MENA 160A1 1st Edition Lecture 3 Outline of Last Lecture I. Introduction to the geographic environment where Islam was born.II. Discussion of the social, cultural, political, and economic characteristics of pre-Islamic Arabia.III. Understanding pre-Islamic Arabia in the context of the general Near East & Middle East.Outline of Current Lecture IV. Early lifea. Early Meccan Periodb. Period of Meccan Revelationc. Medinan RevelationV. Beginning of Islamic calendar and the root of the Islamic “umma/community of believersCurrent Lecture- On the eve of the rise of Islam, two great empires dominated the near east:a. Eastern Roman (Byzantine Empire); centered on Constantinopleb. The Persian (Sāsānian Empire);with its capital at the Ctesiphon near present-day Baghdad - Home to important and historically influential Jewish communities- The two empires excelled for their success in:a. Maintaining political and administrative unityb. Intense military rivalry with one anotherc. Growing role in patrons and protectors of religious orthodoxies- Byzantine empire was protectors of the Orthodox Christianity and the Sāsānian empire were patrons of the Zoroastrian Orthodoxy- Christianity dominated the Near East religious patchwork, but it was divided into 3 largerpieces and countless smaller onesa. Were seen as a persecuted minority in the Roman Empireb. Among the several varieties of Near East Christianity, many of them were marked with Jewish influence - During the 6th century Arabs were drawn into the political and religious life of the Near East in increasingly tight orbit- The Byzantines and Sāsānians found it useful to set up Arab proxy states on their southern frontier- South Arabia was also increasingly involved in the politics and religious life of the Near EastMuhammad in Mecca- Early lifea. No one knows Muhammad’s exact birth date, but it’s believed to be in the early 570, which was the year of the Elephant and the Year Abraha, ruler of southern Arabia, moved to Mecca to destroy the Ka’ba. His parents were Abdellah and Amina-During pregnancy, the mother heard a voice saying, “You are pregnant with the Lord of this people”b. His father sadly dad before he was born and his mother past away by the time he was 6 years oldc. Grew up as an orphan in the clan of Hashimd. He was brought up under the patronage of his paternal grandfather, Abd al-Muttalid who died when Muhammad was eight. He was then raised by his uncle Abu Talib e. Many miraculous events took place during Muhammad’s birthf. As an adult, Muhammad was known for his integrity and very trustworthy. His reputation attracted wealthy business woman named Khadijah who hired him to trade for her in Syriag. On his first trip, he was accompanied by Khadijah’s son, Maysara who noticed that two angels watched over Muhammad as they traveledh. Khadijah was so impressed that she proposed marriage and they ended up having four daughters that grew up to adulthood- Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, Fatimah).- Qur‘anic Revelationa. Muhammad enjoyed seclusion and one month every year, Muhammad would spend time at Mount Hira outside of Mecca b. He would practice tahannuth , which was a mysterious form of religious disciplinec. Before returning home, he would circumambulate the Ka’ba 7 times. During one of these days at Mount Hira, in the month of Ramadan of his fortieth year, Muhammad was visited by Gabrield. Gabriel came to him while sleeping and told Muhammad to recite:-“In the name of thy Lord who created, created Man of a blood-cot. And thy Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the Pen, taught man that he knew not.”e. This first revelation scared Muhammad, but Khadijah immediately reassured and when her Christian cousin, Waraqa found out he was thrilled and professed that Muhammad had been visited by Namus, who was the same being who visited Moses. This meant that he would be the prophet of his peoplef. For three years, Muhammad’s message spread discretely and a group of followers formed around him.- Tribal Oppositiona. After the three years of quiet persuasion, God wanted Muhammad to profess what he was instructed to the public. Muhammad had some trouble with his tribal kinsmen his uncle, Abu Laha, and he earned a personal condemnation from God. b. The Qurayshi leaders disdain quickly grew into a more serious opposition when Muhammad began preaching against their Godsc. They ordered for his destruction, but his uncle stood in their way and defended Muhammad d. Mecca became unsuitable as a place in which to continue his mission. e. Quraysh was unable to harm Muhammad because of the customary law of retaliation.f. Imposed an economic boycott on his clan.g. Imposition of economic penalties on individuals who openly supported him.h. 619, the Prophet situation reached its lowest point with the death of his uncle Abu Talib, head of Banu Hashim- Last years in Meccaa. Muhammad Returns Back to Meccab. In 628, Muhammad led a group of Muslims on the 270-mile journey from Medina to Mecca to perform pilgrimage ceremonies.c. They camped at al-Hudaybiyya on the edge of the Haram [Ka‘ba].d. He negotiated a treaty: -Not to complete pilgrimage that season. -Meccan leaders promised to open the city to Muslims the following year. -Ten-year truce when neither side would attack the other.- Night Journey and Ascent to Heaven) Isra and Mi'raj a. Muhammad made a one-night visit to Jerusalem carried by a winged steed, Buraq and followed by the angel Gabrielb. It’s not certain whether Muhammad went by body or spirit, but Muhammad remembers the event that took place. He was met by Abraham, Moses, and Jesusand led a delegation of prophets in prayerc. He also took part in an important test and was offered water, milk and wine and wisely chose milk. This meant that his community would remain rightly guidedd. Before heading back to Mecca from Jerusalem, Muhammad was able to see a view of hell and a full tour of heaven-he says many people suffering in hell and many evil beings residing there. He then ascended to the seven heavens and met the prophets, Adam (first), Jesus and his cousin John (second), Joseph (third), Idris (fourth), Aaron (fifth), Moses (sixth) and finally Abraham (seventh)e. In the seventh heaven, God laid the requirement of 50 daily prayers on Muhammad and his community- Early Meccan Perioda. Reconstruction of the historical life of Muhammad: