Islamic Research Center _ IRC

LOSS OF TWO FRIENDS.

Just after the boycott, our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lost his most faithful and loving uncle and his wife. With the death of Abu Talib and Khadija (RA) in one year, He was left alone without any family help. The Quraysh seeing this increased their harassment, tortures and hardship on Muhammad (PBUH) and the Muslims.

He (PBUH) went to Ta’if, a town in the mountains 48 km away from Makkah to teach the message of Islam to the people living there, but He was attacked and stoned by them. He was badly wounded and blood flowed into his shoes. Muhammad (PBUH) made dua for the people in Ta’if that Allah makes them and their children Muslims.

When the Quraysh realized that all their tortures and hardships on Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers did not help and that the number of Muslims was growing, they asked his uncle Abu Talib to hand him over to them. When Abu Talib refused, all the tribes of Makkah decided to boycott the Banu Hashim (Family clan of Muhammad (PBUH)). The Banu Hashim had to go and stay in Shu’ab Abu Talib, a valley near Makkah. They could not buy anything, speak to anyone or sell to anyone. Sometimes they stayed without food or water for days and they suffered in this place. This boycott lasted from the seventh to the tenth year of Islam.

MIGRATION TO ABYSSINIA

In the 5th year of Islam as the tortures and hardships for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his followers became worse, Muhammad (PBUH) gave the Muslims permission to immigrate to the friendly country of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). It was ruled by very good and trustworthy king called Negus (Najjashi), who later accepted Islam. In the 6th year of Islam, Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib (RA) (uncle of Muhammad (PBUH) and Umar bin Khattab (RA) became Muslims. By them accepting Islam, the Muslims became stronger and they started praying openly in the Ka’bah. The chiefs of the Quraysh were shocked and they all joined forces to crush Islam.

TROUBLES IN THE MISSION (SAW)
The Quraysh imposed hurdles against the Prophet and his follower in all forms; social, economic, political, and so on. Not a single citizen of Makkah was allowed to trade with them, marry, or even befriend or socialize with them, not even help them. Neither was a peace settlement accepted, nor were the Muslims to be shown any mercy until they hand over the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to the Quraysh.

Once Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was praying, one of the idolaters approached and violently tried to strangle him. The Quraysh encouraged the foolish ones to throw dirt on the Prophet's face and ran away. They used to throw filth, blood, and thorns at his door. Ommayah ibn Khalaf used to insult the Prophet (PBUH) until His face became red but still the Prophet would not say anything to him.

The Quraysh tried to bribe Muhammad (PBUH) to give up Islam in exchange for gifts of wealth or anything He (PBUH) would like. But our Prophet (PBUH) did not accept their bribe. The Quraysh decided to torture and persecute even more.

Bilal (RA), the slave of Umayya-bin-Khalaf, was laid flat on his back on hot sand. A hot heavy stone was placed on his chest and he was beaten while his hands were tied behind his back.

Usman (RA), a rich and prosperous man of the Banu Umayya tribe was tied up with ropes by his uncle and beaten and tortured.

Ammar (RA), his father Yaasir (RA) and his mother Sumayyah (RA) had embraced Islam. Abu Jahl killed Sumayya (RA) with a sharp spear.

Abu Jahl also beat slave lady Zaeerah (RA) in such a way that she became totally blind.

Some helpless Muslims like Khabbab-bin-Aratt (RA) were pushed into a fire.

THE FIRST MUSLIM

After that momentous day in the month of Ramadan, He understood now what he had to do and prepared himself for what was to come. Khadijah (RA) was the first to believe the Prophet (PBUH) and accept as true what he brought from Allah. Khadijah (RA) strengthened Him, helped him spread His message, and stood up to the people who were against Him.

Khadijah (RA) was the first woman to embrace Islam, the teachings which the Prophet (PBUH) brought from Allah, and Ali (RA) was the first young man. Shortly after they were joined by Zayd ibn Harithah (RA), a slave freed and adopted by the Prophet (PBUH).

In a state of confusion, Muhammad (PBUH) returned home to Khadijah. When his wife saw him, she became very worried as He was shivering, as though in a fever. He (PBUH) asked her to wrap him in blankets, which she did. After a while he recovered sufficiently to tell her what had happened at Hira. Khadijah believed all that He (PBUH) told her and with great respect said: Be happy, “O son of my uncle and be confident. Truly I swear by Allah who has my soul in His hands, that you will be our people's Prophet.” Muhammad (PBUH), the Messenger of Allah, was eased by her faith in him, but after all that had happened he was exhausted and felt fast asleep. :

Khadijah left the Prophet (PBUH) sleeping and went to see her cousin, Waraqah Bin Nawfal, to ask him what he thought about all that had happened. Waraqah was a very wise man who had read many books and had become a Christian after studying the Bible. He told Khadijah that Muhammad (PBUH) had been chosen by Allah to be His Messenger, just as Jibraeel had come to Musa (AS). :

From that day on, Jibraeel came often to the Prophet (PBUH) and the verses he taught him, the message from Allah to man, were later written down, and are known to us as the Holy Quran.

THE COMING OF ANGEL JIBRIL

Muhammad (PBUH) would often leave the crowded city and go to the cave in Mountain Hira. He liked to be alone there, away from all thoughts of the world and daily life, eating and drinking little. In his fortieth year, Muhammad (PBUH) left Makkah to spend Ramadan, the traditional month of retreat, in the cave. In the second half of Ramadan, Allah began to reveal His message for mankind through Muhammad (PBUH). This first Revelation occurred as follows:

Jibraeel came to Muhammad (PBUH) in the cave and commanded him to Read. Muhammad (PBUH) replied “I cannot read”. At this Jibraeel took Muhammad (PBUH) in his arms and pressed him too hard until it was almost too much to bear. He then released him and said again Read. “I cannot”, replied Muhammad (PBUH), at which the Jibraeel embraced him again. For the third time the Angel commanded Muhammad (PBUH) to read, but still he said he could not and was again embraced. On releasing him this time, however, Jibraeel said: :

“Read: In the Name of your Lord who created, Created man from a clot. Read: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who Taught by the pen, Taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran Surah 96: Verse 1-5) :

Muhammad (PBUH) repeated these verses, just as the Jibraeel had said them. When the Angel was sure Muhammad (PBUH) knew them by heart, he went away. :

Maysarah soon came to admire Muhammad (PBUH). She thought he was quite different from all the other men of Quraysh. On coming back from the trade trip, she gave out the details of their expedition to Khadija who became impressed by Muhammad (PBUH) and proposed him for marriage. Muhammad (PBUH) accepted the proposal and got married at the age of 25 while Khadija was 40 years old widow.

HIS YOUTH (SAW)

Muhammad (PBUH) was well known for his good manners and honesty. He was known as Al-Sadiq (The truthful one) and Al-Amin (The trustworthy one).

There are many stories related to Muhammad’s youth. These stories tell us how he used to take the sheep to graze and was always kind to them. While they grazed he would sit thinking about the mysteries of nature. Unlike those around him, he never worshipped the idols and never swore by them.

He also wondered why people were always struggling for power and money. He was a quiet, thoughtful boy, and rarely played with other boys of his age. On one occasion, however, Muhammad (PBUH) went with some of the boys to a wedding in Makkah. When he reached the house he heard the sounds of music and dancing but just as he was about to enter he suddenly felt tired; which made him sit down and fall asleep. He did not wake up until late the next morning and thus missed the celebrations. In this way Allah prevented him from doing anything foolish for He was keeping Muhammad (PBUH) for something much more important.

He (PBUH) used to spend many quiet hours in a cave of Mountain Hira, not far from Makkah, thinking about Allah.

At a very young age, He (PBUH) used to go to business trips to Syria with His uncle Abu Talib. At the age of 12, he went to Busra where He met Buhaira who recognized him as a prophet and advised Abu Talib to take him back for his safety.

Among Quraysh, there was a respected and wealthy woman named Khadijah. She was involved in trade. On hearing about Muhammad’s reputation, she asked him to take the charge of his goods and trade with them in Syria. Muhammad (PBUH) agreed and left for Syria with one of Khadijah’s caravans. With him went her slave, Maysarah, and they spent a great deal of time talking together.

HIS BIRTH (SAW)
The last prophet of Allah was born on 12th Rabi ul Awwal of Islamic calendar, 570 AD in Makkah. He was an orphan at the time of his birth, as his father had died before his birth.
His father’s name was Abdullah and mother’s name was Amna.
His grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, named him “Muhammad” that means “The praised one”. As per the customs of Arabia, the child was entrusted to a Bedouin woman Halimah for his upbringing. She belonged to the one of the tribes of Bani-Sa’d.
His grandfather took his custody after his mother’s demise in 576 AD, when he was only 6. After 2 years, in 578 AD, Abdul Muttalib also demised leaving him to his uncle Abu Talib, chief of Banu Hashim clan within the Quraiysh, as his guardian who loved and cared him more than his own kids.

HIS APPEARANCE (SAW)
The appearance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) cannot be put into words as His beauty was exemplary. Most of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) have reported that they had never seen someone like Him. He had a pleasant personality and whoever looked at Him was in awe of His beauty. His presence was so strong felt that many people embraced Islam just by looking at Him.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was of average height that is not too tall or not too short. He had a rosy complexion which was not too white or not too dark. He had beautiful big eyes which were black in color. He was shy and often kept His gaze low. His hair have been described as thick, black, slightly wavy and of short length stopping at His earlobes. His face was round and glowing like sun or moon. When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was amused, He would only smile to the extent that the gap between His front teeth would become visible. His sweat smelled better than musk.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had a strong physique. He had a long neck. His shoulders were broad and the seal of Prophethood was prominent. He had a flat belly. There was a thin line of hair which started from His chest and ended above His navel. He was lean and muscular with large joints, hands and feet. When He walked, He was bent forward as if walking downhill. He took big steps without dragging feet and had a brisk walk. When He turned, He turned around with His full body.

It is said that when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) died, at that time he had no more than twenty white hair.