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HIST 101
Research Paper
Fall 2011
One of the major religions of the world is Islam. Islam would not have come
about without Muhammad. Muhammad was an ordinary man who greatly impacted the
world as a prophet of his new religion. After receiving messages from the archangel,
Gabriel, Muhammad claimed to hold the last, complete message from Allah. Though he
was a simple merchant, Muhammad had a gift for social organization and managed to
unite the Arab clans under a new religion.
Muhammad was born a plain man. He was born in Mecca around 750 A.D and
was orphaned by the time he was six years old. It was because of this that Muhammad
understood the feelings of being an outsider because, in his culture, family was an
important component for success. However, Muhammad did find success as a merchant
in Mecca where trading was prominent. Muhammad had a lot of contact with other
merchants from all over the world. He also had great social skills and was able to resolve
differences among people. When he was twenty-five years old, he met a wealthy widow
whom he later married. Within a few years and with his wife’s help, Muhammad gained
success as a businessman; however, this was not the life Muhammad wanted to live.
Muhammad was always interested in religion. He would have conversations with
many Jewish and Christian leaders. After an experience in a cave above Mecca,
Muhammad claimed to have received messages from Allah through the archangel,
Gabriel. Muhammad was given one very important message to give to the people: there is
only one God. Many people especially the poor, were delighted with this message. With
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one God, that meant “one people.” This meant an end to inequality. Muhammad was very
vocal in his belief that the wealth should be shared. Thus, the Islamic religion was born.1
Islam originated in the seventh century in Saudi Arabia. It later expanded into
North Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere.2 The Islamic followers referred to
themselves as Muslims, meaning “those who surrender themselves to God.” It only took
one hundred years for Islam to expand its empire westward to Spain and eastward to
India. There are many reasons why the Islamic religion spread so rapidly. First, the
message of equality among all people is universal. People all over the world and from all
cultures want equality. Second, some people were displeased with their current
leadership. They were much happier under the power of the Islamic religion. Even in
areas where the Muslims ruled, people of the Jewish and Christians faiths were still
allowed to practice their religion. This acceptance for others’ beliefs was rare.
Muhammad’s preaching, however, was not accepted by all. Many people of
Mecca rejected Muhammad. His message went against many of the traditions and
customs of the culture. In addition, many of Mecca’s leaders did not want Muhammad to
overpower them. It was decided that Muhammad needed to leave the city. Some even
plotted to assassinate him. It was not just Muhammad who was in danger, but his
followers as well. Many who were not protected were killed. It was not until 619 A.D.
that Muhammad and his followers found refuge.
In 619 A.D. the city of Yathrib requested Muhammad’s presence. There were
many disputes between the clans of this city. These disputes were becoming violent and
deadly. The people of Yathrib had heard positively of Muhammad; as a result, they
1
Jonathan Grupper, Islam: Empire of Faith, DVD, directed by Robert H. Gardner (Baltimore, MD:
Gardner Films Inc, 2000).
2
Kevin Reilly, Worlds of History (Bostom: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010), 289.
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believed that he could help resolve their differences and establish peace. The city agreed
to offer Muhammad and his followers refuge in return for Muhammad’s help.
Muhammad agreed and preached the same message to Yathrib that he preached in
Mecca. Yathrib later became known as Medina, or “The City of the Prophet.”
Even though Muhammad had left Mecca, Mecca’s people were still displeased
with his religion. They were preparing to battle the Islamic people. Though Muhammad
tried to resolve differences without violence, the Muslims had no choice but to fight.
Although the Muslims were at a disadvantage, they finally managed to win back Mecca
in 630 A.D. Muhammad then entered Mecca and destroyed the shrines of the other gods
as a sign that old traditions needed to be abolished. This marked the beginning of Islam’s
great territorial expansion.3
There are many texts that are significant to the Islamic religion. The most
important is the Qur’an. It is said to be the complete word of God revealed to
Muhammad.4 The Qur’an is a guide in the matters of ethics and social justice, both of
which were very important to Muhammad. It also preaches about life after death and
eternal damnation for those who are sinful. Though it was originally passed down orally,
it became evident that it had to be written down so that Muhammad’s original message
remained intact and was not altered. It is unknown when the original Qur’an was written
down.5 In addition to the Qur’an, hadiths are texts of importance. Hadiths are sayings and
stories of Muhammad by which the Islamic people live.6
3
Grupper, Islam: Empire of Faith.
Reilly, 289.
5
Grupper, Islam: Empire of Faith.
6
Reilly, 289.
4
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The Islamic religion has five pillars, or ways of life, by which Muslims must
abide. The first is the belief in Allah as the only God and Muhammad as his final prophet.
The second pillar is praying five times a day while facing Mecca, the holiest city of the
Islamic faith.7 Muslims must face Mecca because it contains the shrine of Abraham who
was the first prophet.8 According to a hadiths entitled, “The Night Journey,” Allah
originally obligated his followers to pray fifty times a day; however, Muhammad
requested to bring the number of daily prayers down to five.9 The third pillar requires that
the Islamic followers purify themselves through fasting during the daylight hours of
Ramadan. There is also another, optional, fasting period in which Muslims make up for
their sins. The fourth pillar is to show support for those in need. The last pillar of the
Islamic faith is to travel to Mecca at least once during one’s lifetime. This pilgrimage is
known as the Hajj. The Islamic religion is the only religion to have such a pilgrimage. 10
According to the Qur’an, the purpose of the pilgrimage is to honor Allah, fulfill their
vows as Muslims, and cleanse themselves.11 The pilgrimage is one of Islam’s biggest
symbols of unity and equality among its people.12
Islam has many similarities and differences as compared to other religions. Like
Judaism and Christianity, Islam is a monotheistic religion. Muslims also believe
Abraham and Jesus to be prophets; however, unlike Christians, Muslims do not believe
Jesus to be the son of God. The Islamic people do not even consider their own prophet to
7
Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, An Elementary Study of Islam (Islam International Publications Ltd., 1996)
http://www.alislam.org/books/study-of-islam/index.html
8
Grupper, Islam: Empire of Faith.
9
“Muhammad’s Night Journey” in Kevin Reilly, ed., Worlds of History (Bostom: Bedford/St. Martin’s,
2010), 291-292.
10
Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, An Elementary Study of Islam.
11
Qur’an 22: 28-34.
12
Grupper, Islam: Empire of Faith.
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be divine.13 Another difference is that, while both Jesus and Moses have been described
as performing miracles, Muhammad has never performed any miracles. One of the
biggest differences between Islam and Christianity is that Muslim philosophers embraced
science and studied Aristotle and Plato. They did not believe that science conflicted with
their religious beliefs.14
Islam is one of the major religions of the world. It was started by a simple man
who had a passion for religion, a devotion to social justice, and a talent in social skills.
After receiving messages from Allah, Muhammad devoted his life to spreading the world
of Islam. Though he was encountered by conflict, Muhammad and his followers managed
to spread this religion far enough to make it one of the world’s largest empires. It was
under this empire that Muhammad managed to unite the Arab clans.
13
14
Reilly, 289.
Grupper, Islam: Empire of Faith.