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There is only one major world religion that developed after [[Jesus Christ]]: Islam.<ref>The small Indian religion of Sikhism, which broke off from Hinduism to defend against Islam, also developed after Christianity.</ref>  But it has gained more adherents and conquered more countries in the past 1300 years than any other non-Christian religion.  The religion of Islam is one of the most important aspects of World History, and its importance is growing.

There is only one major world religion that developed after [[Jesus Christ]]: Islam.<ref>The small Indian religion of Sikhism, which broke off from Hinduism to defend against Islam, also developed after Christianity.</ref>  But it has gained more adherents and conquered more countries in the past 1300 years than any other non-Christian religion.  The religion of Islam is one of the most important aspects of World History, and its importance is growing.

'''The word "Islam" means "submission to God."'''  Its founder was [[Muhammad]] (A.D. 570-632), a successful merchant in [[Mecca]].  According to Islamic (Muslim) beliefs, Muhammad founded Islam based on revelations from the Angel Gabriel, whom many Christians recognize as having the same name as the angel who appeared to [[Mary the mother of Jesus|Mary]], the mother of Jesus.  (The angel Gabriel is also mentioned in the [[Old Testament]], such as in the [[Book of Daniel]].)  In fact, Islam treats Mary, Jesus and the Old Testament prophets as very holy people, and Muslims consider [[Abraham]] to have been their father just as [[Jewish]] people do.  Muslims considered Christians and Jews "people of the book," and allowed them special rights in the early days of Islam, a policy of cooperation that does not exist today.

'''The word "Islam" means "submission to Allah."'''  Its founder was [[Muhammad]] (A.D. 570-632), a successful merchant in [[Mecca]].  According to Islamic (Muslim) beliefs, Muhammad founded Islam based on revelations from the Angel Gabriel, whom many Christians recognize as having the same name as the angel who appeared to [[Mary the mother of Jesus|Mary]], the mother of Jesus.  (The angel Gabriel is also mentioned in the [[Old Testament]], such as in the [[Book of Daniel]].)  In fact, Islam treats Mary, Jesus and the Old Testament prophets as very holy people, and Muslims consider [[Abraham]] to have been their father just as [[Jewish]] people do.  Muslims considered Christians and Jews "people of the book," and allowed them special rights in the early days of Islam, a policy of cooperation that does not exist today.

Muhammad preached a new [[monotheistic]] religion based on only one god, Allah, at a time when Mecca was still [[polytheistic]].  Located in Mecca was the "Ka'aba", a temple which housed the "Black Stone," an important religious relic of the [[Arab]]s' polytheistic religion.  Businessmen in Mecca — who made a substantial profit off of the swarms of [[pilgrims]] who came to see the holy shrine — feared that they might lose customers from Muhammad's preaching and they drove him out in A.D. 622 (the "hijra", or withdrawal).  Muhammad's flight (to the town of [[Medina]]) marks the first year of the Islamic calendar.

Muhammad preached a new [[monotheistic]] religion based on only one god, Allah, at a time when Mecca was still [[polytheistic]].  Located in Mecca was the "Ka'aba", a temple which housed the "Black Stone," an important religious relic of the [[Arab]]s' polytheistic religion.  Businessmen in Mecca — who made a substantial profit off of the swarms of [[pilgrims]] who came to see the holy shrine — feared that they might lose customers from Muhammad's preaching and they drove him out in A.D. 622 (the "hijra", or withdrawal).  Muhammad's flight (to the town of [[Medina]]) marks the first year of the Islamic calendar.