The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)

Arabia before Muhammad Mecca important trade stop and religious center of Arabia people settle there because of the fresh water well location of Kabba (shrine with 300 religious idols) Arabs majority of Arabia’s first inhabitants were Bedouins Biblical tradition: Arabs are Semites (descendants of Noah’s son Koran tradition: Arabs are descendants of Abraham’s son Ishmael Valued camels above all else no strong central government Quraysh powerful local tribe of Arabs Encouraged Tribes to deposit idols in the Kabba and protect them for a fee Cartoon

Muhammad’s call to Prophethood Muhammed’s Early Life born into Hashim family of the powerful Quraysh tribe sometime between AD 570 and 580 angels told mother, Amina, to name child Muhammad (highly praised) father died before birth, 4 raised by Uncle, Abu Talib as a young man, he worked for a wealthy widow Khadija married Khadija and had 7 children only one daughter Fatima survived had reputation as a seeker of solitude

Spreading the word of Allah Muhammad’s Teachings Major points of Muhammad’s public teachings 1.There was only one God (Allah) and all should submit to him 2. all believers in God were equal 3. the rich should share with the poor 4. people should live righteously 5. all people would be subjected to a Judgement Day Miracles passed through the seven levels of heaven in the “Night Journey” brought forth a spring in Mecca Disagreements wanted to abolish idolatry yet most people of Mecca did not critical of wealthy merchants who controlled most of the money and power in Mecca Protection for Prophet he was able to remain in Mecca because of his powerful and respected family Cartoon

Emigration to Madinah Muhammad’s Welcome Prophet was welcomed by Jews and Arabs of Yathrib both groups hoped Muhammad could prevent a civil was from breaking out renamed Yathrib - Medina believers in Islam began to call themselves Muslims (those who submit to the will of God) 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 Medina at first Muhammad told Muslims to pray in the direction of Jerusalem but later changed it to the Kabba in Mecca The Hijrah Muhammed left after death of wife and Abu Talib Traveled to oasis city of Yathrib this journey marks the the beginning of Islam and the Muslim calendar Conflict in Medina Cartoon

Return to Mecca Outcomes of the Battle of Badr more battles were fought in the years that followed the Battle of Badr Medina taken over by angry Meccan’s AD 630 Muhammad and supporters capture Mecca idols and other pagan relics are destroyed and the Kabba rededicated to Allah 632 Muhammad makes his last journey to Mecca - called the hajj every detail of his actions on the event were noted and imitated by his disciples the rites and ceremonies of the hajj became standard practice for all Muslims As more people accepted Islam, the Quraysh became hostile toward Muslims Muhammed’s army though tremedsously outnumbered, won the Battle of Badr Battle of Badr Cartoon

Islam as a Way of LIfe The Five Pillars of Faith Shahada Salat Zakat Sawm Hajj Profession of faith There is only one God (Allah) and Muhammad is his prophet Daily Worship Five times a day; guided by a precise set of rituals Almsgiving 2 1/2 % of a Muslims income or 1/40 of all they possess annually Fast From sunrise to sunset during the holy time of Ramadan Pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken once in a lifetime; reminder of equality between all Muslims