We are a Quran learning academy that offers courses related to Quran reading and memorization. But as Muslims we must know the history of Islam and how it spreaded becoming the fastest spreading religion globally.
With that thought, we decided to launch a course solely focused on the history of Islam. The course will provide an in-depth view of the history of Islam, including the pre-Islamic era, the origins of Islam, how Islam spread in the Prophetic era, the rise of Islamic empires, and the contributions of Islamic civilization and Muslims to science, arts, and politics.
The course is divided into five modules which will be taught online with our expert teachers. After completing this course, you will be capable of debating with anyone and understanding the rich history of Islam across different regions and countries.
Learning Objectives of Islamic History Online Course:
Here are the objectives of the course ‘Islamic History Online.’
The basic idea behind this course is to understand Islamic history with a proper timeline and events. The course draws a line between credible historical narrations and fabricated claims. Furthermore, it highlights the true heroes of Islam who helped in spreading Islam with blood and sweat.
You can take lessons from the past and apply them in today’s world. The course serves as a source of inspiration for future guidance in making the right decision.
The Islamic history course is divided into 11 modules, each serving its own purpose. We will start with the pre-Islamic era, what is called the Dark Age, and move on to the Prophetic (PBUH) era. The module distribution with hours is listed below with the course description.
Module Breakdown
Here is the breakdown of what you will be studying in this course.
Module 1: Introduction to Pre-Islamic Arabia
- Overview of Arabian society, culture, and religions before Islam.
- Key tribes and trade routes in Arabia.
- Political and social dynamics of the Arabian Peninsula.
Overview: The pre-Islamic era is considered one of the darkest times in humanity. Adultery was common; women had no rights, and daughters were buried alive. Most people were busy in idol worshiping and had forgotten the message of one God by Prophet Isa (PBUH).
The Arabs were distributed in tribes, and warlords often wage wars among themselves. This course will also discuss the economic and social dynamics of the Arabian Peninsula. This module is the first and fundamental module of the Islamic history course.
Duration: 15 Hours
Readings: Pre-Islamic Arabia and Its Environment.
Activity: Group discussion on the role of Mecca and Medina before Islam.
Module 2: The Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The history of Islam started after the birth of the Last Messenger (PBUH) of Allah. Therefore, we will highlight every aspect of his life, from birth and childhood till Islam took over the Arabian Peninsula.
- Early life and family background of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
- Revelation and the message of Islam.
- The Meccan period: Challenges and persecution.
- Migration to Medina and the establishment of the first Islamic state.
- The consolidation of the Arabian Peninsula under Islam.
Overview: This module will revolve around the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). We will be discussing his early life and family background and the difficulties he faced after he started spreading God’s message.
We will also discuss the tribal culture of Mecca and how and why the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was forced to leave his home and migrate to Taif and then finally to Median, the first Islamic state.
Duration: 15 Hours
Readings: Biography of the Prophet Muhammad.
Activity: Timeline project on key events in the life of the Prophet.
Module 3: The Rightly Guided Caliphs (632–661 CE)
- The leadership of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali.
- Expansion of the Islamic state into Persia, Syria, Egypt, and beyond.
- Internal challenges: The rise of sectarianism and the first civil wars (Fitna).
Overview: This module talks about the ear after the death of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Islamic empire expanded its boundaries in all directions, conquering Persia, Syria, Egypt, and Roman empires.
These victories were made possible under the rule of four Khaliphs: Abu Bakar (RA), Umar ibn al Khattab (RA), Uthman ibn Affan (RA), and Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). This module will also discuss the downfall of the Islamic empire, which changed the Islamic landscape and divided Muslims into Shia and Sunni.
Duration: 20 Hours
Readings: Early Islamic Conquests and the Challenges of Leadership.
Activity: Debate on leadership qualities of the Caliphs.
Module 4: The Umayyad and Abbasid Dynasties
- The Umayyad Caliphate: Political structure, military conquests, and administration.
- The Abbasid Revolution and the golden age of Islamic civilization.
- Baghdad as a center of learning: Science, medicine, and philosophy.
- Decline and fragmentation of the Abbasid rule.
Overview: The Umayyad Caliphate seized control after Ali (RA) ‘s death. Hasan ibn Ali (RA) and Mu’awiya signed a peace treaty, which made Mu’awiya the undisputed leader of the Islamic empire and the first caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate.
After Mu’awiya’s death, there were concerns and conspiracies regarding his successorship, leading to another civil war known as the Second Fitna, i.e., the Battle of Karbala. Umayaad Dynastie’s Mu’awiya was succeeded by his son Yazin, who was succeeded by his son Mu’awiya 2nd.
