Born in 570 AD in MeccaBelonged to the Quraish clan

This clan ran the city of MeccaFather died before his birthHis ailing mother died when Mohammed was

sixFor these six years he was raised in a Bedouin

campThen lived with his grandfather in Mecca

Grandfather was “custodian” of the Kaaba Shrine

His grandfather died when Mohammed was 8Uncle Abu Talib took him in and raised him as

a sonTalib was a successful merchant in the caravan

tradeLearned the caravan trade and was a

significant part of his education (from age 8-25)Mohammed was uneducated and illiterate at

the time, but yet very intelligent and inquisitive

At age 25, he married Khadija, the widow of a rich Meccan merchantWealth, business, and social status

Children: 2 boys and 4 girls (both boys died)From age 25~40

He was caring for his family and building up his wife’s business

Acquired a reputation for being an excellent arbitratorEarned him the prestigious title of al-Amin (the

“Just” or the “Trustworthy”)

Mount Hira Local practice of meditating for weeks every

year at this cave near Mecca“The Night of Power and Excellence”

The first of his divine revelationsAllah (Arabic for God) spoke to Mohammed

through the Archangel Gabriel Gabriel said: “Recite!”Mohammed recited verses of what would later

become the Quran

More Revelations in the following yearsAt first mentioned them to Khadija (his first

convert) and close friendsEventually, after instruction by Gabriel, he

began to preach in MeccaMessage:

1) God is one2) He is all-powerful3) He is the creator of the universe4) There is a judgment day5) Rewards of Paradise and punishments of

Hell

Most Meccans ignored or mocked him at firstVery slowly began to gain a following

Gradually he spoke out more aggressively and his following grew largerStarted to gain the attention of Mecca’s

leading citizensThis included the ruling and powerful Quraish

clan leaders who felt threatened by his message

Eventual threat on his life

Opportunity to escape persecutionAsked to serve as Chief Magistrate of Yathrib

(north of Mecca)Yathrib had a Jewish minority and the Arab

clans in power had begun to oppose each other The clans wanted Mohammed to settle their

differences to avoid having the Jewish minority take power

622- Mohammed’s Hijrah (flight) to YathribSituation was very different in Yathrib

From persecution to a position of power

Yathrib eventually renamed to Medina Mohammed had political power for the first

time in his career as Chief MagistrateMohammed would use this political power to gain

acceptance and expansion of IslamConstitution of MedinaMohammed first hoped to win over the Jews in

Medina by converting them to IslamHad hoped the Jews would accept him as Prophet

A Few did convert, but most used their knowledge of the Bible to make Mohammed’s claims seem false

Islam much like Judaism at this point in the following ways: Facing Jerusalem when praying Adopting the fast of Yom Kippur Dietary laws

Many Jews still held out from convertingRights of non-Muslims under the Constitution of Medina:

The security (dhimma) of God is equal for all groups, Non-Muslim members have equal political and cultural

rights as Muslims. They will have autonomy and freedom of religion.

Non-Muslims will take up arms against the enemy of the Islamic state and share the cost of war. There is to be no treachery between the two.

Non-Muslims will not be obliged to take part in religious wars of the Muslims.

Specifically tolerant of “People of the Book”

After leaving Mecca, Mohammed’s followers had their lands confiscated

The Muslims were left with nothing and had to turn to raiding Meccan caravans for survival while in MedinaThis was seen as an act of war

Fighting continued between the Muslims and the Meccans

Mohammed gathers an army and eventually heads back to Mecca

Mohammed circled the Kaaba seven times (representing infinity)

Destroyed the Idols inside the Kaaba and reclaimed it for God

Could have stayed and ruled Mecca as a king, but returned to Medina where he had made his promise not to leave them as leader

In 632 AD, Mohammed made his last pilgrimage to Mecca and gave his last sermon near there at Mount Arafat

This last sermon:Urged his followers not to disband after his deathAffirmed the unity (oneness) of AllahAffirmed/proclaimed the brotherhood of the faithful Told his followers to protect the rights of womenProclaimed the abolition of blood feuds

After sermon, the Prophet returned to Medina where he died June 8, 632 ADHe was buried in Medina