The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
First – a comment on current events. Several days ago, Pope Benedict stated "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." Benedict also briefly considered the Islamic concept of jihad, which he defined as "holy war," and said that violence in the name of religion was contrary to God's nature and to reason. The fallout has been outrage from the Muslim communities around the world resulting in the murder of a nun, countless assaults, and churches damaged or destroyed. Some have suggested the Pope has misinterpreted Islam, while others are calling for his assassination.
It should be perfectly obvious that the response from the Muslim communities proved the Pope's remarks to be true beyond any shadow of doubt. I most strongly feel that instead of calling on the Pope to apologize (read GROVEL), the Muslim communities all over the world owe an apology for the extremists who are carrying out violence and murder in the name of God/Allah.
Who Was Muhammad and How is This Current Violence Related to Him?
Understanding the foundations of Islam provides understanding into the mindset of Islamic extremists and terrorists. According to the Koran and Hadith, the religion of Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in 610 AD through revelations from the angel Gabriel. Key events in the life of the Prophet Muhammad are presented in this brief summary of his life. In a later posting (look for Part II) we will go into greater detail of Muhammad's life, especially during the years of his Prophethood, 610-632 AD.
Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 570AD to Abdullah, a wealthy businessman, and Amina, daughter of a tribal chief. Abdullah died while on travel to Medina several weeks before Muhammad was born. When Muhammad turned six, his mother traveled to Medina to visit Abdullah's grave, but on the return trip she took ill and died. Thereafter, Muhammad was raised by his grandfather through age 8, when he died, then by his uncle.
Under the guidance of his uncle, Muhammad trained as a merchant in the caravan trade. Those who met Muhammad remarked that his character was honest, reliable, and trustworthy. By all accounts, he prospered. While in the caravan business Muhammad made many journeys to Syria and Palestine where he became acquainted with both Jews and Christians.
At the age of 25, a wealthy widow proposed to Muhammad and they were married. Khadija was 40 years old when they married and she bore him two sons and four daughters. All but one of their children died young. Their daughter, Fatima, lived to adulthood, married his cousin Ali, and bore him two sons. The grandsons of Muhammad, Hasan and Husayn, and their progeny are honored with the title Sayed and their descendents wear the black or green turban.
Khadija was one of Muhammad's first converts to Islam in 610 and she died ten years later at the age of 65. Two years later, when Muhammad was 52, he remarried the first of at least eight more wives. His seventh child, a son, was born to his wife Mariah when Muhammad was 60, but died an infant. Two years later, Muhammad died in Medina at the age of 62.
By the time Muhammad reached the age of 40, it was his habit to retreat in solitude to a cave at the base of Mount Hira during the month of Ramadan. It was here that he received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel. As recorded in the Koran, Muhammad admitted that he could not read or write but through a miracle by Allah he received the ability to read and write. Thus in the year 610, the revelations began and Muhammad became a prophet.
It should be noted that in Biblical scriptures, the Archangel Gabriel interpreted visions for the prophet Daniel, announced to Zechariah the birth of John the Baptist, and announced to the Virgin Mary her conception of Jesus. Gabriel described himself in Luke 1 as an angel who "stands in the presence of God".
Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad lived a sinless life and, thus, is the perfect example to live by. However, it should be noted that Allah through Gabriel refers to Muhammad as sinful in the Koran (Sura 40:55, 48:1-2), which serves notice of the many contradictions to come.
This summary of Muhammad sets the stage for the study of his life after his call to prophethood in 610. His life, belief structure, and moral foundation appear to have taken a dramatic change when he was called to introduce the revelations of Allah and spread the religion of Islam. This new religion met fierce resistance, which was overcome by Muhammad with murder, theft, deceit, and violence. Thus, serving as a role model for Islamic extremists and terrorists.
The rest of this post and the next two parts can be viewed at Islam Watch.
It should be perfectly obvious that the response from the Muslim communities proved the Pope's remarks to be true beyond any shadow of doubt. I most strongly feel that instead of calling on the Pope to apologize (read GROVEL), the Muslim communities all over the world owe an apology for the extremists who are carrying out violence and murder in the name of God/Allah.
Who Was Muhammad and How is This Current Violence Related to Him?
Understanding the foundations of Islam provides understanding into the mindset of Islamic extremists and terrorists. According to the Koran and Hadith, the religion of Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in 610 AD through revelations from the angel Gabriel. Key events in the life of the Prophet Muhammad are presented in this brief summary of his life. In a later posting (look for Part II) we will go into greater detail of Muhammad's life, especially during the years of his Prophethood, 610-632 AD.
Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 570AD to Abdullah, a wealthy businessman, and Amina, daughter of a tribal chief. Abdullah died while on travel to Medina several weeks before Muhammad was born. When Muhammad turned six, his mother traveled to Medina to visit Abdullah's grave, but on the return trip she took ill and died. Thereafter, Muhammad was raised by his grandfather through age 8, when he died, then by his uncle.
Under the guidance of his uncle, Muhammad trained as a merchant in the caravan trade. Those who met Muhammad remarked that his character was honest, reliable, and trustworthy. By all accounts, he prospered. While in the caravan business Muhammad made many journeys to Syria and Palestine where he became acquainted with both Jews and Christians.
At the age of 25, a wealthy widow proposed to Muhammad and they were married. Khadija was 40 years old when they married and she bore him two sons and four daughters. All but one of their children died young. Their daughter, Fatima, lived to adulthood, married his cousin Ali, and bore him two sons. The grandsons of Muhammad, Hasan and Husayn, and their progeny are honored with the title Sayed and their descendents wear the black or green turban.
Khadija was one of Muhammad's first converts to Islam in 610 and she died ten years later at the age of 65. Two years later, when Muhammad was 52, he remarried the first of at least eight more wives. His seventh child, a son, was born to his wife Mariah when Muhammad was 60, but died an infant. Two years later, Muhammad died in Medina at the age of 62.
By the time Muhammad reached the age of 40, it was his habit to retreat in solitude to a cave at the base of Mount Hira during the month of Ramadan. It was here that he received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel. As recorded in the Koran, Muhammad admitted that he could not read or write but through a miracle by Allah he received the ability to read and write. Thus in the year 610, the revelations began and Muhammad became a prophet.
It should be noted that in Biblical scriptures, the Archangel Gabriel interpreted visions for the prophet Daniel, announced to Zechariah the birth of John the Baptist, and announced to the Virgin Mary her conception of Jesus. Gabriel described himself in Luke 1 as an angel who "stands in the presence of God".
Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad lived a sinless life and, thus, is the perfect example to live by. However, it should be noted that Allah through Gabriel refers to Muhammad as sinful in the Koran (Sura 40:55, 48:1-2), which serves notice of the many contradictions to come.
This summary of Muhammad sets the stage for the study of his life after his call to prophethood in 610. His life, belief structure, and moral foundation appear to have taken a dramatic change when he was called to introduce the revelations of Allah and spread the religion of Islam. This new religion met fierce resistance, which was overcome by Muhammad with murder, theft, deceit, and violence. Thus, serving as a role model for Islamic extremists and terrorists.
The rest of this post and the next two parts can be viewed at Islam Watch.
