A glimpse at the life and sacred mission of the beloved Prophet
Zahoor Hussain Bhat
“We have sent you forth as a mercy to all mankind” (Quran 21:107)
One hundred twenty-four thousand prophets were sent by Allah from time to time. Adam (AS) was the first among them and Muhammad (SAW) was the Last. Muhammad (SAW) brought Islam that is the last divine religion and cancels all previous religions. Islam is intended for the entire world without any distinction of colour or origin. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the beloved of every Muslim throughout the world. It was to Him that Allah revealed the Quran in the course of twenty-three years of his Prophethood. He taught us to recite Quran, to live by its principles and to love it. He wept tears not for himself but for his Ummah and for humanity. He was often heard to cry “O Allah, my Ummah, my Ummah”. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught us to love God and to obey Him. He taught us to be kind to each other. The only basis and principle upon which the Holy Prophet (SAW) laid the foundation of his religion is the principle of Tawheed which he recognised as the source of the prosperity for the people of the world. According to the principle of Tawheed only Allah is the Creator of the world and worthy of being worshipped. We must not bow down and pay homage to anyone except the Almighty Allah. Here is a brief account of the prophet’s life and the sacred mission.
Prophet’s Birth
The oldest and noblest tribe in the whole of Arabia was Bani Hashim. They were the descendants of Ibrahim (AS) through his son Ismail (AS). The Arabs respected and loved them for their goodness, knowledge and bravery. Hazrat Abdul Muttalib was the chieftain of Bani Hashim and he was also the Guardian of the Kabah. On Monday, the twelfth day of Rabi al-Awwal in the Year of the Elephant, Hazrat Aminah gave birth to a son. Aminah sent news of the birth to her father-in-law, Hazrat Abdul Muttalib. He was very happy and began at think of a name for the new born. After seven days while in sleep near the Kabah, Hazrat Abdul Muttalib dreamt that he should give the baby the name of Muhammad (SAW). Coincidentally Hazrat Aminah herself had dreamt the same. And so the child was called Muhammad (SAW).
People of Arab
Before the birth of last Messenger of Allah Muhammad (SAW) the people all over the world were in great poverty as to thought, opinions, individual and social attitudes; the world was troubled and submerged with polytheism and idolatry; the fire of corruption was flaming; superstitions and false views ruled the world in the name of religion; many worshipped non-Allah; Tribal fights and disputes were very common; the Arabian Peninsula was suffering from social, economic, political and other crisis, up to a point where Arabs were facing extinction because of their ignorance and the power of their oppressive neighbours. The Creator of the Universe-Allah-describes them in the holy Quran as “…they had been in the abyss of ignorance and misguidance.”
Childhood
Prophet was born an orphan, his father Hazrat Abdullah, son of Hazrat Abdul Muttalib, died before he was born and when he was six years old, he lost his mother Hazrat Aminah bint Wahab. His Grandfather, Hazrat Abdul Muttalib, took the responsibility of bringing up the orphan. At the age of 8 years, he was bereted of his venerable grandfather. On his deathbed, he appointed his son Hazrat Abu Talib as the guardian of Muhammad (SAW). Abu Talib began to look after Muhammad (SAW). Abu Talib loved his nephew just as Abdul Muttalib used to do before him. He loved Muhammad (SAW) so much that he gave him precedence over his own children. Muhammad (SAW) became his dearest child. Hazrat Abu Talib used to go to other countries in connection with business and would take Muhammad (SAW) along so that he is brought up in his care. Abu Talib’s wife, Fatima bint Asad, did all she could to substitute for the boy’s mother.
