The following material was the basis for a seminar on the life of Muhammad. While covering the major events of his life it primarily focuses on rarely discussed incidents, attitudes, and experiences. If this material is used for a similar seminar it is required that the presenter knows the subject well enough to go into additional depth and material. This material can be used as a study guide but in and of itself it is not an in-depth examination. References are provided to guide those interested into deeper reading.
PROLOG
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10: 4, 5
"I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer, and pay Zakat and if they do it, their blood and property are guaranteed protection on my behalf except when justified by law, and their affairs rest with Allah." Muhammad, Sahih Muslim, Book 1, #33
"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." Matthew 13:22
Whether or not you like it, we are in a war. If we are poorly prepared or trained, we will lose.
WHY THE STUDY OF MUHAMMAD'S LIFE IS IMPORTANT
If you wish to get involved with Islamic ministry you're going to have to know something about Islam. If you want to know Islam, you've got to know Muhammad. It was him, and him alone that spoke the Quran. It is his lifestyle, and his lifestyle alone that Muslims are commanded to imitate. 95% of the Sahih Hadith are referenced through Muhammad. If you want to know Islam, then you've got to know Muhammad. Muhammad is Islam.
There are a wide variety of Christian ministries to Muslims and some require that you know very little about Islam. Others require that you know more. God does not call each of us to the same ministry. Seek the Lord and find out what He is calling you to do. I suspect that in the end you are going to have to be able to speak intelligently about Islam and Muhammad. In order to do so, you're going to have to study on your own, and learn to think through topics for yourself.
SEMINAR GOALS
1) First we will review Islamic theological reference material for further study. In one year you will forget most of what I have said, but if I can point you to the best study materials you’ll be able to go deeper.
2) An overview of Muhammad’s life and how it relates to Islam today. Remember no one can present 23 years of a man's life comprehensively in just a couple of days.
3) We’ll savor the flavor of his actions; we’ll taste his fruit, and look into his makeup. This includes examination of deeds that display his character and focus upon spiritual experiences not often discussed.
If you want to know Muhammad you’ll have to know his strengths and his weaknesses. The better you know Muhammad, the better you will know Islam. Spend a few evenings with Muhammad. Have some meals with him. See the sunrise through his eyes, feel the oppressive heat of the day. Share his emotions as he feels the emotions of his people.
This material contains critical comments about Muhammad; be wise in your communication style. But remember Christians, people in general, and even Muslims, need education about Muhammad's dark side.
My presentation material is based upon and drawn almost entirely from Islamic theological works. References are provided.
Read, study, and think for yourself! Don’t let me, or others, do your thinking.
NOTES
ABOUT MUHAMMAD
"There is a good example in God’s apostle for those of you who look to God and the Last Day and remember God always." Quran, 33:21
"I have studied him - the wonderful man - and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ he must be called the saviour of humanity." George Bernard Shaw in The Genuine Islam
THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCEPT I WANT YOU TO GRASP IS
As circumstances changed, Muhammad changed, hence his theology - Islam, changed. The Muhammad of Mecca was not the Muhammad of Medina: the Islam of Mecca was not the Islam of Medina.
This is why Islam is so schizophrenic today. Some Muslims practice a Meccan form of Islam while other practice the Medinan form. Some will oscillate between the two, depending on their circumstances.
ISLAMIC SOURCE MATERIAL
"Knowledge is power." Francis Bacon
References = most important part of this seminar. Knowing what to read for further study is more important than me being a good speaker.
In order of importance of the early Islamic theological works are: the Quran, the Hadith, and the Sira.
QURAN - This is the primary Islamic textbook but it is practically worthless with respect to Muhammad's life.
HADITH - "Traditions". The Hadith are anecdotes, or stories, about specific events or principles that occurred during Muhammad's life. The collections of Hadith are not arranged chronologically nor are they presented in a chronological / biographical format. Rather they are arranged by topic or event.
These Hadith stories were sought out and compiled by various dedicated Muslims who desired to document aspects of Muhammad’s life.
In Sunni Islam there are 6 major collections of these traditions and many minor ones. These six are classified as "Sahih" or authentic. "Sahih" means authentic, reliable, trustworthy. Out of the 6 two are classified as the "Sahih of the Sahih", or the two best. These are the collections of Bukhari and Muslim.
Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, An-Nisi these four collections follow the above. At this time, as far as I know, all but An-Nisi are available in English. You can locate some of them on the internet.
Sahih Al-Bukhari:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/
Sahih Muslim:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/
Sunan Abu Dawud:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/abudawud/
SIRA - The Sira is biographical literature. These tell the story of Muhammad chronologically. The most authentic, early Sira, extant today is Ibn Ishaq’s "Sirat Rasulallah." This biography has been reconstituted and is available to us today as, "The Life of Muhammad", by A. Guillaume.
It contains some material that most all scholars doubt. Early Muslim biographers often embellished the accounts for various reasons.
Also available in English are the first four volumes of Ibn Sa'd's "Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir" or, "The Book of the Major Classes". Muir's "The Life of Muhammad", which used material from Wakidi's "Maghazi" or "Military Campaigns" of Muhammad is available on the Answering-Islam.org website: www.answering-islam.org/Books/Muir/Life1/section5.htm.
We also have Tabari's History - all 39 volumes. These are not Sira in formulation, but they do contain significant biographical material about Muhammad. (Volumes 6 - 9 are about Muhammad).
The authority of the Sira is often debated vigorously within Islamic circles. Many fundamentalist Muslims in the West are ashamed of the material because it records incidents that embarrass them in the eyes of a Western audience.
Early Sira material available in English
RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND REFERENCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
There are several excellent books about Muhammad written by later scholars.
If you want to expand your knowledge of Christian / Muslim topics then the following are recommended.
The books I mentioned above are written by contemporary writers, both Christian and Muslim, who present their information in a more tangible format then simply repeating historical facts.
Additionally there are many excellent books written by great scholars about Muhammad’s life. These authors include Watt, Gibb, and Lewis.
REFERENCES ON-LINE
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT SOURCE MATERIAL AND REFERENCES??
THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton
"The measure of a man is what he does with power." Pittacus
OVERVIEW
MECCAN VS MEDINAN PERIODS = WARNER VS WARRIOR
The one important thing I want you to learn about Muhammad is that his theology changed significantly after he fled to Medina from Mecca. In Mecca is was a peaceful "warner." In Medina he became the violent warrior.
As Muhammad’s circumstances changed, the rules of the game changed, his theology, his Islam, changed. What was not allowed was later allowed (probably based upon circumstance and chance of success). For example, we have the following statement about Muhammad’s transition from Mecca to Medina.
"The apostle had not been given permission to fight or allowed to shed blood before the second Aqaba. He had simply been ordered to call men to God and to endure insult and forgive the ignorant." Life of Muhammad (LoM), by A. Guillaume, p212
Warner quote:
And if your Lord had enforced His Will, surely, all who are in the earth would have believed together. Will you then force men to become believers? Quran 10:99
Warrior quote:
Then when the Sacred Months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform prayer and pay religious tax, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Quran 9:5
BACKGROUND OF MUHAMMAD'S TIME UP TO PROPHETHOOD
[Muhammad before his call: Tabari vol 6 p44 - 56, LoM p69 - 87]
VISTA: MUHAMMAD'S QUALITIES
"There are depths in man that go to the lowest hell, and heights that reach the highest heaven ..." Carlyle.
"The test of every religious, political, or educational system is the man which it forms." Amiel.
What qualities do you admire in a man?
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Muhammad was a man with good and bad qualities. He was not entirely evil, nor was he entirely good. He was human, he was a sinner. Don't demonize him. He was not pure evil. We must be honest and fair in our assessment.
MUHAMMAD'S GOOD CHARACTER TRAITS
He was strong, resolute, and consistent.
He preached his message persistently and patiently.
He shared in his followers' suffering and hunger.
He endured harsh persecution.
He labored persistently in the face of little success.
He faced death and did not back down.
He was just and humble among his followers.
His followers loved and obeyed him earnestly.
Some of his followers were tortured, even killed.
His followers gave their lives for him.
These are not the traits of a weak man.
BEAUTIFUL VERSES IN THE QURAN
The Quran contains many good instructions such as feed the hungry, love and help your fellow Muslims, you are a "community".
Sura 2:177
Righteousness does not consist in whether you face towards the east or the West. The righteous man is he who believes in God and the Last Day, in the angels and the Book and the prophets; who, though he loves it dearly, gives away his wealth to kinsfolk, to orphans, to the destitute, to the traveler in need and to beggars, and for the redemption of captives; who attends to his prayers and renders the alms levy; who is true to his promises and steadfast in trial and adversity and in times of war. Such are the true believers such are the God-fearing.
Sura 91:1-10
By the sun and his morning brightness,
And by the moon when she follows him,
And by the day when it displays him,
And by the night when it enshrouds him!
By the heaven and that which built it
And by the earth and that which extended it!
By the soul, and that which shaped it
And inspired it to lewdness and god fearing!
Prosperous is he who purifies it,
And failed has he who seduces it.
CONCLUSION: WHEN YOU JUDGE MUHAMMAD REMEMBER THAT HE HAD BOTH GOOD AND BAD CHARACTERISTICS.
