Mohammed
Faith of Islam
Beginnings
And
Importance to the
World
Least Predictable of Rome’s heirs
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
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
bloodline—amalgamated
with the indigenous black
population.
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.
Desert Religions
• Begins in the desert—again 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 best—consisted
of Heaven, celestial bodies, and was wrought in
superstition.
Desert religions Cont’d
• Not much thought given to the after life—here
and then gone.
• Variants of the religion did sometimes stake a
camel to one’s 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
insult—to be hit with a shoe is the ultimate insult.
Desert Religion cont’d
• Some tribal clans also offered
a human or animal sacrifice,
but not the norm—this 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.
Quraish—Allah
• Some Idol worship, such as Quraish—a golden
idol. He was the tribal God of the Quraish
Bedouins—they 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.
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).
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
Quraish Practices
• Would eventually form into the Aristocratic Sunnis—
historically controlled the religious practices, tenets, and
the economy around Islam(direct lineage not necessary).
Sunnis thought in terms of Hadith—practices and
customs of Mohammed.
• Shi’ia 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
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 Bedouins—the black stone embedded
into larger stone at Mecca—probably a meteorite,
but treated as sacred from heaven—cannot be
defiled by infidel hands.
Arabian Peninsula
• Arabian peninsula very
turbulent and contested
area;
• Many loose associated
Tribes—many related by
blood;
• No single unifying
political or social structure
• Byzantium and Persia
traditional enemies
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.
Mohammed Ancestry
• Very distinguished ancestry;
• Was left a good inheritance—
not 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.
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; doesn’t
necessarily make it inaccurate,
maybe some interpretation lost
• Basic message in tact.
• Iliad and Odyssey both passed
down orally—some
exaggerations, but that is
human nature.
Mohammed the Man
• He had an arranged marriage to Khadijah;
• Very prominent and rich caravan family; she was
much older than Mohammed—still 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
Islam
• Preparing the most famous and eloquent text of
the Glorious Qu’ran, Mohammed used an
amanuensis—scribe.
• As the Apostle Paul, Charlemagne, and Luther the
texts were transcribed in the native tongue—this
was the Aramaic and Farsi tongue.
• Though many were illiterate, they could
understand the reading of their language.
Islam
• Mohammed and Islam would be greatly
influenced by Judaism and Christian faiths.
• Wife’s cousin was Christian; Uncle’s 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.
Islam
• He often visited Medina—His uncle’s 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
philosophy—there are Muslim scholars who
suggested that Mohammed admired the moral
tenets of Christianity; the monotheism of the
Jews—especially the moral upright life of Christ.
Islam
• One wonders how much of the revelation and spiritual
messages from God were truly inspirational—how much
was his religious influences when so young and
impressionable?
• The Arabs as the Jewish peoples were mesmerized by
Messianic expectations—more 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.
Islam
• Like any successful Preacher
and historical events—
Mohammed’s 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 Christ—this was the
human connection for both
religions—each had a human
founder.
Islam
• By age 40, became consumed
with religion;
• 610 AD alone in cave visited
by Angel Gabriel—messenger
of God;
• Appeared in vision with
scriptural writings and said for
him to read—
• Remember he was illiterate—
miracle, true favor with God.
Islam
• Spiritual revelation akin to Joseph Smith, Angel
Moroni and the Golden Tablets;
• Vision would sometimes come during the
daylight hours—agitated, moved fitfully, no one
cold see angel but Mohammed—
• Similar to Joan of D’arc—her voices turn out to
be caused by an inner ear infection and a mild
form of epilepsy.
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 consciousness—all common to
epilepsy;
• Did not seem to possess tongue biting and any loss
of memory—remembered visions as he claimed to
have seen them—good story teller or true
conversion.
Mohammed the Prophet
• Once his rule began, it had
no scientific or social
political system—it 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 indulgent—
however, could be ruthless
and cunning
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
wealthy—why they supported him.
Mohammed
• He could be very vain; he attended to his
looks very delicately;
• He painted his eyes, maintained a strict
regime of Hygiene;
• Wore perfume—cleanliness probably
learned from the Jews
Islam
• Began preaching a
monotheistic form of religion;
not a traditional form of the
Polytheistic desert religions;
• An exclusive faith; only AlIslam 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 ka’aba
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 converts—welcomed slaves, poor,
beggars anyone into the new religion—slightly
different than the original Quraish tenets—same
issue Christ would have with the Jewish leaders
the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Islam
• As Christianity, Islam
appealed to the poor and the
down trodden;
• Not so much women, but it did
put women in a special
place—not to be defiled and to
be revered—just no political
voice and subservient.
