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While mediating Muhammad encountered the angel Gabriel who told him the word of God. Then in faith to Gabriel's word Muhammad created and spreaded the Islamic religion. Muhammad's first followers consisted of family and friends.
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The Meccan merchants felt threatened by Muhammad's monothesistic religion. This was due to their assumption that the Islamic regilion would affect their busieness of polythesistic items. So they exiled Muhammad and in his exile he traveled to Medina. Now this journey is called the Hijra and it's one of the Muslims five pillars to complete this travel once in their life time if finanially possible.
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Muhammad died unexpectally of high fever in his wife's arms. His last wishes were for her to continue and grow the Islamic community he had built. Since he didn't appoint a succeeder before his death Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law, took control of the Muslim community.
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Abu Bakr was Muhammad's succeeder as he didn't estabilish one. He also was Muhammad's father-in-law seen he was Muhammad's wife's father. He was the first caliph and some Muslims refused to listen to him as he was not a descant of Muhammad. But he eventually united the community and additionally converted the remaining Arabs into Muslims.
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After the death of Muhammad, the last prophet, the Islamic community became very unstable. It divided into two sects, the Shi'a and the Sunnis. The Shi'a believed that only descendants of Muhammad should be caliph. Meanwhile the Sunnis believed that the caliph should be elected.
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Ali, a "cousin" of Muhammad, married his daughter, Fatima. Ali was known for his bravery on facing challenges and was elected caliph. Ali was stabbed during a morning prayer by an opposer of his reign.
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After the assasination of Ali, a powerful tribe set up the Umayyad Empire. This dynasty was Sunni orientated and dominated. During their reign of 89 years they defeated the Byzantine Empire and conquered more terriorities.
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There were many reasons for the fall of the Umayyad Empire, including internal and external problems. The internal problems consisted of excess greed of the lost of focus of the simplest of the Muslim life. The external problems were made up of other powerful sects of Islam wanting to take over which eventually happened.
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This was done to estabilish a more powerful capital. Additionally it was a key trade location, many lived their, and Persia was near by who were left out during the Ummayad Empire and now their making up.
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In fear of the growing Islamic Empire the Turks seeked the Romans help. The Turks didn't want the Muslims to conquer Jerusalem and they were successful thanks to the Romans. There were many more crusades to come.
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Like the Umayyad Empire it fell due to both internal and external problems. Internally there were alot of division within the Muslims which led to unnessacary fights. Finally another powerful Islamic sect decided to take over.
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The Empire descandented from Muhammad's uncle and it revolved around equality of all Muslims. During this Empire the Muslim community reached its greatest wealth and power. Baghdad even exceeded Constantinople in both wealth and power. Additionally discrimination of non-Muslims ended during this period.
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The caliph Haroun Al-Rashid which ruled for 23 years built the House of Wisdom. The house collected many books of philosophy, math, science, and medicine. It was a study with the purpose of giving knowlegde.
