MUHAMMAD(S)

THE MAN OF A MOST SUBLIME CHARACTER - Part 1

[A book like this has not been written before. You will have to read thousands upon thousands of pages to pick a few jewels like these, the work of a life-time. It is just the beginning of a reader friendly book. Here is only a tiny, random excerpt from the matchless work.]

Dear friends, would you kindly help in publishing it?

With profound respects, I take the honor of narrating some glorious events from the noble life of the most exalted man ever to grace this earth. These historical records are being randomly presented.

SOURCES:

SEERAT-UN-NABI by Allama Shibli Na’mani & Allama Sulaiman Nadawi
RAHMATALLIL’AALAMEEN by Qazi Muhammad Sulaiman Salman Mansurpuri
USWA-E-RASOOL-E-AKRAM (S) by Dr. Muhammad Abdul Hai
TAREEKH-E-ISLAM by Allama Aslam Jairajpuri
ME’RAJ-E-INSANIAT by Allama G.A. Parwez
SEERAH by Ibn Ishaq
SEERAH by Ibn Hisham
RIAZ-US-SALIHEEN by Hafiz Salahuddin Yousuf
MORE REFERENCES FOLLOW SOON

The Lord of the universe entitles him with RAHMATALLIL’AALAMEEN (Grace for all nations, peoples, the worlds).
He testifies to the sublime character of Prophet Muhammad (S) as below.

68:3 And yours will be an everlasting reward.
68:4 For, most certainly, you have sublime morals.

The Qur’an preserved forever a matchless, invincible testimony through the Prophet’s own tongue:

10:16 Say, "…. I have dwelt among you a whole lifetime before this. (You have always called me Al-Ameen, the trustworthy and Sadiq, the truthful). …. Will you not, then, use your sense?”

7:184 Has it never occurred to them that there is no madness whatsoever in their fellow-man? He has lived a whole life among you (10:16). He is only a plain warner.

The exalted Prophet Muhammad was born in Makkah on 20th April 570 CE. Makkah is a town in today's western Saudi Arabia. Bani Hashim, a branch of the Quresh tribe, were a noble and honored people among whom he was born. His grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, was the chief of his tribe and the chief of Makkah as well. Abdul Muttalib was in charge of the Ka'bah which is the symbolic First House of Monotheism and Unity of Mankind. It was built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail, about 2000 BC.

THE PARENTS, THE GRAND OLD MAN OF MAKKAH AND THE LITTLE ORPHAN:

The chief, Abdul Muttalib had 10 sons. Abdullah was the youngest. The family arranged his marriage to a beautiful, gentle, and intelligent young lady. Her name was Amena bint Wahab. Abdullah means the servant of Allah and Amena means someone who is at peace and provides peace. Both were about 20 years old at the time of their marriage. Soon after, Abdullah went to a business trip to Syria. While returning home, he became ill and died in Madinah at the home of his maternal grandparents. Amena was devastated, but she had excellent support from her illustrious husband's family.

Muhammad was born after his father's untimely death. His mother Amena, the governess Umm Aimon and other family members took very good care of him. But another misfortune struck when he was only 6 years old. His loving mother died of a brief febrile illness, possibly sun-stroke. She was in the middle of Madinah and Makkah returning with Abdul Muttalib after visiting her deceased husband's grave in Madinah. Prophet Muhammad was at a great disadvantage from the beginning. Fortunately, his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, was a very kind and caring personality.

NO EDUCATION: In Makkah, there were no schools in those days. The young boy had no siblings and few like-minded youngsters. We may wonder how such a smart child spent his time! The summers were too hot with outdoors temperature in the desert rising as high as 116, and it got feezing cold in winters. Mud and wood houses and big shady trees afforded the only respite from harsh weather. There was no library, no mode of learning or teaching. Only 23 people in Makkah knew how to read or write.

NO VEHICLES, NO LAMPS: Older nations had wheel-carts three to four thousand years before the Prophet's time. The people of Egypt and the Indus Valley (now in Pakistan) used wheelbarrows, bullock carts, chariots and horse carriages. In Arabia, however, no one had a vehicle. People used donkeys, ponies, horses, mules and camels for traveling. Of course, there were no media. Poetry, stories, and gossip were the sole means of communication. It is hard to conceive, but people of Arabia did not use any sort of lamps at night.

THE LITTLE BRIGHT MUHAMMAD IN THE DARK ENVIRONMENT:

It was in this environment that the Prophet (S) was learning about life. The smart, peaceful child created his own resources and never wasted his time. Some may wonder why the little boy Muhammad is called Prophet. The reason is that all prophets were born as such although commissioned to the Divine Office later. The Quran states that they were chosen individuals, hence, none can become a prophet by striving to do so. Muhammad (S) was commissioned to prophethood and received the first Message from Allah in his 40th year but he was a prophet by birth.

