Lesson 15

Journey to SyriaMonk Buhaira

Pact of virtuous

• Prophet was nine or twelve• The Prophet accompanied Abu Talib on this

business trip.• They reached a place called Busra in Syria.• A Christian monk by the name of Buhaira or

Bahira• He would watch the Makkans caravan come

and go.

• He noticed a particular caravan and a small low hanging cloud moved slowly with the caravan.

• As the caravan moved on the small cloud came to a stop near a tree.

• He called a feast to his house for that caravan,• When he got a proper look at the Prophet he

automatically knew that he was the Prophet.

• After the feast had finished, he went to the Prophet to ask him question regarding his childhood.

• The monk asked to see the Prophet’s back.• He called upon Abu Talib and said “Take your

nephew back to Makkah and guard him from the pagans and jews, if they see him and come to know of him they will plot against him, great things are in store for this boy”.

Who was Bahira

• Christian scholar• From the Hunafa – like Waraqah Ibn Nawfal

Social situation of Makkah at that time

• To understand a person’s methodology and thinking it is important to know the situation and place that has had an influence.

• During those years in Makkah, interclan wars was very common.• Quarrels and conflicts was used to determined the outcome.• That’s why they would train their children in cavalry rather then law• War would start either someone traded unfairly with other tribe, murder

and disrespect.• During those years the Prophet would be in the hills and hear of these

conflicts.

Treaty and vow of virtous• Hence, because of these conflicts a person by the name of Abduallah ibn

Judan decided to end the oppression.• He called a meeting in which tribe leaders agreed to intervene between

conflicts and help the oppressed.• Prophet and Abu Bakr were both present in that meeting.• Long after revelation in Madinah the Prophet recalled this meeting to his

companions.• He said “I was present in Abduallah Ibn Judan’s house when a pact was

concluded, so excellent I would not exchange it my part for even for a herd of red camels and if now in Islam, I was asked to take part I would gladly accept”.

• From this incident and statement we learn three lessons.

Three lesson

1. Defend justice and to oppose oppression.2. He acknowledge the validity of a pact

established by non-Muslims seeking for justice.

3. It is not Islamic law versus universal law. The Prophet did not show ‘otherness’ against people who produced justice through laws.

What we learn

• From a young age the Prophet was concerned regarding the welfare of the oppressed and destitute.

• The Prophet’s message and life is based on justice and helping the oppressed.

• The Prophet and Abu Bakr became close friends due to this connection.

Next week

• There is not much mention regarding the prophet’s life between the age of 14 to 24

• As mention before the Prophet would contemplate while herding and cave hira.

• The next significant incident was his marriage to Khadija.