Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) was born an orphan of a noble family of Banu Hashim ancestry. His father, Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib, died of sickness at the age of 25 on a trading journey to Syria, leaving his wife Amenah only a few months pregnant. His birth was on the twelfth (12) of Rabiul Awwal 53 B.H. (570 A.D of the Christian era). The Quraysh had a special status in Mecca because they used to be in charge of the sacred Ka’ba. Abdul Mutalib, his grandfather who was the chief of Makkah at that time, showed pride in him as Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) compensated him for the loss of his son who died in the prime of his youth. His mother showed affection for her son as she awaited the best nurses to come and take care of him: The tradition at that time was that nurses would come from the desert seeking to be the custodians of the children of nobility in return for good pay and gifts. Giving that Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) was not wealthy all nurses turned away from him, Halimah of the Banu Saad tribe was one of them, but when she could not find any other child she was ashamed to return home empty handed, so she went back and took Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), and since then Allah showered his mercy on her; for instance animals started giving plenty of milk after they had been dried. Therefore, her and her husband felt they were blessed to have taken Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and became very attached to him. Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) spent five years with Banu Saad during which nothing out of the ordinary happened except one told incident which scared Halimah and became known as “the splitting of his chest.” When he was playing with the other boys Jibril (A.S) held him, threw him down, split his chest, took out his heart and took out a clump from it and said: “this is Satan’s portion of you.” Then he washed him in a basin made of gold with the water of zamzam, then sealed his chest and returned him where he was. The boys ran to Halimah and said Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) has been killed. They came back and found him alive but pale. (Reported by Anas in the Hadith compilations of Muslim and Ahmed). Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) returned to Makkah at the age of five to his mother and grandfather who took good care of him, but the days refused to allow him tranquility among those tender hearts, as his mother died during a visit to Madinah to visit her husband’s grave. She took Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and his maid Umm Aiman with her. On the way back, she fell very sick and died in Abwaa leaving Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) with Umm Aiman. His grandfather always took good care of him and never left him alone, he took him to all public gatherings. However, at the age of eight, Abdul Muttalib died leaving him into his uncle Abu Talib’s care. Fatima, daughter of Asad, who was the wife of Abu Talib loved Muhammad (s.a.w.s) as if he were her own son. Abu Talib, too, was very good to him. Since Abu Talib had many children and was not wealthy, Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) insisted on sharing the burdens of life with him. He went with his uncle on a trading journey to Syria at the age of thirteen. He met a monk called Bahira during the journey, who looked at his face and the sign on his back (the sign of Prophethood) and asked Abu Talib: “Who is this boy to you ?”My son he said.” “His father should not be alive.” Said Buhira. Abu Talib then said, “Yes, in fact he is my brother’s son “and told him the rest of the story. The monk said “Now you are telling me the truth. Take him back and be careful of the Jews over him.” Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) then returned to Makkah and resumed his life, working as a shepherd in his early life. All the people who had done business dealings with him before his prophethood had always praised his honesty and fair dealing in trade. He did not acquire knowledge or education from a monk or a philosopher or sorcerer, as was the norm then. Instead he read through the pages of life and took what he found good. In this manner, he entered his third phase of life and got acquainted with his first wife Khadija (R.A) who was a merchant woman of nobility and wealth. He was 25 years old and she was 40 years old when they got married. Their marriage lasted until she died at the age of 65.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised us to be guided by kindness and honour in the treatment and status of women. It is a reminder to both men and women of the status and rights of women in Islam, and society’s duty to uphold this standard.
