Lesson Three: The Prophet Muhammad

Question 1

Quraysh

Answer 1

were a mercantile Arab tribe that historically inhabited and controlled Mecca and its Ka’aba. Were polytheistic, affluent, and economy was based on linking trade with the levant and the far east.

Question 2

Banū Hāshim

Answer 2

is the clan of the Quraysh tribe, to which the prophet Muhammad belonged; his great-grandfather was Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, after whom the clan is named. Members of this clan are referred to as Hashemites. The House Banu Hashim comprised nobility in pre-Islamic Mecca. This was based on their hereditary duty to act as stewards and caretakers of the pilgrims coming to Mecca to worship at the Kaaba.

Question 3

A’am al-Phil (Year of the Elephant)

Answer 3

is the name in Islamic history for the year approximately equating to 570 CE. According to Islamic resources, it was in this year that Muhammad was born. The name is derived from an event said to have occurred at Mecca: Abraha, the Abyssinian, Christian ruler of Yemen, which was subject to the Kingdom of Aksum of Ethiopia, marched upon the Ka‘bah in Mecca with a large army, which included one or more war elephants, intending to demolish it. However, the lead elephant, known as ‘Mahmud’ is said to have stopped at the boundary around Mecca, and refused to enter.

Question 4

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Answer 4

born 555 CE– 22 November 619 CE, also spelled Khadija, was the first wife and first female follower of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Khadijah was the daughter of Khuwaylid ibn Asad, a leader of Quraysh tribe in Mecca, and a successful businesswoman in her own right. Khadijah is often referred to by Muslims as “Mother of the Believers (as are other wives of Muhammad).” She and her daughter Fatimah are two of the most important female figures in Islam. Muhammad was monogamously married to her for 25 years. The number of children she bore before and to Muhammad is disputed, but it is generally agreed that they had six to eight children together.

Question 5

Abū Ṭālib ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib

Answer 5

the leader of Banu Hashim. Abu Talib was born in the Arabian city of Mecca in 535 CE. He was the son of the Hashimite chief, Abdul Muttalib. He was a brother of Muhammad’s father, ‘Abdullāh, who had died before Muhammad’s birth. After the death of Muhammad’s mother Āminah bint Wahb, Muhammad as a child was taken into the care of his grandfather, ‘Abdul-Muttalib. When Muhammad reached eight years of age, ‘Abdul-Muttalib died. One of Muhammad’s uncles was to take him in. The oldest, Al-Harith was not wealthy enough to take him in. Abu Talib, despite his poverty, took in Muhammad because of his generosity. He was responsible for protecting Muhammad while he preached his new Islamic creed in Mecca.

Question 6

Ali ibn Abi Talib

Answer 6

(13 September 601 – 29 January 661) was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad. He ruled as the fourth and last Rashidun caliph from 656 to 661, but is regarded as the rightful immediate successor to Muhammad as an Imam by Shia Muslims. Ali was born to Abu Talib and Fatimah. Ali was one of the first males to accept Islam, the other being Abu Bakr. Ali took part in almost all the battles fought by the nascent Muslim community. After migrating to Medina, he married Muhammad’s daughter Fatimah. He was appointed caliph by Muhammad’s companions in 656, after Caliph Uthman ibn Affan was assassinated. Ali’s reign saw civil wars and in 661, he was attacked and assassinated by a Kharijite while praying in the Great Mosque of Kufa. Ali was caliph between 656 and 661 during the First Fitna, one of the most turbulent periods in Muslim history.

Question 7

Yathrib

Answer 7

The name of Medina pre-Islam. Before the arrival of the Muhajirun, Yathrib consisted of two major arab tribes, the Banu Aus and the Banu Hzraj who were bitter rivals. There were also three Jewish tribes, the Banu Qaynuqa, the Banu Qurayza, and Banu Nadir. To solve the ongoing feud, concerned residents of the city met secretly with Muhammad in Al-Aqaba, a place between Makkah and Mina, inviting him and his small group of believers to come to Yathrib, where Muhammad could serve as a disinterested mediator between the factions and his community could practice its faith freely. The arabs in Yathrib were to be known later as the Ansar. Yathrib was a pastoral city.

