بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
Prophet Muhammad (S)
Glossary of Terms
| Jahiliyyah |
The period before the coming of the Prophet Mohammad (s) |
| Justice |
Fairness, The quality of being just or fair |
| Omnipotent |
The all powerful |
| Omnipresent |
The all presence |
| Omniscient |
The all knowing |
| Mosque |
A Muslim place of worship |
| Quran |
The Book of Allah (azj) revealed upon the Prophet Mohammad (s) in the span of 23 years. |
| Jihad |
To strive and struggle in the way of Allah |
| Blasphemy |
Expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred |
| Treaty |
A formal agreement between states, A written agreement between two states or sovereigns |
| Mubahila |
To invoke Allah’s curse upon the lying side when two parties are contesting for truth |
Objectives
To know and understand historical background of the Arabs before Islam.
To know how hard the Prophet (s) struggle to establish Islam and the mutual love within the Muslims at that time and others.
Pre-Islamic period (Jahiliyyah)
The most remarkable feature of the political life of Arabia before Islam was the total absence of political organization in any form. The only law of the land was lawlessness. In the event a crime was committed, the injured party took law in its own hands, and tried to administer “justice” to the offender. This system led very frequently to acts of terrible cruelty.
To the Arabs, war was a pastime or rather a dangerous sport, while the “audience” cheered. Eternal peace held no appeal for them, and war provided an escape from drudgery[1] and from the dullness of life in the desert.
Economically, the Jews were the leaders of Arabia. They were the owners of the best-cultivated land in Hijaz, and they were the best farmers in the country. They were also the entrepreneurs of such industries as existed in Arabia in those days, and they enjoyed a monopoly of the armaments industry.
Slavery was an economic institution of the Arabs. Male and female slaves were sold and bought like animals, and they formed the most depressed class of the Arabian society.
The most powerful class of the Arabs was made up by the capitalists and moneylenders. The rates of interest, which they charged on loans, were exorbitant, and were especially designed to make them richer and richer and the borrowers poorer and poorer.
Arabia was a male-dominated society. Women had no status of any kind other than as sex objects. The number of women a man could marry was not fixed. When a man died, his son “inherited” all his wives except his own mother.
A savage custom of the Arabs was to bury their female infants alive. Even if an Arab did not wish to bury his daughter alive, he still had to uphold this “honorable” tradition, being unable to resist social pressures.
Drunkenness was a common vice of the Arabs. With drunkenness went their gambling. They were compulsive drinkers and compulsive gamblers.
The relations of the sexes were also extremely loose.
All in all Arabia before the coming of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was a corrupt, immoral cruel and a violent place.
The Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (S)
Muhammad (pbuh) was born in 570 CE in a noblest family among the families of Arabs i.e. he hailed from the noblest clan of the Quraysh tribe viz. Banu-Hashim. Quraysh is the most superior, most sanctified and occupying the highest hierarchy clan among the Arabs of that time. He lived orphaned. His father Abdullah died while his mother was pregnant of him for a period of two months. His mother also died while he was six. His grandfather took him into his custody and after the passing-away of his grandfather Abdulmuttalib then his uncle Abu-Talib, till he was matured and grown-up. He spent the early first four years of his childhood in desert among Banu-Sa’ad, as it was the custom of the Arabs for their child to be raised in a village.
When he was a youth, he was taking care of the Makkan people’s animals on wages and when he was 25 it was in this age that Muhammad (pbuh) rose in ranks in the work force until he became a successful business man. It is at this time, in a highly male dominated society, that lady Khadija hired him to work for her. Just as his ego did not prevent him from a lowly job when he needed it, again his ego did not prevent him from working for a successful woman, whom he would eventually marry.
