Islamic History Curriculum

Grades 1 through 12 — 36 Books — 739 Source Citations

From the Prophets through the modern Muslim world. Fully cited, scholar-authenticated Islamic History that builds historical thinking from narrative to DBQ analysis.

Our Philosophy

Islamic History is not just dates and dynasties. It is the story of civilizations, empires, great leaders, and the enduring contributions of Muslims to human knowledge and culture.

Historical Scope

From the Age of the Prophets through the modern Muslim world. We trace the rise and fall of empires, the flourishing of the Golden Age, and the challenges of colonialism and reform.

Civilizational Thinking

Students learn to recognize patterns of rise, flourishing, challenge, and adaptation across Muslim civilizations and empires spanning three continents and fourteen centuries.

Leadership & Legacy

We examine the decisions of caliphs, sultans, and scholars—their wisdom, their failures, and their lasting impact on Muslim societies and the wider world.

Muslim Contributions

Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy, literature, architecture. Islamic civilization shaped the world. Our curriculum makes these contributions visible and celebrated.

DBQ Capstone

High school culminates in Document-Based Question analysis. Students evaluate primary sources, compare perspectives, and construct evidence-based historical arguments.

Fully Cited

Every historical claim, every Quranic reference, every Hadith is sourced. 739 inline citations teach students the importance of evidence and scholarly rigor.

Historical Progression

Elementary (Grades 1-5)

Narrative Foundation

  • Stories of the Prophets and their lessons
  • Life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the early community
  • The Rightly Guided Caliphs and the foundations of Islamic civilization
  • The Umayyad and early Abbasid dynasties
  • Age-appropriate narratives building love for Islamic history

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Empire & Civilization

  • The Golden Age of Islam: peaks of science, medicine, and philosophy
  • Rise and expansion of Muslim empires across three continents
  • The Crusades and Muslim resilience in the face of invasion
  • Trade routes, cultural exchange, and global connection
  • Analytical skills deepen; students compare civilizations and systems

High School (Grades 9-12)

Analysis & Argument

  • Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires: structure, governance, culture
  • Colonialism and the fracturing of Muslim territories
  • Modern reform movements and nation-building
  • Contemporary Muslim world and global Muslim identity
  • Grade 12 DBQ capstone: students construct arguments from primary sources

Browse All Grades

Select a grade to explore the book, lesson plans, and resources for that level.

1

The Prophets

Beginning of Guidance

Introduction to Islamic history through the stories of Allah's messengers, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

Explore Grade 1
2

The Prophets

Lessons of Faith

Deeper exploration of prophetic narratives and the spiritual lessons embedded in Islamic history's foundational period.

Explore Grade 2
3

Prophet Muhammad

and the Early Community

The life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the formation of the ummah, and the first generation of Muslims.

Explore Grade 3
4

The Rightly Guided

Caliphs

The leadership of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. Foundations of Islamic governance and expansion of the Islamic state.

Explore Grade 4
5

The Umayyad & Early

Abbasid Era

The first major dynasties of Islamic history, territorial expansion, and the development of early Islamic administration and culture.

Explore Grade 5
6

The Golden Age

of Islam

Science, mathematics, medicine, philosophy, and architecture flourish. The translation movement and global intellectual exchange.

Explore Grade 6
7

Muslim Empires &

Civilizations

Rise and development of diverse Muslim empires across the Mediterranean, Middle East, Central Asia, and beyond.

Explore Grade 7
8

The Crusades, Mongols

& Resilience

External invasions and internal challenges. How Muslim societies endured, adapted, and recovered from existential threats.

Explore Grade 8
9

The Ottoman

Empire

Rise of the Ottomans from regional beylik to global empire. Governance, culture, military innovation, and territorial reach.

Explore Grade 9
10

Islam in Central Asia

& Persia

Safavid Persia, Central Asian khanates, and the interplay between Persian, Turkish, and Mongol cultures under Islam.

Explore Grade 10
11

The Mughal

Empire

Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. Islamic governance in India, synthesis of cultures, and architectural grandeur.

Explore Grade 11
12

Colonialism, Reform &

the Modern Muslim World

European colonialism, Muslim reform movements, independence, nation-building, and the contemporary Muslim world. DBQ capstone.

Explore Grade 12
36
Books Published
739
Source Citations
Grades 1-12
Complete Coverage
100%
Mufti Authenticated

Download a Free Sample Lesson

See the MLS Islamic History approach for yourself. Get a complete lesson including teacher notes and student activities.

Ready to Teach Islamic History?

Islamic History is the story of civilizations, empires, great leaders, and timeless lessons. MLS brings it all to life with fully cited, scholar-authenticated curricula for every grade.

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MLS Curriculum Assistant

Assalamu Alaikum! I'm the MLS Curriculum Assistant. Ask me anything about our K-12 Islamic Studies and Islamic History curriculum.