Category: Prophet and Imams

Hafta-E-Wahdat, Week of Unity Hazrat Muhammad (saw) was born in the year 570 CE (fifty-three years before the Hijrah) in the town of Makkah, a mountain town in the high desert plateau of western Arabia. His name derives from the Arabic verb Hamada, meaning “to praise, to glorify.” He was the first and only son of Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abd Al-Muttalib and Hazrat Aminah bint Wahab. Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abd Al-Muttalib died before Hazrat Muhammad’s (saw) birth. The precise date of his birth is disputed among the historians, but Ayatullah Ruhullah Musawi al-Khomeini (ra), the founder of the Islamic revolution had declared the week between 12th and 17th Rabi al-Awwal as “Hafta-E-Wahdat” meaning “the week of unity amongst Muslims.” Muslims all over the world are urged to get together and celebrate (Eid-E-Milad un Nabi) the birth of Hazrat Muhammad (saw) for the whole week.

 

The year in which our Hazrat Muhammad (saw) was born is called as the Year of Elephant (Aam ul-Feel); it is because of that famous incidence in which the ruler of Yemen, Abraha tried to destroy Kaaba using his army of Elephants and a vast flock of small birds like swallows, carrying pebbles in their beaks darkened the sky and pelted them down upon the heads of Abraha’s army causing deep puncture like wounds killing many. It is also said that at the same time for the first time in Arabia, the diseases of typhoid and smallpox appeared, affecting the whole army. Abraha himself suffered from smallpox, and remained alive only until he reached Yemen and died there. This is the theme mentioned in Noble Qur’an, Chapter 105 ‘Feel’ (Elephant).

 

The tribe that Hazrat Muhammad (saw) came from was named “Quraish”. This tribe was one of the most influential tribes that governed Muslims centuries after Islam.

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) as Wonderful Baby (Eid-E-Milad un Nabi, Birth celebration)

 

Eid-E-Milad un Nabi, Birth celebrationHazrat Muhammad (saw) was born and his blessed birth gave rise to numerous wonderful incidents in the sky and on the earth, especially in the East, the cradle of civilization.

 

News of these events spread quickly and informed the people of an imminent, very significant incident. Since this newborn child was predestined to destroy the people’s old superstitious beliefs and customs and to lay new foundations for human progress and prosperity, from the very beginning he sounded the reveille.

 

It is narrated that on the day which our Hazrat Muhammad (saw) was born, the following incidents happened:

 

All the idols fell down.

The “Kasra Veranda” (a part of the palace of Iran’s King) shook and fourteen of its notches were damaged.

The “Saweh Lake” that people worshiped for years, dried up.

Water flowed in “Samaweh Desert”, where no one had seen water for many years.

The fire in the fire-temple of Persia was extinguished, which had been flaming for several years.

On that night, a light came out from “Hijaz” and spread to the east.

So the humiliated worshippers of that false, destructive object of worship, whose minds had been blocked by the obstacles of prejudice and false imitation and who thus could not reflect upon nature took notice of the truth and were attracted toward a totally different direction.

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) in the Storm of events

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) was just six years old when his mother, Hazrat Aminah bint Wahab, left Makkah for Medina to visit her relatives and probably to pay a respectful visit to her husband’s grave. He (saw) accompanied his mother on that trip. But after visiting her relatives and expressing love and loyalty to her husband at Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abd Al-Muttalib’s graveside, on her way back to Makkah, Hazrat Aminah bint Wahab passed away at a place named Abwa. Thus, Hazrat Muhammad (saw) had lost both his mother and father by that tender age when every child needs a father’s affections and a mother’s loving embrace.

 

A glimpse into Hazrat Muhammad’s (saw) character [Mawlid al-Nabi, Mawlid an Nabi]

 

Hazrat Muhammad’s (saw) characterJust as Hazrat Muhammad’s (saw) birth and the events that followed his blessed birth were extraordinary and suggestive of his majesty and supreme character, so his behaviour and manner of speaking in childhood also made him different from other children. Hazrat Abd Al-Muttalib, the chief of the Quraish tribe, did not treat his grandson like other children, but held him in great respect and reverence.

 

Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, Hazrat Muhammad’s (saw) uncle, used to say, ‘We have never heard any lies from Muhammad, nor have we seen him misconduct himself or make mischief. He never laughs unduly nor speaks idly and he is mostly alone’.

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) was seven years old when the Jews remarked, ‘In our Books we have read that the Prophet of Islam refrains from eating any food which is religiously prohibited or doubtful. Let’s try him’.

