Session Three

The Life of the Prophet Muhammad

Introduction: The third session session by becoming familiar with the Prophet Muhammad. We will begin by reading a portion of Mahmud Ahmad's Life of Muhammad (2014) and reviewing the documentary film "The Lilfe Of Muhammad." This BBC documentary  charts the life and times of Muhammad, a man whose name is invoked in reverence by the billion and half Muslims across the globe as the messenger and final prophet of God. In a journey that is both literal and historical, Rageh Omaar travels to the place of Muhammad's birth to re-trace his actual footsteps; from humble beginnings in Mecca, his struggles with his prophetic role and divine revelations, his migration to Medina, to the establishment of the first Islamic constitution, and his subsequent military and political successes and failures, before his final return to Mecca following armed conflicts through to his death and his legacy. It also raises questions about Islam's role in the world today and explores where Islam's attitudes towards money, charity, women, social equality, religious tolerance, war and conflict originate.

After having completed the readings for this session and reviewed the accompanying video you may choose - on a purely optional basis - to answer the study questions and submit them at etwimber@hotmail.com or to contact Dr. Wimberley by phone or email to request a time for dialogue about what you have learned. You may do so by phone or dialogue via Skype or Facetime. Dr. Wimberley's phone number is 239.405.4164. We may convene group meetings of the class using the Zoom application on our computers. You can enroll in this course by emailing etwimber@hotmail.com or by texting Dr. Wimberley at 239.405.4164.

Reading: Muhammad Timeline; The Life of Muhammad (p. 1-121).

Video: The Life of Muhammad

Study Questions:

  1. What was Muhammad's early life like before he started seeing visions?
  2. Why was Muhammad and his followers persecuted in Mecca and beyond?
  3. What does the word “hajij” mean?
  4. What drew Muhammad to migrate from Mecca to Medina (the "hijrah")?
  5. How did Muhammad unite the various tribes of Medina to maintain peace?
  6. Describe the Meccan attack on Muhammad and his followers in Medina - the Battle of Badr.
  7. Describe the battle to defeat Mecca?
  8. How did Muhammad die?