May 13, 2003

By Tina Wong

Introduction to Islam: Origins and Muhammad

  1. What does the word “Islam” mean? (p. 314)

Islam is Arabic for “submitting to God.”

  1. Examine the map on page 318. Where was Islam founded? List the countries that have over 85% Muslim population.

Muslim was founded in Arabia. Countries that have over 85% Muslim population include: Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, U.A.E., Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Syria, Uzebekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

  1. Copy and complete the following chart (p. 319):

Arabia in the 6th century

System / Description/Beliefs / Impact on Society
Religious / The people of Arabia held a belief in a variety of different gods (polytheism), which was actively expressed in the practice of idolatry (worship of different objects, usually in the form of sculpture and pictures, each representing a specific spiritual quality. / By 570 CE, Muslims believed the Ka’bah, a cube-shaped building that Abraham built to honour God was filled with idols, which acted as a reflection of polytheism amongst Arabians. The citizens had many idols which they believed granted them favours and success in all the endeavours, as well as protection in battle and from disasters.
Social / Arabia divided into tribes which emerged because of the nomadic nature of desert life (people moved from place to place to find food/water). Sometimes groups of mountain dwellers would descend upon a family, steal their goods, and evict them from their land. / Alliances were formed as families united with other families to form clans. Later these clans united with other clans to form tribes. Tribal life led to the establishment of a tradition of rivalry and bloodshed. At the time, women were at the bottom of the social ladder (increasing practice of female infanticide).
Economic / The Makkan merchants earned their livelihood through trade with various religions beyond the Arabian peninsula and their merchant caravans faced the danger of attack by tribal Arabs at all times. They waged armed conflicts to settle family vendettas and to revenge murder of family members (integral part of tribal honour and served as a face-saving system of private justice). / Rich loaned money to the poor at very high interest rates which made it impossible for the borrower to ever pay off the loan and thus earn freedom from economic tyranny.
  1. Explain why the prophet Muhammad is regarded as the central figure to the development of Islam (p. 320).

Muslims believe the central figure in the emergence of the religion of Islam was the Prophet Muhammad. It was he who received direct revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel. With these revelations burned into his heart, Muhammad would lead Arabia away from idolatry and into a belief in the oneness of God.

  1. Copy and complete the following timeline/chart (p. 320-325)

The Life and Actions of Muhammad

Time/Era /
Description of Beliefs/Actions/Impact
Youth / Beliefs: Idolatry (rooted in superstition and amorality) was the poison that was inhibiting the spiritual growth of humanity.
Actions: Journeys with grandfather and uncle (merchant enterprises), established reputation as good/honest businessman, greater responsibility in uncle’s business, caravans to far-off places during mid-teens (uncle/guardian had much faith in him) during which he had significant spiritual experiences, preferred monotheism
Impact: Muhammad began to seek isolation for quiet reflection. He would think about life on the long journeys. Back in Makkah, he would retreat to the hills to think and meditate.
Marriage / Actions: at age 20, Muhammad gained respect of Khadijah (wealthy widow) who let him manage her business affairs.
Impact: She was greatly so impressed with his honesty and integrity that she proposed to him (even though she was 15 years his senior) and they got married.
MountHira / Ramadan in year 610: Muhammad went to meditate on MountHira. He felt an unusual presence—a presence that Muslims regard as the Angel Gabriel—who appeared to him, embraced him, and commanded him to read a passage. Muhammad said he couldn’t read, but Gabriel insisted. After the third embrace, Muhammad agreed to read.
Revelations / Beliefs: anti-idolatry, there is only One God
Actions: For the next 23 years, Muhammad received a series of revelations that were assembled to form the Qur’an.
Impact: He began to teach/preach the revelations around Makkah (few listened at first). Eventually people started believing because he was so passionate about what he preached.
Year of Sorrow / Actions: Khadijah (his wife) and Abu Talib (his uncle) died in 619, Makkans displayed hostility because of his anti-idolatry preachings.
Impact: Stopped preaching, overcome with grief and feeling personally isolated
Hijrah / Beliefs: anti-idolatry
Actions: fellow Makkans displayed hostility because of his anti-idolatry preachings
Impact: emigrated north to city of Yathrib (now Madinah/Medina).
Mi’raj / Beliefs: Muslims believe that before leaving Makkah, Muhammad went through two special experiences known as the “Night Journey” and “Ascension”.
Actions: “Night Journey”: Accompanied by Gabriel, Muhammad traveled on a winged horse (Buraq) from Makkah to Jerusalem, where they ascended through the seven heavens (Mi’raj). In the first heaven, they met Adam, then John and Jesus in the second heaven. They went through five more heavens meeting Joseph, Enoch, Aaron, Moses, and Abraham. Finally he approached the Throne of God and stood “within two bow lengths” of God Himself (very close).
Impact: Muhammad was profoundly affected by the experience.
Madinah / Actions: God instructed Muhammad to move to Madinah in 622. As a result, organized government and political system based on Islam occurred. Within a short time a large community of Muslims were in the city. However, there were problems in the south. The Quraysh of Makkah was alarmed at the appeal of Islam because Muhammad was able to persuade the pagan Arabs to give up ancestral worship of idols. The Quraysh felt that Muhammad was out to destroy them and their way of life. The only solution was to get rid of Muhammad because other means of persuasion had failed.
Impact: city of Madinah became al-Madinah, or “the city”. Muhammad’s impact was so compelling that some referred to the city as Madinah al-Nabi, which means the “City of the Prophet”
  1. A) What obstacles or challenges did Muhammad face in Madinah? (p. 326)

