Hayat-e-tayyeba

Sunday, 12 March 2017

Chapter 8. 620 AD. Mairaj (The Ascension)

Glory be to Him Who took His devotee (Muhammad) one night from Masjid-al-Haram (in Makkah) to Masjid-al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem), whose vicinity We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs: surely He is the One Who is the Hearer, the Observer Surah 17.1.

In the night of 27th Rajab in the 12th year of his mission in 620 C.E., when the Holy Prophet felt sad and disconsolate, he was uplifted to the Heavens, and there he was assured of the destiny of Islam.
The Holy Prophet declared publicly about the previous night’s experience that he had been bodily carried from Makkah to Masjid al Aqsa at Jerusalem, and from there he had ascended to the heavens. Mairaj (Ascension), was a real bodily one and not only a vision. It was at this time that Allah ordered the Muslims to pray the five daily prayers.
The distance so covered on earth is about 1300 KM. Quraish had often visited Masjid-e-Aqsa and also knew that the holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و had never gone there. So they disbelieved and regarded it as an absurdity, as they knew that a caravan took two months to reach and return from Jerusalem. They further held it to be fantastic to ascend the heavens. Some Muslims also wavered in their belief about the ascension. Allah's Messenger described his Night Journey saying: "While I was lying in Al-Hatim or Al-Hijr, suddenly someone came to me and cut my body open from here to here." (from throat to upper part of waist). The Prophet further said, "He then took out my heart. Then a gold tray of Belief was brought to me and my heart was washed and was filled (with Belief) and then returned to its original place. Then a white animal which was smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey (Buraq) was brought to me.". Details of this journey as are available in 'Bukhari' have been omitted to shorten the narration.

1. Journey towards the skies.

In Masjid-e-Aqsa the Buraq was tied with a nail and an elevator of Noor was provided to ascend up to the heavens. The description of further journey towards first heaven goes on as under:-
I was carried on it, and Gabriel set out with me till we reached the nearest heaven. "When he asked for the gate to be opened, it was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has Muhammad been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened, and when I went over the first heaven, I saw Adam there. Gabriel said (to me): 'This is your father, Adam; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious son and pious Prophet.'
From one heaven to anther, the holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم was carried on the feathers of the angles.
In this manner, the Prophet reached the second heaven and saw John (Yahya) and Jesus (Isa), who were cousins of each other. They returned his greetings with the words: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.'
Over the third heaven the Prophet saw Joseph (Yusuf) who greeted him and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.
Over the fourth heaven, Enoch (Idris) greeted him and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.'
Over the fifth heaven, Harun (Aaron) greeted him and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.'
Over the sixth heaven, Moses (Musa) greeted him and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.'
The Holy Prophet narrates:" When I left him (i.e. Moses) he wept. Someone asked him: 'What makes you weep?' Moses said: 'I weep because after me there has been sent (as Prophet) a young man whose followers will enter Paradise in greater numbers than my followers.'
Over the seventh heaven, Abraham (Ibrahim) greeted him and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious son and pious Prophet.'

2. Journey beyond heavens. معرراج

The journey from the heavens to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha was on the wings of Hz. Jibrael عليه السلام where the holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم was made to ascend. Sidrat-ul-Muntaha the Tree of the utmost boundary is a place where Hz. Jibrael عليه السلام lives to receive and carry out Devine orders and beyond which he is not permitted to ascend. It's fruits were like the jars of Hajr (i.e. a place near Medina) and its leaves were as big as the ears of elephants. There ran four rivers, two were hidden and two were visible. As for the hidden rivers, they are two rivers in Paradise and the visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates.'
The holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم narrated: 'Then Al-Bait-ul-Mamur (i.e. the Sacred House) was shown to me and a container full of wine and another full of milk and a third full of honey were brought to me. I took the milk. Gabriel remarked: 'This is the Islamic religion which you and your followers are following'. Jibrael عليه السلام showed inability to go further saying that my feathers would burn if I take one more step.
The journey beyond this place was performed on RAFRAF the speed ROPHET which was more than that of the carriers so far used, taken to gather. By this the holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم was alighted at somewhere which is beyond description and imagination. There was just noor and noor every where and nothing else. The holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم narrates the I heard sound asking me to come closer. When I took first step I covered the destination so far covered taken to gather. I was again asked to come closer and that next step covered the destination so far covered taken to gather and so on till there was closeness was like that of two arches. Then my Lord reveled me whatever He wanted.'

3. Prayers enjoined

Worship at fixed hours hath been enjoined on the believers. Surah 4.103

The holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم goes on 'Then the prayers were enjoined on me: they were fifty prayers a day. When I returned, I passed by Moses, who asked (me): 'What have you been ordered to do?' I replied: 'I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers a day.' Moses said: 'Your followers cannot bear fifty prayers a day, and by Allah I have tested people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel (in vain). Go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your follower's burden.' So I went back, and Allah reduced the prayers for me. Then again I came to Moses, but he repeated the same as he had said before. Again and again he sent me back and Allah reduced the prayers till they remained five times a day.
"When I came back to Moses, he said: 'What have you been ordered?' I replied: 'I have been ordered to observe five prayers a day.' He said: 'Your followers cannot bear five prayers a day, and no doubt, I have got an experience of the people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel, so go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers' burden.' I said: 'I have requested so much of my Lord that I feel ashamed, but I am satisfied now and surrender to Allah's Order.' When I left, I heard a voice saying: 'I have passed My order and have lessened the burden of My worshipers."

4. 620 AD. Foreigners attracted

The Holy Prophet's ascension to the Heavens (Mairaj), proved to be a turning point in the history of Islam and had its repercussions on the life of Ali. After this the clouds began to lift, and things became easier for the Muslims. The tribes around Makkah divided in their opinions and some persons out of them accepted the new faith.
When most of his fellow citizens did not care to listen to him, he turned his attention to the strangers arriving in the city on commerce or pilgrimage. But the Quraish made attempts to frustrate his efforts. They hastened themselves to meet the strangers first on the different routes, to warn them against holding any communication with the Prophet, whom they represented as a dangerous magician.
When the pilgrims or traders returned to their homes, they carried with them the news of the advent of the bold preacher who was inviting the Arabs loudly - at the risk of his own life - to abandon the worship of their dear idols.

