Gabriel and Muhammad were not strangers. Gabriel delivered Allah's revelations to Muhammad beginning in 610. Gabriel also appears in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Luke, Gabriel is the angel who announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zachary (Luke 1: 11-20) and the conception, birth, and mission of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:22.38).
MUHAMMAD
MUHAMMAD
Muhammad is surrounded by a halo of fire denoting his holiness and superior status as Allah's prophet.
Muhammad's face is hidden by a veil. This is not an artistic oversight. Islam strictly forbids the making or drawing of idols. As a result, Muslim artists never portray Muhammad's face.
The two angels shown in this portion of the painting are bringing special gifts to Muhammad.
The two angels shown in this portion of the painting are bringing special gifts to Muhammad.
The angel on the right is bringing Muhammad a cap of honor while the angel on the left is bringing Muhammad a robe of honor. Both gifts are meant to show Muhammad's special status as Allah's prophet. Muslim artists traditionally show Muhammad wearing his green robe of honour.
Pilgrims had to circumnavigate the Dome in the same way as the Ka’ba in Mecca – again making parallels for the Syrian based Caliph.
Pilgrims had to circumnavigate the Dome in the same way as the Ka’ba in Mecca – again making parallels for the Syrian based Caliph.
The Dome of the Rock is located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Completed in 691, it is the oldest surviving Islamic sanctuary.
The Dome of the Rock is located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Completed in 691, it is the oldest surviving Islamic sanctuary.
Jerusalem is the third most holy city for Muslims, after Mecca and Medina, as it is not only associated with Abraham but was the place Muhammad visited on his mystical journey to heaven.
Jerusalem is the third most holy city for Muslims, after Mecca and Medina, as it is not only associated with Abraham but was the place Muhammad visited on his mystical journey to heaven.
This creates major tensions today between Muslims and Jews. The wailing wall is on one side of the Dome of the Rock Temple area – which is on the site of the former Temple of Solomon.
Muhammad says that ‘he is a slave, to whom (the Qur'an) was revealed’ but just as Allah taught Adam the names of animals (Sura 2.31) so Allah taught Muhammad the Qur'an (Sura 96.2).
Muhammad says that ‘he is a slave, to whom (the Qur'an) was revealed’ but just as Allah taught Adam the names of animals (Sura 2.31) so Allah taught Muhammad the Qur'an (Sura 96.2).
Muhammad was called to preach the Divine word as it has been proclaimed to the prophets and to Jesus – but without the distortions that have been claimed to have crept in.
The Qur'an describes the Prophet as illiterate – and this is seen as a virtue and proof that he could not have written the Qu’ran himself. Just as Mary had to be a virgin so she could give birth to Jesus, so The Prophet had to be free from secondary intellectual influences in order to receive God’s word.
Muslims have also been aware that The Prophet was fully human. He is, above all, seen as a beautiful model for a Muslim to follow.
Although Muhammad is a man, he is venerated in Islam. The Qur'an itself says: “Verily God and the angels bless Muhammad” (Sura 33.56).
Although Muhammad is a man, he is venerated in Islam. The Qur'an itself says: “Verily God and the angels bless Muhammad” (Sura 33.56).
He is a blessing sent by Allah on the whole earth – just like the rain is a gift and blessing from Allah (“We have sent him as mercy for the worlds”) (Sura 21:107). The villagers in Iran and Anatolia call the rain ‘rahmat’ (mercy) just as the prophet is ‘rahmatan lil-’alamin’.
Muhammad brings refreshment to dried up hearts as rain does to the desert.
God is said to offer ten blessings for every one that a person offers of Muhammad.
Muhammad, and his family, are always seen as close to a faithful believer who directs his love and trust to Muhammad.
The Qur'an describes Muhammad as ‘the seal of the prophets’, the last of the long line of prophets that began with Adam (Adam is recognised as a prophet in Sura 2:30-9; 7:19-25; 20:117-124). God’s primary covenant is with NOAH and Abraham was the first prophet.
The Qur'an describes Muhammad as ‘the seal of the prophets’, the last of the long line of prophets that began with Adam (Adam is recognised as a prophet in Sura 2:30-9; 7:19-25; 20:117-124). God’s primary covenant is with NOAH and Abraham was the first prophet.
Muhammad is held to be the final prophet. He is held by some Muslims to be the paraklet (most praiseworthy) who came to fulfil the message of Christ (Sura 61. 6)
