Materials: Safi (2010) PDF, Lecture 2: Life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Lumbard (2007), Hanson (2007), Mattson (2013) Ch. 1 and 2.
Short Answers
1) Based on Lumbard (2007) and Hanson (2007) discuss what is meant by prophets and messengers in Islam. Discuss stories of some of the central prophets in Islam, that are also featured well known in the scriptures of other Abrahamic religions (e.g the Torah and Gospels). Considering Hanson (2007) and Lumbard (2007) together, write a minimum of five full sentences highlighting the Sunnah of the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and how it is viewed as a reflection of the Sunnah of all the prophets and Messengers. 2) Based on the narrated lecture and Mattson, discuss some of the major milestones in the life of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) up until the time immediately after his first revelation. With this, discuss how the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was regarded by his community before he took on the role of a prophet. Discuss at least three major changes that took place in pre-Islamic Arabia as a result of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) work during the Meccan period of his life. 3) Based on the lecture, explore the life and leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) during his time in Medina. This essay should include a discussion of at least three landmark events that occurred during his life and how these impacted him. It should also explore at least three of the main changes that his leadership brought to Medina on both individual and societal levels, while including slavery as one of the three changes. Based on the course materials, and from your own perspective, reflect upon the reasons why the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) might have challenged slavery rather than outright abolishing it. 4) Based on Mattson, explore Lady Khawla’s story and the Prophet Muhammad’s revelation addressing her complaint about her husband. In your own words, explore and analyze why you think her story is included in the Qur’an, and what readers in the Prophet’s time were meant to learn from it. How do you think her story is relevant in our times today? 5) Discuss the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) final sermon, while exploring what messages from this sermon can be applicable in our times from a national and/or global perspective. Then, share your insights about the video and lecture slide on “Muhammad and Others” while elaborating on at least one to two quotes that you appreciated the most.