Born in 570 AD in Mecca Belonged to the Quraish clan This clan ran the city of Mecca Father died before his birth His ailing mother died when Mohammed was six For these six years he was raised in a Bedouin camp Then lived with his grandfather in Mecca Grandfather was “custodian” of the Kaaba Shrine

His grandfather died when Mohammed was 8 Uncle Abu Talib took him in and raised him as a son Talib was a successful merchant in the caravan trade Learned the caravan trade and was a significant part of his education (from age 8-25) Mohammed was uneducated and illiterate at the time, but yet very intelligent and inquisitive

At age 25, he married Khadija, the widow of a rich Meccan merchant Wealth, business, and social status Children: 2 boys and 4 girls (both boys died) From age 25~40 He was caring for his family and building up his wife’s business Acquired a reputation for being an excellent arbitrator Earned him the prestigious title of al-Amin (the “Just” or the “Trustworthy”)

Mount Hira Local practice of meditating for weeks every year at this cave near Mecca “The Night of Power and Excellence” The first of his divine revelations Allah (Arabic for God) spoke to Mohammed through the Archangel Gabriel Gabriel said: “Recite!” Mohammed recited verses of what would later become the Quran

More Revelations in the following years At first mentioned them to Khadija (his first convert) and close friends Eventually, after instruction by Gabriel, he began to preach in Mecca Message: 1) God is one 2) He is all-powerful 3) He is the creator of the universe 4) There is a judgment day 5) Rewards of Paradise and punishments of Hell

Most Meccans ignored or mocked him at first Very slowly began to gain a following Gradually he spoke out more aggressively and his following grew larger Started to gain the attention of Mecca’s leading citizens This included the ruling and powerful Quraish clan leaders who felt threatened by his message Eventual threat on his life

Opportunity to escape persecution Asked to serve as Chief Magistrate of Yathrib (north of Mecca) Yathrib had a Jewish minority and the Arab clans in power had begun to oppose each other The clans wanted Mohammed to settle their differences to avoid having the Jewish minority take power 622- Mohammed’s Hijrah (flight) to Yathrib Situation was very different in Yathrib From persecution to a position of power

Yathrib eventually renamed to Medina Mohammed had political power for the first time in his career as Chief Magistrate Mohammed would use this political power to gain acceptance and expansion of Islam Constitution of Medina Mohammed first hoped to win over the Jews in Medina by converting them to Islam Had hoped the Jews would accept him as Prophet A Few did convert, but most used their knowledge of the Bible to make Mohammed’s claims seem false

Islam much like Judaism at this point in the following ways: Facing Jerusalem when praying Adopting the fast of Yom Kippur Dietary laws Many Jews still held out from converting Rights of non-Muslims under the Constitution of Medina: The security (dhimma) of God is equal for all groups, Non-Muslim members have equal political and cultural rights as Muslims. They will have autonomy and freedom of religion. Non-Muslims will take up arms against the enemy of the Islamic state and share the cost of war. There is to be no treachery between the two. Non-Muslims will not be obliged to take part in religious wars of the Muslims. Specifically tolerant of “People of the Book”

After leaving Mecca, Mohammed’s followers had their lands confiscated The Muslims were left with nothing and had to turn to raiding Meccan caravans for survival while in Medina This was seen as an act of war Fighting continued between the Muslims and the Meccans Mohammed gathers an army and eventually heads back to Mecca

Mohammed circled the Kaaba seven times (representing infinity) Destroyed the Idols inside the Kaaba and reclaimed it for God Could have stayed and ruled Mecca as a king, but returned to Medina where he had made his promise not to leave them as leader

In 632 AD, Mohammed made his last pilgrimage to Mecca and gave his last sermon near there at Mount Arafat This last sermon: Urged his followers not to disband after his death Affirmed the unity (oneness) of Allah Affirmed/proclaimed the brotherhood of the faithful Told his followers to protect the rights of women Proclaimed the abolition of blood feuds After sermon, the Prophet returned to Medina where he died June 8, 632 AD He was buried in Medina