Beginning of the prophetic Mission

Tabari VI p. 60

Muhammad commenced his mission at the beginning of the fortieth year. Muhammad received the revelation when he was aged forty. Muhammad said to Fatimah: "(Gabriel) has reviewed the Quran with me once a year, but this year he has reviewed it with me twice, and I fancy that my time has come. This has a couple of oddities. The number of encounters with Gabriel is related quite differently in various places. This 'review of the Quran' is not mentioned in the course of his life, only in this hadith which is clearly from the end of his life. And, strangely, Muhammad contradicts his claim that prophets were able to choose if they'd die or not. Whenever a prophet has been sent, his mission has lasted for a period of half his predecessor's lifetime. Jesus was sent for a period of forty years, and I was sent for twenty. Probably Muhammad simply didn't do the math on this one. Jesus was teaching only for a single year or possibly three, not forty. The prevous prophet should then have an active period of 80 years, the previous yet 160 years, then 320 years etc. Others say that he became a prophet when he was aged forty-three. The difference might be from the three-year interval in revelation. Said Ibn Abbas: "The Prophet was born on a Monday and became a prophet on a Monday. Al-Tabari: There is no dispute among the scholars on the above point. There is, however, a dispute as to which Monday this was. Some say that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad on the eigtheenth of Ramadan. Seeing the Arab scholars discuss details like this is a bit like seeing Christian scholars debate things that has nothing to do with the teaching of Jesus. But sure it's interesting to see if an agreement can be reached: Others say that it was revealed on the twenty-fourth of Ramadan. Others say that it was revealed on the seventeenth of Ramadan. They quote as evidence for this the words of God: Quran 8:41: And know that whatever of war-booty that you may gain, verily, one-fifth (1/5th) of it is assigned to Allâh, and to the Messenger, and to the near relatives, the orphans, Al-Masâkin and the wayfarer, if you have believed in Allâh and in that which We sent down to Our slave (Muhammad) on the Day of Criterion, the Day when the two forces met; and Allâh is Able to do all things. This is one of many references to the Battle of Badr. Note that we are on a little segway here, using sura 8 ('Spoils of War') given in Medina to argue what exact day revelation began. For a context, let's take the next verses: Quran 8:42: When you were on the near side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on the ground lower than you. Even if you had made a mutual appointment to meet, you would certainly have failed in the appointment, but that Allâh might accomplish a matter already ordained, so that those who were to be destroyed might be destroyed after a clear evidence, and those who were to live might live after a clear evidence. And surely, Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower. The fatalistic nature of Islam is clear here. Quran 8:43: When Allâh showed them to you as few in your dream; if He had shown them to you as many, you would surely have been discouraged, and you would surely have disputed in making a decision. But Allâh saved (you). Certainly, He is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts. This is interesting. Apparently, Muhammad had a dream regarding Badr and the battle there. While some may doubt the religiousness of venturing out in order to kill your tribesmen, there is little discussion that this dream was prophetic.

Signs of the Approach of Prophethood

Tabari p. 63

Before Gabriel appeared to him to confer on him his mission as Messenger of God, it is said that he used to see signs and evidences indicating that God wished to ennoble him and to single him out for his favor. One of these is the account which I have previously given [actually later] of the two angles who came to him, opened up his breast, and removed the hatred and the impurity which were in it. There is some discreprancy between this removing of hatred and the way Muhammad acted towards the Quraysh and the Jews of Medina. Another is that it is said that whenever he passed along a road and passed by a tree or stone, it would greet him. Tabari has quite a few of these hagiographical accounts of the forthcoming prophet. One more has this passage: "He is a man who is neither short nor tall, whose hair is neither abundant nor sparse, whose eyes are always red, and who has the seal of prophethood between his shoulders. His name is Ahmad, and this town is his birthplace and the place in which he will commence his mission. Then his people will drive him out and hate the message which he brings, and he will emigrate to Yathrib and triumph. Beware lest you fail to recognize him. I have travelled around every land in search of the faith of Abraham. Every person whom I ask, whether Jew, Christian or Magian, says: "This faith lies where you have come from," and they describe him as I described him to you. They say that no prophet remains but he." While we cannot know what the Magians where expecting since their faith is long since extinct, it is quite clear that while the Christians might have expected the second coming of Christ, Muhammad was likely to be a surprise to them. The Jews, who do not consider Jesus their Messiah, were still expecting Messiah eagerly. They probably would expect their prophet to reestablish the Jewish nation, not destroy it. Details aside, these stories are problematic, in that they could easily have been constructed on the basis of the life of Muhammad during the centuries that passed before they were collected.

