Question

Muhammad began the solitary meditations during which he received the revelations underlying Islam because of?

1) His desire for power and control
2) His dissatisfaction with the existing religious practices
3) His encounter with the angel Gabriel
4) His search for spiritual enlightenment

Answer 1

Muhammad received the revelations underlying Islam through his search for spiritual enlightenment, dissatisfaction with existing religious practices, and an encounter with the angel Gabriel. His motivations were not a desire for power but a concern for the spiritual welfare of his community.

Step-by-step explanation:

Muhammad began the solitary meditations during which he received the revelations underlying Islam mainly due to his search for spiritual enlightenment and dissatisfaction with the existing religious practices of his time. Unlike the leaders of traditional groups that operated in Mecca, which held a variety of beliefs, Muhammad sought solitude and reflection in the hills near Mecca. His profound spiritual experiences, beginning around 610 CE, were initiated by his encounter with the angel Gabriel, who conveyed to him the messages from God - these interactions led to the formation of the Quran, the central religious text of Islam. It is important to note that Muhammad's motivations were not rooted in a desire for power but were driven by his deep concern for the spiritual welfare of his community, despite the potential personal cost of a stable and comfortable life as a merchant.