Life of Muhammed Assignment
Question 1:
What is the significance of the story of the Monk Bahira? Why do you think it is relevant to the author (Ibn Ishaq) that the monk was a devout Christian?
The story of the Monk Bahira demonstrates how God protects his apostles and supports their efforts in executing the mission of Islam. As Muhammad accompanied his uncle Abu Talib on a trade journey to Syria, they met a Christian monk named Bahira. Bahira said that he had seen the stones and the trees prostrating to Muhammad as he had been walking by, which was an indication that he would grow to become a prophet of Allah (Life of Prophet Muhammad – pg. 81). The monk also realized that Muhammed would be in danger if the Jews discovered that he was a prophet of Allah. He, therefore, warned Abu Talib about the threat that his nephew would face. He also protected Muhammed from Zurayr, Tammam, and Daris, who had also learned of the sacred role of Muhammed. Therefore, the story demonstrates how God protects his apostles as they set out to execute his mission.
Question 2:
Describe the Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation experience and his reaction to this experience. What is the role of his wife Khadija and Khadija’s cousin Waraqa in providing an explanation for this experience? How is this experience explained in the text?
Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation was when he was visited by the angel Jibril, who revealed to him the beginnings of what would later become the sacred scripture of Islam. Being his first encounter with an angel of God, Muhammed was very frightened. When he got home, he discussed with his wife the experience of striving to understand God’s intention. His wife, Khadija, needed to consult her Nestorian cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who was more knowledgeable about the situation. Upon hearing the description, Waraqah testified to Muhammed’s prophethood and convinced him that the revelation was from Allah (Life of Prophet Muhammad – pg. 107). She also told him the story of Moses and how the angel of God visited him. Therefore, Khadija and her cousin Waraqah helped Muhammed to realize his role in the development of the sacred scripture of Islam.
Reference
Life of Prophet Muhammad
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