Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils develop broad knowledge of Islam's rise. They study Muhammad's role and the early caliphates before focusing on the creation of Baghdad as a new capital for the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate. The unit focuses on the second-order concept of causation.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the events that led to the rise of Islam.

Key Notes

• Baghdad, the 'City of Peace', was a hugely important Islamic city for c. 500 years that grew with the spread of Islam.
• Muslims believe Muhammad, a merchant from Mecca, became a prophet c. 610 CE by receiving revelations from Allah.
• These revelations were first spread orally and then written down in a single text known as the Qur'an.
• The elites of Mecca rejected Muhammad's revelations, forcing him to flee to escape persecution.
• The Hijra was the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.

Vocabulary To Learn

• Islam: Islam is the religion followed by Muslims, who believe that there is one God: Allah
• revelation: a revelation is a special message to someone from a divine being or God
• Qur'an: the Qur'an is the Islamic holy book
• migration: a long journey to a new home is called migration

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the founder of Islam.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Baghdad, the 'City of Peace' Study Guide
• How Baghdad became the 'City of Peace' Study Guide
• The early caliphates and the spread of Islam Study Guide
• The early success of Islam Study Guide
• The geography of the Umayyad Caliphate Study Guide