Rise and Spread of Islam

Answer

Before Islam, the people of Saudi Arabia were divided into many pastoral tribes. They worshipped various idols, and there was no strong political organisation or government to maintain law and order.

Answer

Islam means submission to the will of Allah. It is the religion taught by Prophet Mohammad, and its followers worship one God, Allah.

Answer

Prophet Mohammad was the founder-prophet of Islam. He was born in Mecca in about CE 570, later had a spiritual experience in CE 610, and became the messenger of Allah.

Answer

He spread the message of Islam, taught belief in one God, and united many Arab tribes under a common faith and political rule. His teachings became the basis of the Muslim community.

Answer

In CE 610, Mohammad had his spiritual experience and became a prophet. He believed that Allah had chosen him to spread His message.

Answer

Hijra is the emigration of Mohammad from Mecca to Medina in CE 622 because of opposition in Mecca. This event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

Answer

CE 622 is important because Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in that year. This emigration, called Hijra, became the starting point of the Hijri calendar.

Answer

The Hijri calendar is the Muslim lunar calendar. A date in it is followed by AH, and its year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year.