Comparing and Contrasting Mohammed and Saint Augustine

Donna Smolenski

0526860

908-432-1133

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TESC, May 2013

HUM-101-OL

Comparing and Contrasting Mohammed and Saint Augustine

Mohammed was much like the ideal of the hero because he believed in the notion of Jihad. This idea of Jihad closely parallels the heroic concept of “agon”; life as a struggle. This Jihad, or struggle, was sometimes referred to as the “sixth” pillar of Islam. It is evidence of a close relationship with the hero ideal because in the Jihad tradition, Muslim’s were compelled to spread their ideas and beliefs to the Islamic community, and not always by means of peace.

Mohammed’s entire life exhibits many elements of the hero’s journey. He was willing to strive for the “prize” which he won for the community to bring back as a gift. Another similarity between Mohammed and the ideal of the hero is the belief and emphasis on justice, particularly social justice. The notion of justice is the key to the identity of the hero in the form of citizenship. Another strong tie to the Greek world view of hero was that Mohammed faithfully followed the “five” pillars of Islam. These pillars are actually doctrines for living, living as a community of solidarity, and united in world justice, which resonates strongly with the evolution of society in the Greek world view.

Mohammed was also viewed as a saint because of his deep devotion and commitment to the people of Islam. He was considered to be, by Muslims, both the human instrument in receiving and reporting god’s revelations, and the model for all believers, a kind of living Koran. This would be very much like the prophets, in the Jewish and Christian religions, who preached and revealed God’s words throughout history. Another analogy that I found very compelling was the exodus of the Muslim’s from Mecca to Medina in the year 622. This is parallel with the story of Moses leading the Israelite’s out of Egypt. Mohammed was a leader for his people, and as such,...