Final answer:
The geographic hearth of Islam is the Arabian Peninsula, specifically the Hijaz region. Founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE, it originated within a tribal society engaged in trade and travel. Rapid expansion followed, leading to the widespread adoption and influence of Islam.
Step-by-step explanation:
The geographic hearth of Islam is the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the region of the Hijaz, which is most of today's kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This area is home to Islam's holiest sites and is where its founder, the Prophet Muhammad, spent the majority of his life. Dating back to the early 7th century CE, Islam was founded in a region known for its trade and travel, benefiting from the Arabs' skilled mercenary forces and well-established trade routes that linked Europe with Asia.
As for the circumstances surrounding its origin, Islam emerged in a tribal society with a strong oral tradition. Muhammad, a merchant from Mecca, began preaching and organizing Islam around 610 CE. He drew upon existing monotheistic faiths including Judaism and Christianity, while also shaping Islam with unique Arabian characteristics. The rapid expansion of Islam after Muhammad's death in 632 CE spread its influence across North Africa, the Middle East, Persia, and eventually South Asia and Iberia.
The principles of Islam avidly spread among the tribal groups of Arabia, leading to the establishment of the Islamic Caliphate and the transfer of the capital from Medina to Damascus, and later to Baghdad. Early Muslims were oftentimes traders, and under Islamic rule, trade became closely regulated, unifying a vast and culturally diverse region through commerce and shared religious beliefs.