Life of Muhammad Flashcards
Describe Muhammad’s earliest years and the influence on the faith
He was orphaned at a young age, raised by a monotheistic grandfather who died after his mother. This introduced him to monotheism (one God)
Where was Muhammad transferred to after his grandfather died? What was the impact of this?
Muhammad transferred to his uncle Abu Talib, a commercial merchant in caravans. Muhammad’s interactions with his uncle brought him into contact with Jewish and Christian communities. He became tolerant of other faiths.
What was Muhammad known to be like (personality)?
From an early age, Muhammad was known for his integrity, for being honest, caring, loving and peaceful. This became characteristic for the rest of his life and influenced the nature of the Islamic faith.
Who and when did he marry and what was its impact?
Muhammad married a wealthy widow and caravan owner Khadijah when he was 25. This protected him politically and made him influential?
What did Muhammad do when he became increasingly contemplative and why?
He frequently left Mecca and ventured into the solitude of the mountains for reflection and meditation for days on end. He became dissatisfied with the low moral tone of his time and the absence of a coherent and consistent Arab faith.
What happened at Mount Hira in 610 CE and what was its impact on the faith?
At the age of 40, Muhammad had the experience of seeing an angel who he later identified as the angel Jibril who revealed the truth to him that Muhammad was to become the messenger of Allah. The angel recited the first five verses (which would be later become doctrine of the Qur’an) to be revealed to Muhammed. This transformed him into a religious leader/prophet and is generally held to mark the beginning of the revelation of the Qur’an.
Outline the importance of his revelations/initial ministry to the Islamic fiath.
For the next three years, Muhammed continued to receive revelations which he taught to those closest to him. Prominent amongst his teachings was the belief in one supreme God (monotheism) and the importance of piety and good works. These visions continued for the next 23 years until his death in 623CE. His teachings were memorised and written down by his followers which were all collected to make up the sacred scripture of Islam - the Qur’an.
Why and who were opposed to Muhammad’s teachings? Why was Muhammad respected more?
Meccans were polytheists so his teachings were dangerous and were opposed and rejected socially and politically. He and his followers were considered a threat to the established order and thus were persecuted and killed. Only his association to wealthy and high-ranking Khadijah - Muhammad’s wife (and his association with the Quraish), saved Muhammed from serious harm.
What is Hijra and why is it important?
After 12 years of teaching in amongst persecution of himself and his followers, Muhammed had to flee Mecca to seek protection elsewhere. He was secretly invited to preach in a nearby town Yathrib (would later become known as Medina). This event was known as the Hegira or flight, emigration (aka Hijrah or Hijra). This event is Year 1 of the Muslim calendar. This is a turning point in Muslim history - the founding of Islam as a world religion.
What did Muhammad do in Yathrib/Medina and what was its impact on the faith (name and meaning, community of Muslims, leader)?
Yathrib was renamed to “Madinat al-Nabi” (the city of the Prophet) and shortened to “Medina” after that. From this time, Islam went from being a small persecuted group in Mecca to a powerful religious force in Arabia. Muhammed and his followers established the first community of Muslims in Medina. In Medina, Muhammad took up duties as a religious leader and judicial arbitrator (judge) and the leader of the Muslim community.
Why and what happened in the Battle of Batr in 624CE and what was the impact?
In Medina, Muhammed organised raids on camel caravans owned by Meccans to gain money and arms. In response, the Meccans raised an army of 10,000 resulting in the Battle of Batr in 624CE in which Muhammad and his followers prevailed, boosting Muhammad’s reputation. A number of battles between Muslims and Meccans took place. Each one of Muhammad’s victories resulted in his prestige and influence growing.
What happened in the Battle of Uhud and its impact (treaty, Mecca)?
Saw a reverse of fortunes for Muhammed. A truce with the Meccans (Treaty of Hudaybiyya) was negotiated in 628CE but this was violated by the enemy after a dispute in 630CE. As a result, Muhammed marched on Mecca with his followers, despite everyone’s assumption that Muhammad would take it violently by force, he returned to Mecca peacefully, without the use of military force.
How did Muhammad recapture Mecca? What did he do the Ka’aba? What happened to Mecca?
He marched inside the Ka’aba and destroyed the polytheistic idols of false gods, rededicating the sacred black stone to Allah, the one and only God. From this point on, the Ka’aba would only be used to worship God (Allah). The people of Mecca converted to Islam shortly after. Mecca became the spiritual centre of Islam. This made him be seen as a peaceful leader and medina remained the centre of political power.
How did Muhammad’s death impact the faith (war, prophet, qur’an)?
Muhammed died suddenly in 632CE at 63 years of age. After Muhammad’s death, a number of tribes turned away from Islam and had to be forced back into the fold following a brief period of consolidation - “The Wars of Ridda”. After this, Islam began to grow and expand. Muhammed was the last messenger of Allah - the last and final prophet. The seal of the prophets. No other prophets of Islam came after Muhammad, no further revelations after the Qur’an. The main issue after his death was he named no heir, therefore, who would decide who the new leader of the Islamic faith was?
How did Muhammad’s pilgrimages impact the faith and leadership?
This reflective time brought him into contact with the HANIFS (native Arabian monotheists that were neither Christian nor Jew) and taught him religious tolerance and plurality. He aimed to create a faith that promoted moral faith.