Question 8

Banu Aus

Answer 8

was one of the main Arab tribes of Medina. The other was Khazraj, and the two, constituted the Ansar after the Hijra. Aus and Khazraj are descendants of Azd tribe and were known as Banū Qayla in pre-Islamic era.

Question 9

Banu Khazraj

Answer 9

was one of the main Arab tribes of Medina. The other was the Aus, and the two, constituted the Ansar after the Hijra. Aus and Khazraj are descendants of Azd tribe and were known as Banū Qayla in pre-Islamic era.

Question 10

Hijra

Answer 10

meaning “departure” is the migration or journey of the prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib, later renamed by him to Medina, in the year 622. In June 622, after being warned of a plot to assassinate him, Muhammad secretly left his home in Mecca to emigrate to Yathrib, 320 km north of Mecca, along with his companion Abu Bakr. The Hijrah is also often identified with the start of the Islamic calendar, which was set to 19 April 622 in the Western calendar. The concept of Hijrah is independent of this event. The first Hijrah is dated to 613-615 when a group of Muslims counseled by Muhammad to escape persecution in Mecca arrived at the court of the Christian monarch of the Axum Empire located in modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrean. Hijrah used as a term to describe the idea of the migration of Muslim communities from Dar al-Harb to Dar al-Islam

Question 11

Ansar

Answer 11

The Helpers are the local inhabitants of Medina who took the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and his followers (the Muhajirun) into their homes when they emigrated from Mecca (hijra). They belonged to two main tribes of Azd, the Banu Khazraj and the Banu Aus. During the Umayyad era, the Ansar became somewhat of an opposing political faction of the regime. They were described as closely affiliated with the Hashim Clan Contingent rather than with the incumbent Umayyad.

Question 12

Muhajirun

Answer 12

were the first converts to Islam and the Islamic Prophet Muhammad’s advisors and relatives, who emigrated with him from Mecca to Medina, the event known in Islam as The Hijra. 622

Question 13

Munafiqun

Answer 13

n arabic: ‘hypocrites’, or false muslim were a group decried in the Quran as outward Muslims who were inwardly concealing disbelief and actively sought to undermine the Muslim community. Upon the arrival of Muhammad in Medina, Ibn Ubayy (chief of Banu Hazaj) became a Muslim, but the sincerity of his conversion is disputed. Because of repeated conflicts with Muhammad, Islamic tradition has labelled him a Munafiq.

Question 14

aṣ-Saḥābah

Answer 14

Arabic: meaning “the companions” were the disciples and followers of Muhammad who “saw or met the prophet during his lifetime and were physically in his presence”.

Question 15

Āʾishah bint Abī Bakr

Answer 15

was Muhammad’s third and youngest wife. Aisha was born 613 or early 614. She was the daughter of Umm Ruman and Abu Bakr of Mecca, two of Muhammad’s most trusted companions. Was the instigator of the battle of the camel vs. Ali

Question 16

The Battle of Badr

Answer 16

13 March 624 CE in the Hejaz region , was a key battle in the early days of Islam and a turning point in Muhammad’s struggle with his opponents among the Qurais. The battle has been passed down in Islamic history as a decisive victory attributable to divine intervention, or by secular sources to the strategic genius of Muhammad. It is one of the few battles specifically mentioned in the Quran. Prior to the battle, the Muslims and the Meccans had fought several smaller skirmishes in late 623 and early 624. Badr, however, was the first large-scale engagement between the two forces. Advancing to a strong defensive position, Muhammad’s well-disciplined force broke the Meccan lines, killing several important Quraishi leaders including the Muslims’ chief antagonist Abu Jahl. For the early Muslims the battle was the first sign that they might eventually defeat their enemies among the Meccans. Mecca fielded an army three times larger than that of the Muslims. The Muslim victory also signaled to the other tribes that a new power had arisen in Arabia and strengthened Muhammad’s position as leader of the often fractious community in Medina. Muhammad’s forces included Abu Bakr, Umar, Ali, Hamza. Crushing victory for the Muslims. Provided lots of finance from loot. Shortly thereafter he expelled the Banu Qaynuqa, one of the Jewish tribes at Medina that had been threatening his political position, and who had assaulted a Muslim woman which led to their expulsion for breaking the peace treaty. At the same time Abd-Allah ibn Ubayy, Muhammad’s chief opponent in Medina, found his own position seriously weakened. Henceforth, he would only be able to mount limited challenges to Muhammad.

