Events Leading Up To And Including Muhammad's Death

Question 1

The Battle of Badr - what happened

Answer 1

624CE- due to ongoing tensions between the Muslims of Medina and the non Muslims of Mecca
Meccans had 1000 men, whereas the Muslims had only 313.
Battle only lasted a few hours and the Muslims won.

Question 2

Why did Muslims win Battle of Badr?

Answer 2

1. Muhammad tactically blocked off the wells meaning that many Meccans could not recuperate after their long journey. They were tired and so many fled.
2. They were not afraid of death as they believed in the afterlife (therefore fought their hardest)
3. God was on their side
4. God sent thousands of angels down to help them

Question 3

Results of the battle

Answer 3

1. Muslims were known all over Arabia for their loyalty to the teachings of Muhammad.
2. People believed that God had helped them win.
3. Muhammad was accepted as the true leader of Medina.

Question 4

Muhammad’s return to Mecca

Answer 4

After Battle of Badr two more fights between Muslims and non Muslims of Mecca
In 628 CE the Muslims and the Quraysh signed a peace treaty , allowing Muhammad and his followers to go on pilgrimage to Mecca once a year for 3 days. This treaty lasted for 2 years.
However , when Muhammad and his followers travelled to Mecca for pilgrimage, many people in Mecca were impressed by the Muslims and therefore became Muslims.
The Quraysh were furious, but knew they could not break the treaty. Instead, they supplied Muhammad’s enemies with weapons.
When Muhammad found out about this he gathered an army of 10, 000 men. They surrounded Mecca by night, all holding flaming torches. The Meccans surrendered.
After taking Mecca, Muhammad went up to the Kabah (which contained idols) and recited a verse from the Quran. All the idols came crashing down and Muhammad and his followers cleansed the Kabah.

Question 5

How and where did he die

Answer 5

Muhammad died in 632CE of pneumonia at the age of 61/62. This was when he was on his last pilgrimage to Mecca, and when he returned to Medina he fell seriously ill. Buried under the mosque that he had helped to build. This was a great blow to his followers , but Abu Bakr was chosen to be caliph (successor ) and Islam continued to grow.