By

Todd W. Allen

THE MOSLEM WORLD

          The Moslem world is a vast empire embracing some one billion people or roughly one-sixth of the world's population. From its beginning in Arabia it has spread to Africa, India, China, the Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, Europe and even to North and South America. It has literally swallowed up Persia, Syria, and most of Western Asia. The land area we refer to as the "Middle East" is almost solidly Mohammedan.

        For thirteen centuries Islam has been on the march until today it spans the two largest continents of the globe and makes itself at home with the desert Arab, the Algerian mountaineers or the apartment house dweller of Cairo or Baghdad. Much of this territorial conquest has been at the point of a sword, which would seem to be a fulfilling of Mohammed's prediction before his death that "wars for the spread of Islam would never cease until the anti-Christ appeared." 1

        It is almost impossible to sketch a word picture of the "typical Moslem". Islam has followers in practically every part of the world today, which precludes a general description, but the majority of Moslems are either Asiatic or African. The Arabic influence is decidedly apparent, especially in architecture. The most distinctive evidence of Islam in any city is the mosque with its tall, pointed minaret towers. Five time a day the call to worship sounds forth from the throat of the muezzin: "God is great…come to prayer...God is great."

        The mosque is similar to the Christian church, or at least the nearest equivalent. It is an integral part of the community life; its doors are always open and it is seldom empty. It serves as a place of rest, of prayer and of worship. Sometimes it is used as a school or medical dispensary or shelter in times of emergency. Because the Islamic religion forbids the use of pictures or images of living creatures these mosques and other buildings as well, are embellished with geometrical or floral designs, all of which lendsa unique touch to Islamic architecture.

MOHAMMED

        Mohammed was born about 570 A.D. at Mecca. His father died a few months prior to his birth and his mother died when he was only six years, leaving him an orphan. The most noteworthy thing that might be said about his parents is that they claimed lineal descent from Ishmael, the son of Abraham by the slave girl Hagar (Genesis 16:15). But this is not so singular since the entire population of Mecca claimed the same thing. He was then cared for by his aged grandfather Abd al Motkalib, and after his death in 578 by his uncle Abu Talib.

        As a youth he earned a meager living by watching sheep and goats, occasionally acting as a camel driver for caravans. He is said to have been of medium size, rather slender with broad shoulders and physically strong. He had black hair and eyes, an oval shaped face, strong white teeth, a long nose, a patriarchal beard, and a dignified commanding demeanor. Usually be dressed in plain white cotton clothes, though on festive occasions he would dress in more colorful linen.

        Sometime in his early twenties Mohammed went to work for a wealthy widow named Khadijah. So faithfully did he transact her business that Khadijah married him, despite the protests of her father, whom she got drunk before the wedding to keep him out of the way. In spite of an age difference of fifteen years (Mohammed was twenty-five and the widow was forty) the marriage was successful. So long as Khadijah lived Mohammed did not take other wives, which is quite a tribute to the widow considering that he is said to have had at least twelve more wives before his death. This marriage gave Mohammed prestige and rank among the nobles of Mecca. It also relieved him of further financial worry, giving him ample time to spend in religious meditation. The Meccans practiced idol worship at that time and Mohammed was one of those who grew disgusted with this form of religion. His fellow citizens considered him an agnostic. It was his practice to retire with his family to a desert cave in a hill named Hira for contemplation every year. This spot was only about an hour from Mecca and he no doubt spent much time there by himself.

        When he was forty years old he was asleep or in a trance in this cave and he heard a voice say: "Read!" He said, "I cannot read." The voice said again: "Read!" And a third time the voice said, in tones both dreadful and commanding, "Read!"

"Read: in the name of thy Lord who createth;
createth man from a clot, Read: and it is thy Lord
the Most Bountiful who teacheth by the pen,
teacheth man that which he knew not."

        When Mohammed woke up this impression was clear in his mind. He then walked out of the cave and was accosted by the same voice. He looked up and saw an angel in the sky. Whichever way he turned he kept seeing the vision, and the voice said, "O Mohammed! Thou art Allah's messenger, and I am Gabriel."

        He stood for some time until the vision disappeared; then he rushed home to tell his wife. At first Mohammed seemed to think this was a harmful spirit, but his wife calmed him and convinced him that God would never let such a thing happen to him. She told him she hoped he would become a prophet of his people and encouraged him. When they got back to Mecca they talked with a relative of Khadijah who was well versed in the Scriptures. This person assured Mohammed that a heavenly messenger had come to summon him to the office of a prophet. But Mohammed went through great mental distress, still unsure of the spirit that had come to him, but he finally came under the conviction that he was called to be a special representative of Allah.

        His wife became his first convert; after her his two adopted children, Ali and Zeid, and his own daughter, Fatima, became converted. Others began to accept his prophetic mission and within three years he had a band of loyal followers, which included his father-in-law, Abu Bakr and the energetic Omar. Both of these men became important leaders in the movement.

        Mohammed's teachings stirred up much opposition at Mecca because he personally attacked Meccan idolatry and ancient tribal customs. It was in answer to his opponents insistence that he perform miracles to authenticate his Divine call that he began producing the Koran. But that only intensified resistance to Mohammed and several of his followers were forced to flee to Abyssinia to avoid the persecution.

