Islamic Diffusion Timeline

 Muhammad's revelations from the Angel Gabriel were that he was not just an "oridnary" person. This was the first time that something extraordinary had happened to him. This was what allowed Muhammed to begin teaching what he learned from Gabriel.

 The Hijrah to Medina was a long journey where Muhammad took his followers to Medina after their banishment from Mecca. This was the first instance where people were truly united by Islam rather than birth. It was the first Islamic community ever.

 The return to Mecca was significant because many people viewed Muhammad's unlikely victory as a sign from the Gods. This caused more and more people to follow Muhammad's teachings. In addition, controlling the important city of Mecca allowed Muhammad to spread his word more quickly.

 Muhammad's teachings had two basic ideas: There is only one God, Allah, and there should be social justice and equality for all. His teachings were drastically different from other religions but allowed for more unity among people.

 Abu Bakr was Muhammad's chosen successor shortly after Muhammad's death. This was a big decision for the Muslims because Muhammad had not chosen someone himself. Under his leadership, the Islamic movement began to grow. He limited tribal politics and religious uprisings, unifying the Islamic community.

 The Muslims began to conquest areas such as Syria, Eqypt, and other areas of Northern Africa. They did this by directing energy that used to be against each other to using it to fight their neighboring people. The Arabs had brilliant generals that put together large, dedicated armies that traveled long distances.

 The Four Rightly Guided Caliphs were the first four rulers following Muhammed's death. They are all known for expanding the Muslim's land and continuing Mohammad's teachings. These four leaders showed the stability of the Muslim empire.

 The People of the Book is what Muslims use to refer to followers of Judaism and Christianity. They use this term to acknowledge the community of faith that existed between the people who followed monotheism. There was a mutual respect between the groups.

 Mu'awiyah was a general and governor of Syria and one of Ali's chief rivals before he became caliph. Once he became caliph, he became known for one outstanding virtue: only using force when absolutely necessary.

 The Arabs carried out attacks, converting the Berbers that lived on the Mediterranean Coast. With a combine force with the Berbers, the Arab army crossed the Straits of Gibraltar and occupied southern Spain. Spain had become a Muslim state with its center at Cordoba.

 The Battle of Tours took place in Gaul (present day France). This was where the Arab army was defeated for the first major time. The Arabs expansion into Europe had halted.

 The Shia Muslims only accepted the descendants of Ali as the true rulers of Islam. They were openly against the Umayyad Empire. The Sunni Muslims did not agreee with the Umayyads as rulers, but they accepted them. This split is still present today.

 After the Abbasids Empire overthrew the Umayyad Empire, the capital was moved from Dammacus to Baghdad. Baghdad gained many Persian customs because it was established by a Persian group. This was the first time that there were Caliphs in other regions as well; there were local dynasties in other locations such as Egypt, North Africa, Spain, and elsewhere.

 Harun al-Rashid was the fifth caliph of the Abbasids Empire. He was in charge during the Golden Age of Islam. During his reign the empire accumulated a lot of wealth due to the prosperity that came from the amount of industry created.

 The Golden Age of Islam was a time when science, economic development, and cultural works flourished. Paper was used to create books in large amounts. Education had an increased value in society as well. In addition, this age had significant contributions to trigonometry, calculus, astronomy, and biology. There was also an new importance placed on hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and other specific health care needs.

 The vizier was a new position created by Abbasids Empire whose job was to delegate central authority. This position caused a shift from the traditional Arab bureaucracy to a Persian bureaucracy. The viziers did a good job of keeping order in the large amount of land that the Abbasids Empire had.