Mohammed, Initial Revelations and Relationships

Mohammed is revered by all Muslims as the last and greatest prophet. In Islam, Mohammed is considered the “ideal man.” Mohammed is in no way considered divine, nor is he worshipped, but he is the model for all Muslims concerning how they should conduct themselves. No images of Mohammed are permitted (in order to prevent idolatry). His name actually means “The Praised One.”

Born in AD 570 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Mohammed was a member of the Hashim clan of the powerful Quraysh tribe. During much of Mohammed’s lifetime pagan idol worship abounded in Arabia. An estimated 360 gods and goddesses were adored by the Arabs in Mecca, which was a major centre of idolatry in the region. Muslim historians think that even as a boy Mohammed detested idol worship and lived a morally pure life.

Initial Revelations:

According to Muslims, at the age of 40, in AD 610 that Mohammed supposedly began to receive revelations and instruction that he believed were from the archangel Gabriel (Gibrail in Arabic). These “revelations” form the basis of the Qur’an. Mohammed proclaimed that his revelations were the final and superior message from the One Supreme God, although at the beginning Mohammed even doubted that he was a prophet. He banned the worship of idols and established civil and religious order in Medina and eventually Mecca. Mohammed died of natural causes in AD 632 in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Relations with Jews and Christians:

During his life, Mohammed met many people who were at least nominal Christians. He also learned many religious ideas and customs from Jewish clans that were living in the region of Mecca and Medina. Mohammed’s role as prophet was not accepted by the Jews, leading to serious conflict. Jewish and Christian ideas, practices and history are very present in the Qur’an, although they are often distorted.

Mohammed’s non-Qur’anic declarations, his personal habits and actions serve as a guide for all Muslims. The eyewitness accounts and other stories about his life are called the “hadiths.” The hadiths help Muslims discern what is good and right. Jesus is the ideal human being for Christians.

Prayer Starters:

• There are millions of Muslims named Mohammed around the world. The name Mohammed is spelled in different ways in various places and cultures: Mohammad, Mohamed, Muhammed, Muhammad, Mahommed, Mehmed, Mehmet, Mahomet, Magomed and even Maxamed. In prayer, cite these names before God.
• Pray that the Mohammeds of this world would come to know that there is another one who is honoured in heaven and earth and who has a name above all names. May millions of Mohammeds come to faith in the Messiah (See Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:10).
• Ask the boys in your family to pray today but hold hands together to show you are unified and agree in prayer.

Special Section. Pray for the Karanga people of Chad

The Karanga are a people group related to the larger Bantu people. In Chad, they number around 117,000. They speak their own language and live in a small area outside the city of Abeche in South Central Chad. A major source of income for the Karanga is the farming of crops, ranging from groundnuts and sesame to grains and wheat. Much of their planting is based on the amount of rainfall, so drought is always a serious threat to their livelihood. In recent years, the people here have also seen some damage to their crops from grain-eating birds who steal much of their harvest. Little is known about the Karanga. Prayer is needed to see them come to a knowledge of the One True God made manifest in Christ.

Background information is found here >> Understanding Muslims in Chad

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