How Muhammad Established Islam As A Major Political And Religious Force In The World Essay

While Muhammad was living with his wife Khadija, he often went to a cave outside Makkah called Hira, where he would reflect and pray. During i night in 610CE, when Muhammad was 40, he was in a cave on slang Hira. God revealed himself to Muhammad. This was called the night of power, and it relates in Surah 95 of the Quran, which is entitled The Blood Clot.When Muhammad returned home, Khadija became his first believer. Then his cousin Ali, a freed slave called Zayd, and one of his closest friends, Abu Bakr, all became followers. There started one of the great religions of the world.Muhammad had a strong thought that in that respect was only one God, the creator. He believed that all humans should be equal in their kinship with this creator. This undermined the tribes of Makkah who, especially the Quarish, rose up against Muhammad and his followers. All through his life, Muhammad fought to establish Islam, to gather followers, and to create a squ be political force.In the 22 years after the first revelation, until Muhammad died in 632CE, God delivered the Quran to Muhammad, his messenger. By the clip that God had finished revealing the Quran, Muhammad had moved to Madinah. Hence we get Makkan and Medinan verses. The Makkan verses are usually shorter, more judgemental, and are found towards the end of the Quran.After the second revelation, the night journey, Muhammad migrated to Yathrib, 40 miles north of Makkah, to settle disputes with the pilgrims from that town. He went there with family and followers in 622CE. When he arrived, he built a house, which was later to drive the first mosque. He then renamed the town Madinah. This is where the central community was established.After Muhammad died, no one knew if he had named a successor. Usually, it would subside to his eldest son. In the end the leader was chosen by the Muslim community as a person of great personal integrity. This is the belief of the Sunni branch of Islam, who did not want a government, b ut they valued to rely on an authoritative ruler. The Shia branch believes that the early history was biased against Ali, Muhammads cousin. When Ali did become the leader, those who believed Ali to be the true successor formed the separate Party of Ali. The Shia branch wanted a leader from the family of Muhammad.Islam was greatly diversified by the achievements of the first four caliph successors to Muhammad. Here is who they are and what they achieved in their rule* Abu Bakr (632-634 CE) He and his armies conquered Arab tribes, and they went as far as the Byzantine Empires borders. Abu Bakr had more than a personal belief of Islam and he had a belief of political ideology.* Umar (634-644 CE) He continued after Abu Bakr and captured capital of Israel and northwestward Africa.* Uthman (644-656 CE) After Ali turned down the caliphate, Uthman was chosen and he expanded the empire through North Africa and Eastwards to India and China.* Ali (656-661 CE) He made Muawiya co-caliph, a dis astrous move. Two parties were formed, one backing Ali, the other supporting Muawiya.Islam today is the second largest religion in the world and it is growing fast. It is significant in the modern politics. It in any case contributes to art, music, architecture and philosophy. The religion has grown to have over 2 billion followers. However recently Islamophobia has stepped in. Islam has been treat very cruelly by the western media in the last few years. However Islam means to surrender, or submit, and it is linked closely to another Arabic word meaning peace. Indeed a Muslim is one who surrenders.