The Umayyad Dynasty felt threatened by Hussain ibn Ali (RA) and Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, which led them to Martyar Hussian (RA) and his family in the desert of Karbala. Al-Zubayr, the grandson of the first caliph Abu Bakr (RA), was declared caliph of Hijaz (Mecca and Median).
The Caliphate was shifted from Mu’awiya to ibn Marwan, another clan in the Umayyad Dynasty who waged multiple wars against Ibn al-Zubayr and later martyr him at the battle of Mecca in 692. With this victory, Abd al-Malik solidified the caliphate, and the dynasty ruled for another fifty-eight years before the Abbasi revolution, which started the third round of the caliphate in Islamic history.
The Abbasids Dynasty were the descendants of Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the uncle and companion of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Abbas (RA) protected Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and accepted Islam after the Battle of Badr.
The Abbasids had one goal: to restore the rule of the Prophet’s family. Muslims from every corner of the Islamic empire gathered around this idea, forming an army against the Umayyad Dynasty under the caliphate of Marwan II.
The leading groups in that army were Persians, Arabs, and Shia supporters who fought the Battle of the Zab in 750 CE and turned the tables in favor of the Abbasids. The victory over Marwan II changed the caliphate, and the capital moved from Syria to Iraq. The Abbasids caliphate ended after 500 years when the Mongols invaded Baghdad.
This module is one of the most important parts of the Islamic history course and will take more than 25 hours.
Duration: 25 Hours
Readings: Political and Cultural History of the Umayyads and Abbasids.
Activity: Presentation on key scientific achievements during the Abbasid period.
Module 5: Islamic Spain (Al-Andalus) and the Spread of Islam in Africa
- The Umayyad Emirate and Caliphate in Al-Andalus.
- Cultural and intellectual achievements in Cordoba, Granada, and Seville.
- The spread of Islam in North and West Africa: Berber dynasties and trade networks.
Overview: The Umayyad Dynasty moved from Syria to Europe after the Abbasids came into power. Their family members were hunted and killed over the next few weeks. Abd ar-Rahman escaped from the Abbasids and flew to Europe to establish himself as a Muslim ruler of Spain. They Umayyad Dynasty established a new regime in the European region, which is now known as Spain and France.
The Umayyad Dynasty, under the rule of al-Walid, waged a war against the Visigothic Kingdom of Spain. They sent an army of 1700 men under the command of Tariq ibn Ziyad to conquer the Visigoth-controlled Kingdom of Toledo. Tariq ibn Ziyad and his men faced the last King of Spain, Roderic of Toledo, and defeated him.
Tariq ibn Ziyad was then joined by another Muslim force led by his superior, ‘wali Musa ibn Nusayr’, and moved north. In 713, the count of Murcia (the city of Spain) surrendered, and Abd al-Aziz ibn Musa became the first governor of Al-Andalus.
The Umayyad army didn’t stop there; they continued expanding their boundaries, conquering southern France, Barcelona, Narbonne, etc. The Muslim invasion of Europe started a series of Muslim-Christian wars that changed the geography of Europe.
Abd ar-Rahman I, from the Umayyad caliphate, took control over the Muslim strongholds of Granada, Seville, and Cordova. He faced several challenges and fought wars with both Christians and Muslims before uniting the state of Al-Andalus.
Duration: 10 Hours
Readings: Al-Andalus: The Art of Islamic Spain.
Activity: Create a map showing key locations of Islamic influence in Europe and Africa.
Module 6: The Crusades and the Mongol Invasions
- The causes, events, and outcomes of the Crusades.
- Saladin and the recapture of Jerusalem.
- The Mongol invasions: Destruction of Baghdad and the impact on the Islamic world.
- The rise of new powers: Mamluks and the Ottomans.
Overview: The Crusades and Crusaders are a prominent part of Muslim-Christan history and have their own saga of religious wars fought to secure holy sites over the period of almost 200 years.
All of this began when Alexius I of the Byzantium Empire sent a letter to Pope Urban II asking for help against the Muslim Seljuk of Turkey. The call was answered by the Pope, who urged Christians to help the Byzantine Empire against Muslims and reclaim the Holy sites.
This marked the beginning of the first Crusade, comprising four powerful armies led by Raymond of Saint-Gilles, Godfrey of Bouillon, Hugh of Vermandois, and Bohemond of Taranto to aid Alexius’s ruled Constantinople.
