Motorway Pakistan

Witness: “Pakistan is a Failed State? Then Try Pakistan Motorway”.

What comes to your mind about upper given quote that I have found while searching in the virtual world for my article on Pakistan Motorway? This is not said by a Pakistani, but said by a foreigner.
Introduction & Features
Pakistan Motorways are a network of high-speed, limited and controlled access highways in Pakistan, maintained and operated by the National Highway Authority and Motorway Police.
Pakistan Motorways are built with piece of art technology and constructed according to International standards that make the travel comfortable and enjoyable. To check the speed limits of vehicles advanced equipment with cameras are available and you cannot over speed your vehicle otherwise the motorway police will fine you. The controlling authority (Motorway police are highly educated and well trained and deals the visitors very gently. Telephones, petrol stations, and rest point are also available on these motorways for communication and resting the travelers while traveling.
In Pakistan there are ten motorways by which four are fully operational two are under construction and planning of remaining four have been finalized. Pakistan Motorways are planned and constructed according to the International laws and consist of four to six lanes with the universal minimum speed limit 0f 80 Km/h to 100 Km/h for heavy transport vehicles, and 120 Km/h for light transport. The four-lane Motorways can be up-grated to six lanes. Pakistan Motorways are especially designed and constructed for fast moving vehicles, slow moving vehicles and animal driven carriages are not allowed. The combined length of operational Motorways of Pakistan is 679.5 Km, while 278 Km is under construction and approximately 1200 Km further planned. Let’s discuss the four operational Motorways one by one.

M-1 (1997 – 2007)

It is in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and 155 Km long with 108 Km in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 67 Km in Punjab and become a central link to Afghanistan and Central Asia. It begins from northeast of Peshawar, after crossing over the Kabul River it passes through Charsadda, Sawabi, and Rashaki. It leaves Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa before crossing Indus River and enters into Punjab’s city Attock, ends at Hasan Abdal from where the state of art piece M2 Motorway starts. Travel from Peshawar to Punjab through that Motorway is very memorable and pleasurable due to its natural beauty that surrounded Motorway all the way. M1 has nine interchanges at Fatehang, Bhatar, Burhan, Rashaki, Swabi, Chachh, Charsadda.
History
Mr. Nawaz Sharif, Ex-Prime minister of Pakistan, conceived the M1.

M-2 (1992 – 1997)

The M-2 is constructed in the Punjab province of Pakistan, 367 Km long and while connecting Islamabd with Lahore passes through Kala Shah Kaku, Sheikhupura, Khanqah Dogran, Pindi Bhattian, Kot Momin, Kallar Kahar (A beautiful Picinic Spot), Balksar and Chakri before ending outside the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
M2 is one of the most expensive motorways in Asia and has highest pillared-bridge in Asia at Khewra Range and also used by Pakistan Air Force to land or take off fighter jets at any emergeny. While travelling through M2 you did not find any type of uncomfirtability. There is no other motorway constructed in Sout Asia like M2, which is famous for its smoothness.
History
Mr. Nawaz Sharif, Ex-Prime minister of Pakistan, also conceived the M1
.
M-3 (1999 – 2003)

M3 link the city of Faisalabad (The Manchester of Pakistan) with the M2 motorway. M3 motorway is become an important link that connects southern Pakistan to the north. It is only 53 Km long a shortest motorway of Pakistan with two junctions. It starts from Pindi Bhattian (a small town situated at the junction between the M2 and M3) then passes southwest and ends in Chiniot a city located outside Faisalabad. After completion of this motorway, the travel from Faisalabad to Rwalpindi reduces to 3 hours from 8 hours and very beneficial for trade point of view.
History

M-3 was completed under the government of President Pervaiz Musharraf.

M-10 (2004 – 2007)

The M10 is located in Sindh province, Pakistan and known as Karachi Northern Bypass and 57 Km long. Start from Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road, near, M9 Junction that is connected through Trumpet interchange, then before turning west, forms an interchange with N25 and turns south back towards Karachi.

