Chapter 03 - The Life and Importance of the Prophet Muhammed (sal)
Conditions of Arabia Before Islam
The Age of Ignorance is also known as Ayyamul Jahiliya or the Pre Islamic period.
People of this period lived a godless life
They had a separate god and goddess for each city, tribe, house and locality. They believed that
angels were daughters of God.
The Kabah was housed with 360 idols.
Women had no rights and Social respect. They were the worst sufferers in society. Sometimes
fathers buries their daughters alive.
Merits And De- Merits
Birth of Holy Prophet (Sal)
The Holy Prophet (sal) was born on the 12th Of Rabi-ul- Awwal in 570AD.
The 2 significant signs indicating his birth were1. 14 arches of Kisra’s palace collapsed
2. The Fire worshipper’s sacred fire that burned for thousand years extinguished.
His grandfather Abdul Muthalib named him Muhammed
His mother named him Ahmed
Infancy And Childhood
After the birth of Muhammed (sal) he was handed over to nurse Halima Saadiya (rali) of Banu
Sa’ad tribe. He spent 6 years with her
At the age of 6 he returned to his mother Aaminah in Makkah.
His mother took him to Madinah to meet his maternal relatives and while returning she fell
sick and passed away at a place called Abwa
He was bought back to Makkah by the slave girl Umm-e Aiman (rali)
After his mothers death he was brought up by his grandfather Abdul Muthalib till the age of 8
After that he was raised by Abu Thalib
Journey to Syria
He went with Abu Thalib on a trade journey to Syria at the age of 12
A Christian priest named Bahira saw the holy prophet (sal) and recognized him as a messenger
of Allah as he saw –
1. A cloud shadowing upon him
2. The branches of a tree bowing down to him
He confirmed it by checking the back of Muhammed (sal) and found the seal of the last
Prophethood.
The War of Fijar (The Sacrilegious War)
The Sacrilegious war was between the Quraish and Qais tribe at the fair of Ukaz
The Prophet (sal) was 14 or 15 years at this time
Abu Thalib actively participated in this war while Muhammed (sal) collected arrows thrown
by the enemies and handed over it to his uncle.
Hilf - Al Fudul
It was a peace treaty signed by the leaders of the tribes in Makkah
After the battle of Fijar, Zubair bin Abdul Muthalib proposed to revive an old agreement
called Hilf al Fudul
It was drafted to defend the cause of weak, poor and the orphan
The chiefs of Hashmites, Zuhrah and Taim tribes assembled at the house of Abdullah bin
Judan and pledged to remove all sorts of oppression from the land.
Muhammed (sal) actively participated in this
As- Sadiq And Al- Amin
Muhammed (sal) was true in his words, deed and acts, commitments, pacts, treaties and
promises
Truthfulness was a sign that he is absolutely true in his claim to the prophethood.
In his early life he tended flocks of sheep and herds of camels , he then started trading business
which was a honorable profession those days.
The Makkans trusted him for his fair dealings and ensured their valuables and money with
him.
Marriage with Hazarat Khadija (rali)
In Makkah, There was a rich and respected widow named Khadija. On hearing his truthfulness
and sincerity , She invited prophet (sal) to take charge of her business. After consulting his
uncle prophet (sal) went to Syria for the business. In that trip, he made great profit by his
honestly which was far beyond the expectation of Hazarat Khadija (rali). On his return Maisra
spoke very highly about this youth in Makkah and Khadija (rali) completely won over his fair
dealings and trustworthiness.
Hazarat Khadija (rali) was a noble widow of 40 years old and was married twice. She was
impressed by the noble character of Holy Prophet (sal) and made up her mind to marry him.
Three months after the journey , she sent words proposing herself to marry him.
Prophet (sal) was 25 at that time, he accepted the proposal after consulting Abu Thalib. Abu
Thalib performed the Nikah on the dowry of 500 dirhams.
She was an unfailing solace and encouragement to Holy Prophet(sal) in his moments of
sadness.
Children - Son- Elder son - Hazarat Qasim (rali) after which prophet was known as Abul
Qasim. Hazarat Abdullah (rali) was his 2nd son was also known as “ Al- Tayyab” and “AlThahir”. Both died in their childhood.
Daughters- Zaynab (rali) (eldest), Ruqayyah(rali), Ummu Kulthoom (rali) , Fathima (rali)
(youngest).
Fixing of Black Stone
Due to heavy rain in Makkah the Kabah was damaged. Different tribes worked together to
rebuild the Kabah. There was a conflict to re-set the Black Stone in place. Each clan wanted
the honor for itself and the swords were drawn to decide the matter.
An old Quraishi named Abu Ummayah bin Mughirah suggested that the person who enters
the Kabah first would decide what should be done. All of them agreed.
The 1st person to enter was Muhammed (sal). Seeing him all of them cried out “Look! Here is
Al- Amin, here is Muhammed, we agree on him.” The prophet (sal) found a peaceful solution
and said “ Take a sheet and put the Black Stone on it. The chief of every tribe will hold the
sheet to raise it to the right height” Then the holy prophet (sal) himself took up the stone and
set it in its right position.
This event also bore indications that the leadership of Makkah would go to him in future.
Prophet (sal) was 35 during this incident.
First Revelation
The youth of Holy Prophet (sal) was perfect and stainless. During his youth, he often went to
cave Hira and prayed for hours to God to pity the fallen state of Arabs and show them the
right path.
At the age of 40, One day in the month of Ramadan 610 A.H. when he was in deep medication
in the cave, Angel Jibreel (alai) came to him and said “Read.” He replied “ I am not a reader.”
The Holy Prophet (sal) narrates :-
“He held me and pressed me tightly, then he released and said ‘Read’ And i replied ‘ I am not a
reader’ So, he held me and pressed me hard a second time until I was exhausted, then he released
me and said ‘Read’, ‘I am not a reader.’ He then held me and pressed me hard for the third time.
Then he said“Read in the Name of your Lord who created, created man from clots of blood. Read! Your Lord is the most
Bounteous, Who has taught the use of the pen, has taught man what he did not know.” (96:1-5)
The Holy Prophet (sal) returned home trembling and said “Wrap me! Wrap me!” Hazarat
Khadija (rali) wrapped him and his fear subsided. Thereafter, he exclaimed to Hazarat Khadija
(rali) “What has happened to me?” and related to her what had happened and said “I fear for
myself .” Khadija (rali) replied “ Fear not, be calm and relax. Allah will not let you suffer any
humiliation, because you are kind to your relatives, you speak the truth, you assist anyone in
need, you are hospitable to your guests and you help in every just cause.”
Conversation with Waraqa bin Naufal
Hazarat Khadija (rali) took Muhammed (sal) to Waraqa bin Naufal, her paternal cousin who
was a Christian convert and a s scholar with good knowledge of Arabic , Hebrew and the
Bible. He had lost his eyesight as he had grown old.
Hazarat Khadija(rali) said to Waraqa, “Cousin, would you like to hear what your nephew has
to say?” Waraqa said, “Well, nephew, what have you seen? ” The Holy Prophet (sal) related to
him what he had seen. When he finished, Waraqa said, “ It is the same revelation as was sent
down to Musa. I wish I was young so that I might be alive when your people turn you away
from this city.” The Holy Prophet (sal) exclaimed, “Would they turn me away?” Waraqa
answered, “ Yes! No man has ever preached a message like yours but, was met with enmity. If I
live till that day, I will certainly give you all my support.” Then he leaned forward and kissed
the forehead of Muhammed (sal) But Waraqa soon died after that.
Thus, Waraqa bin Naufal became a source of interpretation of Muhammed (sal)’s experience of
receiving the first divine revelation. He also solaced The prophet (sal) by telling him about his
special association with Allah by way of Jibreel (alai) and prepared him for the upcoming
Challenges awaited by warning him about his exile from Makkah. This incident also reflects
the aspect of the life of Hazarat Waraqa bin Naufal as a believer of true faith.
The Early Converts
The Holy Prophet (sal) followed the divine call with full determination and courage, and stood
up to inform the people of Allah’s commandment and save them from the wrong path and
their evil ways of life.
First Converts - Male- Abu Bakr (rali)
Female- Khadija (rali)
Child - Ali (rali) - at the age of 10
Male Slave - Zaid bin Haritha (rali)
Female Slave - Umm - e - Aiman (rali)
In the early days , Prophet (sal) preached Islam secretly and the following people accepted Islam Ammar bin Yasir, Khabab bin Al- Arat , Usman bin Affan, Abdul Rehman bin Auf, Sa’d bin Waqqas ,
Talha, Arqam, Sa’id bin Zaid, Abdullah bin Masud, Usman bin Masun, Ubaidah (rali), etc.
The secret mission continued for around 3 years during which 40 people converted to Islam.
A Call to the Nation
After three years of secret preaching, Muhammed (sal) was divinely ordered for an open all to
the Oneness of Allah in Surah Al- Muzzamil (14:94). In accordance to these instructions,
Muhammed (sal) invited notables from the tribes of Banu Hashim and Banu Muthalib to his
home twice and declared the Oneness of Allah, his prophethood and warned them of the
hereafter. The reaction was a rude one led by Abu Lahab , but his uncle Abu Thalib promised
to protect and help him. Thereafter Allah’s command came to preach openly to the polytheists.
“Therefore preach openly what you are commanded, and turn away from those who join false
gods with Allah.” (15:94).
Muhammed (sal) then climbed Mount Safa in Makkah. He called aloud for the Quraishs to
assemble. When they gathered, he asked his family members, ‘Banu Abdul Manaf ’ to come
nearer and then he addressed, “If I inform you that a big army is advancing, would you believe
me?” All of them said in one voice “Of course we will. you are always truthful.” The Holy
Prophet (sal) then said “ I ask you to declare that there is no god but Allah, otherwise I would
be of no help to you neither in this world nor in the hereafter. If you believe in it, I would be a
witness for you before Allah, and all the Arabs and non- Arabs would be under you. If you
don’t accept Allah’s message you shall meet disaster.” Hearing this there was a sudden uproar
of anger among the Arab tribes. Abu Lahab said “Did you invite us for this very purpose?”
They left the place and no one heard his call.
Oppression and Persecution by the Quraish
The Quraish adopted every method to terrorize and create hurdle for Muhammed (sal) and his
companions. They laid iron thorns and rubbish on his way, made fun of him when he offered
his prayers, and they spread rumors of him being a poet, wizard or insane. He was pelted with
stones and was ridiculed by street urchins. Abu Jahal the worst enemy of Islam, placed dirty
entrails of camel intestine on his neck while he was lying prostrate in Prayer. Uqubah bin
Mu’it put his sheet of cloth round the neck of Muhammed (sal) and tried to strangle him. They
did not leave any stone unturned to crush his mission, although he was subjected to all kinds
of persecution he remained firm like a rock.
The slaves who converted to Islam were the worst sufferers. Hazarat Bilal (rali) was an
Abyssinian slave of a disbeliever in Makkah. He was forced to lie down on the burning sand at
mid-day and a heavy stone was placed on his chest. He was beaten and dragged around the
streets of Makkah and asked to forsake Islam. Even then he kept Exclaiming ‘Ahad’ (Allah is
one). Later Abu Bakr (rali) bought him freedom and he became a free Muslim.
Hazarat Yasir (rali) and his wife Hazarat Summayah (rali) (1st Martyr of islam ) were tortured
to death while their son Ammar bin Yasir (rali) was treated cruelly.
Hazarat Khabab was made to lie on burning coal with his back over them.
Causes of Hostility by Quraish
Religious Causes
Islam was a direct attack on the false beliefs of the Quraish. It taught to worship One Supreme
God and condemned idol worship whereas the Quraish were addicted to idol worship and
wasn’t ready to leave it hence they opposed and rose against Islam.
Social Causes
Islam favors on equality and justice and it preaches brotherhood. It negates the distinctions
between rich and poor. Such equality and justice was unbearable for the Quraish
Moral Causes
Quraish indulged in all sinful acts. They were free of all moral and social restraints, Islam
condemned these evil practices. This stirred up the anger and hatred of the Quraish.
Political Causes
They feared that Islam might cause their political downfall. They sensed Muhammed (sal) as
an emerging and new political leader. And he would rule the city if he succeeds in converting
people to Islam.
