Introduction to the Medieval World: Class 5
Class 5: Muhammad: Prophet or Statesman?
Assigned Reading:
I. Introduction
A. Importance of Islam
In middle ages for a long period the most distinguished
civilization.
In the modern world a major part of world politics.
B. The `third world' of the middle ages, Islam
Also an heir to Greece and the Jews.
Not an heir to Rome
Not an heir to Germans
Added input of Arabs and Arabic
C. Sources
Narrative Histories
The Qu'ran
Western and Byzantine sources
No archives
D. Definitions
Islam/Muslim
Arab/Arabia/Arabian
Other important Islamic peoples
Persians
Turks
Jews and Christians remain important groups within Islam
E. Names
Arabs have three names
first - the ism - persons real name e.g. Ali
2nd - the Kunya - mentions some relation, Umma, Ibn, Abu
3rd - al qub - applied to an adult male, for some quality
- e.g.. al Mahdi
Not predictable which names stick to historical figures
II. Pre-Islamic Arabia
A. Arabs
1. Semites - Explain language families
Indo-European, Hamitic, Semitic
(all have grammatical gender.
2. Sheba
750BC the Marib Dam built, burst 450 BC
Sabaean spoken, in the south - Yemen
later irrigation failed, many became Bedouin
In 4th century - a Jewish state in Yemen
3. Center of Arab life now in central and north
Arabia
-Bedouin - Dates - Tribes and Sheiks
-Towns in Western highlands
4. Saracenoi
Petra
5. Roman Arabs - Border states
Ghassanids
6. Byzantine and Sassanid Background
both central monarchies
By 6th century, Ctesiphon, the Paris of the Mideast
Imitated later by Arabs: The shah, viziers etc.
Both weakened by wars with each other in early
6th century
B. Arab literature - great poetic achievement
strings of pearls
Oral - Memorized by rawis
C. Central Asia - trade routes move south in 6th century
D. Arab cities grow - Mecca, Medina, Taif
E. Arab Religion
1. Pagan, Ritualistic, No clergy
the Kaaba in Mecca was an important shrine
three higher gods
- in Mecca Goddesses - Al-Uzza, Manat, Al-Lat
all daughters of a God called Allah
2. Hanifs - Monotheistic hermits
3. Jewish - some tribes
Idea of One God, a Holy book, religious law
all known. The Torah was known but not, it seems
the prophets or the NT
III. Muhammad 571-632
A. Sources
the Qu'ran
Hadith - major collection by al-Bukhari, d. 870
B. Origins - Minor branch of important trading family
1. Family
Married Khadija when he was 25 and she was 40
Had 7 children, only Fatima survived.
2. Literacy - Possible, open to question
C. Early Career - Trips to Syria?
D. Around age 40 he made a retreat on Mount Hira.
Social confusion - a townsman in a nomadic society
Heard a voice from God.
Subject to uncontrollable shaking
E. Recitations: the Qu'ran
After first revelations he had a gap.
then they returned
written down by followers (belief in no variation.
First stage a moral revelations
Satanic Verses in Sura 53
Second stage is monotheistic insistence.
F. Religious Community
Muhammad converted some people quickly.
Remained for three years in a small circle.
The Umma - Muslim community - remains the ideal.
G. To Medina
Attempted to convert Mecca for five years
-serious opposition began
The Hejira 622 - trip to Medina
H. Jewish Tribes
M. expected them to convert. They did not. so they
were killed. 600 killed, and women sold into slavery.
Blamed for attacks on Muslims by Meccans
I. Attack on Mecca - Many battles. Peaceful takeover 630
J. Pagan Tribes - come over to Islam, i.e. make submission
K. Muhammad's Death - 630
L. Prophet and Statesman - unique role
IV. Islam
Submission, or being at peace
There is one God and Muhammad is his Prophet (and Ali his
successor.
A. Monotheism
Allah/God - Creator - Power of God is absolute
`Father' not appropriate title
Merciful
Sin of Shirq - attributing parts to God
B. Muhammad - the Prophet
C. The Qu'ran -Holy Book
Arranged according to length of Sura
Memorized by many Muslims -edited under Uthman
D. The Umma
The religious community = the State
Muhammad probably saw it as an Arab faith
Supplemented the tribe - but did not replace it
Answers to urban needs
High regard for people of the Book
But later had to say they distorted the Bible
Islam for Arabs - for a time only
E. The Five Pillars of Islam
1. Shahada - the Confession of Faith
2. Salaat - ritual prayer 5x p.d - Facing Mecca
Use of Minarets and Muezzin later
3. Haj - to Mecca
Follows ritual - walking round Kaaba
4. Saum - Fasting in Ramadan, Halal meat
5. Zakat - alms
F. Jihad - striving
G. Heaven and Hell - Paradise - Persian model
Absolute predestination
H. Religious Leadership
No Clergy - Except in Shi'ism
Judges/qadis are important - Ulema
I. Buildings - Mosques
Friday the Holy Day - but God did not need to rest
The Mihrab points to Mecca (Mention Cook and Crone.
J. Worship
Prayers
Friday Sermon - Khutba
K. Calendar - AH 1 = AD622
Muslim year short - useless for peasants
L. Law
1. Sharia
Various Schools
2. Kanun - secular law. Illegitimate
M. Kalaam/Theology
The Uncreated Qu'ran - Atomism - Kismet
Islamic Study
Closing of the Door of Istjahad by Al-Ghazzali in
11th Century
N. The Shia - Ali and Hussain (Kerbala.
O. Sufism - Love of God -`I am God"
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© Paul Halsall, 1996.
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