M-4 (2009)

M 4’s construction began in August 2009 and it is still in process. It is 233 Km long and joining two cities of Pakistan, Faisalabad and Multan.

M-8 (2004)

M8 is under construction and 892 Km long. It starts from Ratodero in Sindh province and enter Balochistan

Province.

Planned Motorways:

Project STATUS Major Cities

M5 Planned Multan – Dara Ghazi Khan
M6 Planned Dara Ghazi Khan – Ratodero
M7 Planned Dadu – Dureji- Hub

Booklovers’ Paradise: 23rd Lahore International Book Fair

Booklovers’ Paradise: 23rd Lahore International Book Fair
Once in a while you come across an event like the annual Lahore International Book Fair which acts like a healer to many of our daily life’s routine troubles and much of its monotony. An event which transcends the barriers of social class and creed; a place where you can lose yourself in a crowd of book lovers, spend hours and yet not get bored of it at all.

The 23rd Lahore International Book Fair, being held at Fortress Stadium Grounds, has started from Februrary 14 and is going to continue till 18th of this month. Iqbal Academy, the organizers and their sponsors this year, Zong and Express Media Group, should be appreciated for supporting Lahore’s biggest book fair which has grown in size and popularity over the years. At the same time  Lahore International Book Fair has also become a regular mark on the city’s spring calender of exciting activities.

Just as you enter the make-shift yet spacious venue filled with books, books and books all around, it gives you an overwhelming sense of serenity while watching crowds of visitors indulged in reading, browsing or just roaming excitedly provides you with a satisfaction that people still do read. And a lot of them do it still now!

The Fair is hosting about 30 to 40 different publishers, book houses and agents. All big names in Pakistan including Vanguard, Liberty Books, Paramount, Sang-e-Meel, Ferozsons, National Book Foundation, Oxford University Press, Cambridge Press, Lahore’s own beloved Readings as well as publishers from India and the United Kingdom are present with mounds and loads of ‘readings’ to offer. There is also a visible presence of publishers of the Holy Quran and other interesting Islamic multimedia products for children.

Most of the stalls are giving lucrative offers and discounts ranging from 15% to 25% which will help you extract the maximum utility out of your limited budget especially if you are a student.

Even if you do not plan to purchase any books, it is highly recommended that you should visit the fair, roam about, browse through stuff and enjoy the essence of a literary phenomenon which is fast depleting from our society.

Punjab IT Board and Inter-services Public Relations displays stall “Peaceful Pakistan”

Punjab IT Board and Inter-services Public Relations displays stall “Peaceful Pakistan”

Lahore: Punjab Government’s initiative “Peaceful Pakistan” displayed a stall on the eve of defense day at Fortress Stadium .

The stall was organized jointly by the Punjab IT Board and Inter-services Public Relations. A large number of military and civil officials, students and common citizens visited the stall including Major General Fida Hussain Malik, Brig. Fayyaz Hussain Shah with their families.
The Peaceful Pakistan’s team shared information on the steps taken to promote peace in Pakistan. It exhibited a special message of the Chairman PITB Dr. Umar Saif that contained “the Defense Day is not about winning wars. It’s about putting a price on our sovereignty; to show that we can spill blood to protect”.

The other powerful messages on importance of a peaceful and strong Pakistan were also disseminated through videos, brochures and other informational material. The visitors were also engaged on Facebook, Twitter and other social media by giving live news of the event. The citizens got recorded their messages for Peaceful Pakistan and won goody bags.
The spectators lauded the efforts of the team. The stall attracted a large crowed that showed great response and eagerness to speak for peace and join the movement.

The Great Grand Trunk or GT Road of Mughal Empire

The Great Grand Trunk or GT Road of Mughal Empire

Let us talk about the Sarak-e-Azam or grand highway which was constructed in the Mughal’s era. Later on British ruler gave it the name of Grand Trunk Road (GT Road). Today it is known as the same name which was given by the British. It is the road which connects the North of Subcontinent with East and West. It starts from the Dhaka (Bangladesh) and ends at the Kabul (Afghanistan).  It was constructed to link the 3 capitals of Mughal Empire, Delhi, Agra and Lahore. It is the oldest major road of this region.

