Arriving at al-Madeenah [Part 28]

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Commentary

-The first thing he did when he entered al-Madeenah was to establish a Masjid which would be his basis and then he made treaties with those who weren’t Muslim around him, such as the Jews.

-He also united the Muslims in al-Madeenah and made the Ansaar sponsor the Muhajiroon in a bond of brotherhood.

This is what Allah has made easy for us to present from the Sirah of the Prophet taken from the work of Ibn Katheer – Fusool fi Seerah ar-Rasool -  with the explanation of Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq al-Badr.

I ask Allaah to make its contents as a lesson for us, beneficial for the Muslims to live and practice and increase in our love and support for the noble Prophet and beloved of Allaah, Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah.

And Allaah Knows best.

End of Series.

Arriving at a-Madeenah [Part 27]

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News reached the Ansaar that the Prophet had left Makkah and was migrated to al-Madeenah. They would come out daily to place called Harrah anticipating his arrival. On Monday the 12the of Rabi al-Awwaal, 13 years after Prophet-hood began, the Prophet arrived in al-Madeenah at Duah time. The Ansaar left al-Madeenah to welcome him. As they arrived, Muslims who hadn’t seen him yet thought Abu Bakr to be the Prophet, because of his handsomeness and elderly age.

The Prophet stayed at Qubaa at the house of Khulthoom bin al-Hadam and the tribe of Banu Aamir. The Muslims came throughout the day to meet and see him. Because the day was hot, Abu Bakr stood over the Prophet shading him from the heat.

The Prophet stayed Quba for 14 days and helped establish the Masjid of Qubaa’. He then left them and entered into al-Madeenah. The people invited the Prophet to stay and hope he would accept but stated, “Leave the camel because it has been ordered”, until the camel landed and settled in a land owned by Bani Najjar. It stood up and would walk around and sit and continued standing and sitting until it finally settled at its final place, and this was to be the place of the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah.

The Prophet sought to buy this land from the Bani Najjar and two orphans called Sahl and Suhayl, but they all refused to accept payment.

Building the Masjid of the Prophet begun, accompanied by an annex which would be his house. In the meantime, he stayed at the house of Abu Ayoob al-Ansaari.

The Prophet had to Leave Makkah [Part 26]

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Commentary

-Prior to his Hijrah, the Prophet saw in his dream that he was going to a place with palm trees, either al-Madeenah or Yamamah.

-It is narrated in some of the Ahadith that whilst in the cave of Thawr, Abu Bakr used to cry profusely because he feared that this was the end of the Prophet and the message of Islam. This was the reason for the Ayah above (9:40) to be revealed, assuring them both that Allaah’s protection is over them.

-No other companion had it said about him that Allaah is with him., except Abu Bakr in the Aayah above (9:40).

TN: reciting Quraan, especially when others trying to persecute and oppress, is a form of barrier and protection as stated by al-Qurtubi and others,  in the Tafsir of 17:45. 

The prophet had to leave Makkah [Part 25]

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Abu Bakr knew that migration was close and had prepared everything in order to service the Prophet for it. One night, the Mushriks of Quraysh surrounded the house of the Prophet in order to kill him. Each tribe had a representative thus there being no repercussion for his assassination.

The Prophet left his house and he threw dust on their faces and miraculously placed a barrier between him and them, thus he left in peace and they didn’t witness anything. Ali agreed to take the Prophets place in his bed, as the Prophet made way to Abu Bakr’s house.

That night, they employed ‘Abdullah bin Urayqit - who was a travel guide – to take them to a safe place en route to al-Madeenah.

They headed south towards Yemen as opposed to directly head north to al-Madeenah.

They hid at the mountain of Thawr with Asma bint Abu Bakr coming bring parcels of food every night. Three nights passed until the Quraysh’s search for the Prophet weakened.

At one stage, the Quraysh approached Tahwr and sought to inspect it, to which Abu Bakr said, “Oh Messenger of Allaah, if one of them were to look down at his feet, they will see us.” But Allah shielded them with an angel protecting them from being sighted and this is the meaning of the Ayah:

“For Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they (Muhammad   and Abu Bakr ) were in the cave, and he ( ) said to his companion (Abu Bakr ): "Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquillity, peace, etc.) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while it was the Word of Allah that became the uppermost” [Tawbah 9:40]

The Quraysh head-hunted them both and promised a reward of 100 camels for their capture. 

After three nights at Tahwr they left for al-Madenah. En route they were caught up with Suraqah bin Maalik, who was the head of the Mudlij tribe. He knew it was them and sought to catch up to them and capture them for the booty. Abu Bakr, continually alert from the moment they left Thawr, informed the Prophet of Suraqah approaching. He approached as the Prophet was reciting Quraan. The Prophet wasn’t alarmed by Suraqah and throughout the journey didn’t panic or turn around to inspect his surroundings at all. When Suraqah approached, the Prophet supplicated against him to which his horse fell into the group and was unable to move.

Suraqah knew that the horse was paralyzed because of the Du’a of the Prophet and requested that the Prophet make Du’a to reinstate his animal. The Prophet supplicated and made Suraqah give word that he wouldn’t inform anyone.

As they continued, the Prophet stopped at the tent of Umm Ma’bad who had a sheep of whose udder didn’t produce any milk. The Prophet supplicated for it and milk poured from it abundantly.

Commentary to follow... 

The Pledge of ‘Aqaba [Part 24]

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Commentary

-During the pilgrimage season the Prophet would call people to Islaam but now began to seek physical protection and a place to migrate to. Abu Jahl also increased in his attempts to defame the honour of the Prophet by continuing to call him a madman and a liar

-It is called ‘Aqabah because it happened near the Jamarat at Mina.

-Al-Madeenah at that time were made up of Jews, and two Arab tribes known as the Aws and the Khazraj. The two tribes are named after two brothers from the tribe of Banu Haarithah, from the lineage of Qahtan. Aws was the elder brother of Khazraj.

Linguistically, Aws means to be giving and generous

Khazraj means ‘cool breeze’.

The Khazraj had political allegiances with the Mushriks of Makkah and the Aws had alliances with the Jews in al-Madeenah.

-When they came to Hajj, they heard the call of Tawheed and the recitation of the Quran and openly proclaimed their Islam in Makkah.

They went back to al-Madeenah and agreed to give Da’wah to those there until people accepted, hence were called the Ansaar.

-Allah honoured the Aws and the Khazraj and called them al-Ansaar, as stated by Anas bin Malik in Sahih al-Bukhari.

-The first Bay’ah was to believe and support but the second one was to give allegiance to death – which means to help set up a state and military support. 

The Pledge of ‘Aqaba [Part 23]

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As the Prophet continued to call people to Islaam, during the Hajj season he was approached by a small group of six men from al-Madeenah. All of them were from Khazraj. They immediately accepted Islaam once the Prophet explained Tawheed to them and returned to al-Madeenah agreeing to believe in him and calling others to Islaam.

Through them, Islam was being propagated in al-Madeenah to the extent that each household had someone who was a Muslim within them.

The following year during the Hajj season, the same six men accompanied by two other men from al-Aws. They gave the Prophet Ba’yah in order to believe and support (Ba’yah usually refers to political allegiance and an alliance of death, but the first allegiance was for service and not fighitng).

When the party left Makkah, the Prophet placed ‘Amr bin Umm Maktoom and Mu’sab bin ‘Umayr to call people to Islaam and teach the Quraan.

Their Da’wah was successful and many accepted Islaam. In the depths of the night, during the Days of Tashreeq on the 13^th year after Bi’tha, and as the people performing Hajj slept, the Prophet secretly met with 73 men and 2 women and the second Ba’yah of ‘Aqbah was established.

This Bay’ah signaled the beginning of the Hijrah, and the Prophet allowed for Muslims within Makkah to migrate to al-Madeenah. The first to leave were women and children and then large groups migrated thereafter.

Once they all moved to al-Madeenah, there remained only a few until only the Prophet, Abu Bakr and Ali remained. The Muslims there waited patiently for news of the Prophets imminent migration. 

 commentary to follow...

