Muhammed's Early Life

[PierreGringoire]

In Muhammad's early life what religious belief did he have. Could he have been Christian? Since Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet? I believe he started ministering when he was around the age of 40 and his earlier life was as a successful merchant or some such upperclassmen....

[Shield&Sword]

Hello piere
In islam we believe that any person is born muslim, and when he grow up he change his religion (taking religion of his parents or convert to another one when he an adult). Thats why any kid if he die before he become mature he will enter paradise because he is still a muslim as God created him even if his parents believe in another religion.
Prophet Muhammad was a muslim since he was born, he refused statues and didnt accept paganism, he believed in one only God, but he didnt know about duties of a muslim untle God sent him the message.
To close the idea for you, what jesus was when he was born? a Jew and then started christianism? same thing Abraham who lived in pagan world no one worshiped God they prayed to stones but Abraham wasnt pagan, he was muslim since he didnt change his belief, he always believed in one God as you know untle God sent him the message, he wasnt christian as you know (Jesus came after) and there was no Jews. We believe that the religion of all prophets including Jesus and Moses peace be upon them is Islam, it was always the religion that God sent. Same message for all prophets but different duties depending on the time and people.

i Hope you got the idea.

[papayahed]

Wait, what? Was there a prevailing religion during Muhammad's younger years?

[HerGuardian]

Wait, what? Was there a prevailing religion during Muhammad's younger years?

In the Arab Peninsula (Saudi Arabia and its neighbours), Following Abraham and his son Ismail was the religion of all Arabs. There used to be Jews and Christians, too. However, Arabs used to worship Idols and Statues (Paganism) as medium to please Allah (Abraham's God).

[papayahed]

In the Arab Peninsula (Saudi Arabia and its neighbours), Following Abraham and his son Ismail was the religion of all Arabs. There used to be Jews and Christians, too. However, Arabs used to worship Idols and Statues (Paganism) as medium to please Allah (Abraham's God).

Thank you.

[Shield&Sword]

But Mouhammad wasnt pagan, he was at same religion of Abraham, monothism (islam), not paganism as the others in his tribe.

[Nightshade]

Actually if you really want a breakdown there were 4 primary religions in the penisula at the time, there was the particular brand of paganisim which was rather odd I think because they belived there was a god but that worshipping the idols and statues would somehow appease him. There were the the haneefa who were abrahamic monothesits, but there werent very many of them. There was the odd Coptic christian monostry type thing so I presume there were quite a few christians ( wasnt Warqa a christian before he became a Hanifa?)
and there was a rather large seetlment of Jews in the city that became madena. ( cant think what ot was called yadan maybe?)
As far as I know, Mohamed himself didnt follow any of these religions, if he had been any of the religions his family were Quariash and were the guarians of the idols but we know he rejected them and would 'meditate on the exsitance of God' from quite a young age, hence the reason he was in Hira at the time of the Revelation.

There was also a number of other sects and cults running around, but I seem to have gathered the impression that athestic and agonostic beliefs were also wide spread in the community and that it was fairly acceptable not to belive or worship anything.

[planet earth]

Muhammad, my dear beloved prophet was merely a searcher for truth. He Quested truth through the common sense in side him and inside our selves. This common sense that directs us if we work it out correctly that there is one truth in life.

The surrounding atmosphere around Muhammad was pagan. His common sense made him refuse the worship of lumps of stone. He therefore, used to go and meditate in the vast universe alone above a mountain called Hiraa, in a cave there searching for the possessor of this cosmos. He remained there until Allah himself revealed to him who He was and made him the final of prophets.

Muhammad was unlettered and therefore, he was neither Christian or Jewish. He came not to reject them, but only as the natural live update to them. the source of all religions was Allah, and they were all based on Submission to Him. That is where the word Islam comes from. We Submit the the most sovereign power and the utmost Mercy in the world. Upon submisssion one reaches what his common sense has long searched for.

This is what Muhammad had arrived to and this is what he dedicated his life to do. He took upon himself to guide people to what he was guided to and to be the mouthpiece of his Creator.

[Teeqs89]

its amazing how we are all born as Muslims...it makes one scared to die as other than that..

[datulakan]

its amazing how we are all born as Muslims...it makes one scared to die as other than that..

I hope you should first know the meaning for the term "born Muslims."