He worked for Khadija bint Khuwailid in trading. He was reserved and did not get involved with his youth age peers in their parties and plays. He never joined his people in their idol worship; did not ever eat what was sacrificed for the idol; he never drank beer or played gamble; never was he known to be involved with vulgar language nor rudeness in words. He was known to be smart and intelligent enormously, truthful, nice, promising, chaste, good refuted. When the prophet (SAW) was about to be appointed as a prophet and messenger, Allah endeared seclusion to him, at the cave of Hira in a mountain in the northwestern region of Makkah. The seclusion(s) lasted for a month and in the month of Ramadan. In the seclusion, he was indulged in thinking about the bounties of Allah and the Greatness of His power, until revelation come to him and Qur’an descended on him. And this happened when he was 40.
Marriage to Khadija (s)
Khadija entrusted a friend named Nafisa to approach Muhammad and ask if he would consider marrying. At first, Prophet Muhammad was hesitant because he had no money to support a wife. Nafisa then asked if he would consider marriage to a woman who had the means to provide for herself. Muhammad agreed to come meet with Khadija, and after this meeting, they consulted their respective uncles. The uncles agreed to the marriage, and Muhammad’s uncles accompanied him to make a formal proposal to Khadija. It is disputed whether it was only Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib or only Abu Talib or both who accompanied Prophet Muhammad on this errand. Khadija’s uncle accepted the proposal and the marriage took place.
When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did finally marry Khadija (a.s), he did not forget the generosity of his uncle Abu Talib. The Prophet (pbuh) returned to Abu Talib and made a noble and dignified request. He asked for one of the children of Abu Talib so that he could raise him and care for him, just as his uncle done to him. Abu Talib agrees, and gave him Imam ‘Ali (a.s), who would later be a great torch bearer of Islam.
At an age, where many young men are only thinking about themselves, the Prophet (pbuh) was already catching every opportunity to make the lives of others easier.
Makkah Period
For thirteen years in his birthplace of Makkah, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) called people to the worship of the One Truly God, the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, to do good and renounce all that was false. To have faith in the unseen Lord is perhaps the most difficult task man can accomplish. The faith, which is commonly professed, is not conviction; it is the admission of authority as convenient idea. As regards such faith, Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Holy Qur’an:
“The villagers said ‘we believe; say: you did not believe, but rather say; ‘we have surrendered; for faith has not yet entered in your hearts”. (Qur’an: 49:14)
Faith in God is not a mere belief; it has to be obtained through observation of the creation of God and sound argument and judgment. But the powers with interests to protect remained mercilessly hostile and life intolerable for those who had submitted to the truth. That made the Prophet (pbuh) to advise his companion to migrate to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), which was the first Hijrah, which took place on fifth year of the Prophethood.
Boycott of Banu Hashim
Islam began to spread among the tribes. The Quraysh were so concerned that they decided to write a document containing a ban on the Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib. They declared that they would not marry the women of these clans or give any in marriage to them, or sell them any goods or buy anything from them. The Quraysh displayed the parchment announcing the ban inside the Ka’ba in order to give it authority.
When the Quraysh did that, the Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib gathered round Abu Talib and joined him in his quarters in a narrow valley of Makkah. It was the seventh year of Prophethood. However, Abu Lahab ibn Abdul-Muttalib left the Banu Hashim and aligned himself with the Quraysh.
For many months, the Banu Hashim lived in misery. The boycott was so strictly applied and food was so scarce that they had to eat the leaves of trees. Their hungry children’s cries could be heard all over the valley. The Quraysh told the merchants not to sell any goods to them. Prices were increased to prevent them from buying even essentials.
They remained in that state for three years. Apart from some kind Quraysh people who secretly sent food to them, they were totally abandoned. The Messenger of Allah was in the same predicament but he continued to call his People to Allah night and day, secretly and openly and the Banu Hashim remained patient.
