The Prophet Muhammad Slide Lecture

1.2A Arabia Before Muhammad

1.2A (cont’d) A. Makkah B. Arabs Important Trade stop Religious center (Kaaba) Fresh water Diverse population Arab (abhar= to move or pass) Bedouins first inhabitants Origins uncertain Valued camels and swords No strong central gov. polytheistic

1.2A (cont’d) C. Quaraysh Powerful local tribe Deposit idols in Kaaba and promised protection for a fee

1.2 B Muhammad’s Call to Prophethood

1.2B Muhammad’s Early Life The Divine Revelations Born into Hashim family or Quraysh tribe Muhammad means highly praised Dad dies before he was born; mom when he was six Raised by uncle Worked for Khadija, a wealthy widow Married her; had 7 children- 1 survived First revelation on retreat to Mt. Hira Neighbor convinced him he was a prophet Revelation that sinners must submit to mercy of God (islam) First converts: wife, cousin, slave, and friend- Abu Bakr Not depicted in artwork

1.2 C Muhammad Spreads the Word of Allah

1.2 C A. Muhammad’s Teachings B. Angry Makkans M. wanted to abolosh idols- Makkans did not want to Critical of wealthy merchants Major Points 1. only one god 2. all believers equal 3. rich should share with poor 4. live righteously 5. all subjected to judgment day Miracles Passed through seven levels of Heaven Brought spring to Makkah C. Protection for the Prophet Able to remain in Makkah because of his powerful and respected family

1.2 D The Emigration to Madinah

1.2D The Hijrah Conflict in Madinah Muhammad decided to leave after death of wife Traveled to Yatrib Journey marks the beginning of Islam calendar Muhammad hoped Islam could win converts Jewish leaders did not accept him as a prophet Jews who opposed Muhammad expelled from city First Muhammad instructed prayer toward Jerusalem then changed to the Kaaba Muhammad’s Welcome Accepted by Yatrib Jews and Arabs Both hoped he could prevent civil war Renamed city to Madinah (City of the Prophet) Believers call themselves Muslim (those who submit to god’s will)

1.2 E The Return to Makkah

More battles fought in years following Outcomes More battles fought in years following Makkans sieged Madinah in 627– Battle of Trench 630- Muhammad captured Makkah Idols in the Kaaba were destroyed 632- Muhammad led the Hajj Dies @ 63 in Mecca, no successor Told followers to spread message. The Quraysh Became more hostile towards Muslims Muhammad and his followers Muhammad’s army, though outnumbered won the Battle of Badr

1st 3 Caliphs: “Khalifa” = “Successor” 1. Abu Bakr: 632-634 Close friend and father in law of Muhammad 2 problems\ Tribes began leaving after M. died. Others wanted Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law/cousin Expanded Muslim community into Persia and Byzantium (Modern day Iraq and Syria).

1st 3 Caliphs, Part 2 Umar 634-644 Defined Dar al Islam (A) and Dar al Harb (B) Successfully expanded empire into Egypt, Jerusalem, eastern Mediterranean Organized empire with governors (emirs) and a tax system Assassinated by a non-Muslim slave.

1st 3 Caliphs, Part 3 Uthman 644-656 Muhammad’s son-in-law From powerful Umayyad family in Syria Accused of nepotism (giving jobs to relatives) Too much poverty while rulers super rich Murdered by Egyptian rebels during a protest

Ali’s Caliphate and the division between Sunnis and Shi’as Also a son-in-law and a cousin of Muhammad Heavily opposed, even by Muhammad’s wife Clan (Hashim) rivals of Uthman’s clan, wanted his death avenged, Ali couldn’t act fast enough Moved capital Lots of rebellion Asked to resign, then rival claimed caliphate, then assassinated by another group

Ali’s Cliphate and Division Between the Sunnis and Shi’as Umayyad Clan: leader, Mu’awiya, also Syrian governor Claimed Caliphate from Ali Became SUNNI Hashim Clan: Ali a member Muhammad’s cousin, memo’d Qur’an Became caliph, but murdered Became SHIA Civil War Between Muslims Mu’awiya and Ali’s armies fought at Siffin Both asked to resign Neither do, Kharijites attempt to kill both Only kill Ali Conflict over caliphs creates a permanent split

A Pivotal Point in Muslim History Sunni: “custom or practice” Shi’a: “shia’t Ali” = Party of Ali Any devout Muslim could be caliph Accepted rule of 1st 3 caliphs Accepted Umayyad rule Believe in idea of “consolidated majority” Make up 80% of current world population Only relative of Muhammad can be caliph Ali should have been 1st caliph Ali’s son, Hussein, should have been next caliph, never Umayyads. Only imams (leaders) can interpret Qur’an Make up 15% of current world population