RISE OF ISLAM

Political, economic, social and religious conditions in western Arabia in the early seventh century were ripe for a fundamental transformation of Arab society. Because of the arid climate and the saline soaked soil, the sparsely populated Arabian peninsula, which was on the periphery of the rival Byzantine Empire to the north and west, and the Sasanid or Persian hordes to the east, could only sustain a static, nomadic, pastoral way of life. However, changes were occurring. Outside influences were being felt in the oasis of Mecca, which "had become one of the important caravan cities of the Middle East" (Lapidus 17). Situated on the crossroads of trade within the region, Mecca "acquired a sphere of influence among the nomads," some of whose tribes could interdict that trade b

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2). His preaching there during 613-621, especially his emphasis on the equal brotherhood of all Muslims, provoked strong opposition from merchant leaders, including the chiefs of his own tribe. At first, they "laughed him to scorn" (Hitti 32). Then, they persecuted his small band of converts, who were members of his immediate family, close friends, young members of the middle class and the poor. Boycotted economically and shorn of the protection of kinship after the death of Khadija and his patron uncle, Muhammad and a few devoted followers in 622 fled to Medina, the journey later called the hegira. Medinese were more receptive to Islamic teachings because it was "a settlement racked by bitter and even anarchic feuding between the leading tribal groups" (Lapidus 26). Muhammad offered a cohesive solution, Muslim unity. He quickly established his authority there and established by 627 a community of "shared beliefs, common social norms and common rituals . . . transcending clan and tribe" (Lapidus 31). He responded to being rejected by the Jewish settlers there as a false Messiah by executing 600 of them and exiling others (Hitti 36). His new purified faith was based on the "five pillars of the faith, . . . ritual prayers, . . . a
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Approximate Word count = 1629
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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