8.2 Muhammad's early life and revelations

Muhammad's early life in Mecca shaped his character and future role as a prophet. Born into the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe, he was orphaned young and raised by his grandfather and uncle. His marriage to Khadija provided stability and support.

At age 40, Muhammad received divine revelations in the cave of Hira, marking the beginning of Islam. Initially unsure, he gradually accepted his prophetic mission with Khadija's encouragement. Early followers faced opposition from Meccan elites, leading to persecution and eventual migration to Medina.

Early life in Mecca

• Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570 CE into the Banu Hashim clan, a less prosperous branch of the influential Quraysh tribe that dominated the city
• Orphaned at a young age, Muhammad's father Abdullah died before his birth and his mother Amina passed away when he was six years old
• Raised by his paternal grandfather Abd al-Muttalib until age eight and then by his uncle Abu Talib, who became a key protector and supporter

Banu Hashim clan of Quraysh tribe

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• The Quraysh tribe controlled Mecca and the sacred Kaaba shrine, which housed idols of various deities and was a site of pilgrimage
• As a member of the Banu Hashim clan, Muhammad's early life was influenced by his family's role in Meccan religious life and trade
• Though the Banu Hashim lacked the wealth and power of other Quraysh clans, they held the prestigious responsibility of providing water and food to pilgrims

Orphaned at young age

• Muhammad's father Abdullah died before he was born, leaving him without paternal support and inheritance
• His mother Amina, who was from the distant town of Yathrib (later Medina), died when Muhammad was six years old
• These early losses shaped Muhammad's childhood experiences and his later sensitivity to the plight of orphans and the disadvantaged

Raised by grandfather and uncle

• After his mother's death, Muhammad came under the care of his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib, the respected patriarch of the Banu Hashim clan
• Upon Abd al-Muttalib's death two years later, Muhammad's uncle Abu Talib took on the responsibility of raising him
• Abu Talib provided crucial support and protection to Muhammad throughout his life, even as he faced opposition in Mecca

Marriage to Khadija

• As a young man, Muhammad began working as a merchant and became known for his trustworthiness, earning the title "al-Amin" (the reliable one)
• He came to the attention of Khadija, a wealthy widow who ran a successful caravan trade business
• Impressed by Muhammad's character, Khadija proposed marriage to him when he was around 25 years old and she was 40
• Their marriage lasted 25 years until Khadija's death and produced four daughters (Fatima, Zainab, Ruqayyah, and Umm Kulthum) and two sons (Qasim and Abdullah) who died in infancy

Divine revelations

• Muhammad's prophethood began with divine revelations he received in Mecca around 610 CE at the age of 40
• These revelations marked the beginning of Islam and Muhammad's role as the final prophet in the Abrahamic tradition

First revelation in cave of Hira

• Muhammad frequently retreated to meditate in the cave of Hira, located on Mount Jabal al-Nour near Mecca
• During one of these retreats in the month of Ramadan, Muhammad had his first encounter with the angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic)
• Gabriel appeared to Muhammad and commanded him to "Read!" or "Recite!" (Iqra in Arabic), to which Muhammad replied that he could not read
• The angel embraced Muhammad tightly and repeated the command until Muhammad recited the first verses of what would become the Quran, starting with "Read in the name of your Lord who created..." (Quran 96:1-5)

Recitations from angel Gabriel

• Over the next 23 years until his death, Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Gabriel
• These revelations were recited orally by Muhammad to his followers and were later compiled into the holy book of Islam, the Quran
• The revelations addressed various aspects of faith, moral conduct, social justice, and legal matters, forming the basis of Islamic teachings

Muhammad's initial reaction vs later acceptance

• After the first revelation, Muhammad was deeply shaken and unsure about his experience
• He feared he might be possessed by an evil spirit or losing his mind
• Seeking comfort and reassurance, Muhammad turned to his wife Khadija, who consoled him and expressed her unwavering faith in his character and the divine nature of the revelation
• With Khadija's support and his own growing conviction, Muhammad came to accept his prophetic mission and began preaching the message of Islam

