Islam's Emergence: Historical Context

Pastoral nomads who lived in the Arabian Peninsula before Islam. They were known for their tribal feuds over resources and their role in trade.

Major trading centers in the Arabian Peninsula that linked the region to other empires and civilizations.

The most important shrine in Mecca, housing idols of numerous gods, before the rise of Islam.

The tribe that controlled the Kaaba and the pilgrimage trade in pre-Islamic Mecca.

The Byzantine and Sassanid Empires, which had contact with the Arabian Peninsula and influenced its religion and culture.

The prophet of Islam (570-632 CE), who received revelations from Allah through the archangel Gabriel in Mecca.

The holy book of Islam, which contains the revelations received by Muhammad.

The process of Muhammad receiving divine messages from Allah through the archangel Gabriel over a period of 22 years.

The belief that there is only one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is His final prophet.

Muhammad's teaching that he was restoring the original faith of Abraham, which had been distorted over time.

The concept of Muhammad being the final prophet in Islam, with no more prophets to come after him.

The global community of Muslims, united by faith and principles of social justice.

The five core practices of Islam: declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage.

The internal struggle to live a good Muslim life, seeking spiritual righteousness.

The external struggle in defense of Islam, which may involve warfare, but must be conducted justly.

The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

The document established by Muhammad in Medina, uniting various tribes under Islamic principles and creating a model for governance.

The conquest of Mecca by Muhammad in 630, cleansing the Kaaba of idols and establishing it as a place of monotheistic worship.

The fusion of religious and political authority in Islam, with the caliph serving as both the religious and political leader.

The body of Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith, governing all aspects of life.

The rapid expansion of the Arab Empire from the Iberian Peninsula to the Indus River, facilitated by military conquest.

The Battle of Talas in 751 CE between the Abbasids and the Tang Dynasty, resulting in the transfer of paper-making technology to the Islamic world.

Non-Muslims living under Islamic rule, primarily Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians, allowed to practice their religion but required to pay a tax.