Lecture four

1. Lecture four Birth of the Prophet (saw)

2. He (saw) is among you!  “And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah.” (49:7) Is the messenger of Allah among us? The messenger of Allah is dead and here is his tomb. But ayah still applicable.

3. What is the meaning of the ayah then? He is among you with his: • sunnah, • virtues, • with what he left in you, with the great legacy he passed on to you and that will remain till the day of Judgment. This ayah is constant throughout the ages because he left humanity a very rich heritage.

4. Analogy of famous people! Famous people are always advised not to make many appearances. Why? The more exposure the more obvious your defects become. Their glossy images fade and you realize they are human.

5. Except for the Prophet (saw) He invited us to come and meet him and deal with him as much as possible, because the more contact you have with him, the more you will love him. The only person on earth to have done this is the Prophet, the more you know him the more you admire his virtues and respect him.

6. His father died. . . After Abdullah married AminabintWahab he went for a trip [business or otherwise] to Al Madinah and he got ill and died and was buried close to Al Madinah. So, Prophet (saw) was orphaned before he was born—and that is according to scholars the most extreme form of orphanage. Imagine he never got to say the word, ‘Baba. Father.’ Yet, he was a father to all the companions—his lack of fatherhood made him a father to everyone around him.

7. Even praised at home! Those most close to us in our private lives, like husbands wives, mothers, fathers, know us best. The Prophet (saw) was praised by his wives. Khadijah said about him, “I swear; Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute…” Ten years later Aisha (RA), “His virtues were the embodiment of the Qur’an.”

8. Prophet’s Personal ID card! Name: Muhammad. Who chose the name for him? His grand father chose the name for him. When he was born, his grand-father circumcised him at seven days of age, made a banquet and called him Muhammad.

9. Why did you call him Muhammad? People asked him, “What will you call him?” He replied, “Muhammad” They said in astonishment, “Why did you deviate from the names of his ancestors?” He replied, as if by divine inspiration, “ I wanted him to be praised/thanked on earth by the dwellers of the earth, and in the heavens by the dwellers of the heavens.”

10. What is the meaning of Muhammad? It is a hyperbole of the word praised, for a person who is praised so many times. He was also named Ahmad, which is a superlative adjective because no one has praised Allah more than him. His name in the scriptures is Ahmad [because thanking Allah comes before being thanked]

11. Full name Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdul-Muttalib (who was called Shaiba) bin Hashim, (named ‘Amr) bin ‘AbdMunaf (called Al-Mugheera) bin Qusai (also called Zaid) bin Kilab bin Murra bin Ka‘b bin Lo’i bin Ghalib bin Fahr (who was called Quraish and whose tribe was called after him) bin Malik bin An-Nadr (so called Qais) bin Kinana bin Khuzaiman bin Mudrikah (who was called ‘Amir) bin Elias bin Mudarbin Nizar bin Ma‘ad bin ‘Adnan.

12. Date of birth The Prophet was born on a Monday morning, on the 12th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal, corresponding to the 20th of April 570 CE, during the year of the elephant. Why? When people related the story afterwards [ppl witnessed divine justice], they said, “The Lord protected His house.” Amina telling her son Muhammad, about the Lord’s miracle and the birds, and how his uncle stood up to Abraha, he would ask her about the statues over the Ka’ba, but he would get no answer.

13. Never ever worshipped idols! When the Prophet was asked once in his youth, “Do you swear by Lat and Uzza?” he replied, “I never worshiped them to swear by them.” All because of the story of the year of the elephant. The generation of his time produced characters like Abu BakrAssidiq, UmarIbn Al Khattab, Ali bin AbiTalibetc.

14. Ordinary birth! It was a natural, ordinary birth, unlike that Isa (AS) (Jesus). [His mother saw a light coming our from her that would reach the palaces in Al Sham] [After the miracle of the year of the elephant, there where no supernatural miracles, because that age had passed. Now time for scientific planning, working hard and having strong belief and Allah will arrange for you the means to restore, reform and bring prosperity to earth.]