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Chapter 7 619 Sorrow

619 AD. Death of Hz. Abu Talib RA.

In 619 C.E. Abu Talib died. The Quraish began to prepare for another major offensive to be launched after the death of Abu Talib. The Holy Prophet regarded Abu Talib more than a father who protected him despite the strong pressure of the Quraish.
Abu Talib recorded some times before his death, a bequest, that was hung in the Kaaba, in which he asked Quraish to be kind and well disposed towards Muhammad because he is truthful and trustee among the Quraish, and amongst the whole Arabs. He says which your heart accepts but your lips do not confirm. The people have widened their hearts to follow and obey him and the Quraish should befriend, support and follow him.
This bequest (reproduced at item 1 of the Annexture,) was written by Ali and was dictated by Abu Talib.
The Quraish felt annoyed at the bequest, and said that Abu Talib had lost his senses in old age.

619 AD. Death of Hz. Khadija RA.

A few days after the death of Abu Talib, Khadija also passed away. Khadija had been for the Holy Prophet more than a wife. She placed all her wealth at his disposal. She gave him love and strength . She supported him through thick and thin. To Ali she had been more than a mother. The deaths of Abu Talib and Khadija marked the end of an epoch.
Ali composed elegiac verses on this occasion, some of which are reproduced at item 2 of the Annx.

619 AD.The year of sorrow

The passing away of Abu Talib and Khadija created a great vacum in the life of the Holy Prophet. He felt very lonely and disconsolate. His grief was so intense that the Muslims called the year "619 C.E," as the "Year of Sorrow. " Ali shared this grief with the Holy Prophet In heart-rending verses. He mourned the deaths of Abu Talib and Khadija.( reproduced at item 3 of the Annx.)

Marriage with an old lady

At the instance of Khawla bint Hakim the Holy Prophet married an elderly lady Sauda bint Zama'a, who was among the early converts to Islam and a good housewife. She looked after the house and the children of the Holy Prophet with proper care and great affection. Khawla also suggested him to marry some young lady as well who could keep him company and suggested that Ayesha the daughter of Abu Bakr would be a good choice. The Holy Prophet left it to Khawla to pursue the matter with Abu Bakr.

619 A team of Jinn accepted Islam.

Hurt and wounded, he and Hz.Harith رضى الله عنه took rest for a while out of the garden belonging to Atba bin Rabiya and Sheeba bin Rabiya. After a while, their servant Addas came with a bunch of grapes for them.Then they restarted their return journey and took halt for 10 days in the valley of Nakhalah. As the Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم returned from Taif he stayed of about 10 days in the Nakhalah valley where a team of Jinn came from Nasibeen Turkey, and listened the holy Quran. Most of them were on the deen of Hz. Musa عليه السلام and some of them were on no deen. When they hared the recitation they realized that it is almost the same teaching with previous prophets used to give and therefore they believed in it and became Muslim. At that time Ayat 28 to 32 were revealed on the holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم .
Earlier also in the initial days when the Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم was going to Ukaz with some of the Muslim companions, a team of Jinn came and listened the holy Quran very keenly. At that time Surah Jinn was revealed.

619 AD. Another approach of Quraish to Abu Talib

The social boycott ended without result as envisaged but it was not the end of trouble. The Quraish were bent upon to adopt more stringent measures. In the meantime, Abu Talib, who was already eighty years’ old, fell sick after the strain of the confinement during the Boycott. At such a sorrowful time, a deputation of the Quraish visited him and said that they were inclined to offer terms of peace, that if Muhammad desisted from maligning their faith and criticizing their gods, they would let him alone to have his own way without any interference by the Quraish. The Holy Prophet said that "here under there is no god but Allah, and all other gods are false". As the two ways crossed each other no agreement could be reached between the parties.

619 Protection given in Mecca

On reaching Mecca, the Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم sent Hz. Harith رضى الله عنه to Akhnas bin Sharif and Saheel bin Amru and Mut'am bin Adi but he was given protection only by Mut'am bin Adi and his sons who gave the Quraish warning that henceforth the Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم should not be teased.

Thursday, 17 November 2016

Chapter 6 617 Another approach

617 AD.Boycott of Hashimies for three years.

Towards the end, in the seventh year of the commission, In 617 C.E. Quraish decided to enforce social boycott against Banu Hashim. An agreement was drawn up which was signed by the representatives of all the sections of the Quraish, except the Banu Hashim, They made a solemn covenant against the descendants of Hashim and Muttalib, according to which there will be no marriage and no communication with any of them and that they would neither sell anything to nor buy anything from the Banu Hashim. Upon this, the Quraish became divided into two factions, and the two families of Hashim and This covenant was pasted on the wall of the Holky Kaaba to keep it remembered.
Towards the end, in the seventh year of the commission, In 617 C.E. Quraish decided to enforce social boycott against Banu Hashim. An agreement was drawn up which was signed by the representatives of all the sections of the Quraish, except the Banu Hashim, They made a solemn covenant against the descendants of Hashim and Muttalib, according to which there will be no marriage and no communication with any of them and that they would neither sell anything to nor buy anything from the Banu Hashim. Upon this, the Quraish became divided into two factions, and the two families of Hashim and This covenant was pasted on the wall of the Holky Kaaba to keep it remembered.
Abu Lahab, the Prophet's uncle, however, out of his inveterate hatred of his nephew and his doctrine, went over to the opposite party, whose chief was Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb, of the family of Umayya.
The persecuted party, Muslims as well as idolaters were confined to a defile on the eastern skirts of Mecca. They lived in this defensive position for three years. In the sacred months, when violence was considered sacrilege, the Prophet used to come out of his temporary prison to preach Islam to the pilgrims.
The provisions which they had carried with them were soon exhausted. Probably they would have entirely perished but for the sympathy and occasional help received from less bigoted compatriots Towards the beginning of the tenth year of the mission, Hisham, Ibn 'Umar, and Zobeir, Ibn Abu Umayya pointed out that the covenant pasted at kaaba had been eaten by moths and that there was nothing except the name of Hz. Muhammad SAS. Thus, the alliance against the two families was abolished, and they were returned to Mecca.

