Early Years

Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, in the year 570 AD. Mecca is in Saudi Arabia. His father,  Abdullah Bin Abdul Mutalib, died before Muhammad was born and his mother, Amina Binte Wahab, died when he was only six. So he became an orphan when he was very young. His uncle, Hazrat Abu Talib took care of him until he was old enough to take care of himself.

Prophet Muhammad married Lady Kadija in 595 AD who helped in spreading the message of Islam. They had a daughter named Fatima who married the Prophet’s cousin Hazrat Ali (son of Abu Talib). Lady Fatima was the only surviving child of the Prophet and after he died his family carried on the mission of the Prophet followed by his grandchildren Hassan and Hussain.

History

Islam, one of the largest religions has about one billion followers. That means 25% of the world’s people are Muslims! Muhammad started preaching in Mecca in about 610. He made slow progress at first. Most of the rich and powerful idol-worshipers  scorned him and his preaching to follow one God whereas they worshipped several idols. His preaching angered the Meccans, and some even plotted to kill him. In 622 Muhammad fled to the city of Medina, where a group of people helped him. This migration to Medina is called the Hijra and this important event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. A Hijra is a journey from one place to another. In this Hijra, Prophet Muhammad marked the establishment of Islam. Ten years after the Hijra, Prophet Muhammad died in 632 A.D.

Prophet Muhammad’s Teachings

Prophet Muhammad preached that there is only one God and he, Muhammad is the messenger of God. Muslim is an Arabic word for one that submits to God and lives by God’s laws.

Prophet Muhammad was a very important man during medieval times in Asia. He taught the people to change from worshipping idols to one God. He taught them to respect their parents and elders. He taught about equal rights and respect for women. He taught that the rich and poor are alike in the sight of God and that their good deeds will help them meet God in heaven. He taught them to live honestly and that working hard to earn a living is also considered worship of God. God is called “Allah” in Arabic and he taught people to remember God at all times.

We all know that the Quraan is the greatest miracle that Allah gave the prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). But our beloved prophet performed many other miracles too! Allah allowed him to do many things which would make the Muslims faith stronger and bring other people who were not Muslims to Islam.

The Miracle of the Bowl of Milk is an example for us about obeying Allah and his messenger. Abu Huraira tells us this story and admits it was hard for him to obey the prophet in what he told him to do. But Abu Huraira went and did what the prophet (a.s) told him to do anyway, and we see at the end of the story that Allah rewarded him. May Allah be pleased with him.

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “By Allah, the only one who is to be worshipped, I used to be so hungry that I had to lie on the bare ground to try to feel better, I even tied a stone to my belly sometimes to keep from feeling hunger pains.”

There was a path that the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and his companions would usually take. I sat there one day, hoping that someone would notice how hungry I was and feed me. When Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him came), I asked him about some verse in the Quraan. I wanted him to see how hungry I was and invite as he always did. But Allah decreed that he would talk with me then go on his way. Then I saw Omar (May Allah be pleased with him) and asked him about a verse, but Allah decreed that he would go on his way just like Abu Bakr.

But when the prophet (s.a.w) came along and noticed me, he smiled. He knew by the look on my face how I was feeling. Then he said, “Abaa Hirr!” (Abu Huraira)

And I said, “Labbaik ya Rasoolillah!” (At your service O prophet of Allah) He said follow me. He left so I followed him.

We came to his home. He went in and I asked if I could enter and I was allowed in. The prophet (s.a.w) found in his home a bowl of milk, so he asked, “where is this milk from?” (Min aina haatha labanu?) The people in his house replied, “someone gave it to you as a gift.” He said to me, “Yaa Abaa Hirr,” (Oh Abu Huraira). And I said, “Labbaik ya Rasoolillah,” (At your service O messenger of Allah!)

