Muhammad: Victory and DeathConclusions
The suras of this period do not introduce any new prayer times, although
ablutions are mentioned (5:8f). Sira traditions relate that the five daily
prayers were performed by Abu Bakr at the Hajj in 9 AH, and th^301 en later
by Muhammad in 10 AH, but the silence of the Qur'an on the numb^302 er of
daily prayers casts serious doubts on the reliability of such traditions. The
"zakat" seems to have been instituted in this period, essentially as an
addition to almsgiving. The tribute tax for Jews and Christians was
introduced (9:29), and they were not given the ultimatum to become
Muslims as the pagans were (9:5). In the passages of this period, Muslim
believers are described as praying (24:37, 55; 22:78; 9:8, 72; 5:15, 60),
giving alms (24:37, 55; 33:35; 22:78; 9:18, 72; 5:15), fasting (33:25) and
contributing and fighting in "Allah's way" (49:15). The believers were to be
true (33:35) and obedient (24:55; 33:35; 9:72); they were not to let wealth
(24:37; 63:9), children (63:9) or business (24:37) hinder them from
meditating on God (24:37; 63:9; cf. 33:35), praying or paying the "zakat"
(24:37). Muhammad claimed to have been nearer to the believers than they
were to themselves (33:9), and Muhammad's wives were called "mother(s)
of the believers" (33:9). The Muslim believers were to shun sexual
immorality (33:35), and God and His angels are said to have prayed for
them (33:42). Believers were not to love those who oppose Allah and
Muhammad (58:22), they were not to make friends with the enemy (60:1f),
and they were not to have unbelieving (60:9; 9:23; 5:62f), Jewish or
Christian (5:56, 62f) friends. The believers were declared to be brothers of
each other (49:10), who were not to pray for the forgiveness of pagans
(9:114). Believers, who were said to be Allah's allies (58:22), were
commanded to fight unbelievers (9:5, 124), Jews and Christians (9:29), and
those who killed and were killed in "Allah's way" were promised Paradise
(9:112). Weak believers are said to have called on pagan gods (22:11f). It is
maintained that God chose the believers, obligated them to Araham's
religion and named them "Muslims" (22:77). Believers were to let
Muhammad go before them and speak louder than themselves (49:2f), and
they were not to ask (Muhammad) about things whose answer would
trouble them (5:101). The Shechinah was said to have been sent down on
the Muslims (49:26; 9:26) and is even said to have been in the believers'
hearts (49:4).