 

So they stole a hen and sent it to Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib. Not knowing that the hen had been stolen, all ate from the cooked hen but Hazrat Muhammad (saw), who avoided even tasting it. When they asked the reason for this avoidance of the food, he (saw) answered, ‘this food is forbidden by Allah (SWT), and Allah (SWT) protects me against anything that He has forbidden.’

 

Then the Jews took a hen from a neighbour, intending to pay for it later on, and sent it to Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib’s house. Again he (saw) avoided eating the hen, saying, ‘this food is doubtful and …’

 

Then the Jews said, ‘This child has an extraordinary character and a supreme position’.

 

Some scenes from Hazrat Muhammad’s (saw) childhood and youth

 

Hazrat Muhammad’s (saw) childhood and youthHazrat Muhammad (saw) went through the difficulties of orphanhood in his childhood with the support of his high-spirited grandfather, Hazrat Abd Al-Muttalib, and his affectionate uncle, Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib.

 

When Hazrat Muhammad (saw) became eight years old, Hazrat Abd Al-Muttalib passed away as well. This incident made Hazrat Muhammad (saw) very sad.

 

After that Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, the master of Quraish, accepted to look after him. Although Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib was not rich, he and his honorable wife Hazrat Fatima bint Asad [the mother of Hazrat Ali (as)], tried their best in looking after Hazrat Muhammad (saw).

 

It seems that the heart rendering pains of orphanhood must have severely tormented his pure delicate soul. It is logical to believe that these sufferings were necessary for the foundation of his supreme character and that such difficulties taught him how to resist the hardships of life and to bear the heavy responsibility later to be put on his blessed shoulders.

 

As time went on, Hazrat Muhammad (saw) grew up and his childhood gave place to youth, when instincts and potentials bloom. Hazrat Muhammad (saw) received affectionate care and attention from his uncle Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, who, due to his moral attitudes and in obedience to his father’s emphatic order, protected and supported him. In fact, Hazrat Muhammad (saw) represented three things to Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib: a son, a reminder of his brother, Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, and of his father, Hazrat Abd Al-Muttalib. So Hazrat Muhammad (saw) became a beloved member of Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib’s family, lived in his house, and was treated as his own son. To Hazrat Muhammad (saw), Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib was an affectionate father, a loyal uncle, and a compassionate preceptor. These two – uncle and nephew – were so fond of each other that their lives seemed to be intertwined. This very intense affection had caused Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib to refuse to ever part from him.

 

Hazrat Muhammad’s (saw) presence in his uncle’s house was not ordinary. Signs of his greatness could be seen everywhere. His entrance to their house brought bountiful blessings to the house of Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib. Hazrat Fatima bint Asad has said, “From the moment that Hazrat Muhammad (saw) entered our home, the tree, which had dried up for years, prospered and offered fruits.”

 

Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib narrates that they would hear Hazrat Muhammad (saw) praying at nights. Though it was against the custom of Arabs to remember Allah (SWT) while eating, the little Hazrat Muhammad (saw) would not start eating or drinking unless reciting the name of Allah (SWT). He would also end his meal by thanking Allah (SWT), the exalted.

 

Bahira’s Interview with Hazrat Muhammad (saw) [Eid e Milad un Nabi, Birth Anniversary]

 

Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib set out for Damascus (Syria) on business and took Hazrat Muhammad (saw) along when he (saw) was 12 years old. It was a massive caravan and a great number of people traveled along with a huge quantity of merchandise until they arrived in Syria and entered the city of Busra. In the vicinity of a monastery, they pitched a tent and took rest.

 

Bahira, a devout Christian monk, caught sight of it through his monastery’s window. He observed the caravan shaded by a little cloud that kept pace with it. Bahira came out of his monastery, stood in a corner and instructed his servant, ‘Go and tell them that today they are all my guests’.

 

All came to him but Hazrat Muhammad (saw), who was standing beside the property and equipment of the caravan. Seeing that the cloud had ceased to move, Bahira asked his guests, ‘are all the members of the caravan present here?’ They answered, ‘All but a youth who is the youngest’. Bahira said, ‘Tell him to come as well’. So he was asked to come to the monk’s room. The keen eyes of Bahira noticed that the cloud over his head moved with him. Taken by surprise, Bahira kept staring at the young boy. When the meal was over, the pious monk told him, ‘I have a question to ask you and you must swear by Lat and Al-Uzza to answer my question’.

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) said, ‘Those two you have asked me to swear by are the most detestable things to me’. Bahira said, ‘Swear by Allah to answer my question’.

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) said, ‘I always speak the truth and I have never told a lie; you ask your question’.

 

Bahira’s Interview with Hazrat Muhammad (saw)Bahira asked: “What do you like the most”?

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) answered: “Loneliness”.

 

Bahira asked: “What do you look the most at and what do you like to look at”?

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) said: “The sky and the stars within it”.

 

Bahira asked: “What do you think of”?

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) remained silent, but Bahira carefully glanced at his forehead.

 

Bahira asked: “When do you sleep and with what thoughts”?

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) stated: “When I fix my eyes upon the sky, I see the stars and I find them in my lap and myself above them”.

 

Bahira asked: “Do you see dream also”?

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) stated: “Whatever I see in dream, the same I see while I am awake.”

 

Bahira asked: “What do you dream of, as an example”?

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw) kept quiet, Bahira also kept quiet.

 

After a while, Bahira asked: “May I take a look at the centre of your shoulders”?

 

Hazrat Muhammad (saw), while standing still, stated: “Come and see.”

 

Bahira stood up, came closer, and pulled the dress of Hazrat Muhammad (saw) off his shoulders. A mole appeared. Bahira took a look and said in a murmuring voice: “He is the very person”.

 

Bahira knelt down before him and started kissing his hands and feet, saying, ‘If I live till you start your divine mission, I will most faithfully aid you and fight your enemies. You are superior to all of Adam’s offspring…’.

 

Then Bahira asked, ‘whose son is this youth?’ The caravan members pointed to Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, saying, ‘His son’. Bahira said, ‘No. His father must be dead!’

 

Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib said, ‘You are right. He is my nephew’. Bahira then said, ‘This youth will have a brilliant, extraordinary future. If the Jews find out what I have realized about him, they will destroy him. Take great care lest the Jews should hurt him’.

 

Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib said, ‘What is he destined to do? What have the Jews to do with him?’ Bahira said, ‘He is predestined to become a Hazrat, and the angel of inspiration will come down and make divine revelations to him’. Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib said, ‘God will not leave him alone and will Himself protect him against the Jews and his malevolent enemies’.

Once, a lady entered the house of Aishah, the wife of Prophet Muhammed (saw), with her two children. Aishah presented three dates to the lady, who gave one date to each of her two children and taking the third date she halved it and once again distributed it evenly amongst them.

When Prophet Muhammed (saw) returned, Aishah narrated the episode to him whereupon he (saw) said: “Did the lady’s act leave you astonished? Due to her fairness and even-handedness, Allah (SWT) shall place her in Paradise.”

It has also been reported that once, a father arrived in the presence of Prophet Muhammed (saw) accompanied by his two children. In his presence he kissed one child and ignored the other. Noticing this incorrect act Prophet Muhammed (saw) commented: “Why do you not treat your children equally?”

Once, a companion of Prophet Muhammed (saw) began hitting his slave. The slave kept pleading: “By Allah! Do not beat me. For Allah’s sake forgive me.” The master, however, refused to pardon him and continued to shower beatings upon him.

Some people informed Prophet Muhammed (saw) of the slave’s predicament whereupon he (saw) got up and started out towards the scene of this incident. As soon as the companion’s eyes fell upon Prophet Muhammed (saw) he stopped his beatings whereupon Prophet Muhammed (saw) said to him: “He placed you under the oath of Allah (SWT), but you refused to pardon him and now that you have set your eyes upon me, you have restrained yourself?”

The man, in order to make amends for his deplorable behaviour, said: “I now free him for the sake (and pleasure) of Allah (SWT)!”

Prophet Muhammed (saw) said: “Had you not freed him, you would have dropped face-down into the fire of Hell.”

In that age when men were often cruel to each other, let alone to animals, Prophet Muhammed’s (saw) taught his companions (Sahabah), that one should be kind to all living things, animal or plant, since they are all part of Allah’s creation. Prophet Muhammed’s (saw) mercy and compassion was so deep that animals, even plants would benefit from His existence as their guardian.

 

“Fear Allah (SWT) with regard to animals”, said Prophet Muhammed (saw), “ride them when they are fit to be ridden, and get off their backs when they are tired; surely, there are rewards for being kind and gentle to animals, and for giving them water to drink.”

 

Islam has taught that in the eyes of Almighty Allah (SWT), animals also have rights in the same way as man has. They should not be treated badly, tortured or left to starve without food or water.

 

One day, Prophet Muhammed (saw) told his companions (Sahabah) the story of two women: “A prostitute was guided by Allah’s truth and ultimately went to paradise because she gave water to a dog dying of thirst in the desert.” While a dog was going round a well and was about to die of thirst, prostitute saw it and took off her shoe and watered it. So Allah (SWT) forgave her because of that good deed.” And for the other women, Prophet Muhammed (saw) said, “A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger.” Prophet Muhammed (saw) further said, “You neither fed it nor watered when you locked it up, nor did you set it free to eat the insects of the earth.”

 

Prophet Muhammed (saw) and Animal RightsProphet Muhammed (saw) said: A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well, he descended into it, drank his fill, and came up. Then he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up mud to quench its excessive thirst.

 

The man said, “This dog is feeling the same thirst that I felt.” So he went down into the well again, filled his shoe with water and gave the dog a drink.

 

So, Almighty Allah (SWT) forgave his sins.

 

Prophet Muhammed (saw) was asked, “O Messenger of Allah (SWT), are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?” Prophet Muhammed (saw) replied: There is a reward for kindness to every living animal or human.

 

Prophet Muhammed (saw) was once performing ablution (Wudhu) for prayers from a pot of water. A Cat passed there and turned its eyes at the pot of water with a thirsty look. Prophet Muhammed (saw) realized at once that the Cat was very thirsty, so he stopped the ablution (Wudhu) and placed the pot before the Cat.

 

Only after the Cat had fully quenched its thirst, did Prophet Muhammed (saw) resume the ablution (Wudhu). By this action, Prophet Muhammed (saw) has shown that quenching the thirst of even a small dumb animal is a noble act full of virtue and should be given first attention before one prepares for offering prayers to Almighty Allah (SWT).

 

A man brought the chick of a bird to the gathering of Prophet Muhammed (saw) and his companions (Sahabah), and they noticed that the parent of the chick was following it, flapping around it. When the man sat down its parent threw itself upon its chick, and did not concern itself with the danger, out of care towards its chick. This astonished the companions.

 

Prophet Muhammed (saw) then turned to his companions said: ‘Are you amazed at this bird? You have taken its chick and it threw itself into danger out of mercy for the chick! I swear by Allah (SWT), your Lord is more merciful to you than this bird is to its chick. Then he turned to the man and asked him to let the chick go.

 

Even the means of slaughtering animals in Islam is done in a way which will bring minimal pain to the animal. Is not it amazing that these laws came about 1400 years ago. Yet, we are still struggling to keep animals from being abused and mistreated.

 

The people of the Arabian Peninsula suffered from their tribal and pastoral life in the deserts, coupled with blood-thirsty feudalism. The economic crisis resulting from the exploitation of the people by the ruling class and by bands of usurers had robbed human life of its meaning and darkened the horizon of social well-being.

 

What was lacking was law and justice. The wealthy usurers who engaged in trade in Makkah had amassed enormous amounts of wealth by illegitimate means and exploited the weak and poor classes of society and by overcharging the orphan and the widow. In fact, they increasingly exacerbated anti-human social class differences through usury and oppressive exploitation.

 

Due to their ignorance, the Arab tribes in those days generally engaged in worshipping natural phenomena. Most shameful of all was their worship of lifeless statues – idols. The House of God, the Kaaba, was used as the idol-temple of the Arabs.

 

Any one of the indecent, degrading social and moral customs in Arabia at that time was enough to destroy the honour of a whole nation. False beliefs and class differences were strong. The Arabs wrongly believed that only those were superior who descended from the Arab race and had Arab blood! As a matter of fact, the twentieth-century form of nationalism and racism was quite prevalent among the Arabs during the first pagan period.

 

Arabia during the dark Pre-Islamic TimesMurder, bloodshed, drinking, and illegitimate sexual intercourse were quite ordinary and commonplace. Plunder, robbery, savagery, aggression, and treachery were their obvious characteristics, and genocide was considered a sign of bravery and courage. As the Arabs before the time of the Prophet Muhammed (saw) believed the birth of a daughter to be harmful or were either afraid of poverty and destitution, they either killed their innocent daughters or buried them alive. In some cases even the existence of one daughter in a family was considered shameful.

 

“And do not kill your children for fear of poverty; We give them sustenance and yourselves (too); surely to kill them is a great wrong.” (Noble Qur’an 17:31)

 

Such was the situation and moral conditions of a miserable society out of whose dark horizon came the light of Islam.

 

There is no doubt that a leader who is himself immoral, unscrupulous, and without praise-worthy human characteristics is unable to rectify human societies and save the people. It is only divine leaders who, inspired by Almighty Allah (SWT), are able to make profound basic transformations in all phases of the people’s individual and social life.

 

Now we must try to understand what kind of person such a leader of the worldwide revolution was and what changes he made in the world. It is crystal clear that a person who not only is not affected by such a corrosive society, but also grieves over it and attempts to combat it, possesses a great divine character and is competent to lead people and guide them onto the path of salvation.

Before the advent of Islam, people all over the world were sadly impoverished in thought, opinions, and individual and social attitudes. Although such conditions were not the same in all parts of the world, generally speaking, all the people of the world shared superstitious beliefs, intellectual deviations, inhumane social traditions, myths and social and moral conflicts.

 

Before Islam emerged, the Jews had changed the religion of Prophet Musa / Moses (as) into hidebound dogma and its principles into hollow, lifeless rules and precepts. The spirit of materialism had penetrated into people’s lives. Unfortunately, Christianity, which had been presented for the moral rectification and spiritual refinement of the people, was changed in nature by the Christian clergy and became a vehicle for the passionate ambitions of most of them. Since it lacked complete, comprehensive laws and regulations for social systems, it proved unable to provide the people with deliverance and comprehensive guidance.

 

It was due to such conditions that people all over the world shared superstitious ideas, inhuman social traditions, myths, social and moral conflicts.

 

The fire of corruption and perdition was raging. Superstitions and false views ruled people in the name of religion! Paganism and the concept of the Trinity had been imposed upon them. Many worshipped idols, fire, cows and stars. This same moral and spiritual corruption and regression, which had spread everywhere, caused dishonesty, darkness and deviations in human societies. Bloodshed, murder, tyranny, and oppression prevailed all over the world. In fact, humanity had been put on the verge of the abyss of total destruction!

 

Tears of Rasulullah (saw): How much do you Love Rasulullah (saw)? Suddenly, there was a person said Salaam. “May I come in?” he asked the permission to enter.

 

But Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) did not allow him to enter the room. “I’m sorry, my father is ill,” said Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) turned back and closed the door.

 

Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) went back to her father who had opened his eyes and asked Fatimah, “Who was he, my daughter?”

 

“I don’t know, my father. It’s the first time I’m seeing him,” Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) said gently.

 

Then, Rasulullah (saw) looked at his daughter with trembled look, as if he wanted to reminisce about every part of her daughter’s face. “Know one thing! He is who erases the temporary pleasure; he is who separates the companionship in the world. He is the angel of death (Ezraeel),” said Rasulullah (saw).

 

Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) bore the bomb of her cry. Then, Rasulullah (saw) ask his daughter to allow the angel of death (Ezraeel) to enter.

 

The angel of death (Ezraeel) came toward him; But Rasulullah (saw) asked why Jibril (Gabriel) did not come along with him. Then, Jibril was called. Jibril was ready in the sky to welcome the soul of Habibullah and the leader of the earth.

 

“O Jibril, explain me about my rights in front of ALLAH (SWT)?” Rasulullah (saw) asked with a weak voice.

 

“The doors of sky has opened, the angels are waiting for your soul. Paradise opens widely waiting for you,” Jibril said. But, in fact, those all did not make Rasulullah (saw) relieve, his eyes were still full of worry.

 

“You are not happy to hear this news?” asked Jibril.

 

“Tell me about the destiny of my people in future?”

 

“Don’t worry, O Rasulullah. I heard ALLAH (SWT) told me: I make Paradise Haram (forbidden) for every one, except the people of Muhammad,” Jibril said.

 

It became closer and closer, the time for the angel of death (Ezraeel) to do his work. Slowly, Rasulullah’s soul was pulled. It was seemed that the body of Rasulullah (saw) was full of sweat; the nerves of his neck became tight.

 

“Jibril, how painful this Sakaratul Maut is?” Rasulullah (saw) uttered a groan slowly. Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) closed her eyes, Imam Ali (as) sat beside her, bow deeply and Jibril turned his face back.

 

“Am I repugnant to you that you turn your face back O Jibril?” Rasulullah (saw) asked to the deliverer of Wahi. “Who is the one who could see the Habibullah in his Sakaratul Maut,” Jibril said.

 

Not for a while, Rasulullah uttered a groan because of unbearable pain.

 

“O ALLAH (SWT), how greatest is this Sakaratul Maut. Give me all these pains, don’t to my people.” The body of Rasulullah (saw) became cold, his feet and chest did not move anymore. His lips vibrated as if he wanted to say something, Imam Ali (as) took his ear close to Rasulullah. “Uushiikum bis salati, wa maa malakat aimanuku” – “take care of the Salaat and take care of the weak people among you.”

 

“Outside the room, there were cries shouted each other, Sahabah (Companions) held each other. Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) closed her face with her hands and, again, Imam Ali (as) took his ear close to Rasulullah’s mouth which became bluish.

 

“Ummatii, Ummatii, Ummatii” – “My people, my people, my people.” And the life of the noble prophet ended.

 

Could we love each other like our prophet Muhammad (saw)?

 

Allahuma salli ala Muhammadin wa aale Muhammad (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants)

 

How deep is Rasulullah’s love to us? Indeed Rasulullah (saw) really deserves best of our LOVE than everything in this world as shown in the following narration.

