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High Muslim growth rates are therefore largely driven by higher birth rates, and in the case of many Western countries, high rates of inward migration.
Around 595 CE, Muhammad married a wealthy widow named Khadija. She seems to have discerned a rare spiritual insight in her husband and encouraged him to develop this through prayer and contemplation. Muhammad, therefore, began to withdraw more and more from everyday life to devote himself to spiritual pursuits. It was in 610 CE during one such time of contemplation in a cave near Mecca that the most momentous event of his life took place.
Muhammad preached an uncompromising monotheism (belief in only one God) which condemned all forms of idolatry.
They were received by the Negus (emperor) of Ethiopia who recognized Muhammad as an enemy of the Meccans and who probably reasoned that ‘my enemy’s enemy must be my friend’! Muhammad’s own position became precarious when his uncle, who acted as his protector, died.
The people of this city had endured years of bloody quarrels among the tribes resident there, and they longed for a strong leader to unify them.
The hijra (flight) to Yathrib/Medina is regarded as so important that it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
After consolidating his control in Medina, Muhammad began to utilize this military muscle to extend his control over other parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
He then proceeded to cleanse Mecca from paganism, this included the removal of all the idols from the Ka’aba. Mecca and the Ka’aba would henceforth be at the center of the worship of Allah and Allah alone.
This effort was quite successful and by the time of Muhammad’s death in 532 CE approximately the lower two thirds of the Arabian Peninsula was under Muslim control.
The major division occurred with the election of Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law) as khalif (successor of Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community). He would be the last leader to be accepted by almost all Muslims.
AI Summary
Questioning Islam by Peter Townsend presents key insights from the contemplative tradition. The 10 passages above capture the essential teachings.
Core Themes:
- [To be expanded]
Key Passages: Highlights 1, 3, and 10 are particularly representative.
This entry was generated from Readwise highlights. Expand with additional context as appropriate.