617 AD.Hz. Abu Talib as a poet

It is worth note that all other families of the Banu Hashim sided with the Holy Prophet even though they had not accepted Islam. In some verses composed by Abu Talib he says addressing the Quraish: "Did you not know that we have found Muhammad a prophet like Moses described in the oldest books". When the boycott was lifted, and the boycott document was torn, Abu Talib composed some more verses, such as, "The deed was torn up, and all that was against God's wish was destroyed". The thoughts in these verses could be of no other than a Muslim. This indicates that Abu Talib might have accepted the new faith, but could not declare it because he did not want the people to say that Abu Talib professed Islam for fear of death.

Wednesday, 16 November 2016

Chapter 5 615-616 Preaching contd.

615 AD/Preaching continued

The Prophet continued his warnings to the Quraish more strenuously than ever. Again they came to him with offers of riches and honor, which he firmly and utterly refused. But they mocked at him and urged him for miracles to prove his mission. He used to answer: "Allah has not sent me to work wonders; He has sent me to preach to you." Thus disclaiming all power of wonder-working, the Prophet ever rested the truth of his divine mission upon his wise teachings. He addressed himself to the inner consciousness of man, to his common sense and to his own better judgment.

615 AD. Demand for a sign of Risalat

Despite all the exhortations of the Prophet, the Quraish persisted in asking him for a sign. They insisted that unless some sign be sent down to him from his Lord, they would not believe. They failed to recollect the fate of those people whose prophets were sent with miracles and who were destroyed as they refused to be on right path even after witnessing them.

615 AD.Attack against the Holy Quran

The Holy Quran served as shield for the Muslims, so they launched an attack against the Holy Quran charging that it was not a revealed book. Its authorship was owned by a Christian named Jabir. Allah Himself refuted the charge by pointing out that Jabir, not being Arab, was not proficient in the Arabic language. A challenge was given to them that if it was a work of human authorship, they should produce something like that. The Quraish were unable to accept the challenge and thus, attack on the Quran failed.

616 AD. Quraish attempted character assassination

We know that your heart is distressed by what they say against you. The cure of your heart's distress is that you should celebrate the praises of your Rabb and be of those who prostrate themselves before Him, and worship your Rabb until there come to you which is certain (death). Surah 15.97-99

The growing strength of the Muslim community stirred the Quraish who launched a vilification campaign. Their poets ridiculed the Holy Prophet and his faith. Ali, being a poet, also wrote, highlighting the truth about Islam. The Quraish made undignified attempt towards the character assassination of the Holy Prophet posing him to be a mad, or a victim of hallucination or a ‘vizard’ or a ‘Kahin’ or a victim of some Jinn.

616 AD. Demand of showing Miracles

When all attempts failed, the Quraish made a demand of proof for veracity of the Holy Prophet by way of showing them the angel. They demanded that he should ask God to turn the rocks of Makkah into gold or to show them some miracle or to convert the desert of Arabia into an oasis. Some said that if he was a prophet, and knew of things not known to others, he should show them the spots where treasure was buried under the earth. The Holy Prophet maintained that the Holy Quran was his miracle, and he challenged the unbelievers to produce anything like that.

616 AD.Moon breaks in two pieces

During the lifetime of the Prophet the moon was split into two parts and on that the Prophet said, "Bear witness (to thus)." That the Meccan people requested Allah's Apostle to show them a miracle, and so he showed them the splitting of the moon. Bukhari 4.830,831

The idolaters of Quraish had been demanding to show a miracle if the claim of being a Prophet is true. They wanted to see if the Prophet can break the moon in pieces. The Holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم pointed his finger towards the moon and cut into two pieces, one by the side of Mountain Hira and the other at its another side and the Prophet said to be witness. But they were bent upon falsifying the Prophet and replied that it is just magic. One of them questioned that if it is magic, why it is not spelled on you earthly people but there was no reply. Some travelers on their return met Abu Jahl and told his what they saw of the moon but he said that it is just an old magic. The breaking of the moon was testified by a lot of companions and the Holy Quran has also a mention of it.

616 AD.Hz. Umar accepted Islam

In the meantime, the Holy Quran showed its miraculous aspect in many ways. During this period, 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab adopted Islam. In him the new faith gained a valuable adherent and an important factor in the future development and propagation of Islam. Earlier he had been a bitter enemy of Islam and the Prophet. One day, Umar a fiery youth among the Quraish and an inveterate enemy of the Muslims girded his sword and came out with the intention of putting an end to the life of the Holy Prophet. In the way he met a friend who advised him to take care of his sister and her husband first who had become Muslims. Umar heard some verses of the Holy Quran, at the house of his sister which moved him to such an extent that he hastened to the Holy Prophet to owe him allegiance. His conversion was the result of a miraculous effect on his mind of a surah of the Qur'an which his sister was reading in her house, Thus the party of the Prophet had been strengthened by the conversion of his uncle Hamza, a man of great valor and merit; and of Abu Bakr and Umar, both men of great energy and reputation. The Muslims now ventured to perform their devotions in public.

The conversion of Umar proved to be a matter of a great setback for the Quraish. Al Tufail b Amr of the Daus tribe, an eminent Arabic poet came to Makkah. Quraish met him and put pressure on him not to see Muhammad (peace be on him) as he was a wizard and a sorcerer. He said that, after hearing the verses of the Holy Quran he would judge, being a poet as to how far the Quran was genuine or otherwise. He saw the Holy Prophet, heard some verses of the Holy Quran and was so much impressed that he lost no time in conversion to Islam.

