Life of the Prophet of Islam

Born in 570 AD in Mecca Orphaned by age 6 – brought up by his uncle Abu Talib Trained to lead trading caravans – traveled throughout the Middle East As a young man, he gained a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness – “Al Amin” Birth of Muhammed

Mecca Center of trade in the Arabian Peninsula Dominated by the Quraysh tribe, who controlled the Ka’aba People were mostly pagan – primarily worshipped three goddesses – but there were over 350 statues in the Ka’aba! Minority of Jews and Christians

The Ka’aba Shrine believed to be built by Abraham and Ishmael to Yahweh Held images of pagan deities and even some Christian icons Black Stone – believed to have been given to Abraham by Gabriel Under the control of the Quraysh tribe – who became wealthy because of pilgrimages to the shrine

Marriage to Khadijah Khadijah bint Khuwaylid – a wealthy widow who owned a trading company Hired Muhammed to operate her caravans to Syria Proposed to him a few years later – she was several years older than he was Their marriage as extremely happy She was his greatest supporter He married no one else while she was still alive

Night of Power and Excellence Often went to a cave on Mt. Hira to pray and meditate Vision of Gabriel (Jibril) “Recite” – the first words of the Qur’an Muhammed thought he was going insane Khadijah reassured him that his vision was real

Muhammed's revelations will continue for the rest of his life – sometimes on Mt. Hira but also at other times and places Muhammed began preaching in Mecca His first disciples were his wife Khadijah and his uncle Abu Talib

The Qur’an Muhammed’s revelations would be memorized by his followers After his death, they were written down Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the Word of God dictated to Muhammed

Preaching in Mecca Muhammed begins preaching the belief in One God = Allah Opposition from Quraysh tribe who control the Ka’aba Muhammed’s followers begin to be persecuted, but Muhammed is protected by his uncle who is head of the Hashem Tribe

“Year of Sorrows” (619) Khadijah dies Abu Talib dies The new leader of Muhammed's tribe (the Abu Hashem) does not believe in Muhammed's Revelations Muhammed and his followers begin to be persecuted in Mecca

The Isra and Mi’raj Mohammed's supernatural journey to heaven and hell In a vision, he is taken to Jerusalem Ascends to heaven from the Temple Mount Visions of Abraham, Moses and Jesus

The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem Built on the Temple Mount on the site where Muhammed is believed to have ascended into heaven

The Hijra By 622, persecution of Muhammed's followers increased in Mecca Many Muslims flee to Yathrib, where they are welcomed After an assassination attempt, Muhammed also flees Hijra becomes year one in the Muslim calendar

Muhammed welcomed in Yathrib (later renamed Medina) As a neutral person, he is often asked to arbitrate disputes between various tribes Muhammed eventually becomes the ruler of Medina and most people there become his followers

Battles Between Muhammed and the Quraysh of Mecca Battle of Badr Battle of Urhud Battle of the Trench Battle for Mecca

Muhammed Conquers Mecca Marches on Mecca with an army of 10,000 Meccan troops refuse to fight Muhammed takes the Ka’aba and “purifies” it by emptying it of pagan idols and dedicating it to Allah

Muhammed’s Family Six children by his first wife, Khadijah Two sons, both died young Daughter Fatima was his favorite She married Muhammed’s cousin, Ali

Wives After Khadijah’s death, Muhammed married 11 other women Most were widows of his followers who had been killed in battle His favorite was Aisha, the daughter of one of his first followers, Abu Bakr

Unification of the Arabian Peninsula By the time Muhammed died, his followers had unified the entire Arabian Peninsula either through preaching or through conquest. It was the first time the Bedouin tribes of the peninsula had ever been united.

The Farewell Sermon (632) Lays out the basic beliefs of Islam Muhammed's last sermon (although he didn’t know it at the time)

Muhammed’s Death Fell ill in the house of his favorite wife, Aisha Died and was buried in Medina The “Mosque of the Prophet” was later built over his grave

Mosque of the Prophet Medina The green dome marks the place where the Prophet is buried

Accomplishments The Qur’an Introduced monotheism to the pagan Arab tribes Ethical laws Raised the status of women United the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula for the first time

Some felt that Muhammed’s son-in-law and cousin Ali should succeed as leader of the Muslims

Most Muslim leaders preferred to follow Muhammad's father- in-law and one of his earliest followers, Abu Bakr Abu Bakr becomes the first of the “Rightly Guided Caliphs” The Four “Rightly Guided Caliphs” with Muhammad