Question

was the baghdad caliphate really the highpoint of muslim civilization

Answer 1

Quite a few historians think it was. The Baghdad caliphate, or life under the Abbasids, is referred to as Islam's "Golden Age" because of the stable and progressive society it espoused and the vast number of cultural accomplishments that it created. It was literally built on the principles of the Qu'ran that emphasized learning, education, and tolerance.

Ancient works from civilizations such as Rome and Greece were translated en masse into Arabic which saved a number of them from being lost forever. It also made that wisdom available to a greater number of scholars, especially when they were came from far and wide to help with the translations.

Religious tolerance was practiced and learning was emphasized throughout the caliphate. Literary works such as A Thousand and One Nights were compiled during this same period.

The caliphate also sat on the crossroads of trade between the Far East (India and China) and the West (Europe and Northern Africa). The Abbasids made good use of this in adopting things such as paper from China amongst other goods from silks to spices which helped their markets flourish.