The Quraysh of Makkah were alarmed at the growing appeal of Islam. Increasingly, Muhammad was managing to persuade the pagan Arabs to give up all that they cherished (ancestral worship). The only solution was to get rid of Muhammad since all other means of persuasion—offers of great wealth, absolute leadership of the Quraysh, and beautiful women—had all failed. Thus, the concern of the Quraysh, coupled with the rapid growth of Islam, led to confrontation on the battlefield.

b) How did the battles strengthen Muhammad’s influence in Madinah? (p. 326)

These defensive battles solidified the position of Islam in Madinah. Disheartened, the Makkans returned home as Muhammad’s star continued to rise. Now Muhammad’s teachings were taken into consideration by both the people of Madinah, and the people of Makkah. Muslim conversions steadily grew, many in Madinah and some in Makkah. Eventually in 630 Muhammad led a group of 10,000 into Makkah in what is commonly referred to as the “Conquest of Makkah”.

c) Why was the “Conquest of Makkah” in 630 so important to Muhammad and the development of Islam?

Few opposed Muhammad’s return or his removal of idols from the Ka’bah. Beofre leaving the city, Muhammad appeared before the citizens of Makkah and reminded them of their ill deeds and their persecution of the Muslims in Madinah. The people lowered their heads in shame and Muhammad proclaimed, “May God pardon you. Go in peace. There shall be no responsibility on you today; you are free!” The effect of his words was felt immediately, prompting a shift in the minds of those assembled. IN one remarkable moment the Makkans moved from a conquered people in to a liberated people.

  1. What did Muhammad speak about in his “Farewell Sermon”? (p. 326)

In one sweeping and profound sermon, Muhammad offered forgiveness to those who had done wrong in the past, while summarizing the core elements of Islamic teaching.

  1. a) PROPHETS: Which prophet do you feel is most important/significant to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam? Explain your choice for each Religion (p. 323).

Christianity: most important prophet is Jesus because he is the Son of God who died so that people could be reunited with God.

Judaism: most important prophet is Moses because he led the Hebrews out of slavery and sent to give the Jews God’s law

Islam: Muhammad is the most important prophet because he directly received the word of God. His visions became the Qur’an, the Islamic holy text.

b) Why is Muhammad called the “Seal of the Prophets?” (p. 324)

Muhammad is the “Seal of the Prophets” because he is the last of those who have come to convey the divine wisdom of God to humanity.

  1. a) CALIPHS: Explain the power struggle for the successor between Abu Bakr and Ali after the death of Muhammad (327).

After the death of Muhammad, it was clear that no one could replace him because he was so unique and gifted. There were two claims to his position that appeared immediately after the Prophet’s death. The first came from Abu Bakr, a close friend and Companion of the Prophet. He was a strong proponent of the faith and a loyal servant of Muhammad’s in both Madinah and Makkah. The second claim came from Ali, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law. Some believe Muhammad publicly acknowledged him as his successor on a trip between Makkah and Madinah shortly before the Prophet’s death. Eventually, Abu Bakr was chosen over ali, who some felt was unfit for leadership because he was ony 30 years old. Due to this choice, a political rift was created in the Muslim community and still exists today.

b) What is the importance or meaning of “Rashidin?” (328)

The first four leaders of the Muslim community are called the “Rightly-Guided Caliphs,” or Rashidin. All four of the caliphs were close Companions of Muhammad in both Madinah and Makkah. They possessed a thorough knowledge of the Qur’an, and they proved themselves to be devout adherents to the faith. Their significance is measured by their ability to hold the Muslim community together despite the existence of internal political conflict.

Caliph / Years / Important Contributions
Abu Bakr / 632-634 /
  • formed the serparately written chapters of the Qur’an into a consolidated compilation
  • solidified his leadership and suppressed Arab tribes who saw the death of the Prophet as an opportunity to turn against Islam
  • continued the Muslim expansion initiated by the Prophet in the Middle East

Umar / 634-644 /
  • continued the expansion of Islam to Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Persia

Uthman / 644-656 /
  • oversaw Islamic expansion west across northern Africa and east into northern India and the border of China
  • was criticized for showing favouritism to his relatives even though this was never proven. In the end, Uthman was assassinated. According to some historians, he was a victim of his own kindness.

Ali / 656-661 /
  • assumed leadership of a divided Muslim community
  • was forced to defend his rule on the battlefield against the Ummayyad family. This marked the first time that Muslim rose against Muslim in battle
  • was assassinated in 661