QUESTIONS ON MECCA:
We come to the course with our own biases regarding Muhammad.  Feel free to share some of your thoughts and why you think you believe the way you do?

  Answer: I have studied Muhammad before in Introduction to Religion and other philosophy classes. I had always thought that Muhammad was from one of the leading families in Mecca, and did not know that he was orphaned at such an early age. I also did not know that he did time with the Bedouin studying there ways at such an early age, I always thought he was just another good preacher, and poet.

Early in the development of Islam, there were many conversions... Which ones did you resonate with? Answer:  For me question 6 and this question have the same answer. That is Umar. Umar reminds me of many Arabs, and how devout they can be, even when expressing anger in love. Umar had not heard the Koran, and was devoted to Mecca and its people, but in a different way. I can relate to Umar the most, because there is a righteous anger that cannot be described unless you have lived in the heat of the desert with people you care for and protect. While I am not Muslim, I served as a Platoon Sergeant in Iraq, and can understand how strong a force love, heat, and anger can cause. Umar once he heard the Koran, took this same force, and applied it to Islam and its followers.
And there was quite a bit of opposition. Why do you think there was such opposition? What do you think about Abu l-Hakam (Abu Jahl)? Nawfal? Answer: He who rocks the boat, can expect anger from its occupants, and this is what Muhammad did when he began prophesizing. For Mecca seemed more of a commercial enterprise to me than a religious one. It was not really that the Clans worshipped their idols, but their idols seemed to me to be mainly kept out of pride for each clan in the Ka’bah. Abu Jahl seemed to care little for religion or its members, especially those of Islam. Religion seemed to be the cloak he could conduct business with, seeming pious to his idol, yet maintaining his own control of the Quraysh. Much like the special interest groups in the USA, Abu Jahl saw religion as a means of political control. Nawfal faced these same challenges, yet even worse for him was the loss of many of his Kin to Islam Both did not wish for their boat to be rocked, because it held so much wealth and power, and the hearts of many of their kin: “Their immortality depended on Arabia remaining as it was, on Arab ideals being perpetuated from the past into the future. They were all sensitive, in varying degrees, to the beauty of the language of the Revelation; but as to its meaning, their souls spontaneously closed themselves to such verses…” (Ling, p68)
Do you see how tribal relations are part of not only the Middle East, but Islam’s beginnings?  Answer: When one lives in the desert, one cannot survive without help from others. With so many arguing about so little in natural resources, such as water and food, he who lives alone…dies. Much like today the order of Family, Clan, and being Arab dominated the loyalty of those who visited and lived in Mecca. One of the greatest problems in many Muslim countries is this system is still in effect today. It is hard to be just to all in the same manner when this order of loyalty must be followed. Yet now just as then, the desert demands this order. Blood feuds, revenge, pride, etc still are a driving force for Islamic countries.

Explain what “The Hour” means and the implication of the three questions. Were you surprised that so many had to be “closet” followers of Islam? Answer: The hour is when judgment will be done, much like the Christian Apocalypse, by God and his Angels. The followers of Islam were promised a vague mysterious Paradise, which cannot be explained to those who are still alive on earth. The Fire of Hell was also promised.
What is your reaction to the conversion of Umar? Answer: Please see Question 2. REFERENCES Muhammad, His life based on the earliest sources, Ling m, 2006, Inner Traditions, Rochester, New York Islam: Empire of Faith, PBS, 2000