Tapiwa Asher Moyo 3H RST

TASK 1: READ THE HANDOUT BELOW AND WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE LINK SHOWN
ON GOOGLE CLASSROOM TO UNDERSTAND THE LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD

MUHAMMAD

OBJECTIVES

 Discover the life of the Prophet Muhammad

Muhammad (c. 570 – June 8, 632) was an Arab religious, political, and military leader who brought to
pass the religion of Islam as a historical phenomenon. At the age of 25, he married a 40yr old
businesswoman Khadija.

Muslims do not view him as the creator of a new religion, but as the restorer of the original, uncorrupted
monotheistic faith of Adam, Abraham, and many others. In Muslim tradition, Muhammad is viewed as
the last and the greatest in a series of prophets — the man closest to perfection, and the possessor of all
virtues. For the last 23 years of his life, beginning at age 40, Muhammad reported to be receiving
revelations from God in a cave on Mount Hira from angel Jibril. The content of these revelations, known
as the Qur'an, was both memorized and recorded by his companions.

During this time, Muhammad would preach to the people of Mecca, asking them to abandon polytheism.
Although some converted to Islam, Muhammad and his followers were heavily persecuted by the leading
Meccan authorities. After 13 years of preaching, Muhammad and the Muslims performed
the Hijra ("emigration") moving to the city of Medina (formerly known as Yathrib) in 622. There, with
Medinan converts (Ansar) and the Meccan migrants (Muhajirun), Muhammad established political and
religious authority. Within years, two battles had occurred against Meccan forces: The Battle of Badr in
624, which was a Muslim victory, and the Battle of Uhud in 625, ending inconclusively. Conflict
with Medinan Jewish clans who opposed the Muslims led to exile, enslavement, or death, and the
Jewish enclave of Khaybar was subdued. At the same time, all Meccan trade routes were cut off as
Muhammad brought surrounding desert tribes under his control. By 629, Muhammad was victorious in
the nearly bloodless Conquest of Mecca, and by the time of his death in 632, he had rule over the Arabian
peninsula.

In Islam, the "normative" example of Muhammad's life known as the Sunnah (literally "trodden path").
This example is preserved in traditions that are known as hadith ("reports"), which recount his words, his
actions, and his characteristics. The classical Muslim jurist ash-Shafi'i (d. 820) emphasized the
importance of the Sunnah in Islamic law, and Muslims are encouraged to emulate Muhammad's actions in
their daily lives. The Sunnah is seen as crucial to guiding the interpretation of the Qur'an.

Importance of Muhammad’s life to Muslims

• The importance of the status of Prophet Muhammad as a role model is defined in the Holy
Quran and the Sunnah (words, deeds of the prophet); this constitutes one of the foremost
practices for Muslims.

• There is no disagreement among Muslims as to the fact that Prophet Muhammad constitutes the
best example with his morality, actions, words, and other features.

• Being a role model for all Muslims is important for individuals and the social life of the
people-Prophet Muhammad's status as a role model is important not only from the perspective of
the individual but also from the social perspective. Its binding features and determination of
methods must be considered from these two perspectives.

• Being a role model for all Muslims makes the Sunnah valid-Prophet Muhammad's status as a
role model and the validity of the sunnah is not limited to his life or to a certain time period. The
Holy Quran and the notions of the sunnah state this issue clearly, and the fact that Muslim
community practices his sunnah is proof of this issue.

• Being a role model for all Muslims brings unity in the religion-Prophet Muhammad's status as
role models and the continuity of his sunnah are the most important components that provide a
unifying force in the Muslim world.

