Islam – Focusing on the Main Ideas Mrs. Tucker World History/Honors Cobalt Institute of Math and Science

Islam – Focusing On The Main Ideas The deserts, coastline and oases of Arabia helped shape the Arab way of life. They were mostly herders and traders. The Prophet Muhammad brought the message of Islam to the People of Arabia. The Quran provided guidelines for Muslims’ lives and the government of Muslim states. In the town of Makkah, Muhammad began to preach a new religion, Islam, which soon spread to all of Arabia. Muslims believe that Muhammad was Allah’s final prophet and that their holy book, the Quaram, is Allah’s written word. Arabs spread Islam as far East as India, through teaching, conquest, and trade. While Muslims split into two groups, the Arab Empire reached New Heights. Despite splitting into two groups, the Sunni and the Shiite, Muslim power reached its greatest height under the Abbasids. Then in the 1400s and 1500s, two great Muslim Empires, the Ottoman and the Mogul, arose. Although Muslim traders enjoyed great success and cities grew (such as Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus), most Muslims lived in villages in the country.  Muslims made valuable contributions in Math, Science, and the arts. Muslim writers, artists, and architects also produced important works.