The Quraish also tried in vain, to prevail upon a delegation of a dozen Christians, who came from the interior of Arabia, having heard of the advent of the Holy Prophet, as according to their assessment he was an imposter. They saw the Holy Prophet, heard the Holy Quran, were impressed and were converted to Islam.

616 AD. Bedouins converted

When the Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم spoke reproachfully of the sacred gods of the Quraish, the latter redoubled their persecution. But the Prophet, nevertheless, continued his preaching undaunted by the hostility of his enemies or by their bitter persecution of him. And despite all opposition and increased persecution, the new faith gained ground. The national fair at Okadh near Mecca attracted many desert Bedouins and trading citizens of distant towns. These people listened to the teachings of the Prophet, to his admonitions, and to his denunciations of their sacred idols and of their superstitions. They carried back all that they had heard to their distant homes, and thus the advent of the Prophet was made known to almost all parts of the peninsula.

616AD. Quraish offered the crown of Mecca

In view of their failure in the attack on sanctity of the Holy Qur’an, the Quraish changed their strategy. They whipped up their persecution campaign on the one hand, and offered inducements to the Holy Prophet on the other hand by offering him the crown of Makkah in case he desisted from his activities. The Prophet was neither daunted by the persecution campaign nor was he attracted by their inducements and declared that even if all the wealth of the world was offered to him, he would not falter in the fulfillment of the mission entrusted to him by God.

616 AD. Quraish for a decisive blow

Alarmed at the bold part which the Prophet and his followers were now able to assume, and roused by the return of the deputies from Abyssinia and the announcement of their unsuccessful mission, the Quraish determined to check by a decisive blow any further progress of Islam.

616 AD. Quraish approach Abu Talib

By the year 616 C.E. the Quraish felt the ground slipping under their feet and they failed to prevail any Muslim to return to his previous faith. On the other hand some remarkable conversions had been made to Islam which had, by now, spread outside Makkah, and pockets of the Muslims had come to be established in other parts of Arabia. The Quraish became desperate. The only way left before them was to kill Muhammad صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم . But as he enjoyed the protection of his tribe Banu Hashim, there was no chance for this evel design. The Meccans were more than ever furious at the Prophet's increasing preaching against their religion. They asked his uncle, Abu Talib, to stop him, but he could not do anything. At length, as the Prophet persisted in his ardent denunciations against their ungodliness and impiety, they turned him out from the Kaba where he used to sit to preach, and subsequently went in a body to Abu Talib. They urged the venerable chief to prevent his nephew from abusing their gods any longer or uttering any ill words against their ancestors. They warned Abu Talib that if he would not do that, he would be excluded from the communion of his people and driven to side with Muhammad; the matter would then be settled by fight until one of the two parties was exterminated.

Abu Talib neither wished to separate himself from his people, nor forsake his nephew for the idolaters to revenge themselves upon. He spoke to the Prophet very softly and begged him to abandon his affair. To this suggestion the Prophet firmly replied: "0 my uncle, if they placed the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand to cause me to renounce my task, verily I would not desist therefrom until Allah made manifest His cause or I perished in the attempt." The Prophet, overcome by the thought that his uncle and protector was willing to desert him, turned to depart. But Abu Talib called him loudly to come back, and he came. "Say whatever you please; for by the Lord I shall not desert you ever." The Quraish again attempted in vain to cause Abu Talib to abandon his nephew. The venerable chief declared his intention to protect his nephew against any menace or violence. He appealed to the sense of honor of the two families of the Bani Hashim and the Bani Muttalib, both families being kinsmen of the Prophet, to protect their member from falling victim to the hatred of rival parties. All the members of the two families nobly responded to the appeal of Abu Talib except Abu Lahab, one of the Prophet's uncles, who took part with the persecutors.

616 AD The Rome

In the war which broke out between the Persians and the Byzantines the territories of Syria and Jerusalem belonging to Byzantines fell to Persians in the war in 614 C.E. and next the Persians captured Egypt in 616 C.E. At that time, the Byzantines lay low. The pagan Arabs, Quraish of Makkah rejoiced at the victory of Persia as they were polytheists whom the Quraish favored. They took such victory to signify that their gods were superior to the God of the Christians and the Muslims.

It was at this stage that the Surah Ar-Rum (Surah 30) was revealed and the Holy Prophet prophesied that within ten years the Byzantines would defeat the Persians. The Arabs considered it beyond possibility and prima facie it appeared difficult that they would defeat the Persians but Abu Bakr felt confident that the prophesy would be fulfilled. He had an altercation with some of the Quraish, saying "How can the revelation of God be false?" Ubaiy b Khalf a Quraish leader said to Abu Bakr, "If you are sure, let us have a wager." Abu Bakr agreed and entered into a wager agreement on one hundred camels with Ubaiy b. Khalf with the time limit for the fulfillment as within nine years binding on the heirs of the parties.

The outcome

Within a few years the Byzantines became strong and attacked Persia. In the battle of Issus in 622 C.E. the Persians suffered the first defeat. Other battles were fought during 623-25 in which the Byzantines had the upper hand. The decisive battle was fought on the banks of the Tigris near the city of Mosul in 627 C.E. when Persia surrendered and asked for terms. As a result of this reverse there was a revolt against the Persian king Khosroes II who was killed by his own son Sherwayh who made peace with the Byzantines by abandoning all the conquests that Persia had made earlier. Thus the promise of God as made in Surah Ar-Rum was literally fulfilled. By this time Ubaiy was dead, but his heirs honored the agreement and gave a hundred camels to Abu Bakr! They also accepted Islam. The fulfillment of the forecast was a proof positive of the truth of Islam. Abu Bakr gave away all the hundred camels as Sadaqa.

