Islam History and its development over time

Islam originated in Mecca and Madina at the start of the 7th century. Allah (SWT) chose Muhammad to be the last prophet. Our prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was from a noble Arabian tribe of Quraysh. He was born in Mecca in the year 570 of the Christian era. He was born in the year of the “Elephant” when Abrahah, the ruler of Yemen, wanted to destroy the sacred Ka’ba with his army and giant elephant, but Allah didn’t allow them to succeed.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was very honest and kind. He (PBUH) was a great and strong man. All people in Mecca loved and trusted him, they called him “Al-Ameen”, the trustworthy. He was the best of men.

Prophet Muhammad’s father was named “Abdullah”. He died a few months before Muhammad was born. His Mother Aminah also died when prophet Muhammad (PBUH)was 6 years old. Muhammad (PBUH) the orphan was then taken under the care of his grandfather “Abdul-Mutalib”. two years later, “Abdul-Mutalib” died and Muhammad (PBUH) was raised by his uncle. When Muhmmad was a boy he worked as a shepherd.

When Muhammad (PBUH) reached the age of 25, He worked for a great woman named “Khadeejah”. Prophet Muhammad was a hard and honest worker. Khadeejah liked his good manners. Later, they got married.

At the age of 40, Allah chose Muhammad (PBUH) to become His messenger to all mankind. Allah sent Angel Jibreel, who taught Muhammad (PBUH) the Quran. Allah instructed Muhammed to invite all mankind to worship Allah (SWT) alone.

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.” (Quran 48:29)

At the cave Hira’

Muhammad (PBUH) liked to go to a cave called “Ghar Hira'” on top of a mountain near Mecca. There, Muhammad (PBUH) used to think and meditate about the wonderful creations of Allah. Angel Jibreel visited Muhammad (PBUH) when he was alone in Gar Hira’, Angel Jibreel embraced him tightly saying “Read”, Muhammad (PBUH) answered him “I cannot read”. Angel Jibreel repeated, “Read”. Muhammad (PBUH) again said “I cannot Read”. The third time Jibreel embraced him and said “Read in the name of your Lord who created man from a clot of blood…”

• 1-Recite in the name of your Lord who created.
• 2- Created man from a clinging substance.
• 3- Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous –
• 4- Who taught by the pen.
• 5- Taught man that which he knew not.

Angel Jibreel recited the first five verses of Surah Al-‘alaq.

Prophet (PBUH) Muhammad teaches his family ISLAM!

When prophet Muhammad (PBUH) started to teach Islam to his family and relatives, the First woman who believed in him was his wife Khadeejah, the first man was his friend Abu Bakr, the first boy was his cousin Ali, the first servant was Zaid ibn Harithah. They believed in Allah and in all prophets and messengers, starting with Adam and ending with Muhammad.

There are many others who accepted Islam and believed in Muhammad (PBUH). they are Othman ibn Affan, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Az- Zubier ibn ul-Awwam, Talha ibn Obaydah, Saieed ibn Zaid, and others.

People of Quraish tried to hurt the prophet (PBUH)

When the prophet (PBUH) tried to tell the people in Mecca about Islam, they didn’t listen. They were harsh with him, but this didn’t stop the prophet from speaking the truth. The leaders of Mecca, who were members of the Quraish tribe, didn’t want the prophet to destroy their way of life. They made money from idols. They worshipped idols and did not care about their true faith. They ignored the prophet Muhammad and tried throwing rocks and stones at him. Even they offered him money and leadership. But the prophet was strong and patient and steadfast. He didn’t want money or leadership but he only wanted people to listen to the truth. The Quraish decided that the only way to stop Muhammad is to kill him. The Quraish planned to murder the prophet at night when he would be sleeping. The Quraish did not know that Allah was on the prophet’s side and that He was protecting him. When prophet Muhammad (PBUH) found out about the Quraish’s plan to kill him by Allah’s wahi, Ali his cousin volunteered to lie in prophet Muhammad’s bed pretending to be the prophet. Ali Loved the prophet very much and he knew how important the prophet’s life was.

What was the Hijrah?

While The Quraish people were trying to kill the prophet, he was already in the desert escaping. “Asmaa bint Abi Bakr” the daughter of prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) best friend. She helped prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr (Abu Bakr was the prophet Muhammad’s companion during Hijrah) prepare for the journey out of Mecca. She prepared food and water for their journey.

Al-Hijrah is the Migration that the prophet Muhammad did across the desert from Mecca to Yathrib (Madinah). They want to a cave called “Ghar Thawr”, south of Mecca. they stayed there for three nights. they had to stay there until the Quraish stopped searching for them. A miracle happened there in the cave Thawr! people of Quraish got nearer and saw a big spider’s web covering the entrance of the cave. because the Quraish people would definitely check in this cave, Abu Bakr whispered to prophet Muhammad (PBUH) “If they look inside the cave they will see us!”. Prophet Muhammad was calm and said to Abu Bakr, “Don’t be worried, Allah (SWT) will protect us.”

Allah (SWT) told us about this story in the Quran, He said

“If you do not aid the Prophet – Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.” And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah – that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.”

Surah Al-Tawbah

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reached Madinah!

Everyone in Madinah cheered and sang welcoming the prophet and Abu Bakr. Once the prophet arrived The city’s name was changed from Yathreb to Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah or the city of Light.

The last group of Muslims in Mecca began to travel to Madinah they were called “Al-Muhajireen”. The people in Madinah who supported the prophet (PBUH) were named “Al-Ansar” or “The supporters”.

When prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his friend finally arrived in Madinah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) let his camel wander where it willed until it sat in one place. Al- Ansar (The supporters in Madinah) of the land where the camel sat were paid, and the Prophet’s mosque and living quarters were built. The Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakr lived as guests of the Ansar. The Hijrah’s importance was to give the Muslims a place where they could openly declare their Islam and worship in peace.

Islam History started as a State

Hijrah was the beginning of the Islamic state. The Quran revelations revealed in Makkah dealt mainly with the nature of Allah and man’s relationship with Him. In Makkah, there had been few Muslims. At the time, Islam appeared to be concerned with the individual and the hereafter. In contrast, the verses revealed in Madinah dealt more with man’s relationships with others, the social, political, and economic aspects of Islam that could not be developed under persecution. To study more about Islam, Join our Islamic studies online courses