I NTRODUCTION : Indeed, in the messenger of Allah, you have for you, the best example. (33 : 21) We sent you (Muhammad) not but as a blessing for the universe. (21 : 107) He it is who has sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may make it conqueror of all religion, however much idolators may be averse. (16 : 9) Life of Muhammad (pbuh) is the best example (Uswatun-Hasanah) for us to follow. He has shown us how to obey Allah, the lord of the Universe. Allah says in Quran : say (O Muhammad), if you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins, Allah is forgiving and Merciful. (3 : 31) Muhammads (pbuh) duty, according to the Quran, was to make Islam supreme over all other systems of life. It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allah dislike it. (61 : 9) It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to menfest it over all religion. And sufficient is Allah as Witness. (48 : 28) Say, My Lord has only forbidden immoralities what is apparent of them and what is concealed and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know. (7 : 33) Say, I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. SO whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his lord anyone. B IRTH AND C HILDHOOD : Muhammad (pbuh) was born into the nobel tribe of the Quraish in Makkah. Arabia, in 571 CE. His father, Abdullah, died before his birh and Aminah (RA), his mother, died when he was only six. After the death of his mother,his grandfather, Abdul Muttlib, looked after him. From early childhood. His grandfather died when he was only eight years old, so Muhammad was then looked after by his uncle, Abu Talib, a leader of the Quraish. He was named by his grandfather. Someone asked Hazrat Abdul Mutalib about the name he said: I have named him Muhammad so that his name may be praised on the earth and in the heavens. Muhammad means praiseworthy. A B USINESS T RIP TO S YRIA : Muhammad (pbuh) at the age of twelve went on business trip to Syria with his uncle Abu Talib. When their caravan reached Busra in Syria, a Christian priest called Bahira invited them to a dinner. Bahira knew that the boy Muhammad (pbuh) was going to be a prophet in the future.He advised Abu Talib to take special care of his nephew. T EENAGER AND THE B ATTLE OF F UJJAR : When Muhammad (pbuh) was fifteen, a local war broke out during the Hajj season between the tribes of Quraish and Hawazian. Upon the initiative of Az-Zubair, Muhammads (pbuh) uncle, a meeting was called at the house of Abdullah Ibn Judan, who was an influential and wealthy person H ILF - UL -F UDUL ( ALLIANCE FOR CHARITY ): Formed at the meeting to help oppressed, the poor and the needy. Muhammad (pbuh) took following oath: I uphold the pact concluded in my presence when Ibn Judan gave us a great banquet. Should it ever be invoked, I shall immediately rise to answer the call. The participation of Muhammad pbuh in Hilf-ul- Fudul is a proof of his concern and interest in welfare activites, even in his youth. Y OUNG S HEPHERD : Muhammad pbuh was very proud of having spent his boyhood as a shepherd. He used to say,Allah sent no prophet who was not a shepherd. Musa (Moses) was a shepherd, Dawud (David) was also a shepherd. M ARRIAGE : Muhammad (pbuh) received an offer from a noble lady named Khadijah to look after her business affairs. Muhammad (pbuh) accepted the offer and set out for Syria, accompanied by another of her employees called Maysarah. Muhammad (pbuh) was protected from the heat of the sun by clouds during the trip. Khadijah (RA) the daughter of khuwailid, was a determined, intelligent and noble woman. She was deeply impressed by the ability, character and performance of Muhammad (pbuh). Decided to send the proposal of marriage to Muhammad (pbuh). He was twenty five years of age when he married. Khadijah (RA) was forty and a widow. P HYSICAL F EATURES : Handsome man of medium build. Neither very tall nor short. Large head, thick black hair. A wide forehead, heavy eye-brows and large eyes with long eye lashes. Fine nose., well placed teeth, a thick beard, a long