A Comparison of the Lives of Muhammad and Jesus

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February 17, 2009

The lives of the Prophet Muhammad and Jesus of Nazareth are separated by almost 600 years and yet their lives, their teachings, and their deaths have affected millions and their legacy continues today. Conflicts between the followers of these two men dominate many world political situations to this day. These conflicts are a product of a multitude of differences between two men and two dogmas.

Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 C.E. Mecca was already an important city in terms of its sacred nature, as it contained the Ka’bah, and was a major trade center. The city was the site of an annual pilgrimage from members of surrounding tribes (Smart, 1998).

Muhammad was a member of the tribe of the Quraysh. Orphaned at a young age and raised by relatives, the young man lacked the funds to become a trader in the market city. Eventually, he found employment with a wealthy widow and though she was forty years old had been married twice, he married her (Ahmad, 2005). Muhammad became a successful trader and merchant and still managed to spend one month each year meditating and reflecting in a cave outside Mecca. It was during these reflection periods in the year 610 C.E. that Muhammad began to have several religious experiences and he started to view himself as a messenger of Allah. In the beginning, Muhammad told only close friends and family of his experiences. The messages he was receiving and disseminating were controversial and would have not been deemed popular. In addition, people would have questioned the authenticity of the message given he was the only one to hear it (Smart, 1998).

After three years, Muhammad went public with his messages sent by Allah. His first set of messages attacked the idea of polytheism. Muhammad stated that in the end, everyone would be judged by God, no matter how much money they left at the multitude of shrines around the holy city. Later, he gave revelations that shaped legal aspects of the society including marriage.

Muhammad’s revelations were so unpopular that he and his followers were basically driven from the city of Mecca to Medina. He eventually unified the warring factions in the area of Medina and took over the political affairs there. In 624 C.E., Muhammad decided to return to Mecca (Ahmad, 2005). He set his sights on the trade city and began to fight. Battles waged for years finally ended with Muhammad entering the city of Mecca and becoming its leader. Eventually, Muhammad became master of a large portion of Arabia. He had contemplated moving on Syria and Iraq when he died in June 632 (Smart, 1998).

Following his death, Muhammad’s followers were at odds with each other as to who should be the next leader of Islam. Conflict followed, both within the ranks and with the Christians of the region who deemed Muslims as heretics. Eventually, the Muslims used force to spread into many parts of the region much as Muhammad had done with Medina and Mecca (Smart, 1998).

Muhammad’s followers celebrate the birthday of their Prophet with great revelry, similar in form to the Christian celebration of Christmas on Jesus’ supposed birthday. In addition, followers of both men honor their miracles and deeds.

The story of the life of Jesus as told by the Gospels of the New Testament begins with a miraculous birth, an escape from the wrath of a jealous king, and a visit by magi from the East. Jesus’ birth is recorded as either 6 BCE or 4 BCE. Following that, not much is known of Jesus until he is approximately 30 years old. As the son of a carpenter, Jesus was probably a carpenter also. Tradition dictates that Jesus was not married. Jesus started preaching to small groups, gathering followers and disciples, both men and women throughout this travels (Smart, 1998).

Jesus is revered by those of Christian faith as the son of God or God incarnate. Muslims believe Jesus to be a prophet and a healer by not divine. Jesus preached about service and humility, faith, and forgiveness. He also preached that at the end of the world, he would return to conduct a final judgment (Wilson, 2004). Those who had not repented and been baptized would be condemned to hell. Those who had followed his path would be rewarded in heaven.

Christianity started as many religions do, as a sort of cult. Jesus traveled from town to town preaching and teaching. A large group including women would have been traveling with him. Jesus’ inclusion of women in his circle was a change from the tradition of how women were treated in that day. As the message spread and Jesus had more followers, the political factions of the day began to be concerned. Jesus was arrested for sedition and the Roman Pontius Pilate asked Jesus if he was king of the Jews and the son of God. Jesus said he was. Jesus had attracted attention as a miracle worker and had caused trouble by turning over the money changers’ tables in the Temple. Pilate did not want this man to go free and cause more trouble (Wilson, 2004). Jesus was condemned to crucifixion upon a cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was resurrected three days following his death on the cross.

Following his death, Jesus’ disciples set out across the known world of the time and began to preach Jesus’ word. The Apostle Peter became the ‘rock’ that the new Christian church would be built upon and preached mainly to the Jews while the Apostle Paul preached to and converted Gentiles. Christians believe that Jesus died so that the sins of his followers could be forgiven. Also, his resurrection serves as a promise of his return (Wilson, 2004).

As the Muslims spread their message throughout their territories, they turned their sites to Europe. This conflict shaped the Europe that emerged from the Middle Ages. The Christian counter-attack was the First Crusades and established the Christian states in Palestine and Syria. Those lasted approximately two hundred years before being destroyed by Muslims. One of the main sources of conflict remains a contradiction in teachings in which Christians believe that all men are created equal in God and Muslims believe that only they are the chosen ones and all others are infidels.

Today, followers of Jesus and Muhammad continue to worship these men in their own ways. Muslims pray five times each day, facing toward the Ka’bah. They attend their mosques or places of worship each week. They fast during Ramadan and try to perform a pilgrimage to the Ka’bah at least once in their lives. In an effort to spread the word of Muhammad, the idea of jihad or a religious war becomes important as Muslims fight to expand their territories. Those who die while spreading the message are considered martyrs and will receive rewards from Allah for their service (Smart, 1998).

Christians attend churches and are not dictated by certain times that they should pray. Followers of Jesus believe that have to be baptized to receive salvation. Ministries carry the message to places across the world with a peaceful message (though the Christian past was not always peaceful – such as the Crusades). Sunday is regarded as the holy day of the week. In addition to the work of ministers and preachers, Christian churches carry their message to the masses via television and print. Several cable stations are dedicated to Christian teachings and many programs can be found broadcasting sermons on Sunday mornings. Christians believe that their reward is in how they live their lives and that at the day of judgment, Jesus will grant them their reward.

Though times have changed greatly in the past 2000 years, the message of these two men has carried forward. Nations and republics have been built and destroyed based on their teachings and what evolves in our world in the future cannot ignore their influence.

References

Ahmad, H. 2005. Life of Muhammad. Islam International Publications Limited.

Raquim Press, Surrey.

Smart, Ninian. 1998. The World’s Religions, Second Edition. Cambridge University

Press, Cambridge.

Wilson, A.N. 2004. Jesus: A Life. W.W. Norton & Co. New York.