hij Teacher Resource Bank GCE Religious Studies Unit 1L Islam 2: The Life of the Prophet Scheme of Work Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723) and a registered charity (registered charity number 1073334). Registered address: AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX. Dr Michael Cresswell, Director General.
Introduction Sources of information for the life of the Prophet Exploration of the question: how much can we know about the life of the Prophet? e.g. Muhammad Ibn Ishaq (died c. 767). His work has come down through 9 th century edited version by Ibn Hisham who admitted that he heavily edited the original. The biography can be accepted as evidence of 8 th / 9 th century understanding of the Prophet s life there are varying views of its historical value which can be illustrated with reference to different Muslim and / or non Muslim writers. Note: Transliteration of Arabic terms: questions will use the spelling that appears in the Specification, candidates may use alternative spellings. Could also use: Bashier, Z. Life of the Prophet in Makkah, published by the Islamic Foundation Much is implied by verses in the Qur an about the events happening when the verse was delivered. klm Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 1
1. Jahiliyyah Social, political and religious background to the rise of Islam 6 th to 7 th century CE Arabia locate on world map; locate key places (e.g. Makkah, Ta if, Yathrib). Investigate climate and relevant aspects of physical geography (desert, oasis, wells) trade routes and political geography of the time. Between two empires : the Sassanid (Persian) and the Byzantine empires: the struggles between these and their allied Arab Christianised tribes the Lakhmids and Ghassanids. Reflect on possibility that the Arabs would be absorbed into these larger groups and lose an independent identity. Explore divisions within Arabia (for later contrast with Arabia united under Islam) tribal divisions, different areas of control. http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/islam/pre.htm A useful scholarly summary of the Pre-Islamic context. That context can be seen as a time of sin and ignorance but also as a time prepared for the coming of the Prophet a time of opportunity. Social situation Life styles: Nomadic Bedouin; sedentary Arab as settled in Makkah. Tribe; shaykh, clan and Sunna (traditions of the ancestors). Position of women. Internet search on Bedouin lifestyle today in Saudi Arabia Social problems Find evidence in early Makkhan Suras and traditions may also compare to present social situations to explore idea that this is also an age of jahiliyyah (e.g. gambling; drinking; infanticide; prostitution). 2 Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
1. Jahiliyyah The Religious Context (1) Bedouin Polytheism Idol worship and polytheism (including Allah, Allat, Manat and Al Uzza). Jinn and the Kahin. The Kaaba tradition placing 360 idols within it and pilgrimage. Life after death, and the absence of any sense of individual responsibility. Tradition stresses the forgetfulness and ingratitude of the people and the distortion of the earlier revelations, both by the earlier versions of God s religion (Judaism and Christianity) and the polytheists. Internet / literature search on Makkah (then and now) and the Ancient / Modern Kaaba. http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/hmp/9.htm Article on pre-islamic Arabian thought. (2) Christianity In Southern Arabia; the general characteristics of the Christian community including alliance to non-arab rulers. Divisions within Christianity (the Ghassanids were Monophysites, the Lakhmids Nestorians). Some Christians in Makkah (including within his wife s family). (3) Judaism Longstanding communities probably Arabic speaking but united by their religion. (4) Hanifs Arab monotheists some traditions suggest that Muhammad was a Hanif before his call to Prophethood. Regional importance of Makkah Pilgrimage and trade. Traditions surrounding the Kaaba. klm Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 3
1. Jahiliyyah Issues arising Issues arising Jahiliyyah Most may be best left to a later stage in the course since they include a retrospective look at the whole of the Prophet s career. Jahiliyyah today review of (e.g.) newspaper articles, and views of Muslim scholars and writers in 20 /21 st century about the state of society in Muslim countries or UK. Assessment exercise based on Has the age of jahiliyyah ended? Skill development important here construction and analysis of arguments for and against stated claims. 4 Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
