World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide

Military Jihad means “to strive or struggle”. This is meant in the way of God and is defined as, “exerting one’s utmost power, efforts, endeavors, or ability in contending with an object of disapprobation.” There are different categories of jihad. When used in the military sense, it is the “lesser jihad”. When used to discuss the struggle man faces to attain religious and moral perfection, it is the “greater jihad”. Jihad is a collective duty for most Muslims. The performance by some may exempt others. Only for those who are vested with authority (imam) does the jihad become a moral duty. If necessary, the rest of the people may have to mobilize as well. 8.6 History Muhammad (610-632) Muhammad was the last of the prophets in the Muslim tradition. During the last 22 years of his life, beginning at the age of 40, Muhammad had revelations he believed to be from God. The revelations were the Qur’an, which he memorized and told to his companions. During this time, he preached to the people of Mecca and implored them to abandon polytheism. His followers were persecuted by the leading Meccan authorities. After 12 years of preaching, Muhammad and his followers performed the Hijra (“emigration”) to the city of Medina in 622. There, Muhammad established his political and religious authority. Within a few years, two battles had been fought against the Meccan forces. The Battle of Badr in 624 in which the Muslims won, and the Battle of Uhud in 625, which ended without a clear winner. There were conflicts with the Jewish Medina clans who opposed Muslims and led to their exile, enslavement, and death. In 628, the Treaty of Hubaybiyyah was signed between Mecca and the Muslims, but was broken by Mecca two years later. The Meccan trade routes were cut off when Muhammad brought surrounding tribes under his control. In 629 Muhammad, was victorious in the nearly bloodless conquest of Mecca, and by his death (632) at the age of 62, he had united the tribes of Arabia into a single religious group. Caliphates After Muhammad died, disagreement ensued about who would succeed him as the leader of the Muslim community. Abu Bakr, who was a companion and close friend, was made the first caliph. Caliphates were leaders who followed Muhammad and were commanders of the faithful.

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