Islam Background
• Allah – al meaning “the” and Ilah meaning “God.”
• Religion did not start with Muhammad, but from the beginning of time, by God
• Same origins as Christianity, however begin to differ when Abraham banish Hagar and Ishmael – Muslims say to Mecca where Ishmael’s descendents became the Muslims, descendents of Isaac became Jews
The Seal of the Prophets
• Muhammad = “Seal of the Prophets” because while he was preceded by other prophets, he served as their culmination; name translates to “highly praised”
• Born into ignorant world – no obligation to anyone outside tribe, scarcity of material goods, orgies and gambling, religion based on evils and exalted no sentiments or moral restraint
• Whole family die young, live with Uncle and family – bereavements make him sensitive to human suffering
• Grow up and enter service to widow Khadija, fall in love and marry
• Begin to visit cave to contemplate, settles on the idea of Allah, the God
• Night of Power, angel visit Gabriel and tell him to proclaim his love for Allah
• Muhammad religion controversial for 3 reasons:
1. Uncompromising monotheism threatened polytheistic beliefs and revenues from pilgrimages to Mecca
2. Moral teachings demanded an end to philandering at the time
3. Challenged injust social order – all men equal in the eyes of the Lord
• Muhammad and followers persecuted
The Migration that Led to Victory
• Meccan nobility threatened – city of Yathrib (now Medina) ask Muhammad to become leader and promise to follow teachings and beliefs of Islam, devout Muslims follow Muhammad (journey called the Hijra)
• Muhammad rule blend of justice and mercy – bring five different tribes together
• Meccans attack, Medina win spectacular victory
• Muhammad unite all of Arabia (even Mecca) = miracle
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