The Prophet (PBUH) was born in the year 571 C.E. into the tribe of Quraish, deemed the noblest by all the Arabs, in Makkah, which was the religious and commercial capital of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabs would perform pilgrimage to Makkah and circumambulate the Ka’bah, the structure built by their ancestor the Prophet Abraham and his son, the Prophet Ishmael, may God praise them both, as the first house of worship for God.
The Prophet (PBUH) was an orphan since his father passed away before he was born and his mother died when he was six years old. He was taken under the care of his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, and when he died, his uncle, Abu Talib, took charge of him. His tribe as well as the other Arab worshipped idols madefrom stone, wood and even gold, and some of these idols were placed around the Ka’bah. People believed that the idols could ward off harm or bring benefit.
Even before he was chosen by God as a prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known as the most trustworthy and honest person, and because he never behaved treacherously, or cheated he was known among his people as ‘Al-Ameen’, ‘The Trustworthy’. People would entrust him with their valuables when they wanted to travel. He was also known as ‘As-Sadiq’ or ‘The Truthful’ for he never told a lie. He was well mannered, well-spoken, and loved to assist people in need. His people loved and revered him for his many beautiful traits and good manners.
God, the Exalted, says:
Indeed you are of a great moral character.? [68:4]
The famous Scottish historian and writer, Thomas Carlyle (d. 1885) wrote in his book: ‘Heroes, Hero-Worship and the Heroic in History’:
But, from an early age, he had been remarked as a thoughtful man. His companions named him "Al Amin, The Faithful." A man of truth and fidelity; true in what he did, in what he spoke and thought. They noted that he always meant something. A man rather taciturn in speech; silent when there was nothing to be said; but pertinent, wise, sincere, when he did speak; always throwing light on the matter. This is the only sort of speech worth speaking! Through life we find him to have been regarded as an altogether solid, brotherly, genuine man. A serious, sincere character; yet amiable, cordial, companionable, jocose even - a good laugh in him withal: there are men whose laugh is as untrue as anything about them; who cannot laugh. A spontaneous, passionate, yet just, true-meaning man! Full of wild faculty, fire and light; of wild worth, all uncultured; working out his life - takes in the depth of the Desert there.
He (PBUH) never partook in any falsehood; drank intoxicants, bowed to a statue or idol or took an oath by them or sacrificed to them any offering. For some time he was a shepherd over a flock of sheep belonging to his people. The Prophet (PBUH) said:‘Every prophet commissioned by God was a shepherd over a flock of sheep.’ His companions asked him: ‘Even you, O Messenger of God?’ He said: ‘Yes, I would take care of a flock of sheep for the people of Makkah.’ (Bukhari 2143)
The Prophet (PBUH) liked to seclude himself in the Cave of Hira before he was commissioned as a prophet, spending many nights at a time.
At the age of forty, the Prophet (PBUH) received divine revelation while at that cave, as A’ishah, may God be pleased with her,2 explains:
The first thing that God’s Messenger (PBUH) received while in the Cave of Hira in Makkah were good visions (as revelations in dreams). Every time he had a dream it would come true and as clear as the split of the dawn. Later on God’s Messenger (PBUH) began to love being alone in meditation. He spent lengthy periods for days and nights to fulfill this purpose in the cave before returning back to his family. He would take a supply of food for his trip. When he came back to his wife Khadeejah, may God be pleased with her,3 he would get a fresh supply of food and go back to the same cave to continue his meditation.
While he was in the Cave of Hira the Angel Gabriel came to Muhammad (PBUH) and commanded him to read. Muhammad (PBUH) replied, ”I cannot read!“ Gabriel embraced Muhammad (PBUH) until he could not breathe, and then let him go saying, ”O Muhammad! Read!“ Again, Muhammad (PBUH) replied, ”I cannot read!“ Gabriel embraced Muhammad (PBUH) for the second time. He then ordered him to read for the third time, when he did not he embraced him tightly until he could not breathe, and then released him saying, ”O Muhammad!
?Recite with the Name of Your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.?(96:1-3)
The Messenger of God (PBUH) returned home trembling in fear. He entered his home and told Khadeejah: “Cover me, cover me!“ Khadeejah covered Muhammad (PBUH) until he felt better. He then informed her about what happened to him in the Cave of Hira. He said, ”I was concerned about myself and my well-being.“ Khadeejah assured Muhammad (PBUH) saying:
By God! You don’t have to worry for God the Exalted will never humiliate you! You are good to your kith and kin. You help the poor and needy. You are generous and hospitable to your guests. You help people who are in need.
Khadeejah took her husband Muhammad (PBUH) to a cousin of hers named Waraqah ibn Nawfal ibn Asad ibn Abdul Uzza, who had become a Christian during the pre-Islamic
times (known as the Era of Ignorance). He was a scribe of the Scriptures in Hebrew but by that time in latter life had become blind. Khadeejah said to her cousin,
"O cousin, listen to what your nephew [i.e. Muhammad ?] is about to tell you!“ Waraqah said: "What is it you have seen, dear nephew?“
The Messenger of God (PBUH) informed him of what he had seen in the Cave of Hira. Upon hearing his report, Waraqah said,
”By God! This is the Angel Gabriel who came to Prophet Moses, may God praise him. I wish I would be alive when your people will drive you out of Makkah!“ The Messenger of God (PBUH) wondered: ”Are they going to drive me out of Makkah?!” Waraqah affirmed positively saying, ”Never has a man conveyed a Message similar to what you have been charged with, except that his people waged war against him - if I am to witness this, I will support you.”
Waraqah lived only a short period after this incident and passed away. Revelation also stopped for a while.’ (Bukhari #3)
The chapter of the Qur’an quoted in the hadeeth1 above marks the beginning when he was commissioned as a Prophet. God, the Exalted, then revealed to him:
1 Hadeeth are the narrations of a statement, deed, tacit approval, or characteristic of the Prophet (PBUH). The sciences of Hadeeth developed to historically verify the authenticity of some narrations related by an
O you who are - enveloped (in garments); Arise and warn! And your Lord (Allah) magnify! And your garments purify!? (74:1-4)
With the revelation of this chapter of the Qur’an the Prophet (PBUH) began calling the Makkans to Islam openly. He began with his own relatives and tribe, but most of them refused adamantly to listen to himsince he was calling them to a matter which they had never witnessed before and was contradictory to the idolatry that was common among them for generations
Islam is a complete way of life that deals with all religious, political, economical and social affairs. Not only does Islam call them to worship God alone and to forsake all idol worship but it also prohibited them from things they considered pleasurable, such as intoxicants, fornication, gambling, and consuming interest from debt. He called the people to be just and fair with one another, and to know that there was no difference between them except through piety. How could the Quraish, the noblest tribe amongst the Arabs, stand to be treated equally with those of less status and the slaves! Not only did they adamantly refuse to accept Islam but they persecuted him and called him crazy, a sorcerer and a liar to discredit him. They accused him of crimes they couldn’t have dared to before the advent of Islam. They incited the ignorant masses against him to harm him and to oppress and torture his
unbroken chain of trustworthy narrators one upon another back to the Prophet himself d (PBUH), as apposed to the unreliable narrations or fabricated lies.
companions. Abdullah b. Masood, a close companion of the Prophet (PBUH) said:
While the Prophet (PBUH) was standing up and praying near the Ka’bah, a group of Quraish were sitting in their sitting place, one of them said: “Do you see this man? Would someone bring the offal and bloody intestines from the camels of so and so, and wait till he prostrates, and then place it between his shoulders?” The most wretched amongst them volunteered to do it, and when the Prophet (PBUH) prostrated, he put the filth between his shoulders, so the Prophet (PBUH) stayed in prostration. They laughed so hard that they were about to fall on each other. Someone went to Fatimah who was a young girl, and informed her of what had happened. She came towards the Prophet (PBUH) in a hurry and removed the filth from his back, and then she turned around and she cursed the Quraishites who were sitting there. (Bukhari #498)
Muneeb al-Azdi, a companion of the Prophet (PBUH) said:
I saw the Messenger of God in the Era of Ignorance saying to people: “Say ‘there is no god worthy of being worshipped except Allah,’ and you would be successful.” There were those who spat in his face, those who threw soil in his face, and those who swore at him until midday. When [once] a certain young girl came with a big container of water, he washed his face and hands and say: “O daughter, do
not fear that your father will be humiliated or struck by poverty.” (Mu’jam al-Kabeer # 805)
Abdullah b. Amr al-Aas, a companion of the Prophet (PBUH) was asked about some of the evil the pagans did to the Prophet (PBUH), to which he replied:
[Once a pagan] approached the Prophet (PBUH) while he was praying near the Ka’bah and twisted his garment around his neck. Abu Bakr1 hurriedly approached and grabbed his shoulder and pushed him away saying: ”Would you kill a man just because he proclaims Allah to be his Lord, and because clear signs have come to you from your Lord?” (Bukhari 3643)
These kinds of incidents did not stop the Prophet (PBUH) from calling to Islam and he continued to preach his message to the tribes that came to Makkah for Hajj2. A group from Yathrib,a small city north of Makkah known today as Madeenah, believed in him and pledged to support him if he chose to emigrate there. He sent his companion Mus’ab ibn Umair with them to teach them the tenets of Islam. After all the oppression that the Muslims faced from their own people in Makkah God granted them the permission to emigrate to Madeenah where they were received with warmth, joy and hospitality. Madeenah became the capital of the new Islamic state from where Islam was spread far and wide.
The Prophet (PBUH) taught and practiced the rulings of God to the inhabitants of Madeenah who grew to love him more than they loved their own selves. They would rush to serve him and would spend all they had in the path of Islam to serve the cause of Allah. The society grew strong and rich in Faith, and the people’s happiness was evident in the spirit of unity, cooperation love, and brotherhood. The rich and poor, black and white, Arab and non-Arab were all considered as equals and brothers in the religion of God without distinction among them except through piety and righteous action.
After the Quraish learnt that the Prophet’s call had spread they were determined to curtail the spread of Islam. They fought him in the first battle in Islam, called the Battle of Badr and although they had superior numbers and weaponry, they were still defeated. The Muslims numbered only 314 whereas the pagans were 1000 strong, yet God gave a decisive victory to the Prophet (PBUH) and the Companions. A number of other battles took place between the Muslims and the pagans, and after eight years the Prophet (PBUH) was able to prepare an army 10,000 strong which conquered Makkah, and with this Muhammad (PBUH) overcame the people who had harmed and tortured him and his Companions with every conceivable cruelty – and yet he was extremely magnanimous in victory. The year of this decisive victory is called ‘The Year of the Conquest.’ Allah, the Exalted, says:
?When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest, and you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes, then glorify the Praises of your Lord and ask His forgiveness. Indeed, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives.? [110:1-3]
Upon the conquest, the Prophet (PBUH) addressed the inhabitants of Makkah and said to them:
”What do you think I will do to you?“ They answered: “You will only do something favorable; you are a kind and generous brother, and a kind and generous nephew!” The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Go - you are free.“ (Baihaqi #18055)
This grand amnesty prompted thousands to accept Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) later returned to Madeenah. After a period of time, the Prophet (PBUH) intended to perform Hajj, so he headed towards Makkah with 114,000 Companions and performed Hajj. This Hajj is known as ‘Hajjatul-Wadaa’ or the ‘Farewell Pilgrimage’ since the Prophet (PBUH) never performed another Hajj, and died shortly after he performed it.
On the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah at Mount Arafat, the Prophet (PBUH), delivered his farewell sermon. After praising Allah, he said:
O People! Listen attentively to me for I do not know whether I will be among you after this year! Listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and convey
these words to those who could not be present here today.
O People! Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard as sacred the life and property of every Muslim. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember, you will indeed meet your Lord and He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury; therefore all interest (and usury) obligations henceforth are abrogated . Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity (in this affair). Beware of Satan for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in great things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People! It is true that you have certain rights with regards to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not take as intimate friends those whom you do not approve of as well as to never be unchaste.
O People! Listen to me in earnest; worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers, fast the month of
Ramadhan, give alms and perform the pilgrimage (i.e. Hajj) if you can afford to. All mankind is from Adam and Adam is from clay. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, or for a non-Arab over an Arab, or for a white over a black, or for a black over a white, except through piety. Know that every Muslim is a brother to every other Muslim and that the Muslims are one community. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim that belongs to another unless it was given freely and willingly: therefore do not, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember that one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware! Do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. O People! No prophet or messenger will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people! And understand the words that I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, if you follow them you will never go astray: the Book of Allah (i.e. the Qur’an) and my Sunnah. All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed Your Message to Your People.’
The Prophet (PBUH) died in Madeenah, some reports stating on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awal in the 11th year of Hijrah, and he was buried in Madeenah where he died. The Muslims were shocked when they learnt of his death and
some Companions did not believe it. Umar was so perturbed he said: ‘Whoever says that Muhammad is dead, I will strike his neck !’ Abu Bakr then addressed the Muslims and read the words of God:
?Muhammad is not but a Messenger. Other messengers have passed away before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels to unbelief? And He who turns back on his heels will never harm God at all; but God will reward the grateful.? [3:144]
When Umar heard this verse, he stopped saying what he was saying, since he was always keen on applying the rules of God and refrain from any transgression. The Prophet (PBUH) was 63 years of age when he died.
The Prophet (PBUH) stayed in Makkah for forty years before being commissioned as a Prophet. After commissioned as a Prophet he lived there for another thirteen years calling people to the pure monotheistic belief of Islam. He then migrated to Madeenah and stayed there for ten years continuing to receive revelation there and calling to Islam until the Qur’an and the religion of Islam were complete.
The famous playwright and critic, George Bernard Shaw (d. 1950) said:
I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to possess that assimilating capability to the changing phases of existence which make itself appeal to every age - I have prophesized
about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today. Medieval ecclesiastics, either through ignorance or bigotry, painted Muhammadanism in the darkest colours. They were, in fact, trained to hate both the man Muhammad and his religion. To them, Muhammad was an anti-Christ. I have studied him, the wonderful man, and in my opinion, far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of humanity.
