Muhammad

Definition

Muhammad was the founder and central figure of the religion of Islam. He was a prophet and messenger of God, believed by Muslims to be the last prophet in a series of prophets sent to guide humanity. Muhammad's life and teachings form the basis of the Islamic faith.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Muhammad was born in Mecca, Arabia, around 570 CE and is believed to have received his first revelation from God through the angel Gabriel at the age of 40.
2. The Quran, the central religious text of Islam, is believed to be the word of God as revealed to Muhammad over a period of 23 years.
3. Muhammad's teachings and the establishment of the first Islamic community in Medina laid the foundation for the rapid spread of Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.
4. Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam, which are central to their faith and include the declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
5. The life and teachings of Muhammad are seen as the perfect model for Muslims to emulate, and his influence continues to shape the beliefs and practices of the global Islamic community.

Review Questions

• Describe the significance of Muhammad's role as the founder and central figure of Islam.
  • Muhammad is considered the final prophet in a line of prophets sent by God to guide humanity. His teachings and the revelations he received, which are recorded in the Quran, form the foundation of the Islamic faith. Muslims believe that Muhammad's life and actions provide the perfect model for how to live a righteous and faithful life, and his influence continues to shape the beliefs, practices, and identity of the global Islamic community.
• Explain the relationship between the Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith in the context of Islamic teachings and practices.
  • The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed to be the word of God as revealed to Muhammad. The Sunnah refers to the recorded traditions and practices of Muhammad, which serve as a secondary source of guidance for Muslims alongside the Quran. The Hadith are the collections of narratives describing the words, actions, and habits of Muhammad, which are used to interpret the Quran and guide Islamic practice. Together, these three elements form the foundation of Islamic belief and provide the guidance and framework for how Muslims are to live their lives.
• Analyze the significance of the Five Pillars of Islam and how they reflect the core tenets and practices of the religion.
  • The Five Pillars of Islam are the central and obligatory practices that define the Islamic faith. These include the declaration of faith in one God and the acceptance of Muhammad as God's final prophet, the performance of daily prayers, the giving of charitable donations, the observance of fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca (the Hajj). These pillars reflect the core beliefs and values of Islam, such as the centrality of monotheism, the importance of spiritual devotion and community, the emphasis on social responsibility and charity, and the significance of the sacred sites and rituals. Collectively, the Five Pillars serve as the foundation for how Muslims express and live out their faith in their daily lives.

Related terms

Quran:

The central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad.

Sunnah: The recorded traditions and practices of Muhammad, which serve as a secondary source of guidance for Muslims alongside the Quran.

Hadith: The collection of narratives describing the words, actions, and habits of Muhammad, which are used to interpret the Quran and guide Islamic practice.