What were the Main Causes behind the Popularity of Islam?

The famous Historian V. A. Smith comments on the rapid spread and popularity of Islam thus “the rapidity of the spread of Islam, the religion of Muhammad and the dramatic suddenness, with which the adherents of his creed rose to a position of dominant sovereignty constitute one of the marvels or it might be said the miracles of history.”

Really Islam spread very rapidly. During the time of Muhammad’s death (632 A.D.) practically the whole of Arabia had embraced Islam and within the next 100 years the Caliphs and their commanders conquerable Persia, Egypt, central Asia, Western and Northern Africa and Spain. They also came to Sind in India wherever they went, Islam spread. The chief causes of the rapid expansion of Islam are the following:

(1) Personality of Muhammad:

Muhammad led his entire life as a Prophet. His truth loving nature derived all royal pomp and pleasure. He never maintained any army for his personal security nor did he maintain a treasury.

(2) The Simple Model and Effective Teachings of Islam:

Muhammad exhorted the people to believe in one God i.e., Allah. He called himself the Prophet of Allah. He never called himself the son of God rather considered himself one of the so many human beings. He asked the people to worship Allah direct and did not support the existence of any priestly class between Allah and his children’s. He opposed all rituals in worship. He preached to the people that they could offer their prayers at any place facing themselves towards Mecca.

He taught to the Muslims the message of humanity, brotherhood and equality. He asked the people to lead a pure and simple life. This simple teaching proved so effective that whole Arabia got united under one political organisation.

On its basis they became a Nation, being followers of one and the same religion. He preached to the people in a simple and effective manner. During the first thirteen years of his propagation of his religion he resorted to peaceful propagation. Later on he also resorted to warfare.

(3) Holy Caliphate (632-661) and Religious Enthusiasm:

After Prophet Muhammad’s death Arabs chose Abu Baker (632-634) as his successor. He came to be called the caliph. Though he was the Father in Law of Prophet Muhammad but the post was offered to him on the basis of popular will. His personal life was simple and sacred. During his tenure of just two years he annexed Iraq and Syria into Islamic bold.

Abu Baker was succeeded as Caliph by Umar (634-44). He was the ‘Brother in Law’ of Prophet Muhammad. Through his vast armies he defeated the rulers of Iran and North-Africa and achieved the expansion of Islam.

Umar was succeeded by the third Caliph, Usman (644-656). Their armies conquered Kabul, Gazni, Balkh, Herat and Turkey and propagated Islam.

After the death of Usman, Ali (656-661) became the fourth Caliph but Muavia, the Governor of Syria proclaimed his nomination to be involved and rose in revolt against him and the fourth caliph was murdered on 25th January, 661.

After the death of Ali, his elder son Hassan was elected Caliph by his followers but he abdicted the throne in favour of Muavia and thus Muavia became Caliph on 26th July, 661. His dynasty is known as the Ummayad Dynasty. His capital was Damascus; this capital helped the spread of Islam in Sind in India and China for the next 100 years. Tunis and Morocco in Africa, whole of Spain and part of France in Europe also embraced Islam.

(4) Financial and Social Causes:

The rapid spread of Islam was aided by many economic and social factors as well. The Arabs were the inhabitants of a poor and unfertile land. They naturally wanted a richer and more fertile land. They were very good warriors. They attacked their neighbouring countries. The rulers in those countries were squandering away the money collected by the people, so the people welcomed the Muslim invaders since Islam enjoined social equality and economic justice.

During the time of War the booty was distributed amongst Muslim soldiers. This also inspired a new enthusiasm among the followers and soldiers of Islam. This religion was strongly opposed to caste system and social in equality. That is why the people of many countries embraced this religion willingly.

Briefly then, the rapid expansion of Islam was aided by the great personality of Prophet Muhammad, the ideal life of the Holy Caliphs, religious enthusiasm of Muslims and the favourable political, social and economic factors of neighbouring countries. Famous Historian, H. G Wells has written correctly, “Islam spread in the world because it was the best social and political system of it times”.