The Five Prayers [Part 22]

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Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaq gives separate benefits to the legislation of Salaat:

-It was revealed personally without any intermediary from Jibril, as he was sent all the way up to the highest point possible for it to be legislated.

Secondly, the fact that it was legislated at this particular station shows the literal lofty status and importance as-Salaat has with Allaah.

-He was obligated to pray fifty times initially but Moosaa advised for the Prophet to seek to have it reduced as it will be hard for the Ummah. It was reduced in tens and then five until the Prophet left it at 5 times a day.

-It’s the most important pillar of Islaam after Tawheed and it is a reoccurring theme in the events of Israa and Mi’raaj, he led the Prophets in prayer and was raised up to the heavens for it to be obligated upon the Ummah.

-Some people don’t preserve the prayer and don’t give it its due importance. The best of these lazy people pray but don’t pray with proper attention and care. However, the Salat will be a light on the Day of Judgement and as it occurs in the Hadith, those who don’t pray will be raised with the evillest of creation – Fir’awn, Hamaan, Qaaroon and Ubay bin Khalaf. 

Going from Masjid al Aqsa to the heavens – al-Mi’raaj [Part 21]

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After leading the Prophet’s in prayer at al-Aqsa, he was then taken up to the heavens which is known as the Mi’raaj. He went past all the stages of the heavens until he reached as-Sidraa al-Muntaha. At each level of Jannah, he met a Prophet and on this night he saw Prophet Jibril again in his true form. It was on this night that the five obligatory prayers were legislated.

The following morning he told his nation about the events and it was a difficult test for the Prophet and the Muslims.

The disbelievers mocked and ridiculed him in disbelief. The journey from Makkah to Palestine wold usually take two months and added to this the Prophet was claiming that he went up to the highest point of the heavens.

Commentary

-As the event of Israa symbolises the honour given to the lands of Makkah and Palestine, the event of al-Mi’raaj shows the honour that Allaah gave to the Prophet Muhammad. None had this special virtue of being taken up the heavens and meeting Allaah and directly speaking to Him there.

This is proof that relief comes after testing times, and the form of relief will always compensate the hardships one has faced substantially.

-Before he was lifted up to the heavens, his chest was casted open and his heart physically removed and purified for a second time in his life. Jibril descended and washed his heart with Zam Zam water and filled his heart with Hikmah and Emaan. All of this was preparation for the journey and what he was about to witness and the meeting with Allaah.

-Every door of the heavens was opened for him and at every level he met a Prophet. The meeting of the prophet was in their shape of their souls as their bodies are still in their graves, except for ‘Esaa. He met ‘Esaa in body and soul.

-He ascended to the highest point of Jannah which is known as the Sidrah al-Muntaha, biggest nothing from the creation of Allaah can go past this point.

-He saw Jibril twice in his true form, once when he became a Messenger and Surah al-Mudatthir was revealed and again on the night of Mi’raaj, as  Surah an-Najm explains.

-The true sight of Jibril was absolutely awesome, his sheer size fills the horizon and his power and beauty is exemplified in him having 600 wings. 

Going from Makkah to Masjid al Aqsa – The Israa’ [Part 20]

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The Prophet was taken from the house of his aunt Umm Haani’ in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Palestine.

Late at night, Jibril descended with an animal called al-Buraaq – it was white and was bigger than a donkey but smaller than a horse. Al-Buraaq could cover a great deal of distance in a short space of time, one step would be that of the distance of which the eye could see.

At Masjid al-Aqsa he led the souls of the Prophets in prayer and then was lifted up to the heavens, which is known as the Mi’raaj.

Commentary

-This event symbolizes the places of honour given to Allaah to Makkah and the previous Qiblah, Masjid al-Aqsa. To the extent that none is allowed to partake a journey of special worship except for one of the three Masjid: al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, the Prophet’s Masjid in al-Madeenah and Masjid al-Aqsa in Palestine.

