An Example of Noble Character

MERCY TO THE WORLDS achieved a decisive victory, and in 627 CE, he recovered his lost territories. However, both empires were left significantly weakened. It was during this very period that the Prophet of Islam emerged. He and, later, his Companions confronted and dismantled both empires, ushering in a new era of freedom in world history. The Encyclopedia Britannica (1984 edition) contains a 26page article titled “Byzantine Empire,” written by Professor Donald Mac Gillivray Nicol, a specialist in Byzantine history. Regarding the Muslim era, he notes: “After the Prophet died in 632 CE, the caliphs redirected the strength of the Arab Bedouins toward a purposeful and organized campaign of conquest—specifically aimed at ending religious oppression in the world. The Byzantine and Persian empires, both deeply entrenched in political and religious authoritarianism, were the main agents of this oppression. The outcome was remarkable. In 636 CE, the Byzantine army was defeated in a battle on the banks of the Yarmouk River. This opened the gates of Palestine and Syria to the Arabs. Alexandria surrendered in 642 CE, and from that point onward, the province of Egypt permanently slipped from Byzantine control. Around the same time, the Arabs advanced into the region of Mesopotamia and soon defeated the Persian army, capturing