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

Chapter 3 611-613

Part 'C' 611-622 AD (11yrs.) in Mecca after Risalat (age 40 to 51 yrs)

Polytheism and slavery

Worship of several gods and Slavery was deeply rooted among the people of Mecca. The Quraish had personal material interests in the old worship, and their prestige was dependent upon its maintenance. Most of the Quraish were slave owners. The slaves were being exploited and treated in an inhuman way by their masters. unobtrusively.P

Efforts in first three years

For three weary long years, the Prophet labored very quietly to deliver his people from the worship of idols and to oppose the ruling oligarchy which governed its destine and only thirty followers were secured in this period. Many of the slaves were attracted by Islam as it lays a charter of freedom for the distressed humanity and equality. It stipulated that no person could be the slave of another person. When many slaves accepted Islam, the slave owners felt much concerned considering it as a threat to their economic interests. They resorted to a campaign of persecution and torture against the slaves who professed to be Muslims.

Change in outlook of Meccans

An important change now occurred in the relations of the Prophet with the citizens of Mecca. His compatriots had begun to doubt his sanity, thinking him crazy or possessed by an evil spirit. Hitherto he had preached quietly and

613 AD Reaction of Hz.Abu Talib RA.

Once, Abu Talib saw the Muslims praying behind the Holy Prophet with Ali in a glen out side Makkah. He asked Ali as to whom they were praying, and what was the religion they had adopted? He replied that they were praying to Allah, the Lord of the world and the universe. There was no god but Allah and Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was His prophet. Abu Talib pondered for a while and said, "If Muhammad has become the prophet, hold fast to him for he cannot but be right. I know that his elevation to prophet hood was expected many years ago". When the Holy Prophet and Ali visited the house of Abu Talib, they had a more detailed discussion about the new faith. He enquired as to what was the religion he was following. The Prophet replied that it is the religion of Allah of His Angels, of His Messengers and of our ancestor Abraham, that Allah has sent me to His servants, to direct them towards the truth, and that you, my uncle, are the most worthy of all that I should call upon you to accept the truth and help in spreading it. Abu Talib was sympathetic, but he could not abandon the faith of his forefathers being one of the tribal chiefs but promised that none shall dare to injure the Prophet till Abu Talib was alive. He also warned of the opposition of the Quraish, though the family will extend full support. Jafar, a brother of Ali, wanted some more time to consider over the matter.

613 AD. Open proclamation

The command of God to proclaim the message of Islam publicly and to start with Banu Hashim came after three years of prophet hood in 613 C.E. to make an open declaration of faith. Thus began an extra ordinary battle between truth and falsehood in history.

First public announcement

The first public meeting held for this purpose was addressed by Abu Bakr inviting the people to offer allegiance to the Holy Prophet. The Quraish were exasperated at this daring of the Muslims. In a fit of fury the Quraish young men rushed at Abu Bakr, and beat him mercilessly till he lost consciousness. Abu Bakr was carried to his home.

The feast

The Holy Prophet invited about forty Hashimites to a feast. After the feast the Holy Prophet gave details about the orders of Allah commissioning him as His prophet and said that there was no god but Allah, and that he was His Messenger commissioned to call the people to the faith. Waxing eloquent the Holy Prophet said that in the task of promoting the new faith he needed their support. He posed the question, "Who out of you would support me in this task? No one uttered a word but Young Ali rose to say, "Holy Prophet, I will be your support"? The Holy Prophet looked approvingly at young Ali, and thanked him. The Holy Prophet posed the same question for the second and third time but, no one responded. Each time the young Ali rose to offer his support in unequivocal terms. Abu Talib did not consider it advisable to make a public declaration of his support, but was happy at the courage shown by the young Ali.

After the feast

After the feast, some members of the family like Jafar a brother of Ali with his wife Asma, and Hamza, an uncle of the Holy Prophet and Ali were attracted to the new faith. During the first three years, the message of Islam was conveyed to the friends privately, amongst them Abu Bakr was the first to be converted to Islam. In spite of the refusal at the time of call from Mt.Safa, some persons were attracted and offered allegiance to the Holy Prophet and despite the unfavorable conditions about one hundred persons, men and women accepted Islam.

The roll of HZ.Abu Bakr رضى الله عنه

Hz. Abu Bakr, was a leading member of the Quraish tribe and an honest, wealthy merchant who enjoyed great consideration among his compatriots. He was but two years younger than the Prophet. His adoption of the new faith was of great moral effect. He presented Islam in such a way that his friends of status and high social standing like those listed below, opted for Islam. 1. Uthman bin Affan 2. Zubair bin Awam 3. Talhah bin Ubaidullah 4. Sa'ad b AbiWaqas 5. Abdur Rahman b 'Auf, 6. Umar b Masoan 7. Abu Ubaidah b. Al-Jarrah, 8. Abu Salma. 9..Abdullah b. AbdulAsad 10. Khalid b Saeed 11. Abu Hudhaifah. Several converts also came from lower classes of the Arabs to adopt the new religion. They all proved to be great assets for Islam. In this way the chain came to be extended quite satisfactorily. The early Muslims prayed in secluded glens, or other solitary places.

Abu Lahab

Abu Lahab a step uncle of the Holy Prophet ridiculed the new faith, and felt sorry that his nephew had lost his sense, and was suffering from some hallucination. He wanted the guests to disperse.

Great struggle ahead

Though disappointed with the attitude of Hashimites, the Holy Prophet was not daunted as he knew that in order to accomplishing his assignment, he should prepare himself to face difficulties. After this, the Holy Prophet decided to make a public declaration of his faith. Though disappointed with the attitude of Hashimites, the Holy Prophet was not daunted as he knew that in order to accomplishing his assignment, he should prepare himself to face difficulties. After this, the Holy Prophet decided to make a public declaration of his faith.

