Background of Islam

To understand Islam, it’s useful to first see where it came from. Islam emerged in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula, where the Prophet Muhammad received divine revelations from Allah. It is important to keep in mind that “Allah” is just a word in a different language, but it refers to essentially the same God that Christians also think of as the one God.

Despite of all the religious wars and the violent history between the two religions, both Islam and Christianity agree on much of their tradition and assumptions. Both recognise and revere many of the same prophets including Noah, Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist and even Jesus. Muslims even recognise the Bible as a holy book, as long as it does not contradict the Quran. Adherents of both follow similar rules in their everyday lives and aspire to be virtuous in similar ways, and both believe that following these rules will be rewarded after death. Both believe that Jesus Christ was a Messiah who performed miracles, and both believe in heaven, hell and a day of judgement.

Life of the Prophet Muhammad

Islam’s history begins with the Prophet Muhammad. Born in Mecca around 570 CE, he was orphaned at a young age and raised by his uncle, who was a respected merchant in Mecca. Muhammad, too, grew into a successful merchant, earning a reputation for honesty and integrity.

In his early 40s, Muhammad began to retreat to a cave in the mountains for contemplation. During one of these retreats, he received his first revelation from the Angel Gabriel. The revelations continued for 23 years and were later compiled into the Quran, the holy book of Islam. As opposed to the Bible, which was written by many authors and over a long time, the Quran is therefore seen as a direct dictation from God. This is why Muslims believe that it is a more precise revelation of God’s will. This is also why they don’t accept translations as valid versions of the Quran. God’s word is only real in the language and the precise wording in which it was given to Muhammad.

Muhammad’s teachings did not initially gain much traction in Mecca. He faced opposition from Meccan tribes, who controlled the city’s lucrative pilgrimage trade. In 622 CE, Muhammad and his followers migrated to the city which later became known as Medina, where he was invited to lead the community. This journey, known as the Hijrah, marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

In Medina, Muhammad’s influence grew. He established a Constitution, which laid down a set of laws for the community, and he became a spiritual, political, and military leader. He …

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