The very first revelation

Tabari p. 67

The first form in which the revelation came to Muhammad was true vision; this used to come to him like the break of dawn. Likely a reference to Sura 53. It seems that this vision occured when Muhammad was 40 years old. After that, he grew to love solitude and used to remain in a cave in Hira engaged in acts of devotion [tahannuth, might be fasting] for a number of days before returning to his family. Then he would return to his family and supply himself with provisions for a similar number of days. This looks religious! Like Christian saints, Hindi or Buddhist monks, Muhammad was retreating to secluded places in the mountains. There is no indication that Muhammad recieves teachings from experienced mystics or other humans, a difference from the other religions. This continued until the Truth came to him unexpectedly, and said: "Muhammad, you are the Messenger of God." Muhammad said: "I had been standing, but fell on my knees; and crawled away, my shoulders trembling. I went to Khadijah and said: "Wrap me up! Wrap me up!" When the terror had left me, he came to me and said, "Muhammad, you are the Messenger of God."" Perhaps not the most flattering example of a prophetic calling. Muhammad is terror-stricken and crawls away and seeks safety with his wife. But the message is clear. He said: "I had been thinking of hurling myself down from a mountain crag, but he appeared to me, as I was thinking about this, and said: "Muhammad, I am Gabriel and you are the Messenger of God." It doesn't seem to be a pleasent task to be called to be a prophet. It's good that the spirit who visits Muhammad introduces himself, or we would have an open question as to what it was that Muhammad encountered. Other religions might have started with giving relevation rather than titles, but religions don't need to be all the same. Then he said: "Recite!" I said: "What shall I recite?" He took me and pressed me three times thightly until I was nearly stifled and was utterly exhausted; then he said: "Recite in the name of your Lord who created," and I recited it. Then I went to Khadijah and said: "I have been in fear for my life." Whatever Muhammad encounters in the cave, it's certainly powerful, causing much fear. Interestingly, it doesn't name itself 'Allah'. The order to 'recite' (the word Quran means Recital) can also be interpreted as an order to read, something it is generally assumed that Muhammad, in contrast with the prophets of Israel, was not able to do. When I told her what had happened, she said: "Rejoice, for God will never put you to shame, for you treat your kinsfolk well, tell the truth, deliver what is entrusted to you, endure fatigue, offer hospitality to the guest, and aid people in misfortune." Being right at the outset of his prophetic career, Khajidah has expectations of her husband matching what the prophets of Israel used to do. History, unfortunately, turned out otherwise. The first parts of the Quran to be revealed to me after iqra were: Quran 68:1: Nûn As several others, this sura is initiated with a word that has no meaning. This is generally considered to be a miracle. Quran 68:1-6: By the pen and by what they write. You, by the Grace of your Lord, are not mad. And verily, for you will be an endless reward. And verily, you are on an exalted character. You will see, and they will see, which of you is afflicted with madness. This sura addresses Muhammad alone, not mankind at large. A footnote in Tabari reads: "This is unlikely to be early, since it implies that Muhammad has been charged with being majnun, mad or possessed by jinn." Since jinns are demons, being posessed by one of these is not good. Quran 74:1-5: O you enveloped in garments! Arise and warn! And magnify your Lord! And purify your garments! And keep away from Ar-Rujz (the idols)! Since this responds directly to the situation where Muhammad tries to hide from his fear under the sheets, it is more likely to be the first. The idols mentioned would probably be those of the Ka'aba. The third sura quoted by Tabari is number 93, as a response to this statement by Khadijah: After this, Gabriel did not come to him for a while, and Khadijah said to him: "I think that your Lord must have come to hate you." Then God revealed to him: Sura 93, which in its entirety reads: Quran 93:1-11: By the forenoon. By the night when it darkens. Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor hates you. And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present. And verily, your Lord will give you so that you shall be well-pleased. Did He not find you an orphan and gave you a refuge? And He found you unaware and guided you. And He found you poor and made you rich. Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression. And repulse not the beggar. And proclaim the Grace of your Lord. Again, it is directed to Muhammad in person, not mankind in general, recalling the experiences when Muhammad had himself been an orphan, who, bereft of his parents, had probably been begging to survive. Several variant accounts of the event follow, many referencing this as being the first sura revealed: Quran 96:1-5: Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created. He has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not. The 'clot' mentioned might be a reference to the embryonic development later mentioned in suras 22, 23, 40, 75 and 96. It might be inspired by the Greek doctor Galen who lived about 150 AD and described the process in a similar way.