Baber the first Mughal King got the credit to build it in the year 1520. It was built on those ways which were followed by many legends and warriors of the history like Changaiz Khan and Alexander the great. After 26 kilometers 2000 Stonecutters were used in its construction. The GT Road contains many small and big bridges on its way. Six horses clinic were also made on the sides of this road.

Regular intervals and forts could also find on its way. The lion of Afghanistan Sher Shah Suri also tried to capture this road from the Mughals. It was a great Highway which was used for the Telegraphs and trains. Many authors gave a high level of importance to this Grand Trunk of GT Road in their books and articles. Everyone uses this road as their mean of transportation. The Mughal King constructed many new cities on the sides of this road. It was the only big road which we have got after the separation from India.

The Capital city of Pakistan was built on the GT Road as well. It was then transformed into a latest highway of four lanes this road connects it with the Lahore the Ex Capital of Mughals. There are many parts of GT Road which are unchanged yet. Taxila is the living example of it where you can observe the old road without any change. Few towers and minarets were made on the GT Road to indicate the distance and intervals. Few of them are still there and tells the glory of the Mughal Empire.

History Of Muridke

Muridke

Muridke (Punjab, Urdu: مُرِيدكے‎), is a major commercial city and headquarters of Muridke Tehsil in Sheikhupura District in Punjab, Pakistan. It is situated near the city of Lahore, Pakistan at an elevation of 205 m (675 ft) [1] and is situated on the famous Grand Trunk Road and at the crossroads to Sheikhupura, Kala Shah kaku, Gujranwala, Narang Mandi and Narowal. The economic and social life of the city, which has three police stations and a rail station, mainly depends on Lahore.

In 2005 Muridke became the headquarters of the newly created Muridke Tehsil of Sheikhupura District.

The main offices of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba and Markaz Ad-Dawa-wal-Irshad groups are located in Muridke, and in November 1999 three bombs exploded during a gathering of members, killing one and injuring 26 others.

HISTORY OF LAHORE

Lahore A historical perspective
Some places carry the essence of human origin and the geniuses of human growth. Such places become significant for those who like to enjoy the nostalgia of old thoughts. The city of Lahore can truly be regarded as such a place. Having seen so many ups and downs of history and cultures, Lahore in itself is now a whole world carrying a multitude of the past and the willingness to excel in the future. From Rudyard Kipling to Abu-Rehan Al Bairooni, from Victorian era to Mughal era, from buildings and gardens to forts, the diversity of Lahore is some times unbearable, yet the bliss is eternal.


Dating the origin

It is quite difficult to judge the right date of origin and how the name Lahore was originated. There are different traditions carrying totally different origins and explanations. In the old writings we can find different shapes of the name of Lahore, of which some are listed:

L-hore
Loha-war
Laha-wr
Laha-nor
Laha-nahr
Laha-waar
Lo-hoor
La-hore
According to the Hindu mythology the city of Lahore is named after the son of prince Ram chandar whose name was “Loh” and who originated this city (James Taad 1883; Kanhya laal 1882; Sir Richard Temple 1884; Tahqeeq-e-Chisti 1867). There is also a tradition that it was name after “Lohaar chand” who was the nephew of prince Deep chand.

In the written history the oldest book in which we can find Lahore is “ Tareekh-ul-hind” by Abu-Rehan Al Bairooni, who traveled to India in the 11th century. In his book he remembers Lahore as an area not as a city whose capital was “Mandhor kor”. The famous Sufi saint of Lahore Hazrat Data Gunj Buksh who died in Lahore in 1088 A.D has also mentioned the city Lahore in his book “ Kashf-ul-Maajuub”. Abul -Farj who was a poet in the Ghaznavi period has written the name as “Loha-wr”. An Iranian scholar “Tahir Marozi” of 11th century in his book “Nazhat ul Mushtaq Fe Akhteraq ul Affaq” has mentioned Lahore as “ Laha-wr”. Ameer khusro in his masnavi “Quran ul Sadeen” has written the name as “Lao-hore” in 13th century when he portrays the attack of the Mughals.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica the famous Chinese traveler Yowang Chowang has mentioned the city Lahore as the great city of Bahamans.