Question 17

Battle of Uhud

Answer 17

was a battle between the early Muslims and their Qurayshi Meccan enemies in 624 CE in the Hejazi region of the Arabian peninsula.The battle was fought on Saturday, 22 December 624 at the valley located in front of Mount Uhud. It occurred between a force from the Muslim community of Medina led by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and a force led by Abu Sufyan ibn Harb from Mecca, the town from which many of the Muslims had previously emigrated.The Battle of Uhud was the second military encounter between the Meccans and the Muslims. Marching out from Mecca towards Medina on 10 December 624 CE, the Meccans desired to avenge their losses at Badr and strike back at Muhammad and his followers. The Muslims readied for war soon afterwards and the two armies fought on the slopes and plains of Mount Uhud. Although outnumbered, the Muslims gained the early initiative and forced the Meccan lines back, thus leaving much of the Meccan camp unprotected. When the battle looked to be only one step away from a decisive Muslim victory, a serious mistake was committed by a part of the Muslim army, which altered the outcome of the battle. A breach of Muhammad’s orders by the Muslim archers, who left their assigned posts to despoil the Meccan camp, allowed a surprise attack from the Meccan cavalry, led by Meccan war veteran Khalid ibn al-Walid, which brought chaos to the Muslim ranks. Many Muslims were killed, and Muhammad himself was badly injured. The Muslims had to withdraw up the slopes of Uhud. The Meccans did not pursue the Muslims further but marched back to Mecca declaring victory. For the Muslims, the battle was a significant setback Soon thereafter, Muhammad became convinced that the Jewish tribe Banu Nadir harbored enmity towards him and were plotting to kill him. The Banu Nadir were expelled from Medina after a fifteen-fday siege, with some relocating to the oasis of Khaybar and others to Syria.

Question 18

Battle of the Trench

Answer 18

also known as Battle of Khandaq, was a 30-day-long siege of Yathrib (now Medina) by Arab and Jewish tribes. The strength of the confederate armies is estimated around 10,000 men while the Medinan defenders numbered 3,000. The largely outnumbered defenders of Medina, mainly Muslims led by Islamic prophet Muhammad, dug a trench on the suggestion of Salman al-Farsi (a peprsian slave) which together with Medina’s natural fortifications, rendered the confederate cavalry useless, locking the two sides in a stalemate. Hoping to make several attacks at once, the confederates persuaded the Muslim-allied Medinan Jews, Banu Qurayza, to attack the city from the south. The siege was a “battle of wits”, in which the Muslims tactically overcame their opponents while suffering very few casualties. Efforts to defeat the Muslims failed, and Islam became influential in the region. As a consequence, the Muslim army besieged the area of the Banu Qurayza tribe, leading to their surrender and enslavement or execution. The defeat caused the Meccans to lose their trade and much of their prestige. Success was snot immediate as there was no final defeat.

Question 19

Ahad el-Ummah

Answer 19

The Constitution of Medina is a document created by Muhammad to regulate social and political life in Medina. It deals with various tribal issues such as the organization and leadership of the participating tribal groups, warfare, blood money, ransom of captives, and war expenditures. It is at the beginning of the document that the Muslims from the Quraysh and the Muslims from Yathrib are declared to be an ummah or one community. The word ummah appears again when the document refers to the treaty of the Jews and states that the Yahūd Banī ‘ Awf, or Jews, are an ummah that exists alongside the ummah of the Muslims. The document does state that the Jews who join the Muslims will receive aid and equal rights. In addition, the Jews will be guaranteed security from the Muslims, and are granted to maintain their own religion just as the Muslims will maintain theirs. The Constitution of Medina lists the various Medinan tribes derived from the Aws and Khazraj as well as the several Jewish tribes that are granted to keep their tribal organization and leadership. The document also reveals that each group, the Muslims and the Jews, is responsible for its own finances except during time of war, when the two are able to share expenses.

