Muhammad, the Qur\'an & Islam

(National Geographic (Little) Kids) #1

Muhammad, the Qur'an and Islam


encountered resistance, whereby 24 Quraysh, 4 of the Hudhayl and 2
Muslims were killed. Later, Muhammad circumambulated the Kaba as he was mounted on his camel, and he is said to have destroyed the 360 idols around the Kaba as he recited Qur'an 17:83. Muhammad then went (or sent
others) into the Kaba in order to wash away the pictures within. Allegedly, only the pictures of Abraham, Mary and Jesus were allowed to^169170 remain. Muhammad gave a sermon, commanded the destruction of all household idols and declared the sanctity of Mecca. No spoils were taken from Mecca. Fasting in this month (Ramadan) was voluntary, and Muhammad^171 did not fast for the entire month. It is said that Muhammad borrowed^172 a large sum of money from others, in order to distribute it to the poor. Muhammad forbade the trade in wine, pork and idols, and prohibited payments to pagan religious officials for their services. Muhammad expressed his anger at the Jews for selling fat, and is said to have forbidden the practice of temporary marriage (Muta).^173


In sura 110sura 110sura 110sura 110 (vv. 1-3) Muhammad is commanded to praise God and pray for
forgiveness when the victory comes and many accept Islam. This sura is
considered by some to have been the last sura of the Qur'an composed.^174


Also during the 91st month after the Hijra, Muhammad sent Khalid b.
Walid with 30 horsemen to destroy the idol al-Uzza at Nakhl^175 a. In addition to the idol, Khalid is also said to have killed a naked black woman there, whom Muhammad later identified as having been al-Uzza herself.^176


In the same month, Muhammad sent Amr b. al-As to destroy the idol of
Suwa', the god of the Hudhayl. The priest of Suwa' became a Mu^177 slim
after the idol was destroyed.^178


During the same month, Muhammad sent Sa`d b. Zayd with 20 horsemen to
al-Mushallal to destroy the idol Manat. Zayd reportedly als^179 o killed a
naked woman on this expedition.^180

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