MUHAMMAD AND ISLAM

Muhammad was born at Mecca in 570 in a Quraish tribe that ruled over the city and the surrounding area. His father died before his birth and his mother was left to raise him. Mothers of the Quraish tribe believed that the desert air, unlike the air in the cities, was healthier, so she handed over her son to a Bedouin woman who nursed him for two years. She then returned the boy to his mother who insisted that the Bedouin woman, Halima, take him back to the desert for two more years. During this time, Muhammad experienced epileptic seizures and was returned to his mother at the age of five. His mother soon died and Muhammad was placed in the care of his grandfather.

However, his grandfather died two years later and Muhammad was raised by his uncle, Abu Talib. This constant shifting from one caretaker to another could also have affected him emotionally. At age 12 Muhammad accompanied his uncle on his trips and tended to his uncle’s goats and sheep. He later wrote that being a shepherd was a prerequisite to being a prophet.

When he was 25 he worked for an older wealthy widow merchant, Khadija, accompanying her caravan to Syria. The widow offered to marry him and he accepted her proposal.

By age 40 Muhammad was disturbed by the idolatry and moral debasement of the people of Mecca. At that time he began spending much time in caves around Mecca, meditating about what should be the one true religion. He began having dreams and visions while in trances and wrote down his thoughts. Sometimes he despaired and even had thoughts about suicide. These were not the actions of a person in control of his emotions. Once, when contemplating suicide he believed the angel Gabriel appeared and told him that he was a prophet of Allah and that he should return and reclaim the lost people of the land. It was at this time that Muhammad began spreading his revelations and gathering the followers of Islam.

Ten years later his wife died. Just two months later he married a widow and then a seven-year-old girl. He would eventually marry 15 women, even though Muslims are only allowed to marry just 4 women. He explained to his followers that Allah had made an exception for only the prophet.

A long list of “holy wars” began as he and his followers spread out into surrounding areas. Those people who were conquered in these battles were given three choices: accept Islam, pay tribute, or die by the sword. As a result of this method of forced conversion, many Christian churches were turned into mosques to please the conquering Muslims. Many Christians not willing to abide by Muhammad’s demands were killed. All of the possessions of the conquered people were divided among the Muslim, with Muhammad getting one-fifth of the loot for himself. Thus began the teachings of Jihad and the killings for the cause of Islam. Muhammad told his followers that to die, while fighting for Islam, was a great honor and that those who died would go to eternity in Paradise and be surrounded by virgins.

Muhammad died at age 64, partially poisoned by Zainah, his adopted son’s ex-wife in a failed attempt because he spit out some of the poisoned food. In the year following his death, Muslims engaged in numerous battles to subdue Arab tribes. Jihad continued and the Muslims conquered Palestine and Syria and spread on into North Africa.

Since then Islam has spread throughout the world. Many Muslims have now reverted to acts of terrorism to kill any people who are unwilling to accept their version of Islam.

Following are quotes from the Koran:

• “Truly God loves those who fight.” 
• ”Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem.” 
• ”Chop off their hands and chop off their fingertips.” 
• ”When you meet the unbelievers, chop off their heads.” 
• ”Fight and slay those who don’t convert wherever you find them.” 
• ”Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends.” 
• ”Those who follow Muhammad are ruthless to unbelievers.” 
• ”Those who reject Islam are the ‘vilest of creatures’ and thus deserve no mercy.” 
• ”Fight them until Islam reigns supreme throughout the world.”

The word “Islam” does not mean peace.

It means “submission” to Allah.