FRS Islam Notes

The History of Islam – (Download the pdf below)

Islam is a religion that was founded by Muhammad in Mecca around the 7th century. However, most Muslims argue that Muhammad did not found the religion; he simply reminded people of what they already knew. . Islam means “submission to God.” Its followers are called Muslims meaning one who surrenders or submits to Allah. According to historical documents, Muhammad was born in AD570 to a powerful tribe of the Quraishin Mecca. His father was called Abdullah and his mother was Aminah. Both his parents died when he was young and he was left in the custody of his grandfather. After the death of his grandfather, Muhammad was raised by his uncle Abu Talib. His uncle trained him in business skills and when he was of age Muhammad worked for a rich widow named Khadijah. He was very hardworking and competent. Khadijah was very impressed by his character that she offered her hand in marriage which Muhammad gladly accepted. Muhammad was at this point 25 years old while Khadijah was 40. History records that Muhammad loved Khadijah so much that he married no other woman till her death. The couple had six children, two boys and four daughters. However, five of these children died in their infancy; only one daughter Fatima survived.

After his marriage, Muhammad began to think about religious issues. He began taking retreats in deserts and mountains searching for the ‘truth.’ During one of these retreats while meditating at Mt Hera, Muhammad received a revelation from God. He was told by the angel Gabriel to read to which he replied he could not. Then the first five verses of God were revealed to him; Sura 96:1-5, “Recite in the name of your Lord who created! He created man, out of a (mere) cloth of congealed blood. Recite; and thy Lord is most bountiful. He who had taught by the pen, taught man what he knew not.” According to the Koran, this was the first revelation of Allah to Muhammad and Muslims refer to the night Muhammad received the first revelation as the ‘Night of Power.’ Other revelations were to follow then after and they were accompanied by such power that Muhammad could shiver and sweat.

Muhammad then shared these revelations with his family and friends and Khadijah became his first convert. However, the message spread among the people of Mecca. The voice of the angel Gabriel persisted telling him to “arise and warn.” It is said that when he received the instruction to proclaim his message publicly, Muhammad was told to condemn the paganism and idolatry of Mecca. He then started teaching in Mecca highlighting the judgement day. This was the day the good would be rewarded and the wicked would be punished in Hell. He made little impact amongst his people, the Quraish. They laughed at him. On the other hand, the public condemnation of idolatry became an economic threat to the prosperity of Mecca (E:\history of Islam Muslim faith.mht). As a result, hostility against Muhammad and Islam began. At one time there was actually an attempt on his life. The few converts Muhammad had made in Mecca were persecuted. Many of them fled to the then Abyssinia now Ethiopia. In 622 AD, Muhammad and his followers fled to Medina where they were promised protection by the
leaders of Medina who had accepted the Islamic faith.

The escape is called the Hijraby Muslims and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Once in Medina, Muhammad abandoned the quiet, non-political approach he had used in Mecca and established himself as a religious, political and military leader. In a short period of time, the religion of Islam had gained
numerous followers. Some historical sources show that Muhammad resorted to intimidation and force as a way of spreading Islam. For example, entire tribes and cities were ‘converted’ through threats of war or by conquests. Whilst in Medina, Muhammad and his followers resorted to looting in order to fend for themselves (Watt 1982). In 630 AD, the city of Mecca was defeated and it fell under the control of Muhammad. He then destroyed all the idols of Mecca and declared the Kaabah to be the place of worship for Allah. After taking Mecca, the influence of Islam spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Many people declared their allegiance to Islam and Muhammad either out of choice or out of cohesion. As a political and military leader, Muhammad consolidated his power until his death in 632 AD. At the time of his death Muhammad had established a system of religion and social order which is still dominant today