Mohammed

1
Mohammed

• Faith of Islam
• Beginnings
• And
• Importance to the
• World
• Least Predictable of Romes heirs

2
Birth of Mohammed

• 570 AD Mohammed Born.
• A poor nomadic Bedouin family (not really)
• This Bedouin family will eventually conquer ½ of
  Byzantium, all of Persia, Egypt and most of North
  Africa

3
Nomadic Wandering

• This tribal Bedouin clan were called the
  Himyarits
• Crossed the Red Sea and colonized Abyssinia
• Instituted a Semitic culture and will be the
  basis for the Semitic bloodlineamalgamated with
  the indigenous black population.

4
Semitism

• There is no clear definition
• Supposedly from the derivation of peoples who
  descended from Shem (son of Noah).
• In fact most African Arab and Arabian populations
  are Semitic in the sense that they speak a
  Semitic dialect.

5
Desert Religions

• Begins in the desertagain the notion is it is
  somehow from the story of Hagar the slave woman
  who birthed Ishmael the son of Abraham.
• Sarah banishes Hagar and Ishmael to the desert
  God protects them line of Arabs from here.
  Important for credible genealogy later.
• Desert religions were primitive at bestconsisted
  of Heaven, celestial bodies, and was wrought in
  superstition.

6
Desert religions Contd

• Not much thought given to the after lifehere and
  then gone.
• Variants of the religion did sometimes stake a
  camel to ones grave so he would not have to walk
  in the after life and also left food and water
  for the soul to drink in his spectral wanderings.
• In Arab/Islamic religions to have to walk is an
  insultto be hit with a shoe is the ultimate
  insult.

7
Desert Religion contd

• Some tribal clans also offered a human or animal
  sacrifice, but not the normthis was to please
  some supernatural being or God
• Mostly though, it consisted of iconography and
  idolatry
• Relics such as sacred religious stones were
  common to desert religions.

8
QuraishAllah

• Some Idol worship, such as Quraisha golden idol.
  He was the tribal God of the Quraish
  Bedouinsthey called him Allah!!
• Important because it paved the way to monotheism
  by worshipping Allah as the chief deity.
• Allah was presented to the Meccans, by the
  Quraish, as the God and only God of their soil,
  the desert lands in which they lived and
  controlled.

9
Quraish and the Islamic Lineage

• As with the Petrine and Papal doctrine
  establishing legitimacy for Christianity, the
  Quraish and their genealogy would also give
  legitimacy to Islam.
• Quraish were descendants of Abraham and Ishmael
  appointed as Priests and Guardians of the Meccan
  Shrine of Allah and the Black Stone.
• They managed all revenues, offerings and tithes
  to the shrine of Mecca (taxes, tithes, crops,
  animals, and even first born males of the herd).

10
Quraish Practices

• Tithe and tax
• Pay tribute and offerings to keep in favor with
  Allah
• Quraish was the aristocracy also minorities of
  the tribe
• Descendants of Qusay
• Controlled the civil government of Mecca

11
Quraish Practices

• Would eventually form into the Aristocratic
  Sunnishistorically controlled the religious
  practices, tenets, and the economy around
  Islam(direct lineage not necessary). Sunnis
  thought in terms of Hadithpractices and customs
  of Mohammed.
• Shiia would be the the more spiritual believers
  descended from Mohammed
• What we have here is the difference between the
  acceptance of doctrine between the traditional
  Old testament Judaic practices and the New
  testament Christians

12
Islam an Eclectic Religion

• Islam would also synthesize pagan rituals and
  customs and even pagan relics to attract
  converts
• Islam would also incorporate Christianity and
  Judaism.
• Islam kept the sacred stone worship of the
  Quraish Bedouinsthe black stone embedded into
  larger stone at Meccaprobably a meteorite, but
  treated as sacred from heavencannot be defiled
  by infidel hands.

13
Arabian Peninsula

• Arabian peninsula very turbulent and contested
  area
• Many loose associated Tribesmany related by
  blood
• No single unifying political or social structure
• Byzantium and Persia traditional enemies

14
Arabian Peninsula

• Much like Europe and the Germanic tribes constant
  internal strife
• Also, Arabia had never been conquered Byzantium,
  Persia, and Alexander the Great all failed to
  subdue Arabia
• Developed a sense of autonomy, even
  invincibility never developed any Romanesque
  attitude or sense cared about anything Roman.

15
Mohammed Ancestry

• Very distinguished ancestry
• Was left a good inheritancenot a poor boy
• Well connected Meccan Caravan family
• Grandfather and Uncle were keepers of the Black
  stone
• Strong political and military leaders
• Seemed to be wise, responsible, and a very
  reliable sort of person very devout and serious.

