Muslim Wealth

Name and Lineage

  Muhammad,peace and blessings be upon him,as the majority of biographers state,is the son of Abdullah.His mother Aaminah, was the daughter of Wahab.His father died while his mother was still pregnant.His grandfather took charge of him.

His Birth and Nursing

The prophet,peace be upon him,was born in Makkah (Mecca).The exact date of his birth is disputed ,but it is more likely to be on Monday,9th Rabee Al-awwal (20th - 22nd of April,571 AC),the same year in which the invasion of the elephants took place against the Ka'bah.

                         After the prophets birth ,his mother sent for his grandfather,Abdul - Mutallib to tell him that she had given birth to a boy and asked him to come and see him. Ibn Ishaaq narrates : "Abdul-Mutallib took the baby and entered the Ka'bah where he stood and prayed to Allah showing his gratitude to HIM for this gift. He then named him Muhammad,a rather uncommon name amongst the Arabs ,and circumcised him on the seventh day of his birth,according to the traditions of Quraish at that time. He then tired to find a wet nurse for him.

                         A bedouin woman named Haleemah Bint Abu Dhu'ayyib was asked to nurse Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him,He was thus brought up in a typical Bedouin environment and spoke pure Arabic His foster brother was Abdullah Ibn Al-Haarith;Unaysah and Hudhaafah (or Judhaamah) were his foster sisters.The prophet's foster father was Al-Harith Ibn 'Abdul -'Uzzah.

                       Ibn - Ishaaq quotes Haleemah as narrating the following - I departed from my country along with my husband and little son whom i was nursing,in the company of woman of my tribe,in search of other babies to nurse. That was the year of drought when we had nothing left. I was riding a dusky she donkey of mine with an old she-camel that could not yield a drop of milk. Our hungry child kept is awake all night with his weeping. I hardly any milk in my breast to feed him,nor could our she-camel provide his morning bowl,but we were hoping for rain and relief. When e reached Makkah,we looked out for nursing,and the prophet S.A.S was offered to everyone of us,yet each of us refused him when we were told he was a orphan,as we were hoping some favour from the boy's father."An orphan ! We exclaimed,What will his mother and grandfather do for us ?" And so we spurned him for that. Every woman who came with me got a baby to suckle except me,and when we decided to depart,I said to my husband,"By Allah ,I do not like to return in the company of my friends without having taken a baby to suckle;I will go and take that orphan.""Do as you like" ,he replied,"Perhaps Allah will bless us on his account".So i went back and took him for no reason save that i could find none but him. No sooner had i held him in my arms that my breasts overflowed with milk for him. He drank his fill,as did his foster brother. My husband got up and went to the she-camel,and to his amazement he udders were full. He milked her and we drank of hr milk to our heart's content,and we spent a happy night. In the morning,my husband said to me,"By Allah,Haleemah have taken a blessed creature."By Allah ,i hope so",I said. Then we went out,as i was riding my she-donkey and carrying him with me,he outstripped the other donkeys and they could not keep pace to the point that my companions said to me,"Confound you ! Stop and wait for us. Is not this donkey of yours the same one you did come on?" 'Certanly it it",I replied. Then we came back to our dwelling in the Banu Sa'ad country and i know no place on Allah;s earth more barren than that then was. But after we had brought him to live with us,my flocks used to yield milk in abundance. We milked them and drank while other people had not a drop,nor could they find any in their animals ' udders so that our neighbours would say to their shepherds , "Out upon you ! Send your flocks to graze where the daughter Abu Dhu'ayyib's shepherds goes".Even so ,their flocks used to come home hungry and mine would come back with milk in plenty. We realised that this bounty came from Allah for a period of two years,when i weaned him. He was growing up well and none of the other babies could match him. By the time he was two,he was well-built child. We brought him to his mother ,though we were most eager to keep him with us because of the blessing he brought us. So i said to her ," May you leave my little boy with me until he becomes stronger,for i worry about him for the pest in the Makkah."We importuned her until she gave him once more into our keeping.

Purifying the Prophet S.A.S's heart

Few months later ,the prophet S.A.S was with his foster brother shepherding the lambs behind the tents when his brother came running to Haleemah and said ,"Two men clothed white seized the Qurayshite brother of mine,laid him down,opened up his breast,and are stirring it up."So they ran towards him and found him on his feet with his face so livid. They then drew him closer and asked him what the matter was. He said, " Two men in white raiment came to me,laid me down ,tore open my breast and searched therein for I know not what."

          Describing the even ,The prophet peace and blessings be upon him said," There came to me Gabriel while i was playing with my foster brother,and seized me and opened my breast,extracted my heart,and split it;then he extracted a black clot from it and cast it away saying.'This is the share of satan in you'.Then he washed my heart in a gold basin full of water from Zam-zam until he had cleaned it. Then he returned it to its place."

         Concerning the incident Allah says - "Have we not expanded thee thy breast ? And removed from thee the burden that which gall thy back ? And raised high the esteem (in which) thou (are held) ? " {Ash-Sharh : 1-4}

         Out of fear on his account,Haleemah took the prophet back to his mother and he lived with her until he became six years of age. Upon her return from a visit with the prophet to her husbands grav,she died in Abwaa 'between Makkah and Madeenah. Thus the prophet was left with his grandfather. Ibn Hishaam narrates : His grandfather made him a bed in the shade of Ka'bah. His sons used to sit around the bed until he came out of it,but none of them sat upon it out of respect for him. The prophet ,still a boy used to come and sit on it and his uncles would drive him away. When "Abdul-Mutallib saw this,he said,"Let my son alone for by Allah a great future is in store for him.".There he would have him sit beside him on his bed and would stroke his back with his hands. It used to please him to see what he did.

The Death of Abdul-Muttallib

When the prophet was eight ,his grandfather died.Upon his demise,the prophet's S.A.S guardianship ws passed to his uncle Abu-Taalib whose love for the protection of Muhammad S.A.S continued long after Prophet S.A.S  proclaimed his mission and declared new faith.

