Introduces the dramatic story of the rise of Islam with the extraordinary life of the prophet Muhammad and his simple but revolutionary message. This episode covers the revelation and early writing of the Koran; the creation of the first Mosque; the persecution suffered by the first Muslims; and the major battles fought by Muhammad and his followers to establish the new religion. The rapid religious, cultural, and political expansion of Islam overwhelms the empires of Persia and Byzantium, creating a new empire larger than Rome.

Culture and goods flow freely throughout a large empire. Islamic principles and influence are spread further, affecting the intellectual development of the West. Arabic becomes the language of learning, and achievements in art, architecture, science, and medicine flourish. This episode also tells the story of the Crusades and describes the recapture of Jerusalem by Saladin the Great. The episode ends with the devastating invasion of Islamic lands by the Mongols.