1A-Muhammad in Mecca

• Pre-Islamic Arabian context


  Idol worshipping, pagan Arabs who practised social ills
• Pre-Islamic Arabian context


  Influenced the life and teaching of Muhammad
• The possibility of the failure of Islam under Makkan persecution, countered by the life and teachings of Muhammad, and his teachings following the Night of Power that challenged the practices of the time
• Jahiliyya


  A period of barbarity in pre-Islamic Arabia
• Arabs were said to bury their daughters alive if they feared poverty
• People came to the Ka'aba to worship idols and donate gifts to them
• Corruption, slavery and many social ills were widespread in pre-Islamic Arabia
• Muhammad acted according to tribal rules
• Muhammad was a peacemaker between tribes when they argued at the Ka'aba
• Muhammad benefitted from his Uncle Abu Talib's protection when he preached, because of tribal honour
• Tawhid


  Oneness of God
• Akhirah


  The Day of Final Judgement
• Muhammad preached the key doctrines of tawhid, risalah and Akhirah as a warning to the pagan Arabs
• The simple message of the revelations Muhammad received was regarded as the same as that revealed to earlier prophets, and relevant for all time
• The message was applied in terms which pre-Islamic Arabia would understand
• Muhammad faced many setbacks in his mission
• Some of Muhammad's followers were whipped, and hot stones were laid on the backs of his supporters, such as Bilal
• The insides of a camel were thrown on Muhammad whilst praying
• Muhammad's community were exiled to a barren valley
• Muhammad doubted what he had received after the Night of Power, and at times was confused and upset, but always looked to Allah for guidance
• Leaving Makkah may have seemed like the mission had failed
• At the time, Muslims could not worship openly, despite all the years of preaching which Muhammad had put in
• Muslims see Muhammad's leadership as a model to follow when facing difficulties and persecution
• Allah would have never allowed Islam to fail
• "He is Allah, the one and only, allah, the eternal, and absolute" - Quran sura 112