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Muhammad became a merchant, while still concerned with the ethical and moral failures in Arabia.
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Actually written while the prophet was still alive.
Order of important Muslim documetns:
1. Qu'ran
2. Sunna (actions of Muhammad during his life)
3. Hadith (sayings of Muhammad and his companions) Combined to create Shari'a (Islamic Law) dealing with personal and family matters. Main goal is not punishment but for forgiveness to those who repent. Any punishment, however, is supposed to be determined based on clear evidence. -
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950 men left from Mecca to escort a caravan from Gaza. Muhammad's followers defeated the Meccans while being outnumbered 3 to 1.
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10,000 Meccans advanced against Medina. Muhammad orders his followers to dig a great ditch to enhance the city's defenses. This allowed tthem to defeat the Meccans along with siegecraft.
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2 years later, Muhammad breaks the truce, eventually capturing Mecca as their resistance crumbled.
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The Arabs conquer a huge empire, with the Bedouins as their army's backbone.
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Muhammad dies, leaving no successor. Abu Bakr takes control, not as king or prophet, but as a caliph.
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The first four caliphs conquered much of the Middle East, Arablia, Persia, and Egypt.
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They conquered North Africa, much of Spain, and more territory in the East.
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The Arab armies' advance was halted crossing the Pyrenees and in France.
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Muhammad took an impressive band of followerst to Mecca to undertake traditional rites of pilgrimage. The Meccans agreed to a 10 year truce.
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Beginning of the existence of sensitivity toward human likenesses in religious buildings even though the Quran doesn't directly condemn it.