemic. However, between the 16th to 19th centuries, the plague was present in one region in
the Islamic world. It later beat most cities in northern Africa. When this black plague hit the
Islamic community, everything turned upside down. The families could not relate well socially,
politically, and economically. This black plague killed 40% o the population in Egypt. Muslims
believed that various groups were to blame for the black epidemic that spread vastly in all
regions in Egypt. The targeted European Jews, beggars, and Romani (Christians) and the lepers
for the cause of the Black Death. There were numerous attacks against the Jewish community.
However, most Muslims did not assume that medicine was the best thing to end the black
plague. They believe that this Black Death resulted from God, and therefore, people had to pray
to seek purity from God. Allah was the most significant source or healing according to Muslim
beliefs. They never believed in physicians’ advice. This belief made it difficult for physicians to
combine both physical and divine medicine to cure black plague patients. The physicians could
only offer medicine to cure this disease. Both divine and natural medicine could only result from
Allah. The Muslim’s trust in physicians was shallow. They devoted all their faith to Allah, the
healer, and the only source cure for all diseases. Bubonic plague attacked Muslims, and they
reacted to it (Byrne 2). Some of the signs and symptoms that the affected experiences were;
fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting cough with blood headache, swollen nodes, among
other indications.
Muslims rejected most physicians since they were non-Muslims and recommended more
Muslims to practice medicine. They also believed that their drug was more potent than that of
Christians. However, they wanted more Muslims to be physicians so that the treatment of this
disease would be based on their religious beliefs and traditional therapies. They had other ideas
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that physicians could heal since they were not as powerful as Allah. Indeed, physicians do not
treat, but at least taking medicine would help one to gain immunity back through the help of
God. Generally, this Black Death epidemic affected the attitude and the behaviour of the Muslim
community due to the discussion and explanations provided concerning this disease.
Differences and similarities in Chinese and Islamic reaction towards Black Death
The outbreak of the Black Death resulted in various responses from different groups. The
most affected groups were the Europeans, communities living within Asia, among others. Our
target groups in this paper are the Chinese and Muslims. They reacted differently concerning this
epidemic of the black plague (Kuriyama, 1993, n.p). The comparison of the two groups is
critical. They have differences and similarities in the way they handled this outbreak. Some of
these differences and similarities include;
Differences between Chinese and Islamic reaction towards Black Death
First, the Islamic people’s reaction to this plague was grouped by planned celebrations
through towns and significant funerals holiday in mosques. The Black Death plagues resulted in
the deaths of thousands of Muslims. However, in response to these deaths, Muslims performed
communal ceremonies called for procession in cities. This practice did not indicate any form of
abandoning the rites of Muslim religion and the services for the dead. This procession is mostly
emphasized on the individuals’ piety and purity of the Islamic rituals. The Islamic rituals made
most occupational men abandon their jobs to perform rituals for the dead. “To the religious, I
was punishment by God for sin an outbreak of divine wrath like the flood of Noah’s time” (Byrne
2)
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These mean strategically positioned themselves in the large city of Cairo in various
places of worship. Also, they aimed at obtaining profit from the recitation of prayers for the
dead. Again there were numerous visitations to the graveside where most Muslims believed that
the dead resided. These funeral services took place in the critical mosques in most cities in
Egypt. Processions for the deceased were not exercised in the case of Chinese. Chinese were not
allowed to go anywhere near the corpse or the coffin, unlike in the Islamic situation. Once a
person died, he or she was buried as usual, and no rituals were performed to enhance the purity
of the dead.
Moreover, the reaction of both Muslims and Chinese towards physicians was different.
Muslims did not believe in the physician’s power to heal. They thought that all the physicians
could not improve their condition. Also, they rejected non-Muslim physicians and motivated
more Muslims to specialize in the field of medicine. They did not like the consumption of wine
as a source of cure for the Black Death epidemic (Benedict 8). Most physicians recommended
this drink, for they believe it cured some of these epidemics. Most Muslims wanted physicians
who will provide treatment as per their religion and tradition. Chinese believed in the power of a
physician to help in curing the disease. They embraced all forms of treatments involved or
recommended by other physicians. Their belief and trust of the physicians prevented most of
them from dying. Unlike Muslims, only a few Chinese died since they sought better treatments
from specialized physicians. Additionally, recent research shows that Chinese has dramatically
improved its health treatments since only a few cases are reported since 2014 (Leung 2010 n.p).
Unlike Chinese, Muslims did not believe in taking antibiotics or any other modern
treatment. Since Muslims had a strong belief and attitude towards black plagues, they did not
think that medicines or any other current form of treatment would health them. Their source of
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healing or cure was Allah. They believed that this disease was a punishment from God. Muslims
were not allowed to move to other regions of the world while the Chinese were accorded some
medicine.
Contrary to Muslims’ belief, the Chinese depended and sought various forms of advanced
treatment. Most researchers carried out studies that enabled them to identify the primary cause of
this Black Death. They identified the primary reason which was reported to be a bacterial found
in mammals and flies. The researchers and the world health organization came up with modern
types of treatment of these diseases. These forms involved the intake of antibiotics, the use of the
plague’s vaccine, and finally, using insecticide. The use of modern methods of treatment proved
to be effective, and only a few cases of drug resistance were reported.
Muslims believed the black plague originated from Allah hence not contagious.
However, the Chinese thought that it was an outbreak, and therefore it required immediate
treatment. Also, the Chinese believed that germs caused this disease. The beliefs that these two
communities had towards the black plague were different. Muslims did not view this plague as
an outbreak or contagious. They believed that it came from Allah as the only way to show mercy
to the faithful Muslims. Therefore, Allah was the only solution and cure for this disease. They
believed in both natural and physical treatments from the prophet.