CALL TO PROPHETHOOD - "THE EXPERIENCE IN THE CAVE" 610 AD
[Muhammad’s Call: Tabari vol6 p60 - 80, various Hadith, LoM p109 - 114]
In morals, what begins in fear usually ends in wickedness; in religion, what begins in fear usually ends in fanaticism. Fear, either as a principle or a motive is the beginning of all evil. Mrs. Jameson.
Muhammad often prayed / meditated in nearby hills. A "spirit" appeared to him, choked or squeezed him, and commanded him to recite! This freaked him out. Later this spirit told him that he was the angel Gabriel.
He said, "Recite!" and I said, "I cannot recite." He pressed me tight and almost stifled me, until I thought that I should die. Then he let me go, and said, "Recite!" I said, "What shall I recite?" only saying that in order to free my self from him, fearing that he might repeat what he had done to me.
Sura 96: 1-5 are the first Quranic verses spoken.
"Recite in the name of the Lord who created man from clots of blood. Recite! Your lord is the Most bountiful One, who by the pen taught man what he did not know."
Muhammad fled in terror. He ran home and hid, scared that he was demon possessed or had gone mad. Muhammad attempted suicide many times over the next three years.
"I thought, Woe is me poet or possessed - Never shall Quraysh, [the Meccans], say this of me! I will go to the top of the mountain and throw myself down that I may kill myself and gain rest." Muhammad, LoM p106.
The inspiration ceased to come to the messenger of God for a while, and he was deeply grieved. He began to go to the tops of mountain crags, in order to fling himself from them; but every time he reached the summit of a mountain, Gabriel appeared to him and said to him, "You are the Prophet of God." Thereupon his anxiety would subside and he would come back to himself. Tabari’s History, Vol 6, p76
Many people thought he was possessed or plagued by a demon (LoM, p121, 130). The Quran addresses these assertions that Muhammad was demon possessed or mad:
"No, your compatriot [Muhammad] is not mad. He saw him on the clear horizon. He does not grudge the secrets of the unseen, nor is this the utterance of an accursed devil." Sura 81:22-25
This is your first clue concerning the true author of Islam. It made Muhammad depressed and suicidal. This depression lasted for as long as 3 years. This type of behavior is characterized as a "mental disease."
God’s visits to His people do not cause them to become suicidal, rather the opposite effect occurs. However, demonic visitations do have that effect. Cases in point: 1) the herd of pigs running over the hill, 2) the demon possessed boy who was thrown into the fire. Ref. Matthew 8:30-33, 17:14-18
Additionally, we are able to deduce something about Muhammad’s pre-Islamic faith: he did not know God, and whatever faith he had in God was very weak. Had he had a relationship with God, or had a faith in the true God, he would have sought God and prayed to Him for help. Instead Muhammad wallowed in deep suicidal depression for some three years.
Don’t lose sight of this early, critical event: the power that influenced Muhammad damaged him and caused him great pain.
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND STUDY
1) Which Biblical characters, if any, experienced God, became depressed and attempted suicide?
2) If a person experienced demonic attack without knowing what was happening, how would you expect him to react?
3) Would God be the author of continued depression and suicide attempts?
4) Jesus was tempted by Satan and won. How might a man react who just made a deal with the devil?
THE WARNER - "PREACHING, PERSECUTION, AND PROTECTION "
[Preaching, Persecution, and Protection: LoM p117-218, Tabari vol 6 p88-145, various Hadith]
Two to three years after his initial experience Muhammad began to preach his message of Islam publicly to the Meccans. He called them to believe in one true God, accept him as a true prophet, i.e. Allah’s messenger, and mocked their pagan beliefs in other gods.
During this period of his life Muhammad was the "Warner" - he had no power to force anyone to believe:
"I am a warner to you in the face of a terrible doom." "I summon you to God and warn you of His punishment." Tabari vol 6, page 89, 92.
"And if your Lord had enforced His Will, surely, all who are in the earth would have believed together. Will you then force men to become believers?" Quran 10:99
Muhammad's life in Mecca paralleled Jesus' life. Muhammad was steadfast in his message, he endured insults and threats. Muhammad ridiculed the pagan faiths and incited the Meccans against him. At one point they asked him to stop denigrating their faith and they would leave him alone. He refused.
Because he denigrated the Meccan’s faith, and preached a different message, they moved against him. However, his uncle Abu Talib protected Muhammad. Therefore the Meccans did not outright kill him.
"Abu Talib, your nephew [Muhammad] has reviled our gods, denounced our religion, derided our traditional values and told us that our forefathers were misguided. Either curb his attacks on us or give us a free hand to deal with him for you are just as opposed to him as we are, and we will deal with him for you. Tabari, vol 6, pages 93, 94.
He gained few followers, and the Meccans often abused those that followed him.
"Then the Quraysh incited one another against those in their various clans who had become Companions of the Messenger of God and had accepted Islam with him." Tabari vol 6, page 97.
Muhammad also hated some of his opponents. Muhammad said, "Hear, men of Quraysh. By Him in whose hand Muhammad’s soul rests, I have brought you slaughter." Tabari vol 6 page 102.
Persecution grew severe and Muhammad sent many of his followers to Abyssinia for their protection. The Meccans organized a harsh boycott against the Muslims and their related tribes. They also tried to bribe him into compromise
Quraysh promised the Messenger of God that they would give him so much wealth that he would become the richest man in Mecca, would give him as many wives as he wanted in marriage, and would submit to his commands. They said, "This is what we will give you, Muhammad, so desist from reviling our gods and do not speak evilly of them. If you will not do so, we offer you one means which will be to your advantage and to ours." What is it? He asked. Thy said, "You will worship our gods, al-Lat, and al-Uzza, for a year and we shall worship your god for a year." Tabari, vol 6, pages 106, 107.
Muhammad refused their offer: He did not compromise his position or his faith. Ref. Sura 109:1-6. Persecution got extreme, times were hard for the Muslims.
ANY QUESTIONS?
VISTA: THE SATANIC VERSES
[The Satanic Verses: "Tabari's History", vol 6 p 107-113, "Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir", pages 236-239, LoM p165-167, "The Life of Mahomet", Volume 2, pages 150-152, by W. Muir, quoting "Kitab al-Wakidi"]
"And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." Jesus, Matthew 24:11
Many Muslims today deny that this incident occurred. However, the "Satanic Verses" event is documented in the earliest Islamic writings and much of the material is corroborated by details found in the Hadith and Quran.
Muhammad did want the suffering of his people to cease, and, he did want peace with his fellow Meccans. He hoped that Allah would give him a "revelation" that would bridge the gap.
"The Messenger of God was eager for the welfare of his people and wished to effect a reconciliation with them. ..." Tabari vol 6, page 107, 108.
Satan used these emotions to put his words into Muhammad's mouth. Muhammad recited Satan's words as God's literal words and allowed homage and prayer to pagan deities.
Sura 53:21 "Have you thought upon al-Lat and al-Uzza and Manat, the third, the other? "These are the high flying cranes; verily their intercession is accepted with approval."
The Meccans accepted Muhammad’s words and compromise with other gods.
"When Quraysh heard this, they rejoiced and were happy and delighted at the way in which he spoke of their gods ..." Tabari vol 6, page 108.
Gabriel reproves Muhammad and corrects his error. Consequently Muhammad recited different verses for that portion of the Quran - which in turn offended the Meccans. Muhammad felt bad about his sin, so Gabriel told Muhammad "Allah made light of it," i.e. that Allah made light of Muhammad’s sin and false Quranic words. Further he says that all previous prophets had been similarly tricked by Satan and committed the same sin and spoke Satan’s words.
Muhammad what have you done? You have recited to the people that which I did not bring to you from God, and you have said that which was not said to you." Then the Messenger of God was much grieved and feared God greatly, but God sent down a revelation to him, for He was merciful to him, consoling him and making the matter light for him, informing him that there had never been a prophet or a messenger before him who desired as he desired and wished as he wished but that Satan had cast words into his recitation, as he had cast words on Muhammad’s tongue." Tabari Vol 6, p109
In the OT, if someone caused the people to worship other deities they were to be put to death. If someone spoke the word of God falsely, they were to be put to death. Deut 13:1-5.
Jehovah did not make light of this sin, Allah did. Therefore they are not the same God. Unfortunately some Christians have said that the Islamic Allah and the Christian God, or Jehovah, are the same God. They are not.
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND STUDY
1) When does God ever "make light" of serious sin?
2) If the Quran was special, why couldn’t they tell the difference between Satan’s and Allah’s words?
3) If Muhammad and his Muslims were unable to tell Satan’s words from Allah’s, how much more of the Quran could be Satanic?
4) If the Quran is supposed to be the pure word of God, why didn't Muhammad immediately recognize his error? Why didn't Muhammad's followers recognize the error? Muhammad was unable to tell the difference between Satan's word and Allah's word! Does this sound like a true prophet?
THE PEOPLE IN NEED
[From Mecca to Medina: Tabari vol 6 p93-150, LoM p191-218]
The boycott was finally lifted and it brought relief to the Muslims. But Muhammad’s beloved wife Khadija died. Then his uncle Abu Talib died. That ended his protection. Muhammad understood that now he was in peril.