2. Makkah 610-622 CE Background to the Prophet s career Students to produce fact sheet to include: year of birth; place of birth; tribe; clan; father; mother; childhood. (Salient facts only, e.g. orphaned; brought up by uncle s family); married (wife s name, etc.), profession. The call to Prophethood Exploration of the spiritual practices that brought the Prophet to the cave outside Makah. Key features of the first experience from the Qur an and any good summary, to include the angel, iqra, the impact of the experience and the role of the Prophet s wife and of her Christian cousin. Debate: the nature of prophetic inspiration understanding the Prophet s experience and why some considered him mad or possessed or lying. How the Qur an responded to these challenges. Characteristics of a genuine religious experience, attempts to disprove such experiences and defences of them. Bell and Watt Introduction to Qur an is good if rather scholarly here. Also Bashier, Life of the Prophet in Makkah e.g. Sura 15v6; 81 v 23 2v23-4; An imagined debate between the Prophet s supporters and enemies could be used here to rehearse the arguments. Main themes of the Prophet s teaching Qur an search based on index of Makkhan suras or other given passages. The 86 Suras have been divided into 3 or more time phases by scholars. Students could also research specific themes in the teaching, e.g. worshipping God alone; social criticism; idol worship; defence of Muhammad; final judgement. The occasions of revelation, content and significance of particular revelations could also be explored and presented to the rest of the class. See, e.g. http://www.islamworld.net/quran.info.html e.g. 96 1-11 klm Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 5
2. Makkah 610-622 CE Development of Islam in Makkah Who were the earliest converts the family of the Prophet. (Khadijah; Ali; Zayd; Abu Bakr and Uthman). What did being a Muslim involve? E.g. prayer. How did Islam spread? including the power of the Qur an. Slow beginnings. Bell and Watt, Introduction to the Qur an is a good source here. Also Armstrong she stresses how divisive Islam was as new Muslims threw aside their old family loyalties (Chapter 6, page 121). Opposition Identify the leading opponents: Abu Lahab, Abu Al-Hakam (Abu Jahl) and Abu Sufyan. Explore the reasons for their opposition, including threat to their position and trade, challenge to the tradition of the ancestors and their religious beliefs. The role of the clan in protecting the Prophet. These events may be dramatically re-told from the perspective of the Prophet s followers, e.g. Bilal, or those who experienced the boycott of the clan of Hashim and their supporters Al-Muttalib. 619 the Year of sorrow this can be explored here or in the build up to the Hijrah. See Brown, pages 74-76 for a good summary. Responses to it E.g. Support from the Qur an; non retaliation; personal strengths required; solidarity with other Muslims, and importance of support from the clans; emigration to Abyssinia; then the Hijrah itself. 6 Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
2. Makkah 610-622 CE Events leading up to the Hijrah Mainly 619 622, but to explain fully, reference will be needed to the opposition the Prophet and his followers faced. The key question here is why he left Makkah and why it was Yathrib he went to. Loss of key supporters Khadijah and Abu Talib. Abu Lahab and the Prophet s expulsion from his clan for dishonouring his ancestors implications of this: the Prophet at risk. 620 622: preaching to pilgrims from Yathrib. The central characters here are the representatives from Yathrib through them the situation in Yathrib and some of the reasons why they gave their loyalty to the Prophet can be explored. The location of Yathrib and its nature as a primarily agricultural oasis should be understood. klm Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 7
3. Madinah 622-632 CE The Hijrah and challenges faced A group of refugees with the Prophet as their leader. This view of the Hijrah can be explored and parallels drawn with more recent emigrations of this nature. The poverty of the emigrants (partly as a result of the boycott); their lack of the farming skills that would have allowed them to support themselves and make a living; the potential for unrest caused by their arrival and the already unsettled nature of the community they were entering, need making clear. The individuals / groups who will figure strongly in the next phase of the story need introducing, e.g. Aws and Khazraj, Ibn Ubayy and the Jewish tribes. This can be done with individuals / groups in the class researching specific people / groups and presenting an introduction to the rest. The chronological approach may help here but the students need to be able to relate the information to the themes identified in the Specification. For revision purposes, at least, the material needs to be organised under those headings for them, or by them. The themes necessarily overlap. The significance of the Hijrah for those who made it the breaking of family ties the setting up of a community united by commitment to Allah, not by blood or marriage. The beginning of a Muslim society. Specific challenges: not to alienate either of the Aws or Khazraj; to formalise the relationship between the different groups within Yathrib; to establish the emigrants and allow them to support themselves; to establish the Way of Islam ; to deal with the growing threats from Makkah, from the Hypocrites and the Jewish tribes. (The reasons for these challenges should be explored.) 8 Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
