History
of Islam
The history of Islam
centers around one person, Muhammad (also spelled Muhammed or Mohammed).
He was born around 570 A.D. He began to have religious visions around
age 40. During these visions, Muhammad would receive "messages"
or "revelations" from God. He would memorize them and teach
them to his followers. These visions are now recorded in the Qur'an
(or Koran). Muhammad continued to receive these visions until his death
in 632 A.D.
The Expansion
of Islam
Muhammad's new faith was not widely accepted in his hometown of Mecca.
Therefore, he and his followers moved to Medina which means "City
of the Prophet". This movement is known as the Hijira or "the
flight". It marks the turning point in Islam and serves as the
beginning date on Islamic calendars.
At first, Muhammad was sympathetic to both Christians and Jews, but
after their rejection of his teaching, he turned from Jerusalem as the
center of worship for Islam to Mecca. He realized he must return to
Mecca, and he did, conquering the city. Islam quickly spread throughout
the area.
When Muhammad died, he left no documents appointing a successor. Some
people thought that one of the original converts who had taught with
Muhammad, some wanted a member of a powerful political family in the
area, and others felt that 'Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad
had been divinely designated as successor. An early believer, Abu Bakr
was appointed, but died within two years.
Eventually, a power struggle developed as different groups of Muslims
believed their method of establishing a successor were the best. The
largest argument was over whether the successor should be elected or
chosen through heredity. This controversy produced the main body of
Islam known as the Sunnis (followers of the prophet's way) and other
numerous sects including the Shi'ites and the Sufis. The Sunnis are
the majority in Islam today.
The Shi'ites are the group of Muslims who believe that the successorship
should remain within Muhammad's family, and that leaders are spiritually
chosen, not politically chosen. They carry with them the pain of Muhammad's
son-in-law, 'Ali, who was murdered by Mu'awiya in order to obtain power.
Today, the Shi'ites dominate Iran.
The Sufis are a group who believes that orthodox Islam is too mechanical
and impersonal. This group of Islamic mystics seek for direct personal
experience of the Divine.
By 750 CE, Islam had expanded to China, India, along the Southern shore
of the Mediterranean and into Spain. By 1550 they had reached Vienna.
Wars resulted, expelling Muslims from Spain and Europe. Since their
trading routes were mostly over land, they did not an develop extensive
sea trade (as for example the English and Spaniards). As a result, the
old world occupation of North America was left to Christians.
Believers are currently concentrated from the West coast of Africa to
the Philippines. In Africa, in particular, they are increasing in numbers,
largely at the expense of Christianity.
Many do not look upon Islam as a new religion. They feel that it is
in reality the faith taught by the ancient Prophets, Abraham, David,
Moses and Jesus. Muhammad's role as the last of the Prophets was to
formalize and clarify the faith and to purify it by removing foreign
ideas that had been added in error.
Nationalism in the Arab world since the rise of Israel as a political
power has kept Islam strong. It is a rapidly spreading religion because
of its cultural and political appeal and its universal message of peace,
temperance and the brotherhood of man.
Back
to top |