Life of Muhammad and beginnings of Islam part 1 | World History | Khan Academy

Summary

This video provides an insightful overview of the origins of Islam, focusing on the life and revelations of the Prophet Muhammad. Born in 6th century Arabia, Muhammad's teachings emphasized the oneness of God and the rejection of idol worship, which challenged the established religious and economic norms of Mecca. Despite facing persecution and personal loss, his message resonated, leading to the formation of the Islamic faith, which today is practiced by nearly a quarter of the world's population.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Islam is a significant part of the world's religious landscape, with nearly one-fourth of the global population either practicing or having grown up in an Islamic tradition.
• 🕌 The term 'Islam' means 'surrender,' emphasizing the concept of surrendering to the oneness of God and rejecting idol worship.
• 📜 Islam is considered by its followers to be built upon the teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, with the Quran being the final testament in this lineage.
• 🌍 Muhammad, the central figure of Islam, was born in 6th Century Arabia, a time and place characterized by tribal law and the absence of a formal empire.
• 🏺 Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad, was a significant religious and economic center due to its control by the Quraysh tribe and the presence of the Kaaba, which housed hundreds of idols.
• 👶 Muhammad's early life was marked by hardship, being orphaned at a young age and raised by various family members, including his uncle Abu Talib.
• 🛍 As an adult, Muhammad was a merchant known for his honesty and trustworthiness, earning him the titles 'Al-Amin' and 'Al-Sadiq'.
• 🔮 At the age of 40, Muhammad received his first revelation from God in a cave on the outskirts of Mecca, marking the beginning of his prophetic mission.
• 👰 The first to believe in Muhammad's revelations was Khadija, a wealthy widow who later became his wife and a significant supporter of his message.
• 🗣 After initially keeping his revelations private, Muhammad began to publicly preach the message of monotheism and the rejection of idol worship, which was met with resistance from the Quraysh tribe.
• 😢 The year 619, known as the Year of Sorrows, was particularly difficult for Muhammad as he faced the loss of his wife Khadija and his uncle, who were both crucial to his support system.

Q & A

What does the term 'Islam' mean and what is its significance in relation to the revelations of Muhammad?

The term 'Islam' means 'surrender' and it is significant because many of the revelations of Muhammad are about surrendering to God, emphasizing the oneness of God and the rejection of idol worship.

Why is it important to learn about the beginnings of Islam, regardless of one's religious background?

Learning about the beginnings of Islam is important because nearly one-fourth of the world's population is either a practicing Muslim or has grown up in an Islamic tradition, making it a significant cultural and religious influence globally.

How does Islam relate to the teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus according to Islamic tradition?

According to Islamic tradition, Islam is built on top of the teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims believe that the Quran is the Final Testament, following the teachings of the Torah and the Bible.

What was the political and social structure of 6th Century Arabia when Muhammad was born?

6th Century Arabia was a tribal world with no formal government or empire ruling most of the region. The rule of law was based on tribal customs, including laws of vendetta and revenge, which often led to wars and violence.

What was the significance of the Kaaba in Mecca during Muhammad's time?

The Kaaba was a religious center for the region and housed hundreds of idols important to various tribes and people of Arabia. It was a place of pilgrimage that also significantly benefited the economy of Mecca.

What was Muhammad's family background and how did it influence his early life?

Muhammad was born into the Quraysh tribe, which was in control of Mecca. Despite being born into a powerful family, his early life was difficult as he lost his father before birth, his mother at the age of six, and his grandfather at eight, after which he was under the custody of his uncle, Abu Talib.

How did Muhammad's reputation as a merchant contribute to his later life as a prophet?

Muhammad's reputation as a trustworthy and honest merchant earned him the titles Al-Amin (the trustworthy one) and Al-Sadiq (the truthful), which likely contributed to people's willingness to listen to his revelations and follow him.

Who was Khadija and why is she significant in the early life of Muhammad?

Khadija was a wealthy widow who ran a vast trading enterprise in Mecca. She is significant because she employed Muhammad, proposed to him, and became the first person to believe in his revelations, supporting him throughout his early preaching.

What event is considered the beginning of Muhammad's prophetic mission and where did it occur?

The beginning of Muhammad's prophetic mission is considered to be his first revelation from God, which occurred in a cave on the outskirts of Mecca, known as Cave Hira, on the Mountain of Light, Jabal an-Nour.

How did the revelations initially affect Muhammad and what did he do in response?

