Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.
Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.
Peace and blessings be upon the last prophet of God, Muhammad.
And Peace be upon those who follow true guidance.
It is that day of the year again that commemorates the birth of the noblest of men in his time into this world. Cartoonists make cruel caricatures of him, wise men regard him as a great man, while over a billion people bear witness that he is a prophet and a messenger of God. He was born in the year 570 CE among the Arabs.
His mission was to be the prophet of God sent to the whole world. He started his prophethood at the age of forty and ended at the age of sixty-three when he left this world and met his Creator. During the short period of only TWENTY-THREE YEARS of his prophethood, what he accomplished would've been seen as an impossibility if it hadn't happened. He turned the Arabian peninsula, full of people who were of the worst of mankind, completely
1) from paganism and idolatry to submission and worshipping of the one true God,
2) from tribal quarrels and wars to national solidarity and cohesion,
3) from drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety,
4) from lawlessness and anarchy to disciplined living,
5) and from utter bankruptcy to the highest standards of moral excellence.
His teachings and examples exist and are practiced up until today. Who in the human history has ever done such a thing besides the prophets of God? There is no wonder how he is ranked as the most influential person in history by Michael H. Hart, the author of "The 100: A Ranking of the most Influential Persons in History". His name is Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib (peace and blessings be upon him).
Now that we know his name, let's look at some of his life in this world. These hadiths are taken only from the authentic compilation of hadiths done by either Imam Bukhari or Imam Muslim. How did Muhammad (pbuh), the prophet of God, and the leader of a nation live his life, luxurious or humble and modest? Umar, one of his companion, used to visit the prophet often. Once, Muhammad got up after lying on a mat made of palm tree leaves and there were marks of the mat imprinted on his side. Umar wept saying that he, of all men, should be living comfortably, but the prophet replied that they would be satisfied to enjoy the life in the Hereafter (Sahih Bukhari 1)
"Allah's Apostle smiled while he was lying on a mat made of palm tree leaves with nothing between him and the mat. Underneath his head there was a leather pillow stuffed with palm fibres, and leaves of a saut tree were piled at his feet, and above his head hung a few water skins. On seeing the marks of the mat imprinted on his side, I wept. He said, 'Why are you weeping?' I replied, 'O Allah's Apostle! Caesar and Khosrau are leading the life (i.e. luxurious life) while you, Allah's Apostle though you are, are living in destitute.' The Prophet then replied, 'Won't you be satisfied that they enjoy this world and we the Hereafter?'" (Sahih Bukhari 1)
Glory be to God who sent this beautiful and grateful creation to the world who did not care much about this temporary world. This man would even go for days without any food (sahih Bukhari 2).
"Narrated Jabir
"We were digging (the trench) on the day of (Al-Khandaq ( i.e. Trench)) and we came across a big solid rock. We went to the Prophet and said, "Here is a rock appearing across the trench." He said, "I am coming down." Then he got up, and a stone was tied to his belly for we had not eaten anything for three days. So the Prophet took the spade and struck the big solid rock and it became like sand. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Allow me to go home." (When the Prophet allowed me) I said to my wife, "I saw the Prophet in a state that I cannot treat lightly. Have you got something (for him) to eat?" She replied, "I have barley and a she-goat." So I slaughtered the she-kid and she ground the barley; then we put the meat in the earthenware cooking pot..."" (Sahih Bukhari)
How could a man with power of a leader of a country not even have his daily meal, so much so that he had to tie up a stone to his belly? O Lord of the Worlds, bless this man whom you sent to us and place him at the highest place closest to you.
Now let's see some of his manners. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a self-less person and was quick to give people what he had. Once a woman made him a Burda (a cloth). He took it and wore it, but when someone asked for the Burda, he agreed to give it to him without hesitation (Sahih Bukhari 3).
"I heard Sahl bin Sad saying, "A woman brought a Burda (i.e. a square piece of cloth having edging). I asked, 'Do you know what a Burda is?' They replied in the affirmative and said, "It is a cloth sheet with woven margins." Sahl went on, "She addressed the Prophet and said, 'I have woven it with my hands for you to wear.' The Prophet took it as he was in need of it, and came to us wearing it as a waist sheet. One of us said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Give it to me to wear.' The Prophet agreed to give it to him. The Prophet sat with the people for a while and then returned (home), wrapped that waist sheet and sent it to him. The people said to that man, 'You haven't done well by asking him for it when you know that he never turns down anybody's request.' The man replied, 'By Allah, I have not asked him for it except to use it as my shroud when I die.' "Sahl added; "Later it (i.e. that sheet) was his shroud." (Sahih Bukhari)
Even though Muhammad (pbuh) needed the Burda, nevertheless, he still gave it to other people if they asked for it. He was said to be one of the most generous person in his lifetime (Sahih Bukhari 4 & 5)
"Narrated Ibn Abbas
Allah's Apostle was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramadan when the Angel Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Qur'an. Allah's Apostle was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds)."(Sahih Bukhari 4)
"Narrated Anas
The Prophet was the best, the bravest and the most generous of all the people." (Sahih Bukhari 5)
He even paid the debt of the muslims who had died when he was blessed with wealth (Sahih Bukhari 6).
