Islam spreads from Arabia: From Arabia, Islam spread in every direction. Traders, scholars and travellers carried it to Persia, to India, to Africa and to Europe. Wherever it went, people learned in their own language and kept their own culture — Islam did not ask them to become Arab.
Shia Islam spreads too: Shia Islam spread too, above all through the teaching of the Imams and their students, then through scholars, merchants and families. Today, Shia Muslims live in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India, Lebanon, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and in communities in Europe, America, Africa and Australia.
Najaf, Qom, and Karbala today: Today, the centre of Shia learning is the Hawza of Najaf and Qom. Millions visit Karbala every year, above all on Arbaeen, the fortieth day after Ashura — the largest peaceful gathering in the world.
Example
- Islam is not the religion of one country. It is a message that travelled by ships, by caravans and by books.
- A Shia Muslim in Pakistan and a Shia Muslim in London read the same Quran, love the same Prophet (SAW), and mourn the same Husayn (as). That is the power of one history.
Key Terms
- Arbaeen (أربعين) — the fortieth day after Ashura; the great walk to Karbala
- Najaf (النجف) and Qom (قم) — the two great centres of Shia learning
- Ummah (أمة) — the Muslim community, across all countries
Quran or Hadith
Quran 49:13 — "We made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know one another." — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: A simple world map showing the spread of Islam from Arabia, and the centres of Shia learning — Najaf, Qom, Karbala. In Project Desk colours.
- Islam spread from Arabia to Persia, India, Africa, Europe and beyond.
- Shia Muslims live all over the world, in many countries and languages.
- Millions visit Karbala every year, above all on Arbaeen, the largest peaceful gathering in the world.