The revelations initially concerned Muhammad, as he did not see himself as a preacher or prophet. He confided in his wife Khadija, who took him to her Christian cousin for reassurance, which helped him accept his role as a prophet.

What was the impact of Muhammad's preaching on the Quraysh tribe and the early Muslims?

Muhammad's preaching, which emphasized the oneness of God and rejected idol worship, threatened the establishment of Mecca and led to significant persecution of the early Muslims by the Quraysh tribe, resulting in some Muslims migrating to the Kingdom of Axum for protection.

Outlines

00:00

🕌 The Origins and Significance of Islam

This paragraph introduces the importance of understanding the beginnings of Islam, noting its widespread influence affecting nearly a quarter of the world's population. It highlights the central role of the Prophet Muhammad and the concept of Islam as surrender to the one God. The paragraph also establishes the historical context by placing Muhammad alongside significant biblical figures and emphasizing the Quran as the final testament in line with the teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. The socio-political landscape of 6th Century Arabia is described, characterized by tribal law and the absence of a formal empire, setting the stage for the rise of Islam.

05:00

🌙 Early Life and the First Revelations of Muhammad

The second paragraph delves into the early life of Muhammad, from his birth into a prominent family in Mecca to the hardships he faced as an orphan. It describes his evolution into a merchant with a reputation for trustworthiness, which led to his marriage to the wealthy widow Khadija. The narrative then shifts to the pivotal moment in 610 when Muhammad received his first revelation in the Cave Hira on the Mountain of Light. Despite initial doubts, he was reassured by Khadija's Christian cousin, validating his role as a prophet. The paragraph also touches on the persecution faced by early Muslims, the migration to Axum, and the personal tragedies Muhammad endured, including the death of Khadija, which marked a period known as the Year of Sorrows.

Keywords

💡Islam

Islam is a monotheistic religion founded in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula. It is based on the teachings of the Quran, which Muslims believe to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. In the video, Islam is the central theme, with its beginnings being the focal point of the historical narrative, highlighting its significance to nearly a quarter of the world's population.

💡Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad is the founder of Islam and is considered the last prophet in a line of messengers including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. The video script details his life and the revelations he received, which form the basis of Islamic doctrine. His experiences and teachings are central to understanding the origins and principles of Islam.

💡Quran

The Quran is the holy book of Islam, believed to be the verbatim word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel. The video mentions the Quran as the 'Final Testament,' emphasizing its importance as the ultimate source of guidance for Muslims and its role in building upon the teachings of earlier Abrahamic religions.

💡Surrender

In the context of Islam, 'surrender' refers to the act of submitting oneself to God, which is the core concept of the religion. The term 'Islam' itself means 'submission' or 'surrender.' The video explains that the revelations Muhammad received were about surrendering to God and recognizing His oneness, which is a fundamental aspect of Islamic belief.

💡Oneness of God

The oneness of God, or Tawhid in Arabic, is the belief in the absolute oneness of God, rejecting the worship of idols and asserting that there is no deity but God. This concept is a cornerstone of Islam, and the video script illustrates how Muhammad's revelations emphasized this principle, which was a radical departure from the polytheistic practices of his time.

💡Arabia

Arabia refers to the Arabian Peninsula, the birthplace of Islam. The video provides historical context by describing 6th Century Arabia as a region characterized by tribal law and a lack of centralized governance. This setting is crucial for understanding the social and political landscape in which Islam emerged.

💡Kaaba

The Kaaba is a cube-shaped building in Mecca, which is the most sacred site in Islam and the focal point for the Muslim prayer and pilgrimage (Hajj). The video mentions that the Kaaba housed hundreds of idols before Islam, indicating its religious significance before and after the emergence of the new faith.

💡Quraysh tribe

The Quraysh tribe was a powerful tribe in Mecca and the tribe to which Prophet Muhammad belonged. The video script explains that the Quraysh controlled Mecca and were responsible for the Kaaba, highlighting their social and religious influence in pre-Islamic Arabia.

💡Revelation

In the context of the video, a 'revelation' refers to the divine messages that Muslims believe were communicated to Prophet Muhammad by God through the angel Gabriel. The first revelation is a pivotal moment in the video's narrative, marking the beginning of Muhammad's prophetic mission and the establishment of Islamic teachings.

💡Persecution

Persecution in the video refers to the harsh treatment and violence faced by the early followers of Islam at the hands of the Quraysh tribe and others in Mecca. The script describes how the early Muslims were forced to migrate and face significant challenges due to their beliefs, illustrating the struggle for the spread of the Islamic faith.

