Life of the Prophet (P)
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It has been a year since the last Seerah reflection. A year of the careful following and learning in one of the most in depth encounters of the life of Muhammad (S). I pray that you take a minute to send Salaam on our Nabi (S) before reading this.
After going back week after week, despite exams, illness, and life in general, I finally gained the courage to ask myself the big question: what brought me back? Why was it that every Tuesday I left friends, study groups, or even dinners to find optimal wifi and connect to Qalam’s seerah class live? What brought me back-besides the Mercy of Allaah SWT-what were my reasons?
I couldn’t answer it right away.
And, then I found a connection. I found something so powerful that I couldn’t ever put in words for the longest time. Learning seerah was empowering to me, as a young woman.
Yes.
It’s true.
We live in an age, where as an Ummah of strong young women, we are struggling with our identity. Where as a society the push of feminism is sometimes undefinable and very confusing. Where we-young muslim women-think we’re suppose to do “something more, that has never done before” to show that Muslim women are active society members, educated and outgoing. That we are suppose to be fashion forward and covered, strong and yet bashful, opinionated yet agreeable, peaceful yet active. What’s the problem with that? The problem is that all those words are opposites of each other. How many opposites must I be? Where does the balance lie? Why do so many of my wonderful peers feel compelled to be one or other? Then they vehemently crush others who are unlike them, and then inadevertenly crush themselves on the inside.
And it is among this jungle of lost and confused identities that I find myself comforted by the seerah. Comforted by the life that our Nabi (S) chose to live; where men and women are given their due, there is no need for a movement, a fight and assertion of rights. In learning Seerah, I find myself, my identity, my home.
I am empowered by the fact that my Nabi (S) married a women that was older than him, Khadijah (R). This helps me deal with the plight that many women face today of becoming “too old” for a vicious marriage market.
I am empowered by the fact Rasoolullah (S) married a successful business women, whom he worked for as a merchant. This helps me deal with the societal assertion that “successful” women are a threat and that their success always comes through some sort of underhanded fluke.
I am empowered the fact that the first person to accept Islaam was a woman. The first person to encourage our Prophet (S) and support him, was his beloved wife. This helps me understand that my role as a female supporter and igniter of Deen is vital.
I am empowered by the fact that the Prophet (S) had four daughters. That they were a source of pride, love and comfort for him. This helps me value my role as a daughter is to be a source of comfort and pride.
I am strengthened by Faatimah (R), the youngest daughter of the Prophet (S), who stood beside her father when he was persecuted in Mecca. This helps me understand that strength and bravery is not age limited.
I am in awe by Asmaa' (R) who bravely assisted in the Hijrah (migration) of Rasoolullah (S) and her father Aboo Bakr (R). Whose cleverness and alertness averted the blame of her Grandfather on Aboo Bakr (R). This helps me value cleverness and tactical thinking during a time when our exchanges have been abbreviated to: LOL, OMG like watevs.
I am inspired by the Prophet's (S) young wife Aa'ishah (R) because she was a beacon of scholarship and knowledge. I am inspired by her ability to express her thoughts, ideas and feelings to Rasoolullah (S) without fear of reproach.
I am in love with the playfulness of Rasoolullah (S) and his wife Aa'ishah (R). That a simple exchange between them quite simply out does any of the “love” stories that Hollywood and Bollywood spends millions to sell to us.
I am empowered that women who lived in Islaam during the time of Rasoolullah (S) held importance in their homes as well as in society simply because it was-and is-a truth. That he (S) lived justice and equality so there was never a need to fight for it. That the women around him (S) were marvelous in action because he inspired the best in all people. That where Rasoolullah (S) saw potential, men and women rose to the occasion.
And when I need strength, when I feel overwhelmed by circumstances, I need just a reminder of what I’m doing with my life and why, I need only listen to a small part of the life story of a man who inspirited others-whomever they might-simply by believing in them and giving them faith. This allows me to identify myself, and though there is a distance of one thousand plus years, this brings me home.
