Our Prophet (s.a.w.)

WE MUST KNOW OUR PROPHET (صلى الله عليه وسلم​) WELL

Being an honorable, virtuous and good person both in this world and in the hereafter, is only possible by knowing our Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم​), the cause of mercy to all the worlds, by understanding him thoroughly and by being a true follower of him. If a person fails to know, acknowledge and love our Prophet, (صلى الله عليه وسلم​) it is not possible for him/her to be among the honorable and virtuous.

Our Prophet’s name is Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم​), his father’s name was Abdullâh and his mother’s name was Âminah. His father passed away when his mother was 7 months pregnant. He illuminated the whole universe with his happy birth in Makkah Al-Mukarramah near dawn on Monday the 12th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal, corresponding to the 20th of April 571 A.C. He resembled no other babies at birth. The light of prophethood in him blinded onlooking eyes.

He stayed with his foster mother, Halimah, until he was four years of age. After that, he was returned to his family. When he was six, his mother Âminah passed away. His grandfather Abdul Muttalib took him under his care. But, two years after his mother’s demise, his grandfather passed away. After this time, he stayed with his uncle Abu Tâlib.

Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم​)’s childhood, youth, bachelorhood, marriage (i.e. each and every stage of his life), passed with a unique virtue and perfection not seen in any other human being.

He married Khadîjah Al-Kubrâ (رضي الله عنها) (Mother of the Muslims), at the age of 25. He never worshipped idols. From childhood, he never showed any love for them. In fact, he always hated the idols. He would only worship Allâh Ta’âlâ according to the religion of Ibrâhîm (عليه السلام). At times, he would ascend Mount Hira near Makkah and meditate on the endless greatness and supreme power of Allâh Ta’âlâ . With the love Allâh Ta’âlâ bestowed upon him, he immersed himself in the ocean of divine love and continuously engaged in the remembrance of Allâh while flashes of divine light of Tawhîd (unity) burning in his heart.

Again, one day when Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم​) was in the cave of Hira, deeply absorbed in contemplation of the spiritual world unique to him, Jibrâ’il (عليه السلام) came to him by the divine order of Allâh Ta’âlâ to officially announce his duty of prophethood. Jibrâ’il (عليه السلام) said to Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم​), the beloved one of Allâh and the saviour of humankind and the jinn:

“Iqra’!” (Read)

“What shall I read?” asked Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم​). Jibrâ’il (عليه السلام) embraced Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم​), squeezed his chest tightly and released him.

“Iqra’!” repeated Jibrâ’il (عليه السلام).

“What shall I read?” asked Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم​) again. Jibrâ’il (عليه السلام) embraced him, squeezed his chest tightly and released him by saying again: “Iqra’!” Prophet ﷺ asked again: “What shall I read?” Thereupon, Jibrâ’il (عليه السلام) embraced him, squeezed his chest tightly and released him for the third time.

Thus, it can be said that a spiritual operation was performed on Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم​), our Prophet, the master of the human and the jinn, as a sign of a great miracle. Then Jibrîl Al-Amîn, the trustworthy (عليه السلام), revealed the first five Âyât (verses) of SÛRAH Al-Alaq, which read:

  1. “Recite in the name of your Rabb who created –
  2. Has created man from a clot.
  3. Read! And your Rabb is the Most Generous,
  4. Who has taught by the pen.
  5. Has taught man that which he knew not.”

Thus, the divine task of prophethood was officially granted to Muham¬mad (صلى الله عليه وسلم​). The revelation of the Noble Qur’ân was completed in twenty-three years. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم​) invited people to Islâm for thirteen years in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, where he suffered hardship and persecution. However, he endured all the oppression and endeavoured to spread the message of the existence of Allâh Ta’âlâ and His unity. Afterwards, he migrated from Makkah Al-Mukarramah to Madinah Al-Munawwarah, where he did his best to carry out his holy prophetic duties for ten more years. He instructed people in humaneness and the way of civilization. He illuminated their dark hearts with the divine light of Islâm. Thus, he fulfilled his sacred mission.

He demised at the age of sixty-three. He entrusted the Noble Qur’ân, the guide for the salvation of humanity, along with his Sunnah Al-Saniyyah (Holy Traditions) to his ummah and advised adherence to both.

Peace and blessings be upon you, O Prophet of Allâh (صلى الله عليه وسلم​)! It is only Allâh, the Sustainer of the worlds, Who Knows and Praises you perfectly. You are Muhammad Mustafa (صلى الله عليه وسلم​).You are the mercy to the worlds. You are the prophet of all human and Jinn. You are Khatam Al-Nabiyyîn, the seal of the Prophets. You are the chosen receiver of the divine word of Allâh: “Law Lâka Lawlâka, Lamâ Khalaq’tul Aflâk”