The Spread of Islam
The Islamic religion has spread from East to West, North to South of the globe hemisphere, from Mecca to Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and has drawn over 400 million adherents worldwide. This widespread acceptance of Islam is reflected in Arabic civilizations. hence, understanding the history of Arabs plays a significant role in unmasking the beginning and the spread of Islam.
Introduction
The modern day Islam religion began in Mecca when prophet Mohamed began spreading his visionary and prophesy. Owing to its close connection with the traditional Arabic cultures, there is a general misapprehension that the two are connected. However, this is not the actual case but there are some strong relationships worth mentioning. One of the most well-known fact attributed to this argument is the relationship of Quran and the Arabic Language. Mohammad was an Arab and lived in Mecca when the God appeared to him, thus, his teachings and the writings of his followers were in the Arabic language. This shows the connection between Quran and the Arabic language and also the Arabic world. Other important historical and religious holly places like Kabba and Mecca are also located in the Arab world. Thus, the birth and spread of Islam began in Arab peninsula where prophet Mohamed was born, raised, taught the religion and died.
The Arab World and the Spread of Islam
Arabian religion and society reflected the tribal realities of the Peninsula. Historically, “the nature…tribal society…seventh-century…Roman and Persian empires saw the rise of religious movements and the beginning of a new era in the history of the world which was largely something unthinkable (Armstrong 54). This happened with the revelation of Quran under Prophet Mohamed’s leadership the Islamic religion and activities of Muslim spread into other parts of the world. Therefore, history of Islam and its spread is enshrined in the history of Arabia and some of the cultures of Arabs such as the Arabic language in which the Quran is written.
The Quran and the Arabic Language
The west and other parts of the world assume that the more than 1.8 billion Muslim believers are based in the Arabic world. Such assumption stems from poor knowledge of the spread of the religion and the cultures. After the death of Prophet Mohamed the religion spread beyond Arabia into other many different cultures and its interpretation came in diverse ways. However, all Muslims in the world share one thing in common, they all believe in one and only one book, the Quran. Accordingly, the Quran marks the beginning point of the relationships between Islam and Arabic culture. The word of God according to Muslim beliefs was relieved to them through Prophet Mohamed in the Arabic language hence the strong connection between the two. The holly message as prophesied and taught Prophet Mohamed spread widely reaching out millions of people and influenced their lives.
Arabia Before Islam and the Spread of Islam
Looking back to the history of the Arab world before Islam, people practiced other cultural beliefs with some parts of the region having some Christian influence. However, Christianity was not widely spread. Mohamed’s beliefs showed some connection with Judaism Christianity that was taught by Jesus and other prophets (Egger 23). His dissenting opinion on Christianity were based on his beliefs that is God’s message as Jesus taught it and other prophets became corrupted, hence, God sent him to his people with a message or leaving according to God’s wish. Conversely, the message spread from Arab to other parts of the world where other cultures accepted and integrated Islam as part of their religion.
The Importance of the Arabic Language in Understanding Islam
Muslims scholars all over the world are trying to understand the Quran as much as possible which has necessitated the learning Arabic Language. Through understanding the language it becomes easy to comprehend the teaching of the Quran. Moreover, some Arabic common phrases like “Bismillah, ar-Rahman, ar-Rahim”, Al hamdu Lilah, shukran, Mashaallah, and so on have become widely known by many people who learn or practice Islamic religion. Evidently, language as part of a culture plays an integral role in spear heading the spread and understanding of Islam. In most places people are taught the Arabic language that enhances their understanding of Quran as the only world of Allah that he sent to his people through Prophet Mohamed.
The Birthplace of Islam and Prophet Muhammad
As earlier mentioned, Arab is not only the birthplace of Islam but also the birthplace of Muslims beloved Prophet Muhammad, the messenger of god in Mecca. Egger suggests that the Arabian Peninsula “…the town of Mecca was the birthplace of the religion…social movement that would transform…come” (p 24). That affirms that Islam began in Mecca the birthplace of Prophet Mohamed and spread to other parts influencing their cultures. Evidently, understanding the history of Islamic religion and Arabic cultures helps to shed light on their close connections.
The Teachings and Impact of Prophet Muhammad
At the center of his teachings, the majesty of Allah and his unending mercy on his people. The Quran teaches God’s majestic power, companion, and justice. Such virtues attracted the crowd to learn about Allah but not without a battle as Mohamed faced much criticism from the dominant Quraysh tribe in Mecca (Denny 46). However, later on his tribe Quraysh part of Banu Hashim clan played an important role in protecting the Kabba. This place has become an important part of the Muslim history as believers from all over the world visit Kaaba for pilgrimage.
Islam and the End of Slavery
Before Islam, people in the Arab peninsula worshipping many tribal gods and often kept slaves. However, during Prophet Muhammad Bilal Habashi (a black person probably from Habashia who used to be a slave) signaled of freedom for slaves as the teachings of Islam were against the practice of slavery (Armstrong 47). The holy prophet of Allah taught that people were equal in the eyes of God; therefore, enslaving others was against the will of God. Accordingly, the spread of Islam in Arabia spelled a new dawn where slavery was condemned until it came to an end.
The Diversity of Islam and Culture
Keeping the historical reality in mind, it is clear that Islamic religion and its history does not revolve around a single community or region but involves many different tribes, races, ethnicities, cultures, literature and languages with vast histories and a myriad interpretation some of which conflict with others. Accordingly, this diversity should be used when considering the interpretation of Islam and the people of who practice the religion.
The Misconception of Islam as a Single Culture
Additionally, the studies involving Islamic Cultures stands to explore a small position of the rich and dazzling diversity that defines the worlds of Islam as religious beliefs interact with practices and social contexts of people in different parts of the world. Those who generalize or draw a conclusion based on the misapprehension that Islam is one culture are misleading. The underlying premise is that the Islam as a culture is based on the teachings of the Islamic religion and it is influenced by the cultures of the community in context. While the religion is not influenced by any cultures and is practiced the same way all over the world. Accordingly, people should not assume that Islam is Arabic cultures and that it is only practiced in the Arabic world but also in other parts of the globe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cultures and religion go hand in hand as noted in the Islamic religion and Arabic cultures. Understanding the cultures, the history, and the ways of the Arabic community plays a significant role in understanding the spread of Islam. However, it is worthy to note that Islamic by itself as a religion is not influenced by the cultures of the Arabic community but it influences the cultures. Accordingly, the Islamic cultures in other parts of the world are not necessarily influenced by the Arabic cultures. Arabic language being the language used in the Quran, has been learned by other cultures and it is possible to note some common phrases being used. Thus, it is important to differentiate the Islamic religion and culture from the Arabic culture and learn how they relate based on historical background. This way it is possible to understand some sharp contradictions that might exist between some Muslims in different parts of the world or including some in Arabia.
Works Cited
Armstrong, Karen. Islam. New York: Modern Library, 2002. Print.
Denny, Frederick M. An Introduction of Islam. 2ed. 1993. Print.
Egger. Chapter 1. The Arabian Peninsula. n.d. Print.
