2008 Woodie Awards
Brief History of Islam
By: Mallory Skinner
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: LifeStyle
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With over one billion followers, Islam is the second largest religion in the world. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. As all major religions have different denominations or sects, there are several different branches of Islam, said Dan Hellinger, a political science professor. All Muslims believe in one god, Allah, and base their laws on the testaments of the Quran. Muslims believe that Islam has always existed, but for practical purposes, the Islamic calendar begins in A.D. 622 with the prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina, both in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Below is a timeline of major religious events in the history of Islam.
570
The Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam, is born in Mecca.
610
While meditating in a cave on Mount Hira, Muhammad is visited by the angel Jibreel, who orders him to speak. Muhammad begins to recite words, which he comes to believe are the words of God. Throughout the rest of his life, Muhammad continues to receive these revelations. The words are recorded and form the text of the Quran, the Muslim holy scripture.
613
Believing he has been chosen as God's messenger, Muhammad begins to preach what God has revealed to him. At a time when Arabs practiced polytheism, Muhammad teaches that there is only one god: Allah. Muhammad tells his followers that their lives should be lived in submission to the will of Allah.
622
Political leaders in Mecca find Muhammad's popularity threatening, so Muhammad moves his followers from Mecca to Medina. This journey is called the Hijrah, or migration, and is considered so significant that the Islamic calendar begins in the year 622.
632
Muhammad gains enough followers that he is able to return to Mecca and conquer the city with military force. This is the same year that Muhammad dies and Abu Bakr, the first male to embrace Islam, is appointed caliph, or successor. After Muhammad's death, some of the tribes within the Muslim federation decide to end their allegiance to Islam and to Mecca. Abu Bakr uses military action to retain those who want to leave Islam and to consolidate Arabia into one country under Muslim control.
570
The Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam, is born in Mecca.
610
While meditating in a cave on Mount Hira, Muhammad is visited by the angel Jibreel, who orders him to speak. Muhammad begins to recite words, which he comes to believe are the words of God. Throughout the rest of his life, Muhammad continues to receive these revelations. The words are recorded and form the text of the Quran, the Muslim holy scripture.
613
Believing he has been chosen as God's messenger, Muhammad begins to preach what God has revealed to him. At a time when Arabs practiced polytheism, Muhammad teaches that there is only one god: Allah. Muhammad tells his followers that their lives should be lived in submission to the will of Allah.
622
Political leaders in Mecca find Muhammad's popularity threatening, so Muhammad moves his followers from Mecca to Medina. This journey is called the Hijrah, or migration, and is considered so significant that the Islamic calendar begins in the year 622.
632
Muhammad gains enough followers that he is able to return to Mecca and conquer the city with military force. This is the same year that Muhammad dies and Abu Bakr, the first male to embrace Islam, is appointed caliph, or successor. After Muhammad's death, some of the tribes within the Muslim federation decide to end their allegiance to Islam and to Mecca. Abu Bakr uses military action to retain those who want to leave Islam and to consolidate Arabia into one country under Muslim control.
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