1. ISLAM AND PROPHET MOHAMMAD (S.A.W.) Flashcards
By: Michael J. Diamond and Peter Gowing 1) MUHAMMAD, MESSENGER OF GOD 2) ARABIA BEFORE THE ADVENT OF ISLAM 3) PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) 4) BASIC TENETS OF ISLAM (The Five Pillars of Islam)
What is the literal meaning of Islam?
to surrender oneself completely to God’s will.
Who is considered a Muslim?
one who practices Islam and surrenders to God’s will.
Is Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) considered divine in Islam?
No, he is not considered divine. He is the human messenger of God’s revelation.
Why do Muslims reject the term “Mohammedans”?
Muslims reject the term “Mohammedans” because it wrongly implies that they worship Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) rather than God alone.
Where was Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) born, and when?
around 570 A.D. in Mecca, a commercial town
What significant event in Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s life marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar?
622 A.D., the year of the Hijra (emigration) from Mecca to Medina.
When was the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad?
around 610 A.D.
What was the religious situation in Mecca before Islam?
It involved the worship of spirits, idols, and multiple gods and goddesses.
What is the period of ‘Jahiliyyah’?
The period of ignorance before the advent of Islam, characterized by practices like infanticide and idol worship.
The period of ignorance before the advent of Islam, characterized by practices like infanticide and idol worship.
Jahiliyyah
Who were the ‘hanif’?
Hanif were monotheists who believed in one God, like Abraham in the Qur’an.
Were monotheists who believed in one God, like Abraham in the Qur’an.
hanif
What role did Mecca play before the rise of Islam?
center of pilgrimage, commerce, and a meeting place of many religions.
What accusation was made against Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) when he first started preaching?
He was accused of being possessed by spirits, like other people in Mecca who made strange pronouncements.
What hardships did Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) experience in his early life?
He was orphaned early in life, experiencing deprivation, poverty, and insecurity.
Who was Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s first wife, and how did she influence his life?
His first wife was Khadijah, a wealthy widow who provided him with children, security, and happiness. She was also his first believer and supporter after his initial revelation.
Describe the first revelation that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) received.
While praying on a hill near Mecca, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) received a revelation from the Angel Gabriel, commanding him to “Recite!” This revelation is recorded in Surah 96:1-4 of the Qur’an.
What was Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s initial reaction to the revelation, and how did he gain confidence in his role as a prophet?
His initial reaction was fear and apprehension, thinking he might be possessed. However, with the encouragement of his wife Khadijah, he eventually accepted his role as the Messenger of God.
How did the people of Mecca initially react to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s preaching?
The people of Mecca first laughed at him, then grew annoyed and angry, as his teachings threatened their vested interests.
the “community of faith” that followed Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), leaving behind their lives in Mecca to support and live under his guidance in Medina.
Ummah
What was the significance of the “Ummah” that traveled with Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) to Medina?
The Ummah was the “community of faith” that followed Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), leaving behind their lives in Mecca to support and live under his guidance in Medina.
Why did Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) initially face Jerusalem during prayer, and why was this later changed?
Initially, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his followers faced Jerusalem during prayer, thinking of their religion as a continuation of Judaism. When the Jews rejected his message, the direction of prayer (Qibla) was changed to Mecca.
The victory at the ___ was seen as a sign of God’s approval of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s mission, consolidating his power and influence in Medina.
Battle of Badr
In __, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) negotiated an agreement with the Meccans to allow him and his followers to perform the pilgrimage the following year.
628 A.D.
