Posted: November 20th, 2023

The Development of Islam

The Development of Islam

Islam is one of the largest world religions, with more than 1.8 billion followers. It originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century CE, when the prophet Muhammad received revelations from God, or Allah in Arabic. The followers of Islam, called Muslims, believe in the oneness of God and the finality of Muhammad's prophethood. They also follow the teachings and practices of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, and the Sunnah, the example of Muhammad and his companions.

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The history of Islam can be divided into several periods: the early period, the classical period, the post-classical period, and the modern period. Each period witnessed significant events and developments that shaped the religion and its followers.

The Early Period (610-661 CE)

The early period of Islam covers the life of Muhammad and his immediate successors, known as the Rightly Guided Caliphs. This period is marked by the emergence of Islam as a new faith, the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, the establishment of the first Islamic community and state, the expansion of Islam through wars and conversions, and the emergence of sectarian divisions among Muslims.

Some of the major events and achievements of this period are:

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- The first revelation of Muhammad in 610 CE, when he was visited by the angel Gabriel in a cave near Mecca.
- The opposition and persecution of Muhammad and his followers by the pagan Meccans, who saw Islam as a threat to their social and economic interests.
- The migration (Hijra) of Muhammad and his followers to Medina in 622 CE, where they were welcomed by the local tribes and formed an alliance with them.
- The establishment of the Constitution of Medina, which granted rights and responsibilities to Muslims and non-Muslims living in Medina.
- The battles between Muslims and Meccans, such as the Battle of Badr (624 CE), the Battle of Uhud (625 CE), and the Battle of the Trench (627 CE), which tested the faith and loyalty of Muslims.
- The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (628 CE), which established a truce between Muslims and Meccans and allowed Muslims to perform pilgrimage to Mecca.
- The conquest of Mecca (630 CE), which marked the triumph of Islam over paganism and resulted in the destruction of idols in the Kaaba, the sacred shrine of Islam.
- The Farewell Pilgrimage (632 CE), which was the last pilgrimage performed by Muhammad before his death. He delivered his final sermon, which summarized his message and legacy.
- The death of Muhammad (632 CE), which left a leadership crisis among Muslims. Some supported Abu Bakr, Muhammad's close companion and father-in-law, while others supported Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law. Abu Bakr was elected as the first caliph (successor) by a majority vote.
- The Ridda Wars (632-633 CE), which were fought by Abu Bakr against several tribes that rebelled against Islam after Muhammad's death. Abu Bakr managed to reunify Arabia under Islam.
- The expansion of Islam beyond Arabia under Abu Bakr and his successors Umar (634-644 CE), Uthman (644-656 CE), and Ali (656-661 CE). They conquered lands such as Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Libya, Armenia, Anatolia, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia.
- The emergence of sectarian divisions among Muslims over political and theological issues. The main groups were the Sunnis, who followed the majority view and accepted all four caliphs as legitimate; the Shiites, who followed Ali and his descendants as rightful leaders; and the Kharijites, who rejected both sides and advocated a radical egalitarianism.

The Classical Period (661-1258 CE)

The classical period of Islam covers the rule of

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