CHAPTER 11

Rise and Spread of Islam

IN THIS CHAPTER

Summary: As the empires that lent their grandeur to the classical period of early civilization fell into
decline, the barren desert of the Arabian Peninsula witnessed the development of a belief system that
evolved into a religious, political, and economic world system. Dar al-Islam, or the house of Islam,
united sacred and secular institutions.

Key Terms

An asterisk ( *) denotes items listed in the glossary.

Allah
arabesque
astrolabe
Battle of Tours
caliph
Dar al-Islam
Five Pillars
Hadith
hajj
harem
hijrah
jihad
Ka’aba
Mamluks
minaret
mosque
Muslim
People of the Book*