PROPHETHOOD (AL-NUBUW’WA) From Birth to First 5 Years of Revelation

1. PROPHETHOOD(AL-NUBUW’WA)From Birth to First 5 Years of Revelation FUNDAMENTALS OF BELIEF #3 October 31, 2010

2. THE HOLY QURAN • 30 (Juz’oo) Chapters 114 surahsayas • Allah’s  Jubr’eel to Muhammad (23 yrs) • Miracle of Miracles and is Arabic

3. PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAWS)IMPORTANT NAMES • ABDULLAH • Father, died 2 months before Prophet Muhammad’s (saws) birth. • AMINA • Mother died when Muhammad was 6 • ABDUL MUTALIB • Grandfather, stayed with the Prophet when Amina gave birth to Him, Died 2 years after His birth. • HALIMA • Care Taker, nursed the Prophet for 3 years. • ABU TALIB • Uncle where the Prophet stayed. • KHADIJA • Wife

4. WHAT DID THE PROPHETS TEACH? • ONENESS of Allah (swt) • Allah’s Greatness • The Religion of Allah (swt) • How to Worship and Pray to Allah (swt) • How to Become Kind, Helpful, Speak the Truth & Have Good Manners.

6. Mecca was ruled by BenuKhuza’a • Until Qusay, in the middle of the 5th century was able to rule. • Abraha ruled Yemen • (Attempted to divert people away from Kaaba, built by Prophet Ibrahim and Ism’eel and destroy the Kaaba.) • But Allah (swt) Destroyed Abraha (Surat Al-Fil) • YEAR OF THE ELEPHANT 569 ACE • BIRTH OF THE PROPHET 570 ACE

7. How it All Started • Abdullah marries Amina • Abdullah then goes on a business trip with his caravan to Syria • Abdullah becomes sick and dies 2 months after Prophet Muhammad is born

9. After Birth Halima takes care of Muhammad (pbuh) for 3 yrs Halima was the wet nurse of the prophet because she was generously took care of the prophet for little money When the prophet Was 6 Amina died making Muhammad an orphan

10. AGE 12 • Muhammad joined Uncle’s caravan trade company & went on his first caravan trade in Syria. • Abu Talib met Christian Priest named Buhaira; who told him of some signs of Muhammad being a great man to come

11. Recommendations from Buhaira Buhaira said Muhammad should safeguard and protect Muhammad.

12. Age 24 & Second Trip to Syria • 40 yrs old Khadija needed someone to take care of her caravan company • Abu Talib asked Khadija to allow Muhammad to fulfill this task. Khadija agrees.

13. Muhammad Marries Khadija • At age 25, Muhammad marries Khadija • Had 7 children • 3 Boys; Qasim, Tahir & Tayyib • (all who died from sickness) • 4 Girls; Zainab, Ruqayya, Um Kalthum & Fatima • (All grew up & got married, though only Fatima had children)

14. The Pledge: A leader • It rained hard in Mecca & the Kaaba was in need to be rebuilt • Clans of Quraish took charge of rebuilding the Kaaba • Competition broke out of who was to place the Black stone on Kaaba

16. Al-Amin Solves the Problem • The oldest member stood up and suggested to the leaders; “I have a suggestion, let us wait & see who enters the Kaaba first, then decided & be the judge and all of us will accept His decision, whatever His decision be.” • Muhammad (pbuh) enters the Kaaba • He said give me a robe, placed the black stone in the center of the robe, told the directors of each clan to lift the corners of the robe, as placed the black stone on the Kaaba!

18. Time of Seclusion • Muhammad (pbuh) interacted with many people; the young, old, rich, poor, sick & healthy. • He started to question himself about his experience and seeing. • Therefore went to a quiet place, away from distractions…..

19. This Place Was Called:Cave of Hiraa(A Cave close from the top of Mt. Noor)He liked to visit the cave in particular during the month of Ramadhan. • During this time, He would review living conditions. Problems that arise, & would become sad and unhappy about the situation. • The MOST crucial problem was, how the people know about Allah (swt), though they worshipped idols instead. • As many as 360 idols or more were put around the Kaaba. • Muhammad (pbuh) was going through many uneasy feelings & prayed to Allah (swt) and asked for guidance.

20. At Age 40 In Ghar Hiraa Muhammad (pbuh) was asleep as He heard Before Him the Words… “READ!”

21. Experience in Cave of Hiraa • Month of Ramadhan, was praying and asking for guidance and help and searching his mind as he had done before. • Was awakened by some being . “READ” Muhammad was illiterate, and answered. “But I cannot read.” Again the voice said “READ” “But I cannot READ” For once again was felt as being squeezed hard and released. Then a third time the voice commanded “READ” • Muhammad replied, “What shall I read?”

22. As Muhammad reached the bottom of the MT He heard a voice calling; Muhammad, Muhammad…as He looked up, He saw before Him a man of shining bright light; “I am Gabriel, Muhammad, I am Allah’s messenger to His prophets and you will guide Humanity to right path & truth.”

23. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Goes Home • Khadija worried because Muhammad had been away much longer than usual. • Heard fast firm footstep aproaching door, saw it was the Prophet, sick-looking, pale, shaky and weak. • Prophet says “Cover Me”, as Prophet laid down covered him and sat waiting curiously.

24. Prophet Shares His Experience • Shares His experience about Angel Jubra’eel and the few verses that engraved his mind. • Silenced and looked in Khadija’s face to see if believes Him or not. • Khadija replies,

25. Khadija’s Reply “Be happy and firm. I certainly hope that you are the Prophet of the people. Allah Almighty will never put you to shame, because you are the one who is on himself, and you honor your guests, and help people when they are in trouble because of their support of truth.”

