The Religion of Islam Introduction Prophets Qur'an Prophet of Islam Sunnah (practices) of the Prophet What is the Islamic Religion? Islamic Law (al-Shari'ah) The Spread of Islam Islam, Knowledge and Science The Attitude of the Qur'an and the Prophet toward Knowledge Integration of the Pre-Islamic Sciences Mathematical Sciences and Physics Astronomy Mathematics, Algebra Geometry Trigonometry Number Theory Physics, Balance, Projectile Motion, Optics Experimental Method Medical Sciences Pharmacology Natural History and Geography Botany, Zoology Geography Chemistry Technology Man and Nature Architecture Influence of Islamic Science and Learning Upon the West Islam In The Modern World Islam In The Modern World Aftermath of the Colonial Period Revival and Reassertation of Islam Education and Science in the Islamic World Islam A World Civilization General Characteristics of Islamic Civilization Global religion A Brief History of Islam, The Rightly Guided Caliphs The Caliphates North Africa and Spain Islamic History after the Mongol Invasion Ottoman Empire Persia India Malaysia and Indonesia Africa Frequently Asked Questions About Islam What is Islam? Who are the Muslims? What do Muslims believe? How does someone become a Muslim? What does 'Islam' mean? Why does Islam often seem strange? Do Islam and Christianity have different origins? What is the Ka'ba? Who is Muhammad? How did he become a prophet and a messenger of God? How did the spread of Islam affect the world? What is the Qur'an? What is the Qur'an about? Are there any other sacred sources? What are the 'Five Pillars' of Islam? Does Islam tolerate other beliefs? What do Muslims think about Jesus? Why is the family so important to Muslims? What about Muslim women? Can a Muslim have more than one wife? Is an Islamic marriage like a Christian marriage? How do Muslims treat the elderly? How do Muslims view death? What does Islam say about war? What about food? What is Islam's presence in the United States? How does Islam guarantee human rights ? What is the makeup of The Muslim World? Conclusion General Source: ![]() The Alim for Windows Release 4.5 by: Shahid N. Shah |
From the oasis cities of Makkah and Madinah in the Arabian desert, the message of Islam went forth with electrifying speed. Within half a century of the Prophet's death, Islam had spread to three continents. Islam is not, as some imagine in the West, a religion of the sword nor did it spread primarily by means of war. It was only within Arabia, where a crude form of idolatry was rampant, that Islam was propagated by warring against those tribes which did not accept the message of God--whereas Christians and Jews were not forced to convert. Outside of Arabia also the vast lands conquered by the Arab armies in a short period became Muslim not by force of the sword but by the appeal of the new religion. It was faith in One God and emphasis upon His Mercy that brought vast numbers of people into the fold of Islam. The new religion did not coerce people to convert. Many continued to remain Jews and Christians and to this day important communities of the followers of these faiths are found in Muslim lands. Moreover, the spread of Islam was not limited to its miraculous early expansion outside of Arabia. During later centuries the Turks embraced Islam peacefully as did a large number of the people of the Indian subcontinent and the Malay-speaking world. In Africa also, Islam has spread during the past two centuries even under the mighty power of European colonial rulers. Today Islam continues to grow not only in Africa but also in Europe and America where Muslims now comprise a notable minority. |