Contrary to the Muslims’ beliefs, the Chinese thought that a thorough study on the disease
was necessary. It would then provide a better solution for this disaster. Most Muslim scholars
inherited the idea of this Black Death being directly from God and mercy from Him from the
faithful Muslims (Byrne 2).
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In response to Black Death, the Muslims conducted communal prayers to lift the
deceased the activity was carried out in urban areas. During this prayer, people were instructed to
assemble in mosques to recite the approved prayer in common. Also, young men marched
around the city came carrying their prayer beads in the hands. They described their five daily
prayers, they wept and humbly directed their thought to God, and all the activities were done for
the sake of the dead. Again, these activities were preceded by fasting. This exercise was
contrary to the Chinese services, for they did not perform any of these activities. They were not
allowed to move anywhere near the corpse or coffin. They believe that this epidemic was deadly.
Furthermore, the Chinese did not blame any group for transmitting or contaminating
diseases to them. They depended on administering treatments and believed in healing. They did
not change their attitude negatively towards any community case was different. Their attitude
towards minorities changed. Muslims thought that some of the minor groups had brought or
contaminated the disease to them. An excellent example of these groups was the Jews. However,
after the epidemic, the impact of this disease sets various questions concerning Muslims’
attitudes towards these groups. Afterward, they were treated well in medieval Muslim society.
They were no longer blamed for causing any disease or for spreading any infection.
The Black Death epidemic instilled fear in most Chinese contrary, and the Muslims were
courageous enough to face this disease. No one could explain to the Chinese about the possible
ways of recovering from this disease. They were already full of fear and not ready to face the
dreadful impact of this disease. Muslims sought courage from Allah; they believe that he would
raise them from the conditions or situations of affliction. For sure, the impact of this attack was
scary. Chinese did not find it easy to handle this disaster (Pamkuet et al. 4). They lacked courage
and trust like the Muslim community who had strong faith in God.
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Finally, the two groups had diverse beliefs on the Black Death issue. The other incident is
the issue of supernatural visions. Muslims trusted that a man from Damascus visited the city
judge and explained how this pandemic had struck various regions in Asia. The city judge
recommended this man to read serial, which raveled that God can raise one from his or her
affliction. People of Damascus performed the ritual. They prayed and slaughtered the high
number of animals whose meat was given to the needy. Chinese never had an idea of this disaster
is a vision.
Similarities in Chinese and Islam reaction to the black plague
Both Chinese and Islam had religious beliefs. Chinese are mostly Christians; however,
Christians believed that this Black Death epidemic resulted from God. To add on the same, the
two groups have diverse explanations on the same. For instance, the Chinese believed that the
disease was contagious.
On the other hand, Muslims did not think that these diseases were communicable. This
plague had numerous impacts in the Middle East, apart from death. “As is well-known for
Europe and the Middle East, wages rose sharply and remained high during the Black Death that
began in the middle of the fourteenth century and lasted until the sixteenth century and even
later” (Pamuket et al. 2). However, the two groups had a diverse interpretation, but they had a
common belief that determined their reaction towards this crisis. Therefore, the impacts of this
disease resulted in the restriction of movement in the Islamic regions.
Also, the two communities conducted funeral ceremonies for the deceased due to this
epidemic attack. They carried out the activities or the final rights for the dead, but the Muslims
celebration was somehow exaggerated. The fact is that most Chinese are Christians, and they
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buried those people that died as a result of this epidemic. Additionally, the Muslims carried out
funerals services to purify the deceased. They could march in towns carrying out a procession for
the person. This activity interrupted other people’s actions, for it caused interruption and
distractions in these towns. Also, their event involved moving to the graveside where the dead
belief to have resided. The Chinese conducted funeral ceremonies like the Muslims through their
service is not overstated like that of the Muslims.
The two communities felt the impact of this epidemic. No of the communities enjoyed
such experiences. The two groups were affected since numerous people ended up losing their
lives. Massive loss of people changed the two groups psychologically. Losing a loved one to this
disease was challenging. These groups did not find it easy to accept the impact caused by the
death of many people. Loneliness and this significant loss of fellow citizens affected them
greatly.
The last similarity is o the cause of this epidemic. It is not a secret that the Chinese are
mostly Christians. However, the two groups had an analogy regarding the purpose of this
outbreak. The Muslims believe that this disease was not contagious since God caused it. The
Chinese who are Christians in this context thought that God created that disease as a punishment
to its people. Although the explanation and interpretation of the causes of the two groups differ,
similarly is, that they believed that this disease was Godsend. These beliefs bring out similarities
between the two groups. “To the religious, I was punishment by God for sin an outbreak of
divine wrath like the flood of Noah’s time” (Byrne 2)
Significance of the paper
This paper is critical for it boosts the understanding of a history student in various ways.
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Moreover, it instills one with knowledge concerning the topic of the Black Plague. For a
history student, understanding the root cause of this black plague is vital. By analyzing and
reading this paper, a history student will obtain all the required information concerning the
purpose of this Black Plague in most regions in the globe and, most notably, in areas like Europe,
Asia, and Egypt.
Moreover, this paper is an excellent source of information for anyone interested in
learning the topic of the black plague. Its content is not limited to the learners only. Anyone
interested can access this document. This paper is informative. It contains finer details that
revolve around this fatal plague in various regions. Therefore, this paper will inform one of the
multiple occurrences throughout the middle ages. Again, this paper discusses the differences and
similarities that were observed from both Chinese and Muslim reactions towards Black Death.
However, it will equip one with these differences and similarities concerning the response of
both Chinese and Muslims.
Black Death is a global epidemic since it struck most areas…
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