3. Madinah 622-632 CE Responses to those challenges, and the status and role of the Prophet Explore key events of the period and different aspects of the Prophet s role in what can now be called Madinah, e.g. The Diplomat e.g. the decision where to live, the constitution of Madinah, the treaty of Hudabiyya. The Messenger continuing to reveal Qur an as it responds to this new situation, both by setting out laws for the new community and providing guidance and encouragement where needed. The Commander / Warrior conduct of the battles (N.B. questions can be set on the conquest of Makkah (see below), not on any individual battle. The Ruler examples of Muhammad s role as ruler may be drawn from his dealings with the Hypocrites and the Jews and with groups outside Madinah. Commentaries on many Qur anic verses can illustrate this, e.g. the occasion of revelation for Surah 2 v 217 (fighting in the sacred months) Surah 8. Emergence and nature of the Umma in Madinah and beyond The ties between the members of the Umma commitment to Allah and his Messenger, not birth or marriage. (As illustrated by Badr when the Muslims fought against their own relatives.) Muhajirun the Emigrants. Ansar the Helpers, the Madinan Muslims. Hypocrites focused on Ibn Ubayy. The Umma as a spiritual and / or political body: why did people follow Muhammad? Consider e.g. the motivation of the Muhajirun before the Hijrah; the two pledges of Aqaba and the motivation of the first Madinan Muslims; the effect of the victory at Badr and the way Muhammad was instructed to divide the spoils. The nature of the conquest of Makkah and the way tribes outside Makkah and Madinah accepted Islam and / or the authority of the Prophet. Relevance of Islam as a complete way of life rather than just a religion in any narrow sense of the word to this debate. This is significant for understanding events at the death of the Prophet and consideration of it may become an introduction to the next section. klm Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 9
3. Madinah 622-632 CE The conquest of Makkah and its significance The weakening of Makkah: military failure, loss of trade and influence. The treaty of Hudabiyya establishment of Makkah as the centre of Pilgrimage in Islam (Makkah as the Qiblah, also showed its centrality to the New Way). The breaking of the treaty and the final march on Makkah. These events can be traced through the life of Abu Sufyan providing another link to the next section. Significance the integration of the previous power centre and traditional leaders into the Umma. Restoration of Makkah as centre of trade and pilgrimage. This is central to the debate about the nature of the Umma as it emerged towards the end of the Prophet s career. This is not presented as a spiritual process. This is crucial to understanding events after the Prophet s death and the subsequent power struggle. 10 Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
4. The death of the Prophet, the emergence of the Caliphate and of the Sunni / Shi a divide The Prophet s achievements by the time of his death The spread of Islam and / or the authority of the Prophet (create map). The establishment of a community based on commitment not birth. The completion of the Message (Surah 5 v 3). United Arabia (contrast with situation pre 610). The Sunnah and Madinah as the model of an Islamic Society. The nature of the Umma As above but also with reference to the falling away of some of those who had given their allegiance to the Prophet (see below). The immediate consequences of the Prophet s death Power vacuum the need to agree a leader and define the role of the new leader see below. Varying groups each with their own claim to the leadership Muhajirun, Ansar and the family of the Prophet including the newly integrated leading families of Makkah. False Prophets and Apostates the Ridda wars. Election role and status of the Caliph. Sunni and Shi a perspectives Events seen through the eyes of the traditions of Sunni and Shi a historians. Shi a Islam the nomination of Ali as the successor; the importance of the family of the Prophet and the continuity of the divine light. Sunni Islam the election of the first among equals. The role of Caliph as representative, enforcing the law of God on behalf of the Umma. Abu Bakr the first Caliph. The emergence of Shi a Islam Trace events through to Karbala to explain the traditions. Central characters Ali, Muawiyya, Hasan, Husayn and Yazid and their lineage. The nature of the dispute between them religious / political. klm Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 11
