What distinguished the first centuries of Islamic history from early Christianity and Buddhism?

1. Rapid territorial expansion: While early Christianity and Buddhism took several centuries to spread across significant portions of their respective regions, the first centuries of Islamic history witnessed a remarkably rapid expansion. Within a few decades of the Prophet Muhammad's death in 632 CE, Muslim forces had conquered vast swathes of territory from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Indus Valley in the east.

2. Arab supremacy: In the early Islamic era, there was a strong emphasis on Arab supremacy. The Arabs were the dominant political and cultural force, and non-Arab Muslims often faced discrimination. This was in contrast to early Christianity and Buddhism, which were more inclusive and did not have such a strong emphasis on ethnic identity.

3. Rise of Islamic scholarship: The early centuries of Islamic history saw a flourishing of scholarship, particularly in the fields of theology, law, philosophy, and science. Muslim scholars made significant contributions to these fields, and their work was later translated into European languages and had a profound impact on Western thought.

4. Impact of the Qur'an: The Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, played a central role in shaping early Islamic society and culture. The Qur'an's teachings provided guidance on all aspects of life, from personal conduct to governance and law. This was in contrast to early Christianity and Buddhism, where there was a greater emphasis on oral traditions and the teachings of individual religious leaders.

5. Emergence of Islamic art and architecture: The early Islamic era saw the development of a distinctive Islamic art and architecture. This was characterized by the use of intricate geometric patterns, calligraphy, and domes. Islamic art and architecture had a profound influence on later Western art and architecture.