The boycott ends
A group of fair-minded Quraysh, led by Hisham ibn Amr ibn Rabi’ah, hated this unfair boycott. Hisham was highly respected among his people. He contacted some men of the Quraysh whom he knew to be kind-hearted and considerate. He told them it was shameful to allow such tyranny to continue. He asked them to abandon the unjust contract. When he had persuaded five men to agree, they met together to work towards this end. When the Quraysh were assembled the next day, Zuhayr ibn Abi Umayya, whose mother was ‘Atikah bint Abdul-Muttalib, faced the people and demanded, ‘People of Makkah! Do we eat and clothe ourselves while the Banu Hashim are perishing, unable to buy or sell! By Allah, I will not sit down until this unjust document is torn up!’
Abu Jahl entered the discussion to disagree but no one supported him. Al-Mut’im ibn Adi went to the Ka’ba to tear the document down. He found that insects had eaten it all except for the words, ‘In Your name, O Allah.’ The Prophet had already told Abu Talib that Allah had given white ants power over the document. Now it was declared invalid.
The deaths of Abu Talib and Khadijah
Soon after the end of the boycott, Khadija, the wife, the friend and the companion of Muhammad Mustafa (s), the Messenger of God, and the helper of Islam and the Muslims, fell ill and died. All her life she had lived in the midst of luxury and abundance but the three years of exile had been a time of excessive austerity for her, which inevitably took its toll.
As noted before, Khadija was the very first woman in the whole world to declare that God was One, and Muhammad was His Messenger to all mankind. The honor and glory of being the First Believer in the whole world is hers to all eternity. She had sacrificed her comfort, her wealth, and her home for Islam; and now it would appear that she sacrificed her life also.
Without a doubt, if she had lived in her spacious and luxurious house in Makkah, surrounded by her maidservants, she might have lived for many more years. But she preferred to stand by her husband and his clan, and to share the bitters of life with them. During the siege, she had to endure not only the pangs of hunger and thirst but also the extremes of heat in summer and cold in winter, yet no one ever heard a word of complaint from her, and she never lost her serenity.
Whether times were good or bad, whether she had abundance, or she had nothing, she was always cheerful. She was cheerful even in exile. Deprivation and austerity never soured her temperament. Her temperament was an unfailing source of strength, comfort, and courage for her husband during the bleakest moments of his life.
During the years of the siege, Khadija spent her immense fortune on buying essentials like water, food and clothing for the clan of her husband. When she returned to her house, her last cent was gone; and when she died, there was not enough money in the house to buy a shroud. A cloak of her husband was used as a shroud for her, and she was given burial in it.
Muhammad Mustafa (s) never married another woman as long as Khadija lived, and if she had not died, it is most probable that he would not have married any other woman.
Khadija and Abu Talib died in the same year, and with Khadija’s death troubles followed fast on each other’s heels, for she had been a faithful supporter to him in Islam, and he used to tell her of his troubles. With the death of Abu Talib, he lost a strength and stay in his personal life and a defense and protection against his tribe.
Abu Talib was a fervent believer in Islam. His attachment to Islam is pointed up by his consistency, and by the logic of facts.
No man can love Muhammad and idolatry at the same time; the two loves are mutually exclusive. And no man can love Muhammad yet hate Islam. The love of Muhammad and the hatred of Islam cannot coexist. Whoever loves Muhammad, must, inevitably, love Islam. Nor can anyone hate Muhammad and love Islam.
If there is any one thing beyond any doubt in the history of Islam, it is the love of Abu Talib for Muhammad. As noted before, Abu Talib and his wife, Fatima bint Assad, loved Muhammad more than they loved their own children.
Both husband and wife were ever ready to sacrifice their sons for Muhammad. Such love could have had only one source, that of faith in Muhammad and Islam. Abu Talib’s wife, Fatima bint Assad, the foster-mother of Muhammad, was the second woman to accept Islam, the first being Khadija.
Abu Talib was proud that God had chosen Muhammad, the son of his brother, Abdullah, in all creation, to be His Last Messenger to humankind. Muhammad was the greatest love and the greatest pride of his uncle, Abu Talib.