Encouragement and support from Khadija

• Khadija played a crucial role in supporting and encouraging Muhammad during the early years of his prophethood
• As the first person to accept Islam, Khadija provided emotional and material support to Muhammad, enabling him to focus on his mission
• She reassured him of the divine nature of the revelations and stood by him in the face of opposition and hardship
• Khadija's unwavering faith and dedication made her a key figure in the early history of Islam

Early followers

• In the early years of Muhammad's prophethood, he attracted a small but devoted group of followers who accepted his message and supported him in the face of opposition

Khadija as first convert

• Muhammad's wife Khadija was the first person to accept Islam and believe in his prophethood
• Her immediate and unwavering support provided crucial validation and encouragement for Muhammad in the early stages of his mission
• Khadija's conversion set an example for others and helped establish the foundation of the nascent Muslim community

Ali ibn Abi Talib as first male follower

• Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's young cousin and ward, was the first male to accept Islam
• According to tradition, Ali was around 10 years old when he witnessed Muhammad and Khadija praying and decided to join them
• Ali's early conversion and close relationship with Muhammad made him a significant figure in Islamic history and a revered leader among Shia Muslims

Abu Bakr's influential conversions

• Abu Bakr, Muhammad's close friend and confidant, was an early and influential convert to Islam
• A respected merchant known for his integrity and wisdom, Abu Bakr's conversion lent credibility to Muhammad's message
• Abu Bakr used his influence and wealth to support the early Muslim community and persuade others to accept Islam
• He brought several notable figures into the fold, including the future caliphs Umar ibn al-Khattab and Uthman ibn Affan

Secret meetings and teachings

• In the early years, Muhammad and his followers met secretly to avoid persecution from the Meccan authorities and the broader Quraysh tribe
• These meetings, often held in the house of Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam, provided a safe space for Muhammad to teach his followers and for the community to grow
• During this period, Muhammad focused on strengthening the faith and unity of his followers and preparing them for the challenges ahead

Meccan opposition

• As Muhammad's message spread and his followers grew, he faced increasing opposition and persecution from the Meccan establishment, particularly the powerful Quraysh tribe

Quraysh hostility toward Muhammad's message

• The Quraysh, who controlled Mecca and its lucrative pilgrimage trade, saw Muhammad's monotheistic message as a threat to their religious and economic dominance
• They feared that the spread of Islam would undermine the traditional polytheistic beliefs and practices centered around the Kaaba, which was a key source of their power and wealth
• The Quraysh also resented Muhammad's criticism of their social inequalities and moral failings, which challenged their established way of life

Physical attacks and persecution

• As Muhammad continued to preach and gain followers, the Quraysh escalated their opposition, resorting to physical violence and persecution
• Muhammad and his followers were subjected to verbal abuse, beatings, and even torture in an attempt to force them to abandon their faith
• Some early Muslims, particularly those from lower social classes or without tribal protection, faced severe maltreatment, such as the slave Bilal ibn Rabah who was tortured by his master for accepting Islam

Social and economic boycott

• In an effort to pressure Muhammad and his clan, the Banu Hashim, the Quraysh imposed a social and economic boycott on them
• The Quraysh agreed to cut off all trade and social interactions with the Banu Hashim, confining them to a narrow valley on the outskirts of Mecca
• This boycott, which lasted for two to three years, caused significant hardship for Muhammad and his followers, who struggled to access food and other necessities
• Despite the difficult conditions, the boycott ultimately failed to break the resolve of the early Muslim community and was eventually lifted

Attempts to discredit Muhammad

• In addition to physical persecution and economic pressure, the Quraysh also sought to discredit Muhammad and undermine his message
• They accused him of being a sorcerer, a madman, or a poet possessed by evil spirits, hoping to turn people away from his teachings
• The Quraysh spread rumors and misinformation about Muhammad, mocking his claims of prophethood and challenging the authenticity of his revelations
• They also tried to lure Muhammad with offers of wealth, power, and social status in exchange for abandoning his mission, but he remained steadfast in his convictions