And he said, “Go ask the people of As-Suffah to come to my home.” Abu Huraira tells us that the people of Ahlul Suffah where the poorest (most miskeen) Muslims. They had no family, no money and no-one to help them. When the prophet (s.a.w) was given charity (sadaqaa) he would send it to the Ahlul Suffah without taking anything from it. But if the prophet (s.a.w) were given a gift (hediyah), he would send them some of it and take some for himself.

Abu Huraira offered the milk to the first man. He drank is bellies fill and than passed the bowl back to me. There was milk left in the bowl so I gave it to another man and he drank till his belly was full and then passed the bowl back to me. Still I saw milk in the bowl, just as there had been before anyone had drunk form it! Each and every one of the people had their bellies fill of milk. Then I came to the prophet (s.a.w) and he gave the milk to me. So I sat down and drank. And he said to me, “Drink,” . So I sat down and drank until I couldn’t drink anymore. He kept urging me, “Drink!” , until I had to say, “No, by the one who sent you with the truth, I have no room left in my belly for it!”

Then he said, “Then give it to me.” I gave him the bowl and he praised Allah and said Bismillah and drank what was left.

Long, long ago, before the birth of Prophet Isa (a.s) there lived in ancient lands of Yemen the very rich and powerful people of Saba. (Sheba).

The largest city of the region was called Marib. For about 1000 years the area became more and more wealthy and reached its peak as the people of Saba expanded their trade through land and sea routes.

Marib was an ancient city around 50 miles from the present city of Sana. It was an old frankincense route between Arabia and Syria.

Through Syria it connected with the great and flourishing kingdoms of the great Roman Empire around the Mediterranean. At the other end along he Yemen coast, the road connected by sea transport with India, Malaysian and China.

The people of Saba were very hardworking. They constructed a huge dam. This dam was called the Marib Dam or sad-al-Marib. It

took years to construct.

The dam was about 2 miles long and 120 feet high. The people of Saba with their great skills, made it into the best example of engineering of their times.

This dam brought great wealth to the area. They made roads and canals. The canals were boarded with gardens on both sides.

The trees and bushes of the lush green gardens and orchids were laden with fruits. The gardens, infused well watered by streams. They provided a variety of fruits, spices and frankincense.

All worldly progress is achieved thanks to the help which Allah has given us. Without his blessings we cannot achieve any success, so whenever we are successful, we should say thank you to Allah for his help and remain humble and down to earth.

But the people of Saba, instead of being thankful to Allah, chose to be arrogant. They thought that all the riches they enjoyed were due to the clever planning of their forefathers who built the great dam of Marib. They forgot to thank Allah and they became proud and haughty.

Allah does not like arrogant people who don’t thank him, so during the seventh century AD when the pent-up waters of the Eastern side of Yemen collected in a high lake, held back by dam Marib the wall of the dam began to crack.

A mighty flood came by and the dam burst. It had never been repaired since. This was a great crisis which bought slow downfall of the country.

The flourishing gardens of Saba were left to turn into wasteland. The luscious fruit trees became wild and gave place to wild plants with bitter fruits. The feathery leaved tamarisk which is only good for twigs and wattle-works replaced the sweet smelling plants and flowers. Wild and stunted kinds of thorny bushes, like the wild Lute tree which was good for neither fruit nor shade gave in place of the pomegranate, date palms and the grape vines.

The punishment of the people of Saba is an example to all mankind. Its reminded us that we should always be thankful to Allah and never be arrogant or proud. All success comes only with the help of Allah.

One night, as the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) slept next to the Kabbah, the Archangel Jibrael woke him and took him on a strange, white winged animal, called Burak, means lightning.

From Makkah to al-Aqsa mosque in far away Jerusalem. There Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) met Ibrahim (a.s), Musa (a.s), Isa (a.s) and the other prophets, and they prayed together.

