Friday, May 9, 2025

A Basic History of Islam: From the 7th Century to Today

Islam is one of the world’s major religions, but like any belief system, it didn’t just appear out of thin air. Its roots are in the sands of 7th-century Arabia, where a man named Muhammad claimed to receive revelations from God. Those revelations would become the Quran, and the world would never be the same.

But what exactly is the story of Islam? Where did it come from? How did it grow from a small group of followers in Mecca to a global faith with over a billion adherents? And what does the evidence actually show?

The Arabian Origins: A World of Tribes and Trade

Islam began in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula, a region dominated by tribal societies. Most Arabs at the time were polytheists, worshipping a variety of gods at local shrines, the most famous of which was the Kaaba in Mecca. But the region wasn’t isolated. It was a crossroads for trade, ideas, and even religions — Judaism and Christianity were already well-established in nearby regions.

Muhammad: The Man Who Claimed a Message (570-632 CE)

Muhammad was born around 570 CE in Mecca, a bustling trading city.
Raised an orphan, he became a merchant known for his honesty, earning the nickname "Al-Amin" (The Trustworthy).
At the age of 40, Muhammad claimed to receive his first revelation from the angel Gabriel while meditating in a cave on Mount Hira.
Over the next 23 years, he continued to receive what he believed were divine messages, which were later compiled into the Quran.

The Meccan Period: Rejection and Persecution (610-622 CE)

Muhammad’s message of monotheism (belief in one God) was a direct challenge to the polytheistic beliefs of Mecca.
His early followers were few and faced intense opposition, including ridicule, economic boycotts, and physical violence.
Despite this, Muhammad continued to preach, attracting a small group of followers known as Muslims.

The Hijra: A Turning Point (622 CE)

Faced with growing hostility in Mecca, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Yathrib (later called Medina).
This migration, known as the Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
In Medina, Muhammad became not just a religious leader but also a political and military leader, building alliances and waging wars against his opponents.

The Rise of an Islamic State (622-632 CE)

Muhammad established Medina as an Islamic state, gaining followers through diplomacy, alliances, and military campaigns.
Conflict with the Quraysh tribe of Mecca eventually led to a series of battles, including the famous Battle of Badr (624), the Battle of Uhud (625), and the Battle of the Trench (627).
In 630, Muhammad and his followers marched on Mecca and conquered it peacefully.
By the time of Muhammad’s death in 632, much of the Arabian Peninsula had converted to Islam.

The Rashidun Caliphate: Expansion and Division (632-661 CE)

After Muhammad’s death, leadership passed to his closest companions, known as the "Rightly Guided Caliphs" (Rashidun).
Abu Bakr (632-634) fought the Ridda Wars, reuniting Arabia.
Umar (634-644) expanded the Muslim empire into the Levant, Persia, and Egypt.
Uthman (644-656) standardized the Quran but faced internal conflicts that led to his assassination.
Ali (656-661) struggled with a civil war, and his assassination marked the end of the Rashidun Caliphate.

The Umayyad and Abbasid Empires: From Expansion to Decline (661-1258 CE)

The Umayyad Caliphate (661-750) transformed Islam into a vast empire stretching from Spain to Central Asia.
The Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258) moved the capital to Baghdad, becoming a center of learning and culture.
But over time, the empire fragmented, with local dynasties taking control.

Islam in the Medieval and Early Modern World

The Seljuk Turks, Mamluks, and Ottoman Turks each played a major role in the spread of Islam.
The Ottoman Empire (1299-1922) became the most powerful Muslim state, controlling much of the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Europe.
In the East, Islam spread to India, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia through trade, Sufi missionaries, and conquests.

Colonialism, Reform, and Modern Movements (19th-20th Centuries)

The Muslim world faced European colonialism, with Western powers taking control of North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
Muslim reformers responded in different ways — some sought to adapt Islam to modernity, while others called for a return to fundamental teachings.
The fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1922 left a power vacuum, leading to the rise of modern nation-states in the Muslim world.

Islam Today: A Diverse and Global Faith

Today, Islam is a global religion with over 1.9 billion followers, divided into two main branches: Sunni (85-90%) and Shia (10-15%).
It is practiced in nearly every country, with significant Muslim populations in the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Islam is not a monolith — it includes a wide variety of beliefs, practices, and cultural expressions.

But How Did Islam Arrive in New Zealand?

This is where our journey continues in the next post. We’ll look at how Islam traveled halfway across the world and became part of New Zealand’s multicultural landscape.

If you’re curious about how a faith that began in the Arabian desert found its way to Aotearoa, keep reading.

History of Islam in New Zealand: From the First Arrivals to Today
Islam: What It Really Teaches — And What It Means for New Zealand
Islam’s Many Faces: Why One Faith Can Look So Different Around the World

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.

Mauao Man