The Facts About Muhammad

“We say the Quran is directly from Allah, but I doubt it.  I see in it the thoughts of man, not the words of a true God.”-stated by Dr. Mark A. Gabriel, former professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

Dr. Mark Gabriel  grew up a devout Muslim in Egypt, and had memorized the entire Quran by age 12.  He went on to earn a doctorate in Islamic studies, and taught at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, the most prestigious Islamic university in the world.   

After becoming a Christian by asking Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior, he went on to earn his PhD in Christian Education.  His books include…

 Here are some facts about Muhammad… 

Muhammad’s “revelations” began at age 40.  He was meditating during the holy month of Ramadan in the Cave of Hira when, he reported later, “Truth descended upon him” by the angel Gabriel.  This event is recorded in the Quaran/Surah 96:1-3, titled The Clot (Alaq).  He told his wife, Khadija about the event, and she told her cousin Waraqa (who was one of the most important leaders of Mecca because he was the “pastor” of the largest church).  Khadija swore that Muhammad’s Revelation” was a great sign that Muhammad was the prophet of the Arabic nation.  After meeting with Muhammad and telling him this, Waraqa died. 

So here we see the picture of Muhammad having an experience in the cave, not certain of the significance, but his wife and her cousin both support the idea that he has been chosen as a prophet of the true God.

 When Waraqa dies, Muhammad’s revelations also stopped.  He became suicidal with intent to throw himself from the tops of high mountains (Ibid, vol. 9, bk.87, no. 111. Narrated by Aisha).  Muhammad spent one month in the Cave of Hira, seeking more revelations.  After this, the revelations started coming “strongly, frequently, and regularly”.  The vent is covered in the Quran in Surah 74:1-5.

 After three years of quietly spreading his messages, Muhammad was supposedly told by the angel Gabriel to go public.  The people of Mecca were offended by his revelations.  Fortunately for him, O Abu Talib (his uncle) was in religious power and the people of Mecca could not kill him…so they harassed him.  Most of his converts during that time were lower class and slaves, however, over time, two powerful men joined with Muhammad0-Umar and Hmza (one of Muhammad’s uncles).  They were strong and aggressive which intimidated the Quraysh (the tribe from which Muhammad was born into.  “A people of commerce”).   

After awhile Muhammad and the converted Muslims left the city to go live in the desert valley next to it.  They became desperate for food because the merchants in the city raised the prices for them.  This became known as the Year of the Hunger.  All this time Muhammad spoke of revelations from Gabriel.  These verses were collected and would be part of the book known as the Quran.  The revelations often contain rebukes towards those who were persecuting him.   

At age 50 (three years later) the Quraysh decided to lift the boycott.  After all, they were family.  Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca.  Although his message met with little success, Muhammad made military agreements with the leaders to fight against those who were opposed to them. (Ibid. pg 204).  That was a very smart move for major change. 

He started sending followers to Mecca to live and was personally ready to emigrate from Mecca to Medina in a flight known as the hijra.  Muhammad had spent 13 years being cooperative and tolerant in Mecca.  After he moved to Medina, this soft lamb turned into a roaring lion.  Before the end of his first year in Medina, Muhammad announced that Allah had given him permission to fight (Ibid pg 280). 

They conducted raids and ambushes on caravans.  In Surah 8 of the Quran titled “Spoils of War”, Muhammad tells how the spoils were divided.  He took 20% and 80% was divided among the people who fought for him.  The revelations commanded Muslims to fight anyone who rejected his message of Ilam (Surah 8:39; 8:65).  The only way to be safe from Muhammad’s army was to accept Islam (Surah 8:38).  Muhammad taught that his mission was to spread Islam through the use of holy war.  He gave his followers authority to attack unbelievers and seize their belongings.

All of Arabia felt threatened by Muhammad and his growing armies.  The Muslims conducted a total of 38 raids and expeditions while Muhammad lived in Medina (Ibid pg. 659-660). 

Muhammad continued to receive messages from Gabriel.  They were collected and added to the Quran.  They called for spreading Islam by force.

 The largest Jewish community in Arabia was in Medina.  Muhammad expected them to accept Islam because he taught that there was only one God, just as the Jews believed.  However, the Jews were not impressed by his teachings.  They wanted proof that he was a true prophet (Surah 29:50).  Muhammad responded that he was just a man (a warner) and that the Quran itself was the only sign the people needed (Surah 29:50-51)!

 He debated the Jews for 3 years, and then he ordered the assassination of a well-known Jewish man who had been criticizing him with poetry (A.H. 3).  His attitude towards all Jews changed.  He waged war on them.

 Also while in Medina, his personal life changed also.  He signed a marriage contract with the daughter of one of his most faithful followers, Abu Bakr.  This would not seem unusual except that the girl was only six years old!  He married eleven others during his years in Medina according to Islamic history.

 In contrast, Jesus never married but stayed focused on his mission.

 Eight years after immigrating to Medina, Muhammad reached a new height in power.  He had 10,000 soldiers in his army, commanded by 4 leaders and himself (Ibin Ishaq, pg. 557).  He then took vengeance on Mecca in the name of Allah.   

After conquering Arabia, he contacted the rulers of countries outside of Arabia and called for them to accept Islam and Islamic rule.  He sent official letters with his personal seal to

(Ibn Hishman, vol. 3, pt. 6, pp. 13-14)

 The message was simple…”Convert to Islam and you will be saved.  And if you reject my challenge, you will be responsible for what will happen to you and your people.” 

In Surah 9:5, Muhammad tells his armies to “kill the Mushrikun (idol worshipers) wherever you find them.  But if they repent and perform As-Salat (prayers), and give Zakat (charity tax), then leave their way free.”

 A similar message was told to kill Jews and Christians (people of the Scriptures) in Surah 9:29.   

Muslims could give Jews and Christians three options…

There were no other alternatives.

 Now that Muhammad had control of Mecca, he called on all Muslims to make an annual pilgrimage to Al-Ka’ba to worship Allah (Surah3:97).  This is known as a hajj,    At this first hajj (surrounded by more than 100,000 Muslims), he gave what is known as the Sermon on Mount Arafat.

 In the 11^th year after his pilgrimage to Medina, Muhammad became deathly ill. He was nursed for 20 days by his wife Aisha, who was now 18 years old.  He died and was buried in Medina, and pilgrims still visit his grave today.

More to follow....

Information derived from a variety of sources including Dr. Mark A. Gabriel, former professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, author of the book, "Jesus and Muhammad".

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