The History of Islam
Start with the Online Subscription Databases. However, for this subject, I don't recommend putting "Islam" in the Tiger Search box to the left, because this will produce about two million hits.
Try starting with Gale Student Resource Center. Use the Advanced Search, with terms like Keyword: history and Document Title: Islam. This produces several good articles under the Reference tab. Here's the link.
To use the Tiger Search (which searches all of our databases at once), I would recommend clicking on the link below that takes you to the Advanced Search. From there, try "Islam" and "history" as search terms. Click on the Social Studies option of resources. Be sure to click on the Full Text Only tab.
Quality Online Sources from the Free Web
This tutorial outlines "Muslim beliefs and practices, as well as the history of the Islamic world from the 7th to the 17th centuries, including the expansion of the Islamic empires of Asia, Africa, and Europe." Sections include "The Caliphate and the First Islamic Dynasty," "The Fractured Caliphate and the Regional Dynasties," "The Mongol Invasions," and "Rise of the Great Islamic Empires." Produced by the Applied History Research Group at the University of Calgary.
Text of the February 19, 2003, CRS (Congressional Research Service) Report for Congress about this religion, which teaches that "Allah selected Muhammad ... as the last of the prophets." Includes a brief historical background, tenets of Islam, jihad, the status of women, and other aspects of Islam. Opens directly into a PDF document. From the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Note: "The Congressional Research Service does not make its publications directly available online."
Collection of background articles and FAQs on Islam, covering questions about the history of Islam, Ramadan, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca known as hajj, the Sunni and Shia belief groups, Wahhabi Islam, the fatwa, and related concepts and topics. From the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
Islam and Islamic Studies Resources
A collection of annotated sites on "the study of Islam, Qur'an, hadith, the Sunnah, Shi'ism and Heterodox Movements Sufism, Islam in the modern world, militant Islam, jihad, Islamist or extremist Muslims, and terrorism, Islam in Iraq, Muslim women, Islamic art, architecture, music, as well as Islamic history, theology, philosophy, and Arabic and other Islamic languages such as Persian, and religion in general." From a professor of religion at the University of Georgia. This site is extensive!
WebChron: Historical and Cross-Cultural Chronologies
This ongoing project contains a series of linked chronologies that depict world, regional, and cross-cultural history. There is a major World History Chronology , and Regional Chronologies that range from Africa South of the Sahara to India and South Asia to North America. Cross-Cultural Chronologies include Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Western Civilization, and Technology. Developed by the History Department at North Park University, even though it has now moved off the university's server. Notice the ISLAM CHRONOLOGY button on the left-hand side.
Introduction to "the political and military succession to Muhammad" after his death in 632. Features a brief description of the system of government ruled by patriarchal caliphs (relatives and followers of Muhammad), Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman. Part of the World Civilizations Internet anthology at Washington State University.
Based on the opinion that "no story has been more confusing for the Western news media to cover in postwar Iraq than the politics of the country's Shi'ite majority," this article provides a basic outline of Shi'ite religious history. Discusses the Sadr family (Muhammad Baqir as-Sadr, Ayatollah Muhammad Sadiq al-Sadr, and Muqtada as-Sadr), Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim, and other figures. From a Harvard University history professor and author of two books on the Shi'ites.
This five-part series looks "at the origins of the Sunni-Shia split in Islam, the religious and historical differences, how Iran became Shiite, and how conflicts involving Shiism have made an impact beyond the Middle East." Discusses origins, key individuals, and related topics. Includes a chronology, map, and bibliography. From National Public Radio (NPR).
Part of a larger site containing information on the history, customs, beliefs, and holidays of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and a dozen other religions. Includes links to related content from the BBC.
Searchable and browsable versions of Islam's sacred text, the Holy Quran. Numerous translations available, including a phonetic search capability. Audio versions also offered in many languages.