The Prophet Muhammad & The Beginnings of Islam World History

1. The Prophet Muhammad&The Beginnings of Islam World History

2. Arabia Before Muhammad • 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

3. Muhammad Spreads the Word of Allah • Muhammad’s Teachings • 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

4. Angry Meccans • Muhammad’s preaching angered many of the people of Mecca: • wanted to abolish idolatry, yet most Meccans did not want to give up their idols • 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 Mecca

5. The Emigration to Madina • 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 Madina • 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 Madina • At first, Muslims to prayed in the direction of Jerusalem, but later changed it to the Kaaba in Mecca

6. The Return to Mecca Muhammad and his followers Muhammad’s army, though tremendously outnumbered, won the Battle of Badr The Quraysh As Islam grew, the Quraysh became hostile towards the Muslims • Outcomes of the Battle of Badr • Meccans laid siege on Madina in 627, in the Battle of the Trench • In 630, Muhammad and his supporters captured Mecca • Idols and other pagan relics were destroyed and the Kaaba was rededicated to Allah • In 632, Muhammad led the hajj, commonly called “the pilgrimage of farewell,” for it was his last • every detail of his action on this event was noted and imitated by his disciples • the rites and ceremonies of the hajj became standard practice for all Muslims

7. 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

8. 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

9. Zakat Almsgiving: 2 1/2% of Muslim’s income or 1/40 of all they possess annually Sawm Fasting from sunrise to sunset during the holy time of Ramadan

10. Hajj • Pilgrimage to Mecca: • undertaken once in a lifetime; reminder of equality between all Muslims