260 likes | 411 Views
The Life of Muhammad. Class Notes for Mr. Dresel’s Social Studies 7 Class. A. Makkah. Important trade stop & religious center of Arabia. People settled there because of the fresh water wells. Location of the Kaaba (shrine with 300 religious idols).
E N D
The Life of Muhammad Class Notes for Mr. Dresel’s Social Studies 7 Class
A. Makkah • Important trade stop & religious center of Arabia. • People settled there because of the fresh water wells. • Location of the Kaaba (shrine with 300 religious idols). • Population very diverse: Arabs, Christians, Jews, etc.
B. Arabs • Arab: (abhar = to move or pass). • Majority of Arabia’s first inhabitants were Bedouins (nomadic Arabs). • Valued camels and swords above all else. • Had no strong central government. • Practiced animistic polytheism (many gods).
C. Quraysh • Powerful local tribe of Arabs in the area around Makkah. • Encouraged tribes to deposit idols in the Kaaba and protected them for a fee.
Muhammad’s Early Life • Born into Hashim family of the Quraysh tribe between A.D. 570 and 580. • Orphaned, raised by uncle, Abu Talib. • As a young man he worked for a wealthy widow, Khadija. • Married Khadija, 7 children, 1 daughter survived. • Had a reputation as seeker of solitude.
The Divine Revelations • Received 1st revelations while on retreat on Mt. Hira (around A.D. 610). • Became convinced he had been chosen as God’s prophet. • Learned sinners must submit to the mercy of God (islam). • Few early converts, he was described as a convincing speaker, not pictured in artwork.
A. Muhammad’s Teachings • 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 Judgement Day.
B. Angry Makkans • Muhammad’s preaching angered many of the people of Makkah. • He wanted to abolish idolatry, yet most Makkans did not want to give up their idols. • He was critical of wealthy merchants who controlled most of the money and power in Makkah.
C. Protection for the Prophet • Muhammad was able to remain in Makkah because of his powerful and respected family.
The Hijrah • Muhammad decided to leave Makkah after the death of Khadija and Abu Talib. • He and his followers travelled to the desert city of Yathrib. • This journey (hijrah, in Arabic) marks the beginning of Islam and the Muslim calendar.
Muhammad’s Welcome • The Prophet was welcomed by the Jews and Arabs of Yathrib. • Both groups hoped Muhammad could prevent a civil war from breaking out. • The city is re-named YathribMadinahtunNabit, which means, “City of the Prophet.” • Believers in Islam begin to call themselves Muslims (those who submit to God’s will”).
Conflict in Madinah • 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 Madinah. • At first, Muhammad told Muslims to pray in the direction of Jerusalem, but later changed it to the Kaaba in Makkah.
The Quraysh • As more people accepted Islam, the Quraysh became more and more hostile towards the Muslims. • Muhammad’s army, though tremendously outnumbered, won the Battle of Badr. Muhammad and his Followers
Outcomes of the Battle of Badr • More battles were fought in the years that followed the Battle of Badr. • Makkens laid siege on Madinah in A.D. 627, in the Battle of the Trench. • In A.D. 630, Muhammad and his supporters captured Makkah. • Idols and other pagan relics were destroyed and the Kaaba was rededicated to Allah.
Outcomes of the Battle of Badr • In 632, Muhammad led the Hajj, commonly called “the pilgrimage of farewell,” for it was his last. • Every detail of his actions on this event was noted and imitated by his disciples. • The rites and ceremonies of the Hajj became standard practice for all Muslims.
The Five Pillars of Faith • Muhammad’s companions desired to maintain an Islamic community. • They recorded his revelations into the Qur’an; his personal deeds into the Sunna. • The Sunna and Qur’an provide guiding rules and principles for all Muslims. • The most basic rules of the Sunna and Qur’an are summarized in the five pillars.
The Five Pillars of Faith (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 ½% of a Muslim’s income or 1/40 of all they possess annually. (fasting): From sunrise to sunset during the holy time of Ramadan. (pilgrimage to Makkah): undertaken once in a lifetime; reminder of equality between all Muslims.