The Prophet Muhammad & The Beginnings of Islam
Arabia Before Muhammad Makkah (Mecca): Important trade stop and religious center of Arabia People settled there because of the fresh water well Location of Kaaba (shrine with 300 religious idols) Population very diverse: Arabs, Christians, & Jews Arabs: - majority of Arabia’s first inhabitants were Bedouins - had no strong central government - practiced animistic polytheism - origins: Biblical tradition: Arabs are Semites (descendants of Noah’s son) Qur’anic tradition: Arabs are descendants of Abraham’s son Ishmael Quraysh - Powerful local tribe - Protected the Kaaba and its idols for a fee
Muhammad Spreads the Word of Allah Major points of Muhammad’s public teaching there was only one God (Allah) 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 Judgment Day The Prophet’s companions credited him with miracles: passed through the seven levels of heaven in the “Night Journey” brought forth a spring in Mecca
Muhammad’s preaching angered many of the people of Mecca He wanted to abolish idolatry, yet most Meccans did not want to give up their idols He was critical of wealthy merchants who controlled most of the money and power in Mecca Protection for the Prophet Born into Hashim family of the powerful Quraysh tribe sometime between 570 and 580 CE. he was protected by this tribe while in Makkah
The Emigration to Madinah (Medina) The Hijrah Muhammad decided to leave Makkah after the death of his wife and uncle 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, 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 (Medina) 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, Muslims to prayed in the direction of Jerusalem, but later changed it to the Kaaba in Makkah
The Return to Makkah & the Battle of Badr Outcomes of the Battle of Badr Makkans laid siege on Madinah in 627, in the Battle of the Trench In 630, Muhammad and his supporters captured Mecca Idols & other pagan relics were destroyed & the Kaaba was rededicated to Allah In 632, Muhammad led the hajj, commonly called “the pilgrimage of farewell,” b/c it was his last every detail of his action on this event was noted & imitated by his disciples the rites & ceremonies of the hajj became standard practice for all Muslims The Quraysh As Islam grew, the Quraysh became hostile towards the Muslims Muhammad and his followers Muhammad’s army, though tremendously outnumbered, won the Battle of Badr
Islam As a Way of Life 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 Quran provide rules and principles for all Muslims The most basic rules of the Sunna and Quran are summarized in the five pillars
Shahada Profession of Faith: “There is only one God (Allah) and Muhammad is his prophet.” Salat Daily Worship: Five times a day:guided by a precise set of rituals
Zakat Almsgiving: 2 1/2% of Muslim’s income or 1/40 of all they possess annually Sawm Sawm Fasting 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