We Muslims believe in what Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said and practiced.

 

“O People, I leave among you two precious and weighty trusts, one being the Book of Allah and the other my Progeny (Ahlul Bayt). These two legacies will never be separated from each other, and if you lay firm hold of them you will never go astray.” (Hadith-E-Saqlain)

 

Because whatever Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said is from Allah (SWT): “Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed.” (Noble Qur’an, 53:3-4)

 

Last Prophet (Seal of the Prophets)2. We Muslims obey Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) in what has been commanded and forsake what he has forbidden or discouraged.

 

“And whatsoever the messenger giveth you, take it. And whatsoever he forbiddeth, abstain (from it).” (Noble Qur’an, 59:7)

 

On the authority of Abu Sa’id bin al-Mu’alla it is reported in Sahih Bukhari that while he was praying in mosque, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) called him. He did not, however, instantly respond. When he finished the prayer, he approached him, pleading that he was praying. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) told him: Do you not know that Allah (SWT) has directed: “O you who believe! Answer Allah and (His) Messenger when he calls you.” (Noble Qur’an, 8:24)

 

Hanzalah was a young man who had not yet completed twenty-four years of his age. The night preceding the day on which the battle of Uhud took place was his wedding night. When he heard the call to Jihad he was perplexed. He found no alternative but to seek permission from Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) to spend that night in Madinah and reach the battlefield on the following day (Noble Qur’an 24:62). Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) granted him permission for one night to consummate the nuptial rites. In the morning he reached the battlefield even before taking ceremonial bath lest he might be late in answering Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) call. In the same state Hanzalah joined the army, fought bravely and attained martyrdom. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “I have seen that the angels were washing Hanzalah.” That is why he is called ‘Ghasilul Malaikah’ (i.e. one who was washed by the angels).

 

Obedience to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) is obligatory The above reports about two Companions that Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) directed them to discontinue the prayer for answering his call, and about Hanzalah who joined his call for Jihad without any delay, prove that Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) is to be obeyed unconditionally. It is clear from the above-quoted Qur’anic verse and Hadith reports that Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) call should be answered instantly.

 

We Muslims worship Allah (SWT) according to the Shar’iah of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), not by whims and Bid’ah (innovations).

 

We Muslims judge ourselves by the Shar’iah of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), and not by any other law.

 

We Muslims love Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) more than our parents, Children, all of mankind, indeed our very selves.

 

Therefore, love for Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) should be more than one’s love for himself, his children, family, worldly possessions and everything. Obedience to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) is obligatory. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has stressed the importance of obeying and following his Sunnah (Ahlul Bayt) with his saying: “None of you will reach belief till I become dearer to him than his children, parents and all humans.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “There is no obedience to any creation in which the disobedience of the Creator is involved.”

 

Say: “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will.” (Noble Qur’an, 6:162-163)

All Muslims of the world, no matter what their sects are, hold in common that Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the last Prophet (Seal of the Prophets), and in fact, Muslims believe in divine prophecy having ended with him, just as they believe in the Oneness of Allah (Tauheed). Allah (SWT) says:

 

“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.” (Noble Qur’an, 33:40)

 

Rights of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) are the most important, after the rights of Allah (SWT). There is no human who has more rights than Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Allah (SWT) says:

 

“Surely We have sent you (O Muhammad) as a witness and as a bearer of good news and as a warner, That you may believe in Allah and His Messenger and may aid him and revere him; and (that) you may declare His glory, morning and evening.” (Noble Qur’an, 48:8-9)

 

“And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) but to all the men as a bearer of good news and as a warner, but most men do not know.” (Noble Qur’an, 34:28)

 

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has many rights. Respect and appreciation for him should be practised in the best manner. Respecting Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) includes respect of and adherence to his Sunnah (Ahlul Bayt). Due rights should be given to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) without exaggeration. When one reads how the sincere companions (Sahabah) used to love and respect Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), one knows the importance of this matter. When Quraish sent Orwa ibn Masud to negotiate with Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) in Hudaybiyah area, he was greatly impressed by how the companions treated Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). He said, “I have visited the kings of Persia, Rome and Abyssinia, but I have not seen any leader more revered and respected by his people than Muhammad. If he ordered them to do anything, they do it without delay. If he performs Wudu (washing up for prayer) they all seek the remainder of the water he used. They never look at him in the eye, out of respect.” This is how Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was treated by his sincere companions. He was Allah’s Last Messenger who possessed great qualities and the best of conduct ever. Allah (SWT) says:

 

“Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much.” (Noble Qur’an, 33:21)

 

“And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality.” (Noble Qur’an, 68:4)

 

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the finest example of a perfect man in every sense of the term. He was a paragon of virtue and is the best exemplar for the human race. The Almighty Allah (SWT) distinguished him from all and sundry by instilling in his sublime personality such fine qualities as modesty, truthfulness, kindness, patience, loyalty, honesty, courage, bravery, generosity, magnanimity, wisdom and the like. By studying his lofty character and the amazingly simple life he (saw) led with his household, companions, wives and others. We are able to learn valuable lessons from his conduct and accordingly mould our own life-style.