He went to the Pagan town of al-Taif seeking their protection. They rejected him, so he asked them to keep his failure a secret. Instead they physically abused him, and ran him out of town.
"In consequence of the growing hostility of Quraysh after Abu Talib’s death the apostle went to Ta’if to seek help from Thaqif and their defense against his tribe ... So the apostle got up and went, despairing of getting any good out of Thaqif. I have been told that he said to them, "Seeing that you have acted as you have, keep the matter secret" for he was loath that his people should hear about it, so that they would be still further emboldened against him." LoM p192-193.
In Mecca Muhammad still continued to preach his message. In the face of continuing peril he continued to present himself to the Arab tribes that made the various pilgrimages, proclaim his prophethood, and ask them to protect him:
The Messenger of God used to appear at the times of pilgrimage before the Arab tribes, summoning them to God, informing them that he himself was a prophet sent by God, and asking them to believe his words and defend him so that he might make manifest the message from God he had been sent to convey. Tabari volume 6, page 120.
Once he met with some men from Medina, from the Khazraj tribe. They told him about the various conflicts in Medina between the Arabs and the Jews. These tribes had their differences with the Jews, and the Jews warned them that one day a prophet would arise whom the Jews would join. Together they would defeat the Arab tribes.
These Khazraj tribesmen heard Muhammad speak the Quran and were impressed. They thought that Muhammad was that prophet the Jews warned them about. They decided to join up with Muhammad before the Jews, so that he would not be their enemy. They told Muhammad that there was division in Medina and they hoped he could be the one to end the feuds.
"Take note! This, by God, is the prophet with whom the Jews are menacing you. Do not let them be before you in accepting him." They responded to his call, believed in the truth of his message, and accepted the Islam which he expounded to them, saying, "We have left our people behind us, and no people is as divided by enmity and malice as they are. Perhaps God will reunite them by means of you; we shall go to them, summon them to your proposals, and expound to them this religion which we have accepted from you. If God reunites them in it, there will be no man mightier than you." Tabari, volume 6, page 125.
They went back to Medina and began to tell them about Muhammad and Islam. Twelve of them went back to Mecca and pledged themselves to Muhammad. This was the "First Pledge of Aqabah."
These converts preached Islam in Medina. Muhammad sent Muslims to Medina to teach Islam. Within a year or so, Muhammad had many committed followers in Medina. They swore to defend him.
[The Medinans said]: "By Him who sent you with the truth, we shall defend you as we would our womenfolk. Administer the oath of allegiance to us, O Messenger of God, for we are men of war and men of coats of mail; we have inherited this from generation to generation." Tabari vol 6, page 133
In swearing allegiance to him you are pledging yourselves to wage war against all mankind." Tabari vol 6, page 134
Later about 70 more Medinans returned to Mecca and met with and swore allegiance to Muhammad. This was the "Second Pledge of Aqabah." They returned and Islam spread greatly.
The significance is that now Muhammad had a large following of men who would put their lives on the line for him.
MUHAMMAD FLEES TO MEDINA
[Muhammad Flees to Medina: LoM p219-221, Tabari vol 6 p145-150]
"A hard beginning maketh a good ending." John Heywood
The persecution continued, and Muhammad knew that the Meccans would kill him eventually. Muhammad began sending his followers to Medina for their safety. This migration from Mecca to Medina is called the "Hijrah." Most people do not understand the significance of this event. It marks the establishment of an Islamic community. Islam is a spiritual, social, political, economic, and military system.
The Hijrah also marks a significant transition in Islam: the command to violence to establish Islam.
While still in Mecca, just before he fled to Medina, Muhammad received the "Order to Fight": Sura 22:39-41 and 2:193. The "Order to Fight" is Quranic revelation allowing aggressive violence - Sura 22:39-41 and 2:193.
22:39 Permission to fight is given to those (i.e. believers against disbelievers), who are fighting them ...
22:40 Those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly only because they said: "Our Lord is Allah." - For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.
22:41 Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salat. [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur'an as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures).
2:193 And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah) and worship is for Allah (alone). But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against the polytheists, and wrongdoers, etc.
Prior to Muhammad’s flight to Medina Allah told him that he could now fight the Meccans. Defensive and aggressive violence against non-Muslims was now allowed, encouraged, taught, and practiced. Many of the non-violent verses in the Quran were now "abrogated", or canceled. Circumstances changed, Muhammad’s opportunities changed, the rules of the game changed, and thus Muhammad’s Islam changed.
Muhammad fled to Medina and escaping by the skin of his teeth. Medina was some 200 miles to the north. There were many Arab and Jewish tribes living in that region.
The Hijrah Date: 622 or 623 - Beginning of Islamic calendar (After Hijrah = "AH") The Islamic community was established in Mecca.
MEDINA PERIOD: ESTABLISHMENT OF MUHAMMAD IN MEDINA AH 1
Muhammad’s theology changed after he fled to Medina from Mecca. In Mecca he was a peaceful "warner." In Medina he became the violent warrior. What was not allowed was later allowed (probably based upon circumstance and chance of success). For example, we have the following statement about Muhammad’s transition from Mecca to Medina.
"The apostle had not been given permission to fight or allowed to shed blood before the second Aqaba. He had simply been ordered to call men to God and to endure insult and forgive the ignorant." Life of Muhammad (LoM), by A. Guillaume, p212
Warner quote:
And if your Lord had enforced His Will, surely, all who are in the earth would have believed together. Will you then force men to become believers? Quran 10:99
Warrior quote:
Then when the Sacred Months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform prayer and pay religious tax, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Quran 9:5
The establishment of a viable community is the most important event in Muhammad's prophetic life. It signifies the transition from subjected to subjectors, from integration to segregation, from powerless to powerful, and from non-violence to violence.
Nothing is more misunderstood in contemporary discussions about Islam. If you learn one thing from this seminar, learn this: The rules of Muhammad and Islam changed. Violence was now taught, allowed, encouraged, and used.
Further, many of the more non-violent Quranic verses were abrogated upon this transition. Muhammad was now acting as the warrior. Bloodshed and terrorism were legal. Do not approach the Quran as you do the Bible. The two do not fit under the same paradigm.
"THE TIME TO FIGHT"
[A Time to Fight: Tabari vol. 7, p10-22, LoM p281-289]
"Thus Islam was gradually transformed from a purely spiritual mission into a militant and punitive organization whose progress depended on booty from raids and revenue from the zakat tax." Dashti, "23 Years", p97
KILLING AT THE CARAVAN RAIDS DURING THE HOLY MONTHS 2 AH
The Meccans no longer attacked Muhammad. But Muhammad started war with them by attacking Meccan and non-Meccan trade caravans. Muhammad began sending his men out to raid and rob other people's trade caravans. People were robbed, hurt, and some were killed. Eventually his men killed innocent caravan drivers.
To complicate matters, the Muslims fought during the "sacred months", a time set aside for peace among the pagans to carry out their livelihood. The people Muhammad attacked were not Meccans. Muhammad received a revelation justifying the robbery and murder: Sura 2:216, 217.
216. Fighting is prescribed for you and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not.
217. They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month. Say: "Fighting is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah to deny Him to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque and drive out its members. Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you turn back from their faith and die in unbelief their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be Companions of the Fire and will abide therein.
Note how this revelation allows Muhammad to rob and murder others. Again, as circumstances changed, Muhammad’s theology changed, and the Quranic revelation changed.
Remember, Muhammad said, ""I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer, and pay Zakat and if they do it, their blood and property are guaranteed protection on my behalf except when justified by law, and their affairs rest with Allah." Sahih Muslim, Book 1, #33
EVENT OF THE BATTLE OF BADR - 2 AH
[The Battle of Badr: Tabari vol 7 p26-64, LoM p289-330, various Hadith]
Because of Muhammad’s raids, the Meccans defended their property. During one significant raid the Meccans came out in force to defend their possessions. Tabari says that Muhammad's actions are what provoked thef state of war.
Tabari, volume 7, page 29:
This incident had provoked (a state of) war between the Messenger of God and Quraysh and was the beginning of the fighting in which they inflicted casualties upon one another...
Abu Sufyan led the Meccans against the Muslims. They fought at the Battle of Badr. The Meccans numbered near 1000 men, the Muslims around 300. The Muslims were scared but fought bravely and defeated the Meccans - thus winning a great victory. They rejoiced in their victory and that Allah was with them. Some 70 Meccans died, including some of their nobles.
Afterwards Muhammad acted in a bizarre fashion. He threw many bodies in a well and mocked them. Muhammad said Allah brought the dead back to life to they could hear the mockery!