"Narrated Abu Huraira
Whenever a dead man in debt was brought to Allah's Apostle he would ask, "Has he left anything to repay his debt?" If he was informed that he had left something to repay his debts, he would offer his funeral prayer, otherwise he would tell the Muslims to offer their friend's funeral prayer. When Allah made the Prophet wealthy through conquests, he said, "I am more rightful than other believers to be the guardian of the believers, so if a Muslim dies while in debt, I am responsible for the repayment of his debt, and whoever leaves wealth (after his death) it will belong to his heirs." (Sahih Bukhari)
How many people would ever do that kind of thing prophet Muhammad did? O the Merciful, surely You weren't lying when You said:
"[O Muhammad] We have not sent you but as a blessing for all the worlds. " (Surah 21:107)
It is ironic that a lot of people in this world view Muhammad (pbuh) as someone who was mean to women, when a lot of hadiths state otherwise. One narration reports that a group of Quraishi women were talking to the prophet and asking him for more financial support, and some would even raise their voice above the prophet's himself. It was only when Umar entered to see the prophet that the women screen themselves and kept quiet (Sahih Bukhari 7).
"Narrated Sad bin Abi Waqqas
Once Umar asked the leave to see Allah's Apostle in whose company there were some Quraishi women who were talking to him and asking him for more financial support raising their voices. When 'Umar asked permission to enter the women got up (quickly) hurrying to screen themselves. When Allah's Apostle admitted 'Umar, Allah's Apostle was smiling, 'Umar asked, "O Allah's Apostle! May Allah keep you gay always." Allah's Apostle said, "I am astonished at these women who were with me. As soon as they heard your voice, they hastened to screen themselves." 'Umar said, "O Allah's Apostle! You have more right to be feared by them." Then he addressed (those women) saying, "O enemies of your own souls! Do you fear me and not Allah's Apostle?" They replied. "Yes, for you are a fearful and fierce man as compared with Allah's Apostle." On that Allah's Apostle said (to 'Umar), "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, whenever Satan sees you taking a path, he follows a path other than yours."" (Sahih Bukhari 7)
In another narration, Muhammad (pbuh) advised to treat women nicely as they are created from a rib which is a fragile part (Sahih Bukhari 8).
"Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah 's Apostle said, "Treat women nicely, for a women is created from a rib, and the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion, so, if you should try to straighten it, it will break, but if you leave it as it is, it will remain curved. So treat women nicely." (Sahih Bukhari 8)
Even though Muhammad (pbuh) was a strict person regarding religion and God's rules, he was also a shy person and if he doesn't like something even though it's not haram, he wouldn't tell them about it, but his expression shows (Sahih Bukhari 9).
"Narrated Abu Said Al Khudri
The Prophet was more shy than a virgin in her separate room. And if he saw a thing which he disliked, we would recognize that (feeling) in his face." (Sahih Bukhari 9)
Prophet Muhammad, though someone of high degree, was very humble. He did what other people would do and wore what other people would wear and mixed with everyone without distinguishing himself from others. If a stranger wanted to see him, he wouldn't be able to point out which one is Muhammad (Sahih Bukhari 10)
"Narrated Anas bin Malik
While we were sitting with the Prophet in the mosque, a man came riding on a camel. He made his camel kneel down in the mosque, tied its foreleg and then said: "Who amongst you is Muhammad?" At that time the Prophet was sitting amongst us (his companions) leaning on his arm. We replied, "This white man reclining on his arm." The man then addressed him, "O Son of 'Abdul Muttalib." (Sahih Bukhari 10)
The prophet was also sensitive towards people and had a soft heart. Once, when leading a prayer, he wanted to prolong it but when he heard a baby cried, he shortened it, knowing that the mother would be worried (Sahih Bukhari 11). He would also shorten a prayer if there were old and weak people standing along in prayer (Sahih Bukhari 12).
"Narrated Abdullah bin Abi Qatada
My father said, "The Prophet said, 'When I stand for prayer, I intend to prolong it but on hearing the cries of a child, I cut it short, as I dislike to trouble the child's mother.'" (Sahih Bukhari 11)
"O People! Verily there are among you those who chase people away! If you lead people in prayer, shorten the prayer. There are old and weak people and those with special needs behind you in prayer." (Sahih Bukhari 12)
When the prophet visited his grandchild at his deathbed, he shed some tears while looking at his grandchild (Sahih Bukhari 13).
"Narrated Abu Uthman
The child was placed on his lap while his breath was irregular. Tears flowed from the eyes of the Prophet. Sa'd said to him, "What is this, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "This is Mercy which Allah has embedded in the hearts of whomever He wished of His slaves. And Allah does not bestow His Mercy, except on the merciful among His slaves." (Sahih Bukhari 13).
So, there it is, a look at some aspects of the life of a great prophet of God, Muhammad (pbuh). Some people insist on looking at him as a cruel tyrant and a heartless terrorist based on the fact that he led wars, but they never considered the reason WHY he was involved in wars in the first place and they never considered his life besides getting involved in wars. Had one studied him as a whole, one would come up with a conclusion that he happens to be one of the most honorable and best men in history.
O God, the Merciful, the Gracious, the King, the Bestower of Goodness, grant peace and blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad and his family as you granted peace and blessings upon the prophet Abraham and his family. For you are the Praised, the Glorious. Amen.
HAPPY CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTHDAY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF GOD BE UPON HIM)!
God, be my witness that I have conveyed your message. Forgive my wrongness and guide me to the straight path. Amen.
What's good is from God, and what's bad is caused by my own ignorance. Do correct me if i'm wrong. Jazakallahukhayran.
No comments:
Post a Comment