Early Life of Muhammad and Bedouins study Guide

Who were the Bedouins (What does the term Bedouin mean

An Arab nomad of the desert.

What continents surround the Arabian Peninsula? Why would trade be important to their empire? (Consider where they are in relation to China and Europe.)

Asia, Africa, and Europe surround the Arabian peninsula. Due to the connection in land with three different continents they were able to serve as a trading area so that people in different continents could trade.

Importance of camels to their lives

Camels produced milk and cheese for food. They also were sturdy forms of transportation. They could carry heavy loads and survive for a while without water.

What was the dominant geographical feature of the Arabian Peninsula?

Desert

Geographical Features of the Arabian Peninsula

Desert, Oases, Coastal Plains

How tribes related to one another - Why did rivalries sometimes exist?

Each tribe had their own polytheistic religion. Rivalries existed due to ownership of territory and ownership of goods. It may also be due to one member of a certain tribe killing another.

Explain their "democratic" nature

Fiercely democratic. Did not any one person gaining complete or main control. They had a panel of elders and they voted on decisions in each tribe.

How did being an orphan impact his life?

He had empathy for those who are needy and disregarded in society

Why did Muhammad travel to Yathrib?

He offered to settle the citizen's disputes in turn for a safe place to stay.

What impact did Abu Talib have?

He protected Muhammad and took him in. Even when the Meccans strongly opposed Muhammad, Abu Talib was there to protect him.

What occurred in a cave in which led to Muhammad becoming a prophet?

He was sent a message from the Angel Gabriel

Why did Muhammad go to live with the Bedouins when he was younger?

His father had died. And as tradition follows, his mother sent him to live with the Bedouins. She also believed this would help him be intact with his culture

What was the Night Journey? Last Sermon?

In a dream, Muhammad was taken by a horse to visit the prophets and eventually meet God. This helped strengthen his faith. The last sermon was when Muhammad reminded his followers to be kind to one another and be faithful in their religion before he died.

How does the following Bedouin Proverb explain the belief in bloodline first: Bedouin Proverb "I against my brother, I and my brothers against my cousins, I and my brothers and my cousins against the world."

It shows the importance of family. Your family is the one that protects you, specifically referring to the verse "I and my brothers and my cousins against the world" which shows that your bloodline is crucial.

Importance of poetry/ storytelling

Kept traditions going as there were no written languages. Also told the stories of brave people willing to sacrifice themselves in battle for their honor

Where was Muhammad born?

Muhammad was born in Makkah

What does the term Muslim mean?

One who surrenders to God

Aspects of Bedouin Culture: Political, Economic, Social

Politically it was fiercely democratic. They gained wealth from trading with other tribes as well as collecting a fee from tourists who visited the Kaaba and placed their idols in them Socially Bedouins kept to their own tribe as it was their bloodline.

Social Structure/ Hierarchy

Shaykh, Warriors, General Population, Slaves

What impact did Khadijah have?

She consoled Muhammad. She helped him realize his role of prophet and helped him continue to spread his message.

Why did the Bedouin people fear the message that Muhammad shared?

The Bedouin feared it for three reasons. 1) They would lose their tradition and individuality of each tribe and all be united under one god. This would cause those with rivalries to become sisters and brothers (connected by religion) 2) The Bedouins were fiercely democratic and feared that Muhammad would gain too much power 3) The Kaaba was a tourist attraction and profit and many from different places came to Mecca to worship their gods because they would be stored there. Now with the introduction of one god this would cause people to stop coming which in turn would have no one to pay fees to come and visit their gods.

What is the kaaba? Where is it located? Why is this location important in Islam?

The Kaaba is located in Makkah. It is a place of worship for Muslims (and was a place to store idols for the Bedouins), this is important because it is a holy city and every Muslim is required once in their life to visit this city.

How did "FAITH" bound his followers together?

The faith helped his followers to break apart from their tribes and join the Islamic faith.

What did Muhammad destroy after fighting the Meccans? Why?

The idols. This showed that Arabia was finally moving away from Polytheism and turned into an Islamic region.

Why are there no real images of the prophet Muhammad?

The prophet is not one to be worshipped, only God. He is depicted only to teach Muslims about their history.

What was the FIRST MAJOR message that Muhammad spoke of?

There is only one God

Explain their [Bedouins] lifestyle in the Arabian Peninsula

They would travel all their lives and never stay in one place. They lived in clans and tribes and survived off of cattle. They lived near oases.