• Muhammad united pre-Islamic positions of authority unto himself
• Anyone could join community by conforming to first pillar
• Had almost unlimited capacity for growth through conversion
• Muhammad’s primary function was to ensure protection of community members
• Equalized blood-worth so that no life was more valuable
• Instituted mandatory tithe called zakat which every member had to pay
• Strove to attain some level of equality and independence for women
• Women had specific role in society and were under special regulation
• Allowed slavery but forbade enslaving Muslims, Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians
• Companions were living repositories of the hadith, giving information
  • Hadith were the oral anecdotes recalling words and deeds of Muhammad
• Implemented Constitution of Medina, including rules for Jewish and tribes