💡Khadija

Khadija was a wealthy widow from Mecca who became the first wife of Prophet Muhammad and the first person to believe in his revelations. The video emphasizes her support for Muhammad, both personally and financially, and her role as a significant figure in the early development of Islam.

Highlights

Overview of the beginnings of Islam and its relevance to a quarter of the world's population.

Definition of Islam as 'surrender' and its focus on the oneness of God and rejection of idol worship.

Muhammad's life and revelations as the central theme of Islam's origins.

Contextualization of Islam within the teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, as a continuation of monotheistic traditions.

The Quran as the Final Testament in Islamic belief.

Historical setting of 6th Century Arabia, highlighting its tribal structure and lack of formal governance.

Mecca's significance as a religious and economic center due to idol worship and pilgrimage.

Muhammad's birth into the prominent Quraysh tribe and his early life challenges as an orphan.

Muhammad's reputation as a trustworthy merchant and his marriage to Khadija.

Khadija's role as the first believer in Muhammad's revelations and her support for him.

Muhammad's first revelation at the age of 40 in the Cave Hira on Jabal an-Nour.

Muhammad's initial reluctance and fear of his prophetic role, and reassurance from Khadija's Christian cousin.

The public preaching of Muhammad's revelations after three years of private contemplation.

The appeal of monotheism to the economically disadvantaged and the threat it posed to Mecca's establishment.

Persecution of early Muslims by the Quraysh tribe and the migration to the Kingdom of Axum.

The Year of Sorrows in 619, marked by the death of Muhammad's wife Khadija and his uncle.

The Hadith's account of Khadija's importance to Muhammad's life and mission.

Transcripts

- [Teacher] I'm now going to give an overview

on the beginnings of Islam.

And regardless of whether you are a part

of an Islamic culture, you are a practicing Muslim,

or you believe in the Islamic traditions,

it's valuable to learn about the beginnings of Islam

because, today, nearly one-fourth of the world's population

either is a practicing Muslim

or has grown up in an Islamic tradition.

Now, the beginnings of Islam really are centered

on the life and the revelations

of the Muslim prophet, Muhammad.

Now, the term, Islam, means surrender

and, as we'll see, a lot of the revelations of Muhammad

are about surrendering to God,

about the oneness of God, about not worshiping idols.

And to put Muhammad in perspective, on a timeline,

I have other significant biblical figures, here,

and these are important not just to get a reference

towards Christianity and Judaism,

but because, according to Islamic tradition,

Islam is built on top of the teachings

of Abraham, or the teachings of Moses and the Torah,

and the teachings of Jesus.

Muslims believe that the Quran is the Final Testament,

so to speak.

To get some context,

Muhammad was born is 6th Century Arabia,

and 6th Century Arabia was an interesting place.

In many other videos, we've talked

about various empires around the Mediterranean,

around the Mesopotamia and Persia.

And even on this map, in the time of Muhammad,

you see significant empires,

the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire.

You have Sasanid Persia.

But Arabia was never really consolidated,

or ruled, by a formal, or most of Arabia,

by a formal government or a formal empire.

The rule of law in most of Arabia,

and the world in which Muhammad was born into,

was a tribal world where you were protected

by your tribe and it was really the laws

of vendetta and revenge that kept certain things in check,

but also would lead to a lot of wars and a lot of violence.

And within Arabia, there were many folks

who are Bedouins, who were nomadic people,

who traveled through the desert

allowing their livestock to graze on whatever suitable land

they found, but you also had settled people

in places like Mecca.

You had people who'd settled and started agriculture

around oases.

Remember, most of the Arabian Peninsula is really desert.

And, Muhammad was born into a fairly,

or a very prominent family in Mecca.

He was born to the Quraysh tribe,

and the Quraysh tribe was essentially in control of Mecca,

and Mecca was a very powerful city to control

because it was a religious center for the region.

This is the Kaaba, which exists today,

and is the center of Islamic worship.

And, at the time, it housed hundreds of idols

which were important to the various tribes and people

of Arabia at the time.

And so, you can imagine as they did the pilgrimage

towards Mecca to worship their idols,

it also benefited the economy of Mecca in a significant way.

And not only was Muhammad born into this powerful tribe,

he was born into one of the most powerful clans

within that tribe,

and within one of the most powerful houses within that clan.

But even though he was born into this very powerful family,

clan, and tribe, his early life was quite difficult.

His father died right before he was born.

