We trace the shocking and rapid rise of Islam in the 600s, as a  confederation of desert towns and tribes unite around Muhammad and his  prophesies from the Abrahamic god, then swiftly launch a stunning  campaign of conquests against the major empires of the age. We consider  the roots of the basic teachings and practices of the new religion,  including the Qur'an, the hadiths, the Five Pillars, jihad, shariah, the  divide between Sunni and Shiah, and Islamic laws regarding the status  of women and of Jews and Christians or "people of the Book."

Please sign on as a patron in order to hear the second part, on Islam from the "Golden Age" to the Fundamentalist Reaction:  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=5530632