15. No Miracles? The miracles appeared during the Prophet's life, but they did not change the course of events. They were unlike the staff of Musa (AS) “Moses”, the birds of Abraha or the Ark of Nuh (AS) “Noah”. The miracles during the Prophet's lifetime were meant to verify his prophet hood and support the believers, but they had no influence on events.

16. For example, the angels' descent in the Battle of Badr was a miracle. However, their role was supplementary to the believers' who were the achievers of victory.

17. So humankind can follow . . . If the Prophet ‘s(SAWS) life was a miracle, we would not be able to imitate him. The miracle of each prophet ended with his death, except that of our Prophet (SAWS).

18. Our everlasting miracle! Is the Holy Qur'an –the doctrine for humankind. The Prophet (SAWS) put plans and worked strenuously within the framework of this doctrine and finally achieved victory as a result. Humankind must follow in his footsteps.

19. Suckling . . . We are still in the childhood of the Prophet (saw): People of Qurayshused to handing their newborn babies to a Bedouin wet nurses to be brought up by her for two years in the healthy atmosphere of the desert. For this Qurayshmade a deal with the clan of Banu-Sa`d that their women breastfed and raise the children the first two years of their life in exchange for a little sum of money and many gifts given by the parents.

20. Significance of the desert! You are a product of your environment—where you live determines your behavior. It shapes your identity. And hence the Prophet (saw) was being shaped by Allah (SWT) and he was put in different environments. Early education and developmental training of the young form the mental attitudes, development of self-esteem etc. Corporations are spending so much time and money on developing entertainment [I call it ENTER TAINT MENT. Why?

21. Enter taint mentsuch as Olympics, world cup, football, wherever you live there is a sport for you—so you spend your life immersed in that. So, that they distract you from more relevant issues going on in the world. Youth no longer aware of them. Us, movies, fashions, new styles, etc.

22. In the youth of the Prophet (saw) there is a lot for us to learn. He was orphaned before he was born and because of this his grandfather became his sponsor, guardian. Assumed major masculine role in his life. His mother—vital role of love giver. Allah (SWT) manifested through these simple actions a character that would be strong enough to assume this position and carry this message.

23. Back to my point: it was the practice in Quraysh to send their children out of the city to the desert area to develop a strong foundation. • Today we are living in large cities—urban cities—and it is not like living in the woods, in the country, in the desert. The people living there have a heartiness about them. Fitra personality that is easily found there.

24. So, out into the open area in a clean, fresh and open area. Where the air was clean. Environment was natural. There weren’t any building and factories that were emitting lots of poisonous smoke into the area. Where there were people from different nationalities. Hustle and bustle of life full of intrigues. • In desert area people are straightforward—life simple and harsh. Adds strength to the human personality. The hearty nature of the Bedouins today has been spoilt today by the wealth of the oil.

25. You used to have these Bedouins who could survive on dates and camels milk, and when the wealth came and the US dollars pouring in. They need air conditioners everywhere they go—in their tents even outside in their wildnerness. Become spoiled, by luxury of this world. • Another important aspect was classical arabic language, they are not confused. Their language is clear. No variations of the language, not influenced by other languages.

26. Etiquettes and characters of the Bedouin, so generous and kind. Take time out while fighting each other to host their enemies. Hospitality was important to them to that extent. It would over ride their negative aspects. • And we find the prophet the first few days was suckled by Thuwaybah—servant of uncle Abu Lahab. For the first few days she suckled him. • She eventually entered islam and died 7 yrs after the Hijra. She also fed Hamza—his uncle. By feeding of the milk they were brothers.

27. In the desert, contemplation and imagination are set free. • More in company of the creation and the Creator.

28. Looked for the rich! Muhammad not wanted! Wet nurses looked for the children of the rich to raise. Because Muhammad (SAWS) was an orphan, they refused to take him. One wet nurse, called Halimah [time of famine, animals emaciated, and she was thin herself from hunger] , failed to find a baby to care for. She was unappealing to the Makkans—did not look like she could feed anything and indeed she says that she could not feed her own child.

