Islam

Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion that originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century CE. It is the world's second-largest religion after Christianity, with over 1.8 billion adherents globally, making up approximately 24% of the world's population.

The Origins and Early Spread of Islam

The foundations of Islam were laid by the Prophet Muhammad, who is believed by Muslims to have received divine revelations from God (known as Allah in Islamic theology) that were recorded in the Quran, the central religious text of the faith. These teachings, which emphasize the oneness of God, the importance of ethical behavior, and the necessity of submission to divine will, quickly spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula following Muhammad's death in 632 CE.

Unlike in our timeline, the early expansion of Islam occurred at a much faster pace, with the newly established Rashidun Caliphate rapidly conquering the Sasanian Empire and parts of the Byzantine Empire in the 7th century. This early Islamic empire, centered in Medina, established the foundations of a vast territorial domain that would eventually stretch from the Iberian Peninsula to the Indian subcontinent.

The Caliphate and the Emergence of Islamic Sects

The death of the fourth caliph, Ali ibn Abi Talib, in 661 CE sparked a major schism in the Islamic world, leading to the emergence of two primary sects: the Sunnis and the Shias. This division, rooted in disputes over the legitimate succession of leadership, has since led to centuries of religious and political conflict within the Islamic world.

Unlike in our timeline, the Umayyad Caliphate that emerged after the Rashidun period was much more short-lived, collapsing within a century. This was followed by the rise of the Abbasid Caliphate, which reunified much of the Islamic empire but also saw the further entrenchment of Sunni-Shia rivalries.

Over time, the caliphate system evolved in this timeline, with various dynasties and regional powers asserting their own claims to the title of caliph. This fragmentation of Islamic political authority contributed to the proliferation of diverse theological and jurisprudential traditions, as well as the emergence of influential Sufi mystical orders.

The Spread of Islam beyond the Middle East

As the Islamic faith spread beyond its Arabian heartland, it encountered and assimilated a wide range of local cultures, traditions, and belief systems. In North Africa, Islam blended with indigenous Berber and Saharan traditions, while in Central Asia, it incorporated elements of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Turkic nomadic customs.

The conversion of the Seljuk Turks to Sunni Islam in the 11th century marked a significant turning point, as the Seljuk Empire played a crucial role in spreading the faith throughout Anatolia and the Caucasus. Similarly, the Moorish Caliphate that emerged in Iberia during the medieval period left a lasting imprint on the development of Islamic culture and scholarship in the region.

The Islamic World in the Modern Era

In the present day, the Islamic world continues to grapple with a range of political, social, and theological challenges. The ongoing Sunni-Shia rivalry has fueled conflicts and proxy wars across the Middle East, while the fragmentation of the caliphate system has led to the rise of diverse centers of Islamic authority and learning.

Despite these internal divisions, Islam remains a vital and influential force, shaping the cultural, economic, and geopolitical landscape of much of the world. The religion's impact can be seen in fields ranging from architecture and art to science and philosophy, with the various schools of Islamic thought and practice continuing to evolve and adapt to the realities of the modern era.