The young, bright, orphan boy was raised in Makkah and in the desert around the town. Very early in his life, he learned to ride the bareback ponies, mules, horses and camels. There were no swimming pools in those days but rainwater did collect in natural ponds. So the little boy learned how to swim. He also kept busy by taking the sheep and goats of his family and neighbors out for grazing. He also liked to play with his bow and arrow in the safety of the desert. Running after the arrows, herding animals, riding and swimming, all kept him very fit. Herding livestock made him feel very responsible. No one at that time had the faintest idea that this brilliant, lovely child would one day become the greatest leader of mankind.

As he grew, the clear days and nights of the desert offered a vast view of Nature. Allah teaches us through the Quran but we also learn from His other Book, the Universe around us. Muhammad closely observed the wonders of Nature around him. He understood that there is great discipline in the Universe. The sun rose in the East and set in the West everyday. The moon and the stars appeared at night. Seasons changed in regular sequence. Seeds grew into plants. He knew in his heart that there could be only One Creator and Sustainer to keep such remarkable order and discipline in the Universe. He was surrounded by adults and children who worshiped the sun, the moon, the stars, rocks, idols and trees. There were hundreds of idols in the Ka'bah. They thought that the angels were the daughters of God. Jews and Christians in Arabia assigned children to God such as Osiris and Jesus, respectively. Even as a child, Muhammad never worshiped any of these false gods.

THE FANCY DRESS SHOW: One day, when he was a teenager, youngsters promised to take him to a nice place. In fact, it was an immodest fancy dress and dancing show on stage. Muhammad did not waste any time. He turned back home alone and never went to any shows again.

When others wasted their time in vain talk and senseless play, Muhammad the exalted, was helping people. He helped the elderly, the sick and the widows with their needs. He even milked their cows and goats and fed any hungry animals. He always did his own chores and even repaired his own shoes. Everyone in town loved him. They called him Ameen (Trustworthy) and Sadiq (Truthful).

GRANDFATHER AND UNCLE: The grand old man of Makkah, Abdul Muttalib died at the age of 82. Muhammad (S) was about 8 years old at that time. A son of Abdul Muttalib, Abu Talib raised Muhammad (S) from then on.

When the exalted Prophet was born, he was named Muhammad by his celebrated grandfather. This was a very special name since no one ever had this name before. People asked Abdul Muttalib, "Why a brand new name?" He responded, "I want this child to be praiseworthy." Muhammad means the praised one.

When Muhammad (S) was 12 years old his uncle Abu Talib, started taking him with trade caravans to Syria. Makkah was an important business center in those days. Camel and horse caravans frequented between Yemen, Makkah, Madinah and Syria.

EARLY QUALITIES: Even when the exalted Prophet was very young, he had exceptional qualities. He respected elders and was very kind to children. He realized that time made up life, so he never wasted it. Rather, he was learning new skills everyday. Later on he would remark, "One whose two successive days go in an identical state has lost worthy opportunities." Unlike other youngsters, he did not indulge in vain sport or talk. He would rather serve the community day and night. There were no banks or safe deposits in those days. People of Makkah deposited their valuables with the teenager Muhammad because he was trustworthy. They knew him as a young man of life upright. He shunned intoxicants, gambling, violence, and bad company.

NOT A "BERM": But no one thought of him as a berm, because:
He had a decent sense of humor and enjoyed good poetry. He was an extremely good listener and spoke softly, slowly, and clearly. He was a man of word and people could depend on him. He used to draw great lessons from history and shared them with others. Muhammad (S) took deep and sincere interest in human, animal and plant life. He was extremely environment conscious and did exemplary community service. No one ever saw Muhammad (S) losing his temper. Overall, he had a matchless nobility of character. The Prophet would later tell the people of Makkah, "I have spent a lifetime in your midst. Don't you reflect?" It is amazing to note that even his enemies could find no fault in him throughout his life.

THE PEACE DEAL: When he was about 25 years old, Muhammad, the exalted, helped formulate a very important document. He sat down with the influential leaders of the town. Keeping in mind the insecurity of that society, they reached the following conclusions:-

01. Travel must be made safe.
02. Tribal raids must be halted.
03. The poor must be helped.
04. The weak must be protected. Most tribes of Makkah agreed with the idea.

Their leaders signed this historical document, Halaf-il-Fudhool (The Vow of Bounty, also named as such since three of those tribal leaders were named Fadhl) and hung it on the door of Ka'bah.

BRITISH KNIGHTS FOLLOW SUIT IN THE 16TH CENTURY: It is interesting to note that 1000 years later the United Kingdom adopted this historical document. In the 16th century Britain, any person becoming a knight had to pledge his allegiance to the above mentioned four rules.

