In the 6th century AD, the Near East was divided between two great empires: the Persian and the Roman. A hundred years on, and one had vanished forever, while the other was a dismembered, bleeding trunk. In their place, a new superpower had arisen: the empire of the Arabs. So profound was this upheaval that it spelled, in effect, the end of the ancient world.

Question in the title.

For those not familiar with the term madhab:

http://www.sunnipath.com/library/Articles/AR00000081.aspx

I'm sure there are many similar threads.

A girl near me was annoyed at someones mention of 72 virgins that men are allowed in the afterlife if they die a martyr?

Can someone clarify what the heck that even means?

This link has been described as a fair point on the topic: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2002/jan/12/books.guardianreview5

Just to emphasise this thread is to tend to all general questions.

Umar (ra) died of the wounds three days later on Sunday, 7 November 644. Umar (ra) is reported to have left the following testament:

Be kind and generous to the Muhajirun and the Ansar. Those out of them who are good, be good to them; those who are bad overlook their lapses. Be good to the people of the conquered lands. They are the outer line of our defense; they are the target of the anger and distress of our enemies. They contribute to our revenues. They should be taxed only on their surplus wealth.

Be gracious to the Bedouins as they are the backbone of the Arab nation. I instruct you to be good to the Dhimmis for they are your responsibility. Do not tax them beyond their capacity.

Ensure that they pay the Jizya without undue inconvenience.