The glorious deeds of Abu Talib are an integral part of the story of Islam. No story of Islam would be either complete or true if it did not comprehend an account of his role, as the protector of Muhammad and the defender of Islam. His deeds are the most powerful evidence of his faith in Allah and His Messenger.
Important Events of Madinah
The Prophet’s entry into Madinah ushers in a new phase for the divine message. Islam gaining fresh followers began to assert its strength and soon started to spread out over the four corners of the Arabian Peninsula.
In the previous chapters, we have already noted that the Prophet was 53 years of age at the time of his auspicious migration. In Madinah, he spent the remaining 10 years of his life and it was here that other brilliant aspects of his immaculate personality became manifest. The divine call now entered a decisive stage and many important events took place in Madinah, which eventually laid a firm foundation for the spread of Islam to the furthest reaches of the globe. Here we shall study some of the major landmarks in the life of Prophet Muhammad [s] and Islam at Madinah.
1. The Building of the First Mosque
The entry into Madinah was followed by the building of the mosque, the first-ever for the Muslims who had just emerged from years of oppression in Makkah. It was one of the most important landmarks for Muslims who now had a center of their own for open uninhibited gatherings, a school for learning the Qur’an and a headquarters for receiving necessary instructions from their leader. Gone were the days of secret underground meetings in Makkah, where the fear of persecution had always weighed heavily for the faithful. Yathrib, which from now onwards was Madinat-an-Nabi (city of the Prophet) or Al-Madinah al Munawwara (illuminated city), provided a free open atmosphere for the growth of the true faith.
Makkan immigrants mixed with the local population, the ‘Ansar’ (Helpers), and cheerfully started giving shape to Islam’s first-ever mosque which would be known as Masjid-an-Nabi (Prophet’s Mosque). The building was soon constructed of clay and tree trunks with palm leaves serving as a thatched roof. The Messenger of Allah himself took part in the construction and the following year he enlarged its precincts to cover an area of 2475 square meters.
All Muslims enthusiastically assembled there for the daily prayers, which were led by the Prophet himself. He used to deliver sermons there, teach the Qur’an and the laws of Islam to the faithful, discourse with his companions, prepare them for ‘Jihad’ (holy struggle) and would look into their problems and other relevant issues. Thus, the Mosque was actually the headquarters of the first-ever Islamic State established by the Messenger. It still stands majestically today, frequently enlarged and beautified throughout the last fourteen centuries. The tomb of Prophet Muhammad [s] is situated within its enclosure, and draws millions of Muslims from all over the world.
2. Brotherhood
The second important step taken by the Prophet in Madinah was the fraternizing of ‘Muhajereen’ (Makkan Immigrants) with the ‘Ansar’ (Helpers) in the bonds of Islamic brotherhood. He fraternized each Muhajir with an Ansar, joining them together as brothers in faith. And he himself clasped the hand of his beloved cousin Ali bin Abi Talib [a] as the supreme symbol of brotherhood, fraternity and solidarity in the Islamic society.
Before proceeding further let us say a few words about the Muhajereen and the Ansar, who formed the pillars of the Islamic State. Allah, the Exalted describes them in the Qur’an as follows:
“And as for the first and foremost of the Muhajereen (emigrants) and the Ansar (helpers), and those who followed suit in good deeds; Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him; and He has prepared for them gardens watered by running streams, therein dwelling forever; that is a supreme triumph.”
Holy Qur’an (9:100)
The Muhajereen as the name suggests were the Muslim emigrants from Makkah who had followed the Prophet of Madinah to defend their faith and to escape persecution from the infidels. They had embraced Islam in its early formative years and most of them had steadfastly endured severe pain and hardship in the way of liberty, truth, and justice.
On the other hand, the Ansar were the indigenous inhabitants of Madinah, who believed in the Message of Islam and rallied to the help of the Prophet. They welcomed him to their city, and fought alongside him against the pagans of Arabia. It was their faith and selfless devotion, which cemented Islamic unity and brought many a glorious victory for Islam.
At the time of the Hijrah, most of the Muhajereen were poor and possessed nothing, but the Ansar displaying the finest example of Islamic brotherhood, provided them with their needs such as houses, money and food. They lodged them in their own houses, shared their wealth with them, and gave their daughters in marriage to the Makkan Muslims.
Such were the Muhajereen and the Ansar – brothers sharing food, clothing, and residence, and defending and helping each other as ordered by the Almighty. From them we learn patience, self-sacrifice, fraternity, piety and devoted zeal to spread the call of Islam to less fortunate people around the world.
3. The Islamic State
The other important event after the Hijrah was the establishment of the Islamic State and Government by the Prophet, who by applying the gradual unfolding of divine commandments, molded the previously ignorant Arabs into a real Islamic society. Expounding the eternal miracle of the Holy Qur’an and setting his own divinely inspired personality as a practical example, he firmly erected the pillars of justice and virtue. In short, Prophet Muhammad [s] presented to the dark world seething under tyranny and oppression, the most perfect ever constitution – spiritual, social and political and a key to their salvation both in this mortal life and the hereafter.
4. Jihad
The next stage was Jihad or holy struggle, a thing not known in Makkah. It was the natural consequence to the setting up of a state. Unbelievers, ever-intent to kill the divine call but seeing Islam finely knit into a secure state, resorted to arms, and the Muslims had to follow suit to defend their faith, and according to Allah’s injunctions went out to do battle with the aggressors.
The first ever battle between Islam and blasphemy occurred in the second year of the Hijrah at a place called ‘Badr’ in which the newfound Islamic State, assembling a modest force of only 313 Muslims defeated a vastly outnumbering army of disbelievers. The victory led to many other battles and skirmishes with the Makkan infidels, who each time came out in larger numbers to avenge their previous setbacks, but by Allah’s Grace suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of the faithful.
The victories brought strength and courage to the Muslims and helped facilitate the spread of Islam and monotheism to the farthest reaches of polytheist Arabia.
5. The Treaty of Hudaybia
Another important landmark in the Prophet’s life and progress of the Islamic call was the treaty of Hudaybia.
One night Prophet Muhammad [s] had a dream in which he saw that he and his companions were entering the precincts of the Holy Ka’ba in Makkah to perform the ‘Tawaaf’ (circumambulation), but the infidel Arabs were trying to obstruct their entrance. Following the dream, he decided to go to Makkah with some 1,500 Muslims to perform the pilgrimage. It was in the sixth year of the Hijrah, and when the party arrived at a place called Hudaybia, the infidels confronted them and blocked all routes to Makkah. After some deliberations, the infidels and the Prophet concluded a treaty, specifying that the Muslim party would for the moment go back to Madinah, but would return the next year for performing the pilgrimage. There were some other terms too.
As per the treaty, the Messenger and his companions turned back to Madinah, but the next year the Prophet along with a group of Muslims entered Makkah – 7 years after his historical migration – to perform the Umrah ritual (the lesser pilgrimage). Thus, his dream came true, and it was another undeniable proof of his Prophethood.
6. The Conquest of Makkah
Next followed the great event in the history of Islam that was the conquest of Makkah, the then stronghold of ignorance and disbelief. With it, idolatry was purged from the greater part of Arabia finally, and Allah’s Sacred House the Ka’ba was cleansed of the filth of man-made objects. The event took place during the month of Ramadhan, in the year 8 A.H. and Makkah was liberated without a fight. Almighty Allah instilled the hearts of the idolaters with such fear that when Abu Sufyan, the leader of the infidels, and his men, saw the Muslim forces they were struck with awe and meekly surrendered. Thus, the Messenger and his companions entered Makkah triumphantly, smashed the idols, performed the Tawaaf, and returned to Madinah.