-It also symbolizes the special virtue of the Prophet as he led all the other Prophet’s in prayer, being their Imaam. 

The Year of Sadness [Part 19]

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Commentary

-Abu Talib was a physical form of protection for the Prophet and Khadeejah was an emotional one. Losing them both close simultaneously was extremely hard for the Prophet.

-After being rejected at Taif, Jibreel descended with the angel of the mountains and offered for the town to be crushed by the surrounded mountains. The Prophet refused and instead had optimism that from their loins there will be people who will accept the call of Tawheed.

This shows how much of a mercy the Prophet actual was. He chose guidance over punishment, he chose the Akhirah over the Dunya and wasnted good for mankind and not harm.

It also shows that he knew that the final victory will always be for those who have Taqwa and Subr.

-The Prophet continued to call people to Islaam, especially during the Hajj season when people used to come to Makkah. From them was Tufayl who came from Yemen and he called him to Islam and he accepted and so did the entire tribe of Daws.

This shows the power of Du’a, as the Prophet resorted to make Dua’ when tested with the loss of life and the physical harmed he received from the people of Taif. As a result, he was rewarded with success in his Da’wah.

Furthermore, his optimism with this Tawakkul saw others enter into Islaam. It was during this period that ‘Umar became Muslim. Previously, he hated Islam and severely punished and harm Muslims. The Prophet made Du’a to give guidance to either Umar bin al-Khattab or Abu Jahl, because now, the Prophet needed a powerhouse to replace the physical security he lost in Abu Taalib. So Allaah accepted the supplication and the result of this Du’a and optimism is that Islam had support from a man than none other (except Abu Bakr) can match in this entire Ummah.

-Also from the story of Tufayl we learn that name-calling and oppressing the truth only leads to a good result for those who have Taqwa and Subr.

An example of this is an incident report by Muslim in his Sahih. The people of Quraysh would habitually call the Prophet a madman or someone who was possessed by Jinn, in order ridicule his credibility and tarnish the authenticity of his message.

A man called Emaad al-Azdi, who was the chief of his tribe and also a spiritual healer, came to Makkah sought to cure the Prophet of his illness. He was known to perform Ruqyah with positive results and thought that he could benefit the Prophet. But this actually worked in the Prophet’s favour. When he met the Prophet, Emaad asked him to recite what he claimed was revelation. The Prophet recited Khutbah al-Haajah (TN: it’s not even an excerpt of the Quraan). Emaad was astonished and asked to hear it again. The Prophet accepted his request to which Emaad al-Azdi proclaimed that this was not the speech of a madman nor someone who is possessed, and then openly testified his submission to Allaah. As he was the chief of his tribe, he gave the Prophet Bay’ah (allegiance of support) on his own personal behalf and that of the rest of his tribe.

NOTE: Ruqyah was previously practiced before Jaahiliyyah with practitioners making Du’a to Allaah and using Dhikr which didn’t have Shirk. 

The Year of Sadness [Part 18]

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(TN: The year of sadness is something that has been coined together by some of the historians)

This year was extremely difficult for the Prophet. Firstly, Abu Taalib passed away and then three days later his beloved wife Khadeeja passed away. So as his uncle Abu Taalib passed away, the Prophet now no longer had any physical source of protection so he went to Taif to seek an alliance there.

He left for Taif with Zayd bin Haaritaha in order to call them to Islam and seek their support of him. He called them to Tawheed but they rejected him and harmed him severely. It is not been narrated that he had been physically harmed and bled as much as on the day when he went to Taif. Zayd tried to protect the Prophet from stones and rocks being hurled at him with his body and tried all he could to stop harm reaching the Prophet.

