Islam began in Mecca when the Prophet Muhammad began to spread the word of God. The Prophet "sought to warn his people against worshipping false gods and all immortality, especially injustice to the poor, orphans, widows, and women altogether." The first converts of the religion were Meccan townsfolk and farmers. While some prominent Meccans joined him, the aristocracy generally resisted his teachings. According to the Qur'an, paradise lies in gratitude to God as well as in his guidance and forgiveness. Muhammad is accepted as the last of many prophets chosen to spread the word of God. Unfortunately, the prophet's teachings did not readily spread and succeed. Still, many peoples followed his wife, Khadija, and recognized him as a "chosen reformer." After Muhammad's death, the lack of a successor or son led to a political struggle between the Meccan and Medinan peoples. This ended when Abu Bakr was selected as the successor to the Prophet. However,as in most previous cases, many Arab tribes renounced allegiance to the prophet after his death. Nevertheless, the rule of Abu Bakr, "Reestablished religious conformity for much of Arabia and forced Arabs to recognize the faith and practice of Islam as opposed to a certain leader; the Prophet Muhammad in this case."
             Following Bakr, Caliphs Umar and Uthman pushed Arab armies beyond the peninsula and conquered Byzantine and Sasanid territories, Egypt, and most of Iran. This success can be credited to the leadership of the first caliphs and field generals as well as to the weakness of the Byzantine and Iranians. Later, Arab armies defeated the last of the Sasanid rulers. The fourth caliphate, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali was contested and created civil wars among Arab peoples.
             The fifth caliph, Mu'awiya, continued expanding and initiated the new Umayyad Dynasty. In the Mediterranean, an Islamic fleet conquered Cyprus, plundered S...