hand some neck and wide chest and shoulders. Skin was light coloured and had thick palms and feet. His eyes gave the feeling of the authority of a commander. R EBUILDING A L -K ABAH : The Kahbah needed repair after a sudden flood. The task was divided among the four tribes of the Quraish. Muhammad pbuh took active part in the work. The rebuilding progressed and the walls were raised until it was time to place the Black Stone Al-hajarulAswad on the east wall of the Kabah. P LACING OF H OLY S TONE : Who should have the honour of placing this Holy stone in its place. The situation was tense and there was almost possibiltiy of civil war over the issue. Abu Ummayyah said let the first man to enter the gate of the mosque next morning decide the matter in dispute among us. What a pleasant surprise! The first man to enter the mosque was Muhammad (pbuh) ! All the people shouted in a chorus, This is the trust worthy one (Al-Amin), this is Muhammad (pbuh). S EARCH FOR THE T RUTH : Muhammad (pbuh) used to retreat in seclusion and solitude to a cave, in mount Nur very often. Muhammad pbuh got quite fed upwith existing social and political systems. In the month of Ramadan Allah, the lord of the universe, favoured Muhammad (pbuh) with his blessings the first revelation of Quran. R ECEIVING THE T RUTH : Muhammad (pbuh) had reached the age of forty when, one night while meditating in his mountain retreat in Hira during Ramadan, an angel appeared before him. Read! said the angel. I am not a reader. replied Muhammad (pbuh) F IRST REVEALED VERSES OF THE Q URAN : Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clot of blood. Read, your Lord is most Generous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man what he did not know. (96:1-5) Muhammad (pbuh) rushed home in panic and sat close to Khadijah (RA).Muhammad (pbuh) told her all that happen. Rejoice, O son of my uncle, and be of good heart. Surely by him in whose hand is Khadijahs soul, I have hope that you will be the prophet of his people. You have never done any wrong to anyone. You are kind to others and you help the poor. So Allah will not let you down. W ARQAH B IN N AWFAL : Khadijah took Muhammad (pbuh) to her cousin Warqah Bin Nawfal, who was a christian. He said, this is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Jibrail) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out. S ECOND R EVELATION : O you who lie wrapped in your mantle, arise and warn! Glorify your Lord. Purify yourself. Give up uncleanliness. I SLAMIC M OVEMENT BEGINS : The revelation marked the beginning of Muhammads (pbuh) role as a messenger of Allah. First- Khadijah (RA), Muhammads pbuh wife, accept Islam: second Ali (RA), his cousin: third Zaid (RA), his household servent. Outside the household, it was Abu Bakr (RA) I SLAMIC M OVEMENT BECOMES PUBLIC : Three years after the revelation, Allah commanded the Prophet. Proclaim what you have been ordered and turn away from the polytheists. (15:94) Muhammad (PBUH) entered the house of Al- Arqam (one of the first Muslims). This house was situated near Kaaba and many pilgrims passed near it. For next 4 years. Muhammad (PBUH) preached from the House of Al-Arqam. This house is also called the House of Islam. During this period, as many as 200 hundred people were converted. During first 3 years of preaching, there was no opposition from the Quraish because preaching was in secret. T HE P ROPHET ON M OUNT S AFA : Muhammad pbuh climbed on the top of As-Safa and shouted to the people. O men of Quraish, if I were to tell you that I see an army ready to attack on the other side of the mountain, would you believe me? They answered, Yes, why not? We trust you and never found you telling a lie. Muhammad (pbuh) said, know then, that I am warner and that I warn you of serve punishment. O Banu Abdul Muttalib! O Banu Abd Manaf! O Banu Zuhrah! O Banu Taim! O Banu Makhzum! O Banu Asad! Allah has commanded me to warm you, my nearest kinsmen, that I can assure you of good on this earth and in heaven if you declare that there is no god but Allah. A BU L AHAB : He said,Damn