As caravan became a common transportation, major cities constructed caravanserais, which were inns that offered the merchants a place to stay as well as provide them basic needs such as food and water. Maritime trading was guided by innovations and technology picked up through the trading routes. Arab mariners picked up the compass from the Chinese and the lateen sail, a triangular sail that increased a ship's maneuverability, from the Indians. Not only that, but the Muslim societies also stimulated banking. Islamic banks established letters of credit "sakk "which was used to lend money and a "check " which was used to draw money. This helped boom the commercial economy of the Islamic world.
Muslim trade routes not only made superb highways for merchants but for missionaries as well. One of the most effective Islamic missionaries was the Sufis, known as mystics. They did not do formal religious teachings but were more concerned with deepening their spiritual awareness with Allah through rousing sermons, passionate singing and dancing. Because of their ascetic and open-minded lives, they were seen as liberators compared to strict Byzantine and Persian rule. Sufis taught individuals the Five Pillars of Faith, the basic rules of Islam. The first pillar is that there is only one god, Allah, and Muhammad is his final prophet. The second pillar is to do daily prayers toward the direction of Mecca. The third pillar is to remember to give alms for the poor and help those in need. The fourth pillar is to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Lastly, the fifth pillar is to make a hajj a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Because of their benevolence, holiness, and tolerance, Sufis attracted countless converts. In 692 CE, under the ruling of caliph Abd al-Malik, the people of Syria were forbidden to make the hajj since his rival, Abd ibn Zubayr, made his people stop during the trip to pay him allegiance (Doc.