16
Mohammed

• Mom died when was six raised by Grandfather and
  Uncle
• Immersed him in the Desert religion of the tribe
• Most all religious doctrine was passed down
  orally doesnt necessarily make it inaccurate,
  maybe some interpretation lost
• Basic message in tact.
• Iliad and Odyssey both passed down orallysome
  exaggerations, but that is human nature.

17
Mohammed the Man

• He had an arranged marriage to Khadijah
• Very prominent and rich caravan family she was
  much older than Mohammedstill seemed to be a
  very loving and companionate marriage
• As stated he was very devout many times he would
  retire to the hills and caves around Mecca for
  days to receive visitations from Angel Gabriel

18
Islam

• Preparing the most famous and eloquent text of
  the Glorious Quran, Mohammed used an
  amanuensisscribe.
• As the Apostle Paul, Charlemagne, and Luther the
  texts were transcribed in the native tonguethis
  was the Aramaic and Farsi tongue.
• Though many were illiterate, they could
  understand the reading of their language.

19
Islam

• Mohammed and Islam would be greatly influenced by
  Judaism and Christian faiths.
• Wifes cousin was Christian Uncles second wife
  was Jewish In Mecca (after the Diaspora 90-93
  AD) many different nationalities such as Jewish
  faith peoples lived and worked.
• Mohammed very familiar with the Torah (Jewish
  book) and the Bible (Christian faith)he could
  quote scripture out of both books.

20
Islam

• He often visited MedinaHis uncles immediate
  family took up residence there
• Medina housed a large Jewish population of
  merchants and bankers(original investment
  bankers).
• He was influenced early by Jewish and Christian
  philosophythere are Muslim scholars who
  suggested that Mohammed admired the moral tenets
  of Christianity the monotheism of the
  Jewsespecially the moral upright life of Christ.

21
Islam

• One wonders how much of the revelation and
  spiritual messages from God were truly
  inspirationalhow much was his religious
  influences when so young and impressionable?
• The Arabs as the Jewish peoples were mesmerized
  by Messianic expectationsmore military and
  earthly rule than the hereafter as the Christians
  (modern day).
• Arabs also eagerly awaited a messenger from God
  to help establish cohesion and heaven on earth.

22
Islam

• Like any successful Preacher and historical
  eventsMohammeds timing was impeccable.
• He gave voice and form(human tangibility to a
  faith based on spiritual necessity and faith) in
  an otherwise drab existence
• As did Christthis was the human connection for
  both religionseach had a human founder.

23
Islam

• By age 40, became consumed with religion
• 610 AD alone in cave visited by Angel
  Gabrielmessenger of God
• Appeared in vision with scriptural writings and
  said for him to read
• Remember he was illiteratemiracle, true favor
  with God.

24
Islam

• Spiritual revelation akin to Joseph Smith, Angel
  Moroni and the Golden Tablets
• Vision would sometimes come during the daylight
  hoursagitated, moved fitfully, no one cold see
  angel but Mohammed
• Similar to Joan of Darcher voices turn out to
  be caused by an inner ear infection and a mild
  form of epilepsy.

25
Islam

• Did Mohammed also suffer from this ailment?
  Probably no truly knows
• Characteristic of epilepsy and seizures he would
  hear bells ringing, blurred vision and feel a
  transcendental consciousnessall common to
  epilepsy
• Did not seem to possess tongue biting and any
  loss of memoryremembered visions as he claimed
  to have seen themgood story teller or true
  conversion.

26
Mohammed the Prophet

• Once his rule began, it had no scientific or
  social political systemit was a Theocracy
• Sometimes his revelations would fit a specific
  need, but essentially he was fair minded
• Sometimes arrogant, often time modest did not
  perform miracles usually dignified and
  indulgenthowever, could be ruthless and cunning

27
The Prophet Mohammed

• Tried hard to be a true man of the common people
• Exacted large amounts of tribute and bounty from
  caravans (extortion and tribute) still he gave
  much of what he possessed to charity he
  possessed very little personal wealth
• He did however, make Mecca and Medina very
  wealthywhy they supported him.

