Muhammad Flashcards
Early life
Born in 570/571 CE in Mecca
Father died before he was born and mother died when he was six
Raised by grandfather and then uncle, Abu Talib
Married to Khadijah and had 7 children
Nicknamed al almin meaning trustworthy one
Occupation- merchant
Beliefs
Only believed in one God
Thought idolatry was wrong
Difffered from people of Mecca who were polytheistic and they worshipped idols (at the Kabah)
Night of power
Muhammad was age 40 had been searching for the truth for a while , and went to the cave Hira to pray and search for the truth
Angel Jibril appeared and revealed a series of verses to Muhammad which Muslims believe are the words of Allah. Angel Jibril told Muhammad to read. Muhammad said he could not read. The Angel then embraced him and told him again to read.
Muhammad was then able to recite the first verses of the Quran. The Angel Jibril also told Muhammad that he was the chosen messenger of Allah.
Muhammad went on to teach others about these verses.
Muhammad continued to receive these revelations for 23 years.
The teaching of Muhammad and his later life
There was only one God Allah Do not worship idols Obvious signs of God everywhere Allah is just and merciful There is an afterlife Life is a test- the afterlife will reward or punish you People have free will People should be charitable not greedy
How did the slaves feel about Muhammad’s teachings.
- Relieved -that the message of judgement is that everyone is judged fairly and in the same way
- Supportive of Muhammad , perhaps seeing him as a leader for their cause
- Comforted by the message of equality , fairness and hope for an afterlife
- Surprised that Muhammad is a merchant, helping them
- Liberated?
How did the merchants feel
- Angry- merchants worried about losing their money and their business being affected (sale of idols)
- Afraid - Muhammad’s God sounds very powerful and Muhammad is talking about judgement in afterlife
- Annoyed at Muhammad for upsetting the balance of power in Mecca- they could have slaves rising up against them
The Years of Sorrow
In 619CE Khadijah died.
Prophet’s uncle and protector, Abu Talib, also died. Abu Talib has been an elder in the Quraysh tribe and had protected Muhammad. With him gone, Muhammad lacked that protection.
He decided to travel to Ta’if to find support, but the people of Ta’if threw stones at him.
The Hijrah - 620 CE
In 620CE Muhammad met six men from the city of Yathrib. There had been many arguments between the tribes in Yathrib. They listened to Muhammad’s teachings and wanted him in their city
622CE
Muhammad and his followers left Mecca and went to live in Yathrib. This journey is known as the Hijrah.
The actual Hijrah 1.
Muhammad and Abu Bakr left under the cover of darkness and left someone in his bed so the Quraysh would not realise Muhammad had left.
2
They arranged a shepherd to cover their tracks
3
They decided to hide in the cave of Thawr until the search parties had gone.
4
The search parties arrived at the cave but did not look inside. When Muhammad left the cave he noticed a spider’s web had formed in the entrance of the cave and there was also a dove’s nest. This was a miracle form Allah, and tricked the Search parties.
5
Muhammad and Abu Bakr continued on their journey
6
When they arrived in Yathrib , Muhammad’s came stopped outside the house where Muhammad should live, and marked out the area where he should build his mosque
