Muhammad by karen armstrong Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Muhammad by karen armstrong - Essay Example Hira outside Mecca where he frequented for meditation. He claimed to have been called to rebuke the pagans of Mecca who worshiped idols and engaged in unclean superstitions and rituals (Armstrong, p. 24). It is noteworthy that when he was growing up as an orphan with his uncle Abu Talib, he was a person of integrity in his business dealings and was truthful. It is said that in Mecca, he was known as Sadiq and Ameen meaning true and trusty respectively. The Quran also gives credit to his upright character by saying that in him there is a perfect example for people to follow in their conduct. The prophet had been sent to reform the pagans in Mecca who had no regard for even the most basic of human rights. They engaged in disputes and long battles over small matters. They did not treat women well and hated the birth of female children to the extent that they would kill or bury them alive. The poor people were voiceless and were exploited through loans that required payment of high interests. There was torture and killing of slaves with no consequence. The Prophet despised slavery. Abuse of human rights, social injustice and worship of the idols in homes and in the house of God built by Abraham, Kabah were the order of the day in Meca. Despite watching helplessly as all this was going on, he refused to bow down to the idols (Armstrong, p. 41). He married Khadijah, an affluent businesswoman for whom he had worked for some time. He was 25 when he married her, something that made him financial stability. He helped free Zaid ibn Harithah, a slave from Khadijah’s house, and adopted him. He paid for an African slave named Bilal and had him freed. Bilal remained with Mohammed for the next 22 years until he died. During all this time, Bilal would eat and dined with the Prophet and was given the role of the Muazzin meaning caller for prayers (Armstrong, p. 57). He always taught forgiveness and compassion. After his return from exile in Medina, he came back