The Arabs have been bringing knowledge of the ancient world to Europe since the eighth century. In the fields of medicine, mathematics or philosophy, the scholars in their civilisation were far beyond their time and still affect our world today. For a long time the Arabs were estranged, not united by one nation or leader. They had little in common but a shared language. This didn't change until Mohammed ended polytheism, founded a new religion and united all of the Arabic tribes in their faith in one God: Allah.