you! Did you assemble us for this? Allah revealed, May the hands of Abu Lahab perish; doomed he is. His wealth and his properties shall nat save him. He shall be thrown into a flaming fire of hell. H OSTILITY BEGINS : Quraish asked Abu Talib to with draw his support from Muhammad (pbuh ) Utbah Bin Rabiah (a leader of quraish) suggested, "If what you want is money, we will gather for you our property, so the you may be the richest of us; if you want honour, we will make you our chief, so that no- one can decide anything apart from you; if you want sovereignty, we will make you king. Muhammad pbuh said, O my uncle, by Allah, if they put the sun in right hand and the moon in my left, and ask me to give up my mission, I shall not do it until Allah has made it victorious or I perish therein! Abu Talib said Go and say what you please for, by Allah, I shall never withdraw my support from you. OPPOSITION FROM THE QURAISH Main enemies of Islam were Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab and his wife, Abu Sufyan, Walid bin Mughaira and Atba bin Rabi. Ummya bin khalaf Religious Causes: Quraish respected their ancestors and were ready to die for them and their beliefs. Thus, they did not want to leave the 360 idols that their ancestors had worshipped. When Muhammad (PBUH) told them that their ancestors were in grave trouble because of polygamy and idol-worship, the Quraish grew violent. Moral Causes: Islam and the Quraish's moral values were totally different and opposite. Islam preached modesty, while the Quraish were used to lavishness, Islam promulgated equality of men and women, while the Quraish treated their women like chattels, Islam enjoined loyalty to one faith, while the Quraish wanted loyalty only to the clan or tribe. Social Causes: The class conscious, rich Quraish could not reconcile with the slogan of equality of all humans raised by Muhammad (PBUH). If Islam ruled, the high and the low, the master and the slave, the rich and the poor, the black and the white, all would be on equal footing. Political Causes: After Hazrat Abdul Muttlib, Banu Makhzum tried to rule with the help of Banu Umayya. Islam warned a capable and competent man to rule the kingdom, not a tribe. If Islam was allowed to expand, the present Makkan rulers would no doubt have to relinquish their rule. They had an intense fear of power shifting from their hands into the hands of the Muslims. That is why the ruling tribes were the most hostile towards Islam. In ancient times, politics and wealth went hand in hand. The leading families feared that loss of political power would mean loss of wealth. Economic Causes: By talking about social justice and equality, Muhammad (PBUH) struck at the roots of their evil methods of big business, high finance and monopolistic economy and other facets of the capitalistic/mercantile practices. It is because of this that to the new rich and the privileged class, He appeared as a lunatic, a revolutionary, a disrupter of law and a magician. The persecutions: The first and most to suffer at the hands of the Quraish were the converted slaves. They were beaten, roasted on hot desert sand, laid on their backs on burning coals, beaten, tortured and kept enclosed for days in dark, small rooms. Some were even butchered in cold blood. Bilal was made to lie on his back in chains on the scorching desert sands by his master. Yasir and Sumiya were tortured to death while their son Ammar treated with utmost cruelty. Khabbab was treated with cruelty and barbarity. As regards their own clansmen and kinsmen, their persecutors were milder but more organized. Each Quraishite family was responsible for punishing its men and women. Usman bin Affan and Zubair bin al-Awwam were tortured by their uncles while Saad ibn al-Waqqas was tortured by his relatives. Muhammad (PBUH) was tortured psychologically and physically: People who had called him "the truthful" and "the trustworthy" tried to defame his character by openly calling him a liar. Men and women threw rubbish on him as he was walking on the street and strew his path with