Old Arabs believed in a creator god before Islam's rise and worshipped many gods. These gods were often referred to by many names. Some of these gods were fire and light-loving gods. These gods and beliefs were supported by many myths. Islam is the most commonly practiced religion in Arab countries today.
Early Islam religions
Islam was a combination of Christianity and Judaism. It respected both the holy books of these religions as well as their great prophets. The prophet Muhammad's message was received especially well by the poor and slaves. He did however face opposition from many and became unpopular. Fearing for his own life, he fled to Medina. Today, Muslims pray five times daily while facing the holy city of Mecca, pay a yearly tax, and fast during the month of Ramadan.
The Qur'an's prophetic stories are chronological in nature, but not necessarily in a linear manner. Sura 7 discusses Noah and Hud, while Sura 11 mentions Abraham and Hud. The Prophets of Islam may not be strictly chronological. Other traditions predate them.
Origins of Islam
The origins of Islam can be traced back to the history of the Arabian Peninsula. Before Islam, there were many other religions or practices that the Arabs practiced. These pagan beliefs and practices earned this period the name "Time of Ignorance."
Islam is one the three main world religions. It professes to be monotheistic, and the name of the religion translates as "surrender to God." Muslims believe Allah is all-powerful and all knowing God who created the world. The Quran, or the Koran, is the main source of Islamic faith.
The Arab world's origins of Islam
Islam's history includes the Arab world. It is the birthplace of the religion. Its followers first moved to the Arabian Peninsula where they conquered both the Sassanian Empire, and the Byzantine Imperial. They managed to expand their empire and unite a large territory, spanning from Pakistan to the Iberian Peninsula. Today, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world.
Early Arabs were tribal by nature, and they needed unity. Islam became a means of bringing these people together. His son Abu Bakr, who was born in 632 CE, assumed the leadership of the Muslim Ummah. He also assumed the title caliph. Abu Bakr ruled two years and brought unity to the Arabian Peninsula. He also expanded his dominion on neighbouring tribes, which were under Sassanian (byzantine) rule.
Evolution of Islam within the Arab World
The complex process of Islam's development in the Arab region is complicated. This is due to multiple levels of political and religious competition. Some countries have seen their official religious institutions become powerful political allies. Others see them as potential partners in fighting Islamic extremism. These institutions can be complicated and have many different agendas. It is not easy for the political authorities to control them without creating more tensions.
Military conquest was a major factor in the spread of Islam throughout the Arab world. This happened within a very short time period after Islam's rise. In the early days of Muslim rule, only a tiny fraction of the population adopted Islam. By the end if the eleventh century, Muslims were the majority in many Islamic empires.
The Evolution of Islam in America
Americans are familiarized both with the Nation of Islam or the Five Percent Nation. These groups were born from the desire to support African American nationalism. These groups included the charismatic civil rights leader Malcolm X and the Five Percent Nation. Their message was relevant because of the widespread racism and poverty in urban areas.
In the late nineteenth- and early twentieth century, large numbers of Arabs moved to the United States. While most of these immigrants were Christian Arabs from the Middle East, there were a few Muslim communities that sprung up in the Midwest. In the early 20th-century, Ross, North Dakota was home to the first American mosque. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is home to the oldest remaining mosque.