4. The death of the Prophet, the emergence of the Caliphate and of the Sunni / Shi a divide Issues arising Note some of these have been explored in the content above below are notes on the remainder. How far was the Prophet s message new? Was it a complete rejection of beliefs and values of the day? Not new: explore links with pre Islamic faith and practice and Islamic understanding of Christianity and Judaism. Explain idea that some existing practices were purified or given an Islamic interpretation (e.g. pilgrimage and fasting). Counter argument was new. Consider contrast between existing beliefs and practices and the Way established through the Qur an in particular a complete way of life founded on revelation. Rejection of family ties for loyalty to shared ideals. The idea that the selection of the Arabs for the final revelation suggests that they were ideally suited to receive it, and that they therefore had many positive qualities (e.g. muru a or manliness) which would be integrated into Islam. The structure of the Umma also has much in common with the structure of a tribe except that its basis was not birth. As with all evaluation questions the quality of the answer depends on how well it is reasoned / supported with evidence and argument by the candidate. There is no assumed right answer just weaker and stronger presentations of a point of view. Past questions on life of Muhammad can provide guidance about the type of answers expected for AO2 questions. How important to the success of Islam was the fact that Muhammad was born in Makkah? This explores the two faces of Makkah s role the centre of opportunity and the centre of opposition. Opportunity centre of power for powerful families with far reaching influence. Being a part of that gave the Prophet and the Muslims the same connections it mattered what happened here, and what happened here would have wider consequences. Some suggestions that the Prophet was invited to Madinah for his skills as a trader gained in Makkah. Counter arguments, e.g. Makkah initially rejected Islam; it can be argued that the Prophet succeeded despite Makkah and that his influence with the Madinans and others was based on revelation and personal authority. Opportunity for review of whole career here and to investigate various reasons why the Prophet was successful these can be used to counter the idea that Makkah was crucial or indeed very important. 12 Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
4. The death of the Prophet, the emergence of the Caliphate and of the Sunni / Shi a divide Was the Prophet s role in Makkah mainly, or solely, as warner? Qur an search on Makkan suras for theme of warning. Other themes in the Prophet s teaching. How successful was the Prophet in Makkah? Things to consider include: limited number of followers, opposition and the view that he was forced to leave Makkah, counterbalanced by the view that, i.e. the events were an essential prelude to what followed; part of the divine plan; identified a core of loyal Muslims; finally led to the establishment of the Umma. How important was the Prophet s career in Makkah in development of Islam and for today? Can consider importance of the message delivered in Makkah and the example of the Prophet from that time this may relate especially to Muslims living in a non- Muslim society today. Some would argue Madinan period much more important (see below). There are also general points to be made about differing Muslim views about the importance of the Sunna today and the accuracy of the record of the Sunna in the Hadith. Significance of the Hijrah for Muslims today Can be investigated through a range of Muslim writings, e.g. breaking of family ties; establishment of Umma; start of calendar marking beginning of Islamic society; Example to follow. Importance of Madinan period Role as perfect Muslim society especially in Maliki school of law. Debates among Muslims about relevance of such traditions and reliability of Hadith as above. klm Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 13
4. The death of the Prophet, the emergence of the Caliphate and of the Sunni / Shi a divide Reasons for Muhammad s success Consider why the Prophet s authority was accepted by increasing number of people message as Prophet, military successes, diplomatic abilities. Actions at crisis points could be used as evidence, e.g. events leading up to treaty of Hudabiyya. Arguments should be offered for Prophet or statesman or both. Significance of events at the death of the Prophet and emergence of Shi a Islam for today For Shi ism foundational stories reflecting Shi a identity; continuing tension between Shi a and Sunni Muslims in some areas. Rejection of legitimacy of early Caliphs includes their authority as transmitters of Hadith implications for understanding of Shari a. Continuing leadership debate within the Umma (e.g. in relation to jihad). Significance of Muhammad s life for Muslims today In addition to what is covered elsewhere there needs to be clear appreciation of the differences within Islam about the importance of the Hadith and attitudes to Muhammad, e.g. the Barelvi view and view of liberal Muslim groups like the self styled Progressive Muslims. For Progressive Muslims see this material on women s dress http://www.free-minds.org/women/scarf.htm 14 Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm