Muhammad Flashcards
Who is Muhammad?
The last prophet of Allah.
Why is his life an example to Muslims?
Because he demonstrated how to obey Allah.
What did Muhammad gain a reputation for whilst growing up?
A reputation for justice and honesty.
What names did he gain?
- al-Amin - ‘the trustworthy’
- As-Sadiq - ‘the truthful’
Why is he known as the ‘seal of the prophets’?
Because he provided the final revelation of Allah to his people in the form of the Qur’an.
What do Shi’a Muslims believe?
They know Muhammad as the ‘seal of the prophets’ to whom the Qur’an was revealed, but also believe in the 12 Imams and that Allah has communicated some new messages to them. For Shias, Muhammad was not necessarily the final human messenger, the 12 Imams were also divinely appointed.
What happened on the Night of Power?
An angel appeared to Muhammad during a time of meditation in a cave outside Mecca.
What did the angel say and do?
The angel commanded Muhammad to read, but he replied ‘I am not a reader’. The angel squeezed him so tightly he thought he would die.
What happened after the angel released him?
The angel commanded Muhammad to read again. This happened 3 times.
What happened after the third time?
Muhammad recited the verses as though they had been written on his heart. These were the first revealed verses of the Quran.
What did the angel, Jibra’il, do after?
On flying away from Muhammad, declared him as the messenger of Allah.
When is the Night of Power (Laylat ul-Qadr) believed to have happened?
During the last of the ten nights of Ramadan. Still commemorated today during Ramadan.
Why is the Night of Power important to Muslims?
Since it is the start of Allah’s final revelation. During this time many Muslims devote themselves to prayer and the reading of the Quran.
What happened during the Night Journey (Lailat ul-Miraj)?
An angel woke him and took him to Jerusalem on a winged horse named al-Buraq. His heart was taken out and purified from doubt, idolatry and error and was filled with faith and wisdom.
What did he ascend through during the Night Journey?
The seven heavens and was shown both paradise and hell.
Who did he meet and speak to during the Night Journey?
Previous prophets including Musa, Ibrahim and Isa.
What did he talk to Musa and Muhammad about during the Night Journey?
Musa and Muhammad talked about how many time a day a Muslim should pray - agreeing on five (which is why they continue to pray 5 times a day).
What was the last part of his journey?
Muhammad entered into the presence of Allah at his throne. Muhammad was aware of peace, light and the blessings of Allah. He was then returned to Mecca but no time had passed.
What do some Muslims believe about the Night of Journey?
That it was not an actual journey but a spiritual experience.
What do Sufi Muslims say?
This is an experience all Muslims can share in as they draw spiritually close to Allah.
What happened after Muhammad began to preach the words of Allah?
His followers grew in numbers, but so did the opposition to him.
What happened in 622CE?
After a serious plot to assassinate him, Muhammad left Mecca and travelled to the city of Yathrib.
What is this journey to Yathrib known as?
Hijrah, meaning emigration.
Who was meeting him here?
Many Muslim families that Muhammad had already sent ahead. The community at Yathrib became the first to be run according to Islamic principles.
What did this migration become?
It became the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Islamic calendars are dated from AH - meaning ‘in the year of the Hijrah’.
What was Yathrib renamed?
Medinah, meaning ‘City of the Prophet’.
What did Muhammad do which made Islam more organised?
He gave instructions on prayer, fasting, charity and pilgrimage.
What did Muhammad rule and view?
He ruled the community of Yathrib. He viewed Allah as the only ‘king’ so he lived a simple life and taught self discipline and obedience to Allah.
What happened between 624-630CE?
There was a series of battles between the people of Mecca and the Muslims of Medinah.
Who won the battles?
The Muslims of Medinah won over the people of Mecca. All of the idols of Mecca were destroyed and the city was reclaimed as the Muslim holy city.
What did Muhammad do at the Mount of Mercy?
Spoke to a crowd of more than 140000 Muslims. This became known as his farewell speech. He gave them guidance and reminded them to live in peace, respect each other’s rights and remain true to the Quran.
What did he do at the end of his speech?
He asked the crowd whether he has fulfilled his mission. They responded ‘You have fulfilled it, O messenger of Allah’.
Key quote: Surah 33:21
‘You have in the Prophet of Allah an excellent model’.
Key quote: Surah 61:9
‘It is He who has sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that he may uplift it above every religion, though the unbelievers be averse.’
Key quote: Surah 3:144
‘Muhammad is not but a messenger, (Other) messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your hells (to unbelief)? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.’