The nexus between the Byzantium force and Crusaders secured Constantinople and led to the fall of Anatolia and Jerusalem. This marked the end of the first Crusade, with a few creating Crusade settlements in these areas to protect their interests.
Almost 50 years passed by, and no major war was fought between Muslims and Christians. This time period gave Muslims the time to regroup and reorganize their strategy. They made themselves stronger economically and militarily. In 1144, Seljuk general Zangi, defeated the Crusaders and captured the city of Edessa.
This victory boosted the confidence of the Siljuks and acted as a catalyst for the second Crusade, which lasted four years and was led by King Louis VII of France and King Conrad III of Germany. However, the Crusaders faced defeat at the hands of Nur al-Din—Zangi’s successor.
The Third Crusade was led by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, King Philip II of France, and Richard I of England against Saladin Ayubi to take back the city of Jerusalem. However, they didn’t succeed in this quest, and a peace treaty was signed between Richard and Saladin Ayubi to reinstate the Kingdom of Jerusalem, but Jerusalem city remained under Muslim control.
The Fourth Crusade resulted in the division of the Byzantine Empire, and thousands of men lost their lives. Pope Innocent III called it to recapture Muslim-controlled Jerusalem.
In 1203, Alexius IV became the emperor of Jerusalem and, as promised, submitted the city to the Church of Catholic Rome. However, the Crusaders deposed him because of several issues, including payments and gifts, and looted the wealthy city of Jerusalem, killing thousands of men.
The Byzantine Empire fell into three main states: Nicaea, Trebizond, and Epirus. And the Crusaders slack the city of Constantinople and killed thousands of men. The city was reclaimed by the Nicaea Empire and made it the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
The city of Constantinople was retaken by Muslims—the Ottoman Empire—on May 29, 1453, under the leadership of Sultan Mehmed II.
On the other hand, another empire emerged as a new superpower, challenging anyone in its way. This was the Mongolian Empire, established by Genghis Khan and his grandson Helugu, who conquered the capital of the Abbasids caliphate and executed al-Musta’sim, the last caliph of the Abbasid Dynasty.
The Mongols controlled most parts of Asia, Russia, and India before the Mamluks, another Muslim empire from the descendants of slaves of the Islamic Empire, defeated them. They took control of Egypt in 1260. In response, Louis IX of France and Edward I of England launched the Eighth Crusade but failed to defeat the Mamluks.
Duration: 20 Hours
Readings: Muslims, Mongols and Crusaders, and The Mongol and the Islamic world.
Activity: Role-play on the interactions between Muslim leaders and Crusaders.
Module 7: The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires
- The rise and consolidation of the Ottoman Empire.
- The Safavid Empire in Persia: Shia Islam as a state religion.
- The Mughal Empire in India: Cultural synthesis and architectural marvels.
- Decline of the Islamic empires and European colonization.
Readings: The Gunpowder Empires and Their Legacy.
Activity: Compare and contrast the administration of the three empires.
Module 8: Islam and Modernity
- The impact of European colonialism on the Muslim world.
- Reform movements and responses to modernity.
- The decline of the Ottoman Empire and the abolition of the Caliphate.
- The rise of modern nation-states in the Muslim world.
Readings: The Challenges of Modernity and Reformation.
Activity: Group discussion on how historical events shape contemporary Islamic thought.
Module 9: Islam in the Contemporary World
- Post-colonial developments in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.
- The role of Islam in politics: Nationalism, fundamentalism, and reform.
- Globalization, migration, and the Muslim diaspora.
- Contemporary challenges: Islamophobia, radicalism, and the quest for identity.
Readings: Islam in the 21st Century: Global Challenges and Opportunities, Islam in the 21st Century: Challenges and opportunities for social work with Muslims.
Activity: Case study analysis on a current issue affecting the Muslim world.
Module 10: Contributions of Islamic Civilization to Global Heritage
- Contributions in science, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy.
- Islamic art and architecture: Calligraphy, geometric patterns, and monumental buildings.
- Enduring legacies: How Islamic civilization influenced the European Renaissance.
Readings: Islamic Contributions to Civilization, Islamic Civilization, and the Muslim contribution to the Renaissance.
Activity: Museum project: Curate a virtual exhibition of Islamic contributions.
Assessment Methods
- Quizzes and Short Essays: Assess understanding of historical facts and events.
- Research Paper: Analyze a key figure, event, or theme in Islamic history.
- Group Presentations: Present a historical event and its impact on the modern world.
- Final Exam: Comprehensive assessment covering all modules.
