Islam in Seven Pages Essay

Islam is regarded as one of the world’s top religions in terms of denomination. It has been practiced around the world for almost all known human history. Followers of the Islam religion are all over the globe, present in almost every country. They are people whom we encounter or may encounter in our daily lives. Islam followers had been victims to reckless stereotyping and false assumptions. So to clear these up, it is just fair that we should at least take a peek into the subject and try to understand the nature of Islam. The Early Years of the Prophet Muhammad A simple man, destined to be one of the greatest man that ever lived. Once, there was political instability and restlessness among the people Arabia. People became far from God and care less if they are. They are worshiping idols and false gods. The situation is much like what the whole world is experiencing in the present era. A simple man, a working-class type of man, was chosen by the one God himself, to carry out the messages of God to relieve the world from its impurities that are causing its own miseries. Muhammad entered the world in 570 A. D. The name Muhammad literally translates as â€Å"praiseworthy. † Unfortunately for the young Muhammad, his father died just four months after his birth and his mother departed when he was only six years of age. He was an orphan, and so his uncle took care of him. He worked as a shepherd boy for his neighbors and a camel driver, traversing the Arabia-Syria route for his uncle. Through hard-work and dedication, He did well in the business of handling trade caravans for merchants. His clients gave him the nickname â€Å"Al-Amin† which means â€Å"trustworthy. † Through this career, his travels paved the way for him to be in contact with people of other nationalities and faith. When he reached the age of 25, he was employed by Khadija, a wealthy widow, who later on became his wife. The couple enjoyed a happy and loving marriage. A man having many wives was a common practice during that time, but Muhammad had only one wife, even when after she passed away only 24 years after their marriage. Tragedy has gotten its fair share with this man. He had his ups and downs, much like everyone else in this planet. But something great was destined for this man. He is soon to be experiencing an encounter of divine proportions. The Prophet’s Life in Mecca During Muhammad’s late 30’s, he developed the habit of taking regular visits to a cave in Mount Hira, located in the outskirts of Mecca, to mediated and find solitude away from the problems of society. In 610 A. D, during the time Khadija was still alive, in one of his visits he rushed to their home telling his wife that an angel appeared before him. His wife was initially shocked but later on became his first convert. It was Angel Gabriel that appeared before him. The angel told him that God commands him to proclaim His word among his fellow human beings. He was reluctant to follow the command at first. He sees himself as just a normal person. He fearfully replied that he is not fit for the job. The angel commanded that Muhammad must speak for God to his people. Speak about His message that He will teach humanity what we do not know. And about God’s incomparable glory and generosity to his creations. The angel continued to visit him. Khadija supported his husband through this experience. Muhammad managed to be convinced and confident that it is truly God that had chosen him to deliver the holy message. Since then, Muhammad was burdened the holy mission of delivering God’s words to His people. Muhammad was assigned the holy mission to change the ways of his fellow countrymen. He conveyed the holy message that they should shun away from materialism, polytheism, immorality, and should only worship Allah as the only God. But during his conveyance of the holy message, he made it clear to the people that he is not a divine being of any kind, he is simply a prophet. He clearly stated that he is not able to perform miracles, only the one God is capable of such things. He was merely a messenger of God’s commands. Almost three years had passed and there were only forty converts to the faith. This is because many people in Mecca opposed the message because the kind of society they are indulging themselves is jeopardized. The people in Mecca won’t simply find it easy to give up their wealthy economic status and immoral indulgences. Muhammad’s early followers were heavily persecuted by Meccans who are yet to be converted and saved by the message. The persecution has led Muhammad to decide to move to Medina for safety. The Prophet’s Life in Medina Ironically, Muhammad was born into the Quraysh tribe. And this tribe was one of the first tribe to react violently to the holy message Muhammad conveyed. They had been very careful in keeping their migration to Medina unknown to the Quraysh tribe. They moved individually and in pairs to gradually complete the secret migration. During this time, the Quraysh tribe are considering their methods of action towards Muhammad. They’ve came up with imprisonment, exile, and the final decision was murder. The angry Meccans trailed Muhammad and his followers on their way to Medina. By the greace of God, they managed to escape the Meccans by hiding inside a cave. Upon their arrival at Medina, 73 converts pledged loyalty to Muhammad. During his first year in Medina, he authored the Constitution of Medina which is a formal agreement between him and the important tribes in the area. It is mainly concerned the rivalry of clans and to bring it into an end. As an effect, it bonded Muslim, Jewish and Pagans of Medina into a peaceful community. Muhammad later on led the Battle of Badr against the Quraysh. This was has been on-going for a long time and Muhammad’s victory is attributed to divine intervention. Muhammad was also a key factor in winning other battles over those in contention with the faith.