thorns. Once, when Muhammad (PBUH) was praying in the Kaaba, a wicked Quraishite threw a camel's innards on him.. (615 A.D) Migration to Abbysinia When the prosecution became unbearable, the Prophet received command that some of his followers should migrate to Abbysinia. Abbysinia (present day Ethiopia) had a kind- hearted Christian king named Najashi or Negus. First migration (including Usman bin Affan and his wife Ruqayya) took place in 615 AD: TOTAL : 15 Men: 11 Women: 4 Quraish immediately dispatched a delegation to Negus with gifts. The Quraish had had longstanding trade relations with Abbysinia. The Quraish demanded the immediate return of the fugitive Muslims. When Jafar explained the principles of Islam to the king, Negus refused to hand over the Muslims to the Quraish. (616 AD.) Second Migration to Abbysinia: Encouraged by this success, another party of Muslims left for Abbysinia in 616 AD. This is known as the Second Migration to Abbysinia: TOTAL : 101 Men: 83 Women and children: 18 (616 A.D) Conversion of Hamza: Hamza was uncle of Muhammad (PBUH). He was fond of hunting and when he returned from it one day, Abu Jahl's slave girl told him how cruelly Abu Jahl had hurt and wounded Muhammad (PBUH). Infuriated because of his love for the Prophet (PBUH), he upbraided Abu Jahl and challenged him to do his worst. Then, he went to the house of Al-Arqam and became a Muslim. Conversion of Umar: By 6 th year of Prophet hood. Umar ben Khitab. chief of Banu Adi, was one of the worst enemies of Islam. One day, he was in the Kaaba discussing the rising Muslim influence when he decided to murder the Holy Prophet (PBUH). On his way to the house of Arqam, he met Saad bin Abi Waqqas, who informed him that Umar's own sister Fatima and her husband had accepted Islam. Umar went to his sister's house, where he found both of 'them reading the Quran. Even after hitting her violently on the face so hard that it stared bleeding, she told Umar that she would follow Muhammad (PBUH) no matter what he did. Umar asked her to read a few verses of the Quran to him. Struck by the beauty of the Quran, Umar went to the house of Al-Arqam and immediately entered into the fo!d of Islam. The Muslims were so overjoyed by the entry of so powerful a man into Islam that their victory cry was heard across Makkah. ( AD) Boycott of Banu Hashim: Alarmed at the escape of the Muslims from their clutches, the Quraish suspected that Muhammad (PBLJH) was planning an invasion of Makkah with Negus.. Knowing that they could not harm Muhammad (PBUH) much as he was under the protection of his tribe, Bani Hashim, they agreed to boycott the entire tribe. All the tribes of the Quraish agreed not to intermarry with Banu Hashim, nor to sell or trade with them. This agreement was signed and hung in the Kaaba. Banu Hashim then took refuge at the rock-bound property of Abu Talib on the outskirts of Makkah called Shi'b Abi Talib. Only Abu Lahab did not join the Bani Hashim in their exile. Banu Hashim lived in impoverishment and near starvation except for the holy months when no enmity was allowed. When Muhammad (PBUH) tried to preach Islam at the fair of Ukaz, Abu Lahab would start shouting profanities at him. Foreigners dispersed when they saw that Muhammad (PBUH) didn't have support among his own relatives. Thus Islam's progress came to a total standstill during this period. After three years of seeing the Bani Hashim suffer, some of the Makkans nobles were tried to end the boycott. (619 AD) The Year of Mourning: In 619 AD, Abu Talib and Khadija died. Muhammad (PBUH) was struck by grief. He later said that when nobody believed in his mission, Khadija believed him, when he was friendless, she befriended him and when he was helpless, she helped him. Abu Talib's death was a great setback. Muhammad (PBUH) lost his only support amongst the hostile Quraishi tribes. (619 A.D) Visit to Taif: 10 years had passed since Muhammad (PBUH) brought the Message of Allah to the Quraish. However, they still opposed and refused to change. Taif is an oasis city near Makkah. At that time, it was something of