REL_ST 2110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Dhimmi, Quraysh, Polytheism
Document Summary
720 in mecca to the powerful quraysh tribe. Angel gabriel appeared to muhammad in 610--commanded the he recite what angel spoke to him about god (recitation = qur"an) Qur"an revealed over the next 23 yrs. Last in line of prophets including abraham, moses, and jesus. A man (ideal man), but not divine. Peninsula not politically unified multiple tribes. Jews, christians, and polytheists all relatively coexisted peacefully. Mecca famous for polytheist shrine, the ka"ba. Muslims call this period the age of ignorance --prior to the revelation of the qur"an. Muhammad was monotheist, while most ppl were polytheistic. Muhammad fits reluctant profit motif from hb---he was illiterate. Message emphasizes god"s oneness and care for the poor. Muhammad"s 1st convert was his wife khadija, followed by other close family and friends. Criticisms of polytheism and wealth not received well by quraysh and other prosperous. In 622, muhammad moved followers to medina (200 mi away from mecca)
