Before Islam, the Arabian peninsula was home to semi-nomadic tribal people known as Bedouins, or "desert dwellers."
These people tended to be polytheistic and traversed the deserts in caravans, trading gold, salt and other items. A popular stop along the trade routes was the city of Mecca. There, they stopped, exchanged stories and bought and sold goods. Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570 C.E. He was a prominent and prosperous merchant, who, like the others of his tribe, was polytheistic. That all changed when Muhammad was approximately 40 years old. |
In 610 C.E., Muhammad was visited by the Angel Gabriel. This angel first appeared in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament and also appeared to Mary telling her that she was going to give birth to Jesus. The revelations given to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel will form the basis of the Quran.
After the first visit, Muhammad didn't know what to do. He was confused and visited a Jewish and Christian scholar who informed him about the Angel Gabriel and that he, like Daniel and Jesus, was a prophet. Muhammad will be visited several times by Gabriel and starts preaching monotheism in Mecca. However, the only people he can get to convert are some members of his family. People were suspicious of Muhammad and forced him to leave. That was the year 622. Muhammad moved to the city of Medina, just to the north. This journey is known as the Hijra and marks year 1 on the Muslim calendar. In Medina, Muhammad had more success converting people to this new faith. Within 8 years, Muhammad had a devoted army and he made the move back to Mecca and conquered the city in 630, making it the center of the new Islamic faith. Muhammad died in 632 and soon conflicts will arise over who should become the leader of the faith. This question will eventually result in the splitting of Islam into two groups: Sunni and Shia. |
This website was designed to supplement a high school World History course, examining the birth of Islam and how it spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa. A free webquest sheet is available here.
© 2014