The Greek geographer Batalemos (Ptolemy) of the second century has mentioned an area “Labokla”. In his maps he has referred a place Kasbeera (Kashmir), near river Badistan (Jehlum) and river Adres (Ravi). Here is a place called Labokla between Attock and Bahami bothra. Wilfred and Kingham both hold the theory of Labokla being the old name of Lahore (The comparative study of India by Wilfred, page 20; the Geography by Kingham, page 225-228). We can conclude the study by the following facts.

Lahore was called by different names in the ancient times. Religious history interprets Lahore as the city created by the son of Ram chandar. The old writings tell us about the origin of a definitive city in the 10th century. There were no Muslim dwellers before the 10th century. The city was of no historical significance before the attacks of Mahmood Ghaznavi in the 11th century. Lahore was of great significance in the Mughal era.



Major historical Events

The city has had a turbulent history. It was the capital of the Ghaznavid dynasty from 1163 to 1186. A Mongol army sacked Lahore in 1241. During the 14th century the Mongols repeatedly attacked the city until 1398, when it fell under the control of the Turkic conqueror Timur. In 1524 it was captured by the Mughal Babur's troops. This marked the beginning of Lahore's golden age under the Mughal dynasty, when the city was often the place of royal residence. It was greatly expanded during the reign of Shah Jahan (1628-58) but declined in importance during the reign of his successor, Aurangzeb.
From the death of Aurangzeb (1707), Lahore was subjected to a power struggle between Mughal rulers and Sikh insurrectionists. With the invasion of Nadir Shah in the mid-18th century, Lahore became an outpost of the Iranian empire. However, it soon was associated with the rise of the Sikhs, becoming once more the seat of a powerful government during the rule of Ranjit Singh (1799-1839). After Singh's death, the city rapidly declined, and it passed under British rule in 1849. When the Indian subcontinent received independence in 1947, Lahore became the capital of West Punjab province; in 1955 it was made the capital of the newly created West Pakistan province, which was reconstituted as Punjab province in 1970.

History of Faisalabad City

Before Independence

The city of Lyallpur , multicoloured jewel of the lower Chenab organization area, came into being in 1880. The city which is now well known as "Manchester of Pakistan" for its industrial activity, was nothing but a desolate tract of land 100 years age. It did not rain here for weeks together and when it rained, the water vanished in the city land in no time. There was no village nearby.

The villages of Dodiwala and Paokianwala which shelter thousands of inhabitants these days, were nothing but a group of a few cottages. Pucca Mari was place of rest for those who travelled from district Jhang to District Lahore. It was in 1885 that the Deputy Commissioner Jhang, on his way to Lahore,broke his journey near the Theh of Pucca Man'. The Deputy Commissioner after resting for a while set out for walk, along with the Tehsildar of Chiniot, towards the west and returned quite late in the evening. He spent the night and rode for Lahore on the next day morning.After about 6 months, there dawned a morning when the Then of Pucca Mari saw some government officials pitching tents and making other camping arrangements. In the evening, there arrived the caravan of Deputy Commissioner, the Colony Assistant of Jhang and their subordinate officials. All the barren and desolate tract of land situated to the west of Pucca Mari was surveyed and marked here and there in three days. In the beginning, there was only a few huts and cottages nestled beside the Theh of Pucca Mari. Later with the construction of Chenab canal, more and more people were attracted. The proper city was founded in 1892.The Tehsildar of Chiniot, recommended to name this township after PuccaMar but the Deputy Commissioner Jhang prevailed upon him at the name of the then Lt. Governor of the Punjab, Sir James Lyall, who let it be named .after him. The famous Philanthropist, Sir Ganga Ram was assigned to draft its plan. After approval of draft Sir Ganga Ram was given five squares of lane as reward.