Sahih al-Bukhari 5:314
Narrated Abu Talha:
On the day of Badr, the Prophet ordered that the corpses of twenty-four leaders of Quraish should be thrown into one of the dirty dry wells of Badr. (It was a habit of the Prophet) that whenever he conquered some people, he used to stay at the battle-field for three nights. So, on the third day of the battle of Badr, he ordered that his she-camel be saddled, then he set out, and his companions followed him saying among themselves. "Definitely he (i.e. the Prophet) is proceeding for some great purpose." When he halted at the edge of the well, he addressed the corpses of the Quraish infidels by their names and their fathers' names, "O so-and-so, son of so-and-so and O so-and-so, son of so-and-so! Would it have pleased you if you had obeyed Allah and His Apostle? We have found true what our Lord promised us. Have you too found true what your Lord promised you?" 'Umar said, "O Allah's Apostle! You are speaking to bodies that have no souls!" Allah's Apostle said, "By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, you do not hear, what I say better than they do." (Qatada said, "Allah brought them to life (again) to let them hear him, to reprimand them and slight them and take revenge over them and caused them to feel remorseful and regretful.") On the day of Badr, the Prophet ordered that the corpses of twenty-four leaders of Quraish should be thrown into one of the dirty dry wells of Badr. (It was a habit of the Prophet that whenever he conquered some people, he used to stay at the battle-field for three nights. So, on the third day of the battle of Badr, he ordered that his she-camel be saddled, then he set out, and his companions followed him saying among themselves." "Definitely he (i.e. the Prophet) is proceeding for some great purpose." When he halted at the edge of the well, he addressed the corpses of the Quraish infidels by their names and their fathers' names, "O so-and-so, son of so-and-so and O so-and-so, son of so-and-so! Would it have pleased you if you had obeyed Allah and His Apostle? We have found true what our Lord promised us. Have you too found true what your Lord promised you? "'Umar said, "O Allah's Apostle! You are speaking to bodies that have no souls!" Allah's Apostle said, "By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, you do not hear, what I say better than they do." (Qatada said, "Allah brought them to life (again) to let them hear him, to reprimand them and slight them and take revenge over them and caused them to feel remorseful and regretful.")
Muhammad gloated over their dead bodies. Muhammad’s bitterness expressed itself. Muhammad said that Allah brought the bodies back to life just so they could hear him mock them!
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND STUDY
1) Do you think God would bring back dead people in order for them to be mocked?
2) Muhammad is tested here: what did his heart reveal?
MURDER OF ABU AFAK 2 AH
[The Murder of Abu Afak: LoM p675, Tabaqat Vol 2 p32]
In Medina there were Jews who saw through Muhammad. Most of the Jews rejected Muhammad completely. One such Jew was a 120-year-old man: Abu Afak. He spoke out to his fellow citizens and urged them to reject Muhammad. He did not urge violence against Muhammad.
Muhammad could not tolerate denial of his prophethood, after all, his sanity depended on it.
Muhammad asked his men to murder Abu Afak: "Who will deal with this rascal for me?" During the night a Muslim murdered Abu Afak as he slept.
"... so he placed the sword on his liver and pressed it till it reached his bed."
Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir, Vol 2, p32
This was not a "legal" killing. This was a brutal murder done under cover of night. It was a literal deed of darkness.
Muhammad could not handle people challenging his credibility. That was the worst thing you could do to Muhammad: i.e. go against what that spirit told him so long ago that started him on this journey. His "prophethood" was his pride and joy, it was his identity, it was his raison d’être.
Remember Muhammad’s words ..., "I have been commanded to fight ..." That included murdering those who denied his prophethood.
MURDER OF ASMA MARWAN AH 2
[The Murder of Asma Marwan: LoM p675-676, Tabaqat Vol 2 p31]
Asma was a mother of 5 children some still in infancy, and she spoke out against Muhammad and his murder of Abu Afak. This troubled Muhammad so he asked his men to murder her as well: "Who will rid me of Marwan’s daughter?" During the night a Muslim crept into her home and stabbed her to death while she slept with her children.
"He thrust his sword in her chest till it pierced up to her back. Then he offered the morning prayers with the prophet at al-Medina. The apostle of Allah said to him: "Have you slain the daughter of Marwan?" He said: "Yes. Is there something more for me to do?" He [Muhammad] said: "No. Two goats will butt together about her." Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir, Vol 2, p31
Muhammad was right, her tribesmen didn’t care about her murder. The following day the Muslim murderer returned and mocked her children.
"The day after Bint Marwan was killed the men of B. Khatma became Muslims because they saw the power of Islam."
Note the "power of Islam" = getting away with murder!
Jesus addressed similar people by pointing out the spirit that drove them:
"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him." Jesus, John 8:44
The bottom line is that Abu Afak and Asma were not legitimate threats to Muhammad. They didn't scare him, they were not leaders of their tribes, and they had little or no influence. They were just a nuisance to him. Yet Muhammad had them murdered, again, in premeditated cold blood. Asma and Abu Afak were murdered simply because they rejected Muhammad.
QUESTION FOR THOUGHT AND STUDY
1) Does the "power of Islam" mean transforming men into cold-blooded killers who use deadly violence and get away with murder?
MUHAMMAD'S CONFLICT WITH THE JEWS OF BANU QAYNUQA - AH 2
[Conflict with the Banu Qaynuqa Jews: Tabaqat Vol 2 p32, Tabari vol 7 p85-87, LoM p260, LoM p363, Muir chapter. 13 p134-138.]
"Hearts have changed. Islam has blotted all treaties out." One of Muhammad’s followers speaking to former allies.
The Banu Qaynuqa Jews were one of the larger Jewish tribes. Muhammad felt threatened by them and wanted to rid himself of them. At one point, the angel, "Gabriel" told Muhammad he could attack them if he wanted. After the victory of Badr Muhammad told the Qaynuqa Jews that they should acknowledge his prophethood or they would be defeated like the Meccans. The Jews refused him and told him they were ready to fight.
Sahih Muslim, Book 019, Number 4363:
"I am preaching Allah’s word so accept Islam and be safe. Otherwise, the earth belongs to Allah and His apostle and I wish to expel you from Medina." (Paraphrase of Sahih Muslim, book 19, #4363).
Now Muhammad was the landlord of the world!
Shortly thereafter an incident occurred in the market place between a Jew and Muslim. This led to Muhammad's attack upon the Qaynuqa. Muhammad besieged them for 15 days. They negotiated and made a deal with Muhammad that they could leave and take what they could carry. Then they surrendered.
However, Muhammad lied and he had them tied up. He prepared to massacre the adult males and enslave the women and children. But a pagan leader - Ubay b. Salul, intervened and insisted that Muhammad not carry out the brutality. Muhammad allowed them to leave Medina.
"They submitted to the orders of the apostle, that their property would be for the prophet while they would take their women and children with them. Then under his orders their hands were tied behind their backs ... Ibn Ubay had a talk with the apostle and entreated him (to release them) ... He abandoned the idea of their killing and ordered them to be banished from al-Madinah." Tabaqat vol 2, p32, 33.
As Ubay grabbed Muhammad ...
The Messenger of God said, "Let me go!" – he was so angry that they could see shadows in his face (that is, his face colored). Then he said, "Damn you, let me go!" ... (Muhammad said) "They are yours."
Muhammad allowed them to leave Medina.
One of the Jews asked one of his former friends who was now a Muslim how they could be so harsh with them. The Muslim's attitude was this: "hearts have changed. Islam hath blotted all treaties out."
Think about current events - how many incidents can be named in which American Muslims betrayed their fellow citizens? ? Islam is a spiritual power that manifests itself in the physical.
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND STUDY
1) How do you think the "hearts have changed. Islam hath blotted all treaties out." statement affects Muslim's loyalty living in America today?
2) What do you think of a pagan having a higher standard of morality than Muhammad?
THE MURDER OF IBN SUNAYNA 3 AH
[The Murder of Ibn Sunayna: LoM p369, Abu Dawud Book 19, #2996]
Ibn Sunayna was a Jewish shopkeeper on good terms with the Muslims. But Muhammad hated the Jews and ...
The apostle said, "Kill any Jew that falls into your power." Thereupon Muhayyisa b. Masud leapt upon Ibn Sunayna, a Jewish merchant with whom they had social and business relations, and killed him.
Muhayyisa’s brother reproached him for the cold-blooded murderer, and Muhayyisa replied ...
"Muhayyisa said to his brother, "If Muhammad had ordered me, I would have cut off your head!"
This incident shows that Muhammad had unsuspecting people, those who even had good relations with Muslims, murdered in cold blood because they were Jewish. There was no justification to murder these Jews other than they were not Muhammad's followers.
Muhammad intimidated non-Muslims by violence and settled his scores by bloodshed.
THE BATTLE OF UHUD 3 AH
[The Battle of Uhud: Tabari vol 7 p135-134, LoM p370-426, various Hadith]
The Meccans regrouped and later went out to attack Muhammad. They wanted vengeance for their earlier defeat.
Many of Muhammad’s men urged him to go out of the town to fight, but Muhammad wanted to stay in Medina and fight. They persisted and finally he relented and prepared to go out to fight.
But then his men had a change of heart and said he was correct all along and they should stay in the town to meet the Meccans. However, Muhammad replied, "It is not fitting for a prophet to put on his coat of mail and then take it off again before fighting." Further, his men reminded Muhammad that the Jews were obliged to help him defend the town but he replied, "We don’t need them."
The Meccans moved against the Muslims and the battle took place near the mount of Uhud. The Muslims numbered some 700 - 1000, the Meccans some 3000. They fought a large battle and the Muslims were defeated. Some 70 of the Muslims were killed. Muhammad was struck in the face with a large rock.