        A plot to kill Mohammed forced him to flee in 622. This flight is known as the Hegira. The Mohammedan calendar is dated from this event in the life of the prophet. The Hegira took him to Medina, some two hundred and fifty miles North of Mecca. This remained Mohammed's headquarters for the rest of his life.

        And now Mohammed's teachings became more authoritarian. Where previously he had only warned and preached he now commanded and compelled. His first proclamation had been, "Let there be no compulsion in religion." This now gave way to the opposite principle that all unbelievers must be summoned to Islam, tribute or the sword.  3

        The Koran reflects a decided change in tone after his withdrawal to Medina. He now becomes aggressive and relentless in his purpose to make Islam the religion for all the people. His converts begin to make raids on caravans passing near the city in order to support themselves. This resulted in retaliation from Mecca and the first major battle of his career is known as the battle of Badr. Although greatly outnumbered, Mohammed's forces put the Meccans to flight. This victory sent the prestige of  Mohammed soaring. But tougher days were ahead.

       The Meccans soon returned with larger forces and inflicted a stunning blow to the Median rebels. Mohammed himself was wounded in the fighting. But the Meccans failed to follow up their hard won victory. The rumor was circulated that Mohammed had reinforcements and was ready for the enemy. And in support of the rumor Mohammed took to the field the next day, thus succeeding in convincing the raiding army that he was in fact quite able to resume the war. This stratagem caused the Meccan commander to order a withdrawal, thus losing the last chance they ever got to subdue the prophet. Mohammed recovered from this near defeat and continued to make forays on surrounding tribes.

        By the fifth year after the Hegira Mohammed had grown strong enough to withstand another army that was sent against him. When Mohammed learned that a large attack force was on its way to Medina he had a deep, wide ditch dug all around the city. When the army arrived this completely stopped them, but they settled down for a siege of the city, determined to wipe out the Mohammedans. However, a bitter wind began to blow from the sea. Sand and dust covered everything. Fires were extinguished and the water was becoming a problem. This so discouraged the invading force that after three days of the storm they departed, leaving the city unmolested.

        Mohammed's raiding parties became more ruthless and cruel as time went on. In one expedition against the Jews of  Beni Karaiza some seven hundred captives were massacred, their wives and children were sold into slavery. In 8 A.H. (630 A.D.) Mohammed gathered together an army of ten thousand men and was able to take Mecca without the loss of a single life. Mecca was declared the holy city, its Kaaba became a sacred shrine and all the pagan idols were destroyed. The one landmark, which was left standing, was the famous black stone. Since that time no unbeliever has knowingly been admitted to the city.

        Mohammed was sixty years old when Mecca was captured. The ravages of war and the pressures of leadership were beginning to take their toll in the prophet's life. He made a last pilgrimage to Mecca in 10 A. H. He delivered a final address to his followers, warning them that they all must face Allah on the Day of Judgment to answer for their deeds. In a weakened condition he returned to Medina and his family. Shortly after his return he became violently ill with a raging fever. He suffered great pain, cried and wailed, turned on his couch in despair, and said to his wives when they expressed surprise at his conduct: "Do ye not know that prophets have to suffer more than all others? One was eaten up by vermin; another died so poor that he had nothing but rags to cover his shame; but their reward will be all the greater in the life beyond." Among his last utterances were: 'The Lord destroy the Jews and Christians! Let there not remain any faith but that of Islam throughout the whole of Arabia…Gabriel, come close to me! Lord, grant me pardon and join me to thy companionship on high! Eternity in paradise! Pardon! 4  He died in the arms of his favorite wife, Ayesha, on June 8, 632. A mosque has been erected on the spot where he died.

GROWTH AND EXTENSION

        After the death of Mohammed his followers set out to conquer the whole world for Islam. Abu Bakr became the first caliph to succeed the prophet. He was succeeded in 634 by the younger Omar. Omar combined the function of priesthood and king, consolidated the faith in Arabia, and within ten years he had extended the borders of the Moslem empire beyond Arabia to India and North Africa.

        The first one hundred years of expansion saw the armies of the conquering Mohammedans firmly established in the Middle East, North Africa, Spain and Sicily. They began the invasion of France but were thrown back by Charles Martel in 732 at the Battle of Tours.

        Time will not permit us to detail the long, blood stained history of Islam. The crusades are a history in themselves.  Below is listed a table of important dates beginning with the year 622 and ending with the abolishment of the caliphate in 1923.

        These are a few of the barriers to effective work among the Moslems. There are undoubtedly more. But God's power is greater than the problems and souls are saved even from Islam. The task is by no means hopeless. The Lord Lord's arm is not shortened that it cannot save.

1. Samuel M. Zwemer, Islam, A Challenge To Faith, Student Volunteer Movement For Foreign Missions, New York, 1907, p. 58, quoting Sir William Muir, Life of Mahomet, Vol. IV, p. 204

2. Mohammed Marmadule Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran, Mentor Books, New York, 1953, X, quoting Koran, Sur. XCVI, 1-5

3. Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume IV, p. 165

4. Ibid pp. 166, 167

5.  J. Christy Wilson, Introducing Islam, Friendship press, New York, 1950, p. 19 (use is made of the author's table of dates.)

6. Samuel M. Zwemer, Islam, A Challenge To Faith, 105, quoting Mishkat, Book III, on Purification, Part 3.

7.  J. Christy Wilson Introducing Islam, p. 40.