The Rise of Islam in Saudi Arabia - Assignment Example

The Middle East had more than one religion and community before the invasion of Muhammad. Europeans, Jews, Arabs and Persians were in control of Middle East. However, Muhammad invaded capturing most parts of Middle East and converted other religions with the help of alliance with Arabs. The rise of Islam in Saudi Arabia started in 624 with the first raid by followers of Muhammad in Mecca city. Muhammad faced serious setbacks because of the opposition from the people of Mecca. However, conquering of Mecca city started after Mecca caravans were attacked by Muhammad alliance later in 624.

Muhammad captured the Mecca city later in 630 after the Mecca’s population surrendered. Mecca community accepted Islamic religion and recognized Muhammad as the supreme leader. However, quite a number of tribes were against the Muhammad’s teachings and religion. Muhammad later died leaving no message about the leadership and future of Islamic religion. A new leader was immediately declared by the top advisers of Muhammad, and Abu Bakr was chosen as the leader, However, Unlike Muhammad whose leadership style was well known, Abu Bakr was referred as the successor of Muhammad.

Abu Bakr took over most parts of Arabia in his two year leadership. Tribes that were against Islamic authority faced Abu Bakr army under the leadership of Khalid ibn alwalid. The takeover of Arabia by Muslim community led to the establishment Caliph, the central control that formed strong alliance between Arabs and the Muslim community. This was one of the merits of growth and power of Islamic religion because coalition between Muslim communities led to formation of strong army. Establishment of a strong army after formation of Caliph led to the capture of other territories such as Byzantine Empire.

Other cities were also captured in Iraq after the battle between Muslim troops and the Persians. New leadership of Muslim community continued the spread of Islamic religion. After the death of Abu Bakr, Umar led on capturing other territories such as Iran and some parts of Asia, with thcConquest being also expanded to northern parts of Africa and to Europe. Muhammad being anti-Christ offered death threats to those who refused to convert to Islam. Additionally, his teachings motivated soldiers in war, and were told that those who died fighting for him would be speared during the Day of Judgment in heaven.

Syrians and Egyptian Christians accepted Islamic religion easily because they could not bear hardships they were facing from Christianity religions such as paying taxes. Other empires were too weak to defend themselves from Muslim community invasion, for example, Byzantine and Sasanian empires could not hold back Muslim fighters hence they were conquered and converted. Islamic principles and practice are significant to Muslim community. However, Islam varies because of difference of cultures and traditions.

For example, Saudi Arabia and Egypt practices are quite different. Egyptian Muslims are allowed to eat in public while in Saudi Arabia, eating in public leads to serious punishment. Islamic religion is guided by five principles; the first principle is Shahada or Knowledge of Allah as the only God and Muhammad as his messenger (Topbaş 20). Acceptance of Allah as the only God shows that other gods should be rejected. Muhammad is also accepted as the chosen one by God (Allah) to pass his message of Islam Salah is the second principle, which is a prayer to be conducted on daily basis to increase the relationship between man and his or her creator (Topbaş 21).

The third principle is Zakah or financial offering, whereby a small percentage of property is contributed to the poor to service their needs. Sawm or fasting is the forth principle, where Muslims are expected to abstain from food, sexual intimacy and smoking during fasting between morning to sunset. A once in a lifetime Hajj or pilgrimage visit to Mecca for every capable Muslim is the last principle for those are mentally fit, financially stable and physically fit (Topbaş 21). Work cited Topbaş O. Nuri. Islam: Spirit and Form, Istanbul: Erkam Publication, 2006. Print.