The conquest of Makkah and the purging of idols from Holy Ka’ba proved a great victory for Islam. Following the event, which is famous for Muhammad’s [s] magnanimity towards his archenemies, the Makkan pagans, who all accepted Islam. People started embracing the faith in multitude.
7. Monarchs, Heads of state and Tribal chiefs Invited to Islam
Allah bestowed victory upon His Prophet in his many battles, and the Muslims were now strong. Since the light of Islam had expelled ignorance from the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula, the Messenger of Allah now felt it his duty to enlighten neighboring people about the truth of Islam. Accordingly, he sent envoys to the Emperors of Persia, Byzantine, and Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and to other heads of state and tribes inviting them towards guidance and reform. Some accepted, some gave polite ‘diplomatic replies’, while some others such as Chosroes of Persia were arrogant enough to betray their ignorance, by arrogantly tearing the letters from the ‘Mercy to the Worlds’.
8. Event of Mubahila[2]
Among the messages, which the Prophet [s] sent to kings and heads of state inviting them to Islam, was the one addressed to the Christians of Najran in Yemen. On receiving the letter, the Christians refused to accept Islam but decided to come to Madinah to challenge the Prophet and to defend their deviated belief in the divinity and purification of Prophet Jesus [a].
In Madinah, the Prophet presented them with proof and facts about Islam’s eternal truth, citing references from the previously revealed Scriptures, but the Christians’ irrational obstinacy prevented them from seeing the manifest truth. In the end, the two parties decided to meet at an open place and invoke divine curse and punishment upon the lying side. Allah thereby ordered His Prophet to take along with him his immediate family to the meeting ground for the Mubahila.
“And whosoever disputes with you concerning this after the knowledge that has come to you, say: ‘Come now, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then let us earnestly pray for Allah’s curse upon the ones who lie.'”
Holy Qur’an (3:61)
The Christian elders came to the venue with their whole flock, and the Prophet ordered by Allah came with his immediate family members, namely: daughter Fatimah, son in-law Ali and their two children, Hasan and Hussain. Never had the Christians seen such enlightened appearances before. The moment the Chief Priest saw Prophet Muhammad [s] and his noble family, he was filled with awe. He realized that without doubt, truth was with this blessed group of five and most surely, Allah would respond to Muhammad [s] and his family’s invocation if they choose to curse and destroy the Christians of Najran. Thus, the Christians backed away from the challenge of Mubahila, and wisely came to terms with the Prophet, pledging to pay an annual tribute to the Muslims.
9. The Farewell Pilgrimage
In the tenth year of the Hijrah, the Messenger of Allah [s] performed the Hajj (pilgrimage), with all his wives and a large number of his Companions.
He reached Makkah on the fourth of Dhul Hijja and was soon joined by Ali [a], who hastened back from his successful missionary delegation to Yemen. During the Hajj ceremonies, the Prophet addressed a great multitude from Mount Arafat, in words, which are eternal to this day in the hearts of believers. After praising the Almighty, he expounded the laws and tenets of Islam and abolished all existing practices of the days of Jahiliyyah, charging the gathering to inform those not present and also to convey to posterity his eternal message.
The famous tradition called ‘Thaqalain’ was part of this sermon and we reproduce it below from ‘Sahih Tirmidhi’ for the benefit of our readers.
“I have been summoned (by Allah) and the moment is near for me to answer (to die). I leave among you the ‘Thaqalain’ (two precious things): the Book of Allah and my progeny; Allah’s Book is like a rope extending from heaven to earth, and my progeny are the Ahlul-Bayt. The Merciful informed me that the two would not part with each other until they meet me at the pool (of Kawthar in Paradise). I warn you against deserting them.”