       When the prophet S.A.S was twelve,he accompanied his uncle on a trade mision to Syria.When the caravan reached Busra in Syria,there was a monk there in his cell by the name Baheera,who was well-versed in the knowledge of Christianity.Looking at the prophet S.A.S ,Baheera asked Abu-Taalib, "Who is this boy?" "He is my son ",replied Abu-Taalib. "He is not your son "Baheerah said, "for it could be be that this boy's father is alive". "He is my nephew" Abu-Taalib answered correctly. "Then,what is his father?" asked Baheerah. "He died" answered Abu-Taalib. "You have told me the truth" said Baheerah. "Take your nephew back to his country and guard him carefully against the Jews,for by Allah,if they see him and know about him what I know,they will do him evil;a great future awaits this nephew of yours,so take him home now". Abu-Taalib took the prophet S.A.S  off quickly and returned to Makkah.

       Thus,the prophet,peace and blessings be upon him,grew up protected by Allah,who guarded him against the vileness od disbelief because HE wished to honour him with Prophethood,until he grew up to see the finest of his people in manliness,the best in character,the most noble in lineage,the best neighbour,the kindest,the most trithful,most reliable young man,the furthest removed from the filth and corrupt morals ,through loftiness and nobility,so that he was renowned among his people as the Trustworthy ( As-Saadiq Al-Ameen) because good qualities Allah had instilled in him.

 The Prophet S.A.S 's Participitation in Harb Al-Fujjar (the sacrilegious war)    

 When the prophet ,peace and blessings be upon him,turned fifteen,a sacreligious war broke out between he two tribes of Kinaanah and Qays 'Aylaan. It was so called because the two tribes fought in the sacred month. At the beginning of the war,Qays had the upper hand but by midday Kinaanah were victorious. It is mentioned that the Prophet,peace and blessing be upon him,took part in the war.

The Prophet S.A.S's Membership in Hilf Al-Fudool (the pact of Chivalry)

     The prophet ,peace and blessings be upon him,was a member in the pact called Hilf Al-Fudool,which aims at protecting the defenseless and ensure safety for strangers in Makkah.The pact first originated because a stranger from Yemen sold goods in Makkah to an influential member of a powerful local clan who subsequently refused either to pay the price or to return the goods,whereupon the aggrieved seller stood up in the vicinity of Ka'bah and implored people to come to his rescue,being a stranger in the city.Several members of Quraysh's aristrocasy rallied to assist him and secured the return of goods.Meeting next in Ka'bah at the house of Abdullah Ibn - Jud'aan,they pledged henceforth to combat oppresive acts and uphold justice.Muhammad S.A.S was then of twenty-five years of age,was present at this gathering ,and was so impressed with the merits of the pledge that when he commenced his mission,he legalized it in Islam.As years went by,even after his mission had become a success,the prophet continiued to express both his high regards for the pact and his willingness to abide by his provisions.

The Prophet S.A.S Marries Khadeejah
 
    Ibn Ishaaq narrates : Khadeejah was a merchant woman of dignity and wealth.It had been her custom to hire men to carry merchandise outside her country on a profit-sharing basis,for Quraysh were people gve to commerce.She heard much good about the truthfulness,trustworthiness and honourable character of the Prophet S.A.S ,So she sent a word to him,asking him to to go on a trade caravan taking her goods to Syria to trade in them,while she would pay him more than she paid the others.He was to take along a lad of hers called maysarah.The prophet S.A.S accepted the proposal,and the two set off with her goods to Syria.

   The prophet S.A.S took shelter under the shade of a tree under a monks cell on his way to Syria.The monk came up to Maysarah and asked him, "Who is the man resting under the tree? " Maysarah told him that he belonged to Quraysh tribe,the people who had guardianship of the Santuary.Thereupon the monk exclaimed,"None but a prophet S.A.S ever sat under this tree."
 
   Then the prophet S.A.S brought,bought what he wanted to buy and set out on a journey back to Makkah.The story goes that at the height of noon when the heat was intense as he rode his beast,Maysarah saw two angels shading the prophet S.A.S from the sun.Upon reaching Makkah,they brought Khadeejah her property.She sold it and it amounted to double or thereabouts.Maysarah for his part told her about the two angels who shaded him and of the monks words.
 
   Now Khadeejah was a determined,noble and intelligent women possessing the proper ties with which Allah willed to honor her.So when Maysarah told her of these things,she sent to the prophet S.A.S.When he came,she said, "O son of my uncle,I love you for your kinship to me,and for that your are ever in the center;and I love you for your trustworthiness ,for your nobility an truthfulness." Then she proposed marriage.

   The prophet,peace and blessings be upon him,told his uncles ofKahdeejah's proposal,and his uncle Hamzah Abdul-Mutallib went with him to Khuwaylid,Kahdeejah's father and asked for her hand in marriage and the prophet S.A.S married her.
 
   khadeejah was the mother of all prophet's children except Ibraheem,namely Al-Qaasim,At-Taahir,At-Tayyib,At-Taahir,zaynab,Ruqayyah,Umm Kultoom and Faatimah.Al-Qaasim,At-Taahir and At-Tayyab died before ISLAM.All his daughters lived with Islam,embraced it and migrated with him to Madeenah.

