Islam was revealed following the Axial Age (800-200BCE) of human history and spread through many different cultures from its origins in the Arabian peninsula. Islamic societies fostered centers of learning that drew from and furthered the existing knowledge of the time. Nowadays, Islam has a different character in the many communities in which is is practiced, from the Americas to Asia.

Key Terms:

  • Tradition
  • Islamicate

Thumbnail: “Enjoy the Sunshine,” Penang Island, Malaysia. Photo Credit: Ah Wei (Lung Wei), 2016. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Learning Materials: