Our Prophet - Mohammed - pbuh

Our Prophet - Mohammed - pbuh

Some events from the Seerah – the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam


Birth of the Prophet
The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, was born on the 12th of Rab’I ul Awwal in the Year of the Elephant (AD 570, 20 April) . He was the son of Abdullah, son of Abdul Mutallib Ibn Hashim, a Quraish nobleman, and Amina, the daughter of Wahb Ibn Abdu Manaf, a leader in the tribe of Bani Zuhra. On the day that she delivered the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, Amina says that the light shining from her lit up the sky. After the birth of Mohammed, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, Amina sent someone to inform his grandfather. He came, looked at the baby and took him to the Ka’aba where he praised Allah and prayed for the infant. Abdul Mutallib, named him ‘Mohammed’ which means, “he who is praised.”

The Prophet’s Early Childhood
It was the custom of the Arabs to place their infants in the care of a wet-nurse to suckle the baby. The lady selected would be from the desert tribes, so the child could grow up in a clean environment and learn the wholesome ways of the Bedouins. The Prophet’s wet nurse was Halima Sadiya. She discovered that within a short period of time, her household was blessed with good fortune, her breasts overflowed with milk, and her she-camels were full of milk. The women of her tribe spread the news: “Halima, you have certainly got a blessed child.”

Marriage with Khadija
When the Prophet (sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam) was twenty five years old he married Khadija. Daughter of Khuwaylid, Khadija, radiuallahu anha, may Allah be pleased with her, she experienced the Prophet’s truthfulness, trustworthiness, and dignified character when she made him in charge of her caravans. She wished to marry the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam. Hamza, the Prophet’s uncle, conveyed the message to him, and he was agreeable. Abu Talib recited the wedding ceremony and the two were joined in wedlock. They had a blessed and happy marriage and had many children.

Reconstruction of the Ka’aba
When the Prophet was thirty five years old, he made a wise decision about a matter that provoked the Quraish and threatened to enter them into another internal war. The Quraish wanted to rebuild the Ka’aba as its stones were coming out of place. When it was time to rebuild the Ka’ba, the issue of arose as to who should place the sacred stone in its niche. Every tribe claimed it their honor to do so. The dilemma continued for a few days until the Prophet came forth and gave his advice. He asked them to bring a cloth, place the black stone in it and ask each tribe to hold the end of the material and raise it to the required height. When they lifted it to the necessary height, the Prophet placed it in its position with his own hands. This event illustrates the ability of the Prophet to reconcile between people.

In the Cave of Hira
The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, used to seclude himself in the Cave of Hira where he engaged in devout worship, in the manner of the Prophet Ibrahim, alahi as sallam. On the 17th of Ramadan 610 AD, the Prophet’s fortieth year of life, the Angel Gabriel came to him and and told him to read. The Prophet said “I cannot read”, and so the Angel pressed him and asked him to read again and then a third time. He then recited to him the first five verses of Surat Al-Alaq. Frightened the Prophet went home to tell his wife, Khadija of what happened. They relayed the story to her cousin, Waraqa Ibn Naufal, a devout Chrisitian familiar with the Torah and Gospels, who confirmed the Prophethood of Mohammed, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam.

Acceptance of Islam
The first person to embrace Islam was Khadija, radiu Allahu anha, the Prophet’s wife. She supported him, consoled him, and loved him dearly. Ali Ibn Abu Talib, radiu Allahu anhu, was the next to enter the ranks of Islam, a youth only ten years of age. The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, had taken Ali from his uncle Abu Talib after a great famine befell Quraish. Zayd Ibn Harith, the freed man taken by the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, as a son became the third person to accept to Islam. Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Quhafa, radiu Allahu anhu, became the fourth person to enter Islam. Abu Bakr was both a mechant and a scholar in the field of genealogy and was successful in inviting people to Islam.

Boycott of Bani Hashim
The spread of Islam amongst the Quraish angered the nobles who were not ready to embrace the faith. They waged a boycott on Bani Hashim and Bani Abdul Muttalib, the tribes the Prophet belonged to, and it was decided that nobody should buy or sell from them or marry their women. The agreement on the boycott was put in writing and placed on the Ka’bah. The tribes lived in exile for three years enduring the worst of conditions. Finally, at the encouragement of the kind-hearted Hisham Ibn Amr Ibn Rabi’a, the boycott was brought to an end and the tribes were re-summoned to Mecca. When Mut’im Ibn Adiy when to tear up the agreement hanging on the Ka’ba, the only words remaining were ‘In thy Name Oh Allah’. The rest of the document had been chewed up by ants.