10. Ghadeer Khum
After performing the Hajj, he bade farewell to his native Makkah and set out for Madinah. When the great procession reached the place from where the routes of the different caravans coming from various points of Arabia normally parted, suddenly the signs of divine revelation appeared and he stopped at a place called al-Juhfa near the spring (Ghadeer) of Khum. The Archangel Gabriel came with the following verse in order to impress the urgency of the divine command:
“O Prophet proclaim! what has been revealed to you from your Lord, for if you do it not, you have not conveyed His message; and Allah will protect you from the (evil designs of) people…”
Holy Qur’an (5: 67)
At once, the Prophet ordered the whole party to be assembled, even summoning back those who had already left, for he had an important message to be delivered.
A pulpit made of camel saddles was hastily set-up. Ascending it, he delivered a sermon asking the people to be witness that he had faithfully performed the task of Prophethood entrusted to him by the Almighty.
The multitude cried in one: “We bear witness O Messenger of Allah.”
He asked, who in their opinion was more worthy of obedience than their souls, to which they replied that Allah and His Prophet know better.
Then he said: “O people! Allah is my Maula (Master) and I am the Maula (master) of believers.”
“Verily O Prophet of Allah”, came the unanimous reply.
Prophet Muhammad [s] then bent down and lifting up Ali bin Abi Talib [a] in his hands, showed him to the vast crowd and proclaimed those famous words, which guaranteed the continuation of divine leadership:
“For whomsoever I am Maula (master), this Ali is his Maula (master)…”
Thrice he proclaimed these words before descending the pulpit, relieved by having performed the great task, which would save the Ummah from going astray.
The great multitude of Muslims surged towards Ali bin Abi Talib [a], congratulating him on his divine appointment.
Gabriel descended again with another revelation, showing that the Almighty was pleased with His Prophet for having excellently performed the great final mission to humankind.[3]
“…Today have I perfected unto you your religion and completed upon you My blessings and approved for you Islam as your religion…”
Holy Qur’an (5:3)
11. The Prophet’s Death
Two months after his return to Madinah, the Messenger of Allah fell ill, Madinah wore a look of gloom, because for a fortnight, the Prophet of Islam was confined in bed. The dawning of 28th of the lunar month of Safar proved to be fateful, for on that day the ‘Mercy to the worlds’ although weak with fever made his way to the mosque to lead the prayers, which also proved to be for the last time. Following a brief speech he returned to the house and after giving necessary instructions to his divinely ordained successor Imam Ali [a], he breathed no more. The sad day marked the end of final Prophethood.
Allah, through His last and greatest Messenger has revealed the perfect and the most comprehensive set of laws for the entire human race, a constitution, which is capable of catering to the needs of all generations till Judgment Day. Now the need for further revelations will no more arise, for the Almighty in His Eternal Wisdom has embodied each and everything in the Holy Qur’an and taken upon Himself the responsibility of guarding it from interpolation.[4] Moreover, the Prophet practically showed the implementation of divine laws. The Qur’an together with the Prophet’s Sunnah (traditions) is to remain a guiding light for all humankind, and to ensure their correct meaning and application, Allah granted the leadership of the Ummah to the Prophet’s infallible household, the Ahlul-Bayt, who are the torchbearers of guidance for all Muslims.
Prophet Muhammad [s] was laid to rest in his mosque, and an aggrieved Imam Ali [a] performed the last rites of his noble cousin and father-in-law. He was survived by his daughter Fatimah and her two sons.
Today the grave of the Prophet is the site of pilgrimage and veneration for Muslims from all over the globe.
[1] Hard monotonous routine work
[2] Mubahila means to invoke Allah’s curse upon the lying side when two parties are contesting for truth.
[3] This most important task ensured the continuity of divine guidance. Since the Prophets were divinely appointed, so should be the successors or trustees of the Prophets, especially so in the case of Islam, which is the final message to the human race.
All scholars and historians have testified that the event of Ghadir Khum did take place, and moreover books of Hadith are witness that on many and occasion, the Prophet had emphasized his cousin’s pre-eminence, over all other Muslims.
[4] Tahreef
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