"The Muslims were put to flight and the enemy slew many of them. It was a day of trial and testing in which God honored several with martyrdom, until the enemy got at the apostle who was hit with a stone so that he fell on his side and one of his teeth was smashed, his face scored, and his lip injured." LoM p380.
The defeat was explained that different groups did not follow the battle plan. Further Allah honored some with martyrdom and allowed the defeat to test their hearts in order to distinguish between true believers and hypocrites.
Allah said, "in the time in which I let them get the better of you to test you thereby to show you your true selves." LoM p394.
THE ATTACK ON THE BANU NADIR JEWS 4 AH
[Attack on the Banu Nadir Jews: Tabari vol 7 p156 on, Sahih Muslim, # 4324, 4347, Abu Dawud, # 2676, LoM p265, 437 on, Tabaqat Vol 2, p68 – 71]
Not long after the defeat at Uhud, relations between Muhammad and the Banu Nadir became very strained. Muhammad had murdered some of their leaders previously and they resented his evil actions.
Muhammad had been in negotiations with the Banu Nadir. During one of his visits with them he received yet another "revelation". This one revealed to him that the Jews were plotting to kill him. He left their premises and returned with his army to make war upon them.
Muhammad destroyed their food trees. The Nadir challenged him because he had previously taught his troops to not destroy food trees. Muhammad replied that he had Allah's permission to do so because the Jews were so evil.
In the Old Testament God commanded the Israelites to not destroy food trees. But, Muhammad claimed to have a "revelation" allowing him to do so - Sura 59:5.
Since when does God break his own word? Isn’t this more like an opportunist’s attitude than a supreme God’s attitude? Remember, as circumstances changed, Muhammad changed, Islam changed.
The Jews were defeated and eventually surrendered. Muhammad expelled them from the land. "Leave in a couple days otherwise I will kill you."
One very important note: one old friend of the Nadir spoke Muhammad's harsh message to them. They said they were surprised to hear him say that.
Muhammad said, "Hearts have changed, and Islam has wiped out the old covenants."
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND STUDY
1) How do you think "hearts of changed" affects America Muslims loyalty?
2) Notice how Muhammad received a timely revelation from Allah to justify going against his previous commands?
THE BATTLE OF THE TRENCH or BATTLE OF CONFEDERATES AH 5
[The Battle of the Trench: parts of Sura 33, Tabari vol 8 p5-26, LoM p456-460, various Hadith]
Following the Nadir expulsion various Jewish and Arab groups, including Meccans, joined together to attack the Muslims. The Muslims built a trench to defend themselves. They worked hard to get it finished prior to the attack. The forces numbered some 10,000 Allies and 3000 Muslims.
A local Medinan Jewish tribe, the Qurayza, also negotiated with the Allies. The Muslims worried: if the Qurayza joined the Allies it would put the Muslims in a severe position. Muhammad aided by an Ally defector, tricked the Qurayza into not helping the Allies.
The Qurayza did not join the Allies, they did not let them use their land, and they did not attack the Muslims. But they did state they did not consider obligated to Muhammad's "Pact of Medina" - which was probably an edict issued by Muhammad upon the Jews early in his time in Medina.
Because of the defensive strength of the trench the Allies laid siege to the Muslims. It lasted for about a month. Only minor skirmishes occurred during that time.
A leading Muslim, Sa'd Mu'adh, was critically wounded. He believed he was dying and he prayed that he would see Allah destroy the Qurayza Jews prior to his death.
Eventually, the Allies gave up the siege for various reasons. A windstorm demoralized the remaining fighters.
Then Abu Sufyan said, "People of Quraysh, by God you are not in a place where one can stay. Horses and camels have perished. The Banu Qurayzah have broken their promise to us ... and you can see what we have suffered from this wind ... So saddle up, I am leaving."
Muhammad and Muslims showed great patience, hope, faith, and steadfastness in the face of this great adversity. This was a magnificent victory for the Muslims and proof that Allah was with them. They defeated a powerful force.
This victory was a great testament to Muhammad’s leadership. He stood firm in the face of great adversity. He endured patiently the deprivations of the siege. He remained faithful to Allah. He was a superb example to his followers, and they loved him and believed in him all the more.
MASSACRE OF THE BANU QURAYZA JEWS AH 5
[Massacre of the Qurayza Jews: Tabari vol 8 p27-41, LoM p461-466]
After the Meccans withdrew from Medina Muhammad turned upon the Qurayza Jews. The spirit called "Gabriel" told Muhammad to attack them. Muhammad laid siege to them. One Muslim friend of the Jews, Lubabah, told the Jews that Muhammad intended to massacre them.
They said, "O Abu Lubaba, do you think that we should submit to Muhammad’s judgment?" He said, "Yes," and pointed with his hand to his throat, signifying slaughter.
The Jews surrendered, hoping to avoid a massacre and that Muhammad would be merciful to them as he was to the Nadir. But Muhammad was extremely devious: he picked Sa'd Mu'adh to judge the Jews.
Remember it was Sa’d who prayed and publicly stated:
Sa’d [Mu’adh] said, "O God, do not let me die until Thou make my eye see its desire upon the Banu Qurayzah."
Sa’d judged that the adult males, (around age 13 and up), be executed, and the women and children enslaved. He pronounces adult male massacre and slavery of women and children. Muhammad agreed completely with Sa’d, and said it was God’s judgment as well. From 600 to 800 men were beheaded. Later, some of the women were sold to purchase horses and weapons.
[Sa’d said], "I pass judgment on them that their fighters shall be killed and their children made captives and that their property shall be divided." [Muhammad said], "You have passed judgment on them with the judgment of God and the judgment of His messenger."
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND STUDY
1) The Israelites wiped out many Canaanites, including men, women, and children. Muhammad only enslaved the women and children. Is Muhammad justified in his action because the Israelites did the same thing and even worse? See a thorough discussion of this at: http://www.christian-thinktank.com/qamorite.html.
2) How would the world react if the Jews in Israel were to mete out similar justice to the Palestinians?
VISTA OF THE TREATMENT OF FEMALE SLAVES
"Slavery is a system of the most complete injustice." Plato
"Slavery is an atrocious debasement of human nature." Franklin
The Quran says men are allowed to have sexual relations with their female slaves - 70:22-30, (and in other verses as well). Muslim men were given females as spoils of war. The passage below illustrates that these female slaves were the soldier's property, and as such the owners were entitled to use the females sexually.
"He (Muhammad) used to visit her (Mariyam) there and ordered her to veil herself, [but] he had intercourse with her by virtue of her being his property." Tabari's History, volume 39, page 194
Also in the Hadith there are two separate incidents that Muslim men describe using the females sexually, immediately following a battle. Below is one of them.
"We went out with Allah's messenger on the expedition to the Mustaliq and took captive some excellent Arab women; and we desired them for we were suffering from the absence of our wives, (but at the same time) we also desired ransom for them. So we decided to have sexual intercourse with them but by observing azl" (withdrawing the male sexual organ before emission of semen to avoid conception). But we said: "We are doing an act whereas Allah's messenger is amongst us; why not ask him?" So we asked Allah's messenger and he said: "It does not matter if you do not do it, for every soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born". Sahih Muslim, Volume 2, #3371
MUHAMMAD ALLOWED THESE WOMEN TO BE RAPED! But, to the Muslims it was not rape; it was fair use of property. (Ref. to Sahih Muslim volume 2, #3371 and 3432).
Pause for a minute and put yourself in the female’s shoes. How would you feel if you saw your tribe attacked, your male relatives killed or enslaved, and then you were given to an enemy soldier as his slave? Do you think she wanted to have intercourse with the Muslim soldiers?
QUESTION FOR THOUGHT
1) Do you think Muslims should be grateful that their females are not treated the way Muhammad treated non-Muslim females?
MURDER OF UMM QIRFA 6 AH
[LoM p665, Tabaqat vol 2, pp 111, 112]
Muhammad sent his men out on many raids against non-Muslim tribes. One such tribe defeated the Muslims. The Muslims returned later, and attacked the tribe, and defeated and enslaved many of them. One was a very old woman who was a leader of the tribe. The Muslim leader, Zayd (whom Muhammad had previously adopted as his son), took her and tied her up between two camels and caused them to run. This ripped her body in half!
Note the intrinsic brutality and cruelty in Muhammad's "Companions", i.e., those that knew him best. These companions were more like a gang of brutal criminals. Only people of deep depravity do this type of act. And this was not the only time Muslims did such things to people.
The brutal murders of Daniel Stern, the nurses and doctors in Arab countries recently are rooted in the early Muslim actions. The killing of nuns in Algeria, the murder of Pastors in Iran, the murder of Catholic priests in Pakistan are tied to the spirit of Islam. They are real Muslims Remember, Muhammad never censured his men for doing thing like this.
THE FAILURE AT HUDAYBIYYA - 6 AH
[Failure at Hudaybiyya: Tabari vol 8 p67-70, LoM p499-503]
Muhammad had a vision that he believed came from Allah: to go to Mecca to fulfill a religious ritual. He and 1400 men made extensive preparations and departed.