Prophet’s Marriage
Muhammad (SAW) was well-known for his honesty. He was known as “the trustworthy” (al Amin) because of the good qualities Allah had given him. He was loved and respected by one and all the people of Mecca. Hazrat Khatijah (RA) was respected and wealthy women among Qureshi. The wealthy noble lady Hazrat Khatijah, in looking for a manager for her rich mercantile caravans, selected Muhammad (SAW) as her manager. The able and fair dealing Muhammad (SAW) was a tremendous success. Hazrat Khatijah (RA) already an admirer of Muhammad (SAW) made him an offer of marriage. Muhammad (SAW) was twenty five and Hazrat Khatijah forty. On behalf of Khatijah her uncle Amr bin Asad and, from the side of the Prophet (SAW), his uncle Hazrat Abu Talib - performed the marital rites. In spite of this disparity in age, the marriage proved to be a very happy one. Hazrat Khatijah gave birth to his only surviving child, Hazrat Fatima, the Lady of Paradise.
Beginning of sacred mission
Muhammad (SAW) would often leave the crowded city and go to the cave in Mount Hira. One night--- Lailat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Majesty) --- he was called upon to spread his divine mission. Muhammad (SAW) went home and disclosed the happening before his wife, Hazrat Khatijah, (RA) who listened to him attentively and said: “I bear witness that you are the Apostle of God”. Thereafter this call spread to others day by day and people began joining his fold one by one. But so far the message of Islam was conveyed only to selected people secretly as the opportune time for the propagation of Islam openly had not yet arrived. Those converted to Islam were also directed to perform their religious rites secretly and avoid publicity.
First Muslims
Prophet’s wife Hazrat Khatijah (RA) was the first to believe him and accept as true what he brought from Allah. Through her, Allah made things easier for the Prophet (SAW). She strengthened him, helped him spread his message, and stood up to the people who were against him. Among men Hazrat Ali (RA) was the first to believe and follow Prophet in his mission.
Troubled time
The spread of Islam, at first was a secret mission. But three years after the first revelation, came the command: “And warn your nearest relations” (Quran 26:214) Having got this command, the Prophet (SAW) ordered Hazrat Ali (RA) to prepare a feast. A feast was prepared in the house of Hazrat Abu Talib for all of his relations. After the meal he spoke to them and said, “0 sons of Abdul Muttalib! I know of no Arab who has come to his people with a better message than mine. I have brought you the best news for this life and the next. Allah has ordered me to call you to Him. So which of you will help me?” All of them remained silent. Hazrat Ali (RA) was a teenager who jumped up and said: “0 prophet of Allah! I will help you.”
Year of Sorrow
In a period of troubles, trials and tribulations two major tragedies afflicted Muhammad (SAW). First the venerable guardian uncle Hazrat Abu Talib died and shortly afterwards his noble wife Hazrat Khatijah (RA) died, leaving behind her daughter Hazrat Fatima (RA)-the daughter who looked after her father so much so that the Prophet (SAW) called her Umm Abiha (the mother of her father). Thus, the Prophet (SAW) lost his protector from whose house started spreading message of true religion, Hazrat Abu Talib and the beloved wife, the first woman to accept Islam and support him.
Journey to Taif
After the demise of Hazrat Abu Talib, the atrocities by the Qureshi increased manifold. His native land turned into thorny place for him. Moreover, he was also in search of suitable place for the propagation of Islam. He, therefore, undertook the Journey to Taif. He stayed at this flourishing locality for ten days and delivered the message of Islam to every individual. But, Alas! This fertile land also proved to be barren for enlightenment. Not only there was no favourable response to the Prophet’s (SAW) call, the people did not even allow him to stay there. They even pelted stones at him- Ultimately he returned back to Mecca. But all these obstacles could not deter him from striving continuously for the divine cause.
Conquest of Mecca
After a short period of time the Meccans went back on the terms of the agreement entered into with the Prophet (SAW). The people of the tribe of Baker who were the allies of the infidels massacred the tribe of Khuzaah, the allies of the Muslims. When the news readied the Prophet (SAW) he immediately started for Mecca with ten thousand men and on arriving near the city, camped outside it. The infidels had no strength left for combat and they thought it proper to surrender. The Prophet (SAW) entered Mecca as a victor in the month of Ramadhan. After this the mercy and compassion shown by the Prophet (SAW) was worth seeing. The people at whose hands the Prophet (SAW) had suffered so much and owing to whom he had to leave his hearth and home were all pardoned for their misdeeds.
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