Then Jibrael took the Prophet (a.s) through heavens gates, where he saw countless angels.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) went through the heavens one by one. He saw Malik the keeper of hell who never smiles. He gave P. Muhammad a glimpse of hell. Beyond the seventh heaven, the prophet (a.s) passed the veils covering that which is hidden, until at last he came into the divine Light of Allah’s presence. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) looked upon that which the eyes cannot see and minds cannot imagine, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Time, thought and feelings vanish; there was only great peace and the brilliance of pure light.

Too soon, the experience ended and he was bought back to earth. The Prophet (a.s) was amazed to find the spot where he had lain was still warm and the cup he had tipped over was still emptying. This incredible experience had taken place in less than a moment.

The next morning, the Prophet (a.s) told the Quraysh what had happened. They didn’t believe him. Many Muslims were amazed and wanted Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) to explain how such a thing could happen;

But the prophets description of Jerusalem, and the caravans he had seen on the way back to Makkah, convinced them he was telling the truth.

It was during this experience that Allah’s commandment on prayer was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). He reported that Allah wanted men to pray 50 times a day, but that on the Prophet Musa’s (a.s) advice, he had appealed for a less difficult routine. At last Allah resolved that there should be 5 prayers a day. That has remained Muslim practice ever since.

The Prophets companions recorded this and other important events in the Prophets life along with other observations. It came to be known as the Hadith (the sayings of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w). They serve as an ideal guide to righteous livings. One collection of Hadith stands out from the others. He was a cousin of the Prophet (s.a.w), Abdullah ibn Abbass. He was only 13 years old when Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) died.

It is said that Abdullah memorised 1660 of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings. He would go to as many as 30 companions of the Prophet to make sure that his version of each Hadith was correct. Once when he went to check a Hadith, he found a companion having an afternoon nap. Not wishing to disturb him Abdullah waited in the heat and dust. When the companion came out he said ‘O cousin of the Prophet, what is the matter with you? If you would have sent for me. ‘I am the one who should come to you’ replied Abdullah ‘ for knowledge in sought it does not just come.

For Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) the night journey and the Ascension was a turning point. After years of persecution and the terrible sadness of losing both Khadijah and Abu Talib, the experience gave him great comfort and the strength to go on. He became convinced that Allah was always with him.

One of the prophets sent to mankind in northern Arabia after the great flood was Prophet Salih(as). He was born into the Thamud tribe. This tribe was known for the beautiful houses that they carved out of the mountainside.

The Prophet Salih(as) was unhappy to see that his people liked worshipping idols. He asked them to pray to Allah alone and reminded them that he had made them heirs of Ad and given them houses to live in.

‘You have built mansions on its plains and hew out of houses from the mountains. Remember Allah’s favor and do not make the earth a wicked place’. Prophet Salih(as)

continued ‘Will you not fear Allah?, I am indeed your true messenger’.

‘Are you to be left secure in this land amidst gardens and fountains, cornfields and palm trees laden with fine fruits, hewing your dwellings out of the mountains and leading a wicked life?, Fear Allah and follow me’.

But the haughty elders of the people of Thamud were heartless and said that there was no such thing as the Day of Judgment. They said ‘Are we to follow a mortal who stands alone among us? That would surely be wrong and mad. Did he alone among us receive this warning?, he is indeed a foolish liar!

They could not think of giving up the religion of their forefathers. They even said Prophet Salih(as) and his followers would do wicked things and taunted the weak about their belief in him, finally they were put to the test by means of a she-camel. Prophet Salih(as) said, This is Allah’s own she-camel (naqat Allah), a sign for you.

Leave her to graze at will on Allah own land, and do not harm her, lest you are instantly punished. They were also told to give a full share of water to the she camel along with their own herds and flovks, but feeling very angry at this they called their most wicked tribesman Qudar ibn Salif, who hamstrung the she camel, then killed.

After having done such a bad thing, the people of Thamud haughtily challenged Prophet Salih(as), Now bring down the punishment you threaten us with, if you are truly a messenger. Prophet Salih(as) told them that they had only 3 days to live on their houses as this was Allah’s will.