[TN: As he left Taif, he supplicated to Allaah, “Oh Allaah! To you I complain about my weakness and lack of strength against the people. Oh You Who is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. You are the Lord of the weak and oppressed – and you are my Lord. To whom will You place my affair under? To a stranger who doesn’t know me or to an enemy who will be oppressive over me? As long as you are not Angered with me then I do not mind (the punishment and rejection I get from the people) but your Protection is far greater”]

They returned to Makkah and he continued to call people to Islam. Tufayl bin ‘Amr from Yemen accepted Islam but asked for the Prophet to give him a sign of prophet-hood so that his tribe will believe him when he returns to them.  So Allaah illuminated his face but feared that his people would be startled by it. So the light was placed on his whip (used for riding) and it remained illuminated until he returned home. Tufayl became later known as Dhu an-Noor. Tufayl called his people to Islam and they all accepted his invitation. 

commentary to follow...

The Boycott [Part 17]

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The Qurayshi boycott of the Muslims came about when the influential uncle of the Prophet, Hamzah bin ‘Abdul-Muttalib, accepted Islaam. He was well-respected and was known for his bravery and courage. So this was seen as a minor victory for the Muslims, thus led to Qurayshi backlash.

The Quraysh tribe all stemmed from their great grandfather who was called Abdul-Manaf. 

Abdul-Manaf had four children: Hashim, Mutallib, Nawfal and Abdu-Shams.

These then became heads of the sub-tribes that formed Quraysh.

Banu Hashim had a strong allegiance with Banu Mutallib and Banu Nawfal had a strong allegiance with Banu Abdu-Shams.

So it was this that pivoted around the formation of the boycott. Because the Prophet was from Banu Hashim, Banu Nawfal and Banu Abdus-Shams agreed that they will boycott Banu Hashim and because of their allegiance - Banu Mutallib as well.

The boycott meant that they will not trade with them, not inter-marry with them and not even speak or social with them. It was a complete cut-off of the two opposing tribes (except for Abu Jahl who was from Banu Hashim), until Banu Hashim and Banu Mutallib either stop the Prophet from preaching or they hand him over for them to persecute him (as he has always been under the broader security of the Quraysh up until this point).

Banu Nawfal and Banu Abdus-Shams made this allegiance and wrote the details of the covenant on a parchment and placed it within the Ka’bah. The man responsible to write the document was a man called an-Nadr bin al-Haarith. The Prophet supplicated against him and he was later paralyzed in the hand that he wrote the covenant with.

This boycott continued for three years until one day a group of the Quraysh wanted to look over the document again and found that ants had eaten away the parchment leaving nothing behind except for phrases of Dhikr of Allaah. This signaled the end of the boycott.

Abu Talib wrote poetry throughout this ordeal praising Banu Hashim and Banu Mutallib and the Muslims within them.

Commentary

- Abu talib wrote poetry in which he described the Prophet as being a sincere warner and how he came with the best of religions. Unfortunately, he died a Kaafir but the Prophet will be granted permission to intercede for him and his punishment will be reduced. Ibn Hajar has a chapter in his book al-Isaabah in which he refutes the claims that Abu Taalib he died a Muslim. All of this shows that no matter how close we may think we are to guidance, we will never get it without the Mercy of Allaah – so its upon us all to ask for steadfastness.

-In this incident, there is also proof that the religion can and will be aided by those who are pious and those who are non-pious alike.

The Companions go to Abysinnia [Part 16]

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When the torture intensified for the Muslims in Makkah, Allaah Permitted for some of them to migrate to a land of safety – Abyssinia (East Africa). There were two migrations and the first migration was led by ‘Uthmaan bin ‘Affaan and with him was his wife, Ruqayyah, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad. There were twelve men and four women altogether including Ja’far bin Abi Talib.

The Quraysh heard about the migration and feared that if they were accepted to stay there and practice their religion, the Najashi (the king of Abyssinia) would give them support and power. So the Quraysh sent a delegation to Abyssinia led by ‘Amr bin ‘Aas and ‘Utbah bin Rabee’ah. They agreed that they couldn’t tell the Najashi why they wanted the Muslims to be returned, lest he sides with the Muslims. So they spoke to him nicely and even presented him to special Makkan leather of which he was very fond of.

In his court, he asked the Muslims for their stance of ‘Esaa and allowed for the Muslims to speak. Ja’far responded by reciting the first  Aayaat from Surah Maryam. When he finished, the Najashi grabbed a stick and said, “You have not added to the Tawrah not even by a measurement of this stick. Depart, for you are under my safety as residents.”

In another narration it says that the Najashi turned to the delegation from the Quraysh and said, “By Allah! Had you given me the weight of a mountain in gold I would not hand them over.”

So the delegation returned to Makkah after being humiliated and rejected.

Commentary

-The term Najashi means “king” in the language of the people of East Africa at that time. His real name was Ashama which means “generous” and he was a just king that hated oppression. He was known to be kind and accommodating and thus the Muslims chose him to turn to as part of their migration.

- Hijrah means to leave a land for the sake of Allah, either to protect oneself physically or spiritually. The Hijrah to Abyssinia was the first Hijrah in Islam.

-The Najashi recognized the Islamic ‘Aqeedah and agreed to protect them.

-In a separate narration, Abu Bakr sought to leave and join the migration but en route met a man called Dahina and rebuked him, “How can you leave, the people of Makkah need for people like you to stay.” So he returned and stayed and supported Islam in Makkahd.

-The twelve men and four women left by foot, seeking to meet the red sea. There, merchants would transport people over the sea for the cost of half a Dinar per person. 

-Meanwhile in Makkah, Surah an-Najm was revealed and the Muslims and Mushriks alike had the Surah recited to them. At the end of the Surah, the Prophet prostrated and the Muhsriks of Quraysh prostrated with him (except Umayyah bin Khalaf). So rumuors spread to Abyssinia that the Mushriks now believed in Islaam and had converted thus they returned back to Makkah, only to find that the rumours were not true. When they realized it wasn’t the case, a second Hijrah was commission with Ja’far bin Abi Talib being in charge and eventually left Abysinnia when the Prophet had established his own state in al-Madeenah.

-The Najashi died as a Muslim and the Prophet prayed Janazah over him whilst he was in al-Madeenah. 

The Companions Get Hurt [Part 15]

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People stated becoming Muslim and at this time around 50 Makkans had embraced Islaam. However, the foolish of the Quraysh persecuted the Muslims for their beliefs. Abu Talib was able to protect the Prophet because of their respect of him, however, others didn’t have the same privilege.

It could be that Allaah did Will guidance for Abu Taalib, because had he accepted Islaam then this sense of honour and respect would have been lost and thus there being no physical protection for the Prophet at all. Abu Talib remaining a Kaafir meant that he had a physical defense strategy.

The Prophet continued to be brave and called people to Islaam day and night, openly and in secret.

The Muslims meanwhile faced severe torture and punishment for their beliefs. They were burnt by being made to lay on hot sand under intense heat from the sun. Some of them had huge rocks placed on their bodies. Some were physically unable to move due to the excruciating pain they were in.

Commentary

-They hurt the Muslims by punishing them, forcing them to say statements of Shirk, punishing with the heat and hot stones and rocks. Yet the Muslims remains firmed and it was permitted also for them to make statements of  Kufr in order to appease the harm whilst their hearts affirming Emaan.

-During this period also there arose financial Da’wah. The last few Aayat of Surah al-Layl was revealed about Abu Bakr, who was a rich man and supported Islaam in his wealth. To the extent that his father, who wasn’t Muslim at this stage, tried to persuade Abu Bakr to use his money more wisely and invest rather than free slaves who are weak and of no real benefit. He remained firmed and continued to spend and this is the meaning of Zakaat, which is to purify yourself from the evils of your own selves and wants.

-Those who hate Islaam will always continue to reject and they will channel their rejection in either physical punishment or making a mockery.

-Torture continue and the first to be killed in the Path of Allah was Sumayyah bint Khayyat. Abu Jahl stabbed her in her private parts until she died of bleeding and injury.

In this is a valuable point, that the first believer of Islaam was a woman and likewise the first martyr of Islaam was also a woman – thus showing the true status of women in Islam and the service they have been to this great religion.

The Da’wah on Top of the Mountain Safa [Part 14]

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This was the beginning of his mission as a Messenger as he was commanded by Allaah to stand and call to Allaah and follow the religion of Allaah in obedience to Him. He was called to invite all to Islaam irrespective of gender, race or age. So he then gave Da’wah in open and in secret.

The Prophet once went to the top of Mount Safaa and called the the Quraysh. As they gathered he asked them rhetorically, “If I was to warn you of an army approaching to attack us, would you believe me?” They all affirmed that they would as he was al-Ameen. So the Prophet then said, “I am a warner to you before a day of painful torment.” Abu Lahab then rebuked him saying, “Is this why you gathered us? Damn you!” It was then that Surah Lahab was revealed.

(TN: the incident at Safaa isn’t in the book by Ibn Katheer but mentioned in his Tafsir)

They then went to the cousin of Khadeejah, Waraqah bin Nawfal, who was a blind man but a scholar from the People of the Book. He informed the Prophet that the angel he saw was the same angel that would bring revelation to Moosaa and had he been a young man, he would support the Prophet in his cause. He died shortly after this visit.

Commentary

-He then gave Da’wah to the people and from the first to believe in him were Abu Bakr, ‘Uthman, ‘Ali, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqaas (who were both very young), Zayd bin Haaritha, Abu ‘Ubaydah, Abu Talha, Zubayr bin Awwam, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin ‘Awf and Sa’eed bin Zayd. Most of these are from the ten that the promised Jannah in a single Hadith.

-The fact that the Prophet made open Da’wah shows that we must want good for others and that Islam isn’t limited to certain category of people.

-Also it shows that rushing to accept the truth and good deeds is better than those who delay

-Waraqah bin Nawfal was considered as being someone who believed in the Prophet and the Prophet commanded us not to say a single bad word about him because he saw Waraqah in Jannah with white clothes and in the best of conditions. 

The Second Revelation [Part 13]

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The Prophet didn’t hear or see anything for a while. He kept going back to the mountain because he was eager to receive revelation again but didn’t receive anything. This is because the revelation has a sweetness to it to which the Prophet wanted more of.

Eventually, on one occasion, he saw Jibreel descend from the sky in his true form whilst sitting on his throne. Jibreel came with the revelation with the first Ayaat of Surah al-Mudatthir and confirmed to him that he was indeed the Messenger of Allaah.

The Messenger of Allah then ran back to the house of Khadeejah and asked for her to wrap him in a blanket, as he shook in fear and intense sweat.

Commentary

-He waited for a few days. Some said two years, some said more and some said less, but the correct view is that he didn’t wait for too long.

-He became a Prophet when Surah al-‘Alaq was revealed but a Messenger of Allaah when al-Mudatthir was revealed, because now he was commanded to preach and explain Tawheed. So for us, this shows the importance in learning Tawheed, truly understanding it and implementing it and teaching it to the people.

-From the wisdom, that Ibn Katheer mentioned, for the reason for revelation stopping is that the Prophet gained an attachment and yearning for more revelation. This is the impact and relationship he had gained with the Quraan, he had a strong love and connection from the very beginning. Also from the wisdom is to have Prophet Muhammad become a Prophet at the earlier stage and then a Messenger at a later stage. 

The First Revelation [Part 12]

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The revelation was a mercy to mankind and even those who disbelieved in him agreed to this point. To the extent that his uncle, Abu Talib, coined together poetry in praising Muhammad and his religion.

It began with the Prophet aged forty, who used to seclude himself in worship in the mount of Hira, worshipping Allaah in Ramadan and Jibreel came to him. Jibreel commanded him to read but the Prophet responded by saying that he was unable. Jibreel would embrace him by the cuff of his shirt to the extent that the Prophet would feel great distress and then let him go. He commanded him to read again and it the Prophet explained that he couldn’t and Jibreel embraced him again, until this repetition was completed three times.