Conversion of Umar
Umar, radiua Allahu anhu, was one of the nobles of Quraish who was feared and revered throughout the tribe. He was angered that Mohammed, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, had created disunity amongst Quraish and vilified their gods and so he set out on a mission to kill the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam. On his way, he saw Nuam Ibn Abdulla and told him what he was about to do and so Nuam told him, ‘ well, shouldn’t you reconcile the affairs of your own home for your sister and her husband have accepted Islam’. Enraged he went to kill them and upon entering the house, he heard them reciting Surat Taha of the Qur’an. He struck his sister and she stood firm and told him to do what he pleases, she will not give up Islam. Umar requested to read the verses and upon reading it, peace entered his heart, and he decided to embrace Islam. Umar was taken to the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, who was overjoyed with the conversion of this important figure.

Year of Grief
In the tenth year of his mission, the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, lost his dear uncle, Abu Talib and his loving wife, Khadija, radiua Allahu anha. Both of them protected him and were emotionally attached to him. The deaths of both Abu Talib and Khadija meant a great loss to the Prophet, so much so that the year was called the Year of Grief.

Conversion of Tufayl Ibn ‘Amr Al-Daust
Tufayl Ibn Amr Al-Daus was a renowned poet revered by the Arabs. Upon his arrival to Mecca, many of the Quraish tribe warned him against meeting the Prophet. Tufayl says that: “By God, they were so insistent that I decided not to listen or speak to him. I went as far as to stuff cotton in my ears before going to the holy mosque.” Tufayl accidentally found the Prophet, sala Allahu alahi wa salam, praying. He heard a beautiful speech coming forth from the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam. The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, invited him to his house where he invited him to accept Islam and recited Qur’an to him. Tufayl returned to his tribe to spread the word of Allah, and thus Islam spread through the tribe of Daus.

Journey to Taif
After the death of Abu Talib, the protector of the Prophet, the Quraish began to slander and abuse him. The Prophet decided to go to Taif to seek help of Thaqif. The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, expected the people of Taif to embrace Islam wholeheartedly. The leaders of Taif were rude and discourteous to the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, and the gangs of the town harassed him. The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, endured greater hardship in Taif than in Mecca. This was one of the great trials of the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam.

El Isra’a Wal Mi’raj
The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, found himself transported at night to the Ka’bah then to Jerusalem. From Jerusalem he was elevated through the seven heavens where he met the Prophets that came before him and saw the outstanding signs of Divine Majesty. The ascension alludes to several significant and complex realities of far-reaching consequences to humanity. It demonstrates that Allah, subhana wa talla, chose Prophet Mohammed, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, to be the leader of East and West, and to the entire humanity. Also, because the Prophets all prayed behind him, it indicates that Islam was chosen as the religion of mankind.

Prayer as an Obligatory Pillar of Islam
During El Isra’a Wal Mi’raj, Allahu, subhana wa talla, made it mandatory for the Prophet and his followers to pray fifty prayers a day. The Prophet patiently implored Allah, subhana wa talla, to reduce the burden of prayers until it reached five times a day. Allah, as a mercy declared that whoever performs the five daily prescribed prayers will be compensated for the fifty prayers that were initially enjoined. (Al Bukhari, Kitab us-Salat)

The Ansar Embrace Islam
The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, met some of the Yathribites (Yathrib was renamed Medina) belonging to the Khazraj tribe at Aqabah. He taught them about Islam and the sole worship of Allah, subhana wa talla. Because of their contact with the Jewish tribes who were awaiting the next messenger, the Yathribites concluded that Mohammed, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, must be him and so they embraced Islam. They had hope that under the banner of Islam there would be peace between the warring tribes.

Pledge of Aqabah
Twelve men belonging to the Ansar met with the Prophet at Aqabah and pledged themselves to the Prophet. They vowed not to steal, fornicate, or kill children. They pledged to obey the Prophet in what is right and to ascribe no partners to Allah. The Prophet sent Mus’ab Ibn Umayr, radiu Allahu anhu, to teach them the Qur’an and to instruct them about the main articles of faith. Umayr became known as “the reader” and he led the Yathribites in prayer.

