|
THE PROPHET’S BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
Makka
was covered by a heavy blanket of darkness. No sign of life and
activity could be observed in it.Only the moon slowly emerged from
behind the darkened surrounding mountains and cast its pale, delicate
rays upon the simple, austere houses and upon the sandy regions outside
the city.
“It was now early
dawn and early rising, vigilant night birds were singing beautifully in
that heavenly weather. They seemed to be speaking in a romantic language
to their beloved! The horizon was on the verge of brightness of dawn
but still a mysterious silence prevailed over the city. All were asleep.
Only Amina was awake, feeling the contractions she had been
expecting.Gradually the contractions became stronger.Suddenly Amina saw
several unknown women in her room. The room was filled with light and
there was fragrance in the air. She wondered who they were and how they
had entered her room through closed door; A glance of the life of Holy
Prophet of Islam, p.20
Soon he baby was
born, and thus after several months of waiting, Amina had the pleasure
of seeing her child in the early dawn of the 17th Rabi-ul-Awwal.
(As reprted in Biharul Anwar, some other dates are reported above).
All were overjoyed
with the child’s birth.But when Mohammad (SAW) illuminated Amina’s dark
and silent room of prayer, her young Abdullah, was not present.
The Prophet was born
and his blessed birth gave rise to numerous wonderful incidents in the
sky and on the earth, especially in the East, the cradle of civilisation.
News of these event
spread quickly and informed the people of an imminent, very significant
incident. Since this newly born child was predistined to destroy the
people’s old surperstitious beliefs and customs and to lay new
foundations for human progress and propserity, from the very beginning
he sounded the reveille.
On that blessed
night, the Persian monarch Anushiravan’s magnifciant place, which
incarnated a false fantasy of power and eternal monarchy and upon which
people looked with fear and awe, trembled. Fourteen of its turrets
collapsed, and the fire in the fire-temple of Persia, which had been
flaming for 1000 years, was sudenly extinguished. Ibid. pp 258-263.
So the humiliated
worshippers of that false, destructive object of worship, whose minds
had been blocked by the obstacles of prejudice and false imitation and
who thus could not reflect upon nature took notice of the truth and were
attracted toward a totally different direction. The drying out of the
Savah lake awakened the people of another great region.
HALIMA
THE PROPHET’S (SAW) NURSE
For many centuries it
had been customary among the Arabs to give their new born children to
women from the tribes around the city to be wet-nursed. This was done so
that their children would grow up in the fresh air and natural
environment of the desert and also learn the eloquent Arabic dilect
whose purest form was to be found at that time in the desert.
For the reason and
since Amina had no milk to feed her child, Abdul-Muttalib, his grand
father and guardian, felt it necessary to employ an honourable,
trustworthy lady to look after the child of his dear son, Abdullah.
After making appropriate enquiries, he selected Halima, who was from
Bani Sa’d tribe (a tribe famous for bravery and eloquence) and who was
rated among the most chaste, noble women. Halima took the infant to her
own tribe and looked after him as though he were her own child. The Bani
Sa’d tribe had long been suffering from famine in the desert. The dry
desert and lack of rain had added much to their poverty and misery. But
from the very day he entered Halima’s house, good fortune and blessings
entered with him. Her life, which had been filled with powerty and
destitution, suddenly changed into happy and properous one. The pale
faces of Halima and her children became rosy and full of life. Her dry
breasts swelled with milk, and the pasture of the sheep and camels of
that region turned fresh and green, whereas before he came to their
tribe, people lived in poverty and faced many difficulties.
He grew up more
rapidly than other children, ran more nimbly and did not stammer like
them. Good fortune and auspiciousness so accompanied him that all the
people of around him easily realised this fact and admitted it. Halima’s
husband, Harith, told her, ”Do you know what a blessed baby we have been
given” : A glance of the Life of Holy Prophet, pp.21-22.
