Muhammad

570 - 632 C.E.

 

A 16th-century Ottoman illustration depicting Muhammad at the Kaba.   NOTE: Muhammad's face is veiled, a practice followed in the Islamic art since the 16th century.  Islam discourages its followers from portraying Muhammad or any other prophet in paintings, sculptures or other artistic representations.  To do so can become a form of image worship, i.e., idolatry, and divert one from the true worship of Allah. 

Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 C.E. into the polytheistic Quraysh tribe, in direct lineage to Ishmael, son of Abraham.   In 573 he was orphaned and lived under the care of his uncle, Abu Talib.  From 576-595 he worked as a caravan trader and during this time became a monotheist.   This was a time of great instability, inequity, and blood feuds between rival clans and tribes, with the power of certain clans at Mecca dominating the politics and economy of the entire Arabian region.  The Kaba at Mecca, originally built by Abraham, had become adorned with the images of various local deities, representing the polytheistic worship of the Meccans.

 

Cave on the mountain of Hira, near Mecca, where Muhammad received his first vision at the age of 40, in 610.

  Muhammad talked only to close family members and friends about these visions, and had very few followers at first.  As Muhammad was illiterate, it was his close companions who wrote down the "signs" of Allah in Arabic, to form the Qur'an.  Among his first followers was Abu Bakr.

As the influence of Islam spread among the clans and tribes, the Meccans became hostile to Muhammad's message.  Islam represented a challenge to the Meccans political and economic monopoly of the region.  In 622 there was a failed attempt on the life of Muhammad, and he and his followers moved to Yathrib (later to be renamed "City of the Prophet" or Medina).   As chief leader of the city, Muhammad became renowned for his diplomatic skills and negotiated an agreement that protected the rights of all residents, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. 

Between 622 and 630 tensions between the clans of Mecca and people of Medina grew into open hostilities.  Muslims took up arms and several battles ensured, some of which were defeats while others were victories for Muslims.   Muhammad demonstrated his astute military tactics.

 

 The Kaba, at Mecca.  2006

In 630, Muhammad's forces take Mecca.  The Kaba was consecrated and restored to its Abrahamic significance.  Muhammad granted a general amnesty to all the clans of Mecca and most tribes in Arabia soon after converted to Islam.   Muhammad died on June 8, 632.  His close associate, Abu Bakr, became the caliph (successor).

 

source of images and some text: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad

return to schedule