However the Meccans did not want Muhammad in their city and confronted the Muslims just outside of Mecca. Muhammad negotiated with a Meccan named Suhayl. They negotiated a treaty, one that was unfavorable and humiliating to the Muslims. The was the "Treaty of Hudaybiyya". Some of the stipulations were:
One Muslim prisoner, Abu Jandal, attempts to escape the Meccans during this time and as a result of the treaty Meccans can seize him and forcibly remove him from the Muslim enclave. Abu Jandal is then abused in front of the Muslims. The Muslims were not allowed to intervene.
Suddenly Abu Jandal ... came walking with short steps in shackles. He had escaped to the Messenger of God. The companions of the Messenger of God had set out not doubting that they would conquer, because of a vision the Messenger of God had seen ...
When Suhayl saw Abu Jandal, he went up to him, struck him on the face, and grabbed him by the front of his garment.
Abu Jandal began screaming at the top of his voice, "People of the Muslims, shall I be returned to the polytheists for them to torment me for my religion?" Tabari vol 8, p87
The Muslims return humiliated and defeated, wondering why Muhammad backed down in the Meccan’s face. But Muhammad claims he had another "revelation" that this humiliating event was a great victory. He promises them booty yet to come - the booty of the prosperous Jewish settlement of Khaibar. Ref. Quran 47:1, 2
After he returned to Medina some female Muslims left Mecca and made their way to Medina. The Meccans requested that Muhammad honor his word and keep the provisions of the Treaty of Hudaybiyya. However Muhammad did not keep his word. He claimed to have yet another word from Allah allowing him to lie and break the treaty of Hudaybiyya. Thus he refused to return the women.
THE ATTACK UPON KHAYBAR 7 AH
[Attack on Khaibar: Tabari p116-123, LoM p510-521]
Khaybar was a prosperous Jewish enclave. It had of a loose system of forts to defend their agricultural land. They had joined in with the Allies during the Battle of the Trench. Muhammad attacked and besieged the forts.
The siege was very difficult for both sides. Once again Muhammad's determination, patience and endurance won him the victory. The Muslims endured great hardship during the siege and some wanted to give up and return to Medina. But Muhammad persisted. He had the fortitude, confidence, and strength to conquer those that opposed him. This was another battle of willpower and guts.
Finally the remaining Jews in the un-conquered forts made a deal with Muhammad to let them remain and farm the land and give him 1/2 of all the produce. The Jews would also be subject to the Muslim’s orders. The Jews that were captured earlier were forced into slavery.
This deal was a wise move on Muhammad's part because it provided him with free food and free money. This enabled him to meet his community’s needs and to finance other operations. Later, when they were no longer needed the Caliph Umar expelled the remaining Jews from Khaybar. (Also, Muhammad had previously instructed that no non-Muslim should be allowed to remain in the land).
THE TORTURE AND DEATH OF KINANA - 7 AH
[Torture and Murder of Kinana: LoM p515, Tabari vol 8 p122, 123]
Following the conquest of Khaibar Muhammad demanded to obtain their "treasure". He seized one of their leaders, Kinana, and demanded it. But Kinana said he did not know of any treasure. Thereupon Muhammad had him tortured with fire on his chest until he would talk. As Kinana neared death without saying anything, Muhammad had him beheaded.
"Torture him until you extract what he has." So he kindled a fire with flint and steel on his chest until he was nearly dead. Then the apostle delivered him to Muhammad b. Maslama and he struck off his head, in revenge for his brother Mahmud.
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND STUDY
1) Think about Muhammad's statement, "Torture him until you extract what he has". This is the prophet of Islam in action when he now has the power of the sword. What kind of a man is the prophet of Islam?
2) How would the world react today if this were done?
3) What type of people torture others to obtain money?
4) How would Muslims react if this were done to them?
VISTA OF MUHAMMAD'S MARRIAGES
[Vista of Relationships; Night Journey: LoM p182-186, various Hadith]
This topic is very controversial. Let us examine Muhammad’s marriage and sexual relationships. You want to see his motivations and character? Examine how he viewed and interacted with women with whom he was intimate.
Muhammad married many women and he had sexual relations with women with whom he was not married. I believe that some of those marriages were out of compassion for the woman, some were out of lust. None of the marriages (with the possible exception of Khadija - and she asked him to marry her) seem to have been made out of love for the woman. In fact at one point Muhammad was considering divorcing all of his wives at the same time!
Muhammad's marriage motivations were mixed.
Compassionate marriages: For example, the Islamic texts do not explicitly say this but I think that he married Sawda to provide for her and help him with his children, and married Hafsa to provide for his good friend's (Umar) daughter. But he had other motives for some other marriages.
Marriages and relations out of simple sexual desire
ZAYNAB bint JAHSH
In Paradise Muhammad saw a beautiful, desirable woman. There he asked the angel giving him the tour who this woman was for. The angel said, "Zaid". Zaid was Muhammad's adopted son.
"Then he took me into Paradise and there I saw a damsel with dark red lips and I asked her to whom she belonged, for she pleased me much when I saw her, and she told me "Zayd b. Haritha". The apostle gave Zayd the good news about her." LoM p188
Zaynab was Muhammad’s cousin. Zayd, married Zaynab eventually. Perhaps Muhammad believed that his cousin was meant for Zaid so he himself never pursued her. However, one day Muhammad saw her unveiled and exclaimed how beautiful she was! She overheard him and told Zaid.
When Zaid learns that Muhammad was enraptured by her beauty, he told Muhammad he would divorce her to allow Muhammad to marry her and enjoy her sexually. Muhammad refused completely and told Zaid to remain married to her. However, the mental damage was done. Zaid later divorced Zaynab. Muhammad married her thereafter.
Marrying a relative like this was frowned upon by the Arabs, so once again, like Felix the Cat, Muhammad reached into his bag of tricks and experienced yet another timely "revelation" justifying his marriage to his son's wife. Sura 33:37
JUWAYRIYAH
"She was a sweet, beautiful woman who captivated anyone who looked at her."
Aisha said, "She was a most beautiful woman. She captivated every man who saw her. ... As soon as I saw her at the door of my room I took a dislike for her for I knew that he would see her as I saw her. LoM p493
SAFIYA
Dihya came and said, 'O Allah's Prophet! Give me a slave girl from the captives.' The Prophet said, 'Go and take any slave girl.' He took Safiya bint Huyai.
Muhammad allowed Dihya to take Safiya as booty from the Khaibar raid. But shortly thereafter Muhammad's friends told him that she was too beautiful and only fit for Muhammad. Muhammad commanded that she be brought before him. He took one look at her and told Dihya to give her to himself and to take other slaves and booty.
So the Prophet said, 'Bring him along with her.' So Dihya came with her and when the Prophet saw her, he said to Dihya, 'Take any slave girl other than her from the captives.' Anas added: The Prophet then manumitted her and married her." Sahih al-Bukhari 1:367 (ref 5:522)
Muhammad chumped one of his own soldiers just to have sex with a beautiful woman! This was a man who had fought for Islam and Muhammad, a man who put his life on the line yet when it came to Muhammad’s sexual desires, Muhammad broke his word, and trod upon his man.
SLAVE WOMAN - MARIYAH THE COPT
[Tabaqat vol 1 p151, Tabari vol 39 p194]
She and her sister were gifts from the governor of Egypt. He gave the sister away and kept Mariyah.
The apostle of Allah liked Mariyah who was of white complexion and curly hair and pretty ... Then he cohabited with Mariyah as a handmaid.
Mariyah later bore him a son - Ibraheem. Afterwards Muhammad set her free and married her. Ibraheem died after 18 months. Some traditions say that Muhammad spent more time than he was supposed to with her - and because of this other wives missed their turns with Muhammad.
AISHA - AH 1
"O Messenger of God, will you not marry?" He replied, "Whom"?" "A maiden [virgin]", she said, if you like, or a non-maiden." He replied, "Who is the maiden?" "The daughter of the dearest creature of God to you," she answered, "Aisha bint Abi Bakr." ... Tabari vol 9, p129
Muhammad was 49 and Aisha 6 when they married. The marriage was consummated when she was 9 and he 52.
Narrated Aisha that the prophet wrote the marriage contract with her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Hisham said: "I have been informed that Aisha remained with the prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death)." Sahih al-Bukhari vol. 7, #65:
Muhammad was not a pedophile but, he did engage in sex with a child. This practice exists in Muslim countries to this day. If Muhammad were a real prophet, who received so many "revelations", wouldn't he have known better than to allow little children to be used in this way?
OTHER ASPECTS OF SEXUALITY IN ISLAM
Muhammad is Islam, Islam is Muhammad.
Sexual gratification for the male is very important in Islam. There are Hadith that state that Muhammad had sexual relations with 9 of his wives in a single night, (How would that make the wives feel?).
In the Tabaqat Muhammad claims that Gabriel let him eat of a stew that gave him the sexual power of 40 men.