May Allah SWT bless our Nabi (S), his (S) family, his (S) Companions and his (S) Ummah. ....What a treasure.
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- Written by Abu Ammar Yasir Qadhi
- Category: Life of the Prophet (P)
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The Qur'aan
The first and the most important source of Seerah is the Qur'aan. It is also the most eloquent and the most authentic source of the seerah. It mentions incidents when the Prophet ﷺ was still a child, and for example, the revelation of Surat Al Feel (The Elephant) referred to the year of the elephant and the time when the Prophet ﷺ was still in his mother's womb.
The Qur'aan therefore refers to incidents throughout his life and refers to the people around the Prophet ﷺ. The people around the Messenger ﷺ like his Companions, his wives, the Mushrikeen (polytheists), the Jews and Christians, etc. The Qur'aan tells you something that no other source can tell you. It tells you the inner thoughts of the people. It tells you how all sorts of people were thiniking and what was actually in their hearts, and the biggest of these example is the hearts of the Munafiqoon (hypocrites) and the Yahood (Jews).
The Books of Hadeeth
All the books of hadeeth are considered an important part of the sources of Seerah. Each and every Hadeeth is either a saying, an action, an event, or a characteristic of the Prophet ﷺ and therefore it becomes a part of the life of the Messenger ﷺ. It is a part of the overall Seerah of RasoolAllah ﷺ and with the Qur'aan this is where most, if not all of the Seerah's information lies.
The Classical Books of Seerah
These are books written by either Companions or their Followers from the early generations who wrote books which are specifically for the purpose of compiling the life of the Prophet ﷺ. The first physical book of Seerah was written before any other book of Hadeeth was compiled.
'Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr (d. 92 AH), the son of Asma bint Abi Bakr (d. 73 AH) (Radi Allahu Anha) and Az-Zubayr ibn Al-Awan (d. 36 AH) (Radi Allahu Anhu), grandson of Abu Bakr (d. 13 AH) (Radi Allahu Anhu), and the younger brother of Abdullah ibn Az-Zubayr (d. 73 AH) (Radi Allahu Anhu), never got to see the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). He wrote the first tract on the Seerah that we know of.
Abaan ibn Uthman ibn Affan (d. 105 AH), the son of Uthman (d. 35 AH) (Radi Allahu Anhu) wrote a small book on the Seerah as well.
Also Ibn Shihab Az-Zuhree (d. 124 AH) and Hamman ibn Munnabbih (d. 101 AH), a student of Abu Hurayrah (d. 59 AH), wrote books on the seerah.
Probably the most popular and one of the most comprehensive of books known to is on the Seerah is that of Mohammed Ibn Is'haaq who was born in 85 AH and died in the year of 150 AH. He made it his life long passion to study the seerah. He was one of the first people who put immense concentration and focus on the compilation of the seerah. The scholars of hadeeth call him an alright narrator because he didn't specialize in hadeeth. But they call him the Imaam of Seeratun-Nabuwwah.
There is a clear distinction that we have to make between the Seerah and the Sunnah or Hadeeth. This issue is discussed at another place. The Seerah of Ibn Is'haaq is now known as Seerat Ibn Is'haaq. Ibn Is'haaq grew up around the sons and grandsons of the Sahaabah. He also traveled around the Muslim empire and gathered all the information he can regarding the Seerah. He would put any thing and everything in his book regarding the Prophet ﷺ, whether it was important or unimportant. He would put random poetry that would just mention the Prophet's ﷺ name here and there. This is why this book was so comprehensive.
We see that a lot of times the books of Islaam not known to present day Muslims are found in the museums and libraries of the Europeans because when the Europeans would conquer Muslim lands they would take the most valuable things back to their countries. And at that time there was nothing more valuable than the knowledge these books contained. An example was that, one of Ibn Taymiyya's books was found in the museums of Europe recently which has not been known to the scholars of today. Similarly the manuscript of the Seerah of Ibn Is'haaq was found 20 years ago in the libraries of Germany. Only about a third or fourth of the actual book was found.