[blazeofglory]

I beleive that when man was born he had no religions. He becomes a convert, that is from his status of non-religious entity into a religious one.

[planet earth]

When one is born they are naturally worshippers of God, but when they grow up they choose, they are granted choice, and this is when they choose either to remain worshippers of God, or refuse Him.

THe Quran states that mankind witnessed Allah's creation to him and testified that God is God, but due to forgetfulness, one forgot and started looking for other things rather than the origin.

I guess this thread is about my beloved Muhammad, and the religion he embraced before Islam. I would really love everyone to know about him, so why then not read about his biography from sites that would offer a true image about him

[NickAdams]

I believe that when man was born he had no religions. He becomes a convert, that is from his status of non-religious entity into a religious one.

I agree. Religion goes beyond belief in God(s); it's a system that has evolved and is not innate. A young child can not comprehend such abstractions, they repeat, they please. If I had to compare children's behavior with a philosophy, I would think Taoism or Shintoism (especially during a child's animistic phase).

Returning to the topic:
Is Muhammed's life included in the Qur'an?

[planet earth]

I agree. Religion goes beyond belief in God(s); it's a system that has evolved and is not innate. A young child can not comprehend such abstractions, they repeat, they please. If I had to compare children's behavior with a philosophy, I would think Taoism or Shintoism (especially during a child's animistic phase).

Returning to the topic:
Is Muhammed's life included in the Qur'an?

Of course Muhammad's life is not included in the Quran, because the Quran related to Muhammad, News of the absent, things and events in History and forthcoming that he did not attend, religious legislations, and many many many scientific facts:

From the splitting of the moon to the string theory

His life, will be in tradition, related by his comrades.
I can summarize it of course and put it here, and I can recomend some very good websites as well. I will prepare them and put them here for those who are interested.

[NickAdams]

Of course Muhammad's life is not included in the Quran, because the Quran related to Muhammad, News of the absent, things and events in History and forthcoming that he did not attend, religious legislations, and many many many scientific facts:

From the splitting of the moon to the string theory

His life, will be in tradition, related by his comrades.
I can summarize it of course and put it here, and I can recommend some very good websites as well. I will prepare them and put them here for those who are interested.

Of course? That would only be obvious to those acquainted with the Qur'an. Splitting of the moon? Do you mean atom, or have I missed something.:blush: String theory? String theory is said to be the best candidate for a unified theory, but it is far from its goal. It is only a theory and a popular way to describe the universe, but God must have relayed a better way to describe the universe, if it's relevant, and including anything less would seem trivial. I am very interested in the structure of Qur'an and will appreciate the links.

[planet earth]

Of course? That would only be obvious to those acquainted with the Qur'an. Splitting of the moon? Do you mean atom, or have I missed something.:blush: String theory? String theory is said to be the best candidate for a unified theory, but it is far from its goal. It is only a theory and a popular way to describe the universe, but God must have relayed a better way to describe the universe, if it's relevant, and including anything less would seem trivial. I am very interested in the structure of Qur'an and will appreciate the links.

Yes, you are right, I am sorry, I said of course whilst you were not acquainted to the Quran.

By Splitting of the moon I mean a phenomenon that happened during the days of Muhammad, and the Quran stated it to him in a chapter, I think years ago modern science proved that the moon was split then returned again. I will gather all the references I could and send them to you Inshallah. (God Willing)

The string theory as much as I understand could detect God, and unifying the universe, is actually what Islam is about. One God, to whom all and every creation glorifies. Moreover there are indications in some verses that during fasting, one could eat, until the white string is identified from the black string of dawn.

I will send you all the links in a new post a while later

[Saladin]

I recommend the following sirah/biographies which are about the prophet(saw):

The Sealed Nectar by Saifur Rahman al- Mubarakpuri
Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources by Martin Lings
Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet by Karen Armstrong

[NickAdams]

No apology necessary, but thanks for the links in advance.

The splitting of the moon sounds very interesting.
Unifying would be an action and string theory would be used to describe and perhaps predict, but not cause. What string theory looks to unify is relativity and quantum mechanics.

"Moreover there are indications in some verses that during fasting, one could eat, until the white string is identified from the black string of dawn."

Although I find this very poetic, I think a link is created where one does not naturally exist.