613 AD Massage to the people of Mecca

The Prophet continued preaching to the Arabs in a most gentle and reasonable manner. He called the people, so accustomed to iniquity and wrong doings, to abandon their abominations. In burning words which excited the hearts of his hearers, he warned them of the punishment which Allah had inflicted upon the ancient tribes of 'Ad and Thamud who had obstinately disobeyed the teachings of Allah's messengers to them. He spoke to them of the Day of Reckoning, when their deeds in this world will be weighed before the Eternal Judge, when the children who had been buried alive will be asked for what crime they were put to death.

Hz. Hamza رضى الله عنه adopts Islam

At this time Hamza, the youngest son of Abdul Muttalib, adopted Islam. Hamza was a man of distinguished bravery, an intrepid warrior, generous and true, whose heroism earned for him the title of the "Lion of Allah." He became a devoted adherent of Islam and eventually lost his life in the cause.

Quraish alarmed

As the number of believers increased and the cause of the Prophet was strengthened by the conversions of many powerful citizens, the Prophet's preaching alarmed the Quraish. Their power and prestige were at stake

Persecution begins

When all the tactics of the Quraish proved abortive, they started to persecute the Muslims physically and subjected them to great hardships. The hostile Quraish prevented the Prophet from offering his prayers at the Sacred House of the Kaba; they pursued him wherever he went; they covered him and his disciples with dirt and filth when engaged in their devotions; they scattered thorns in the places which he frequented for devotion and meditation.

Method of torture

The Quraish organized a system of persecution in order to suppress the movement before it became firmly established. They decided that each family should take upon itself the task of stamping out the new faith on the spot. Each household tortured its own members or adherents or slaves who were supposed to have connected themselves with the new religion.

Victims of torture

With the exception of the Prophet, and Abu Bakr and a few others who were either distinguished by their rank or possessed some influence among the Quraish, all other converts were subjected to different sorts of torture. 1.Usman b Affan was bound and beaten by his uncle Hakam b Al'Aas. 2.His uncle wrapped Zubair b Awam in a mat and passed smoke through his nose. 3. Abdullah bin Masud was mercilessly beaten by the Quraish when he recited Qur’an in Ka’ba. 4. A lady Umm Shareek was made to stand under the hot sun for three days, and was not allowed to drink water. 5.Khabbab was forced to lie on live cinders. 6.Ammar was thrown on burning sand and severely beaten till he lost consciousness. 7.His mother Sumaiyya was stabbed to death by Abu Jahl. 8. His father Yasir was tortured to death. 9.Suhaib was beaten so mercilessly that he lost his mental balance. Some of them were thrown into prison, starved, and then flogged. The hill of Ramada and the place called Bata thus became scenes of cruel torture.

Muslims not allowed to retaliate

The persecutions of the Quraish were not confined to the Holy Prophet or Abu Bakr. Almost every Muslim convert became a victim of the persecutions of the Quraish. When the Quraish subjected the poorer sections of the Muslims to hardship, Ali and some other young men asked the permission of the Holy Prophet to let them retaliate, and die fighting against the Quraish. Amidst all these trials the Prophet did not waver. He was full of confidence in his mission, even when on several occasions he was put in imminent danger of losing his life.

Training of endurance

In fact the Muslims were undergoing rigorous training of endurance to accustom themselves to bear with the utmost hardships that they would be facing in the times to come for the cause of establishing the rule of Almighty Allah without fear of a loss what so ever of a possession, a limb or even that of life because the most precious of all things, the Imaan, the love of Allah and the Holy Prophet was fully protected deeply in their heart of hearts.

613 AD. Inducement

One day the Quraish tried to induce the Prophet to discontinue his teachings of the new religion which had sown discord among their people. Utba Ibn Rabi'a, was delegated to see the Prophet and to make a proposition that if this affair is for the sake to acquire riches, honors, and dignity, the Quraish are willing to collect for you a fortune larger than is possessed by any one of us; we shall make you our chief and will do nothing without you. If you desire dominion, we shall make you our king; and if the demon which possesses you cannot be subdued, we will bring you doctors and give them riches until they cure you. When 'Utba had finished his discourse, the Prophet recited to him the first thirteen verses of Surah Fussilat 41: 1-13 and replied turning down the proposition; to take what course they find best.

Chapter 4 615-I Hijrat

Part 'D' First Hijrat and its consequences

615 AD. First Hijrat

As more and more persons became Muslims, the Quraish lost their nerve, and intensified their persecutions against them. Persecution by the Quraish grew fiercer every day and the sufferings of the Prophet's disciples became unbearable and they were not allowed to retaliate as no permission was given by the Almighty Allah. Seeing the afflictions on his companions, the Holy Prophet advised them to migrate to Abyssinia. He had heard of the righteousness, tolerance, and hospitality of the neighboring Christian king of Abyssinia. He recommended such of his companions who were without protection to seek refuge in the kingdom of that pious king, Al Najashi (Negus). Some eighty Muslim men and women of the unprotected adherents of Islam promptly availed themselves of the advice and sailed to Abyssinia living all their worldly possessions behind. Here they met with a very kind reception from the Negus. This is called the first hijrah (migration) in the history of Islam and occurred in the fifth year of the Prophet Muhammad's mission, A.D. 615. These emigrants were soon followed by many of their fellow sufferers, until the number reached eighty-three men and eighteen women.