TASK 2: ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW ON THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD. EACH QUESTION MUST BE
ANSWERED ON ITS OWN PAGE FONT SIZE 12 AND LINE SPACING 1.5

a)Give a brief history of the life of the prophet Muhammad and explain why the prophet Muhammad is
very important in Islam [10 marks] 1 page
b) Would the prophet Muhammad have succeeded as a 21st-century leader? Discuss this question. Give a
total of 6 points that are fully developed. Give 2 points for each point of view (2 points for agree, 2 for
disagree and 2 for your final opinion) [10 marks] 1-2 pages
 Tapiwa Asher Moyo 3H RST

Answers

a) Muhammad was born around the year 570 CE to the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe, one
of Mecca’s prominent families. His father, Abdullah, died almost six months before Muhammad
was born. According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad was sent to live with a Bedouin family in
the desert, as desert life was considered healthier for infants. Muhammad stayed with his foster
mother, Halimah bint Abi Dhuayb, and her husband until he was two years old. At the age of six,
Muhammad lost his biological mother, Amina, to illness and was raised by his paternal
grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, until he died when Muhammad was eight. He then came under the
care of his uncle Abu Talib, the new leader of Banu Hashim.

While still in his teens, Muhammad accompanied his uncle on trading journeys to Syria, gaining
experience in commercial trade, which was the only career open to him as an orphan. Islamic
tradition states that when Muhammad was either nine or twelve while accompanying a caravan
to Syria he met a Christian monk or hermit named Bahira, who is said to have foreseen
Muhammed’s career as a prophet of God. Little is known of Muhammad during his later youth;
available information is fragmented, and it is difficult to separate history from legend. It is
known that he became a merchant and “was involved in trade between the Indian ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea.” Due to his upright character during this time, he acquired the nickname “al-
Amin,” meaning “faithful, trustworthy,” and “al-Sadiq,” meaning “truthful.”

Muhammad worked as a trader for Khadija, a widow, until he married her in 595 CE at the age
of 25. The marriage lasted for 25 years and was reported to be a happy one. Muhammad relied
upon Khadija and did not enter into a marriage with another woman during his first marriage.
After Khadija’s death, Khawla bint Hakim suggested that Muhammad that should marry Sawda
bint Zama, a Muslim widow, or Aisha, daughter of Um Ruman and Abu Bakr of Mecca.
Muhammad is said to have asked for arrangements to marry both.

According to a text collected by historian Ibn Ishaq, Muhammad was involved with a well-
known story about setting the Black Stone in place in the wall of the Kaaba in 605 CE. The
Black Stone, a sacred object, had been removed to facilitate renovations to the Kaaba. The
leaders of Mecca could not agree on which clan should have the honor of setting the Black Stone
back in its place. They agreed to wait for the next man to come through the gate and ask him to
choose. That man was the 35-year-old Muhammad, five years before his first revelation. He
asked for a cloth and put the Black Stone in its center. The clan leaders held the corners of the
cloth and together carried the Black Stone to the right spot; then Muhammad set the stone in
place, satisfying all who were present. Occasionally he would retreat to a cave in the mountains
for several nights of seclusion and prayer; it is reported that it was at this spot that he was visited
by Gabriel and received his first revelation from God.
Tapiwa Asher Moyo 3H RST

Between 624 and 628, the Muslims were involved in a series of battles for their survival. In the
final major confrontation, The Battle of the Trench and Siege of Medina, Muhammad and his
followers prevailed and a treaty was signed. The treaty was broken by the Meccan allies a year
later. By now, Muhammad had plenty of forces and the balance of power had shifted away from
the Meccan leaders to him. In 630, the Muslim army marched into Mecca, taking the city with
minimum casualties. Muhammad gave amnesty to many of the Meccan leaders who had opposed
him and pardoned many others. Most of the Meccan population converted to Islam. Muhammad
and his followers then proceeded to destroy all of the statues of pagan gods in and around the
Kaaba.

After the conflict with Mecca was finally settled, Muhammad took his first true Islamic
pilgrimage to that city and in March, 632, he delivered his last sermon at Mount Arafat. Upon his
return to Medina to his wife’s home, he fell ill for several days. He died on June 8, 632, at the
age of 62, and was buried at al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Mosque of the Prophet) one of the first
mosques built by Muhammad in Medina.

