Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion. It has risen from its humble beginnings in Arabia in the 6th century to become a major global force. With more than 1.6 billion followers, Islam is by far the largest religion in the world today. The history of Islam stretches back over 1,200 years, beginning with the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the year AD 570. The spread of Islam throughout much of Persia and Arabia during this era marked one of the most momentous transformations in human history. Read on to know more about this fascinating world religion and its rise through various phases over the last millennium.
What is Islam?
Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which is the world’s second-largest religion . Islam can be understood as an ideological and practical synthesis of various first-century Arabian Arabian traditions of voluntary submission to the divine will, ethical monotheism, and fierce opposition to all forms of idolatry with an emphasis on absolute universality of the moral law for all people and all times. To understand the significance of Islam, it is important to appreciate the religious and cultural background of the people who experienced Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) teachings. The Arabs were at the forefront of the development of human civilization and were the first to develop a written language, a civil society, an economy, consciousness of God, and advanced science. However, the Arabs were also greatly influenced by the pre-Islamic animistic and polytheistic religions of surrounding cultures. This made it almost impossible for them to fully comprehend and accept the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). But no matter how hard the Arabs tried, they could not find any deities worthy of worship other than the One and Only God. Arabs held the concept of One God in high esteem and were very reluctant to accept another God alongside Him.
Spread of Islam
Islam spread quickly throughout the Arabian Peninsula and Persia, both of which lie in present-day western Asia. The fertile crescent, stretching from Egypt to Syria and ending in southern Turkey, was the heart of the Islamic world during this era. Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians (known as “People of the Book”) lived together in peace and harmony under Islamic law. In many places, the harmony was so complete that the People of the Book were referred to as the “People of the Quran.” Jesus is considered the Buddha of the Christians and the Prophet Muhammad is considered the Buddha of the Muslims. Both of them preached the same message of love, peace, equality, and brotherhood. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in the year AD 570 in the city of Mecca, Arabia. He was a descendant of the Prophet Abraham. As a young man, he left his home in the city of Mecca to travel to various locations preaching the message of one God and inviting people to convert to Islam. He reached Medina in AD 622, where he stayed for a few months before returning to Mecca. He would then leave for another city, visit it for a month or two, and then move on to the next location. The people were initially very wary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) due to their long-held traditions and beliefs, but they were soon won over by his message of love and peace. Soon after he accepted Islam, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received the revelation of the Quran, which outlined the path of Truth and Love.
Rise of the Muslims
The Arab armies, led by the Muslim general Muhammad, defeated the Persian forces at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah in 636 and conquered the rich province of Persia (present-day Iran). The Arabs now controlled the gateway to India and oil deposits in what is now Iraq. The next year, the Arab general Khalid captured Jerusalem, the final Arab stronghold in Palestine, from the Byzantine empire. This defeat, together with the Arab conquest of Persia, weakened the Byzantine empire and made it more vulnerable to outside attack. In AD 637, the first Islamic capital, Madinat al-Salah (Mecca), was established in Arabia. In AD 644, Madinat al-Salah was renamed al-Madinah (Mecca) and the city was declared the new capital of the new Islamic empire.
Three Islamic Sects
The first four caliphs unified the Arab empire and expanded its borders. The empire expanded so rapidly that people soon began to question the importance of the new religion. Different groups emerged to oppose the new religion. Many people were confused and worried by the disunity in Islam. One group tried to resolve the problem by declaring that the Quran was corrupted and that it should be read exactly as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Others believed that a new prophet should be sent to guide Islam further and bring it into accord with the original teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These two sects are known as the Sunni and the Shi’a sects of Islam. The Sunni sect is the majority sect of Islam and the Shi’a sect is the second largest.
Decline of Muslims
The Muslim empire was the most advanced and powerful in the world for much of the Middle Ages. The Arabs, however, were ruled by strict rules of law, which made it difficult for them to adapt to changing times. The European powers were developing faster, and they were better able to understand the concept of modern laws and government. The Muslim empires were eventually conquered by the Europeans, who were also developing faster. The Ottoman Empire and the Arabs The Ottoman Empire, which was based in modern-day Turkey, was considered a great power and a superpower during the 15th and 16th centuries. But it slowly lost power and collapsed during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Arabs were once the dominant people of the Middle East, but they were defeated by the Ottoman Turks.
World War I and the Rise to superpower status for the Muslims
By the end of World War I, the Ottoman Empire had been defeated and the Middle East was in turmoil. Two major events took place that would shape the future of the region and the world. The Sykes-Picot agreement, signed in 1916 by France and Britain, divided the Arab lands between France and Britain. The agreement favoured France, leaving Britain with very little in the region. The other event was the Balfour Declaration, in which the British government promised to support a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The Sykes-Picot agreement and the Balfour Declaration formed the basis of the Palestine Mandate, under which a large portion of the land was taken from the Arabs. The British were given the right to govern Palestine, and the Arabs were given little choice in the matter. The Mandate was to last until the year 2030, but was never enforced.
Future outlook for Muslims in the world
The future outlook for Muslims in the world depends largely on their own actions and the actions of their governments. Muslims can help improve their future by participating in democracy and becoming educated about their religion. The more Muslims know about their religion and about modern science, the better off they will be. Muslims can avoid many of the problems that threaten their future by protecting their own heritage and by caring for their fellow citizens. If people follow these guidelines, the future outlook for Muslims will be bright.