In 1895, the rail link between Wazirabad and Lyallpur was effected. The building of Railway Station wanted time, therefore, a Goods train wagon served as Lyallpur Railway Station. As the progress ol colonization  stepped up the Lyallpur was given the status of Tehsil of District Jhang and its administration carried on the tents on the old Theh (Mound) of Pucca Mari near Tariqabad.The Majestic Clock Tower of Lyallpur was constructed out of the funds raised by the Zamindars who collected it at a rate of Rs. 18 per square of land. The fund thus raised was handed over to the Municipal Committee which got it completed.

In 1902, the population of the town had exceeded 4,000. A considerable number of houses and shops to cater to the ordinary needs of the population had constructed.

In 1903, decision to have an agricultural college was made. In the very next year, 1904, the new district of Lyallpur was constituted comparing of Tehsils of Lyallpur, Samundri and Toba-Tek-Singh with a subtehsil at Jaranwala which later turned into a full fledged Tehsil.

In 1906, the District Headquarters began to function at Lyallpur and all the bazars and mohallas within the bounds of circular road were nearing completion and city began to spread outside the circular road. The Town Committee which has come into being in 1904, was upgraded as Municipal Committee in 1909 and Deputy Commissioner was declared to be the lst Chairman.In 1916, the grain market saw its shops surging with customers. In the same year the civil Hospital was expanded. With the advent of the world war II, the political awakening sprinkled its influence over the city. Revolutionary meetings were held. Fiery speeches were made. slogans were written on the walls.

In 1943, the late Quaid-e-Azam came to Lyallpur and addressed a gathering of over 2 lakh in Dhobi Ghat Grounds. And, on March 3, 1947, when Pakistan was accepted as an independent unit, the Muslims of Lyallpur held special prayers and distributed sweets and food among the poor.

After Independence


After the independence, the city of Lyallpur marched rapidly on the path of progress. The city which had so far been known for its grain market, became a great commercial and industrial centre. The population of the city which in 1901 hardly touched the figure of a few thousands soared up to lacks. Medical and educational level was lifted up. In 1977, the name of the city was changed to Faisalabad, after the name of the late king of Saudi Arabia, Shah Faisal-bin-Abdul Aziz. In 1985, the city was upgraded as a division with the districts of Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba-Tek Singh.

The Prophet Muhammad and the Origins of Islam

The Prophet Muhammad and the Origins of Islam

The rise of Islam is intrinsically linked with the Prophet Muhammad, believed by Muslims to be the last in a long line of prophets that includes Moses and Jesus. Because Muhammad was the chosen recipient and messenger of the word of God through the divine revelations, Muslims from all walks of life strive to follow his example. After the holy Qur'an, the sayings of the Prophet (hadith) and descriptions of his way of life (sunna) are the most important Muslim texts.

Early Life
Muhammad was born into the most powerful tribe in Mecca, the Quraish, around 570 A.D. The power of the Quraish derived from their role as successful merchants. Several trade routes intersected at Mecca, allowing the Quraish to control trade along the west coast of Arabia, north to Syria, and south to Yemen.

Mecca was home to two widely venerated polytheistic cults whose gods were thought to protect its lucrative trade. After working for several years as a merchant, Muhammad was hired by Khadija, a wealthy widow, to ensure the safe passage of her caravans to Syria. They eventually married.

Divine Revelations
When he was roughly forty, Muhammad began having visions and hearing voices. Searching for clarity, he would sometimes meditate at Mount Hira, near Mecca. On one of these occasions, the Archangel Gabriel (Jibra'il in Arabic) appeared to him and instructed him to recite "in the name of [your] lord." This was the first of many revelations that became the basis of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. These early revelations pointed to the existence of a single God, contradicting the polytheistic beliefs of the pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula.