615 AD. Quraish tried to bring back Muhajirs

Muslim settlement outside Arabia was likely to help in the promotion of Islam in other parts of the world. Along the borders of Arabia it was likely to be a source of strength to the Muslims because of the opportunities for economic betterment and strengthening of their trade relations with Abyssinia. The Quraish were live to these advantages that were likely to accrue to the migrated Muslims in Abyssinia. The hostile Quraish, furious at the escape of their victims, sent deputies to the king to request him to deliver up the refugees, that they might be put to death for adjuring their old religion and embracing a new one. The king summoned the poor fugitives and inquired of them as to what was the religion which they had adopted in preference to their old faith. Jafar, son of Abu Talib and brother of Ali, acted as spokesman for the exiles. He spoke thus: "0 king, we were plunged in the depth of ignorance and barbarism, we adored idols, we lived in un chastity, we ate dead bodies, and we spoke abominations, we disregarded every feeling of humanity and sense of duty towards our neighbors, and we knew no law but that of the strong, when Allah raised among us a man, of whose birth, truthfulness, honesty, and purity we were aware. He called us to profess the Unity of Allah and taught us to associate nothing with Him; he forbade us the worship of idols and enjoined us to speak the truth, to be faithful to our trusts, to be merciful, and to regard the rights of neighbors; he forbade us to speak evil of the worship of Allah and not to return to the worship of idols of wood and stone and to abstain from evil, to offer prayers, to give alms, to observe the fast. We have believed in him, we have accepted his teachings and his injunctions to worship Allah alone and to associate nothing with Him. Hence our people have persecuted us, trying to make us forego the worship of Allah and return to the worship of idols of wood and stone and other abominations. They have tortured us and injured us until, finding no safety amongst them, we have come to your kingdom trusting you will give us protection against their persecution." After hearing the above speech, the hospitable king ordered the deputies to return to their people in safety and not to interfere with their fugitives. Thus the emigrants passed the period of exile in peace and comfort. Jafar, acting as the spokesman of the Muslims presented such a splendid picture of Islam that the Negus was much impressed, and he refused to oblige the Quraish. The discomfiture of the Quraish mission to Abyssinia gave a great setback to their cause and they stepped up their opposition to the new faith.

615 AD. The case in the court of the king of Abyssinia

The Quraish were live to these advantages that were likely to accrue to the migrated Muslims in Abyssinia. Accordingly they sent a delegation to prevail on the Negus to expel the Muslims from his country. He called the Muslims to his court and asked them to explain as to what was the faith they had adopted. Jafar, acting as the spokesman of the Muslims presented such a splendid picture of Islam that the Negus was much impressed, and he refused to oblige the Quraish.

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Chapter 2 596-611

Part 'B' 596-611 AD..(15yrs.) After marriage and before Risalat (age 25 to 40 yrs.)

1. Marriage with an elderly lady

When he attained the age of 25 years, he traveled once more to Syria for the business of a noble and rich Quraishi twice widowed issue less lady named Hz. Khadijah RA; who proposed to marry him under the influence of his abilityto protect her commercial interests.Some time around 596 C.E., the Holy Prophet married, the forty years old Khadija and shifted to her house which was not much distant from the house of Abu Talib and the two families often visited each other.

2. Family life

His uncle, Abu Talib, had fallen into distress through his endeavors to maintain the old position of his family. Hz. Muhammad SAS, and Hz. Khadijah,RA., undertook the bringing up and education of his son Ali. A year later he adopted Akil, another of his uncle's sons. Hz.Khadijah RA. bore Hz. Muhammad SAS. two sons and four daughters. All the males died in childhood, but in loving Ali he found much consolation.

3. Zaid bin Haritha

About this time Hz.Muhammad SAS. set a good example of kindness, which created a salutary effect upon his people. His wife Hz.Khadijah RA. had made him a present of a young slave named Zaid Ibn Haritha, who had been brought as a captive to Mecca and sold to Hz. Khadijah RA. When Haritha heard that Hz. Muhammad SAS. possessed Zaid, he came to Mecca and offered a large sum for his ransom. Whereupon Hz. Muhammad SAS. said: "Let Zaid come here, and if he chooses to go with you, take him without ransom; but if it be his choice to stay with me, why should I not keep him?" Zaid, being brought into Hz.Muhammad SAS's presence, declared that he would stay with his master, who treated him as if he were his only son. Hz.Muhammad SAS. no sooner heard this than he took Zaid by the hand and led him to the black stone of Kaba, where he publicly adopted him as his son, to which the father acquiesced and returned home well satisfied.

4. 610 AD Feeling pity and sorrow

From youth to manhood he led an almost solitary life. In his tender heart, the scenes of social misery and religious degradation of the Quraish, the lawlessness rife among the Meccans, the sudden outbursts of causeless and bloody quarrels among the tribes frequenting the Fair of Okadh (the Arabian Olympia), and the immorality and skepticism caused feelings of pity and sorrow.

5. At the age of 40

Hz. Muhammad صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم was now approaching his fortieth year, and his mind was ever engaged in profound contemplation and reflection. Before him lay his country, bleeding and torn by fratricidal wars and intolerable dissensions; his people, sunk in barbarism, addicted to the observation of rites and superstitions, were, with all their desert virtues, lawless and cruel rival creeds and sects tearing each other to pieces, carrying their hatred to the valleys and deserts of Hijaz, and rending the townships of Arabia with their quarrels and bitterness.

6. The signs of being chosen as a Prophet

Of late Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to have some indications of the things to come before hand. He had frequent dreams, in some of which he either saw himself flying to the heavens in the great void of space, or the stars bow to him, or that he heard the trees, the rocks and the other inanimate objects calling to him. In some dreams he saw himself standing at the summit of a mountain, and calling to the people assembled below in the valley. These dreams foretelling of some great things to come motivated Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to contemplate and meditate

7. In the cave Hira

Hz. Muhammad صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم had been accustomed for years, to secluding himself in a cave in Mount Hira, a few miles from Mecca where he used to spend long hours, absorbed in thoughts. To this cave he used to go for prayer. There, he often spent three days and whole nights in deep thought and profound communion with the Unseen yet All-Knowing Allah of the Universe. He would, whenever he wished, return to his family at Mecca and then go back again, taking with him the necessities of life. Thus he continued to return to Hz. Khadijah from time to time.رضي الله عنها Ali used to bring food for him when this stay extended to a long time. Ali also kept watch on the cave and patrolled the neighborhood.