Importance of Muhammad’s Life

• Being a role model for all Muslims is important for individuals and the social life of the
people-Prophet Muhammad's status as a role model is important not only from the perspective of
the individual but also from the social perspective. Its binding features and determination of
methods must be considered from these two perspectives.

• Being a role model for all Muslims makes the Sunnah valid-Prophet Muhammad's status as
a role model and the validity of the sunnah is not limited to his life or a certain period. The Holy
Quran and the notions of the sunnah state this issue clearly, and the fact that Muslim community
practices his sunnah is proof of this issue.

• Being a role model for all Muslims brings unity in the religion-Prophet Muhammad's status
as a role model and the continuity of his sunnah are the most important components that provide
a unifying force in the Muslim world.
 Tapiwa Asher Moyo 3H RST

b) Yes, some people would agree that (the prophet Muhammad would have succeeded as a 21st-
century leader because of his bold and revolutionary qualities. Muhammad put his people first, he
was always there to guide and support them. He had many attributes that contributed to him being
such a great leader these attributes showed his followers that Muhammad was great and would one
day lead the road to greatness. These are just a few of the attributes or qualities Prophet Muhammad
possessed that could be essential to the 21st Century :

•He was merciful: In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says this about Prophet Muhammad
PBUH: “And We have not sent you, (O Muhammad), except as a mercy to the world” 21:107.
And indeed the Prophet (PBUH) was the summary of peace and mercy. Whenever he was
wronged by anyone, he would forgive them and would refrain from holding grudges. It is
narrated by Anas that once a Jewish woman tried to poison the Prophet (PBUH) and upon
knowing her deed, he let her go without so much as a punishment (Muslim). This shows that
the Prophet (PBUH) was not only merciful and mindful of the Muslims but was also kind to
non-Muslims.

•Care for the Poor: The Holy Prophet (PBUH) proved himself to be the most kind and charitable
leader there was. He preached his Ummah to take care of the poor and needy, to not wrong an
orphan, and to keep for you (as a leader) only what is necessary for subsistence. The Prophet
(PBUH) did not appropriate any wealth while he lived and he instructed his companions to
distribute among the poor whatever was left after his death: "Not even a single Dinar of my
property should be distributed, after my death to my inheritors, but whatever I leave excluding
the provision for my wives and my servants, should be spent in charity. (Bukhari, “Laws of
Inheritance for Muslims” 33.) This hadith is proof that even in his death he was mindful of
and worried about the poor and wanted to help them as much as he could.

•Involve the people in the decision-making process: Prophet (PBUH) took his people and their
recommendations seriously. The Battle of Trench is one example of how the Prophet (PBUH)
took the suggestions of his companions seriously. Salman Farsi decided to dig a trench as a
strategy against the enemy and although the Prophet (PBUH) could have disagreed, he
decided to trust Salman (RA) and the decision proved fruitful. In the Quran, the Lord says:
“So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been
rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon
them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have
decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]” (3:159).

So in Conclusion the Prophet (PBUH) was a successful leader n the 21st century because he
was patient, kind, just, and truthful. These traits not only allowed him to lead better, but they
also made him a good humanitarian, which is the most a good leader can hope to be. There is
no bigger humanitarian than Muhammad (PBUH) and in Him, we will always find an
example of a great leader.
Tapiwa Asher Moyo 3H RST

b) On the contrary, other people would disagree that (the prophet Muhammad would have
succeeded as a 21st-century leader because of some of the bad qualities he possessed but no one
ever talked about or brought up. He had bad lessons and less admirable teachings.

Muhammad began robbing caravans after leaving Mecca. As a result, greed soon became
one of the primary factors in people’s rapid conversion to Islam: This was a bad lesson to the
people converting to Islam because it simply taught the people that being greedy was okay.
Prophet Muhammad was highly respected and was a teacher. (e.g. just as a normal student would
listen to their teacher and apply their knowledge In whatever the do) same for Prophet
Muhammad the people were his students so whatever he taught or did they followed and thought
of it as a good teaching or lesson. So in a way, Muhammad taught his people that greediness was
okay which is a very bad quality.