Initially overwhelmed by the significance of what was being revealed to him, Muhammad found unflinching support in his wife and slowly began to attract followers. His strong monotheistic message angered many of the Meccan merchants. They were afraid that trade, which they believed was protected by the pagan gods, would suffer. From that point forward, Muhammad was ostracized in Mecca. For a time, the influence and status of his wife and his uncle, Abu Talib, the chief of the clan, protected Muhammad from persecution. After they died, however, Muhammad's situation in Mecca became dire.

The Hijra
Emigration became the only hope for Muhammad and his followers' survival. In 622, they headed to Medina, another oasis town, where they were promised freedom to practice their religion. The move from Mecca to Medina is known as the hijra—the flight—and marks year 1 of the Islamic, or hijri, calendar.

Spreading the Message of Islam
In Medina, Muhammad continued to receive divine revelations and built an ever-expanding community around the new faith. The conflict with the Quraish continued, but after several years of violent clashes, Mecca surrendered. Muhammad and his followers soon returned and took over the city, destroying all its pagan idols and spreading their belief in one God.

The Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet
Accounts of the ascension (mi'raj ) of Muhammad have captured the imaginations of writers and painters for centuries. One night, while the Prophet was sleeping, the Archangel Gabriel came and led him on a journey. Mounted on the heavenly steed Buraq, Muhammad traveled from the Ka'ba in Mecca to the "Farthest Mosque," which Muslims believe to be the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. There he prayed with other prophets such as Moses, Abraham, and Jesus, and ascended to the skies, where he was led by Gabriel through Paradise and Hell, and finally came face to face with God. He then returned to earth to continue spreading the message of Islam. According to Islamic belief, Muhammad was the only person to see Heaven and Hell while still alive.

After the Prophet's Death: Emergence of Shi'i and Sunni Sects of Islam
When Muhammad died in 632, he had not named a successor. One faction, the Shi'a, believed that only individuals with direct lineage to the Prophet could guide the Muslim community righteously. They thought that 'Ali, Muhammad's closest surviving blood male relative, should be their next leader (caliph). The other faction, the Sunnis, believed that the Prophet's successor should be determined by consensus and successively elected three of his most trusted companions, commonly referred to as the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman), as leaders of the Muslim community; 'Ali succeeded them as the fourth caliph.

Today the Islamic community remains divided into Sunni and Shi'i branches. Sunnis revere all four caliphs, while Shi'is regard 'Ali as the first spiritual leader. The rift between these two factions has resulted in differences in worship as well as political and religious views. Sunnis are in the majority and occupy most of the Muslim world, while Shi'i populations are concentrated in Iran and Iraq, with sizeable numbers in Bahrain, Lebanon, Kuwait, Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad
Featured in this unit are several depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. These portrayals, while somewhat rare, are not unheard of as there were (and still are) many different attitudes toward depicting the Prophet, and humans in general, in the Islamic world. These attitudes varied dramatically from region to region and throughout history; the societies that produced the works discussed here are among those that allowed the depiction of the Prophet. Commissioned by Muslims for Muslims, these images appear in biographies of the Prophet and his family, world and local histories, and accounts of Muhammad's celestial journey (mi'raj), as well as in literary texts. In each context, they serve a distinct purpose. They illustrate a narrative in biographies and histories, while in literary texts they serve as visual analogues to written praises of the Prophet. An image of the Prophet Muhammad at the beginning of a book endows the volume with the highest form of blessing and sanctity. Thus, illustration of him was a common practice, particularly in the eastern regions of the Islamic world (see also Frequently Asked Questions).

A Brief History of Islam (part 1 of 5): The Prophet of Islam

A Brief History of Islam (part 1 of 5): The Prophet of Islam
In or about the year 570 the child who would be named Muhammad and who would become the Prophet of one of the world’s great religions, Islam, was born into a family belonging to a clan of Quraish, the ruling tribe of Mecca, a city in the Hijaz region of northwestern Arabia.

Originally the site of the Kaabah, a shrine of ancient origins, Mecca had, with the decline of southern Arabia, become an important center of sixth-century trade with such powers as the Sassanians, Byzantines, and Ethiopians.  As a result, the city was dominated by powerful merchant families, among whom the men of Quraish were preeminent.

