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The Illuminated Path

A scholarly exploration of the life, teachings, and historical impact of Muhammad, the founder of Islam.

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Overview

Founder of Islam

Muhammad (c. 570 – 8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious, military, and political leader who founded Islam.[a][b] Muslims believe he was a prophet divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of earlier prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.[d] He is revered as the Seal of the Prophets, and his teachings and normative examples form the basis of Islamic belief alongside the Quran.

Prophetic Lineage

According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad was born in Mecca to the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe. He is considered the final prophet in a line that includes figures central to Judaism and Christianity. His role was to restore the pure monotheistic faith of Abraham, which Muslims believe had been corrupted over time.[1]

Historical Context

Muhammad emerged in 7th-century Arabia, a region characterized by tribal divisions and diverse religious practices, including polytheism, Judaism, and Christianity. His message of strict monotheism and social reform profoundly impacted the Arabian Peninsula and laid the foundation for a global civilization.[d]

Origins and Early Life

Birth and Family

Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim[38] was born in Mecca[39][1] around 570 CE, likely in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal.[40] He belonged to the distinguished Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe.[41] His father, Abdullah, died before his birth, and his mother, Amina, died when he was six.[55]

Guardianship and Upbringing

Orphaned at a young age, Muhammad was first cared for by his paternal grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, and then by his uncle, Abu Talib.[58] He was known for his integrity and trustworthiness, earning the epithet "al-Amin" (the faithful) in his youth.[46]

Marriage to Khadija

At age 25, Muhammad married Khadija, a wealthy businesswoman and his relative. She was 40 years old at the time. This marriage provided him with financial stability and emotional support, and he remained monogamous with her until her death.[67]

The Genesis of Revelation

The Cave of Hira

The financial security from his marriage allowed Muhammad to spend periods in solitary contemplation in the Cave of Hira, near Mecca.[73] Around 610 CE, at the age of 40, he reported his first encounter with the Archangel Gabriel.[1]

First Revelation

According to Islamic tradition, Gabriel commanded Muhammad to "Read." After Muhammad's repeated confessions of illiteracy, Gabriel recited the first verses of the Quran (Quran 96:1-5), marking the beginning of his prophethood.[75][76]

Support and Confirmation

Initially distressed and uncertain, Muhammad found reassurance in his wife Khadija and her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who identified the divine presence as an angel.[83][82] The cessation and subsequent return of revelations caused Muhammad significant emotional turmoil, leading him to contemplate suicide.[89]

The Meccan Period

Public Preaching

Around 613 CE, Muhammad began publicly preaching the revelations, proclaiming the oneness of God (Allah) and the need for submission (Islam).[3][4] His early followers were primarily from the lower social strata, including women, freedmen, and slaves.[97]

Persecution and Opposition

The Quraysh leadership opposed Muhammad's message, viewing it as a threat to their social order, economic interests, and traditional polytheistic beliefs. This led to severe persecution of the early Muslims.[103][104]

The Satanic Verses Incident

A controversial incident, known as the Satanic Verses, is reported by early biographers. It suggests Muhammad momentarily included verses acknowledging Meccan goddesses, which he later retracted, attributing them to Satanic influence.[128][g][h] While accepted by many early historians, its historicity is debated, and modern Muslim scholarship generally rejects it.[127]

The Hijra: Migration to Medina

Emigration

Facing escalating persecution, Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Yathrib (later Medina) in 622 CE. This event, the Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.[2][161]

Pledges at Aqaba

Prior to the Hijra, Muhammad received pledges of support from delegations from Medina at Aqaba. These agreements secured protection for him and his followers, paving the way for the establishment of a Muslim community in the city.[153][156]

Constitution of Medina

Upon arrival in Medina, Muhammad established a pact known as the Constitution of Medina. This document outlined the rights and responsibilities of various communities within the oasis, including Muslims, Jews, and other tribes, establishing a framework for coexistence and mutual defense.[169]

Establishing the Community in Medina

The First Mosque

Muhammad oversaw the construction of the first mosque in Medina, which served not only as a place of worship but also as a community center for political and social gatherings. It was here that the practice of facing Mecca during prayer (Qibla) was established.[177]

The Call to Prayer

To convene the community for prayer, Muhammad adopted the practice of the adhan (call to prayer), selecting Bilal ibn Rabah, known for his resonant voice, to deliver it.[168]

Governance and Alliances

Muhammad's leadership extended to governance and diplomacy. He formed alliances with various Bedouin tribes and managed inter-tribal relations within Medina, laying the groundwork for the nascent Islamic state.[152]

Conflicts and Consolidation

Early Engagements

The early Muslim community faced numerous conflicts with Meccan forces and other tribes. Key battles include Badr (624 CE), a decisive Muslim victory, and Uhud (625 CE), which resulted in significant Muslim casualties.[35][203]

Sieges and Exiles

Muhammad also engaged in sieges against Jewish tribes, such as the Banu Qaynuqa and Banu Nadir, leading to their expulsion from Medina. These actions were often justified by alleged breaches of treaties or assassination plots.[192][193]

