1. The Rise of Islam

2. The Islamic faith quickly spread across the Arabian Peninsula under Muhammad, and his successors.

4. By the 800s the Islamic Faith and rule had been established throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Spain

5. Reasons for the rapid success: Islam brought a sense of unity and communality to believers. – Through this unity they had a common cause to spread the Islamic faith Muslims saw victories as a sign of Allah’s support

6. Jihad- – those who fought and were willing to die in the name of Allah were guaranteed a place in heaven

7. Tolerance towards other faiths-Jews as Christians viewed as “people of the book” Weakness of the Byzantine and Persian Empires Superior military tactics and leaders