Muhammad’s father, “Abd Allah ibn” Abd al-Muttalib, died before the boy was born; his mother, Aminah, died when he was six.  The orphan was consigned to the care of his grandfather, the head of the clan of Hashim.  After the death of his grandfather, Muhammad was raised by his uncle, Abu Talib.  As was customary, the child Muhammad was sent to live for a year or two with a Bedouin family.  This custom, followed until recently by noble families of Mecca, Medina, Taif, and other towns of the Hijaz, had important implications for Muhammad.  In addition to enduring the hardships of desert life, he acquired a taste for the rich language so loved by the Arabs, whose speech was their proudest art, and also learned the patience and forbearance of the herdsmen, whose life of solitude he first shared, and then came to understand and appreciate.

About the year 590, Muhammad, then in his twenties, entered the service of a merchant widow named Khadijah as her factor, actively engaged with trading caravans to the north.  Sometime later he married her, and had two sons, neither of whom survived, and four daughters by her.

In his forties, he began to retire to meditate in a cave on Mount Hira, just outside Mecca, where the first of the great events of Islam took place.  One day, as he was sitting in the cave, he heard a voice, later identified as that of the Angel Gabriel, which ordered him to:

“Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created, Created man from a clot of blood.” (Quran 96:1-2)

Three times Muhammad pleaded his inability to do so, but each time the command was repeated.  Finally, Muhammad recited the words of what are now the first five verses of the 96th chapter of the Quran - words which proclaim God to be the Creator of man and the Source of all knowledge.

At first Muhammad divulged his experience only to his wife and his immediate circle.  But, as more revelations enjoined him to proclaim the oneness of God universally, his following grew, at first among the poor and the slaves, but later, also among the most prominent men of Mecca.  The revelations he received at this time, and those he did later, are all incorporated in the Quran, the Scripture of Islam.

Not everyone accepted God’s message transmitted through Muhammad.  Even in his own clan, there were those who rejected his teachings, and many merchants actively opposed the message.  The opposition, however, merely served to sharpen Muhammad’s sense of mission, and his understanding of exactly how Islam differed from paganism.  The belief in the Oneness of God was paramount in Islam; from this all else follows.  The verses of the Quran stress God’s uniqueness, warn those who deny it of impending punishment, and proclaim His unbounded compassion to those who submit to His will.  They affirm the Last Judgment, when God, the Judge, will weigh in the balance the faith and works of each man, rewarding the faithful and punishing the transgressor.  Because the Quran rejected polytheism and emphasized man’s moral responsibility, in powerful images, it presented a grave challenge to the worldly Meccans.

Muslim version of their own history

Muslim version of their own history
Islam, began in Mecca, claimed to be the revelation of God (Allah) through the angel Gabriel to a man named Muhammad. Muhammad was born in approximately AD 570-571. He was born to the powerful tribe of the Quraish in Mekkah (Mecca). His father's name was Abdullah. His mother's name was Aminah.

Apparently Abdullah was a merchant who made caravan trips. He died on a trading trip soon after his marriage to Aminah, leaving Muhammad fatherless at birth. Aminah, his mother, died when he was only six years old. Muhammad was taken in by his grandfather, only to have him die when Muhammad was eight years old. At this time, his uncle, Abu Talib, one of the leaders of the Quraish tribe took him in and raised him.

Muhammad was taught the family business and apparently quite successful. A wealthy widow named Khadijah arranged for Muhammad to oversee her trading business, and was so impressed with his skill and appearance that she proposed marriage to him. Muhammad was twenty-five and Khadijah was forty when they married. They had six children, two boys and four girls. Both of the sons died early in life. The daughters lived to see Muhammad become the founder of Islam.

Having married the wealthy Khadijah, Muhammad now became a gentleman of leisure and somewhat of a philosopher. He would retreat from society, take trips into the desert and mountains. He would spend his hours in meditation, greatly concerned about the condition of the civilization he saw around himself. He had a personal mission to find "truth." One of his frequent places of seclusion was a cave on Mount Nur. It was while in this cave, during the month of the Ramadan, a pagan festival, that he received his first visitation from Gabriel and recited the verses found in Qur'an 96:1-5.