Economic Causes
The Holy Kabah was not only a place of worship but also a center of economic activities. Their
trade caravans safely traveled far and wide. The Quraish sensed that with the rising dominance
of Islam, they would lose the Holy Kabah which would lead to an econocic downfall.
Migration to Abyssinia
Boycott of Hashmites by Quraish
The Year of Sorrow
After the boycott, In the 10th year of his mission, Prophet (sal)’s two supporters, his wife
Khadija (rali) and his uncle Abu Thalib passed away which saddened him. The Prophet (sal)
called that year ‘Amul Huzun’.
Visit to Ta’if
Muhammed (sal) spent his worst day of his life in Ta’if where he was severely tortured and
persecuted. After the death of Khadija (rali) and Abu Thalib, Prophet (sal) left to Ta’if to
preach Islam. He was accompanied by Zaid bin Haritha (rali). All the people refuse to accept
Islam and treated him rudely. When he was leaving the town, he was pelted with stones so
badly, that his whole body was covered with blood.
It was in this valley where the angel of mountain appeared and sought Muhammed (sal)’s
permission to crush the arrogant disbelievers of Ta’if, under their mountain for their
misbehavior, but Muhammed (sal) did not allow him, rather he prayed for their children.
Three miles away from Ta’if , he saw a the garden belonging to Utba bin Rabia, a non-believer
and rested there. Utba bin Rabia sent him a bunch of grapes through his Christian slaves.
Muhammed (sal) then returned to Makkah, under the protection of Al- Mu’tim ibn Adei.
Mi’raj
Mi’raj is the physical journey of Muhammed (sal), from Makkah to Jerusalem and through the
heavens to the throne of Almighty Allah. This took place on the 27th Rajab. Mi’raj means
ascension. It is described in the Holy Quran as “ Glory be to him, who carried his servant by night
from the sacred Masjid to the distant Masjid - the precincts of which we have blessed- in order that we
might show him some of our signs.” (17:1)
Muhammed (sal) travelled this journey on a vehicle called Buraq. In the journey of Isra, from
Masjid- al- Haram to Masjid- al- Aqsa, he saw the structure of Masjid - al- Aqsa as to how it
was built. He was taken to heavens, where he met few prophets like Adam (alai), Ibrahim (alai)
and Musa (alai) and then he went to Allah’s arsh.
During this journey, he got 50 times Salah as a gift which was reduced to 5 times on the request
of Musa (alai). This is one of the greatest miracles and evidence to his prophethood and
excellence.
Reaction of Prophet (sal) to the Persecution of Quraish
1. Prophet (sal) continued preaching Islam.
2. This teaches Muslims to be consistent, firm and steadfast in all difficulties.
3. It teaches us not to give up our efforts despite the adverse situation.
4. We should not show frustration and disappointment in the times of difficulties and hardship.
5. Muhammed (sal) bore all hardships with patience and endurance.
6. Muslims should be patient and tolerant in times of difficulties.
7. They should have full faith in Allah’s guidance, help and assistance.
8. They should migrate to another place which is safe and secure.
9. It also teaches us to have different options to achieve our goals.
10. Muhammed (sal) exhibited complete trust in Allah.
Pledges of Aqaba
In the 11th year, while at Aqaba, Muhammed (sal) met a group of 6 men of Yathrib and told
them about Islam. They listened to him and accepted Islam.
First Pledge of Aqaba
Took place in 621 AD
12 more people from Yathrib came to Hajj and accepted Islam
They were instructed to spread Islam in Yathrib.
They took a pledge to Believe in the Oneness of Allah, Avoid sinful acts and obey Muhammed
(sal) in Aqaba.
Hazarat Mus’ab bin Umair (rali) was sent to assist them in the task.
Second Pledge of Aqaba
In 622 AD, a group of 75 people from Yathrib came to Makkah and accepted Islam.
They pledged at the hands of Muhammed (sal) on his obedience, protection and promotion of
Islam.
Muhammed (sal) bough his uncle Hazarat Abbas to the meeting in Aqaba.
Muhammed (sal) asked them to appoint 12 deputies to be guardians over them and
responsible.
The people of Yathrib invited Muhammed (sal) to their city, despite the risks.
Migration to Medina
The Events of Migration