The Prophet S.A.S Receives the Qur'an

   The mother of all believers,As'ishah,may Allah be pleased with her narrates; The first aspect of revelation unto Allah's prophet was that his dreams always came true.Whatever vision he would have in his sleep would occur exactly as he had seen.Then,he began to enjoy seclusion.He used to retreat alone in the cave of Hira where he would spend several days in devotion before going back to his family.He used to take some provisions with him,and when he returned home,he would take a fresh stock for an another period.He continued to do so till he received the truth while in Cave of Hira.The angel (Gabriel) came to him and said,"Read".He replied, "I am not a reader." The prophet S.A.S says,he held me and pressed hard till i was exhausted,then he released me and said,"Read",and I replied,"I am not a reader." So,he held me again and pressed me hard for the third time.Then he said ; "Proclaim (or read)! In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher,Who created - created man,out of a mere clot of congealed blood;Proclaim ! And thy lord is the most bountiful,-He who taught (the use of) the pen, - taught man that which he knew not."(Al-Alaq: 1-5)

   Trembling,the prophet S.A.S rushed home to Khadeejah and said,"Wrap me ! Wrap me !" They wrapped him and after a while his fear susided.He turned to Khadeejah and exclaimed,"What has happened to me?".He then told her of her experience and commented,"I feel for myself".Thereupon Khadeejah reassured him,"Never fear,everything will be alright.Allah will never let you down,you are kind to your relatives,you are patient and astute,you asist everyone in need,you are hospitable to your guests,and you elp in every just cause." Khadeejah then took her to Waraqah Ibn Nawfal ,her paternal cousin who was a christian convert and a scholar well-versed in Arabic,hebrew and Gospel.Kahdeejah said to Waraqah, "Cousin,would you like t hear what your nephew has to say?" Well,nephew,"Waraqah said, "What have you seen?" The prophet S.A.S narrated to hi what he had seen.When he finished,Waraqah said,"It is the revelation as was sent down to Moses,peace and blessings be upon him.i wish i was a young man so that i might be alive when your people force you out of your city." "Would they force me out?" The prophet S.A.S exclaimed."Yes" Waraqah said,"No man has ever come with a revelation like yours but has met with enimity and persecution." Waraqah continued " If i live till that day,i will certainly give you my support ".But Waraqah died soon after that and the revelation lingered.

  After a short interlude,the prophet S.A.S again heard the same voice calling him,"Muhammad.,you are the messenger of Allah,and I am Gabriel." Rushing back to khadeejah in a state of extreme exhaustion,he asked her to cover him with a cloak.Then he heard the call : "O thou wrapped up (in a mantle)! Arise and deliver thy warning! And thy Lord do thou magnify ! And thy arments keep free from stain ! And all abomination shun ! Nor expect,in giving,any increase(for thyself) ! but for thy Lord's cause be patient and constant!" (Al-Muddaththir:1-7)

Muhammad S.A.S Assumes His Prophetic Office

     It was then that the prophet S.A.S realised his mission to his people was to be,and that was how it began.He began to respond to Allah's command: he started calling his people to the worship of Allah solely and the renunciation of idol-worship.In the beginning,he preached his message secretly lest the polytheists in Quraysh should hear about him.He started by inviting his nearest kins and intimade friends.
 
    The new converts used to meet the prophet S.A.S secretly and when one of them wanted to perform acts of worship,he/she would go to the glens of Makkah where they could observe them out of the polyhteists sight.When the number of mUslims reached thirty,the prophet S.A.S chose the house of Arqam Ibn Abi Al-Arqam to be a teaching place and place of worship as well.Muslims used to learn about Islam from the prophet,peace and blessing be upon him.

The Prophet S.A.S Preaches Islam Publicly
   
   Three years passed since the beginning of the revelation,during which people began to embrace Islam in large numbers and star of Islam started to grow brighter and higher by the ay all across Makkah.Then Allah addressed the prophet,peace and blessingsbe upon him,with these words, "And admonish thy nearest kinsmen...."(Ash-Shu'araa; 214)

   Having received Allah's command,the prophet gathered his relatives and said, "O sons of Abdul-Mutallib,I know of you Arab who has come to his people with a nobler message than mine.I hve brought to you the best of this world and the next.Allah has commanded me to call you upto HIM.So which of you will help me in this matter,and be my brother,My executor and my successor?" The first one to answer the call was 'Ali Ibn Abi Taalib.
Soon after this command,the prophet was again addessed: "Therefore expound openly what thou are commanded,and turn away from those who join false gods with Allah"

   For the first time,the prophet S.A.S stood on the mountain of As-Safa opposite the Ka'bah and said to the people, "Supposing i now told you that just behind the slopes of this mountain there was an enemy cavalry preparing to attack you all.Would you believe me?" "We know that you never lie,"they replied.Thereupon ,the prophet S.A.S said,"I warn you that i have a message from Allah and i have come t you as a warner of a dreadful punishment.I cannot protect you in this world,not can i I promise you anything in the hereafter,unless you bear witness that there is no god but Allah,the one and only God." On hearing this statement,Abu Lahab flared up and cursed the prophet S.A.S saying. "Perdition to thee".Then Allah said concerning him, : Perish the hands of the father of Flame ! Perish he!" (Al-Masad: 1)

Quraysh Take Action

            Having realized that the call of prophet S.A.S was directed against their gods and their inveterate pactices,Quraysh decided to take action.If the idols were destroyed,what would become of them,being the keepers of idols ?What would become of their renown throughout the land ?Some of their leaders went to Abu-Taalib and said, "O Abu Taalib,your nephew has cursed our god and insulted our religion,mocked our ways of life and accused our fathers of error,either you stop him or let us get at him." However,he gave them a soft answer and they went away.
 
     The prophet S.A.S continued to spread Allah's religion and call people to worsjip HIM.When Quraysh saw that Abu Taalib has done nothing to stop his nephew or to dissuade him from persisting in what he was doing,they went over to him again and said, "O Abu Taalib,yours is a high and honourable position amongst us,and we have asked you to hold in check your nephew's activities,but you have not done so.By Allah,we cannot tolerate that our fathers should be insulted,our customs scoffed at,and our gods reviled.Either you make him desiist or we will fight the pair of you until one side perishes.

     Afraid on prophet S.A.S's account,Abu Taalib sent for him,"O my nephew,spare me and yourself.Do not lay on me a burden greater than I can bear." To this prophet S.A.S said, "O my uncle,by Allah,if they were to place the sun on my right hand and moon on my left hand on the condition that I renounce this message,until Allah has made it victorious,or I perish instead,I would never renounce it." Then the prophet S.A.S,with tears in his eyes,rose to his feet and turned to depart,but his uncle calle him back."Son of my brother,"He said,"Go and say what you believe ;by Allah,I will never under any circumstances,let you down."

The Persecution of Prophet S.A.S and His Followers

     It was then,when the prophet S.A.S began to spread his religion and speak against gods,that Quraysh became actively hostile,persecuting his followers,mocking and insulting them.The one consideration that prevented them from killing them was fear from the blood-vengeance of the clan to which prophet S.A.S blonged.However,the prophet S.A.S kept proclaiming his message and forsaking their gods while Quraysh did all they could do to ridicule his teachings and deject his followers.The prophet S.A.S was called a poet,a sorcerer,a diviner, and a madman.

      One day ,when the leaders of Quraysh were sitting in the sacred house,the prophet S.A.S entered and kissed the black stone and begam to perform seven rounds of Ka'bah (tawaaf).They said some insulting words about him,and this was repeated the following day.This time the heads of Quraysh leaped up together and encircled the prophet S.A.S saying,"Are you the one who reviled our gods and said so and so about our religion?" "Yes,I am the one who said that," the prophet S.A.S said.Then one of them seized him by the top of his garment,Here Abu Bakr interposed himself weeping and saying,"Would you kill a man for saying,'Allah is my lord'?" At this,they left him and turned upon Abu bakr and dragged him along by the beard and head.

       
Quraysh Negotiate With The Prophet S.A.S

      Quraysh now realized that the prophet S.A.S became stronger.This made it urgent for to figure out a way to stop the advance of new faith,which,as it seemed to them,could only end in the damage of their high standing amongst the Arabs.A prominent leader of Makkah oligracy,'Utbah Ibn Rabee'ah was authorized to negotiate with the prophet S.A.S.Gathering in the ka'bah,'Utbah said to the Prophet S.A.S, "O my nephew,you are as we know a noble of the tribe and your ancestors are high in our pedigree.You have brought  to your people a matter of great concern,whereby you have rifted their community,ridiculed their ways of life,spoken shamefully of their gods and their religion,and even denied ure faith in their ancestors.So hear what I am going to propose,and see if any of this is acceptable to you.If it is wealth you seek,we will contribute to make you the richest of us all.If it is honor you seek,we will make you our overlord and promise to take no decision except with your consent.If,even then you think of sovereignty,we will elect you our king.And if this ghost (Gabriel) which comes to you,is such that cannot defend yourslef against it,we will find you a physician and spend our welath until you are fully cured." When he finished,the prophet S.A.S said,Now,listen to me,Abu Al-Waheed." He thereupon reicted to him : "In the name of Allah,the Most Gracious,Most Merciful.Ha-meen.A revelation from Allah,Most Gracious,Most Merciful - A Book,whereof the verses are explained in detail - A Qur'an in Arabic,for people who understand - Giving Good News and admonition;yet most of them turn away and so they hear not." (Fussilat: 1-5)

      The prophet S.A.S continued to recite Allah's words until he ended saying : "Among His signs are the nights and the day,the sun and the moon.Adore not the sun and the moon,but adore Allah,Who created them,if it is him you wish to serve."

           Thereupon,the prophet S.A.S placed his forehead on the ground in prostation.He then said, "You have heard what you have heard,Abu Al-Waleed ; the rest remains with you." When 'Utbah returned to his companions ,they asked him what had happened.He said, " I have heard words the like of which i neevr yet heard.It is not poetry,speels or soothsaying.Men of Quraysh ,hearken upon me and do as I advice.Leave this man entirely alone for,by Allah,the words I have heard from him will be blazed abroad." But they mocked at him saying, "He bewitched you with his tongue.!" "This is my opinion",he said " so do what you think fit."
 
      Heads of Quraysh decided to negotiate with Muhammad S.A.S and argue with him so that they could not be blamed for having left a way unattempted.So they sent word to him to come and talk to him.When the prophet S.A.S came,they repeated the same offers that they had already made him before.When they finsihed,the prophet S.A.S said, "I am not possessed neither do i seek honor amongst you,nor kingship over you.But Allah has sent me to you as a Messenger and revealed to me a book and ordered me to be a bearer of glad tidings and a warner,Even so have i brought you the message of my lord,and have given you good advice.If yu accept what i have brought to you,that is your good future in this world and the next; but if you reject what I have brought,then I will patiently await Allah's judgement between us.

       Having listened to these words,the negotiators requested the prophet S.A.S ask his lord to bestow on them gardens,treasures of gold and silver,so that they might know his standing with his Lord and admit the truth of his mission.But prophet S.A.S told them, "I am not the one to ask Allah the like of such things,nor was i sent for that purpose,but Allah has sent me to warn and give glad tidings." Thus the negotiators failed as the prophet wanted nothing less than a complete submission to new faith.

The First Migration To Abyssinia

             The atrocotoes of Quraysh against Muslims escalated so that prophet,peace and blessings be upon him,advised them to migrate to Abyssinia saying, "If you were to go to Abyssinia,you would find there a king under whom none suffers injustice." So some of the companions left for Abyssinia,fleeing with thier religion.Having learned about their migration,Quraysh sent Abdullah Ibn Abi Rabee'ah and Amr Ibn Al-Aas, to Negus demanding the deporation of the migrants back to Makkah.

  Asked to clarify their position,Ja'far,the spokesman of Muslims said: "Your majesty, we were people plunged into ignorance,worshipping idlos,eating dead animals,comitting indecency,severing ties of kinship,and the strong would devour the weak.Then Allah sent for us a messenger from amongst us,one whose lineage,veracity,trustworthiness,and integrity we all knew.He called us all to the Oneness of Allah,to worship Him only and renounce the stones and idols we had worshipped.He ordered us to be truthful,faithful to our trusts,kind to our relatives,and to abstain from all that is not righteous.As soon as we believed in him,our people persecuted us and cicunscribed our lives.So we came to your country hoping for protection."

  Negus asked Ja'far to recite some verser from the Qu;ran,and the latter recited the opening verses of Surah Maryam,which praises Jesus and the Virgin Mary.Negus wept until his beard was wet and so did his bishops.He therefore refused to deliver the migrants to them and the two envoys returned ignominiously to Makkah.

The Boycott

             Then came even harder times.When Quraysh heard that the emigrants were comfortably accomadated in Abyssinia,that the Negus protected those who sought refuge in him,and that 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab,on of their stalwarts,had converted to Islam,they grew more and more embittered and their hostility knew no bounds.Unanimously they decided to ostracize the prophet S.A.S's whole clan.A document was drawn up and was placed in the Ka'bah, according to which it was forbidden for any one of them to hold any intercourse with that clan,sell to them or buy from them.

          Wisely and quitely Abu Taalib took stock of the situation and decidd to withdraw to a valley on the outskirts of Makkah.Deprived from everything for more than two years,the Hasimites and their supporters suffered untold harships.Food was scarce; there was not enough to meet their needs.At times they had nothing but leaves of trees to sustain them.They lived in a ominous place where there was always the danger of a night attack.

           However,the prophet S.A.S's courage and determination never weakened.He continued to go to the ka'bah and pray publicly.He never doubted Allah's victory.Then came a breakthroug; five leadersof Quraysh,after the passage of thre years of iniquitous siege and boycott,felt guilty about unjustly isolating their kinsmen to perish in the valley.So they decided to tear the document and end the boycott.When one of the leader stepped into ka'bah to get that document,and opened it,It was found that it was eaten by worms,all but the opening words "In Your Name,O Allah !" and thus the ban on muslims was lifted.

Two Grave Events

          That,however was not the end of hard times and suffering.The prophet S.A.S soon lost his uncle Abu-Taalib,the greatest benefactor to Islam.Thirty five days after Abu-Taalib's demise,the prophet S.A.S's beloved wife Khadeejah also passed in Allah's mercy.The prophet was deeply shocked by these two sad events and he called that year "The Year of Sorrow."

       It was then,Ibn Hishaam states,the quraysh began to treat the prophet S.A.S extrememly offensively in such a way that they never dared to do in Abu-Taalibs lifetime.

The Prophet S.A.S's Migration To At-Taa'if

            With the growing hostility of Quraysh preaching Ialam in Makkah seemed hopeless.So the prophet S.A.S decided to go to At-Taa'if,fifty miles southeast of Makkah,to seek help from the people of the Thaqeef.Accompanied by his servant Zayd,the prophet S.A.S walked up the rugged mountains to that city.On reaching there,he met with their leaders and invited them to Islam,but even this city refused the heavenly message.Instead of welcoming the prophet S.A.S people treated him harshly and stirred their slaves and louts to insult,shout and hurl stones at them.

            However prophet S.A.S was a rock of steadfastness and forbearance.In such a desperate situation,he took refuge in Allah and prayed,: "O Allah,to you do I complain of my weakness,of my helplessness and of my insignificance in the sight of people.O You Who are Ever-Merciful,You are the Lord of Oppressed,You are my Lord.Into whose hands will you entrust me ? Into the hands of some far off strangers who scowls at me ? Or to an enemy whom you have enpowered against me ? If you are not angry with me,I do not care;but Your Clemency is much wider for me.I seek refuge in the Light of your Countenance whereby all darkness is illuminated and affairs of this world and the next are rightly ordered,lest You may descend upon me Your anger,or lest Your wrath may beset me ! It is for me to retun to Yoy until you are well pleased ! There is no power,nor might save through You". Then the prophet S.A.S gathered his strength and set off to Makkah again,still feeling confident of Allah's victory.

            The repeated stumbling of Suraqah's horse and his falling to the ground made him realize that the prophet S.A.S was protected against him,and that was a constant warning from Allah because of his evil design against the prophet,peace and blessings be upon him.His heart immediately changed and the sworn enemy changed into a honest believer.Approaching the prophet S.A.S with penitent heart,Sadaqah begged of him forgiveness in all humility.Then Sadaqah hurried back to Makkah and tried to foil the attempts of those who went out in pirsuit of prophet S.A.S and his companion.

The Prophet S.A.S Arrives Madeenah

           In Madeenah,people were eagerly expecting the prophet S.A.S's arrival.They would go out every morning beyond the fields and palm groves onto the lava tract.Afetr they had gone some distance they would stop and wait until the heat of the sun becomes unbearable; they would then return to their homes.One day they had gone out as usual and after a long tiring watch ,they retired to the city.One day a jew catching the glimpse of three travelers winding their way to Madeenah,called at the top of his voice: "O Sons of Qylah,he has come! " The voice was immediately taken up and men,women and children went otu hurriedly to greet prophet S.A.S,while chanting ;
The white moon has risen over us
Coming from the valley of Wadaa'
Thus we must all show gratefulness
So long as there's one to call to Allah.
O you whp've been raised amongst us
Obeyed all that you have conveyed.
You've come to give this city nobleness.
Welcome,O best caller to Allah.
 

   The prophet S.A.S,stayed three days in Qubaa,during which laid the foundations of the mosque, the first to be built in islam,and which has been praised in the Qu'ran in the following verse:  - " There is a mosque whose foundation was laid for the first day on piety,it is more worthy of thy standing forth (for prayer) therein.In it are men who love to be purified; and Allah loveth those who make themselves pure." (At-Tawbah: 108)

   On Friday he set out to Madeenah,amidst cordial greetings of his Madinite followers who lined his path.At noon,he halted at a place in the Vale of Banu Salim Ibn Awf,where he performed the Jum'ah prayers and delivered the first Khutbah in Islam.

   After leading the Jum'ah praye,the prophet S.A.S resumed his journey towards Madeenah.People of Madeenah came streaming forth,and viled one another to invite the prophet S.A.S to their homes.Each and every one was anxious to receive and said,"Alight here,O Messenger of Allah for we have strength and protection for you,and abundance." More than once did a man or a group of men belonging to the same clan take hold of the halter of the prophet S.A.S's mount Al-Qaswaa.But each time the prophet S.A.S said, "Let her go her way,for she is commanded by Allah.Whereever she stops will be my abode."

  The mount moved onwards until she stopped before the house of Abu Ayyoob Al-Ansari.The fortunate host stpeed forward with unbounded joy for the Divine blessing Allah bestowed on him,welcomed the prophet S.A.S and requested him to enter his house.Abu Ayyoob,out of the profound respect that he had for the prophet S.A.S,offered to vacate the upper torey,but the prophet S.A.S preffered the lower one,being more accessible to his visitors.

The Building of Mosque

    The first task which the prophet S.A.S undertook in Madeenah was to build a mosque.He gave orders that it should be built where his mount knelt.He purchased the place from two orphans belonging to Ansaar.Part of the land was a graveyard for the polytheists,where some graves were still unleveled.There were some date-palm tress there,too.The Prophet S.A.S,ordered that the graves of the polytheists be dug out,the unleveled land leveled and date-palm trees cut down.The staunch Muslims immediately fell to work.They vertically aligned the cut date-palm trees towards the Qiblahh of the mosque,as a wall and built two stone side walls for the mosque.The companions of the prophet S.A.S would fetch the stones while reciting some poetic verses.The prophet S.A.S worked side-by-side with the Ansaar and Muhaajirron to construct the mosque.He never even hesitated to carry stones on his back and helped in setting them in proper place,while chanting:
There is no life but the life of Hereafter
O Allah ! Forgive the Ansaar(Muslims of Madeenah) and Muhaajiroon (Muslims of Makkah)

      Al-Buqaari reports on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik ,may Allah be pleased with him,that the prophet S.AS,used to offer prayers whenever prayer was due,regardless of where he was.He would pray even in the folds of sheep.Then he ordered that the mosque be built.He sent for the cheifs of Banu An-Najjar,and told them, "O Banu An-Najjar ! Name whatever price you wish for this garden of yours." They replied,"No! By Allah,we do not demand its price except from Allah." In that garden there were graves of pagans,unleveled land with holes and pits etc as well as date-palm trees. The Prophet S.A.S ordered that the graves of the pagans be dug out,the unleveled land leveled and date-palm trees cut down.Th trunks of the trees were thereupon arranged so as to form the wall facing the Qiblah.Stone pillars were built at the sides of its gate.The prophet S.A.S joined them in working.They would say, "O Allah ! There is no good but the good of the Hereafter,so bestow victory on the Ansaar and Muhaajiroon."

Establishing Brotherhood among Muslims

         Just as the prophet S.A.S built the mosque in order to be a center of the new Muslim community,he instituted a pact of brotherhood among the Ansaar and Muhaajiroon, with a view of uniting the communit of the believers still further. That was a necessary step since the Muslims of Makkah,who had left their homes and bid their friends and relatives goodbye, were overcome by a sad feeling of loneliness.This pact of brotherhood was thus to help them cast off their loneliness and attune to the changed circunstances.
 
  According to the new pact,when either of two muslims who had been paired as brothers passed away,his property was to be inherited by his brother-in-faith.This practice continued until the Battle of Badr, when Allah, exalted be He,revealed: " And those who accept faith subsequently,and emigrate and fight for the faith in your company,- they are of you.But kindred by blood have prior rights against acquainted with all things." (Al-Anfaal: 75) The regular rule of inheritance after the revelation of this verse,was allowed to take place.

       Such brotherhood was unique in the history of the world.It was so strong that it surpassed blood relationships/Al-Bukhari narrates that when muslims came to Madeenah,the Prophet S.A.S,established a bond of brotherhood between Abdur Rahmaan Ibn 'Awf and Sa's Ibn Ar-Rabee'. 'Sa'd Ibn Ar-Rabee' told his brother, "I am the richest among the Ansaar,so I will give you half my wealth.I have two wives,you may look at them and I will divorce whichever of two you may choose,so that,after the expiry of her Iddah,you may marry her." Abdur-Rahmaan replied, "I am not in need of all that.Kindly direct me to the market so that i may earn my own fortune."  Abdur-Raheem headed for the market the follwing day and brought some dried buttermilk and butter , and then began frequenting the market ever since.Few days later,Abdur-Raheem came with traces of yellow (scent) on his body.The prophet S.A.S asked him whether he had got married.He replied in a affirmative.The prophet S.A.S said, " Whom have you married?" He replied that he married a Ansaar.Then the prophet S.A.S asked "How much did you pay her?" He replied," (I gave her) a piece of gold equal in weight to a date stone" The prophet S.A.S said, " Hold a wedding banquet (Waleemah) even if over one sheep."

    Abu Hurayah also narrates that the Ansaar once came to the prophet S.A.S to request their orchards be distributed equally among Muslims of Madeenah and their Makkanbrethren.But the prophet S.A.S ,was reluctant to have them shoulder this heavy burden.It was,however decided that the Muhaajiroon would work in the orchards along with the Ansaar and the yield would be divided equally among them.

   It was worth mentoning that by infusing such spirit of brotherhood and selflessness in his followers,the prophet S.A.S wiped out traces of long-established enmity among different tribes and clans,particularly the Aws and Khazraj.

  This was a change of far-reaching importance,and it gave rise to different reactions in different circles.It strengthened  the Muslims loyalty to their faith and Muhammad S.A.S.They expressed thir faith in Muhammad S.A.S as the recipient of the Divine relevatio and accepted the change most willingly.The jews,on the other hand were indignant and tauntingly said, " Muhammad,in changing the Qiblah,has opposed all earlier prophets.Were he the real prophet,he would have not do like that."
Referring to these diferent objections,Allah the Almighty said,
" The fools among the people will say, "What hath turned them from the Qiblah to which they were used ? "Say: "To Allah belongs the East and the West: He guides whom he will a way that is straight."Thus have we made you an Ummat justly balanced.That ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves; and we appointed the Qiblah to which thou was used, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heals (from a faith).indeed it was ( a change) momentous, except to those guided by Allah.And never would Allah make your faith of no effect.For Allah is to all people most truly full of kindness,The Most Merciful.(Al-Baqarah: 142-143)

The Great Battle Of Badr:

           In the second year after the Hijrah,the prophet S.A.S received news that Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb was heading home from Syria leading a large caravan of Quraysh,containing their merchandise.The prophet S.A.S called on Muslims to go out and intercept its passage so that they might compensate for the loss and properties they left behind in Makkah.Abu Sufyaan on learning th eintentions of muslims,lead his caravan off the main route, and sent Damdan Ibn Amr Al-Ghifaari to call Quraysh to defend their merchandise.Upon reaching Quraysh,Damdan cried: "Men of Quraysh,the transport camels, the transport camels! Your goodswhich are with Abu Sufyaan! Muhammad and his companions are lurking,lying in ambush for them,HELP! HELP!
 
  The effect of this clamor and commotion was instantaneous.An army of about a thousand men,a hundred cavalrymen and a large supply caravan,was quickly mustered.The excited throng of soldiers proceeded,under the leadership of Abu Jahal, to avenge the rumored deaths of all those who had been with the caravan.
 
   Then came the news that Quraysh had set out to rescue their caravan, and that Abu Jahl was on his way spreadheading a large army. The prophet S.A.S felt bound to apprise his followers of the gravity of the situation and consult them to let theirs be the choice between advancing and retreating.Abu Bakr and Umar.May Allah be pleased with them both,spoke for the Muhaajiroon in favor of advancing.Then Al-Miqdaad Ibn Amr rose to his feet and said, "O Messenger of Allah,proceed where Allah directs you to,for we are with you.We will not say unto you as the children of Israel said unto Moses , "Go thou and they Lord,and fight ye two while we sit here" (Al-Ma'idah: 24) but we will say: Go you and your Lord and fight,and we will fight along with you." The prophet S.A.S thanked him and blessed him.He then asked the Ansaar to give him advice.Thereupon,Sa'ad Ibn Mu'aadh rose to his feet and said, "O Messenger of Allah,we repose faith in you and believe what you have vouchsafed to us,and we bear witness that what you have brought us is the truth, and we have given you our binding oaths to hear and obey.So do whatever you like,and we are with you.By HIM who has sent you with the truth,if you should bid us cross yonder the sea and plunge into ourselves, we would plunge into it with you,no man would stay behind.Neither are we averse from encountering our enemy tomorrow.We are well tried in war and trustworthy in combat.It may be that Allah will show you prowess of ours such as shall bring coolness to your eyes.So lead us on with blessings of Allah."

  The prophet S.A.S rejoiced at Sa'd's words and was really impressed by the fidelity and spirit of sacrifice which his true companions showed at this critical juncture.He said to them, "Go forward and be of good cheer, for Allah has promised me one of the two parties, even now,by Allah ,it is as though I can see the places where the enemies would be killed."
 
   Abu Sufyaan,on seeing that the caravn had escaped unscathed,sent a word to Quraysh asking them to go back to Makkah saying: "By god,we will not return until we have been at Badr and began to plan about the ways to celebrate their victory.Arabs will hea how we marched forth and learn of our mighty gathering, and they will stand in awe of us forever,Onwards to Badr !."

   The prophet S.A.S,knew that it was imperative to reach the waters of Badr before the enemy did,so he ordered an immediate advance.On reaching the waters of Badr,the prophet S.A.S ordered a halt at the first well the muslims came to.Thereupon, Al-Hubaab Ibn Al-Mundir came to him and said, "O Messenger of Allah,is this the place which Allah has ordered you to occupy, so that we should neither retreat or advance from it, or so it is matter of opinion and military tactics ?" The prophet S.A.S, replied that it was merely a matter of opinion and military tactics,whereupon Al-Hubaab said, "This is not the place to halt,but take us on until we come to that one of the large wells whcih is nearest to the enemy.Let us halt there and stop up the wells that lie beyond it and make ourselves a cistern so that we may have plenty of water.Then we could fight their enemy who would have nothing to drink." The prophet S.A.S at once agreed and Al-Hubaab's plan was carried out to the letter.Then,Sa;s ibn Mu'aadh said to the prophet S.A.S, "O Prophet OF Allah,let us build a booth for you and put your riding camel beside it.Then will we encounter the enemy,and if Allah gives us victory over them,that is what we fervently deserve.But,if not,then you can mount your camel and join those whom we left behind us.O Prophet of Allah,our love for you is not greater than theirs, and if they had known you were fighting, they would not have stayed behind." The prophet S.A.S thanked him,invoked blessings on him and the booth was constructed.

   It was Friday 17th Ramadhan,2 AH (17th March, 623 AC) that Quraysh marched forth and climbed the hill of Aqanqal.When the prophet S.A.S saw them descending the slope into the valley of Yalyal towards Badr, he prayed "O Allah,here comes Quraysh exulting in their  arrogance and vanity contending with you and belying you Messenger.O Allah,grant the victory which you did promise me.O Allah, put them to rout this morning."

   It was at Bdr that the two parties came face to face. The battle broke out on Friday morning,2AH.The prophet S.A.S drew up his little army,arranged the ranks and exhorted the Muslims to fight in the cause of Allah saying, "By him in Whose hands the sould of Muhammad is,no man will be killed this day,fighting against them in steadfast hope of (Allah's) reward, advancing not retreating ,except Allah shall straighaway admit him to Paradise."
 
   Then the prophet S.A.S in the company of Abu Bakr returned to his booth and kept besseching Allah: "O Allah,I implore you to fulfil Your covenant and promise.O Allah,if this small force of muslims is vanquished,You will not be worshipped on earth." The prophet S.A.S repeated those words in such humility and pathos that his mantle slipped down his shoulders in a state of deep absorption.Abu Bakr who was standing near by, consoled him thus : "Enough,Messenger of Allah ! Allah will for sure fulfil for you what he has prmised you."
 
  Immediate was the response form Allah,who sent down angels from Heaven for the help and assitance of the prophet S.A.S and his companions.Then the battle grew fierce, and the prophet S.A.S took a handful of pebbles and cast it at enemy saying "Defaced be their faces." Then the battle ended in the crushing defeat of the disbelievers.About seventy men of Quraysh were killed and a similar number was taken as captives.Foyrteen Muslims died as Martyrs.  

  Then the prophet S.A.S consulted his companions regarding the captives.Umar was of the opinion that they should be killed,whereas Abu Bakr thought that it was better to accept a ransom and let them go their way.The prophet S.A.S agreed on the opinion of Abu Bakr and released the captives.But the verses of the Quran were then revealed in favor of Umar's opinion.Allah the Almighty says : " It is not fitting a prophet that he shoudl have prisoners of war until be hath thoroughly subdued the land.Ye look for the temporal goods of world but Allah looketh to the hereafter; and Allah is exalted in might,wise." (Al Anfal: 67)

  The prophet S.A.S called out at the top of his voice," I am Messenger of Allah, undoubtedly; I am the son of Abdul Muttalib. O Companions of the tree ! O companions of acacia".The fleeing muslims tarried, formed their ranks and flung themselves at the enemy.The leader of Hawazin fought bravely, but was forced to flee with his men.

The Farewell Pilgrimage

   In the tenth year of the Hijrah, The prophet S.A.S went to Makkah to perform the Hajj in the company of 30,000 people on the 25th of DhulQa'dah.When he saw the sacred house, the prophet S.A.S prayed: "O Allah, increase this house in honour, magnificence, bounty, reverence and piety." He entered the Mosque and made seven rounds of the Ka'bah after which he prayed at the station of Ibraheem.Then, going out to As-Safa, he shuttled between it and Al-Marwah seven times, and those who were with him did the same.

  On the 8th day of the month of Dhul Hijjah, he rode to the valle of Mina and spent a night there.After daybreak, he rode to Arafat and it was at tha base of the moutnt of Rahmah (mercy) that the prophet S.A.S stayed there for the whole day. Then the prophet S.A.S addressed the pilgrims, saying: " O people,listen to my words.I do not know whether I shall ever meet you in this place after this year. O people surely your blood, your property and your honour are inviolable until you meet your lord,even as this day and this month are inviolable for all.S urely you will meet your lord,and he will for sure ask you about your deeds.The number of months with Allah is twelve; four of them are sacred, three consecutive and Rajab, which is between Jumadah and Sha'baan.O people you have rights over your wives and they have rights over you.O people,listen and give heed to what i say, Remember that every Muslim is a Muslim's brother,and that Muslims are brothers. It is not lawful for anybody to take from his brother except what he gives him willingly; so do not wrong yourselves. O people, have I faithfully conveyed the message ? O Allah, be my witness." Then these verses were revealed :" This day those who reject faith given up all hopes of your religion. Yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you, and have choosen Islam as your religion (Al-Maa'idah:3)

The Prophet S.A.S Departs to His Heavenly Adobe

   By that time, the prophet S.A.S's mission was completed. The time came for him to depart to his heavenly adobe.He began to suffer from illness and his health deteriorated at an alarming speed.

  It is narrated that he went to Al-baqee cementry and prayed for forgiveness for the martyrs.On Monday 29th of safar, 11H., the prophet S.A.S returned to his wife Maymoonah's house.The fever grew voilent and the pain considerably increased.He set to his wives: "Pour over me seven skins of water from different wells so that I may go out to the men and exhort them." They had him sit down in a tub belonging to Hafsa and poured water over him until he cried, 'Enough ! Enough!' Then they helped him get dressed and bound up his head and Ali and Abbas supported him to go to the mosque, where he sat on the pupil and addressed the people, saying : "There is a slave whom Allah offered the choice between this world and that which is with Him, and the slave has choosen that which us with Allah." It was only Abu Bakr who perceived what the prophet S.A.S meant and he burst into tears,as he knew that the prophet S.A.S was speaking of himself and that the choice meant imminent death.The prophet S.A.S realised that his friend had understood and asking him not to weep he said, " The most bountiful of men to me is his companion and his sacrifice of his wealth is Abu Bakr."

 The prophet S.A.S returned to the companionship of the One on the High.That was on Monday 12th Rabbee Al-Awwal, in the 11th year of the Hijrah.Abu Bakr moved towards the people who had thronged round him and addressed them saying: "O people,let whoever worships Allah and believes that Muhammad is His prophet know that Muhammad is surely dead,and whoever worships Allah know that Allah is alive and shall never die." He then recited the verses : "Muhammad is no more than a messenger; many were the Mesengers that passed away before him, If he died or were slain, will ye turn back on your heels ? If any did turn back on his heels, not least harm will he do to Allah, but Allah ( on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude." (Al-Imraan: 144)

  Ali and Abbas undertook the task of washing the prophet S.A.S's body and his garments on him.As Ali passed his hand over his garment, he said: "Deared to me that my father and mother, how immaculate are you alive and dead!"

  The companions disagrred as to where to bury the prophet S.A.S. Abu Bake ended the problem when he recalled that the prophet had said : "No prophet dies but is buried where he passes away." Thus the grave was dug in the floor of Aa'ishah's room near the bed where the prophet S.A.S was lying.People began to come in groups to offer funeral prayers for the prophet S.A.S.The burial took place on Wednesday in the middle of the night.

Amidst genuine feelings of profound grielf and sorrow, the words of Umm Ayman most adequately expressed the reasons behind those feelings. "Not for him do I weep," she said,"do i not know that he has gone to that which is better for him than this world? But i weep for the revelation from heaven which has been cut off from us."

      May Allah's peace and Blessings be upon you, O beloved prophet S.A.S, the best of Allah's creatures.