At first, Muhammad shared his new revelations with only his family and close friends. During the next three years the message of Muhammad quietly spread among the people of Mekkah, especially among the youth. Then Muhammad is believed to have received instructions from Allah to go public with his message and openly condemn the paganism and idolatry of Mekkah. This open condemnation of idolatry became an economic threat to the prosperity of Mekkah, and as a consequence, organized opposition to Muhammad and Islam began. At this point, Islam was politically weak, and many Muslims died for their faith.

Persecutions became so great that many Muslims fled to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) for refuge. When Mekkan delegates tried to extradite them, after hearing the Muslim's defense, the ruler refused their extradition on the basis that his faith was similar to theirs, and he could not allow them to be harmed.

Muhammad continued to proclaim his message, and his following slowly grew. At one point, in 621, a group of delegates from Madinah (Medina) responded to his call and made a covenant with Muhammad and declared themselves to be Muslims.

A year later, in 622, some seventy people from Madinah made a similar declaration and pledged to fight to protect Muhammad against any and all odds. This pledge or covenant from some who were leaders of Madinah was a turning point for Islam

It provided Muslims with a secure base of operations and allowed them to expand from it. Muhammad commanded the Muslims in Mekkah to migrate to Madinah. After some struggle, Medina was declared to be wholly a Muslim community. For thirteen years, Muhammad had preached in Mekkah with minimal success. He had followed a quiet, non-political approach and merely preached. Now, however, his tactics changed. He established himself as religious, political, and military leader. Under his guidance, the community of believers became more important than family or tribe. Islam began to be spread through intimidation and force. Entire tribes and cities were "converted" under threat of war or by conquest. Success led to greater success. Inthe year 630, eight years after he had been forced to leave Mekkah, Muhammad returned with such an overwhelming force that the Mekkans made no resistance. Muhammad's forces destroyed all the idols of Mekkah, and declared the Kabah to be the place of worship for Allah.

With the subjugation of Mekkah, Islam became the power on the Arabian peninsula Tribe after tribe, city after city declared allegiance to Islam and it's prophet. They were given no choice. Muhammad returned to Madinah and continued to rule his kingdom from there. Muhammad died in 632 at the age of sixty-three. In twenty-three years he established a religion and social order that is still dominant in the Arab world today.

With Muhammad's death, Islam continued to flourish under the leadership of Muhammad's companions. The first Caliph (successor to the prophet - Kalifah) was his father in law and long time friend, Abu Bakr. In his two years of leadership, Abu Bakr consolidated Islamic influence over the entire Arabian peninsula.

The second caliph was Umar. He was in power from 634 to 644. Under Umar, Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia were added to the growing list of Islamic subjects. Others followed, continually expanding the borders of Islam. Under the leadership of the Kalifahs, Islam spread into Europe, Africa, and Asia. The caliphate lasted centuries, shifting from one dynasty to another, but always claiming the religious right to lead. Eventually the caliphate evolved into the Ottomon Empire which lasted until the early 20th century.

Islam spread as a social system, a political system, and a religious system and it was spread by force of arms. That was its philosophy in the beginning, and it is still the philosophy of Islam today.

Today Islam is one of the world's dominant religions, and claims as much as one fifth of the world's population.

Islam claims to be a united religion with no divisions; however, one does not have to be an astute observer to realize that Islam is, in reality, fragmented into many different branches, some of which are militantly hostile to each other. There is no unity among Muslims as they would have us believe. Two prominent groups, the Shiites and Sunnites had their origins around 660 over who was the legitimate caliph. Other sects followed.

With the end of the colonial system, Islamic states were given their autonomy again. With the wealth from petro-dollars, Islam as a religion is being successfully spread over the world. Islam is one of the greatest opponents in existence to the gospel of Christ today, and is one of the fastest growing religions in the world.