The Battle of the Trench

In 627 CE, a large confederation of Meccans and allied tribes besieged Medina. Muhammad's forces successfully defended the city by digging a trench around the vulnerable areas, a tactic credited to Salman the Persian.[222]

Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

A significant diplomatic achievement was the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah in 628 CE, a ten-year truce with Mecca. This treaty, though initially perceived as unfavorable by some Muslims, allowed for a period of peace and facilitated the spread of Islam.[192]

Sources and Historicity

Early Islamic Historiography

The earliest biographical accounts of Muhammad emerged in the 8th and 9th centuries CE, primarily through the works of scholars like Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Hisham, and al-Waqidi. These narratives, often transmitted orally before being written, form the basis of traditional Islamic biography (Sira).[6][7]

Scholarly Debate

The reliability and historicity of these early sources are subjects of considerable academic debate. Challenges include the "oral gap" between events and their recording, potential biases, and the development of hadith collections. Some scholars emphasize the need for critical evaluation, while others accept the authenticity of much of the traditional material.[8][12]

Quran and Sunnah

The Quran, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God revealed to Muhammad, and the Sunnah (his practices and teachings), documented in hadith, are crucial sources for understanding his life and teachings. Muslim scholars traditionally place high value on the chains of transmission (isnad) for hadith, though Western scholarship has raised questions about their verifiability and potential for fabrication.[24][28]

Legacy and Influence

Foundation of Islam

Muhammad's primary legacy is the establishment of Islam, a monotheistic religion that rapidly spread across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. His role as the final prophet and the recipient of the Quran cemented his central position in Islamic theology.[d]

Quran and Sunnah

The Quran, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God revealed to Muhammad, and the Sunnah (his practices and teachings), documented in hadith, serve as the foundational texts for Islamic law, theology, and practice.[3]

Influence on Other Traditions

Muhammad is recognized in other religious traditions as well. Sikhism views him as an inspirational figure, the Druze faith considers him one of seven main prophets, and the Baháʼí Faith regards him as a Manifestation of God.[20]

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References

References

  1.  See also Quran 43:31 cited in EoI; Muhammad.
  2.  "Apart from this one-day lapse, which was excised from the text, the Quran is simply unrelenting, unaccommodating and outright despising of paganism." (The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad, Jonathan E. Brockopp, p. 35).
  3.  Raven, Wim (2006). "SÄ«ra and the Qurʾān". Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān. Brill Academic Publishers. pp. 29–49
  4.  Living Religions: An Encyclopaedia of the World's Faiths, Mary Pat Fisher, 1997, p. 338, I. B. Tauris.
  5.  Quran 17:106
  6.  Jean-Louis Déclais, Names of the Prophet, Encyclopedia of the Quran.
  7.  Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah, 153, in Guillaume, Life of Muhammad
  8.  Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah, 154, in Guillaume, Life of Muhammad
  9.  See:
  10. Wensinck & Rippen 2002
  11. Emory C. Bogle 1998, p. 7.
  12. Rodinson 2002, p. 71
  13.  á¹¢allābÄ« 2005, pp. 460–461.
  14.  Muhammad: Biography of the Prophet. Karen Armstrong. 2023
  15.  See:
  16. Rodinson 2021, p. 176
  17. Gabriel 2007, pp. 112–114
  18. Al-Bukhari 1997, Vol. 5, no. 4037
  19.  See:
  20. Rodinson 2002, pp. 209–211
  21. Watt 1961, p. 169
  22.  Uri Rubin, Quraysh, Encyclopaedia of the Quran.
  23.  Nemoy, "Barakat Ahmad's "Muhammad and the Jews", p. 325. Nemoy is sourcing Ahmad's Muhammad and the Jews.
  24.  Watt, Aisha, Encyclopaedia of Islam.
  25.  Quran 110:1–3.
  26.  M. A. al-Bakhit, Tabuk, Encyclopaedia of Islam.
  27.  Barbara Freyer Stowasser, Wives of the Prophet, Encyclopedia of the Quran.
  28.  Esposito 1998, p. 12; Nigosian 2004, p. 17.
  29.  A. J. Wensinck, MuÊ¿d̲j̲iza, Encyclopaedia of Islam. Vol. 7, p. 295
  30.  Quran 21:107
  31.  Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Encyclopædia Britannica, Muhammad, p. 13.
  32.  Islamic ethics, Encyclopedia of Ethics.
  33.  Talk Of Napoleon At St. Helena 1903, pp. 279–280.
  34.  Ian Almond, History of Islam in German Thought: From Leibniz to Nietzsche, Routledge 2009, p. 93.
  35.  Tolan, John. "The Prophet Muhammad: A Model of Monotheistic Reform for Nineteenth-Century Ashkenaz." Common Knowledge, vol. 24 no. 2, 2018, pp. 256–279.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Muhammad Wikipedia page

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