Account for the Spread of Islam from Its Beginnings to Ad 600c
Account for the spread of Islam from its beginnings to c.660AD
Islam is a monotheistic religion founded around 615AD by Mohammed. In its early days, many people rejected it, but now it is the fastest-growing religion in the world. Exploring the reason for its rapid spread, we look at its roots and early rulers, particularly its founder, Mohammed.
Mohammed was born in Mecca in 570AD. His father died before he was born and was orphaned at the age of six following his mother’s death. After she died, Mohammed went to live with his grandfather and later with his uncle, Abu Talib. He worked as a shepherd for his uncle and eventually became a camel driver for him. By age twenty-five, Mohammed had developed a reputation for practical wisdom well beyond average. This wisdom brought him many people for advice with financial and religious problems. One of these was a rich young widow named Khadijah. She was so impressed by his wisdom that she proposed to him. Realizing that her financial and social standing meant he need no longer work and would be able to concentrate his time and efforts on his religious studies, Mohammed accepted her proposal and they married in 596AD.
Free from want, Mohammed spent much of his time in the desert near Mecca, meditating. Dissatisfied with the polytheistic religions of the time, he began consulting many Jews and Christians about their religions. These people had imperfect knowledge of the Bible, and Mohammed incorrectly learned that the Trinity was comprised of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and Mary, rather than of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit. This incorrect teaching turned Mohammed away from Christianity and Judaism altogether, and he continued searching and meditating. On one meditation trip to Mount Hira, near Mecca, during the month of Ramadan, Mohammed had a revelation from God. The Archangel Gabriel reportedly appeared to Mohammed telling him that he was to be the mouthpiece of God - to
Islam is a monotheistic religion founded around 615AD by Mohammed. In its early days, many people rejected it, but now it is the fastest-growing religion in the world. Exploring the reason for its rapid spread, we look at its roots and early rulers, particularly its founder, Mohammed.
Mohammed was born in Mecca in 570AD. His father died before he was born and was orphaned at the age of six following his mother’s death. After she died, Mohammed went to live with his grandfather and later with his uncle, Abu Talib. He worked as a shepherd for his uncle and eventually became a camel driver for him. By age twenty-five, Mohammed had developed a reputation for practical wisdom well beyond average. This wisdom brought him many people for advice with financial and religious problems. One of these was a rich young widow named Khadijah. She was so impressed by his wisdom that she proposed to him. Realizing that her financial and social standing meant he need no longer work and would be able to concentrate his time and efforts on his religious studies, Mohammed accepted her proposal and they married in 596AD.
Free from want, Mohammed spent much of his time in the desert near Mecca, meditating. Dissatisfied with the polytheistic religions of the time, he began consulting many Jews and Christians about their religions. These people had imperfect knowledge of the Bible, and Mohammed incorrectly learned that the Trinity was comprised of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and Mary, rather than of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit. This incorrect teaching turned Mohammed away from Christianity and Judaism altogether, and he continued searching and meditating. On one meditation trip to Mount Hira, near Mecca, during the month of Ramadan, Mohammed had a revelation from God. The Archangel Gabriel reportedly appeared to Mohammed telling him that he was to be the mouthpiece of God - to
Bibliography: Islam – taken from Wikipedia, the free online encyclopaedia - www.wikipedia.org/Islam - 23 August 2010 The prophet Mohammed - taken from Wikipedia, the free online encyclopaedia - www.wikipedia.org/Mohammed - 23 August 2010 ACE World History PACE number 101 Kingfisher Publishers, Kingfisher’s History Encyclopaedia, various authors, pp. 70-72, 2004 Edition.