Islam

Islam is an Abrahamic and monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Muhammad and the writings contained in the Quran. It is the major religion of up to 49 countries in the northern part of the African continent, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia, with the majority of Muslims located in Asia. It shares many features with Judaism and Christianity such as the prophets Abraham and Moses.

History

Muhammad

Muhammad founded Islam in 620 when he told a small group of followers that he had seen visions and that God (Allah) had spoken to him. He was driven out of Mecca in 622 and fled to Medina, where he formed a mass movement. He and his army returned to Mecca in 630 and took control of western-central Arabia, but Muhammad died in 632.

Rashidun Caliphate

Muhammad's first two successors, Abu Bakr and Umar, directed their armies against the Persian and Byzantine empires, who had already been weakened by massive wars. Islam quickly spread, with Muslims conquering Damascus (Syria), Ctesiphon (Iraq), Cairo, and Alexandria (Egypt) by 642. Their use of camels allowed them to easily travel across deserts and ambush larger armies. Muslim rulers tolerated previous religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, although many of their followers converted. Muslim rule usually increased quality of life as taxes were lowered and landlords fled.

Umayyad Caliphate

The Muslims conquered Kabul in what is now Afghanistan in 664. Their armies quickly crossed North Africa and invaded Spain, which they fully controlled by 711.