Questions: is the Qur'an to be read from beginning to end or is there another method? I have made the decision to read the Qur'an some time this year.:thumbs_up

[planet earth]

Splitting of the moon

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE&cid=1123996016540

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVKfr3hVk68&feature=related

Life of Prophet Muhammad

http://www.islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/Prophet/Life/article01.shtml

http://www.pbuh.us/

Islam in general, including links for the life of Prophet Muhammad, and a recitatation and translation of the Quran

http://www.whyislam.org/

Quran

http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/SURAI.HTM

[planet earth]

Saladin, also sent you a few very good books to read.

I have written something very short about the life of Muhammad, but of course, read the master pieces first.

Finally The Quran, could be read in whichever order of course, there is not sequencial order, but it would be better if you finish it from beginning to end.

Mohammed Asad's translation is great too.

If I may give you a very small advice, after you read the Quran translated, it would be great if you learn Arabic. The imagery and parables and the grandeur of the language when you read it in Arabic is a beautiful experience.

I can also send you links to recitations in Arabic, to know how it is recited, and I don't need to tell you that hopefully Inshallah, I will be there if you need me in any obstacles you will face.

I would also like you to read my poems

Kill yourself and Always online, on the personal poetry forum. THey kind of explain one way or another some meanings in the Quran.

I really wish you the best of luck and would like to know the feeback of what you have read.

[NickAdams]

Saladin, also sent you a few very good books to read.

I have written something very short about the life of Muhammad, but of course, read the master pieces first.

Finally The Quran, could be read in whichever order of course, there is not sequencial order, but it would be better if you finish it from beginning to end.

Mohammed Asad's translation is great too.

If I may give you a very small advice, after you read the Quran translated, it would be great if you learn Arabic. The imagery and parables and the grandeur of the language when you read it in Arabic is a beautiful experience.

I can also send you links to recitations in Arabic, to know how it is recited, and I don't need to tell you that hopefully Inshallah, I will be there if you need me in any obstacles you will face.

I would also like you to read my poems

Kill yourself and Always online, on the personal poetry forum. THey kind of explain one way or another some meanings in the Quran.

I really wish you the best of luck and would like to know the feeback of what you have read.

Thanks for the links and I didn't see Saladin's suggestions earlier, so thanks for pointing them out. I don't think one has truly read a book unless they have read it in its original language, so I do want to read it in Arabic in the future. A friend of my family gave me a book titled Reading Qur'an Yourself which teaches Qur'anic Arabic, but I'll come to you if I have questions.

I'll definitely check out your poems.

[West]

Nice way of Serving Islam. Many in here can benefit from the Islamic teachings about God almighty. Can some of you muslims post a thread about God/Allah in the light of Islam? perhaps that would/might clear and address the confusion many nonmuslims are dealing with who would love to worship God accordingly, or at least would believe in his existence but are dissatisfied with the way God is defined by man made doctrines that are confusing even to the those who believe in it. Thanks in Advance to anyone who makes such an effort. I even suggest a title: God in light of Islam :thumbs_up

[muhsin]

Good job, brothers/sisters! Allah bless.

[planet earth]

I assume the only way is with His Splendid Appellations and with saying what He likes and dislikes from the Quran.

I hope I can manage to do something like that but I am not sure

[Nightshade]

Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources by Martin Lings
Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet by Karen Armstrong
Im sorry Im sorry I just cant resist, not to be mixed up with Kelly Armstrong!


Questions: is the Qur'an to be read from beginning to end or is there another method? I have made the decision to read the Qur'an some time this year.:thumbs_up
Wil you be reading in Arabic or another languge nick, ther are alot of problems with transaltions, if you are reading in english I personally would reccomend the The Qur'an: Arabic text with corresponding English meanings, Saheeh International Edition And on another note we are hoping to have the quaran up on the litnet one of these days :D
The quaran is struvtures into 114 surrah, the second surrah being the longest. When its taught to children we genrally start with final juza or part of the quran also known as Juza Ammah which starts with surat Abasa which is number 80. But I guess it would make sense to start at the beging and carry through.


Thanks for the links and I didn't see
Saladin's suggestions earlier, so thanks for pointing them out. I don't think one has truly read a book unless they have read it in its original language, so I do want to read it in Arabic in the future. A friend of my family gave me a book titled Reading Qur'an Yourself which teaches Qur'anic Arabic, but I'll come to you if I have questions.

I'll definitely check out your poems.