 

Our society could never be an Islamic one unless we sincerely tread the footsteps of Almighty Allah’s final Messenger to mankind, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), heed his sayings, observe his glorious actions and attitudes, and most important of all follow them, as the faithful among his sincere companions (Sahabah) followed and believed as shown in the following story:

 

One day Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) while entering the city of Madinah, saw a Jewish Man, just few steps ahead of him, taking his very good breed of Horse towards market to sell. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) liked the Horse. So he negotiated with the Jewish Man and bought it at an agreed price. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) did not have money on him at the time so he asked the Jewish Man to follow him up to his house and he would pay him his due. The Jewish Man agreed.

 

Rights of Rasoolullah on his followersAs they were going, another man approached and asked the Jewish Man if he was selling his Horse and for how much. He said that he had already sold the Horse to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) for such and such amount. This man offered him better price and he agreed to sell the Horse to him.

 

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said to the Jewish Man that since he had already sold the Horse to him, it was wrong to break the agreement just like that. The Jewish Man denied making any agreement. Whilst all this was going on, the passers by stopped and wondered as to what was going on. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) explained exactly what happened.

 

Companions asked: O Messenger of Allah (SWT), do you have any witnesses to support your claim?

 

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) replied: No. We have no witnesses as there was no one present when the agreement was made.

 

Companions said: Sorry, we don’t think we can help you. How can we be sure who is telling the truth and who is lying?

 

In the meanwhile, a very close and sincere companion of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), Huzaima ibn Sabit (ra) happened to pass by and saw Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) surrounded by the people. On inquiring about it, came to know what happened.

 

Huzaima ibn Sabit (ra) said: Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) is telling the truth and the Jewish Man is lying.

 

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked: But you were not present when the agreement was made. So how can you judge without being there?

 

Huzaima ibn Sabit (ra) replied: O Messenger of Almighty Allah (SWT), you said that there is God and we believed you, even though we haven’t seen Him. You told us that Noble Qur’an was the word of Almighty Allah (SWT) and we believed you. You told us about Angels, Heaven and Hell and we believed you, even though we haven’t seen all these things. Then how is it possible that you would lie about such petty thing?

 

Messenger of Almighty Allah (SWT)The moral of the story is that there were some companions who walked, sat and ate with Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), but did not grasp his inner personality and at the same time there were also some other companions of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) who understood him physically as well as spiritually. Hence we should also follow our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) with complete belief as Huzaima ibn Sabit (ra) but not as other companions.

 

The rights of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) include believing him in matters of religion and the past, present and future happenings he told us about. Adherence and submission to his orders are some of his rights. When a Muslim believes in Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and wants to follow his religion, he must do so believing that Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) way is the best way. Believing in Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) includes the affirmation that his religion is the best religion. Allah (SWT) has confirmed all these rights in the following verses of Noble Qur’an, what translated means:

 

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If you love Allah then you follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Say: “Obey Allah and His Messenger”: But if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.” (Noble Qur’an, 3:31-32)

 

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no (real) faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (Noble Qur’an, 4:65)

 

“Whoever obeys the Messenger, he indeed obeys Allah, and whoever turns back, so We have not sent you as a keeper over them.” (Noble Qur’an, 4:80)

 

“And let those beware who go against his order lest a trial afflict them or there befall them a painful chastisement.” (Noble Qur’an, 24:63)

 

“It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: If any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” (Noble Qur’an, 33:36)

The camel has, since olden times, proved to be a very useful animal for desert journeys. It has shown to be dependable and sturdy animal for desert transport. The reason is that it has been created with certain special features which are not to be found in any other animal. It can walk in the hot desert under scorching sun for days and days without feeling tired or thirsty and arrive at the intended destination with his rider – the traveller. Hence the Arabs have named this animal as the ‘Ship of the Desert’.

It was this same animal which had fulfilled in excellent manner the task of conveying the Prophet of Islam from Mecca to Madina. It had also served well in the cause of Islam.

The Prophet, tired of the tortures by the disbelieving Quraish, decided to migrate from Mecca to Madina. He had hidden himself in the cave of Thaur to protect himself against the enemies who wanted to kill him.

Imam Ali (a) sent three camels with a guide to the cave. The Prophet, mounting one of the camels, left the cave in the dark of the night, destined for Madina. On the way, several miracles took place which showed that God’s help was always there to protect the Prophet against the attacks of his enemies.

The distance between Mecca and Madina is about three hundred fifty kilometres. In those days, it used to take eleven days to travel between the two places. But in this instance, the camel carrying the Prophet took only eight days to reach Madina. The Prophet (S) travelled at night, resting during the day-time. He was doing so to protect himself against the desert heat as well as to keep from being seen by the enemies.

On the eighth day, the Prophet along with his companions reached a place known as Quba, just two kilometres outside Madina. There he rested for several days, awaiting Imam Ali (a) and family members. After their arrival they proceeded to enter the city. On seeing the date trees on the outskirts of the holy city, they felt happy and relieved to have finally come out safe from the tortures of their enemies.

The people of Madina keenly awaited his arrival. Suddenly someone from the top of a hill announced that the Prophet had arrived. On hearing this, the people became wild with extreme joy and recited “Allahu Akbar!”, “Allahu Akbar!” – “God is Great!”, “God is Great!”

The Prophet dismounted the camel just outside Madina and sat down under a date tree. People rushed forward to greet and welcome him to their city. He was loved by all and everyone was keen to salute him. After the traditional welcome ceremony, the Prophet mounted his came to enter the holy city. All around, there were expressions of great joy. The children got together and in loud voices chanted the following welcoming poem:

“Tala-Al Badru Alaina

Min Thanayatil Wadai

Wajaba-Shukru Alaina

Ma Da’allaha Da’i”

“The full moon is shining on us from the area of gardens. We must offer thanks (to Allah) so long as anyone prays before Allah.”

“Ayuhal Mab-Uthu Fiina

Je’ta Bil Amril Mutai

Je’ta Shar-Raftal Madina

Marhaban Ya Khaira Dai”

“O’ the one sent to us, you have come with commands which we shall obey. You came and graced Madina, we salute and welcome you, ‘O’ the best caller (towards Allah). “

It was hardly three years since the people of Madina had embraced Islam and had started to worship Allah. The young boys in the city were given a job to eradicate the worship of idols. Wherever they saw an idol, they destroyed it and set fire to it.

One day, the youths came to know that Omar bin Janah, the chief of Bani Salma tribe, had still preserved his idol and worshipped it. In order to impress upon him the uselessness of worshipping idols made of wood, they removed it from his place and threw it down a pit. The chief, on tracing the idol to where it was lying, brought it back, washed it and kept it in its original place. But the next day again it was removed and thrown into the pit.

The chief was very much disturbed at this. For the last lime he brought home this idol and cleaned it. He then put his sword around its neck and said to the idol: “If henceforth anybody comes to you, promptly take action and kill him with the sword.”

On the next day, the idol was again missing. This time he found it tied to a dead body of a dog. There was no effect at all of the sword which he had tied around the neck of the idol. This incident made him lose faith in his man-made wooden idol. He abandoned the idol-worship altogether. On becoming a Muslim, he uttered a poem as under:

“Alas! O’ my idol! If you were my god, you would not have reached this stage and I would not have seen you in the pit along with a dead dog. I have now put my faith in the Almighty Allah, from Whom come all blessings. It is He Who has freed me from darkness of ignorance.”

This is one of the examples of how the young Muslim volunteers of Madina helped the Prophet in putting an end to idol worship and spread the true message of Islam.

When the Prophet entered the city amid great rejoicing, every one wanted him to stay at his house. Particularly, the chiefs of all the tribes were keen to have the Prophet as their guest. Everyone insisted but the Prophet ordered: “Let the reins of the camel loose and I shall get down and stay where it stops by itself.”

The camel went ahead further and further till it stopped at a big open land. It was a place where people used to dry their dates and other farm produce. It knelt there and sat The Prophet dismounted and asked the people, whose land it was. They replied that it belonged to two small children by the name of SAHL and SUHAIL.

Nearby was the house of ABU AYYUB. ABU AYYUB’S mother came forward and took away the luggage of the Prophet to her house. People again persuaded him to put up in their house but the Prophet asked: “Where is my luggage?” The reply was that the mother of ABU AYYUB had taken them to her house. And the Prophet said: “One has to go to stay at a place where one’s luggage and belonging go to.”

Some time later, the name of Yathrib was changed to ‘Madina-tun-Nabi’ i.e. ‘the City of the Prophet.’ He named the people of that city as ANSAR (helpers) and those who had migrated from Mecca as MUHAJIREEN (immigrants). All these people, i.e. the Ansar and the muhajireen got together and united in the common bond of brotherhood of Islam.