Islamic Empire Research Paper

The Islamic Empire is one of the largest empires in the world. Its origins date back to the 7th century in Saudi Arabia. According to secular history, Islam began around 610 A.D during the era of Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that it was not Muhammad who dictated the Quran, but it was Angel Gabriel who handed it to him. The Islam era to date has been classified to the different period. The chronological account of the history of Islam to dates is as follows; city state period (620s to 630s), imperial period (630s to 750s), universal period (750s to 900s), decentralization period (900s to 1500s), fragmentation period (1500 to 1910s) and the contemporary period (1910 to today). The purpose of this paper is to breifly examine the Islamic Empire

After Prophet Muhammad’s death, it was The Rashidun’s turn to lead the empire. The early Caliphates were forms of government that ruled. A Caliph, who had great knowledge both religion and politics, led caliphates. They were elected through the shura. The first of the Rashidun was Abu Bakr, then came Umar, then after him came Uthman, and finally Ali. After the Rashidun came the Umayyad Caliphate. Under the Umayyad family’s rule their territory grew rapidly, making it the largest empire the world had ever seen. The Crusaders were Christian kingdoms in parts of Europe; during the 8th century they had begun reclaiming back their land from Muslims, in what is known as the Reconquista. The war over territory ravaged for years, and there were several crusaders during this period. In 750, the Abbasids overthrew the Umayyad dynasty. The capital city of Bagdad became a center for philosophy, science, culture, and invention during that time. After the end of the crusaders in the last years of the 12th century, the Mongols invaded creating the Mongol Empire. The wars involved in the Mongol invasions are among the deadliest in the history of mankind. The Mongols ended the Abbasid’s cultural fruition when they invaded Bagdad. The invasions caused massive displacement of populations affecting Asia and Europe