He also taught that in Paradise Muslim men will be able to have sex up to 80 times a day! And, in Paradise men are given at least two Houris each for their sexual pleasure. These are beautiful heavenly creatures with dark beautiful eyes, large breasts, and renew their virginity each day. Sura 78:31-34
Other Hadith teach that if a man calls his wife for sex and she refuses for other than a very legitimate reason, the angels curse her to Allah for the rest of the night. Ref. Sahih al-Bukhari vol 4 # 460
Finally, Islamic marriage is akin to a purchase. The man must provide the woman with a dowry. That effects a purchase of her sexual organs. He must provide for all her physical needs and be kind to her, she must obey and respect his wishes. Sahih al-Bukhari vol 7 # 261, 262
Islamic marriage is not akin to Christian marriage.
CONCLUSION ON RELATIONS
Muhammad had many women sexually. Some of his marriages were for fairly platonic reasons, others were for lust. Remember, Muhammad was a man, and Islam is a man’s religion. Like any carnal man, he had a strong sex drive, and at times did questionable things to fulfill his desire for beautiful women. Muhammad was not driven solely by lust, neither was he devoid of sexual desire. But as he and his ego grew in power he allowed his lusts to do his thinking for him. In these sinful actions he displays a lack of character and integrity.
VISTA OF EXPERIENCES WITH SPIRITS
Muhammad had several bizarre experiences with spiritual or demonic powers. We’ve already discussed his experience in the cave with a spirit. That experience freaked him out, drove him to depression and he attempted suicide over the next couple of years.
We also have reviewed the "Satanic Verses" episode, in which Satan put his words in Muhammad’s mouth and Muhammad recited them as the Quran. Nobody, including Muhammad, was none the wiser.
The Quran reveals that many people thought Muhammad had a spiritual problem. Their assertions were so strong that Muhammad had "revelations" to answer them…
No, your compatriot [Muhammad] is not mad. He saw him [Gabriel] on the clear horizon. He does not grudge the secrets of the unseen, nor is this the utterance of an accursed devil. Sura 81:22-25
It [the Quran] is no poet's speech: scant is your faith! It is no soothsayer's divination: how little you reflect! It is revelation from the Lord of the Universe. Sura 69:41, 42
There were other bizarre experiences.
At one point Muhammad claimed he had been bewitched by a Jewish warlock. This bewitching lasted for a year! Muhammad thought he had had sexual relations with his wives when he had not! His wives were baffled by it. Imagine what they thought! Eventually two angels cured him of the bewitching ...
Narrated Aisha:
Magic was worked on Allah's Apostle so that he used to think that he had sexual relations with his wives while he actually had not ... Sahih al-Bukhari 7.660
Pause and think for a minute. Muhammad was supposed to be Allah’s last and greatest prophet. Muhammad was in touch with Allah through Gabriel. Yet here, Muhammad was so bewitched and befuddled that he didn’t even know what he was doing with his wives for a whole year! Does this bear resemblance to Biblical prophets?
Didn’t Paul confront the demonic powers and cast them out? Didn’t Jesus defeat the evil spirits? Here Muhammad succumbed to demonic powers for a year!
What’s the point?
This isn’t of the God we know. These bizarre experiences are not from the Spirit of God.
RELEVANT REFERENCES FROM THE BIBLE
Jeremiah 23:15, and 34.
23:15 Therefore, this is what the Lord Almighty says concerning the prophets: "I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem un-godliness has spread throughout the land."
23:34 If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, "This is the oracle of the Lord", I will punish that man and his household"
Note that all of Muhammad’s male children died as infants.
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! Galatians 1:8
Jesus said false prophets would arise. Note that an angel appeared to the false prophet of Mormonism - Joseph Smith, and gave him a different gospel. I find the parallel between Smith and Muhammad strong. Just as Smith was directed by an angel, with a different message, so too Muhammad was directed by an angel with a different message. [In fact there is a book called, "Mormons and Muslims" that details many similarities.]
OPTIONS
1) Muhammad did indeed have a visit from the angel Gabriel - thus validating his prophethood.
2) Muhammad was visited by a demon, or Satan himself.
3) Muhammad experienced some type of delusion.
4) Muhammad suffered from some type of epilepsy or other mental problem.
5) A combination of #s 2, 3, and / or 4.
CONQUEST OF MECCA 8 AH
[Conquest of Mecca: Tabari vol 8 p160-186, LoM p540-560]
"Success in life is a matter not so much of talent or opportunity as of concentration and perseverance. C. W. Wendte
"Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting." Sun Tzu
After the Battle of the Trench Muhammad realized that the Meccans would weaken. They had lost a significant battle and lost face once again. Muslims believed Allah had been with Muhammad in victory after victory. Rarely had his forces been stopped, and if they were, it was only a test.
One of the Treaty of Hudaybiyya’s provisions was that neither the Muslims or the Meccans would attack each other’s allies. Although Muhammad broke the Treaty the Meccans did not retaliate. But later one of the Meccan allies fought against one of the Muslim allies. They asked for and received help from the Meccans.
Muhammad found out and considered this to be a breach of the treaty. Now Muhammad had a reason to attack the Meccans. Muhammad marched against Mecca with 14,000 men. Muhammad came to conquer.
The leader of the Meccans, Abu Sufyan met with Muhammad outside of Mecca. Abu Sufyan knew the Meccans could not win. Abu Sufyan met with Muhammad under "protection", but, was then forced to convert to Islam under penalty of death and he surrendered Mecca to Muhammad.
"Woe to you, Abu Sufyan, isn’t it time that you recognize that I [Muhammad] am God’s apostle?" He answered, "As to that I still have some doubt." [Ibn Abbas] said to him, "Submit and testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the apostle of God before you lose your head," so he did so. ...
"Kill this fat greasy bladder of lard! What a rotten protector of people!" Abu Sufyan’s wife Hind, LoM p547-548
Abu Sufyan was foremost a politician, and he knew how to play the odds. He insured himself a reputable place among the Muslims, and helped get his children into Islamic leadership.
[Eventually both his son and grandson would be Caliphs of the Islamic empire. His son, Mu’awiya, would rebel against, fight, and weaken Muhammad’s son in law, Ali. At this time Ali was the Caliph. Following Ali’s murder by other Muslims Mu’awiya seized the Caliphate. After Mu’awiya died his son Yazid continued to fight against Ali’s progeny. Hussein who was Ali’s son and Muhammad’s grandson, was beheaded by Yazid’s soldier. In the end, it was Abu Sufyan’s progeny who triumphed over Muhammad’s family.]
Muhammad entered Mecca in triumph. Several groups of Meccan fought Muhammad’s soldiers and they were killed or fled. Other’s fled the city outright. Many Meccans were forced to convert to Islam.
"Then the people embraced Islam willingly or unwillingly." Tabaqat vol 2, p168
THE DEATH SENTENCE ON THE MECCAN 10
"Revenge is the abject pleasure of an abject mind" Juvenal
"The apostle of Allah entered through Adhakhir, [into Mecca], and prohibited fighting. He ordered six men and four women to be killed, they were (1) Ikrimah Ibn Abi Jahl, (2) Habbar Ibn al-Aswad, (3) Abd Allah Ibn Sa'd Ibn Abi Sarh, (4) Miqyas Ibn Sababah al-Laythi, (5) al-Huwayrith Ibn Nuqaydh, (6) Abd Abbah Ibn Hilal Ibn Khatal al-Adrami, (7) Hind Bint Utbah, (8) Sarah, the mawlat (enfranchised girl) of Amr Ibn Hashim, (9) Fartana and (10) Qaribah. Tabaqat, Vol. 2, page 168.
In Mecca there were 10 people that Muhammad held a deep grudge against. These were people who had hurt his feelings or committed some sin that was very reprehensible in his eyes. These included 3 slave girls who had mocked him. He ordered his soldiers to kill them wherever they were.
"He had two singing girls Fartana and her friend who used to sing satirical songs about the apostle, so he ordered that they should be killed.
Some were killed, one obtained his forgiveness.
OBSERVATION:
Note Muhammad’s character. His long standing bitterness from Mecca defined him as he mocked the dead bodies, and again here as he ordered slave women to be killed.
Do you see the lack of healing in his life? The lack of forgiveness and grace? Do you see the constant bitterness he held, the petty grudges he kept for so long? The bitterness he had from the beginning of his mission remained to his dying day. Here it reveals itself in his petty order to have slave girls murdered.
Do you respect a powerful man who orders the murder of slave girls because they had made fun of him years earlier?
THE CASE OF IBN ABI SARH 8 AH
"Hatred is the vice of narrow souls; they feed it with all their littlenesses and make it the pretext of base tyrannies. Balzac.
One of the Meccan 10 that Muhammad ordered to be killed was Ibn Abi Sarh. At one time Sarh was one of Muhammad’s scribes. Later Sarh claimed to have made suggestions to improve the Quran and Muhammad accepted them. Sarh then realized that his words were as good as the Quran’s, i.e. Muhammad’s words. At that point Sarh realized that this whole religion was a sham and he left Islam.
"I used to direct Muhammad wherever I willed. He would dictate to me "Most High, All-Wise", and I would write down "All-Wise" only. Then he would say, "Yes it is all the same". On a certain occasion he said, "Write such and such", but I wrote "Write" only, and he said, "Write whatever you like." Sarh in Sira al-Iraqi
Sarh left Medina and went back to Mecca. There he told people about the falseness of the Quran. When Muhammad entered Mecca he made a direct point to have Sarh murdered. This was probably due to the fact that Sarh discredited Muhammad’s claim to fame, the Quran.