Night journey and ascension

• The night journey (Isra) and ascension (Miraj) are two parts of a miraculous journey that Muhammad is believed to have undertaken, according to Islamic tradition

Isra - journey from Mecca to Jerusalem

• The Isra refers to Muhammad's miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, said to have taken place around 621 CE
• According to tradition, Muhammad was awakened by the angel Gabriel and taken on a winged steed, called Buraq, from the Kaaba in Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
• This journey is seen as a symbol of the connection between the three Abrahamic faiths, as Jerusalem is a holy city for Muslims, Jews, and Christians

Miraj - ascension through heavens

• The Miraj follows the Isra and describes Muhammad's ascension through the seven levels of heaven
• Guided by Gabriel, Muhammad is said to have met various prophets, including Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, at each level of heaven
• At the highest level, Muhammad is believed to have had a direct encounter with God and received instructions for the daily prayers that Muslims are required to perform

Meeting with earlier prophets

• During his ascension, Muhammad's encounters with earlier prophets are seen as a confirmation of his place in the lineage of Abrahamic prophets
• These meetings also serve to emphasize the continuity and unity of the divine message across different times and cultures
• Muhammad's interactions with the prophets are often interpreted as a sign of respect and validation for the earlier Abrahamic traditions

Significance in Islamic tradition

• The Isra and Miraj hold immense significance in Islamic tradition and are commemorated annually on the 27th night of the Islamic month of Rajab
• The journey is seen as a testament to Muhammad's divine mission and a confirmation of his status as the final prophet
• The events of the Isra and Miraj also serve to underscore the importance of prayer in Islam, as the daily prayers are believed to have been prescribed during this miraculous journey
• The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the endpoint of the Isra, remains one of the holiest sites in Islam and is the third most important mosque after the ones in Mecca and Medina

Migration to Medina

• The migration (Hijra) of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE marks a turning point in Islamic history and the beginning of the Islamic calendar

Death of Abu Talib and Khadija

• In the year 619 CE, Muhammad suffered two significant personal losses with the deaths of his uncle Abu Talib and his wife Khadija
• Abu Talib's death left Muhammad without his most powerful protector in Mecca, making him more vulnerable to persecution from the Quraysh
• Khadija's death deprived Muhammad of his closest companion and supporter, who had been instrumental in helping him through the early years of his prophethood
• These losses, combined with the increasing hostility in Mecca, prompted Muhammad to seek a new base for his community

Pledges of protection from Medinan tribes

• Muhammad's search for a new home led him to the oasis town of Yathrib, later known as Medina, where he had already established contacts and gained some followers
• In 621 CE, a group of Medinan converts met with Muhammad in Mecca during the pilgrimage season and pledged their allegiance to him in what is known as the First Pledge of Aqaba
• The following year, a larger group of Medinans, including members of the influential Aws and Khazraj tribes, made a similar pledge, known as the Second Pledge of Aqaba, offering Muhammad and his followers protection and support in Medina

Secret planning and escape from Mecca

• With the pledges of support from Medina, Muhammad began planning the migration of his followers from Mecca
• The Hijra was carried out in secrecy to avoid interference from the Quraysh, who were determined to prevent Muhammad from leaving Mecca and establishing a new power base
• Muhammad's followers left Mecca in small groups to avoid detection, with Muhammad and his close companion Abu Bakr being among the last to depart
• According to tradition, Muhammad and Abu Bakr hid in a cave on Mount Thawr for three days to evade Quraysh search parties before making their way to Medina

Arrival and welcome in Medina

• Muhammad and Abu Bakr arrived in Medina in September 622 CE, where they were warmly welcomed by the local Muslim community and their Medinan allies
• The Medinans, known as the Ansar (helpers), provided shelter and support to the Meccan migrants, known as the Muhajirun (emigrants)
• Muhammad's arrival in Medina marked the beginning of a new phase in the development of Islam, as he established the first Islamic state and laid the foundations for the growth and spread of the religion
• The Hijra also symbolizes the importance of community, solidarity, and sacrifice in Islam, as the early Muslims left their homes and possessions behind for the sake of their faith and the unity of the ummah (community of believers)