Islam

     In the modern world, people's idea of Islam and Muslims is quite skewed, especially in America. However, looking back at the very beginnings of the religion and the empire allows one to understand the religion more and notice that the modern events involving Islam was not how it was in the beginning.

     From 600 to 1600, Islam played a central role in the Afro-Eurasian role, which then lived on to the modern age. This civilization spanned multiple continents, establishing prosperous cosmopolitan areas, such as Mecca and Baghdad, in places such as Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The founder of the religion, Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, who was born in Mecca as part of the Quraysh family, was said to have been meditating in a cave when the angel Gabriel revealed himself to Muhammad, relaying the word of God to him. After establishing the new religion, his very own people, the Quraysh were against him, causing Muhammad and his small band of followers to leave Mecca and reside in Medina. Over time, Muhammad was able to conquer other territories, including winning over Mecca by defeating their forces, leading to the expansion and growth of the Islamic Empire. Due to Muhammad's great military expertise, Islam spread all throughout the Afro-Eurasian world, establishing influence in many territories such as Ghana, India, and especially Persia.

     The Quran, the Islamic holy book said to contain the sayings of God, greatly influenced the religion, dictating much of the way people lived. In addition, it described the way people were supposed to conduct themselves. Although both men and women were equal under God, men were considered superior to women. Women were supposed to be covered from head to toe and wearing veils. Men were not allowed to look at a woman, whether those men were old or not, and therefore were not allowed to touch a woman, unless that woman was his wife. Also, women were often relegated to their own quarters and were not allowed to leave the room unless they were fully covered. Despite all of these regulations restricting women, women still observed some freedom and rights. For example, they were allowed to choose their husbands and could initiate divorce. In terms of slave marriage, men were allowed to marry up to four women, but he had treat them all equally. In addition, men could marry slave women only after he set them free. Women, on the other hand, were not allowed to marry slave men.