Even then instead of feeling sorry they plotted to kill Prophet Salih(as) and his family. 9 tribesman while taking an oath to carry out their sinful act saying to each other we will say to his kinsmen we were not even present when they were slain, what we say is the truth.

But before they could carry out their evil plot, Allah punished them with a terrible earthquake. When Allah did so, he saved Prophet Salih(as) and his followers, while a dreadful cry rang out above the evil doers. When morning came they were lying dead in their dwellings as though they had never had a good life there.

Prophet Hud (as) was one of the earlier prophet sent by Allah. Allah sent Prophet Hud (as) to the people of Aad. According to the Quranic commentary Prophet Hud (as) was the first person to speak Arabic. When he died he was buried on a hillock in Hadramount 90 miles north of Yemen, where his tomb is still visited.

The Aad people were the descendants of Iram one of the Grandsons of P Nuh (as). Along with other followers their forefathers settled in Yemen. Aad people were rich, they were known as the people of the columned cities of Iram. At first they followed the religion of P Nuh (as), when they began to prosper they fell into bad ways. Then Allah sent Prophet Hud (as) to warn them and told them to serve Allah, and that you have no God but him, all your other notions are false.

He will send you plenty of rain from the sky, he will give you strength, do not turn away from him Prophet Hud (as) said to say sorry to Allah and seek forgiveness, he will forgive you, don’t turn away from him. The elders of the tribe called him foolish and a liar. Prophet Hud (as) said that he was not a simpleton, he said that he was a messenger from Allah. Prophet Hud (as) said do you think it strange that a warning should come to you from Allah through another human being like yourself? Is it wrong for Allah to send a prophet from amongst your own?

The people of Aad ignored Prophet Hud (as) and continued to sin. They said that Prophet Hud (as) had not given them any clear proofs, we will not forsake our gods for your God, just because you say so. Prophet Hud (as) continued to warn them, he said you build fortresses hoping that you will live forever, you act like cruel tyrants, fear Allah and follow me. They said proudly who is mightier than us, with puffed up pride, and went on denying the word of Allah.

As a result Allah willed a terrible drought that befell their land. Many months went by and there was no rain. They suffered a 3 year famine. Allah sent a big black cloud to torment them as they thought that it would give them rain. Finally a terrible blast of wind destroyed their land. A gale force wind destroyed their land for 7 nights and 8 days as though there had been hollow trunks of palm trees.

Remember: One should not loose humility when successful, and should always give thanks to Allah.

Long, long ago, the people of Madiyan and Ayka settled on the Arabian coast of the Red sea.

The area to the east of lower Egypt extends westwards from the present day Gulf of Aqaba, deep into the Sinai Peninsula as far as the mountain of Moab which lies to the east of the Dead Sea.

The people of Madiyan and Ayka were at first followers of the prophet Ibrahim (a.s) but over the next 500 years they did wrong doings. They were dishonest and turned away from true faith.

Then Allah sent Prophet Shu’aib (a.s) to these erring people to show them the right path. He warned them to be honest on weights and measurements and not to trick others into giving away what was rightfully theirs.

Prophet Shu’aib (a.s) said, “I do not want to argue with you as that would mean doing what I forbid you to do.” I am only trying to reform you as far as I am able, nor can I succeed without Allah’s help. In him I have put my trust and to him I say sorry for whatever I have done wrong.”

“My people” said Prophet Shu’aib (a.s); “have you more regard for my tribe than Allah? Dare you turn your backs upon him? My lord knows all about your actions. Do what ye will my people, so will I. You shall know who will be punished, held up to shame and who is lying. Wait if you will, I am waiting too.”

But the elders of his people rejected him saying, “Shu’aib, much of what you are saying we cannot understand. We know how weak you are in a midst.”

They threatened to drive him and his followers out of their homeland.

