Arabia Before Islam
Before Islam, Arabia was divided into many tribes. Each tribe had its own customs and chief. Tribal wars were common and there was no strong central government.
Mecca was an important trade centre and the Kaaba was a holy place where many idols were kept. Society had many problems like slavery, gambling, drinking and poor treatment of women.
Prophet Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 CE. He was known for his honesty and kindness. At the age of 40, he received messages from God through Angel Gabriel in the Cave of Hira.
He taught people to believe in one God, Allah, and to treat others with fairness and respect.
Main Teachings of Islam
- Belief in one God, Allah
- Equality of all people
- Kindness to the poor and slaves
- Honesty and justice
- Respect for parents and elders
- Avoiding gambling and drinking
Five Pillars of Islam
- Shahadah – Faith
- Salat – Prayer
- Zakat – Charity
- Sawm – Fasting
- Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca
Hijrat and Spread of Islam
People in Mecca opposed Prophet Muhammad. In 622 CE, he moved to Medina. This journey is called Hijrat and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
After Prophet Muhammad's death in 632 CE, Islam spread to Syria, Egypt, Persia and Central Asia through the Caliphs.
Impact of Islam on the Middle East
- Arab tribes became united
- Tribal wars reduced
- Equality and brotherhood increased
- Women and slaves were treated better
- Trade and business grew
- Arabic language spread widely
- Science, medicine and mathematics developed
Baghdad and the Abbasid Empire
Under the Abbasid rulers, Baghdad became one of the greatest cities in the world. It had schools, libraries and centres for learning.
The House of Wisdom in Baghdad became famous for translating books from Greek, Roman and Indian languages into Arabic.
The Islamic Golden Age
The period from the 8th to the 14th century is called the Islamic Golden Age. During this time, scholars made great progress in science, medicine, astronomy and mathematics.
Important scholars included Al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina, Ibn al-Haytham and Al-Biruni.
Arab Contributions
Arab scholars spread the decimal system and the use of zero to Europe. They developed algebra and made important discoveries in medicine and astronomy.
Beautiful mosques, domes, minarets and Arabic calligraphy became famous parts of Islamic culture and architecture.