a resort for the rich people of Arabia, with lush gardens and lavish display of wealth. Muhammad (PBUH) journeyed to Taif. The rich people of Taif were worship an idol called Lat. The people of Taif threw stones at Muhammad (PBUH) and so seriously wounded him that his shoes were filled with blood. Conversion of a convoy of Jinn In the way to return to Makkah from Taif a convoy of Jinn met with the Holy Prophet and accepted Islam. (620 A.D) Al-Miraj (The Ascent): M emorial event for the Prophet (pbuh). Five times daily prayers were laid down for Muslims at the time of Miraj. (621 A.D.) First covenant of Al-Aqabah: In the 11 th year of prophethood, hearing of a prophet in Makkah, 6 people from the Yasribite tribe of Khazraj came to Muhammad (PBUH) during the pilgrimage season. They saw that Muhammad (PBUH) was indeed the prophet that the Jews thought would come from among them. They seized the opportunity and accepted Islam. Muhammad (PBUH) sent Mus'ab bin Umair with them to assist the preaching of Islam. In the 12 th year of prophethood, 12 people came from Yasrib and accepted Islam and took oath. These Muslims helped spread Islam in the city of Yasrib. Seconds covenant of Al-Aqabah: In the 13 th year of prophet hood, 75 people came from Yasrib to take the usual pledge. Islam began to spread very rapidly after this. Madinite Muslims said, We take him (the Prophet) to Madinah despite all threats to property, wealth and life. Tell us, O Prophet of Allah, what will be our reward if we remain true to this oath? The Prophet answered, Paradise. E MIGRATION TO M ADINAH : Muslims left there homes for the sake of Allah and his pleasure. The Muslims of Madinah are known as Ansar (helpers) and those of Makkah (emigrants). T HE H IJRAH OF THE P ROPHET : Muhammad (pbuh) secretly left Makkah one night in 622 CE with Abu Bakar RA. They stayed in the cave known as Thawr, for three days. The first residence of Prophet pbuh was house of Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari. T HE P ROPHET I N M ADINAH Ansar and Muhajirum. Construction of mosque in Madinah. Muhammad pbuh himself took part in the construction as an ordinary labourer. T HE B ATTLE OF B ADR : (17 R AMADAN ) Small army of three hundred and thirteen people. Encounter between two armies took place on the 17 th of Ramadan. Truth prevails, falsehood vanishes. (17:18) T HE B ATTLE OF U HUD : (5 S HAWWAL ) Makkans were thirsty of revenge. Army of three thousand strong, including two hundred horsemen. Command of Abdullah Bin Jubair. Khalid Bin Walid the Makkan commander. Prophet pbuh was injured. T HE B ATTLE OF A HZAB : Salman Ali Farsi, A Persian Muslim, advised digging trenches around the city to hold the enemy hordes outside. It took twenty days to complete digging. Changed weather made the enemy flee in disarray. H UDAIBIYAH A GREEMENT : Prophet pbuh announced his intention for short pilgrimage (Umrah). Hudaibiyah. Quraish made it issue of prestige and pride. Agreement was apparently against the Muslms. News of victory by Allah: Surely we have granted you a clear victory. (48:1) T HE C ONQUEST OF M AKKAH : Bnu Bakar attacked Banu Khuzaah Hudaibiyah treaty declared null and void. Prophet pbuh declared a general amnesty for the entire community of Makkah. The Prophet pbuh stayed in Makkah until the 6 th Shawal in the eight year of the Hijrah. T HE F AREWELL ADDRESS : Farewell speech at Arafat. This speech was one of the most memorable in the whole history of Islam. Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as the way of your life.(5:3) T HE S AD N EWS : Back in Madinah, the Prophet pbuh was taken ill. Muhammad is but a messenger and messenger have passed away before him. Will it be that when he dies or is slain you will turn back on your heels? He who turns back does no harm to Allah and Allah will reward the thankful.(3:144) 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal, 11 AH at age of sixty-three. 