Download The Life of Muhammad

The Rise of Islam
THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD
Arabia before Muhammad
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Arabs are the people of
Arabia. The word Arab
means “to move or pass” –
meaning these people were
nomadic.
They were also known as
“Bedouins”
They were sheep and goat
herders, spoke Arabic, were
skilled at warfare and
practiced Polytheism
Arabia before Muhammad continued
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A powerful Arab tribe called
the Quraysh settled at an
oasis called Makkah. This
eventually became the city of
Mecca.
The Quraysh were
polytheistic and made a
shrine with over 300 idols
called the Kaaba or Ka’ba
that was at the center of the
city.
Muhammad’s Early Life
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Born in Mecca around
570 to a poor family.
His parents died and he
was given to his uncle’s
nomadic family in the
desert.
He learned Arab
traditions of helping
needy members of
society- the poor,
widows, orphans…
EARLY LIFE CONTINUED
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While living with his
uncle, he was a
shepherd and later
became a successful
trader of goods.
He was known for being
honest.
When he was about 25
he married a wealthy
widow named Khadija
and became wealthy as a
merchant.
CALL TO PROPHETHOOD
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Muhammad had always
been a seeker of
solitude.
Around 610 Muhammad
went to pray in a cave in
the mountains.
According to Islamic
teachings he was visited by
the angel Gabriel who told
him he should “recite” and
become a messenger of
God.
PROPHET
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Muhammad was scared
he was going crazy, but
he eventually believed
he should reveal God’s
message.
His wife was the first
convert to Islam – a
monotheistic religion
with the same God as
Christianity and
Judaism.
Muhammad’s Teachings
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Muhammad believed
that God had many
prophets (including
Jesus and Moses) and
that he was the last one.
His main teachings
include these ideas:
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There is only ONE God.
(Allah)
All believers are equal.
The rich should take
care of the poor.
People should live
righteously.
All people would be
subjected to a
“Judgment Day”
The 5 Pillars of Faith
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The most basic rules of Islam are summarized
in the 5 Pillars called:
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Shahada is the declaration of faith (only one God,
Allah, and his prophet is Muhammad)
Salat is the daily prayers (5 times a day)
Zakat is almsgiving or charity
Sawm is fasting during the holy month of Ramadan
Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca – undertaken at least
once in a lifetime, followers go to touch the black
stone at the Kaaba.
THE QU’RAN
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Muhammad could not
read or write, but he
remembered the
messages by heart.
His followers wrote
them down and they
became known as the
Qu’ran.
The beauty of the words
and poetry of the book
helped to convert more
people.
The Sunnah
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The Sunnah is a book
that includes the words
and actions of
Muhammad. It gives a
guideline for how to live
a good Muslim life and
some of Muhammads
interpretations of the
Qu’ran.
TEACHINGS MEET REJECTION
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Around 613 Muhammad
started to teach to other
Meccans. He told them
to pray to ONE God, to
give to the poor, and that
all people were equal.
This upset the wealthy
leaders of the community
and they threw him out.
REJECTION CONTINUED
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In 622, Muhammad and
his followers moved
from Mecca to Medina
(Yathrib). This journey is
called the Hijrah. They
increased the number
of Muslims and
although many Jewish
leaders didn’t think he
was a prophet –
Muhammad took
military and political
control of Medina.
The Battle of Badr
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Muhammad built up his
followers and army and
after many battles and
confrontations he finally
returned to Mecca and
defeated the powerful
Quraysh tribe who
controlled it.
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Muhammad took over
Mecca in 630 A.D.
He banned the worship
of idols and old gods
and rededicated the
Ka’ba to Allah.
The word Islam means:
“Surrender to God”
MUHAMMAD DIES
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After forgiving his
former enemies, and
with the wars over,
Muhammad returned to
Mecca in 632 to give his
Last Sermon.
He reminded his
followers to treat each
other well and be
faithful to their
community.