Migration to Madina
After suffering a long period of persecution in Mecca, the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, came to Abu Bakr, radiua Allahu anhu, and informed him that Allah had given them permission to migrate from Mecca. And so they hired Abdalla Ibn Urayqit to act as their guide for the journey.
The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, and Abu Bakr proceeded till they reached the cave of Mount Thawr. Abu Bakr went in, cleaned it and then told the Prophet to enter. A spider spun its web at the mouth of the cave and two doves came there to lay their eggs. When the enemies came to search for them and they were right outside the cave, Abu Bakr expressed his fear that they would be killed. The Prophet comforted him and told him that Allah was with them and so the enemies left without seeing capturing the Prophet, salla Allahu alahi wa sallam.
Allah provides protection to His Messenger and those who follow the path of Truth will always be victorious, as the story illustrates.

Arrival at Madina
When the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, arrived at Madina, the people crowded the streets overjoyed with happiness singing songs and eager to greet him. Abu Bakr stood behind him holding a sheet to protect him from the sun, as some of the people had never seen the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam. They came to greet him with warmth and love and the entire city of Madina was radiating with happiness.
The Islamic calendar is known as the ‘hijri’ calendar because it commences with the event of this migration.

Treaty of Hudaybiyah
The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, had a vision that he entered Mecca and circled the sacred House of God. So in Dhul Qadah, sixth year of Hijrah, the Prophet travelled to Mecca to perform Umra. The Prophet attempted to sign a truce with the Quraish tribe and sent Uthman to deliver the message. The rumour spread that Uthman had been killed by the treacherous Quraish. In response, the Muslims gathered round the Prophet and took the Pledge of Ridhwan. Later, the Quraish sent Suhayl bin Amr to negotiate the terms of the treaty. Although the terms of the treaty were not as favourable to the Muslims, it gave the permission to visit the House of God in the following year. It also recognized the political Islamic state emerging within Arabia.

Battle of Badr
During the second year of the Hijra in Ramadan, the Muslims fought the Quraish tribe in the Battle of Badr. The Muslims were greatly outnumbered as they were only 313 combatants while the Quraish army numbered 1,000. In spite of the odds, victory was given to the Muslims by the Almighty. Allah the Almighty said in his Book, “Allah had given you the victory at Badr, when you were contemptible. So observe your duty to Allah in order that you may be thankful." [Qur'an 3:123]

Battle of Uhud
The defeat of the Battle of Badr, greatly disheartened the Quraish tribe and they swore to seek vengeance on the Muslims. A well-equipped army of 3,000 men headed out of Mecca in Shawwal during the third year of the Hijra, to Uhud, north of Medina. They fought the Muslim army, consisting of 1,000 men, and the Muslims defeated them. However, as the Muslims advanced to indulge in the spoils of the enemy camp, the Quraish tribe re-appeared and attacked the rear of the Muslim army. The Muslims were eventually defeated and lost the Battle of Uhud. They did not listen to the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, who told them to stay in their positions even though the enemy had been chased away. The Battle of Uhud taught the Muslims many lessons, including obeying the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, under all circumstances.

Battle of the Trench
The Battle of the Trench (Al-Khandaq) was instigated by the Jewish tribes Bani Nadr and Bani Wa’il who had formed an alliance with the Quraish and the Ghatfan to wage a war against the Muslims, so breaking the terms of an existing treaty. When the Prophet learned of this conspiracy, he decided to launch a defensive campaign to protect the Muslims. One of the companions, Salman the Persian, advised digging a trench along the northern, exposed side of Madina, as all other sides of Madina were protected by volcanic rocky plains and granite hills. And so they dug the trench and hence the battle became known as the Battle of the Trench. Disunity amongst the enemies and difference in the objectives of each group caused the enemy forces to weaken, giving way to victory amongst the Muslims. The battle took place in the harsh winter, yet the Muslims stood firm illustrating their firm resolve to defend their city.

Farewell Pilgrimage
The Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, set out from Madina on Saturday the 25th of Dhu Q’ada, after putting on the Ihram in preparation for Hajj. Muslims gathered from near and far to hear the valuable words of the Messenger. He advised them to hold fast to the Book and if they did so they would not fall into error. Finally, he told them that on the Day of Judgement, Allah would ask them whether he had fulfilled his mission to them. He asked them how they would reply. The entire congregation answered in unison: they would testify that he conveyed the message and fulfilled his mission.

Eternal Rest
After the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, had delivered the message in its entirety, he fell sick. His sickness began at the end of Safar when late one night, he went to a cemetery in Madina, known as Jannutal Baqi, where he prayed for the dead and returned home. His illness began the very next day, from which the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, never recovered. The Muslims were struck with an immense amount of grief and sadness at the Prophet’s, death. After some time, they regained the confidence to fulfill the greater task that the Prophet, sall-Allahu alayhi was sallam, had so dutifully trained them for.