The Bethlen Home Messenger, 2002 (1-4. szám)

2002-09-01 / 3. szám

Címplatn'ö Corner

by Rev. Dr. Joseph Posta

In his early twenties Mohammed went to work for a wealthy widow named Khadijah. So faithfully did he transact her business that Khadijah married him, despite the protests of her father, whom she got drunk before the wedding to keep him out of the way. In spite of an age difference of fifteen years (Mohammed was twenty-five and the widow was forty) the marriage was successful. So long as Khadijah lived Mohammed did not take other wives, which is quite a tribute to the widow, considering that he is said to have had at least twelve wives before his death.

This marriage gave Mohammed prestige and rank among the nobles of Mecca. It also relieved him of further financial worry, giving him time to spend in religious meditation. The Meccans practiced idol worship at that time and Mohammed was one of those who grew disgusted with this form of religion. He was considered an agnostic by his fellow-citizens. It was his practice to retire with his family to a desert cave in a hill named Hira for his contemplation every year. This spot was about an hour from Mecca and he spent much time there by himself.

When he was forty years old, he was asleep or in a trance in this cave and he heard a voice say: "Read!" He said, "I cannot read." The voice said again: "Read!" And a third time the voice said, in tones both dreadful and commanding, "Read!" "Read: in the name of thy Lord who createth; Createth man from a clot, Read: and it is thy Lord the Most Bountiful who teacheth by the pen, teacheth man that which he knew not."

When Mohammed woke up this impression was clear in his mind. He then walked out of the cave and was accosted by the same voice. He looked up and saw an angel in the sky. Whichever way he turned he kept seeing the vision, and the voice said, "0 Mohammed! Thou art Allah's messenger, and I am Gabriel."

He stood for some time until the vision disappeared; then he rushed home to tell his wife. At first Mohammed seemed to think this was a harmful spirit, but his wife calmed him and convinced him that God would never let such a thing happen to him. She told him she hoped he would become a prophet of his people and encouraged him.

When they got back to Mecca they talked with a relative of Khadijah who was well versed in the Scriptures. This person assured Mohammed that a heavenly messenger had come to summon him to the office of a prophet. Mohammed went through great mental distress, still unsure of the spirit that had come to him, but he finally came under the conviction that he was called to be a special representative of Allah.

His wife became his first convert; after her his two adopted children, Ali and Zeid, and his own daughter, Fatima, became converted. Others began to accept his prophetic mission and within three years he had a band of loyal

followers, which included his father-in-law, Abu Bakr and the energetic Omar. Both of these men became important leaders in the movement.

Mohammed's teachings stirred up much opposition at Mecca because he personally attacked Meccan idolatry and ancient tribal customs. It was in answer to his opponents' insistence that he perform miracles to authenticate his Divine call that he began producing the Koran. That only intensified resistance to Mohammed and several of his followers were forced to flee to Abyssinia to avoid the persecution.

A plot to kill Mohammed forced him to flee in 622. This flight is known as the Hegira. The Mohammedan calendar is dated from this event in the life of the prophet. The Hegira took him to Medina, two hundred and fifty miles North of Mecca. This remained Mohammed's headquarters for the rest of his life.

Now Mohammed's teachings became more authoritarian. Where previously he had only warned and preached, he now commanded and compelled. His first proclamation had been, "Let there be no compulsion in religion." This gave way to the opposite principle that all unbelievers must be summoned to Islam, tribute or the sword.

The Koran reflects a decided change in tone after his withdrawal to Medina. He becomes aggressive and relentless in his purpose to make Islam the religion for all the people. His converts make raids on caravans passing near the city in order to support themselves. This resulted in retaliation from Mecca and the first major battle of his career is known as the Battle of Badr. Although outnumbered, Mohammed's forces put the Meccans to flight. This victory sent the prestige of Mohammed soaring. Tougher days were ahead. The Meccans soon returned with larger forces and inflicted a stunning blow to the Median rebels. Mohammed was wounded in the fighting. But the Meccans failed to follow up their hard won victory. The rumor was circulated that Mohammed had reinforcements and was ready for the enemy. In support of the rumor, Mohammed took to the field the next day, thus succeeding in convincing the raiding army that he was quite able to resume the war. This stratagem caused the Meccan commander to order a withdrawal, thus losing the last chance they ever got to subdue the prophet.

Mohammed recovered from this near defeat and continued to make forays on surrounding tribes. By the fifth year after the Hegira, Mohammed had grown strong enough to withstand another army that was sent against him. When Mohammed learned that a large attack force was on its way to Medina, he had a deep, wide ditch dug all around the city. When the army arrived this completely stopped them, but they settled down for a siege of the city, determined to wipe out the Mohammedans. A bitter wind began to blow from the sea. Sand and dust covered everycontinued on next page...