Islam in the Past and Now - Essay Example

Islam in the past and now Introduction Islam is one of the numerous world religions. The history of this religion extends to over 1400 years. During this time, Islam has gained at least a billion world believers. Islamic religion is based on faith in Allah, the ultimate God. For every Islam follower, this is the central doctrine together with the fact that Prophet Muhammad was the last of Allah’s messenger. In addition, the Quran is Islam’s Holy book that contains the complete assemblage of all of Allah’s disclosures to his prophets including Muhammad. This paper discusses the past and now of Islam religion. In order to achieve this goal, the paper will explore the origin of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, the Quran, and Islam in the modern world. Islam is said to have originated in the 6th century in Christ Era or CE. The origin of this religion was in Arabia, which is believed to be the source of Islamic beliefs. In addition, Prophet Muhammad, the source of Islam religion, was born in Mecca found on Arabian Peninsula. Today, this place is known as Saudi Arabia. Prophet Muhammad was raised in a family of traders (Manji 12). At the age of 25 years, Prophet Muhammad was working as a trading agent for an older woman who later got married. Prophet Muhammad lived with his wife without any signs of religious calls. However, at the age of 40 years, Prophet Muhammad began experiencing auditory revelations and visions. In addition, Muhammad was provided with a book by angel Gabriel that he was required to read. At first, Muhammad shared the message obtained from this book with his family and friends (Manji13). His wife Khadija was the first Islam follower and in his mission, she was always with him. After sometime, Muhammad began meeting with people and shared with them the same message. He delivered his message to public sermons denouncing impunity and evil while emphasizing on God’s unity. Through sharing of the readings, Prophet Muhammad was in a mission end the brutal circles of murder and welfare perpetrated by tribes that were pre-Islamic and involving bitter blood feuds. However, Muhammad’s message was received with mixed reactions (Riddell and Cotterell 1). As a result, oppositions to the message resulted to Muhammad fleeing to Medina city which was located 400km North of Mecca. Hijrah period marked the establishment of Islamic era. The period was marked by lots of war and intense conflict in Medina forcing Muhammad and his followers to return to Mecca. Prophet Muhammad died in Medina in 632 (Riddell and Cotterell 3). After his death, the prophet left no other male heir. For this reason, Muslims believed he was the final prophet chosen by Allah and the last of His humanity messenger of peace. As a messenger and a prophet, this meant that prophet Muhammad was never to be worshipped but Allah was. In Arabic, Allah means God almighty and the one and only God. In addition, Allah is referred to in 99 other names and has multiple attributes. For instance, Allah is the merciful, mighty, forgiver, protector, provider and wise. In addition, Allah is loving, all-knowing, the first, last and eternal among others. The word Islam means peace, loyalty, submission, allegiance, obedient, and greeting. During the time of Muhammad, Muslims were made both a religious and political community and the prophet was the head of state. Since Muhammad had authority from God, he managed the Muslim nation and territory. He also passed justice, made peace, collected taxes and led the army. Since there was no definite heir after the death of Mohammad, a suitable successor was chosen for the sake of Islamic unity preservation and the spread of Allah’s word (Bamyer 4). The formation of Islam was within the context of conflict against the Byzantine Empire in the west. Through the acknowledgement of this context, it is possible to understand the reason for the adherent interpretation of Islam today as war against greed, idolatry and immorality and the unification of the world. The flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD gave birth to the Islamic calendar whose beginning is the first day of the flight to Medina, which is called Hijra. At Medina, Prophet Mohammad’s message was easily received since it was simple, direct and plain. Bamyer (p.4) reveals that after return to Mecca, Mohammad managed to convert his relatives and sent missionaries to Arabia to convert Peninsula inhabitants into Islam. The Quran text was the recorded lord’s voice addressed to the prophet and that makes it the Lord’s direct revelation to His prophet (Donner 40). Muslims are required to consistently read the Quran so as to be in a position to observe the universe, perceive its content and meaning. This way, man knows the splendor and beauty of his or her creator deeply. In the past and today, the Quran’s intention is to have man know God and provide a way of faith and worship. In addition, the Quran offers guidance to man to organize his life as an individual and the social life and achieve perfect happiness thereof (Donner 40). In addition, the Quran is a source rich in Arabic literature through its expression of literary brilliance. Today, Muslims believe Jesus was sent as Allah’s prophet although they do not believe in him as divine as Christians do. Muslims also believe in patriarchs such as Isaac, Jacob, Noah and David and that people must be provided freedom of worship and follow their own beliefs. Today, Muslims believe in the judgment day and that it is up to everyone to seek Allah’s guidance in working out one’s salvation. Unlike Christians, the daily life of Muslims must be incorporated with Islamic beliefs and practices. This is made possible through the Islamic guidance on how one should conduct self in public and private affairs. Islamic religion also teaches one how to be effective in the family, community and society and to be at harmony with every creation. During the reign of Prophet Muhammad, polygamy was allowed with unconstrained number of wives. However, Islam today prohibits polygamy and only monogamous marriage is considered ideal matrimonial union. Polygamy only appears in Saudi Arabian Upper classes (Potocnik 174). In addition, some countries like Tunisia and Turkey prohibit polygamy despite it being less of a rule than an exception. On the basis of war, Muslims are associated with terrorist attacks a move that has resulted to disrespect and fear since it is viewed as an aggressive religion. Fear results from the fact that this religion (Potocnik 176) threatens world peace. The engagement of Muslims into war is ironical to the teachings in the Quran, which require Muslims that saving one life is similar to saving the entire population while killing a person is like killing the entire world. Conclusion As discussed in this paper, Islam religion has its origin founded on Prophet Muhammad who in his one of his frequent visit to the desert caves near Mecca encountered with Allah’s angel Gabriel. In this encounter, the angel informed Muhammad that he was God’s messenger and the voice of the lord addressing the prophet was recorded to become the text in the Quran. Muhammad was required to read this book and after reading, he was filled with much majesty and wisdom divine. As a result, Prophet Mohammad preached to his wife and the world. In his flee from opposition to this message in Mecca; Muhammad founded the journey from Mecca to Medina and the start of the Muslim calendar. Today, Muslims observe at least one journey to Mecca, Hijra, non-polygamist, and others. Works Cited Bamyer, Mohammed A. The Social Origins of Islam: Mind, Economy, Discourse. Minneapolis, United States: University of Minnesota Press, 1999. Print. Donner, Fred M. Muhammad and the believers: at the origins of Islam. New York: Mc GrawHill, 2010. Print. Manji, Irshad. The trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s call for reform in her faith. New York: St. Martin’s press, 2005. Print. Potocnik, Dragan. Islam between the past and the present. 2006. Web. Riddell, Peter G., and Cotterell, Peter. Islam in context past, present and future. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker books, 2003. Print. Read More