28
Mohammed

• He could be very vain he attended to his looks
  very delicately
• He painted his eyes, maintained a strict regime
  of Hygiene
• Wore perfumecleanliness probably learned from
  the Jews

29
Islam

• Began preaching a monotheistic form of religion
  not a traditional form of the Polytheistic desert
  religions
• An exclusive faith only Al-Islam true converts
  allowed (remember the bigotry of Christianity)
• Meccan families, mostly the Quraish elders, were
  concerned these new revelations would detract
  from the pilgrimages, costing them money from
  tithes and offerings to the kaaba

30
Islam

• Though Mohammed came from good family, the
  Quraish Priests had a problem with these
  so-called revelations (they said he was a fanatic
  and ostensibly suffering from sort of sickness).
• The issue was accommodations and open enrollment
  of convertswelcomed slaves, poor, beggars anyone
  into the new religionslightly different than the
  original Quraish tenetssame issue Christ would
  have with the Jewish leaders the Pharisees and
  Sadducees.

31
Islam

• As Christianity, Islam appealed to the poor and
  the down trodden
• Not so much women, but it did put women in a
  special placenot to be defiled and to be
  reveredjust no political voice and subservient.
• By 615 AD Islam as did Christianity, also
  attracted some important and powerful political
  and military adherents.

32
Islam

• Mohammeds wife Khadijah died in 619 AD
• She was his most ardent supporter and richest
  benefactor also his political and military
  benefactor other than his wife also died
• Islam almost died on the vine no financial or
  political backing
• Still he continued with his visions and
  established a loyal core of followers.

33
Islam

• In 620 AD, Mohammed expanded the teachings beyond
  the immediate family and clan he began teaching
  and proselytizing to the Caravan merchants on
  pilgrimage to the Black Stone of Mecca
• This did two things it allowed a vehicle for the
  spreading of Islam to other parts of the globe
  two, it creates a rift with the tribal leaders of
  the Quraish located around Mecca.

34
Islam

• Important note Mohammed did not begin the
  practice of the Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca
• The Meccan leaders or priests feared that these
  new teachings would be bad for business
• Mohammed was informed neither he nor his
  teachings were any longer welcomed in Mecca
• In 622 AD, he left for Medina fled for his life
  more likelyThis is the Hijrathe flight of the
  prophetbeginning of the Islamic calendar. WE
  count from the birth of ChristIslam counts from
  the Hijra.

35
Islam

• Why Medina? The economic leaders of Medina were
  also facing some issues.
• Thought if Mohammed came and preached a unifying
  message from a great religious leader would
  coalesce their fragmented city.
• Also promised to protect him from the Meccan
  priests and tribal leaders also wanted in on the
  Hajj action of tithes etc wanted to become the
  New Holy Cityeconomical or spiritual?

36
Teachings of Islam

• What then are these teachings that are attracting
  so many people?
• We know about his teachings from three (3)
  sources The Quran (scriptures of Islam) the
  hadith (sayings of the prophet) and the Sunna
  (the good practiceMohammeds practice).

37
Teachings of Islam

• However, to understand the Islamic world, the
  Koran is the most significantit is divide in
  Surahs or verses body of recitations the word
  of God given directly to Mohammed
• It begins with peace, conversion and how to live
  a spiritual Islamic life
• The second and more recent half of the Koran
  deals with Jihad and putting Infidels to the
  swordor they convert.

38
Teachings of Islam

• Mohammed is not the author of the Quran
• It is not a book written by a person about God,
  it is the actual recited word of God, Mohammed
  merely translated it
• One must surrender ones soul to Allah Islam
  means to surrender.

39
Teachings of Islam

• Islam, as Christianity, is a synthesis of many
  variants. The Quran, The hadith, and the Sunna
  collectively equal a faithA Religion
• They also possess a few basic requirements
• Al-Islamsurrender to Allah the faith of
  surrender this begins the practice of the Five
  Pillars of Faith 1 is a conversion(faith) 2-5
  is based on law and practices.

40
Five (5) Pillars of Islam

• 1) Faith of surrender (profess the faithno God
  but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet)
• 2) Fasting (especially during Ramadan) the idea
  is emptying oneself for religious discipline
• 3) Prayerfive times a day facing Mecca and if
  possible in a Mosque on Friday

41
Five (5) Pillars of Islam

• 4) Almsone must be generous to the poor
  building a responsible community faith
• 5) Hajj or pilgrimage. If at all possible a true
  devout Muslim will make a pilgrimage to Mecca at
  least once during ones life

42
Five (5) Pillars of Islam

• 1) Shahadahconversion of faith
• 2) Salahritual prayer
• 3) Zakahalms tax
• 4) Sawmfasting during Ramadan
• 5) Hajjpilgrimage to Mecca

43
Islam

• A faith of orthopraxy(works), not
  orthodoxy(tenets).
• Simply, it is a practice of how one should
  behave, ones conduct, and what one did rather
  than an intellectual assent to doctrinal
  teachings
• Islam had no true theologians or trained academic
  clergymuch like the rabbis of Old

44
Islam

• Also important to Islama critical element
• Umma Muslimathe community of Islam and Allah's
  teachings transcend all man-made, ethnic or
  geographical boundaries
• Sound familiarshould, it rings of the concept of
  Evangelizing. Islam not just for semitic or
  Arabic peoples, it is for the whole world.