26. Khadija visits Cousin, Waraka Ibn Naufel • An old blind cousin, who is a Christian who was a respected man for being wise and religious. • Shared with him Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) exceptional experience. • Ibn Naufel was excited and told Khadijia; “Oh Khadijia, if what you have told me is true, the Great Law and Commandment has come to him, which came to Moses, and most surely he is the Prophet of his people. Tell him to be steadfast.” • Khadijia felt sure, strong and very Happy

27. Khadijia Becomes First Muslim Lady • Saw with her own eyes what the Prophet was going through. Angel Jubra’eel told the Prophet; “Warn the People” Khadijia declared her belief in One God and Muhammad as His Messenger.

28. Prophet Meet Ibn Naufel • Met Ibn Naufel at the Kaaba • Shared most recent experiences and Ibn Naufel replied; “ Oh Muhammad, the great Law and commandment have come to you as they came to Moses. Surely they will belie, harm, expel, and fight you. If I live to that day, I would certainly help with all my powers.” Prophet thought: “If they disbelieve me, who will believe me then? “And if they Expel me, who will accept me?” “And if they fight me, who will protect me?”

29. Surat Al-Fatiha • The first surah revealed in it’s entirety at one time • Al-Fatiha is like the table of contents of the Quran • Al-Fatiha is a short surah but with a profound meaning

30. Did not know what to do Next • Prophet went to Cave Hiraa over and over to ask for Allah (swt) help. • Waited for Angel Jubra’eel for weeks • Pray and ask Allah (sws) “Oh Allah, enlighten me, elighten me, elighten me!” Finally After weeks of waiting Angel Jubra’eel appeared with good news:

31. Surah 93 Ayah 1-11 Revealed

32. Prophet Received Revelations Frequently • Prophet was given instructions to pray, so He and Khadija practiced this twice a day (in the morning and evening)

33. Ali Ibn Abu Talib • One day, while playing Ali walks in on The Prophet Muhammad and Khadija as they are praying…questioned by what’s happening he then learns about Allah (swt) and Islam. • Asks Prophet “To Whom were you bowing?” • Prophet answers “To the One Deity, to Allah, the Creator of the Universe.” • Ali at age 10 becomes the First Male Muslim

34. Islam Slowly Spreads & Number of Converts Gradually Increases • Zaid Ibn Harith (a servant) • Slave who is freed by Prophet Muhammad & lives in Muhammad’s household becomes a Muslim • Abu Talib & Jafar (his son) • Saw Prophet, Khadijia and Ali praying in group, (worshipping in a unique way and words beautiful and captivating • Become Muslims • Abu Baker • A close friend of the Prophet converts to Islam after hearing the Prophet’s experience with Jubra’eel. • Bilal- slave who is tortured because of his belief of Islam • Hamza- another uncle of the prophet

35. At First Islam Was Spread in Secret…But Then…? • A Message was revealed to Spread the Message of Islam! • (This happened for 3 Yrs until message from Allah (swt) to spread in Public Manner) “Warn your nearest kinsmen and lower your wing (in kindness) to those disbelievers who follow you.” Surah 26 Ayah 214

36. Dinner Invitation At Abu Talib’s House • Many relatives and guests were invited. • Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) addresses guests about Allah & Islam. • The Evil-Minded Abu Lahab (The Prophet’s Uncle) interrupted, therefore the Prophet did not successfully complete His address

37. Second Dinner Invitation“Yom Al Dar” • Since did not get a chance to spread Message in First Invitation held a Second Dinner Party. • When the guests finished eating The Prophet said: “I don’t know of anyone among the Arabs who has brought you anything better than I have. My Lord has commanded me to call you to it. Who will help me in this affair and be my brother, my executer and my deputy after me, from among you?”

38. “Yom Al Dar” Continued… • Guests were quiet, motionless & listening attentively. • All looked at each other in sarcasm & disbelief. • A boyish voice of 13 Year old Ali assuredly said: “I will be, O’ Allah’s Messenger.”

39. “Yom Al Dar”…Continued • The Prophet repeated the question for a second time & again it was Ali who answered the same. • The Prophet then answered: “This is my brother, my executor and my deputy among you. So listen to him and obey him.”

40. Relatives Reaction • All laughed in Sarcasm to see a young 13 yrs old boy declaring himself so defiantly. • Could not comprehend the spirit of Islam, and the way it changes a person.

41. Public Approach

42. Prophet Calls on People of Quraish to Come on MT Safa… • The Prophet publicly addresses everyone in the subject of the Belief in Allah (swt) and Islam… • Everyone agrees in His Belief except for His Uncle Abu Lahab, who once again interrupts the Prophet…this time cursing and insulting Him • The People then witness The Prophet undergo a dramatic change…(He was:) • Still and motionless • Began to breathe heavily • His eyes were fixed towards the sky • (He was receiving a revelation through Angel Jubra’eel)

44. Quranic Verse Revealed

45. Quraish Pressure Abu Talib to Stop The Continuation of The Prophet’s Message…

46. Abu Talib Goes to the Prophet to Discuss Situation & Quraish’s Threat • The Prophet’s Reply To The Situation: “O Uncle, By Allah, even if they put the sun in my right hand & the moon in my left hand, in order for me to give up my message I will never do so. I will go on until Allah makes it prevalent or, rather I die in effort.”

47. Benu Hashim & Benu Mut’talib Protest & Take a Stand Against Quraish

48. 5 Years Passed, Number of Muslims Increase • The Muslims were united under the Quran, Prayers, & Faith While… • Quraish was Frightened & Alarmed…were determined to stop Islam by force & remove from existence.