IN THE STORM OF
EVENTS
The Prophet (SAW) was
just six years old when his mother, Amina, left Makka for Madina to vist
her relatives and probably to pay respectful visit to her husband’s
grave. He accompanied his mother on that trip. But after visiting her
relatives and expressing love and loyalty to her husband at Abdullah’s
graveside, on her way back to Makka, Amina passed away at a place name
Abwa. Thus, the prophet (SAW) had lost both his mother and father by
that tender age when every child needs a father’s affection and
mother’s embrace.. Ibid page 22.
A
GLIMPSE INTO THE PROPHET’s CHARACTER
Just as the Prophet’s
(SAW) birth and the events that followed his blessed birth were extra
ordinary and suggestive of his majesty and supreme character, so his
behaviour and manner of speaking in childhood also made him different
from other children. Abdul Mattalib realised this fact and respected his
majesty greatly.
Abu Talib, the
Prophet’s (SAW) uncle used to say, ’We have never heard any lies from
Mohammad (SAW), nor have we seen him misconduct himself or make
mischief. He never laughs unduly nor speaks idly and he is mostly alone.
The Prophet (SAW) was
seven years old when a Jew remarked, ’In our books we have read that the
Prophet of Islam (SAW) refrains from eating any food which
is religiously prohibited or doubtful. Let’s try him’. So they stole a
hen and sent it to Abu Talib. Not knowing that the hen had been stolen,
all ate from the cooked hen but Mohammad (SAW), who avoided even
tasting. When they asked the reason for this avoidance of the food, he
answered, ’This food is forbidden by God, and God protects me against
anything that He has forbiden. Then the Jews took a hen from a neighbour,
intending to pay for it later on, and sent it to Abu Talib’s house.
Again he avoided eating the hen, saying, ’This food is doubtful and then
the Jews said, ’The child has an extraordinary character and supreme
position. Ibid. p.23
SOME SCENES FROM THE PROPHET’S
CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH.
Muhammad (SAW) went
through the difficulties of orphanhood in his childhood with the support
of his high-spirited grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, and his affectionate
uncle, Abu Talib. It seems that the heart-rendering pains of orphanhood
must have severely tormented his pure delicate soul.
As time went on,
Mohammad (SAW) grew up and his childhood gave place to youth, when
instincts and potentials bloom. Although he was deprived of mother’s
care and father’s affection, he received affectionate care and
attention from Abu Talib, who, due to his moral attitude and in
obedience to his father’s emphatic order, protected and supported him.
In fact, Mohammad (SAW) represented three things to Abu Talib : a son, a
reminder of his father, Abdullah, and of his father, Abdul Muttalib. So
the Prophet (SAW) became a beloved member of Abu Talib’s family lived
in his house and was treated as his own son. To the Prophet (SAW), Abu
Talib was an affectionate father, a loyal uncle and a compassionate
perceptor.
BAHIRA’S INTERVIEW WITH THE PROPHET (SAW)
One day the Qurash
Caravan was nearing Basra, Bahira, a devout monk, caught sight of it
through his monastry’s window. He observed that Caravan shaded by a
little cloud that kept pace with it. Bahira came out of the monastry,
stood in a corner and instructed his ervant, ’Go and tell them that
today they are all my guests’.
All came to him but
the Prophet (SAW), who was standing beside the property and equipment of
the caravan. Seeing that the cloud has ceased to move. Bahira asked his
guests, ’Are all the members of caravan present here’? They answered,
’All but a youth who is youngest’, Bahira said, ’Tell him to come as
well’. So he was asked to come to the monk’s room. The keen eyes of
Bahira noticed that cloud over his head moved with him. Taken by
surprise, Bahira kept staring at the young boy. When the meal was over,
the pious monk told him, ’I have a question to ask you and you must
swear by Lat and Uzza to answer my question’.
Mohammad (SAW) said,
’These two you have asked me to swear by are the most detestable things
to me’. Bahira said, ’Swear by Allah to answear my question’.
He said, ’Ask your
question’.