45
Islam

• Mohammed established a civil or theocracy rule in
  Medina not based on tradition or politics, but
  based on the rule of Islamic law as written and
  understood in the Quran
• No separation of Church and Stateall law was
  based on religious doctrine and subject to
  religious jurisdiction
• Jews and Christians could maintain their faith,
  but must pay a religious tax early on some
  toleration.

46
Islam

• It is important here to understand that in Islam
  the hierarchy There was Allah (GOD) the first
  patriarch Abraham, Jesus too had been a prophet
  religious and revered, but not divine as the Son
  of God
• Mohammed had been the last and most recent
  Prophet of God, therefore he had the most favor
• No more Prophets until judgment.

47
Islam

• As Mohammed grew in stature and religious power,
  the teachings began to take on a more militant
  and less tolerant interpretation
• Usury was outlawed, all infidels were to
  surrender to Islam or be eradicated (in the
  beginning, infidels were those who professed no
  religious belief at allsoon change to include
  Jews and Christians)
• Jews first to rebelthey made their money off the
  act of UsuryMohammed was essentially financially
  emasculating the JewsMohammed began casting
  religious aspersions at the Jewsthey murdered a
  favored prophet of AllahJesus.

48
Islam

• It was the Jews who corrupted the scriptures,
• Killed prophets of Allah,
• Crucified Jesus
• And worshipped usury
• Refused to acknowledge Allah or Mohammed

49
Islam

• Jewish faith peoples would counter argueMohammed
  is returning to the ancient Bedouin desert
  religious practices of idolatry
• There is no scriptural credibility or historical
  support to this new foundman-made religious
  practice
• Violence breaks outstill engaged in genocide
  today.

50
Islam

• Though Mohammed would spend most of his life in
  Medina, in 620 AD Mecca was proclaimed the Holy
  City of Islam
• No non-believer should be allowed to step foot on
  its sacred soil
• This attitude of sacred soil and infidels would
  lead to Holy wars, Civil Wars and the CrusadesIt
  is still in contention today. (mostly Palestine
  and Jerusalem).

51
Wars of Islam

• As Mohammed gained spiritual strength, he also
  gained military strength
• He was a strong warrior he and his legions won
  many battles and could be very brutal rarely
  took prisonershe subdued the other Bedouin
  tribes
• He would, however, share generously in captured
  bootyother tribes came on boardthis would cause
  issues laterthe sharing of booty and leadership.

52
Wars of Islam

• He was able to accomplish what no other had done,
  he consolidated an Arabian empire
• Upon his death in 632 AD, his old General Abu
  Bakr assumed leadership duties as the Caliph or
  successor to the prophet.
• He fought and destroyed the apostates or those
  who only had loyalty to the prophetonce Mohammed
  died, they no longer professed any allegiance to
  this newly formed Arab kingdom.

53
Wars of Islam

• Because Byzantium and Persia were engaged in wars
  against one another, Bakr was able to consolidate
  the empire, and establish the rule of the
  caliphatessuccessors of the prophets
• Easy to accomplish because there was a long
  history of raiding and plundering and siding with
  the strongestnot necessarily the most righteous
• They believed in expanding the faith through
  Jihad as Mohammed commanded, but also expanding
  their power base.

54
Caliphs

• 661 AD the Umayyad, who were soldiers from
  Syriamore militaristic than religious (akin to
  Clovis and the church)
• Moved the capital of Islam to Damascus
• 750 AD, the Abbasids gained control of the
  Islamic empirecommon soldiers and
  mercenariesmoved to the new Holy City of
  Baghdad.

55
Caliphs--Abbasids

• Ruled from 750 AD to 1258 AD
• A period of great scholarship and cultural
  achievements patrons of scholarship
• As with Rome, they too became so complex and
  civilized that they had to depend upon
  mercenaries to defend their bordersthey
  eventually lost Spain to Charles Martel and then
  Egypt and much of North Africa in the 9th
  century. Military leaders more power than the
  great Caliphs.

56
Summary

• Though Islam would remain a dominant and very
  influential religion, its once formidable empire
  would be broken into a large series of small
  political and religious entitiescoalesced by a
  single faith.
• It was a new universal religion, for all people,
  a new chosen people (Arabs) a new Holy Book
  (Quran), but deeply rooted in classical
  antiquity.
• Its biggest issue today is how to adapt and
  peacefully co-exist with modernity.