29. She could not find a child so . . . accepted Muhammad (SAWS) to be her foster child-who was refused by the others because his father was dead and so a guarantee of gifts was minimal. Halimah told her husband Al Harith that she did not want to go back with no child to suckle. That she would go back and take the orphan no one wanted. And he said, “Yes, maybe Allah will bless us.”

30. Halimah tells the story . . . Halimah narrated, "I came to Makkah with other wet nurses seeking a baby to nurse. As Muhammad (SAWS) was an orphan, all wet nurses refused to take him, but I accepted him because I did not like to return home without a baby. My husband described him as a calm and blessed boy. As soon as I held Muhammad (SAWS) between my arms [my breast filled up with milk] and he suckled from me even though I had not been able to breastfeed and upon doing this my son suckled from my other breast. [both of them slept, and the first time we did for days because we could not sleep from the cries of hunger of our own child]

31. Her donkey even was fast . . . On the way to Makkah: “Come on Halimah, you are slowing us down . . .” On the way back from Makkah: “ Are you sure Halimah that that is the same donkey you came with . . . “

32. Their animals filled with milk “My tribe lived in a barren desert, and our herds used to graze in the desert but return with stomachs empty of milk. When Muhammad (SAWS) arrived, my herd went out to graze and was the only one among all the herds to come back full of milk from which Muhammad (SAWS) and my son were able to drink. When this happened the other herd keepers used to follow my herd to get their share of the blessings. Muhammad (SAWS) brought us prosperity."

33. Harith gets it . . . Indeed, Halimah you have brought back with you a blessed child . . . Their animals growing large, when those of the people around them would grow thinner. They would crowd their animals in the area that Halimah’s animals would graze . . . This continued for two yrs—she weaned him off and would get ready to give him back.

34. She describes him as a child • He was physically strong, and well beyond his years. • He would raise his head high up to the sky. Constantly look up to the sky. • When they returned the child, she asked them to take him back because there were diseases [plagues] in Makkah. His mother wanted to save him, and also from corruption [another narration . . . ] • He stayed with them for 4 years—strongest report.

35. There was something special . . . An incident that scared them . . . • When, as related by Anas in Sahih Muslim, Gabriel came down and ripped his chest open and took out the heart. He then extracted a blood- clot out of it and said: "That was the part of Satan in thee." And then he washed it with the water of Zamzam in a gold basin. After that the heart was joined together and restored to its place. The boys and playmates came running to his mother, i.e. his nurse, and said: "Verily, Muhammad [pbuh] has been murdered." They all rushed towards him and found him all right only his face was white.

36. Decided to take him back . . . His faithfulness to Halimah . . . Fifty five years later and after the conquest of Makkah, Halimah came and stood before the Prophet (SAWS) smiling. He did not recognize her at first, but once he was told that she was his foster mother, he happily welcomed her calling her “my mother” and treated her kindly and modestly.

37. To his brother from suckling… Another sign of his extreme faithfulness occurred after the Battle of Honayn when the Muslims triumphed over the clan of Hawazanand took many booties. The Prophet (SAWS) was informed that among the booties was his foster brother's property, so he asked his Companions to return them. However, some of his Companions did not agree. Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) borrowed some money to buy from those who did not agree the booties belonging to his brother, to return it to him showing his gratefulness to his foster motherHalimah.

38. Back to his mother . . . The Prophet (SAWS) lived until he was six years old with his mother and a maid called Umm-Ayman. His mother decided to take him from Makkah to Madinah to visit his father's grave and acquaint him with his father's relatives. Consider his mother’s faithfulness to his father! After cutting a long distance (500 km), they finally reached his father's grave. The visit was engraved in the Prophet's memory forever.

39. Mother dies on way back . . On their way from Madinah to Makkah, his mother Amina fell sick and died just in front of him in an arid area called Al-Abw’a, and Umm-Ayman had to burry her alone. Imagine a boy of six seeing his beloved mother buried! Prophet Muhammad loved his mother so much, many years later he passed by his mother’s grave on his way to the Conquest of Makkah and there he stood weeping and weeping, until all the Companions present started weeping too.

