Early Muslim Conquests (632-750)
Islamic armies surged from Arabia after Prophet Muhammad’s death, defeating Byzantine forces at Yarmouk in 636. The Rashidun Caliphs conquered vast territories across the Middle East, Persia, and North Africa. The Umayyad dynasty pushed into Spain by 711, spreading Islamic rule. Religious duty to expand dar al-Islam (House of Islam) motivated these campaigns. Economic incentives like jizya taxes and land grants attracted warriors to the cause.
