The Islamic Bulletin Newsletter Issue No. 29

Birth 570 Muhammad's (SAW) Birth and Infancy  The Holy Prophet Muhammad , Salla Allah alayhi wa sallam, (SAW) meaning (may the peace of Allah be upon him), was born in the year 570 in the town of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. His name derives from the Arabic verb hamada, meaning "to praise, to glorify." He was the rst and only son of Abd Allah bin Al-Muttalib and Amina bint Wahb. Abd Allah died before Muhammad's (SAW) birth and Muhammad (SAW) was raised by his mother Amina, who in keeping with Meccan tradition entrusted her son at an early age to a wet nurse named Halima from the nomadic tribe of the Sa'd ibn Bakr. 575 Muhammad (SAW) Becomes an Orphan When the prophet (SAW) was six his mother took him to Yathrib (Madina). On the return journey, Amina became ill and died. The orphaned boy was now placed in the protection of his paternal grandfather, Abdul Al-Muttalib. Mecca was Arabia's most important pilgrimage center and Abdul Al-Muttalib its most respected leader. 578 Muhammad (SAW) in Mecca in Care of an Uncle Upon his grandfather's death in 578, Muhammad (SAW), aged about eight, was passed into the care of a paternal uncle, Abu Talib. Muhammad(S) grew up and was most beloved by him. 580-594 Muhammad's (SAW)Teenage Years Muhammad (SAW) worked as a shepherd. In his teens he sometimes traveled with Abu Talib, who was a merchant, accompanying caravans to trade centers. Upon reaching Busra, Syria, Bahira, a Christian monk recognized the Prophet (SAW)through his knowledge of the previous scriptures. Older merchants recognized his character and nicknamed him El–Amin, the one you can trust. 594 Muhammad (SAW) Acts as Caravan Agent for Khadija (RA) At the age of 25, Muhammad (SAW) entered the service of a wealthy Meccan merchant, a widow named Khadija bint Khawalayd. She sent the Prophet and her worker Maysarah to Syria. On this journey a monk called Nastura observed him and identi ed him as a Prophet.  Maysarah testi ed to the honesty and nobility of the Prophet. 595-609 Muhammad's Marriage and Family Life Impressed by Muhammad's (SAW) honesty and character, Khadija proposed marriage. They were wed in about 595. He was twenty- ve. She was forty. From his marriage with her, the Prophet (SAW) had a son named Al-Qaasim, who passed away at a young age. From him, he took his name, kunya (father of ) Abu’l-Qaasim. In addition, he had four girls, Zainab: who the prophet (SAW) said about her when she migrated to Medina and was attacked and harmed by the disbelievers: “She is the best of my daughters for she was harmed following my path”. She migrated to Medina after the battle of Badr. In the year 8 A.H. her husband embraced Islam and migrated to Medina to join her, and the prophet (SAW) reunited them. Rukaya: who the prophet (SAW) said after she migrated to Abyssinia with Othman: “May Allah be with them both, Othman is the rst to migrate with his family after prophet Lot (AS). Umm Kalthoum: whose rst husband was Otaiba Bin Abulahab, who died as a disbeliever. Her second husband was Othman Bin A an who married her after Rukaya’s death, that is why Othman was called ”dhin-nooraiyn”which means the one with the two lights”, because he married two of Muhammad’s (SAW) daughters .. Fatimah: the prophet (SAW) said, “Fatimah is a piece of me, whatever hurts her, hurts me, and whatever frightens her, frightens me”. “Fatimah is the lady of all ladies in Paradise except Mariam (Mary) Bint Imran (the daughter of Imran). You can also watch or listen to the Sira at our website by clicking link below: www.islamicbulletin.org/sira/sira.swf click mouse, wait, click red button, The Islamic Bulletin www.islamicbulletin.org 1 of 4 ‘ Prophethood  In the year 610 C.E., at the age of 40 in the cave Hira, the Prophet(SAW) was visited by the angel Jibra’il. Jibra’il revealed the rst few verses of Surah Iqra. From this point the era of divine revelation (Wahi) began.  Shaken by the experience of revelation, Khadijah (R.A) took the Prophet(S) to Waraqah bin Nawfal, a Christian scholar. The Prophet(SAW) related his experience andWarqah said that this is what the Prophet Moses also experienced. Waraqah con rmed the Prophet(S) was the nal messenger described in the Christian and Jewish scriptures.  The rst people to accept Islam are Khadijah (R.A), Abu Bakr (R.A), Ali (R.A) and Zaid (R.A).  The Muslims began gathering in the house of Arqam to learn about Islam and worship Allah(SWT) discreetly. First-Third Year of Prophethood Fourth Year of Prophethood Fifth Year of Prophethood The Prophet(S), was instructed by Allah(SWT) began to openly preach Islam. They also began to worship and perform Salah openly.  Islam spread fast.  The Quraish, as they received money from pilgrims visitng the Kabah, feared this new and popular religion.  The Quraish intensi ed their opposition to the prophet and started to physically abuse him and other Muslims. The poor and weak Muslims were severely Persecuted.  The Quraish approached Abu Talib and attempted to convince him to make his nephew, the Prophet(S) stop preaching. Abu Talib refused.  In hope of escaping the persecution of the Quraish, 12 men and 4 women migrated to Abyssinia, where a kind king, Najasi, ruled over. This was the rst migration in Islam.Soon after a second group of 82-86 men and 17-18 women migrated to Abyssinia.  The Prophet recited Surah al-Najm and the disbelievers of the Quraish were miraculously forced, against their will, to prostrate with the Muslims upon hearing the Quran. Sixth Year of Prophethood  Enraged that the Muslims were safe in Abyssinia, the Quraish sent Amr bin al-As and Abdullah bin Ubayy to Najasi to try to convince him to evict the Muslims. Najashi refused.  Notable and powerful gures such as Hamza (R.A), the Prophet(S)’s uncle and Umar (R.A)accepted Islam.  The Quraish contacted the Jews of Madinah and asked them for advice. They told the Quraish to put three questions to the Prophet(S) advising that, if he answered the rst two of the three questions he was a Prophet(S). The Prophet(S) answered the questions. timeline, scroll and click on white circle for audio, Media is for watching video.  The Prophet(S) discreetly invited people to Islam. This practice and propagation of Islam continued for 3 years.  Those people who accepted Islam during the rst three years are known as ‘Al-Sabiqin al-Awwalin’. Approximately 130 men and women fall into this category. First Year of Prophethood

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