Every year, Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) used to leave Makkah to spend Ramadan in the cave of Hiraa where he used to meditate and worship for self-purification away from the falsehood of Jahilia. In this case, he met with the heavenly host and listened to the voice of the angel telling him to read. He knew that he had become a Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.) and that it was Jabril (A.S), the ambassador of revelation who came to him; then the mission’s struggle began. Quraysh spared no efforts to fight Islam and persecuted those who embraced it. In spite of all troubles Islam grew stronger and Muslim controlled whole Arab. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) led a very ordinary life yet the life style he practiced offered an example for others to follow. He was the most shy among men and could not stare at anyone for long. He never gave trouble to anyone. He did never curse any one. Once when he was in the battle field, he was asked: O Messenger of Allah, it would have been better if you had cursed them. He said: Allah sent me as a mercy and not as a great curser. Anas (Radhiallahho Anho) reported that a Jewess mixed poison in the food of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) at Khaiber. When he began to eat it, he got smell of the poison and stopped eating. The woman was brought to the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) who asked her about the poisoned food. The woman said: I intended to kill you. He said: Allah will not give you that power. The companions exclaimed: Should we not kill her? The Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: Don’t kill her. He used to call his companions by their surnames with honour and he used to give one surname to one who had no surname. He sits on the ground and eats his food from the ground. His habits were really simple in all aspects of his life. He never started any activity without saying “In the name of Allah.” Throughout history, humans have been deeply moved by some of the greatest orators. From great men and women in justice movements, to our favourite scholars. But, in my opinion, the most powerful speech in history, which reverberates through time, and holds so much beauty, is the Farewell Sermon of the greatest man who walked on the earth, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). I’d like to highlight some key points from the farewell sermon of our Prophet (pbuh) which will help us to understand Islam in simple words. The main lessons from the farewell sermon are (a) Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you: This is a powerful way to start the sermon. Often speakers talk about a topic and at the end they ask a question to feed introspection, however the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his wisdom took our attention to ourselves and immediately we are reminded to reflect on our actions. We are reminded to look inward and protect others as a way of protecting ourselves. Many psychologists repeat the refrain, “Hurt people, and hurt people.” Amazing how this was conveyed over 1,400 years ago. Guard your tongue, your actions, be present. The deeper lesson here is one of taqwa. Being mindful of your impact and knowing the rights of others upon you is to be free from harm, subhan Allah. (b) Keeping away from usury: The majority of us have little idea how insidious the consumption of Riba is. Usury has led to the rise in capitalism and, with it, the idea that life needs to be lived in excess, with over-consumption and a deep drive for owning the best, biggest, and latest of every item. When we understand the severity of consuming interest reaffirms how incredible and merciful Allah is by sending us a Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to advise us, give us the chance to save our souls from the bondage of desires, and allow us to tread a path towards purification. (c) Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion: The plot of Shaytan ever unfolding. He is a master manipulator. This piece of advice is extremely powerful because we often underestimate Shaytan. His goal is simple: sabotage your life in two ways – by harming you and by pushing you to harm others. Seek refuge in Allah be vigilant and mindful of your thoughts and actions. Remember a crucial point, shaytan works in steps. He will seldom just whisper for you to leave your religion. He will tactically beautify the haram desires and push you to weaken in your endeavours that you pursue to bring you close to Allah. “O you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion) and follow not the footsteps of Shaytan (Satan). Verily! He is to you a plain enemy.” (2:208). (d) Eliminating racism: In his sermon, the Messenger of Allah said, “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action.” With the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement, the powerful advice of the Prophet (PBUH) is extremely important to heed. We are reminded of our origins and redirected to what truly matters: someone who has a heart that is attached to Allah in word and deed. This is what is truly important. (e) Treating women well: This advice is extremely pertinent in our times, when the disrespect and subjugation of women is far too common. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised us to be guided by kindness and honour in the treatment and status of women. It is a reminder to both men and women of the status and rights of women in Islam, and society’s duty to uphold this standard. The farewell Sermon of our prophet (pbuh) is briefly given as “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today. O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest); therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib (the Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things. O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste. “O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers (salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford it.All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over a white, except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray. All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.May Allah allow us to reflect and act upon the advice of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). May He allow our hearts to be nourished in His love and empower us to learn and follow the Sunnah as a means to fulfilling His command. Ameen!
(The author an Associate Professor Statistics at S K University Of Agriculture Sciences & Technology-SKUAST Srinagar writes regularly and exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”. Views are his own)