Ch10: Origin of Islam

• The Life of Prophet Muhammad (1):

  • Born in 570 CE, he lived with his uncle Abu Talib as his parents died
  • His uncle was a camel trader, so the two travelled a lot
  • When Muhammad turned 25, he married his employer Khadija who was 40
  • Mecca locals were greedy and violent, Muhammad was upset about this
  • He often prayed in a cave, and in 610 CE, Angel Gabriel spoke to him and said that there is only one God and Muhammad is his messenger. This is known as the Night of Power.
  • Muhammad was shocked from this revelation and told his wife what happened
• The Life of Prophet Muhammad (2):

  • Khadija knew Muhammad was a trustworthy man so she converted to Islam with him
  • When Muhammad went to the cave to pray, he received messages from God through Angel Gabriel until his death
  • He wrote down all of these messages in a book. This is known as the Qur'an
  • One night in 620 CE, Angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad and took him to Jerusalem, where all the prophets that ever lived were present. He also went to heaven, where God told him that Muslims must pray 5 times a day. This night is known as the Night Journey.
• The Life of Prophet Muhammad (3):

  • When Muhammad and his followers tried to spread the word of God in Mecca, they were persecuted. This led up to the point where, in 622 CE, an assassination against Muhammad was attempted.
  • He left Mecca with his followers. This is known as the Hijra (migration). As he travelled through the desert, his enemies tried to catch him but he hid in a cave.
  • When the assassins reached the cave, they thought it was empty from the spider web. Muslims believe this was God's miracle.
• The Life of Prophet Muhammad (4):

  • Him and his followers were welcomed in a city called Yathrib, where the locals converted to Islam. The city was renamed to Medina. Islam was now practised freely and rapidly spread.
  • Muhammad became the leader of Medina and wrote the Constitution of Medina
  • Tribes from Mecca would often attack Medina. In 629 CE, Muhammad led an army to Mecca. When they arrived, they circled the Kaaba 7 times and destroyed the idol statues.
  • He had now conquered Mecca and forgave his persecuters. He died in 632 CE.