40. Learned reality of life and death Allah was preparing him to know the reality of death and life. Allah did not want him to be fooled by the very short life on this planet and rather work on his mission. Allah was not harsh when He took his parents away from him. In fact Allah loved Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) so much, and wanted to prepare him very well to lead humankind. There are people who don’t realize the value of life and death before the age of 30 and only when loosing someone close.

41. To his grandfather . . . When they reached Makkah Umm-Ayman took Muhammad (SAWS) to Abdul-Mutalib, his grandfather who was about 90 years old. The Prophet (SAWS) did not feel uncomfortable by staying with his grandfather, because his mother was loyal to her husband, and made him love his father's family.

42. We don’t want to be selfish parents . . . In contrast many parents today, keep their children away from their relatives, though they might need them in the future. If you love your children strengthen their bonds with their relatives, for no one knows what the future is hiding for you—or who will be taking care of your kids if something happens to you.

43. Under the shade of AbulMuttalib Abdul-Mutalib was not a simple man he was among the leaders of Quraysh. He used to hold daily meetings at Al Ka’bah where he used to lay down his gown on the ground and sit over it. He never allowed any one else to share it with him, for he was a leader among his people. The leaders of Quraysh used to attend that meeting to discuss politics, news and, economy of Makkah, with the head of Makkah.

44. Abdul Mutalib used to take the Prophet (SAWS) to these meetings, and was the only one allowed to sit over his gown too. He thought that the Prophet (SAWS), like the kids of his age would go and play, but he (SAWS) never did so [today kids and play station while elders talk]. He preferred attending those meetings and listening to their talks. When his grandfather noticed that, he commented to the gathering, “This son of mine will be a great man!”

45. Orphaned again—3rd time . . . The Prophet (SAWS) stayed with his grandfather until the age of 8, when he witnessed the sudden death of Abdul Mutalib. Imagine someone going through all of this! How would he be? He could become unmerciful, or psychologically complicated. Amazingly he (SAWS) did not become so.

46. He was very merciful . . . • His mercy at the Battle of Uhud when he refused to ask Allah to punish his enemies upon his angry companions’ request. “I was not sent to curse them, I was sent as a mercy to mankind. “ m • When the angel of mountains told him that he could collapse two mountains around Makkah on Quraysh if the Prophet (SAWS) wished. Instead he raised his hands to ask Allah to forgive his people (who were opposing him) for they were unaware of the truth.

47. The ugly fellow Zahir . . . • There was an ugly looking fellow in Madinah named Zahir, whom the companions disliked dealing with. One day the Prophet (SAWS) entered the market area to see the companions standing together sharing talks, while Zahir was left alone. Then he (SAWS), moved towards him and hugged him from the back. Zahir could not believe that there was some one who was actually joking with him so he yelled, “Let go of me" then turned around to find that it was the Prophet (SAWS).

48. The Prophet (SAWS) took him from his hand and moved towards the companions joking, “Who would buy a servant.” Zahir replied, "I am afraid that no one would buy me.” So the Prophet (SAWS) replied, “But you are very precious to Allah.”

49. The bird and the boy . . . Companions asked, “What are you doing O Prophet of Allah?” when seeing him playing in the street with a little boy: On another occasion his servant’s (AnasIbnMalik) young brother Umair had a bird that died one day and so the Prophet (SAWS) went to his house to give his condolences for the bird, and used to play with the boy in the street to compensate for the loss of his bird.

50. To this uncle . . . Before his grandfather died, he asked his son Abu-Taleb to take care of Muhammad (SAWS) after his death. The Prophet (SAWS) stayed with Abu-Taleb for 25 yrs. He was raised with ten other children out of whom Aquil became one of his greatest enemies, while JaffarIbn-Abu-Taleb became one of those closest to him (SAWS). Abu-Taleb was poor, so he did not have much to eat or spend. Later on, when Abu Talib’s son Ali became eight years old, the Prophet (SAWS) raised him in gratitude of his Uncle’s effort.