Islam

HUM 101 Chapter 8 - ISLAM Muhammed, the Prophet of Islam, was born in the year 570 in Mecca. His father, Abdullah passed away seven months after marrying Muhammed’s Mother Amina when he was 17 years old. Muhammed spent the first 4 years of his life in the dessert to t he east of Mecca with his wet nurse, as was customary. He was returned to his mother at the age of 5, who passed away shortly thereafter. The next 2 years were spent with his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, who passed away two years later, but not before declaring the guardianship of Muhammed and the clan of Banu Hashim to his son, Abu Talib. (Ahlul Bayt Aalim Network, 2010) Muhammed entered the service of a merchant widow named Khadijah in his mid-twenties, engaging with trading caravans to the north. Khadija was impressed by Muhammed’s ability and integrity that she married him as a reward, costing his uncle twelve ounces of gold and twenty camels. The first of the great events of Islam took place while Muhammed, in his forties now, meditated in a cave on Mount Hira. He was commanded through the Angel Gabriel to declare his Oneness and to deliver a message of peace to humanity. Muhammed proceeded to launch Islam, in an attempt to change the destiny of mankind forever. Initially, he only shared initial interactions with the Angel Gabriel with his wife and close friends and was later prompted to share his revelations with others. (Islamic History, 2010) His followers ranged from the poor and slave to the richest men in Mecca, and his revelations are documented in the Qu'ran. After preaching for more than ten years, his supporters met opposition and fearing for their safety, Muhammed sent them to Ethiopia, where they were under the protection of the Christian Ruler. The followers that remained in Mecca were harassed, abused (Islamic History, 2010)and tortured, resulting in seventy of his supporters relocating to Yathrib, which was later renamed to Medina. Muhammed joined them in 622, which circumvented a plot to kill him in Mecca. This migration marked a break in history as well as the beginning of the Islam era, and for the Muslims, a new way of life. This event is marked on the Muslim calendar as hegira. His flock of supporters in Medina grew so large, that he was able to return to Mecca and reclaim Ka’aba as the central point of his religion, which was based on monotheism, which focused on worshiping God only; rejected the idea of a Trinity of persons in God; and upon which the Five Pillars of Islam were based. The last Pillar called for a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime and it was during the pilgrimage that Muhammed died. (Cunningham & Reich, 2010) Other restrictions forbid the eating of pork, alcohol consumption, usury, and requirements were stated for daily prayer and male circumcision. The attainment of a high spiritual and moral state appealed to many and led to the rapid spread of Islam. After Muhammed’s death, his revelations, which were until then passed on verbally, were documented by his followers, and compiled in the Qur’an, which is considered to be the sacred text of Islam. The relevance of Islam is today the same as it was while Muhammed lived. The Qu’ran provides guidance for everyday living, and requires that Muslims meet certain standards in their everyday lives. Guidelines set forth for marriages, child rearing, and maintaining a high moral standard are far above the general way of life in this country today. If the teachings are applied as intended, the follower would certainly be a model citizen. And we can certainly use more! Chapter 11 – The Fourteenth Century- A Time of Transition In the 1330s China was one of the busiest trading nations and also the deadly bubonic plague. This disease mostly affected rats, but was transmitted by fleas and was brought to Sicily in 1347 via Italian merchant ships, via the rats and fleas stowed away onboard the ships, which also infected the passengers. The plague manifested itself with high fevers, followed by swollen glands and skin covered with black spots, which is why it was coined “The Black Death.” The spread of the disease slowed in the winter, as the fleas died and flared up in the spring. Within 5 years 25 million people were dead, which equaled one-third of Europe’s population. The plague finally subsided in the 1600s, but not without considerable consequences. (The Black Death: Beubonic Plague, 2010) As the disease spread and no cure available, people either moved out into the countryside or retreated into their houses, causing a social, religious and economical breakdown. Labor shortages resulted in peasant revolts and as people watched helplessly as their loved ones died, they began to question their religious beliefs. (Cunningham & Reich, 2010) The 100 year war, which actually lasted 116 years, started in 1337, and the plague was in full effect; revolved around the relationship of the Kings of France and England regarding the duchy of Aquitaine located in Southwestern France. From the start of the war until the battle of Orleans, the English won many battle by employing a new method of warfare, combining longbowmen with dismounted men-at-arms. The tide changed in 1429 at the battle of Orleans and the French maintained the upper hand for 25 years. (eHistory at OSU: Hundred Years War, 2010) The violence and pillaging of France during this war and the annihilation of the Peasants, added to results of the Beubonic plaque on Europe. As if this were not enough, Christianity became divided by the Great Schism, which permanently divided the Church into two branches: The Western-Latin branch (Roman Catholic Church) and the Eastern-Greek branches (Eastern Orthodox Church) after the sack of Constantinople by Western Christians. The Schism was predominantly caused by a dispute over whether the Western Papacy could make rulings that affected the entire church. (Great Schism-New World Encyclopedia, 2010). Other factors included internal struggles over money and power. These factors affected Europe socially, economically, and economically. Lack of socialization, caused by fear of disease or harm, forced people to stay indoors and to themselves. The wars and plaque decreased the workforce and presence of capable leaders, which resulted in a lack of goods and trade, which caused an economical breakdown. Lack of schools and monasteries led to a decrease in education, as most people could not read and depended on the Monks to educate them. With death and poverty at every turn across several generations, families wiped out, a deteriorating government and no real exchange of ideas, Europe was destined to plunge into a depression. Works Cited Ahlul Bayt Aalim Network. (2010, March 24). Restatement of History of Islam and Muslims. Retrieved March 24, 2010, from Restatement of History of Islam and Muslims: www.al-islam.org Cunningham, L. C., & Reich, J. J. (2010). HUM 101: The Origins of Western Cultures. Mason: CENGAGE Learning. eHistory at OSU: Hundred Years War. (2010, March 26). Retrieved March 26, 2010, from eHistory at OSU: ehistory.osu.edu/osu/archive/hundredyearswar.cfm Great Schism-New World Encyclopedia. (2010, March 26). Retrieved March 26, 2010, from New World Encyclopedia: www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Great_Schism Islamic History. (2010, March 25). Retrieved March 25, 2010, from Islamic History: www.islamicity.com The Black Death: Beubonic Plague. (2010, March 26). Retrieved March 26, 2010, from www.themiddleages.net