Geographical and Cultural Setting
The Arabian Peninsula is what modern day Saudi Arabia used to be called. It was also known as Arabia and is surrounded on three sides by the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Arabian Sea. The Arabian Peninsula Is most commonly known for the rise of Islam, and also contains two of the holiest Islamic cities. Mecca is the holiest city to the Islamic religion. It is home to the most sacred mosque and the most sacred location, the Kaaba. Devout Islams make a pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca sometime in their lifetime. This city is also where the prophet Muhammad made his first revelation and those who practice traditional Islam pray facing the direction of Mecca. Medina is the second holiest city to the Islamic religion. It is where Muhammad completed his Hijrah from Mecca and where the first Muslims developed.
The Arabian Peninsula is what modern day Saudi Arabia used to be called. It was also known as Arabia and is surrounded on three sides by the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Arabian Sea. The Arabian Peninsula Is most commonly known for the rise of Islam, and also contains two of the holiest Islamic cities. Mecca is the holiest city to the Islamic religion. It is home to the most sacred mosque and the most sacred location, the Kaaba. Devout Islams make a pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca sometime in their lifetime. This city is also where the prophet Muhammad made his first revelation and those who practice traditional Islam pray facing the direction of Mecca. Medina is the second holiest city to the Islamic religion. It is where Muhammad completed his Hijrah from Mecca and where the first Muslims developed.
The Beliefs of Islam
Sunni vs Shia
When the prophet Muhammad died, there was some discrepancy in who was to take his place. Some believed hat Abu Bakr was the rightful successor. He was the father of Muhammad's last wife. Others believed Muhammad ordained his cousin Ali to be his successor. The discrepancy split the Islamic religion into two parts, the Sunnis and the Shias. The Sunnis follow the first 4 prophets after Muhammad and believe that Abu Bakr was right to be the next prophet. The Shias don't believe the prophets were legitimate until Ali was a prophet after 3 others. The percentage of each type of Islam is different depending on what area you are in. The map shows what percentages are in different areas.
When the prophet Muhammad died, there was some discrepancy in who was to take his place. Some believed hat Abu Bakr was the rightful successor. He was the father of Muhammad's last wife. Others believed Muhammad ordained his cousin Ali to be his successor. The discrepancy split the Islamic religion into two parts, the Sunnis and the Shias. The Sunnis follow the first 4 prophets after Muhammad and believe that Abu Bakr was right to be the next prophet. The Shias don't believe the prophets were legitimate until Ali was a prophet after 3 others. The percentage of each type of Islam is different depending on what area you are in. The map shows what percentages are in different areas.
Expansion of Islam
The spread of Islam started with the prophet Muhammad. He was the single person who really got Islam started and set as a prominent religion in the world. Most of the expansion during this point was because of the travels of Muhammad and the spreading of the scriptures. When Muhammad died, the religion was spread mainly through conquest. Islam had a lot to offer to people who were treated cruelly or oppressed. Islam gave rights to people such as slaves. Islam also treated every person with kindness despite age, gender, or ethnicity. Those reasons, along with the Muslim conquest, is why Islam spread so quickly.
The spread of Islam started with the prophet Muhammad. He was the single person who really got Islam started and set as a prominent religion in the world. Most of the expansion during this point was because of the travels of Muhammad and the spreading of the scriptures. When Muhammad died, the religion was spread mainly through conquest. Islam had a lot to offer to people who were treated cruelly or oppressed. Islam gave rights to people such as slaves. Islam also treated every person with kindness despite age, gender, or ethnicity. Those reasons, along with the Muslim conquest, is why Islam spread so quickly.