Pluralism in the Nascent Muslim Community

• Seventh-century Arabian society suffered under frequent intertribal conflicts. Muhammad opposed this by creating a group that would transcend tribal affiliation and forge new compacts with other religious communities. The first Muslim community drew from every sector of Arabian society: elites prayed shoulder to shoulder with former slaves. Arabs, Persians, Abyssinians and Egyptians were drawn to the Islamic teaching that superiority is based on piety, not on family lineage or ethnicity. Non-Arabs were given positions of authority, such as Bilal ibn Rabah, the first person to issue the call to prayer and a former Abyssinian slave. Christians and Jews also converted, including Safiyah bint Huyyay, one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives. Welcoming people from all walks of life helped expand the Muslim community, and brought a wealth of experience and connections. The Muslim community used ties with different tribes and faith communities for defense, diplomacy and commerce.
  
  

Social Mobility in Muslim Lands

• The message of equality in Islam provided an unusual social mobility in some Muslim lands. Iltutmish arrived in Delhi a slave in the thirteenth century and became a sultan. 'Izz al Din Aybak was a Mamluk slave in Egypt at this time, and ruled Egypt for seven years. While not every slave would become a sultan, Islam encouraged fair treatment of minorities.
  
  Islam formed the basis of policies that would limit mistreatment of minorities in Muslim countries. While not uniformly positive, Muslim lands often welcomed Jews and Christians, and they held positions of authority in Muslim countries for centuries.
  
  

Educational Opportunities for a Better Society

• During Europe's Dark Ages, the Muslim world attracted the best and brightest minds, as Islam encourages educational advancement. This led to inventions and discoveries that improved standards of living, economic growth and security. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, "Seek knowledge, even in China." Muslims inferred from this that the search for knowledge should have no boundaries. Muslim scholars translated texts from Greek and Latin and made them available to scholars in Western Europe. They developed concepts in algebra, geometry, chemistry and the social sciences.
  
  

Economic Development Provides Stability and Encourages Growth

• Economic strength is essential to the stability and growth of a community, and the ability of Muslim lands to gain and circulate wealth gave them leverage. Mecca was a hub of commerce, and pilgrims and merchants met and traded. Trade between Western Europe and East Asia enriched Muslim lands. The check was developed during the reign of Harun al-Rashid to transfer money securely. The wealth acquired in and by Muslim states funded organizations and facilities that improved quality of life, including hospitals and schools.