Muhammad

The Life of Muhammad

According to tradition, Muhammad was born after the death of his father into a family of the Hashemite clan of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca, that is, into the tribe responsible for the care of the traditional Black Stone and its shelter the Ka'bah, the site of annual pilgrimages. He went to live first with his grandfather, who died when Muhammad was about 8, or 2 years after his mother died. The orphan was then reared by an uncle, a caravan driver. Muhammad was hired as a young man as an advisor and assistant to a widow named Khadijah, whom he married at the age of 25. He traveled on her behalf, encountering along the way Jews and Christians who influenced his religious thinking. He and Khadijah produced two sons who died in infancy and four daughters, only one of whom outlived him.

Becoming dissatisfied with the polytheism of his culture, he began seeking one God. In a dream or trance one night, he saw the angel Gabriel, who gave him the first of Allah's messages. These revelations continued, and soon Khadijah converted to his new way of thinking. He began his public career by going to the Ka'bah and reciting his messages. He first convert outside his family was Abu Bakr, a businessman. Since Muhammad's messages were fiercely monotheistic, the Prophet was not well received. He preached for a decade gaining a few other converts, but ultimately (in 622 C.E.) he had to flee from the leaders of the city to Medina, whose leading citizens had invited him to come as their political leader.

Revelations continued during his 8 years in Medina, but his relations with the city of Mecca deteriorated, culminating in armed conflict. Mecca capitulated, and Muhammad became its ruler as well. He died unexpectedly at the peak of his power in 632 C.E. without having named a successor. Sunni Muslims accept Abu Bakr as his successor, while Shiites accept Muhammad's kinsman Ali, son of the uncle who reared him, as successor.

Muhammad's life became the model for Muslim piety. (Sura 33:21, presumably not by Muhammad, reads: “Verily, in the messenger of Allah you have a good example for anyone who looks to Allah and the final judgment.”) Hence, traditions (Hadith) about him developed to flesh out the lifestyle of a good Muslim. For example, in his home life, Muhammad was said to have acted as the servant of family members and servants, setting an example for his own children. Another tradition claimed that he was affectionate toward children, and a blessing he authored praised the man of modest means and a father of children as a champion of Allah, provided that he exercised restraint in dealing with his wife and children and laughed in their company.

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