However, Sarh was related to one of Muhammad’s best friends, Uthman. Uthman secretly met with Sarh and took him to visit Muhammad. There, in front of Muhammad and some of his men, Sarh begged forgiveness 3 times. Finally, after waiting in stern silence, Muhammad "forgave" Sarh.
They allege that the apostle remained silent for a long time till finally he said yes. When Uthman had left he [Muhammad] said to his companions who were sitting around him, "I kept silent so that one of you might get up and strike off his head!" One of the Ansar said, then why didn't you give me a sign, O apostle of God?" He [Muhammad] answered that a prophet does not kill by pointing." LoM p550.
After Sarh left, Muhammad upbraided his soldiers for not beheading Sarh on the spot! They said that they didn’t know what Muhammad wanted and that all he had to do was give them a sign. Muhammad replied that "a prophet does not kill with a sign." Obviously Muhammad’s men were poor mind readers.
Then the Apostle said to the Ansari: "Why did you not fulfill your vow?" He said, "O apostle of Allah! I had my hand on the hilt of the sword waiting for your signal to kill him." The Prophet said signaling would have been a breach of faith. It does not behave the Prophet to make a signal. Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir, vol 2, p175
Another account.
The latter hid him until he brought him to the apostle after the situation in Mecca was tranquil, and asked that he might be granted immunity. They allege that the apostle remained silent for a long time till finally he said yes, [granting Abdullah immunity from the execution order]. When Uthman had left he [Muhammad] said to his companions who were sitting around him, "I kept silent so that one of you might get up and strike off his head!" One of the Ansar [Muhammad's helpers from Medina] said, then why didn't you give me a sign, O apostle of God?" He [Muhammad] answered that a prophet does not kill by pointing." Tabaqat
QUESTIONS
1) Does that sound like true forgiveness? Didn’t Jesus teach that people are to forgive from the heart?
2) If this man had committed a crime worthy of death, why didn’t he carry out the execution? Why was Muhammad’s judgment so willy-nilly?
MUHAMMAD’S DEATH AH 11
[Muhammad’s Death: Various Hadith, LoM p678-682, Tabari vol 9 p162-208, Tabaqat vol 2 p239-340]
During Muhammad’s conquest of Khaibar a Jewish woman cooked a nice meal for Muhammad and his men and gave them some goat or sheep to eat. They began to eat, and suddenly Muhammad spit out the piece of meat! "The goat tells me it’s poisoned!" But too late. He ingested some of the meat. So did one of his men, Bishr, who died a short time later.
When the woman was questioned about why she poisoned the food, she replied, "We wanted to know if you were a king or a prophet. If you were a king, it would kill you, but if you were a prophet it would not harm you. Some accounts state that the woman was put to death because the Muslim soldier died.
Muhammad suffered from the affects of the poison:
Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet in his ailment in which he died, used to say, "O 'Aisha! I still feel the pain caused by the food I ate at Khaibar, and at this time, I feel as if my aorta is being cut from that poison."
During his illness he and Gabriel prayed that he be healed ...
Verily during his illness the prophet recited "al-Mu'awwadhatayn" [Sura 113, and 114], and blow his breath upon his body while rubbing his face. [This was done in an effort to be healed]. Tabaqat page 263
The apostle of Allah fell ill and he i.e. Gabriel, chanted on him, saying, "In the name of Allah I chant on to ward off from you every thing that harms you and (to ward off you) against every envier and from every evil eye and Allah will heal you." Tabaqat p265
His sickness lasted a couple of weeks. As the pain began to grow he began to think of going to Paradise. He said that he had been given a choice of staying and being healed, or going. As he was dying some Muslims suggested that he had pleurisy. Pleurisy is a infection of the lung membrane and is very painful.
She said, "They say it is pleurisy." Thereupon the apostle said, "Allah will not like to make His apostle suffer from it (pleurisy) because it indicates the possession of Satan, but (my disease is the result of) the morsel that I had taken along your son. It has cut my jugular vein."
As he neared death, some of his final words were, "May Allah curse the Christians and the Jews for they build their churches near the graves of the prophets." Sahih al-Bukhari vol 1 # 426, 427
Once again we see Muhammad’s spirit of bitterness and hatred surface. As Jesus died He asked for forgiveness for even His enemies, as Muhammad died, he asked Allah to curse others.
Muhammad died June 7th or 8th, probably within minutes of saying those words.
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND STUDY
1) If Muhammad were a true prophet, why didn’t he know that he was being poisoned? Why did the goat wait to speak to him until after he ate it?
2) If this was Allah’s way of taking Muhammad, why did Muhammad and Gabriel pray for healing? Wouldn’t Gabriel know about such an important event?
3) Paul was a prophet. He was bitten by a poisonous snake but suffered no ill affects. Wouldn’t it have been a testimony to God’s seal of approval on Muhammad had the poison not hurt him?
4) Compare Muhammad’s cursing of the Christians and Jews to Jesus’ last words of forgiveness. Why didn’t Muhammad pray for them to be guided to the truth? Who truly brought the message of a loving God?
Jesus died for man’s sins, and He says "Forgive." Muhammad dies from enemies poisoning, and he says, "Curse."
CONCLUSION ON MUHAMMAD AS PROPHET
"Oh God, I acknowledge and confess before You, all my sins, please forgive them, as no one can forgive sins except You. Forgive my mistakes, those done intentionally, or out of my ignorance, with or without seriousness. Oh God, forgive my sins and my ignorance, forgive my sins of the past and of the future, which I did openly or secretly. Forgive the wrong I have done, jokingly or seriously. I seek Your protection from all the evil I have done. Wash away my sins, and cleanse my heart, from all the sins as a white garment is cleansed from the filth, and let there be long distance between me and my sins, as You made the East and West far from each other."
The above is a prayer of Muhammad’s. Muhammad was a man, and should be evaluated fairly. When we judge him, we must acknowledge his strengths and weaknesses.
But the final question facing is this: what are you going to do with Muhammad? Are you going to accept him as the Messenger of God? Or are you going to reject him as a false prophet.
The only logical conclusion, the only rational conclusion, is that Muhammad must be rejected as a prophet. He must be classified as a false prophet. From both the Islamic source material, and the Biblical criteria, he must be rejected as a prophet. Here are the reasons:
He spoke Satan’s words as God’s words.
He contradicted his message as circumstances changed.
Muhammad was influenced or possessed by demonic or Satanic powers.
He preached a different Gospel.
He included well known religious fables and stories in his Quran.
His message, the Quran confirms the integrity and truthfulness of the Bible but contradicts all the significant messages of the Bible.
Muhammad acknowledged he was a sinner. He believed he truly was from God. But Muhammad was influenced strongly by demonic or Satanic powers. They caused the spiritual poison of violence and domination to be injected into the religion of Islam. Muhammad and Islam lack the tender love and compassion of Jesus, or the steadfast obedience to the unchanging law of Moses. It lacks the truth of God.
In the end he was no more than a religious warlord who vented his carnal emotions of hatred, bitterness, anger, and lust as inspiration from God.
Muhammad was a false prophet and he brought a mixed message. Since "a little leaven leavens the whole lump", Muhammad is to be rejected as doing the work of God.
MUHAMMAD CAME TO UNDO THE WORK OF CHRIST.
END OF LECTURE MATERIAL ON THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD
LECTURE REFERENCES
ADDENDUM: THE BLOODY REIGN OF THE CALIPHS
ABU BAKR'S REIGN (Tabari 10-13)
A.H. 11 (622, 623) — Abu Bakr makes war upon people throughout the entire Saudi Peninsula who leave Islam. Most are forced to re embrace Islam. Tens of thousands are killed.
A.H. 12 — Muslim armies attack the Christians in Palestine.
UMAR'S REIGN (Tabari 14)
A.H. 13 — Conquest of Damascus, Syria.
A.H. 14 & 15 — Syria and Palestine conquered.
A.H. 15-21 — Iraq, Southern Persia, and Egypt conquered.
UTHMAN'S REIGN (Tabari 15)
A.H. 24 — Conquest in Northern Persia and Armenia
A.H. 28 — Attack on Cyprus
Murdered by other Muslims, including Abu Bakr's son.
ALI'S REIGN (Tabari 16)
Murder of Christians
During Ali's reign there were two civil wars. The first Islamic civil war occurred between Ali, Muhammad's son-in-law, and Aisha.
13,000 Muslims died killing each other as Ali defeated Aisha. Not long thereafter Ali fought Muwawiyya, Abu Sufyan's son. Muwawiyya was appointed governor of Damascus / Syria, and moved against Ali to take power. Not long thereafter, Ali was murdered by Muslims, (as was Uthman), (Umar was killed by a slave). Muwawiyya then assumed power as Caliph.
As you can tell from the brief chronology, the Caliphs made war like the Nazis. They went on conquest after conquest. Their message was the same as Muhammad's: convert, pay extortion taxes, or die. Islam, real Islam, their Islam, was a religion of war, oppression, and conquest.
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