27 September 2009

Seerah of Muhammed*

[*May the peace blessings & mercy of Allah be upon him]
Quick recap of the Prophet's ancestry and birth. Born to Abdullah (son of Abdul Muttalib) and Aminah; but the orphan was initially nursed by Halimah from a Bedouin tribe. There was baraka in the upbringing of the Prophet for Hamilah and her family with her child and livestock benefitting from looking after the Prophet - with the other familes becoming jealous. After the opening of the young Prophet's chest, Halima returned Muhammed* to his mother. Abdul Muttalib and then Abu Talib cared for the Prophet after the death of both of his parents.
The Prophet was instrumental in rebuilding the Kaaba following the flood that damaged the walls. His wisdom prevented a war between the tribes and he replaced the Black Stone with their assistance.
Later in his life, following his marriage to the wealthy and older Khadija, he used to meditate in the Cave on Mount Hira and was visited by ArchAngel Jibreel to announce his prophethood at age 40. Understandably, Muhammed* was shaken and returned to the comfort of his wife. She then consulted her trusted cousin Waraqa who was an old, wise and learned Christian. He lamented that he was old and wished that he was around to support the Prophet when the people of Mecca would drive him out. This was because it had been prophesised and was mentioned in the Bible. The Jews & some Christians were expecting a Prophet at that time who would be 'like Moses' but from among the brethren of the Jews (that is the Arabs). Some of the ways in which Muhammed* is simialr to Moses (and how Jesus is not this promised Prophet) include:
- both Muhammed* and Moses had two natural parents
- both Muhammed* and Moses had natural births
- both Muhammed* and Moses had children
- both Muhammed* and Moses started prophethood aged 40
- both Muhammed* and Moses were accepted by their nations
- both Muhammed* and Moses came with new laws
- both Muhammed* and Moses ruled over their people
- both Muhammed* and Moses were victorious over their enemies
- both Muhammed* and Moses emigrated (to Medina & Palestine)
- both Muhammed* and Moses died naturally
- both Muhammed* and Moses were buried
- both Muhammed* and Moses were regarded by all as Prophets
- neither Muhammed* nor Moses are claimed to have been resurrected
There is a longer list - but this will demonstrate how it is Muhammed* who is more like Moses than any other Prophet including Jesus.


Hadith (Riyadh as-Salihin): On Sincerity and having an intention for all actions, words and states, outward and inward
~ Umar ibn Khattab has related that he heard the Holy Prophet say: Motive determines the value of all conduct, and a person attains that which he desires. If the motive of one who emigrates is to attain to Allah and His Messenger, then that is the purpose of his migration; and he who migrates seeking the world attains to it, and he who migrates for the sake of a woman, marries her and thus his migration is for the purpose he has in mind (Bokhari and Muslim)

~ Ayesha has related that the Holy Prophet has said: After the fall of Mecca emigration is no longer obligatory; but striving in the cause of Allah and yearning for it continue obligatory; when you are called you should go forth (Bokhari and Muslim)

~ Abu Hurairah has related that the Holy Prophet has said: Allah does not regard your bodies and looks, but looks at your hearts (Muslim)

~ Abdullah ibn 'Umar ibn al-Khattab said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "Three men of the past were travelling and took refuge for the night in a cave. They entered it and a rock fell down the mountain and blocked the entrance. They said, 'The only thing that will rescue us from this rock is to call on Allah invoking good actions we have done!' One of them said, "O Allah, my parents are both old and it is my habit never to give milk in the evening either to my family or friends before giving it to them first. One day I went a long way in search of something and did not reach them until they had already gone to bed. I milked their evening drink but found them asleep. I did not want to wake them nor to give my family or friends their evening drink before they had had theirs, so I remained with the cup in my hand waiting for them to wake up until dawn came. The children were at my feet, crying because of hunger. Then they woke up and drank their drink. O Allah, if I did that out of the desire for Your Face, then rescue us from the situation we are in regarding this rock." It opened up a little but they still could not get out. The second said, "O Allah! A cousin of mine was the person I loved more than any other. (Another variant has, "I used to love one of my uncle's daughters with the most intense love it is possible for a man to have for a woman.") I tried to seduce her and she refused me until, one year when she was in dire need, she came to me and I gave her a hundred and twenty dinars provided that she would let me do what I wanted with her. She did that but when I was about to have my way with her, she said, 'Fear Allah and do not break the seal without having the right to do so.' Then I left her alone in spite of the fact that she was, of all people, the one I loved the most and also left her with the gold I had given her. O Allah, if I did that out of the desire for Your Face, then rescue us from our situation!" The rock moved a little further but they still could not get out. The third said, "O Allah, I employed some workers and gave all of them their wages except for one man who went off without taking what he was owed. I invested his wage until it multiplied in value. After a time he came to me and said, ''Abdullah, pay me my wage!' I said, 'All the camels, cattle, sheep and slaves that you see here have come from your wage.' He said, ''Abdullah, do not make fun of me?' I said, 'I am not making fun of you.' He took them all and drove them off, not leaving anything. O Allah, if I did that out of the desire for Your Face, then rescue us from the situation we are in!" The rock moved away and they walked out.'" (Bokhari and Muslim)


Topic: Royalty
An article in The Guardian (Revealed: the royal waive which means no spending cuts for the Windsors http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/sep/26/royal-family-windsors-civil-list) highlights how the Royal family are still treated as a special family in this society - their income is unchanged even in this time of financial crisis. Royalty has always been promoted in Western (Christian) societies and even there fairy tales try to show how special these people are by virtue of their birth - like 'The Princess & the Pea' and 'Sleeping Beauty'. These Royals believe they have a right to rule and that 'Divine Right' is given to them by God, often through the Church (or Pope). Therefore, people should obey them.
In Islam we do not have this hierarchy. Muslims are ranked by their piety. There are no royal families and it is the piety of people that counts. Modern 'royal' families that rule Muslim countries are not legitimate from Islam. Hereditary ruling is not from Islam as the leaders of Muslims should be chosen by the people through the institution of the Bay'ah.

Hudhaifah bin Al-Yaman reported that the Messenger* of Allah said: "Prophethood will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain, then Allah will raise it up whenever he wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a Caliphate (Khulafah) that follows the guidance of Prophethood remaining with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, He will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a reign of violently oppressive [The reign of Muslim kings who are partially unjust] rule and it will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, there will be a reign of tyrannical rule and it will remain for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, Allah will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Then, there will be a Caliphate that follows the guidance of Prophethood." Then Hudhaifah said, "The Prophet stopped speaking.