The Early Islamic World was a period of rapid expansion for both the Islamic Empire and the

religion of Islam. While Europe was

languishing in the dark ages, the Middle East was experiencing a time of economic prosperity and scientific advancement. In this
section, we cover the Islamic Empire from the start of Islam (610 CE) to the fall of the Ottoman Empire (1924).

Islam
The religion of Islam by the Prophet Muhammad in the city of Mecca (modern day Saudi Arabia). The religion soon spread
throughout the region and had a major impact on the culture of the Middle East and North Africa throughout the Middle Ages.

Caliphate
After Muhammad died, the Islamic government was called the "Caliphate" and was ruled by a "Caliph." The first four Caliphs were all
taught Islam by Muhammad and were called the "Rightly Guided" Caliphs. They were followed by the first Islamic dynasty called the
Umayyad Caliphate.

Expanse of the Empire

The Islamic Empire expanded throughout the Middle Ages to become one of the largest empires in the history of the world. It
controlled the Middle East, northern Africa, the Iberian peninsula (Spain), and parts of Asia into India.

Islamic Golden Age

The Islamic Golden Age was a period when science, culture, technology, education, and the arts flourished throughout the Islamic
Empire. The cultural center during this time was the city of Baghdad which also served as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Early Islamic World

 Early Islamic art seldom included figures of humans or animals to avoid creating idols that people would worship.
 There were several capital cities of the Caliphate throughout history. Some of the major capitals included Medina, Damascus,
Baghdad, Cairo, and Istanbul.
 The Islamic Golden Age came to an end when the Mongols sacked the city of Baghdad.
 At its peak, the Umayyad Caliphate was one of the largest empires in world history.
 True religion ought to make demands on the believer.
 Muslim believes that God In His mercy has decided to clarify all the major theological issues once and for all. The Jews were
given some of the truth, but some of the details were distorted; the Christians were given the prophet Jesus, but they turned
the prophet into a God.