The Life of the Prophet Muhammad (usually spelled Mohammed in older English texts): ca. 570 CE - Birth in Makka/Mecca , a merchant city and religious center in the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula (modern Saudi Arabia). Like most Arabs, he is considered a descendant of Ishmael (Ismail in Arabic), the eldest son of Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic). His father, Abd Allah, a nobleman of the Quraysh tribe, dies a few months before Muhammad is born. His mother, Aminah, also dies while Muhammad is still young, about 6 years old; thus he becomes an orphan He is raised by his uncle, Abu Talib, and lives and works for some time as a shepherd among the Bedouin tribes. As he grows, Muhammad gains a reputation for honesty, sincerity, and generosity, earning the nickname al- Amin (the trustworthy one). He is apparently disturbed by the decadence, injustices, and polytheistic practices of Arab society of his time. As he grows older, he frequently meditates, esp. in the Cave of Hira near the top of Jabal al Nur (Mountain of Light) outside of Makka. In 595 he marries a widow named Khadijah, a successful merchant, with whom he has two sons and four daughters. 610 CE - First Revelation; Muhammad hears God tell him to recite (see Quran 96:1-5) He shares his revelation with his wife, other family members, and close friends. After about a year, he begins receiving further revelations, which continue until his death. Soon he begins preaching publicly in Makka, esp. stressing social justice, equality, and monotheism. A small group of followers gather around him, but they are persecuted by other Makkans; In 615 some of his followers flee to Ethiopia, where they find refuge with a Christian emperor. In 619 both his wife Khadija and his uncle Abu Talib die, leaving him with little support or protection within his clan. Muhammads Night Journey to Jerusalem (and from there to the seventh heaven) is believed to have occurred in 620 CE. 622 CE - Hijrah (flight or migration) from Makka to Madinah = Year 1 on the Islamic Calendar Muhammad moves with his family and followers to the city of Yathrib, later renamed Madinah/Medina (city of the prophet), about 260 miles north of Makka. Muhammad builds up a religious city- state in Madinah based on Islamic principles; the first mosque is built and many Islamic customs are established there. He continues preaching, hoping to convert all polytheistic Arabians, as well and Jews and Christians, to the message of Islam. He continues receiving revelations, which are recited to his followers, memorized, and written down. Several battles ensue between Muhammads followers (the early Muslims) and their opponents (either neighboring Jews or the polytheistic Makkans): 624: Battle of Badr - Muslims defeat the Quraysh (members of Muhammads own tribe) 625: Battle of Uhud - Muslims are defeated 626: Muslims defeat the Jewish tribe of al-Nadir 627: War of the Ditch - Makkans attack Muslims in Madinah, but are repelled 628: Treaty of Hudaybiyya - truce with the Quraysh, who recognize Muhammads right to preach & proselytize 629: Jews of Khaybar are slaughtered; Muhammad sends messengers and letters to the Kings of Persia, Yemen, and Ethiopia, asking them to accept Islam 630: Truce is broken by the Quraysh; Muhammads forces take Makka 630 CE - Conquest of Makka ; conversion of all Makkans to Islam; establishment of the Kabah as the center of Muslim worship Muhammads forces enter Makka peacefully, not exacting vengeance on the defeated enemies. The whole population of the city converts to Islam and accepts Muhammads leadership. Muhammad removes all idols from the Kabah and rededicates it to the worship of Allah/God alone. In 631, The Year of Embassies, many other Arabian tribes accept Islam. In early 632, Muhammad makes his last visit or pilgrimage from Madinah to Makka. 632 CE - Death in Madinah , on June 8, at about age 63 By the time of Muhammads death, much of Arabia has already embraced Islam. Within a century, Islam spreads North to Palestine, West through Northern Africa to Spain, and East through Persia to India and China. [ 800s CE - Compilation of various collections of Hadith - teachings, sayings, and actions of the prophet Muhammad] Important early collectors include Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (817-875), Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari (810-870), etc.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:49:49 +0000
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