The Life of Muhammad and the Genesis of IslamChapter 6 (part 2 of 5)

Muhammad’s Early Life570 – Born into Quraysh tribe

Father died before he was born

Raised by relatives, (uncle Abu Talib)

Grandfather taught him to be merchant

Moved to Mecca in his late teens

Muhammad Moves to Mecca

Khadijah – wealthy widow Muhammad worked for and later married

Became a very successful, wealthy merchant

Trade led to great wealth disparity. Some tribes like

Quraysh in Mecca very rich, other very poor. This

divided Arabs

Clan rivalries were dividing the Arab people.

Living in Mecca and traveling as merchant gave Muhammad first-hand view of problems in Arab world

• Muhammad grew dissatisfied with material gains• Spent time meditating in hills around Mecca• 610 = received 1st of many revelations which

supporters believe were from Allah• This was beginning of Islamic religion

Quran – Muhammad’s revelations were written down in the Quran, the sacred text of Islam

Muhammad a Threat to Umayyads

Umayyads (who controlled Mecca)

saw Muhammad as threat

Muhammad’s new religion was threat to importance of

the Ka’ba, Mecca’s big drawing card

Flight from Mecca

• 622 – Muhammad flees Mecca (start of Islamic calendar)• Invited to Medina to stop clan warfare there• He makes peace and is huge hero• Umayyads in Mecca see Muhammad as even bigger threat

Mecca v. Medina

Quraysh in Mecca fight against Muhammad and his supporters in

Medina

Muhammad shows courageous leadership and is victorious over

Mecca

Muhammad’s Triumphant Return to Mecca

628 – Signs treaty allowing Muslims to visit the Ka’ba during

truce season

629 – Over 10,000 bedouins (now

Muslim) come with Muhammad to Mecca

Muhammad smashes shrines at the Ka’ba dedicated to other gods to show Allah the one true god

Muhammad gradually wins over the

Umayyads, and most of Mecca converts to

Islam

The Appeal of Islam to ArabsMonotheism •Monotheistic Religion – many people liked this more than polytheism

Arab Origins •Religion was Arab in origin (it was their own)

Umma •Umma = community of the faithful; came from all tribes, so Arab unity finally possible

Unity •Unity in Arab world could finally prevent domination by outsiders

Islam Provides Ethical System

Preached equality for all

Zakat – charity tax (wealthy helped the poor)

Follow Islamic law on earth, have good eternity

5 Pillars of Faith1. Allah is only god, and Muhammad is

his prophet

2. Pray to holy city of Mecca 5

times a day

3. Ramadan – month of fasting

4. Zakat – charity tax, how the wealthy take care of the poor