Prophet Muhammad deliberately used wars to lure people to Islam. When he was criticized
for the way he distributed his newfound wealth, he replied, “Are you disturbed in mind because
of the good things of this life by which I win over a people that they may become Muslims while
I entrust you to your Islam? Given the prospect of untold riches, it’s no wonder so many people
committed themselves to Islam. Muhammad guaranteed that Allah "will admit the Struggler in
His cause into Paradise if he is killed, otherwise He will return him to his home safely with
rewards and war booty." This message must have sounded extraordinary to the poor of Arabia. If
they died in the cause of Allah, they would go to Paradise and be rich. If they survived, they
would plunder their enemies and be rich.

Either way, their situation would be much better upon embracing Islam. This gave the people a
really good reason to choose Islam, it was that simple if you died in Allah’s cause you would live
a rich life here on Earth or in heaven. It was a win-win for everyone which the people
desperately wanted. This was also a bad teaching because Prophet Muhammad used wars to lure
people to Islam, this is a bad lesson in which the outcome taught Muslims that starting wars in
order to win over people or anything they wanted to be the way to go.

Muhammad was often ruthless towards his adversaries. Punishments for taking a stand
against Muhammad included torture and death. Both men and women were brutally killed for
criticizing Muhammad. Hundreds of Jewish men were beheaded for standing against him, while
their wives and children were sold into slavery. Some early Muslims who apostatized were killed
after Muhammad gave the command to kill all who turn away from Islam. Modern Muslims
often claim that Muhammad only killed when he was attacked by his enemies, but history shows
that he murdered numerous people whose only crime was writing poems against him. Given the
facts, it’s difficult to understand how Muslim writers such as Mawdudi could have the audacity
to claim that Muhammad "never took revenge on anyone for his personal grievances." For a
leader, it is important that you here the cries and needs of the people you govern. This brings
about a strong bond and connection between the leaders and the people but as for Muhammad,
he didn’t treat his people the right way he brutally killed them for speaking up and sharing their
thoughts which shows Muhammad had a cold-heart and was somehow a dictator.
Tapiwa Asher Moyo 3H RST

In my opinion, I disagree that (the prophet Muhammad would have succeeded as a 21st-century
leader). Muhammad was a good leader but I don’t find his teachings the same to that of a leader
today. His teachings are what people of the 21st century condemn. The bad qualities and less
admirable lessons I mentioned above are enough for me to doubt the validity of Islam.

Muhammad was guilty of countless murders and of torturing his victims. He robbed caravans
and participated in the slave-trade. His persecution of the Jews bordered on genocide. His
polygamy went beyond that which even his own revelations permitted (though he did receive a
revelation saying that this was okay for him). One of his wives was a nine-year-old girl, whose
earliest duties in Muhammad’s house included the constant task of washing the semen stains off
his clothes. At times he believed he was demon-possessed or under the effect of magic. He was
known to be suicidal. He admittedly received a message from Satan and delivered it to the
people as if it were from God. He declared that women have half the intellectual ability that men
have, that it is okay for men to beat their wives, that most of the inhabitants of hell are women,
and that, even if a woman somehow makes it to heaven, her eternity will consist of standing in a
corner, waiting for men to sexually enjoy her. Muhammad indecently thought of women and put
it forward that a woman was nothing but a sex toy which is completely wrong and disturbing.

Normally, when we say that someone is a moral person, we mean that he doesn’t commit acts
such as robbery and murder. Yet Muhammad did all these things and much more.

For me If God’s greatest prophet is free to take part in murder, robbery, genocide, and slave-
trading, can we really point a finger at people like Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein and
say that they are evil? They killed many innocents, but so did Muhammad. Saddam tortured
countless people, but so did Muhammad. In fact, one could make a case that Osama bin Laden is
morally superior to Muhammad, for, while bin Laden killed thousands of people, he didn’t sell
their wives and children into slavery, or have sex with a little girl, or marry more than a dozen
women.