Abdul-Malik ibn Hishaam (d. 216 AH) wrote a book on the Seerah and it was call Seerat Ibn Hisham. Ibn Hisham came and summarized the seerah of Ibn Is'haaq. The irrelevant material from Ibn Is'haaq as mentioned previously was discarded by Ibn Hisham in his Seerah. Ibn Hisham mentions this in his introduction to his Seerah and he only kept in his book whatsoever he saw important and necessary. When Ibn Hisham came out with his Seerah it was so good and it became popular very quickly. Everyone who wanted to learn the Seerah had this book and was starting to become more and more common and was being found in each and every household. Because of this, within a hundred years or so, Seerat Ibn Is'haaq was no where to be found. It was almost as if it was removed from the face of the earth, until recently.
Shamaa'il
Another source of Seerah is the books called Shamaa'il. These are books written exclusively talking about the characteristics of the Prophet ﷺ. In Arabic they are known as Shamaa'il. An example of this is the famous Shamaa'il At-Tirmidhee compiled by the great Muhaddith (Scholar of Hadeeth), Aboo Eesa At Tirmidhee (b. 209 A.H. – d. 279 A.H.). It includes the characteristics and the physical description of the Prophet ﷺ like the way his hair was, the way his eyes were, his walking, his talking, his dressing, etc.
Dalaa'il An-Nabuwwah
These are books written about the miracles of the Messenger ﷺ. Dalaa'il An-Nabuwwah by Imam Al-Bayhaqee (b. 384 A.H. – d. 458 A.H.) is probably the most famous among them.
Biographies of the Sahaabah
The biographies of the companions serve to make the Seerah more complete and to fill in some holes. They also give some of the vents surrounding it. An example of this is the story of Salman Al Farsee (d. 35 AH) and his search for the truth which will be mentioned later. Also that of Ja'far ibn Abi Taalib (d. 9 AH) and his conversation with Najaasee, the king of Abyssinia.
The Books of History
The books of history serve as another source of seerah. Examples of these books are, the book on history by Ibn Jareer At-Tabaree and Bidaaya Wa An Nihaaya of Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah).
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When you think of the Messenger of Allah, you think of someone who lived a FULL and HAPPY life, always smiling. Yet, his life could have easily been framed to be one of misfortune and sadness, for if anyone had a reason to be sad, it would have been him (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam).
Orphan, widower, survived six children..it goes on..it reminds us of the true reality of tests and pain, for they are all aspects of a world that is by definition imperfect and temporary that we may aspire to go to where there is no fear or grief ever again.
You never saw your fathers face,
or knew the warmth of your mothers embrace,
Your grandfathers heart burned with concern,
Yet death would come to him in turn,
None to look up to, so you cast your vision to the sky,
When you speak the truth, it hurts when they say you lie,
Doesn't it? Yet you move on, take it all in stride,
The honest Prophet who by his own people is belied,
With only two pillars of support, an uncle and a perfect wife,
And in the same year, each one would lose their life
Jibreel gave Khadijah his salaam, told her of a house in paradise,
but an Angel other than him, came to your house to collect its price.
You went to Taif, seeking support for the message you need to spread,
They laughed at you, and sent their kids to stone you until you bled.
At Uhud you were deserted, so they struck you with vicious blows,
and rumors were spread about 'Aa'ishah, that caused pain that Allaah only knows,
Your close cousin Ja'far's absence was finally ended, from Abyssinia he would come,
But in one day, he would be martyred with Zayd your adopted son,
And Ruqayyah would pass away, and Umm Kalthoum as well,
You held Ibraheem in your hands, with a heart that breaks and eyes that swell,
Death would ask permission to take your soul but not the souls of those you love,
And you never expressed distress to the tests that came from up above,
The trials made you strong, and for Allah's perfect company you would yearn,
For it is to Allah that we belong, and to Him is our return.
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- Written by Dr. Saleh As-Saleh
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The following incident took place with the king Nooruddin Mahmood Zinki, may Allah’s mercy be upon him, in the year 557 after Hijrah. He was ruling Greater Syria at that time and he saw a magnificent dream which made him go to the city of Madinah in a hurry.
