Spread Of Islam Dbq

In the 7th century, Muhammad, a religious man and merchant from the city, Mecca, founded the religion Islam. This monotheistic faith is based on the revelations that Muhammad supposedly received from the angel Gabriel that was given from Allah. After Muhammad’s death, a series of Caliphs, Islamic leaders, that were also Muhammad’s closest companions, took control and led the Muslims. Islam continued to rapidly expand and resulted with nearly the entire Arabian Peninsula under Muslim control. Through devoting warriors and advanced military technology, religious tolerance with tribute, and the offers of Islam, the establishment of this extensive and prosperous empire was expected. This evolution of Islam sustained when the Muslim community continued the method of military conquests of those who opposed them. These new conquests, governed with marvelous proficiency and resilience, led to unbelievers to convert to the new religion, enlarging the Muslim Empire (Doc 8). The Muslims were barbaric and vicious when it came to destroying their enemies: “… the fury and cruelty of the Moslems towards the inhabitants …show more content…
Back in Muhammad’s living days, facing the leader of a Christian Arab tribe, he threatens him to either convert or pay: “ Believe or else pay tribute… But if you displease them… I will fight against you ad take captive your little ones and slay the elder” (Doc 1). Muhammad’s method may seem callous, but resulted in an increase of successful conversions, in which Islamic leaders continued it after Muhammad. War against their “heathen enemies” was required by the Qur’an and had no exception but to confirm obedience (Doc 5). Although, the Jews and Christians were considered as the “People of the Book,” they were treated equal and were not forced to convert; they could pay tribute, yet remain true to their