His mother dies at the age of six years old,

and, then, his grandfather,

who then takes custody of him,

and by most accounts, he doesn't get a lot of privileges.

When you're a member of a tribe,

you're essentially orphaned.

The tribe is doing, essentially, just the base necessities

to keep you alive.

But then his grandfather dies when he is eight years old,

and he becomes, he goes under the custody

of his uncle, Abu Talib.

Now, as he grows older, he does learn a skill.

He essentially becomes a merchant.

He goes on trading journeys with his uncle, Abu Talib,

to places like Syria.

And, as he does that, according to Islamic tradition,

he gets a very favorable reputation.

He gets these titles like, Al-Amin, the trustworthy one,

or Al-Sadiq, the truthful.

Now, he continues doing that until the age of 25.

At 25 years old, something very interesting happens.

A very wealthy widow, arguably one of the wealthiest people

in all of Mecca, who runs a vast trading enterprise,

Khadija, who is 40 years old,

she employs Muhammad and, apparently,

is so impressed by his honesty,

by his ability to be trustworthy,

that she propose to him,

and, remember, she's 40.

This would be her third marriage, and he is 25,

and he accepts the proposal.

Now, this is significant because as we'll see in this video

and the next, Khadija is the first one to follow Muhammad,

or believe in Muhammad's revelations.

So, he continues to work with his wife,

arguably work for his wife,

and, then, in 610, he's now 40 years old,

he is praying in a cave

on the outskirts of Mecca,

and while he's praying, he is purported

to get his first revelation from God,

according to Islamic traditions.

And that first revelation,

and this is the mountain where it is purported to happen,

the Mountain of Light, Jabal an-Nour.

This is the cave, Cave Hira.

The first revelation is, "Proclaim, in the name of thy Lord

"and Cherisher, Who created man,

"out of a clot of congealed blood.

"Proclaim, and thy Lord is most bountiful,

"who taught by the pen,

"taught man that which he knew not."

And so Muhammad, according to Islamic accounts,

he's kind of very concerned by this.

He does not view himself as a preacher.

He does not view himself as someone

who should be a prophet, and he goes to Khadija,

and he's worried, and Khadija takes him

to her Christian cousin, who reassures Muhammad,

who tells Muhammad that he believes that he is a prophet

in the tradition of Abraham and Moses.

And so, that, to some degree,

makes Muhammad feel a little bit better,

and he doesn't have some revelations for awhile,

and he becomes concerned.

But then, he eventually starts

to have many, many revelations,

but he keeps it to himself, at first.

But, roughly three years later, he starts

to publicly preach these revelations.

So, these revelations which really talk

about the oneness of God.

There's no God but God.

It's very appealing especially to some

of the economically lower strata,

but you could also imagine,

it's very, very threatening to the establishment of Mecca.

You have to remember, the establishment of Mecca,

it revolves around the worship of these idols,

and now you have this guy of the Quraysh tribe,

the tribe that worships Hubal,

the tribe that is in charge of Mecca,

that benefits from all these people

worshiping these various idols.

He's know saying that, "Idol worship is a sin."

He's saying that there's not God but God,

that all of these idols are false idols.

And so, the Quraysh tribe, Muhammad's own tribe,

begins to significantly persecute the early Muslims.

So much so, that many of the early Muslims have

to migrate from Mecca to the Kingdom of Axum,

which was ruled by a Christian king,

who protects them the Quraysh tribe.

This is now modern-day Ethopia, or Eritrea.

And so, things are not going well for these early Muslims.

They're being targeted by the Quraysh tribe.

They're being killed.

They're being tortured.

And then, things get even worse for Muhammad.

In 619, you have the death of his wife, Khadija.

And, just to get a sense of how powerful Khadija was

to Muhammad, we have this quote that we get

from the Hadith, which are accounts of Muhammad's life

and sayings, and it tell us,

"God Almighty never granted me anyone better

"in this life than her.

"She accepted me when people rejected me,

"she believed in me when people doubted me,

"she shared her wealth with me when people deprived me,

"and God granted me children only through her."

This is, once again, according to the sayings

or the life of Muhammad

as accounted for by one of the Hadith.

And not only did his wife,

who up to that time was his only wife,

die and was a significant figure,

but in that same year, his uncle also dies.

So, you can imagine this year, 619,

often referred to as the Year of Sorrows,

it's a fairly low point for Muhammad.

He's been preaching for about,

or he's been getting these revelations

and preaching for around nine years, now,

and things are not looking good.