After a short
interview with him, Bahira knelt down before him and started kissing his
hands and feet, saying, ’If I live till you start your divine mission, I
will most faithfully aid you and fight your enemies. You are superior
of all Adam’s offsprings”. He further said that he is predestined to
become a Prophet, and the angel of inspiration will come down and make
divine revealations to him’. Ibid pp.25-26.
THE PROPHET AS A SHEPHERED AND A CONTEMPLATIVE MAN
Although Abu Talib
was rated as a man of status among the Quraysh, his income was not
sufficient to support his family. Now that Mohammad (SAW) was of mature
age, he was naturally inclined to find a job to ease the heavy burden
upon his uncle’s shoulders. But what kind of job should he engage in
to suit his supreme character?.
Since he was destined
to become a great Prophet and sublime leader, to face unrestrained
obstinate people, to fight against the superstitious beliefs and wrong
customs of the period of ignorance, and to lay the foundations of the
magnificent palace of justice and proper laws and regulations, he found
hit expedient to become a herdsman.
Indeed, during this
period, he acquired many superior human characterstics such as
generosity, good temper, magnanimity, good behaviour towards neighbours,
tolerance, truthfulness, trustworthiness and avoidance of vices. He
became known ‘Muhammad, the Trustworthy’.
THE MORALS AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE HOLY PROPHET (SAW)
The Holy Prophet of
Islam (SAW) possessed the magnificent status of prophecy and divine
leadership, but his manners is dealing with the people and his way of
life were so simple and gentle that when he was among the people and a
new commer wanted to know about him, he had to ask, ’Which one of you
is the Prophet’. Ibid p.125
He had no love for
luxuries or illusions of this mortal world. He was never enchanted by
any worldly things, and he invariably looked upon this world’s life as
passing one.
The holy Prophet of
Islam (SAW) spoke in short, meaningful sentences and was never seen or
heard to interrupt anybody’s speech.
He never spoke of a
morose face, nor did he ever apply rough, awkward words. Unlike tyrants
and despot rulers, the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) never looked at those
who were addressing him with half-closed eyes.
The Prophet of Islam
(SAW) did not care to sit down in the seat of honour, in gatherings,
and on entering any place would sit down in the first empty seat
available.
He did not let
anybody stand up before him and treated others most respectfully. Of
course, of anybody and forgave people’s mistakes or their misconduct.
His reaction to the torment and disregard of the ignorant people was
forgiveness and tolerance.
EVENTS OF THE ELEVENTH YEAR AFTER THE FLIGHT AND THE DEATH OF THE
LORDSHIP THE PRINCE OF INSPIRED MESSANGER (SAW)
The U'lama of
biographies-Allah have mercy on them - have said that when his Holy
Prophetic lordship (SAW) had returned from Madina from the pilgrimage of
velidiction, he felt sick, and (never) recovered again and that when
the news of his indisposition had spread near and far, some persons laid
claim to prophecy. On Wednesday, twenty eight of Safar, that prince
(SAW) had a violent fever and headache, and Thursday, he tied, despite
of his malady, the banner (of command) with his own propitious hands
for As'mah, saying : "In the name of Allah, for the religion of Allah,
fight those who are unbelievers”! Asamah went out with standard, which
he gave to Borydah B. Alhassyb, and made him the commander of the army,
his lordship the Prophet (SAW) also ordered Sidyq, Faruq and Dhu-Nuryn
and other chiefs of the Mohajirs and nobles of Ansar to march in that
expedition with Asamah. This arrangement, however, displeased many of
the companions, and disapproving of it , they said: The Appostle of God
(SAW) has made that boy the Governor of Mohajer, and of such a
distinguished company. On hearing this malcontents, he bacame irate,
tied cloth over his blessed head, and left his mansion, despite the
headache and fever he was sufferring from, ascended the pulpit, and
said, after offering praises and thanks givings : “O ye people, what
words of your I hear with reference to the commandership of Asamah? If
you blame this day for commander, you have undoubtedly blamed his father
when he was in command of Sariah Mowtah! I swear by Allah that Zayd was
worthy of command, and that after him his son is likewise worthy
thereof! Accept, therefore, in good part what I say about him. He is one
of the best among you". Rauzat-us-Safa Volume 2 part II. pp.703-705.
