- Muhammad's views on Christians
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A series of articles on
Prophet of Islam
Muhammad
Life
In Mecca · Hijra · In Medina · Conquest of Mecca · Wives · Farewell pilgrimage · Family tree ·
Career
Qur'an · Hadith ·
Early reforms under Islam · Diplomacy · Military · Persecution by Meccans · Migration to Abyssinia ·
Miracles
Isra and Mi'raj · Relics · Splitting of the moon ·
Al-Masjid al-Nabawi ·
Views by subject
Jewish · Christian · Slavery ·
Succession
Farewell sermon · Saqifah · Pen and paper · Family · Companions · History ·
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Durood · Na'at · Mawlid · Haḍra · Madih nabawi ·
Ya Muhammad ·
Perspectives
Islamic · Jewish · Bible · Medieval Christian · Historicity · Criticism · Prophetic biography · Depictions · Films · Depictions in film ·Muhammad's views on Christians were demonstrated through his interactions with them.
Contents
Interactions
Muhammad's nature toward Jews and Christians started to become a conflict. They did not accept Muhammad for his religion and spiritual path. When Muhammad encountered contradiction, ridicule and rejection from the Christian scholars in Medina, he came to adopt a radically more negative view of the People of the Book who had received earlier scriptures. This attitude was already evolving in the third Meccan period as Muhammad became more aware of the antipathy between Jews and Christians and the disagreements and strife of him amongst members of those religions. The tension felt by Muhammad and some of his contemporaries was doubtless due ultimately to this contrast between men's conscious attitude and the economic basis of their life.[1][2]
Pre-Islamic
At the age of nine, Muhammad went to Syria with his uncle and had interactions with Christians. One important contact was with the Nestorian monk Bahira in Bosra, modern Syria who foretold to the adolescent Muhammad his future prophetic career.[citation needed]
Waraqah ibn Nawfal was a Nestorian monk,[3] Mecca's priest or preacher according to some sources.
Meccan period
Waraqah is said to have believed in Muhammad as a prophet, but died as a Christian. After the early Sahaba ("Companions") faced intense persecution, Muhammad sent 90 of his followers to Abyssinia. There the Muslims were received by the Christian king Aṣḥama ibn Abjar.
Medinian period
In 630 AD Muhammad received a Christian delegation from Najran in Medina. Debate with Christians ensued some days. Finally the Christians asked Muhammad for peace and he accepted. Muhammad extended the hand of friendship towards them, a treaty was signed and both parties left on friendly terms.
Another Christian delegation this time from Iraq by Jesujab II was heading to Medina but Muhammad died before it arrived.[4]
According to Robert Spencer, Muhammad said in one Hadith:[5] When the last moment of the life of Allah's Apostle came, he started putting his 'Khamisa' on his face and when he felt hot and short of breath he took it off his face and said, "May Allah curse the Jews and Christians for they built the places of worship at the graves of their Prophets." The Prophet was warning (Muslims) of what those had done. Narrated 'Aisha and 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas Volume 1, Book 8, Number 427
Byzantines
According to traditional Islamic sources, in 628 Muhammad sent a letter to Heraclius inviting him to Islam. The Byzantine emperor received it while on a pilgrimage in Jerusalem and called upon a person who belonged to Muhammad's tribe Quraysh. According to Sunni tradition, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb came forward and a discussion between them took place.[6] At the end of the discussion the emperor said,
If what you say should be true, he will very soon occupy the earth under my feet, and if I knew that I would reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet Him; and were I with him, then I would certainly wash his feet.[7]
In 629 according to tradition, Muhammad sent a force of 3,000 men to fight 100,000 Byzantines near Al Karak. The Battle of Mu'tah ended when both sides retreated.
See also
Notes
- ^ William Montgomery Watt, Muhammad at Mecca, p.19-20
- ^ Gerhard Endress, Islam, Columbia University Press, p.29
- ^ Al-Jibouri (2007)
- ^ Bat Yeʼor,Miriam Kochan Islam and Dhimmitude: where civilizations collide p.39
- ^ Spencer, Robert, 'The Truth About Muhammad' (2006). Page 165
- ^ Siddiqui (2007)
- ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 4:52:191
References
- Al-Jibouri, Yasin T. Khadija Daughter of Khuwaylid, (accessed January 8, 2007)
- Siddiqui, Muzammil. Prophet Muhammad as a Political Leader (accessed January 8, 2007)
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