• By 615 AD Islam as did
Christianity, also attracted
some important and powerful
political and military
adherents.
Islam
• Mohammed’s 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.
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.
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
likely—This is the Hijra—the flight of the prophet—
beginning of the Islamic calendar. WE count from the
birth of Christ—Islam counts from the Hijra.
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 City—economical or spiritual?
Teachings of Islam
• What then are these
teachings that are attracting
so many people?
• We know about his
teachings from three (3)
sources: The Qu’ran
(scriptures of Islam); the
hadith (sayings of the
prophet); and the Sunna (the
good practice—
Mohammed’s practice).
Teachings of Islam
• However, to understand the
Islamic world, the Koran is the
most significant—it 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 sword—or they convert.
Teachings of Islam
• Mohammed is not the
author of the Qu’ran;
• 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.
Teachings of Islam
• Islam, as Christianity, is a synthesis of many
variants. The Qu’ran, The hadith, and the Sunna
collectively equal a faith—A Religion;
• They also possess a few basic requirements:
• Al-Islam—surrender 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.
Five (5) Pillars of Islam
• 1) Faith of surrender
(profess the faith—no
God but Allah and
Mohammed is his
prophet);
• 2) Fasting (especially
during Ramadan) the idea
is emptying oneself for
religious discipline;
• 3) Prayer—five times a
day facing Mecca and if
possible in a Mosque on
Friday
Five (5) Pillars of Islam
• 4) Alms—one 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 one’s
life
Five (5) Pillars of Islam
• 1) Shahadah—conversion of faith
• 2) Salah—ritual prayer
• 3) Zakah—alms tax
• 4) Sawm—fasting during Ramadan
• 5) Hajj—pilgrimage to Mecca
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 clergy—
much like the rabbis of Old
Islam
• Also important to Islam—a critical element;
• Umma Muslima—the community of Islam and
Allah's teachings transcend all man-made, ethnic
or geographical boundaries;
• Sound familiar—should, it rings of the concept of
Evangelizing. Islam not just for semitic or Arabic
peoples, it is for the whole world.
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
Qu’ran;
• No separation of Church and State—all 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.
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.
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 all—soon
change to include Jews and Christians)
• Jews first to rebel—they made their money off the act of
Usury—Mohammed was essentially financially
emasculating the Jews—Mohammed began casting
religious aspersions at the Jews—they murdered a favored
prophet of Allah—Jesus.
Islam
• It was the Jews who
corrupted the scriptures,
• Killed prophets of Allah,
• Crucified Jesus;
• And worshipped usury
• Refused to acknowledge
Allah or Mohammed
Islam
• Jewish faith peoples would counter argue—
Mohammed is returning to the ancient Bedouin
desert religious practices of idolatry;
• There is no scriptural credibility or historical
support to this new found—man-made religious
practice;
• Violence breaks out—still engaged in genocide
today.
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 Crusades—It is
still in contention today. (mostly Palestine and
Jerusalem).
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
prisoners—he subdued the other Bedouin tribes;
• He would, however, share generously in captured
booty—other tribes came on board—this would
cause issues later—the sharing of booty and
leadership.
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 prophet—once
Mohammed died, they no longer professed any
allegiance to this newly formed Arab kingdom.
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 caliphates—
successors of the prophets;
• Easy to accomplish because there was a long history of
raiding and plundering and siding with the strongest—
not necessarily the most righteous;
• They believed in expanding the faith through Jihad as
Mohammed commanded, but also expanding their power
base.
Caliphs
• 661 AD the Umayyad, who
were soldiers from Syria—
more 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
empire—common soldiers and
mercenaries—moved to the
new Holy City of Baghdad.
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 borders—they
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.
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
entities—coalesced by a single faith.
• It was a new universal religion, for all people, a new
chosen people (Arabs); a new Holy Book (Qu’ran), but
deeply rooted in classical antiquity.
• Its biggest issue today is how to adapt and peacefully coexist with modernity.