Culture: The rise and Spread of Islam

Post Classical Period 600- 1450

Period: Jan 1, 600 to Dec 31, 1450

While the general tenets of Islam as well as its growing influence during the post-classical period remained a constant, it underwent many changes with conquests and expansion, as well as the division between the Sunni and Shi'a sects.

Muhammad's First Revelation (Qur'an)

Jan 1, 610

The Qur'an was believed by Muslims to be the revelation given to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel. It the holy text of the Islamic religion. It is significant because its teachings have remained the same, yet it still continues to teach many people. This shows continuity because it still remains the foundation of the Islam religion.

Five Pillars of Islam

Jan 1, 610

The Five Pillars of the Islamic religion are the five fundamental principles that must be accepted by all followers. These included praying five times a day and believing that there was only one God and it was Allah. These are significant because they are a huge part of the religion's basic beliefs. It shows continuity because, like the Qur'an, these have been taught from the beginning of the religion.

Hijra

Jan 1, 622

Muhammad was forced to flee from Mecca to Medina, a nearby city, in order to escape assassination; he was seen as a threat to the wealth of the Umayyad city. He fled to Medina where he was welcomed and gained many followers. The hijra was significant because it marked the start of the Muslim calendar. This shows continuity because it shows the Islamic religion spreading without interruption.

Abu Bakr

Jan 1, 632

Following Muhammad's death, Abu Bakr was the first successor to Muhammad. This was significant because Abu Bakr was the first caliph of Islam. Being a follower of Muhammad, with vast knowledge of Islam, he showed continuity by continuing the religion through his leadership.

Death of 3rd Caliph, Uthman

Jan 1, 656

The death of the third Caliph, Uthman, lead to disputes regarding succession, which was the beginning of the division between the Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. This was significant because it was the first change that the Islam religion really experienced. It was definitely a change for Muslims because the religion was split into two conflicting groups.

Spread to South Asia (Late 7 Century)

Jan 1, 699

India first faced a large scale influx from a civilization that was as sophisticated as their own as Muslims came to India.The Indians were unable to remain flexible in its ability to assimilate people into their culture because Hinduism was very opposite, seeing that it was very open to converts and believed in the caste, while Islam was very doctrinaire and egalitarian. This was a big, significant change for India to experience a new, advanced culture competing against their own.

First Crusade

Jan 1, 1099

Crusaders used the element of surprise to capture portions of the Islamic world which made up the Holy Land from the Bible. After the massacre of many Muslims, the Christians established Christian kingdoms in this land. This was a significant change in the Islamic world when they lost Jerusalem and another religion took over.

Salah-uh-Din (Saladin): Late 12th Century

Jan 1, 1189

Saladin was a significant Muslim leader in the last decades of the 12th century. United under his leadership, the Muslims rapidly reconquered many crusader outposts. As crusaders attempted to recapture Jerusalem, they were unable to due to Saladin's forces. This shows what possibly could have been a change, but was a continuity because nothing changed as Muslims continued to have control over Jerusalem.

Spread to Southeast Asia (13th century)

Jan 1, 1200

Traders and Sufi mystics spread Islam to Java and much of Southeast Asia. The new converts in combined Islamic teachings with Hindu and Buddhist animistic teachings. By the 13th century, the Islamic culture had been spread to most of Island Southeast Asia. This was a significant change in the history of Islam because it showed the expansion of the religion in Southeast Asia where it had not previously been.

Mansa Musa's hajj

Jan 1, 1324

The pilgrimage of the Mali emperor brought attention of Islam to much of Africa. The hajj was very significant because of the great amounts of wealth distributed along the journey. It was a change because it brought Islam to the rest of Africa and further influenced other African civilizations.