Jibreel then conveyed to Prophet Muhammad the first five Aayaat of Surah al-Iqra’:

“Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists). Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. Has taught man that which he knew not.” [al-‘Alaq 96:1-5]

Once Jibreel left, Prophet Muhammad ran to Khadeejah’s house. He was in a sense of extreme fear and confusion. However, she steadily showed compassion to him and reassured him that he was a righteous man with righteous deeds, “so take glad tidings, because Allaah would never degrade you. You create a bond between relatives, you are always truthful in speech, you help the needy and disabled, you maintain those who have no one to maintain them, you honour and host your guests and you always uphold the truth against injustices.” She instantly knew that this was something positive and extensive praised him for his goodly attributes and etiquettes. She didn’t belie him but instantly believed in him, and showed support for the truth. Therefore, she was the first believer in al-Islaam and Allaah is Pleased with her and has Honoured her.

Commentary

-Ibn Katheer mentions that the revelation was a Mercy from Allaah, and rightly so; there was no Tawhid on the face of the earth except for a few people who didn’t practice shirk and pockets of the People of the Book who preserved the Aqeedah of Tawheed.

-The day in which Jibreel came down at the beginning of revelation was a Monday.

-The reaction of Khadeejah shows her praiseworthy attributes and her abundant wisdom. 

The Black Stone [Part 11]

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When the Prophet was 35 years old, the Ka’bah got severely damaged due to floods that occurred in Makkah. So the Quraysh were tasked with rebuilding the Ka’bah. The Prophet assisted in this task as well as others from the Quraysh. Once the renovation was complete, the Quraysh differed as to who will chose the location of the Black Stone. They argued to the extent that it almost led to blood being shed.

Commentary

Once the Ka’bah was destroyed the Quraysh found themselves in a predicament. Some of them said that they shouldn’t touch the Ka’bah because playing around with its structure would lead to divine punishment from Allaah, just as Allaah Destroyed the people of Abraha. Others from the Quraysh stated that they must rebuild it, because if they don’t then only would Allaah be angered, and it being left dishonored is what Allaah would be Angry with. So they finally decided to rebuild the Ka’bah however differed on who and were the Black Stone will be placed. Each tribe wanted the honour and the dispute almost got physical. Until they decided that the next person to enter the Masjid will be the one who reconciles between us. The next person was Muhammad and they rejoiced at him being the one who choses and praised him for being al-Ameen.

So he asked for a garment and placed the Stone in the middle, and each tribe had a corner and he placed it where it is today. 

The Prophet Gets Married [Part 10]

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Maysarah used to travel with the Prophet for business purposes as both were employed by Khadijah. Maysarah would witness great characteristics in Muhammad and would always report them back to Khadeejah. As a result, she grew fondness to him and married him when he was 25 years old.

Commentary

-Prophet Muhammad was known for his trustworthiness and manners and Maysarah witnessed this first hand.

-Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid was from the best of women ever created. Jibreel would give her Salaam and she has been guaranteed a house in Jannah by Allaah.

[TN: Ibn Hajar comments on the virtues of Khadeejah and stated that she was a woman of great wisdom and goodness and had a lot of love for the Prophet.  She will be rewarded with a house in Jannah without any Qasab (clay) or Nasab (tiredness) or Khasab (loud noises) because she was the first one from Ahl al-Bayt, and her house was refuge for the prophet. It was also said that she was a good wife that looked after the home]

-He was a very trustworthy and married her despite her being 15 years older than him. He didn’t marry anyone else whilst being married to her and he had 6 children with her, 4 girls and 2 boys.

The shepherd ﷺ (Part 9)

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The prophet was a shepherd and he was also a businessman for Khadijah. He travelled to Syria on business trips with her worker whose name was Maysarah. Before he was a prophet, Prophet Muhammad proved to be honest and successful so they gave him the name al-Ameen.

Commentary

-The business arrangement they had is akin to al-Mudaarabah that the scholars permit today, where the capital is invested by a party and the second party works for the business, both parties agreeing on a share of the profit and loss.

-He was called al-Ameen because he was well-known for his trustworthiness, manners, honesty, and respect for others. He was always righteous in his deeds, even since childhood.  This is because Jibreel descended upon him whilst Muhammad was still a small child at Bani Sa’d and cleaned his heart from being afflicted by Shaytaan. 

And Allah Knows best