Question 20

Banu Nadir

Answer 20

were a Jewish tribe who lived in northern Arabia until the 7th century at the oasis of Medina. The tribe challenged Muhammad as the leader of Medina, and were expelled from Medina as a result. The Banu Nadir then planned the battle of the Trench together with the Quraysh. Expelled after the battle of Uhud

Question 21

Banu Qurayza

Answer 21

were a Jewish tribe which lived in northern Arabia, at the oasis of Yathrib (now known as Medina), until the 7th century, when their conflict with Muhammad led to their massacre. In 627, when the Quraysh and their allies besieged the city in the Battle of the Trench, the Qurayza initially tried to remain neutral but eventually entered into negotiations with the besieging army, violating the pact they had agreed to years earlier.

Question 22

Banu Qunayqa

Answer 22

In the 7th century, the Banu Qaynuqa were living in two fortresses in the south-western part of the city of Yathrib. In December 623, Muslims led by Muhammad defeated the Meccans of the Banu Quraish tribe in the Battle of Badr. Ibn Ishaq writes that a dispute broke out between the Muslims and the Banu Qaynuqa (the allies of the Khazraj tribe) soon afterwards.As a result they were expelled. Muhammad divided the property of the Banu Qaynuqa, including their arms and tools, among his followers, taking for the Islamic state a fifth share of the spoils for the first time.

Question 23

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

Answer 23

was a pivotal treaty between Muhammad, representing the state of Medina, and the Qurayshi tribe of Mecca in March 628. It helped to decrease tension between the two cities, affirmed peace for a period of 9-years, 9-months and 9-days, and authorised Muhammad’s followers to return the following year in a peaceful pilgrimage, later known as The First Pilgrimage. The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was very important in Islam. After the signing of the treaty, the Quraysh of Mecca no longer considered Muhammad to be a rebel or a fugitive from Mecca. They also recognized the Islamic state in Medina by signing the treaty. The treaty also allowed the Muslims who were still in Mecca to practice Islam publicly. Further, as there was no longer a constant struggle between the Muslims and the polytheists, many people saw Islam in a new light, which led to many more people accepting Islam. In addition, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah paved the way for many other tribes to make treaties with the Muslims.

Question 24

Wufud

Answer 24

tribal diplomatic delegations that came to the prophet after Muhhamad’s success in Mecca. Beginning of a time of diplomacy and political maneuvers within tribal politics in Arabia. Was also remembered during the reign of Muawiyya in Syria.

Question 25

Al-sīra al-Nabawiyya (Prophetic biography), Sīrat Rasūl Allāh (Life of the Messenger of God)

Answer 25

are the traditional Muslim biographies of Muhammad from which, in addition to the Quran and trustable Hadiths, most historical information about his life and the early period of Islam is derived. Ibn Ishaq’s sīrat rasūl allāh has been preserved in the form of an edited copy of his oral reports collected by one of his students, al-Bakka’i, which were further edited by ibn Hisham. Only recorded ones are 9th century onwards.

Question 26

Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq

Answer 26

was an Arab Muslim historian and hagiographer. Ibn Ishaq collected oral traditions that formed the basis of an important biography of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Ibn Isḥaq collected oral traditions about the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. These traditions, which he orally dictated to his pupils, are now known collectively as Sīratu Rasūli l-Lāh “Life of the Messenger of God” and survive mainly in the following sources:

An edited copy, or recension, of his work by his student al-Bakka’i, which was further edited by ibn Hisham. Al-Bakka’i’s work has perished and only ibn Hisham’s has survived, in copies

Question 27

Ibn Hisham

Answer 27

or Ibn Hisham, edited the biography of Islamic prophet Muhammad written by Ibn Ishaq. Ibn Hisham has been said to have grown up in Basra and moved afterwards to Egypt.

Question 28

al-Waqid

Answer 28

was a historian. His surname is derived from his grandfather’s name Waqid and thus he became famous as al-Imam al-Waqidi. Al-Waqidi was an early Muslim historian and biographer of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, specializing in his military campaigns. Al-Waqidi is primarily known for his Kitab al-Tarikh wa al-Maghazi “Book of History and Campaigns”), which is the only part of his corpus that has been fully preserved. It describes the battles fought by Muhammad, as well as Muhammad’s life in the city of Medina. The work draws upon the earlier sira of Ibn Ishaq, though it includes details not found in Ibn Ishaq’s text.