85 Arafah - 9 Dhul-Hijjah Follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ( ) and join the Dhuhr and Asr prayers regardless of whether you pray in the Masjid, in your camp or any other location in Arafah. After Salat move to your place inside the limits of Arafah, stand facing the Qiblah, raising your hands making Du'a and reciting Talbiyah. 86 Leaving Arafah Make sure you dont leave until after sunset. Caution: Some Hajj operators ask the pilgrims to get in the buses before sunset to get ready to leave after sunset. This is considered as leaving before sunset, because getting ready to leave is considered the time of leaving even though you may not pass the limits of Arafah until after sunset. 87 Muzdalifah - 10 Dhul-Hijjah Then you come to al-Mash'ar al- Haram (a small mountain in Muzdalifah) and climb upon it and face the Qiblah - then recite Takbeer, Tahleel, and make Du'a until the sky becomes very bright. Then you leave for Mina before the sun rises, calmly while reciting Talbiyah. When you come to the river valley of MuHassir (between Mina and Muzdalifah) you hurry if possible. 88 Mina - 10 Dhul-Hijjah ( ) You arrive to Mina the morning of the 10 th of Dhul- Hijjah. This is the busiest day of Hajj. You will be doing the following: 1.Stone Jamrat al-'Aqabah 2.Sacrifice an animal 3.Shave or trim off your hair 4.Go to Makkah to do Tawaf al-Ifadah & Sa'y and come back to Mina 89 Makkah - 10 Dhul-Hijjah Tawaf az-ziyarah Then you go off that day to Makkah and make Tawaf al- IfaDah in the same way as in the Tawaf of arrival, except that there is no Idtiba (uncovering right shoulder) or Ramal (bold walk) in this Tawaf. Pray two Rak'at behind Maqaam Ibraheem, if possible, or anywhere in the Masjid if not. Tawaf al-Ifadah is also called Tawaf az-Ziyarah or Tawaf al- Hajj. 90 Makkah - 10 Dhul-Hijjah Say between Safa & Marwa Then you do Say between the Safa and Marwa as before. After Tawaf al-Ifadah you are in a state of complete TaHallul ( ). All restrictions of Ihram are lifted. Drink from Zamzam. Return to Mina. 91 Makkah - Last day The Prophet ( ) said: "None of you should depart until he makes his last act Tawaf of the House." Farewell Tawaf (al-Wada) is an obligatory act on everyone except menstruating women who are excused. The prophet ( ) used to carry Zamzam water with him in water skins and containers, and he used to pour it upon the sick and give it to them to drink. When you finish the Tawaf you leave the Masjid walking normally - not backwards. 92 Merits of Madinah It is the land of the Prophet's migration ( ). Its people are his neighbors and supporters. It is the abode of Faith, for to it returns Faith at the end of time. At its entrances, there are Guardian Angels. Neither the Dajjaal nor the Plague will be admitted to it. It will be the last city in the world to be ruined. It is the land of Revelation. 93 Merits of Madinah Allah's Messenger ( ) made these supplications: O Allah! Make Madinah as dear to us as You made Makkah dear or more. (1) O Allah! Increase in Madinah twice the blessing (Thou showered) upon Makkah. (2) O Allah! Bless our Madinah, bless us in our Sa` and Mudd, and make twice Thy blessing. (3) Let him die in Madinah who can do so. 94 Masjid Quba The prophet ( ) used to go to Masjid Quba on Saturday morning and pray two Rak'at there. In a Hadith, he ( ) said that doing so is equivalent to performing a Umra. Masjid Quba is located south of Madinah at 2.34 miles (3.75km) from the Prophets Masjid. 95 Al-Masjid An-Nabawi Salat in the Masjid of the Prophet ( ) is better than 1000 Salat elsewhere, except Al-Masjid Al-Haram. Salat in the expansions of the Masjid has the same merit as Salat in the original Masjid. 96 Visiting the Prophets grave (1) The etiquette of entering the Prophets Masjid is the same as any other Masjid. Enter with the right foot, say the Dua and pray Tahiyyatul-Masjid. Walk respectfully with calmness, and say salam to the Prophet ( ) when you get in front of the first big hole in the middle section of the brass screen. Move to the next small hole and say salam to Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq ( ). Move to the third small hole and say salam to Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab ( ).