Nooruddin saw the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) three times in one night and each time the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) was telling him "O’ Mahmood! Save me from these two individuals," while pointing towards two blond individuals in front of him. The king then summoned his minister before dawn and told him about his dream. The minister said, "This is a matter which may be taking place in Madinah, the Madinah of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)."
Nooruddin Mahmoud Zinki prepared himself, and quickly hastened over 1000 mounts and horses, and other than that. Finally he reached Madinah; as he entered it, he entered quietly and secretly with his minster. He then came to Prophet Muhammad's (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) Masjid not knowing what to do. The minister then said, "Would you recognize those two individuals if you saw them?" He said, "Yes", so he summoned the people to give them charity and to distribute huge amounts of gold and silver to them and said that no one in Madinah should stay behind but must come to receive the charity.
Out of everyone in Madinah, only two people didn’t come to collect the Sadaqah and instead remained close to the Prophet's masjid. These two men were from Andulus (currently Spain) and stayed in the Prophet's Masjid, in a place that faced the Qiblah from the side of the apartment of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) - close to the house of 'Umar Ibn Al Khattaab. When Nooruddin heared of this he summoned them to come for their share of the Sadaqah, they refused and said, “What we have is sufficient. We don’t accept anything”.
Nooruddin stressed and insisted that they must come and so they were brought. When the minister saw them, he said to Nooruddin, "Are these the same individuals?" Nooruddin turned to the men asked them a bit about who they were and what brought them there. They replied, “We came to be close to the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam).”
He said to them that they must speak the truth and repeated the question several times until they confessed that they were Christians and that they were on a mission to remove the body of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), in agreement with their associates.
He found that they had dug a tunnel from the side of the Qiblah, by the wall of the masjid in the direction of the Prophet Muhammad's (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) apartment and they collected the dust of the soil in a well inside their residence.
He then beheaded them outside the Masjid and returned to Ash-Shaam. He commanded that the area around the Prophet Muhammad's (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) site of burial be dug and that lead be poured into it, so as to prevent anyone from reaching Prophet Muhammad's (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) site of burial ever again.
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If Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) visited you just for a day or two,
If he came unexpectedly I wonder what you would do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room
To such an honoured guest,
And all the food you'd serve him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring him,
Your glad to have him there,
That serving him in your home,
Is joy beyond compare.
But... when you saw him coming,
Would you meet him at the door,
With arms outstretched to your visitor?
Or... would you have to change your clothes before you let him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Qur'an where they had been?
Would you still watch the same movies, on your T.V set?
Or would you switch it off, before he got upset?
Would you turn off the radio and hope he hadn't heard?
Or wish you hadn't uttered that last hasty word?
Would your mobile ringtone be the same?
Or would that lead you to shame?
Would you allow him see your profile
Or would that be very vile?
Would you hide all your magazines and music dvds?
And instead take Islamic books and cds out?
Could you let him walk right in,
Or would you have to rush about?
And I wonder if the Prophet (peace be upon him) spent
A day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing,
The things you always do?
Would you go on saying,
The things you always say?
Would life for you continue,
As it does from day to day?
Would your family squabbles,
Keep up their usual pace,
Would you keep up each and every prayer
Without putting on a frown?
And would you always jump up early
For prayer at dawn?
Would you sing the songs you always sing?
And read the books you read?
And let him know the things like facebook on which,
Your mind and spirit fed?
Would you take the Prophet (peace be upon him) with you
Everywhere you plan to go?
Or, would you maybe change your plans,
Just for a day or so?
Would you be glad to have him meet
Your very closest friends?
Or, would you hope they stay away
Until his visit ends?
Would you be glad to have him stay
Forever on and on...
Or would you sigh with great relief
When he at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know,
The things that you would do...
If Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) , in person,
Came to spend some time with you.
***
Allah the Most Wise Says:
“Verily in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much."
(Quran 33:21)
