Islam

Islam

Islam
Thomas Boser
Axia College, University of Phoenix














    I found Islam to be an intriguing religion to write about. It seems that some people fear this religion because of the actions of a small group of radicals. I wanted to learn more so I can possibly educate people I know about Islam. One must look at the history of the fastest growing religion in the world and understand the relationship with God and the messages of the prophet Muhammad.
    Islam can trace its beginnings back to Abraham, much like Christianity and Judaism. The Qur’an says that Abraham and Ishmael built the Ka’bah considered to be one of the holiest places in Islam. It is thought to be the site of Adam’s place of worship. The region turned away from monotheism and the place had become forgotten.
    When Muhammad was born around 570 CE, he became a ward of his uncle, where he became a shepherd. He had been proclaimed a prophet by a Christian monk. When he was 25, he married Khadijah, she was 40 and one of the biggest supporters of the early years of his mission. He started spending much of his time on spiritual retreats. He was forty when he went on one of his retreats. Gabriel, an angel who took human form, confronted him and told him to recite. Muhammad could not recite and the angel forcefully commanded him to do so. Muhammad said “what shall I recite?” and Gabriel began speaking the first words of the Qur’an.
    The revelations continued proving to Muhammad that it was one God who called people to Islam. He shared these revelations with the few people who believed in him. Muhammad began preaching his revelations publicly. He was persecuted by the wealthier people of his tribe. Muhammad and his followers were banished for a few years before being asked to come back to Mecca. They still were continually persecuted. After Muhammad’s wife and uncle died the persecution got worse. It was at that time that he experienced the Night of...