Muhammad: Describe something about the person of Muhammad and the roles he occupied during his life. How is he compared to Moses and Jesus in Islamic traditions? Consider his contributions, the nature of the culture, and the needs of emerging Islam as you discuss the need for a successor after his death
             In Islam, Muhammad is regarded as a prophet, not as the Son of God, like Jesus is in Christianity. As Muhammad is regarded as a mouthpiece of the divine, he is like Moses, but unlike Moses, he is also regarded as responsible for founding the Islamic faith, thus he is revered even more, as a 'special' prophet. His function in Islam combines the roles of both Abraham and Moses in Jewish tradition, and as the last true prophet he also 'completes' the prophetic tradition or revealing God's word, as Jesus does in Christianity.
             Muhammad lived a secular but spiritually contemplative life as a trader until he was 40, and visited by an angel from God. Within Islam, Muslims regard themselves as children of Ishmael, the cast-off son of Abraham, and they revere both Moses and Jesus, not as divine, but as lesser prophets. "The founder of Islam, Muhammad, had been familiar with Christianity through his wife's cousin, who was a Christian. Muhammad was familiar with the New Testament of the Christians and the Old Testament of the Jews" (Smitha, 2000). Muhammad's knowledge shows how ideas traveled rapidly in the Middle East, a meeting place of many religious traditions. This is reflected in his monotheistic views and his conviction that Allah was the same god as revered by Jews and Christians (Smitha 2000).
             Muslims believe that they should live their life in emulation of Muhammad, in complete submission to the will of Allah, and this is reflected requirement of every able-bodied Muslim to make a pilgrimage to Mecca is in emulation of the prophet's triumphant conquest of Mecca after his enforced f...