They were punished by an earthquake and when morning came they were lying flat in their houses as if those who drove away Prophet Shu’aib (a.s)

had never lived there.

.[S1]

About 3000 years ago Egypt was ruled by a very cruel kink called Firawn or Pharaoh.

One day a court soothsayer told Firawn that, that year a boy would be born among the tribe of the Children of Israel who would destroy him and his kingdom.

Enraged, Firawn all the newborn boys of the tribe to be killed. The Children of Israel, already enslaved by Firawn, suffered the torment of seeing their newborn sons killed, while only their daughters were spared.

During these horrible times a pious woman, called Yukabid, of the Children of Israel, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy who was names Musa or Moses. She was told by Allah that this was a very special child who would one day become a great prophet.

Allah inspired her to put him in a box which was to cast into the Nile River. With the promise that her baby would be safe. She obeyed Allah’s order as the waves carried away the box, his sister kept a watch on it, until it stopped at a bank near the royal palace.

The Prophet Musa [a.s] was brought up in the loving care of the Queen he received the best education.

But because Prophet Musa [a.s] accidentally killed someone Firawn intended to slay him. Therefore, Musa [a.s] quietly left the city and journeyed to Madyan, where he met prophet Shuaib [a.s] and married his daughter.

After spending some years in the beautiful valley of Madyan, Musa [a.s] returned with his family to Egypt. They travelled slowly towards Mount Sinai, passing through some awesome landscapes of desert and rock.

One cold winter evening as it grew darker and a cool breeze began to blow, they seemed to have lost their way. Musa [a.s] looked around and noticed a fire quite far away on the side of a mountain. He said Wait here, look; I can see a fire in the distance. Perhaps I can find out where we are or at least get a burning brand.

As Musa [a.s] reached the source of the light, Allah spoke to him and gave him wisdom and miracles.

Allah told him that he had chosen him as a messenger and commanded him to go with signs and give his message to Firawn who had made himself the tyrant in the land.

He led the Muslim warriors to conquer Iran, Iraq and Syria. Khalid, made them part of the Islamic community, he also defeated a Roman army of 60 000 men with only a very small army in the battle of Yamrook. The enemy were overwhelmed by Khalids name because it would create terror amongst them. They thought no-one could defeat an army whose commander was Khalid ibn al-Walid. The kufoors were already convinced, but gradually the Muslims started thinking that their success in jihad against their enemy was because of Khalid’s courage and wisdom. Omar ibn al-Khatab was a kalifa of the Muslims at that time. He knew that the Muslims should understand that victory and defeat are both in the hands of Allah.

One should never think that victory is because of another person’s courage and wisdom. For these reasons Omar removed Khalid from command. He made Abu-u-Baida the leader of the fighting man in Khalids place. When Omar’s letter reached Khalid in Syria, a battle had already begun. The Muslims were fighting the kafirs. Khalid was the commander and Abu-u-Baida was second in command. He immediately took the letter to Abu-u-Baida and said to him ‘That Amir al-Muminin has appointed you the commander of the army from Yemen’. You are my commander and I shall obey all your commands. Khalid gladly handed over the command to Abu-u-Baida. He took part in the battle against the kafirs with the same courage as before. Some-one asked him ‘why do you take so much interest in fighting when you are not the commander of the army? Khalid replied ‘I do not fight for Omar, I am a soldier for Allah and I only fight for Allah.

:The prophets in order.

1. Adam
2. Idris
3. Nur
4. Hood
5. Salah
6. Ibrahim
7. Luht
8. Ishaq
9. Ismail
10. Yaqub
11. Yusuf
12. Ayub
13. Shu’aib
14. Haroon
15. Musa
16. Ilyaasa
17. Zulkifri
18. Da’ood
19. Sulayman
20. Ilyaas
21. Yunos
22. Zakarayiah
23. Yahya
24. Isa
25. Mohamad

Peace be upon them all