Retreats

Tabari VI p. 70

Muhammad used to spend one month every year in religious retreat on Hira." This was part of the practice of tahannuth in which the Quraysh used to engage during the Jahiliyyah. This is quite possibly the roots of what today is the Ramadan fasting. Muhammad used to spend this month in every year in religious retreat, feeding the poor who came to him. When he had completed his month of retreat, the first thing he would do on leaving, even before going home, was to circumambulate the Ka'aba seven times, or however many times God willed; then he would go home. These are pagan times, so it should come as no surprise that Muhammad performs pagan rituals. There are many variant accounts of the unpleasent encounter in the cave. Another reads (p. 76): Muhammad said: "I was in retreat on Hira, and when I had completed my retreat, I came down the mountain and went into the bottom of the wadi. Then I heard a voice calling me; I looked right and left, behind me and in front of me, but could not see anything. Then I looked up, ad there he was sitting on a throne between heaven and earth, and I was terror-stricken by him. Then I went to Khadijah and said: "Envelop me!" So they enveloped me in a cloak and poured water over me, and then: "Oh you enveloped in a cloak, arise and warn!" was revealed to me." In this account, Muhammad doesn't name the entity on the throne, but in another it is described as 'The angel who came to me at Hira'. Whoever it was, the terror it inflicted was significant. It is no wonder that when his wife and family have calmed his fear, the first thing revealed is "Arise and warn!" God commanded his Prophet to rise up and to warn his people that God would punish them for their ingratitude to their Lord and for their worship of false gods and idols to the exclusion of Him who created them and gave them their daily bread. This is a clear difference to the 'joyful tidings' of the Christian gospels. Punishment, not foregiveness, is the top priority of the Lord.

The First Rituals of Islam

Tabari p. 77

The first of the duties of Islam to be prescribed for Muhammad by God, after that of professing God's oneness, disavowing graven images and idols, and repudiating false gods, is said to have been that of ritual prayer or worship (salat). A footnote in the English translation of Tabari reads: "The word salat is commonly translated "prayer,", although "worship" would be more appropriate, since there is virtually no petition or intercession." This is significant, and another difference from Christianity. In the Christian tradition, the line "You can petition the Lord with prayer" is central, and the basis of praying for forgiveness, for wishes to come true, etc. The Christian prayer is a direct relationship to God, and is expected to bring results. Islam, in contrast, denies that it is possible to influence Allah in this way. The footnote continues: "The salat consists of a series of acts accompanied by expressions of praise or adoration. The climax is touching the ground with the forehead in acknowledgement of God's majesty. Each Muslim is now required to accomplish the salat five times a day, though originally the number of times was probably not fixed." This adoration of the unquestionable lordship of Allah is central to Islam. The notion of the number of prayers not being fixed is supported by the Quran mentioning three or four daily prayers, while the hadith eventually (in the "Ascent to Heaven" story) settles the issue by requiring five, as is practiced today.

The Messenger of God Begins to Preach Openly

Tabari p. 88

Three years after the commencement of his mission, God commanded His Prophet to proclaim the divine message which he had recieved, to declare it openly to the people, and to summon them to it. God said to him: Sura 15:94: Therefore proclaim openly that which you are commanded, and turn away from Al-Mushrikûn. Truly, We will suffice you against the scoffers, who set up along with Allâh another ilâh (god); but they will come to know. Indeed, We know that your breast is straitened at what they say. So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves. And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty. It is a bit contradictory that Muhammad is ordered to proclaim openly, yet turn away from the polytheists. We see again that the Meccans are not worshipping Allah alone, but have put other gods (stone idols) beside him. In the previous three years of his mission, until he was commanded to summon people openly to God, he had kept his preaching secret and hidden. Then God revealed: Quran 26:215: And warn your tribe of near kindred. And be kind and humble to the believers who follow you. Then if they disobey you, say: "I am innocent of what you do." When Muhammads companions prayed, they went to the ravines and concealed themselves from their fellow tribesmen. Once while Sad b. Abi Waqqas and a number of Muhammad's companions were in one of the ravines of Mecca, a group of polytheists suddenly appeared before them as they were praying, expressed their disapproval and reproached the believers for what they were doing. Finally, they came to blows, and Sad struck one of the polytheists with a camel's jawbone and split his head open. This was the first blood shed in the time of Islam. Clear enough. Cracking the skull probably means that the man was killed. Islam drew first blood in the conflict with non-Muslims. One day Muhammad mounted al-Safa and called out: "Beware this morning!" Quraysh gathered aroun him and said: "What is the matter?" Then he said: "If I were to tell you that the enemy would come upon you this morning or this evening, would you believe me?" "Certainly," they replied. He said: "I am a warner to you in the face of a terrible doom." Then Abu Lahab said: "May you perish. Did you call us together for this?" Then Allah revealed: Quran 111: Perish the two hands of Abû Lahab and perish he! His wealth and his children will not benefit him! He will be burnt in a Fire of blazing flames! And his wife too, who carries wood. In her neck is a twisted rope of Masad. A footnote in Tabari notes that this sura may not have been revealed at this time, but rather when Abu Lahab succeeded Abu Talib as the head of clan, and removed the protection of Muhammad. In any case, it certainly isn't the friendliest of suras.

The truth. Nothing but the truth