In the Aa'llamu-lward
we read that the Prophet (SAW) began to feel unwell on Saturday or
Sunday, during the end of the month Ssafar, took hold of the hand of Ali
(A.S), and preceded by a number of friends, arrived at Baqyi, where he
said 'greetings to you, O denizens of the tombs. May you enjoy what is
comming. Troubles have arrived like pieces of dark night; the former are
connected with the latter, and they follow each other. Then he said; 'Be
it known unto you that Jebrail recites the Quran to me once every year;
but this year he has done it ten times, I know he has done this, because
my end is at hand'. He also said : O Ali, I have been left the choice to
receive the treasures of this world and to remain there in, or to dwell
in paradise but I have elected to meet God the Most High, and (after
that to dwell in Paradise.. When I expire thou art to wash my body, and
to cover my pudenda, so that no one may see them without being struck
with blindness After having washed my body, thou art to drink the water
remaining in the cavity of my navel, and of cavities of my eyes, that
thou mayest inherit the knowledge of former and latter times" Ibid.
p.706.
Omm e-Solmah
says 'The Apostle of God during his sickness tied a turban on his
blessed head, mounted the pulpit, and first implored pardon for the
martyres of Ohod, and after that he ordered the doors of the houses of
the companions which faced the mosque to be shut, except that of
Ali-u-w-b-saying "I cannot do without his company, nor he without mine"
Ibid p.710
There is another
naration from Aby Sa'd Hadhary “in his mortal sickness the Apostle of
God came out one day from the apartment of A'ayshah, mounted the pulpit,
preached a sermon, and extorting his companions on that occasion, said :
'God the Most High and Glorious has given to his servant the choice
between this world and His reward, but he has selected the latter'. At
these words Abu Baker (R.U.) commenced to weep, and we wondered what
occasion there was for crying at this information; at last, however, we
learnt that he had by his high intellect and penetration understood that
the servant here meant was the prophet himself” Ibid. p.711.
"The U'lama of
biographers have related that at the time when sickness of the apostle
of Allah (SAW) increased, and the companions assembled in his apartment,
he exclaimed: 'Bring and inkstand, with a sheet, that I may write
something which will never be lost after me'. Some desired to comply
with this order, while others said : 'Will the words will be like those
he utters from the violance of his disease, or serious ones?' Omar (R.U.)
said : 'Pain and suffering have overpowered the Apostle of God (SAW),
and we possess the Quran which we approve of'. Many agreed with the
opinion of Omar (R.U.) while others insisted on the production of the
writing material asked for, so that dispute arose, which was carried on
with great confusion and noise. Hereon his holy prophetic lordship-u.w.b.--said
: 'Go away from me, for it is unseemly to quarrel in the presence of
prophet' Abbas (peace be upon him) says 'It was a great misfortune. that
some of the companions would not allow the Apostle of God (SAW.) to
write his last will'. Ibid. p.712
In his last moments
of life his Lordship asked Jebrail to' increase his joy' And Jebrael
said : 'O Mohammad (SAW), the Lord Most high, whose name be blessed and
exalted will grant thee several things, which he has not vouched to
bestow on any of the noble prophets; the lake Kawthar; the laudable
spot; intercession for thy people will be granted to thee, and on the
morn of the resurrection many of thy adherents will be restored to
rejoice thee'. Ibid. pp.727-728.
The Prophet departed
to the eternal world in June-632A.D. It is the opinion of most
biographers that the Apostle of God (SAW) expired on Monday, the 12th of
Month Rabyi'anterior, some say it was 2nd of the same month. Ibid.
p.73916. |