Baghdad became a centre where knowledge was shared and influential ideas were created. Ibn al-Haytham invented an early type of camera that helped explain how the eye sees. The philosopher Ibn Sina wrote hundreds of texts on philosophy, geography, religion, mathematics and medicine. Al-Khwarizmi created writings on decimals, fractions and algebra. Muhammad taught his followers to worship the one God from whom he received the revelations. They were to lead simple lives based on their religious beliefs and observances, and help those in need. The main religious observances later became known as the Five Pillars of Islam. Find out more on the key facts about Islam in this religious studies guide . Meri, Josef Waleed, ed. Medieval Islamic Civilization: An Encyclopedia. New York: Routledge, 2006, Abingdon, U.K. The Early Islamic World was a period of rapid expansion for both the Islamic Empire and the religion of Islam. While Europe was languishing in the dark ages, the Middle East was experiencing a time of economic prosperity and scientific advancement. In this section, we cover the Islamic Empire from the start of Islam (610 CE) to the fall of the Ottoman Empire (1924).

After Muhammad died, the Islamic government was called the "Caliphate" and was ruled by a "Caliph." The first four Caliphs were all taught Islam by Muhammad and were called the "Rightly Guided" Caliphs. They were followed by the first Islamic dynasty called the Umayyad Caliphate. In 750 CE, the Abbasid Caliphate took control and ruled for 500 years. The Islamic Golden Age took place during the Abbasid Caliphate.The Islamic Golden Age was a period when science, culture, technology, education, and the arts flourished throughout the Islamic Empire. This period lasted from around 790 CE to 1258 CE. The cultural center during this time was the city of Baghdad which also served as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. However, powerful people in Mecca felt threatened by Muhammad’s popularity and his declarations that there was only one God, and they opposed him. He took his followers to Medina in 622, where he built an Islamic community around the mosque they constructed there. Scholars generally agree that Islam began early in the 7th Century CE, originating in the cities Mecca and Medina of Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe that around 610 CE the Prophet Muhammad began to have divine messages from the Islamic god Allah. Located between Asia and Europe, Baghdad was an ideal place for overland trade between the two continents. Soap, honey, diamonds and more were traded on The Silk Road. Industries in silk, glass and tiles were developed and Baghdad was the first city in the Islamic world to have its own paper mill. A technique learnt from Chinese travellers. The Islamic empire was the scene of a vast number of inventions and discoveries, including the development of algebra by Al-Khwarizmi.

Moaddel, Mansoor. " The Study of Islamic Culture and Politics: An Overview and Assessment." Annual Review of Sociology, Volume 28, Issue1, August 2002, Palo Alto, Calif. The city attracted scholars, scientists, Muslims, Christians and Jews from all over the world. The scholars worked together to translate ancient Roman and Greek texts on subjects like algebra, medicine, astronomy. All of the works were kept in the House of Wisdom, established by the Caliph Harun Al-Rashid and his son Al-Ma'mun. As the Caliphs built hospitals, observatories, schools, universities and libraries.This knowledge organiser has been designed by our teacher team to perfectly support the KS2 national curriculum for history, studying a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history. Where did the Islamic empire start? This timeline activity will help children develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history in contrast to each other, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.

Children can be introduced to the idea that people from other civilisations have contributed to many ideas that impact on us still. They can learn about some of the differences in way of life between citizens of Baghdad and London c. AD 900. Links can be made with other cultures that contributed to the formation of theories that are still used within modern day Britain. Children will also be introduced to personalities who undertook challenges on a huge scale to leave behind fascinating legacies. There is a strong emphasis on children investigating issues and solving valid historical questions recognising the nature of the evidence on which their judgements and knowledge are based. The teacher notes provide guidance for using this resource, and blank timelines have instructions for children working individually or as a group. You can use our Early Islamic Fact Sheet for help with completing the timeline. Many of the discoveries related to medicine, including the invention of cauterising wounds, forceps for childbirth and the use of catgut for stitching wounds, all still used today. The above video may be from a third-party source. We accept no responsibility for any videos from third-party sources. Please let us know if the video is no longer working.We have lots of learning resources for children learning about Islam in religious education and in history lessons, from the beginnings of Islam to the modern-day religion. Learn more about the history of the Islamic Empire In the year 610, a successful merchant called Muhammad reported hearing voices that recited passages to him, which he later recognised as revelations from God. Muhammad shared them with his wife and close friends, and gradually attracted a small group of followers from his home town of Mecca who began to practise a new religion. This new religion became known as Islam. People who practise Islam are called Muslims. The religion of Islam was founded in 610 CE by the Prophet Muhammad in the city of Mecca (modern day Saudi Arabia). The religion soon spread throughout the region and had a major impact on the culture of the Middle East and North Africa throughout the Middle Ages.