A Messenger's Story-A Harsha Sankar Article
August 2011
Born in the harsh Arabian desert, he was orphaned in his early youth and was raised by his uncle. He met a Christian monk as a pre-teen. It is claimed this monk foresaw this youth's future.
As he grew in adulthood, he became a trader and shepherd. However, he became dissatisfied and then sought the solitude of caves and mountains for reflection. At age 40,he claimed to receive a revelation from the angel Gabriel. After a three year pause, he began advocating the premises that "God is One" and "Complete Surrender to God."
Now a firm proponent of monotheism, he canvassed a terrain throughout the city of Mecca,converting people into a new faith. Most of his supporters were either relatives of big merchants, foreigners, and/or the disenfranchised. Nearly all were looking for a unifying and well-defined faith.
As his outcry against idol worship and other religious customs became more intense, the focus against him by the authorities became more oppressive. Many followers left for Ethiopia.
At age 50, he again had miraculous visions and journeys,which are known as the Isra and Mi'raj. It is claimed that Gabriel allowed him to tour heaven and hell.It also allowed him to supposedly speak with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. He then declared that he was the last in the succession of the messengers of God.
Along with cousin Ali (propagator of the Shiite movement), friend Abu Bakr (propagator of the Sunni movement), and adopted son Zaid, the public preaching escalated. With the death of his uncle and wife, the repression of him and the new converts became severe. In 622, he secretly fled in the dead of night. This later would be regarded as the historic flight from Mecca to Medina.
He then authored the Constitution of Medina,establishing Medina as the first Muslim state. He catered to those persecuted by warlike leaders,gaining many converts amongst the pagans.
Tensions between the Meccans and the Muslim community reached high levels. In the Battle of Badr, the new religious leader emerged victorious. He consolidated power in Medina and his opposition became less resistant.
He left Mecca as a refugee. He later came back a conqueror. After warring for many years, his army took that city without shedding blood.
From a businessman/merchant to a preacher to a warlord, his community now ruled most of Arabia as a result of his many successful military expeditions.Based on his last vision, he commanded the Hajj Pilgrimage to commemorate his triumph over Mecca.
This man's name was Muhammad. The religion he either prophesied or has been accused of inventing was Islam. The compilation of verses he released became the Koran. While the Bible's New Testament is a loose compilation by the twelve apostles of Jesus, the Koran is very direct. It is regarded as the Word Of God.
The definition of Islam is submission. With 1.5 billion adherents, it is the second largest religion. Interestingly,Muhammad is buried next to an empty tomb that Muslims believe awaits Jesus.
Very Truly Yours,
Harsha Sankar
908 Valley Ridge Road
Covington,Virginia 24426
Born in the harsh Arabian desert, he was orphaned in his early youth and was raised by his uncle. He met a Christian monk as a pre-teen. It is claimed this monk foresaw this youth's future.
As he grew in adulthood, he became a trader and shepherd. However, he became dissatisfied and then sought the solitude of caves and mountains for reflection. At age 40,he claimed to receive a revelation from the angel Gabriel. After a three year pause, he began advocating the premises that "God is One" and "Complete Surrender to God."
Now a firm proponent of monotheism, he canvassed a terrain throughout the city of Mecca,converting people into a new faith. Most of his supporters were either relatives of big merchants, foreigners, and/or the disenfranchised. Nearly all were looking for a unifying and well-defined faith.
As his outcry against idol worship and other religious customs became more intense, the focus against him by the authorities became more oppressive. Many followers left for Ethiopia.
At age 50, he again had miraculous visions and journeys,which are known as the Isra and Mi'raj. It is claimed that Gabriel allowed him to tour heaven and hell.It also allowed him to supposedly speak with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. He then declared that he was the last in the succession of the messengers of God.
Along with cousin Ali (propagator of the Shiite movement), friend Abu Bakr (propagator of the Sunni movement), and adopted son Zaid, the public preaching escalated. With the death of his uncle and wife, the repression of him and the new converts became severe. In 622, he secretly fled in the dead of night. This later would be regarded as the historic flight from Mecca to Medina.
He then authored the Constitution of Medina,establishing Medina as the first Muslim state. He catered to those persecuted by warlike leaders,gaining many converts amongst the pagans.
Tensions between the Meccans and the Muslim community reached high levels. In the Battle of Badr, the new religious leader emerged victorious. He consolidated power in Medina and his opposition became less resistant.
He left Mecca as a refugee. He later came back a conqueror. After warring for many years, his army took that city without shedding blood.
From a businessman/merchant to a preacher to a warlord, his community now ruled most of Arabia as a result of his many successful military expeditions.Based on his last vision, he commanded the Hajj Pilgrimage to commemorate his triumph over Mecca.
This man's name was Muhammad. The religion he either prophesied or has been accused of inventing was Islam. The compilation of verses he released became the Koran. While the Bible's New Testament is a loose compilation by the twelve apostles of Jesus, the Koran is very direct. It is regarded as the Word Of God.
The definition of Islam is submission. With 1.5 billion adherents, it is the second largest religion. Interestingly,Muhammad is buried next to an empty tomb that Muslims believe awaits Jesus.
Very Truly Yours,
Harsha Sankar
908 Valley Ridge Road
Covington,Virginia 24426
posted by Harsha Sankar at 1:49 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home