The Life of Prophet Muhammad - by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

Both sides prepare for the Battle of Uhud soon after Imam Hasan's birth:
- The battle was instigated by the Meccan's desire for revenge, the insult they felt from Islam, and the economic strain they had landed under
- Abu Sufyan's attempts at raising an army
- Hind's support of the army
- Prophet Muhammad's investigation when an undercover Muslim informs him of Abu Sufyan's army
- How Prophet Muhammad held his war council and respected his follower's wishes

Practical lessons:
- Importance of consultative leadership
- Appreciating the wisdom of elders
- Youth tend to be overzealous
- Certain Islamic rulings only apply to the Prophet
- No shaming: Those who gave poor advice were not blamed even though going out to meet Quraysh was a sub-optimal option

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=482.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl87UnuBTw4&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The events that occurred after the Battle of Badr, which led to the Battle of Uhud:
- The Expedition of Qarqarat Al-Kudr, where nomadic tribes started hostilities against the Muslims
- The Expedition of Sawiq, where Abu Sufyan led an assault against Medina
- The Qaradah Raid, where the Muslims raided a Meccan caravan
- The death of Uthman ibn Madh'un, one of the highest companions
- The death of Ruqayyah
- The assassination of Ka'b ibn Ashraf, a member of the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadhir, for treason (inciting Meccans to war against the Muslims)

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=478.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNR6pPMAOrk&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

While most Muslima and Jewish tribes in Medina were agriculture based, the Jewish tribe of Banu Qaynuqa consisted mainly of craftsmen and blacksmiths, making them highly militarized. The tax-free marketplace, along with the Muslim's conflict with the Meccans (one of Banu Qaynuqa's main customer base) threatened Banu Qaynuqa's financial interests.

This led to Banu Qaynuqa violating the peace treaty they had agreed to in the Medinan Charter and secretly start colluding with the Meccans to incite hostilities against the Muslims.

Once Banu Qaynuqa began openly violating the peace treaty and began abetting the Muslim's enemies, there was a stand off between them and the Muslims, which led to Banu Qaynuqa's defeat and banishment.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=474.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uJvnpFZu0s&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

How and why the qiblah was changed from Jersalem to the Kaaba:
- The Jewish tribes had been mocking Muslims for worshipping towards Jerusalem
- Quranic verses in Surah Baqarah explain why the Qiblah was changed
- Quran's criticism of the people who had enmity in their hearts against Muslims.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=470.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X3EWPhweE8&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The immediate aftermath of the Battle of Badr, including:
- How the prisoners of war were treated after the battle
- Revelation of Surat al-Anfal, which included verses on warfare
- How the spoils were divided

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=466.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKnJFE1IBM4&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Warfare during Battle of Badr and the Muslim's victory:
- The story of Umayr ibn Al-Humam, who longed for a martyrdom
- The two youth who killed Abu Jahl, and how they attacked him
- Abu Jahl's arrogance even with his dying breaths
- Umayyah ibn Khalaf's attempt to seek refuge once defeat was imminent
- Lessons taught after the battle

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=462.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQaGD67IMDY&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The Battle of Badr begins:
- Prophet Muhammad tried to avoid hostilities, and some of the Quraysh wanted to avoid fighting as well. But Abu Jahl instigated the conflict forwards.
- Fighting began with three one on one skirmishes
- The miracle of the prophet throwing pebbles towards the Quraysh and blinding them

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=458.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HBOwrzwf-k&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The Quraysh set out with a huge army, intending to intimidate not just the Muslims but the rest of the Arabs as well.

This lecture includes:
- Quraysh leaders who were afraid of going to war
- Military tactics leveraged by the Propeht Muhammad before the battle
- Attributes needed to be a leader
- A miracle Allah sent to give the Muslims an advantage the night before the battle

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=454.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPprgQ2qGjg&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The Meccans wanted to bolster their military situation, not okay with the Prophet Muhammad simply relocating to Medina. The Meccans had invested heavily in a caravan led by Abu Sufyan which would let them build up their military.

Prophet Muhammad intended to intercept this caravan on it's way back from Syria. However, Abu Sufyan discoveres this plan and devises a scheme to rile up the Meccans and push them to all out war against the Muslims.

This lecture includes:
- How Imam Ali got the kunya of Abu Turab
- Gabriel informing Prophet Muhammad of Abu Sufyan's plan and how the Prophet tested the Muslims' resolve
- The prophet's aunt in Mecca having a vision of a calamity affecting the Meccans

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=450.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-iBIU2c3Ms&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Imam Ali and Lady Fatima got married in the 2nd year AH. This lecture covers:
- Lady Fatima's age at marriage (Shia vs Sunni views)
- The people who unsuccessfully proposed to Fatima (and their reactions to the rejection)
- Imam Ali's bridal gift for Lady Fatima
- Their valima (the wedding feast)

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=446.

Subscribe at http://www.why-quran.org/subscribe to watch the lectures live and participate in the Q&A at the end of each class.

Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg1x0xfwiK8&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.