AN IMPORTANT TRUCE: During Muhammad's (S) youth, the Ka'bah was damaged by a flood. The local chiefs helped repair it. Now, the 'sacred' black stone had to be placed in its corner. Traditionally, this black stone is a meteorite. It had been used as a mark for pilgrims to walk around the Ka'bah. Every tribe wanted the honor of fixing it. Heated arguments took place and violence was about to break out. Then one of the leaders suggested finding a judge to resolve the matter. It was decided that whoever entered the Ka'bah first thing in the morning would be the judge. The next morning, the first man to enter happened to be none else but Muhammad (S). The leaders screamed with joy, "Here is Ameen, here is Sadiq!" Muhammad (S) peacefully obviated a sure bloody feud. He laid his shawl on the floor, placed the black stone in the middle, and then he asked the chief of each tribe to hold the shawl at and between each corner. They walked together to the assigned corner thus. Muhammad (S) then lifted the black stone and placed it where it belonged. A bloody and highly destructive battle had been avoided to the joy of all.

MARRIAGE: There was a noble widow, a highly successful businesswoman in Makkah. Her name was Khadijah bint Khawailid. She used to send trade caravans to Syria and her business was flourishing. She heard of a man in Makkah, whose name was Muhammad. What a wonderful name -'The praised one!' And the Makkans seldom called him by his first name. They referred to him by his titles "As-Sadiq" and "Al-Ameen." Khadijah requested this trustworthy and truthful man to lead her caravan. She sent her servant Maiysarah, to accompany him. The long trip turned out to be very successful and profitable. Maiysarah was incessantly showering laurels on Muhammad (S). He told Khadijah r. a. how intelligent, patient, hard working, and honest Muhammad (S) was. The prosperous, noble and honored lady of Makkah was very impressed. She sent in a proposal for marriage through a lady friend. The young Prophet and his uncle Abu Talib gladly accepted. Khadijah was 40 and Muhammad (S) 25 at the time of their marriage

THE CALL TO PROPHETHOOD: Like other prophets, Muhammad, the exalted, was chosen by God. The time was right. The place was perfect. Human beings had advanced in learning through the ages, and civilizations had developed with time. The earlier prophets were given messages for their times and their nations. Then, humanity grew up enough to receive the Final Message - The Final Word of God, for all, for all times. The time was so right that it could not have been more suitable. The Message to the Last Prophet could now be preserved, every word of it. This Word would remain modern for all times. Books and writings could be easily saved on parchment and widely published in the 7th century.

PLACE: No place could be better than Makkah to receive the Last Word of God. The city of Makkah was a center of trade caravans. It already had the widely revered First Symbolic House of Monotheism. The Ka'bah had been built by Prophet Ibrahim 2,500 years before. Being the loftiest and earliest Symbol of True Monotheism, it is a constant reminder to people that all humankind is One Community just as their Creator is One. The people of Makkah were respected in Arabia because they took care of the Sacred House. Makkah in the vast desert expanse was far removed from other civilizations. The people of the town were rugged and shrewd since they had to survive in very formidable natural and lawless environment. Very importantly, they had never been ruled by foreign powers, and therefore, they had all the qualities of a free nation. They were bold, strong and straightforward. They always kept their word and would lay down their lives for it. If a tribe violated the amnesty given to someone by the other, one shout could fetch them to the battlefield. Dying in bed was a matter of shame for them while giving life in battle was highly regarded.

Only a few people in Makkah knew how to read and write. So, they relied on their memory for history and knowledge. Consequently, they had very sharp memories. It appears that according to Divine Plan, they had been grooming and perfecting their Arabic language making it fit to receive Allah's Final Revelation. Poets, story-tellers, genealogists, and good narrators enjoyed special distinction in the Arab society. Many of these qualities made Makkah the best place in the world to receive the Final Message.

We have briefly examined the good and the bad in Arabian society. Prophet Muhammad (S) knew that his society needed a drastic change. He used to do a lot of thinking about it never knowing until the Day of Revelation that the Noble Task would be eventually assigned to him.

29:48 For, (O Prophet) you were never able to read a book or Scripture before this (Quran), nor could you write anything with your own hand. Or else, they who try to disprove the Truth might have some cause to doubt it.

Sometimes, he went out of the town to find solitude. Until this day, there exists the Mountain of Light (Jabl-in-Noor), a few miles from Makkah. This mountain has a little cave called Hira. It is about 12 feet long and 6 feet wide. The Prophet (S) used to spend an occasional day there, contemplated and prayed for guidance. He would then come back to town, and continue business as usual. He helped his community more than ever. The Quran keeps the legend in proper perspective by stating that Allah found him searching for Guidance and He granted it.

93:7 And He found you looking for guidance, and showed you the way.