History glossary
Muslim
a follower of Islam; in history, the word can describe people, communities, rulers, or societies shaped by Islamic belief and culture.
- Category
- Religion and identity
- Region
- Global
- Date range
- from the seventh century
What it means
A Muslim is a follower of Islam, a monotheistic religion that began in seventh-century Arabia. In medieval history, Muslim communities stretched across the Middle East, North Africa, parts of Europe, Central Asia, and beyond. They were religiously connected but politically and culturally diverse, so phrases such as Muslim world or Muslim rulers should not be read as one single unified state.
Related terms
Stories using this term
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