The Prophet Muhammad

Arabia Before Muhammad What do you see here? What skills would a person need to survive and prosper in this environment?

A. Makkah Important trade stop and religious center of Arabia People settled there because of the fresh water well Location of the Kaaba Population very diverse: Arabs, Christians, Jews, etc.

B. Arabs Arab (abhar = to move or pass) Majority of Arabia’s first inhabitants were Bedouins (nomadic Arabs) Origins: Africa or Mesopotamia? Biblical tradition: Arabs are Semites (descendants of Noah’s son) Qur’anic traditiion: Arabs are descendants of Abraham’s son Ishmael

B. Arabs Valued camels and swords above all else Had no strong central government Practiced animistic polytheism (many gods)

C. Quraysh Powerful local tribe of Arabs Encouraged tribes to deposit idols in the Kaaba and protected them for a fee.

Muhammad’s Call to Prophethood What do you see here? What might the geometric shape on the right represent? The one on the left? Any ideas as to why the shapes are there?

Muhammad’s Early Life Born into the Hasim family of the powerful Quraysh tribe sometime between AD 570 and 580 Angels told mother, Amina, to name child Muhammad (highly praised) Father, Abdallah, died before Muhammad’s birth; mother, Amina, died when he was six

Muhammad’s Early Life Raised by uncle, Abu Talib As a young man, he worked for a wealthy widow, Khadija Married Khadija; had 7 children (only 1 daughter – Fatima- survived) Had reputation as a seeker of solitude

The Divine Revelations Tradition has it, at the age of 40 Muhammad was alone in a cave outside Makkah seeking solitude (which was usual for him) and was visited by the angel Gabriel Muhammad was instructed to teach humanity more about God and how to worship Him.

The Divine Revelations Muhammad, like the prophets who preceded him, taught people to believe in One God (in Hebrew is “Eloh” and in Arabic is “Allah”). Muhammad’s miracle was the Qur’an itself, which Muslims consider to be the final message from God to humanity. At first not many believed Muhammad.

The Divine Revelations Geometric shapes cover the images of Muhammad and Gabriel in this picture, because Muslims believe that depictions of the prophets of God and other respected persons are not acceptable and they request others respect their view on this matter.

Muhammad Spreads the Word of Allah What do you see here? What do you think the two geometric shapes on the left represent? What are the men on the right doing?

Muhammad’s Teaching Major points of Muhammad’s public teaching: There was only one God and all should submit to him All believers in God were equal The rich should share with the poor People should live righteously All people would be subjected to a judgement day

Muhammad’s Teachings The Prophet’s companions credited him with miracles: Passed through the seven levels of heaven in the “Night Journey”(in 619) Miraj in Arabic Gabriel led way - Buraq, the winged horse, carried him from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to heaven where he traveled through the 7 levels of heaven meeting Adam, John, Jesus, Joseph, Idris, Aaron, Moses and Abraham. Baraq took him to Paradise to meet God Caused a dry well in Makkah to gush water

Angry Makkans Muhammad’s preaching angered many of the people of Makkah: Wanted to abolish idolatry yet most Makkans did not want to give up their idols Critical of wealthy merchants who controlled most of the money and power in Makkah

Protection for the Prophet He was able to remain in Makkah because of his powerful and respected family

The Emigration to Madinah What do you see here? Where in the picture is Muhammad? Why would it have been necessary for Muhammad to leave Makkah? Why would these people be eager to have Muhammad enter their community?

The Hijrah Muhammad decided to leave Makkah after death of wife,Khadija, and uncle,Abu Talib Traveled to oasis city of Yathrib This journey (hijrah, in Arabic) marks the beginning of Islam and the Muslim calendar

Muhammad’s Welcome Prophet was welcomed by Jews and Arabs of Yathrib Both groups hoped Muhammad could prevent a civil war from breaking out Renamed Yathrib to Madinaht unNabit, which means “City of the Prophet” Believers in Islam began to call themselves Muslims (those who submit to God’s will)

Conflict in Madinah Muhammad hoped Islam could win new converts Some Jewish leaders did not accept Muhammad as God’s latest prophet Jews who opposed Muhammad were expelled from Madinah At first, Muhammad told Muslims to pray in the direction of Jerusalem, but later changed it to the Kaaba in Makkah

The Return to Makkah What do you see on the left? Where is Muhammad represented in this picture? What do you think Muhammad and his companions are doing? Why would the group of soldiers want to attack them?

The Quraysh As more people accepted Islam, the Quraysh became hostile towards the Muslims

Muhammad and his followers Muhammad’s army, though tremendously outnumbered, won the Battle of Badr

Outcomes of the Battle of Badr More battles were fought in the years that followed the Battle of Badr Makkans laid siege on Madinah in AD 627, in the Battle of Trench In AD 630, Muhammad and his supporters captured Makkah Idols and other pagan relics were destroyed and the Kaaba was rededicated to God In 632, Muhammad led the hajj, commonly called “the pilgrimage of farewell,” for it was his last Every detail of his actions on this event was noted and imitated by his disciples The rites and ceremonies of hajj became standard practice for all Muslims

Islam as a Way of Life What do you see here? Which structure is the most important? What is covering the structure? Why do you think so many people are gathered at this location? Without using force of intimidation, how could these people be kept orderly and peaceful?

The Five Pillars of Faith Muhammad’s companions desired to maintain an Islamic community Recorded his revelations into Qur’an; his personal deeds into the Sunna Sunna and Qur’an provide guiding rules and principles for all Muslims The most basic rules of the Sunna and Qur’an are summarized in the five pillars

Shahada (profession of faith) “There is only one God and Muhammad is his prophet.”

Salat (daily worship) Five times a day Guided by a precise set of rituals

Zakat (almsgiving) 2.5% of a Muslim’s income, or 1/40 of all they possess annually

Sawm (fast) From sunrise to sunset during the holy time of Ramadan

Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) Undertaken once in a lifetime Reminder of equality between all Muslims