8. 610 AD First Revelation

It was during one of the solitary retirements in the cave Hira in the still hours of the night, on 16th of August, 610 AD. on 17th Ramadan at the age of 40 yrs. six months and eight days, when no human sympathy was near, that an angel came to him to tell him that he was the Messenger of Allah sent to reclaim a fallen people to the knowledge and service of their Lord. The Angel conveyed him the tidings that Allah had chosen him as His Messenger, and he was to convey to the people the message of Islam.

9. Hz.Gebriel عليه السلام tought

The Angel Gabriel (Jibrael)عليه السلام appeared to him and said: "Read!" But he said to the angel: "I am not a reader." The angel took hold of him and squeezed him as much as he could bear, and then said again: "Read!" The Prophet said: "I am not a reader." The Angel again seized the Prophet and squeezed him and said: "Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists), has created man from something that clings. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught (the writing) by the pen, has taught man that which he knew not. Surah 96: 1-5. Then the Prophet repeated the words with a trembling heart.

10. The prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم astonished

That was a novel sensation. The Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم returned to Khadijah from Mount Hira and said: "Wrap me up! Wrap me up! "Khadija comforted him. She wrapped him in a garment until his fear was dispelled. He told Khadijah what had occurred and that he was becoming either a soothsayer or one smitten with madness. She replied: "Allah forbid! He will surely not let such a thing happen, for you speak the truth, you are faithful in trust, you bear the afflictions of the people, you spend in good works what you gain in trade, you are hospitable and you assist your fellow men. Have you seen anything terrible?" “Yes," he replied and told her what he had seen. Whereupon, Khadijah said: "Rejoice, 0 dear husband and be cheerful. He in Whose hands stands Khadijah's life bears witness to the truth of this fact, that you will be the prophet to this people."

11. Warqa bin Nufal clarifies

Hz. Khadija went to her cousin Waraqa Ibn Naufal, who was old and blind and who knew the Scriptures of the Jews and the Christians, and is stated to have translated them into Arabic. When she told him of what she had heard, he cried out: "Holy! Holy! Verily, this is the Namus (The Holy Spirit) who came to Moses. He will be the prophet of his people. Tell him this and bid him brave of heart."

12. The Prophet was worried

When Khadija told Muhammad صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم (Peace be upon him) what Waraqa had said, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) observed that the burden of prophet hood would be too heavy for him to bear, and he did not know who would accept conversion to the new faith at his hand. Khadija consoled him and said that the Almighty who had chosen him as His Messenger would Himself guide him in fulfilling His mission.

13. First to adopt new faith

Hz.Khadija رضي الله عنها offered herself as the first person to owe allegiance to the Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم as the prophet of God. When Ali كرم الله وجه came to know of the conversion of Khadijaرضي الله عنها he hastened to offer his allegiance to the Holy Prophet. Ali was the first among the youth to be converted to Islam. Indeed he had been longing for the day when the call from the Almighty would come and when the call came he was so much overwhelmed with joy. After Hz. Ali كرم الله وجه KAW, Hz. Zaid,رضى الله عنه the servant and so called son, became a convert to the new faith.

14. Delay in further revelation

The first vision was followed by a considerable period, during which The Prophet suffered much mental depression. The angel spoke to the grieved heart of hope and trust and of the bright future when he would see the people of the earth crowding into the one true faith. His destiny was unfolded to him when, wrapped in profound meditation, melancholy and sad, he felt himself called by a voice from heaven to arise and preach.

15. Preaching of Islam begins

He arose and engaged himself in the work to which he was called. At the beginning of his mission, the Prophet confided only to those who were attached to him and tried to free them from the gross practices of their forefathers. The Prophet used often to go into the desert around Mecca with his wife and young cousin that they might together offer their heart-felt thanks to the Lord of all nations for His manifold blessings.

16. The revelation (Wahi)

A person who is not clear in his mind about the meaning of revelation may confuse, a thought of mind or a dream with this. Had it been like it, there were so many person who were bent upon to make the fellow idolaters disbelieve the holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم. Those who were witness of the revelation in their presence new that when the Prophet Jibrael عليه السلام came to reveal the massage of Allah and as soon as he conveyed it to the holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم the body of the holy Prophet became so heavy that its weight became very difficult to bear even by the camel on which he rode or by a person on whose leap he might be lying. When he repeated the words for a companion to write, the voice was so heavy and different of his normal sweet voice that it was very difficult to understand. The holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم initially used to utter the words repeatedly and tried to memorize them. But later Allah sent a Wahi asking the holy Prophet صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم not to strain himself as his Rab has taken it on Himself to let you remember and compile the Quran.

17. 605 AD Rebulding of Kaaba

When Hz.Muhammad صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم reached thirty-five years, he settled by his judgment a grave dispute which threatened to plunge the whole of Arabia into a fresh series of her oft-recurring wars. In rebuilding the Sacred House of the Ka'ba in A.D. 605, the question arose as to who should have the honor of raising the black stone, the most holy relic of that House, into its proper place. Each tribe claimed that honor.

18. Proposed solution

The senior citizen advised the disputants to accept for their arbitrator the first man to enter from a certain gate. The proposal was agreed upon, and the first man who entered the gate was Hz. Muhammad "Al-Ameen." صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم

19. Decesion of Al ameen

He decided that the Holy Stone should be placed in a mantle, and this mantle should be upheld by a representative of each section of the Quraish. His advice satisfied all the contending parties. The stone was carried in this way to the place where it was to be fixed in the wall. There the Holy Prophet lifted the stone from the mantle and fixed it at the appropriate place in the wall. The stone was thus deposited in its place, and the rebuilding of the House was completed without further interruption.

20. 570 AD Attempt to convert Hijaz into Romen territory

About this time, a certain Uthman, Ibn Huwairith, supported by Byzantine gold, made an attempt to convert the territory of Hijaz into a Roman dependency, but the attempt failed, chiefly through the instrumentality of Hz.Muhammad صل الله عليه و على الهى و سلم . He was ever helpful to the needy and the helpless.