The Sīrah Podcast - Life of the Prophet

5-9-2012

Episode 20: Muhammad The Businessman & A Marriage Proposal

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was not inclined towards materialism. In his 20s, he concerned himself with establishing his means of living, as he wanted to marry and settle down, as well as help Abu Talib financially. Some initial proposals did not work out. He pursued business locally, as Abu Talib declined his request to go to Ash-Sham, because of the incident with Bhaira the monk. As he did not have the initial capital, he decided to broker deals between wholesalers and retailers, working on commission.

He had a business partner by the name of Abu Saib, who was trustworthy and honest. They had some success and were able to launch themselves. Even after Prophethood, in the conquest of Makkah i.e. 35-40 years after the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) did business with this man, he greeted Abu Saib affectionately. He praised Abu Saib as being the best business partner, even though he was not Muslim at the time. Abu Saib did eventually accept Islam.

Khadija bint Khuwaylid (radi Allahu anha) was a widow, and had been married twice before. She was extremely wealthy, and continued her business by hiring men to do business on her behalf in Ash-Sham. When she heard about the reputation of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), she wanted to hire him: they met to discuss the business proposal and she offered him twice the amount of commission she had offered anyone else. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) agreed to work for her.

It is said that Khadija (radi Allahu anha) convinced Abu Talib to allow the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to travel on business to Ash-Sham with her bodyguard Maisarah. On the trip, Maisarah notices some interesting things:

1) They stop in the same area that was inhabited by Bhaira the monk, as this was the usual rest area for the Qurayshi caravans. However, another monk was resident at that time. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) sat under a tree. The monk came to Maisarah and enquired about the man under the tree: the monk reports that no man will sit under that tree at this time except a Prophet.

2) They make more profit than normal in their transactions in both Ash-Sham and in Makkah.

3) On the return journey, Maisarah notices that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) seems very calm despite the extreme heat: looking up, Maisarah sees that he was covered by shade as he travelled, as if two angels were providing the shade.

On their return, the accounts are settled with Khadija (radi Allahu anha). She is impressed by the Prophet's (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) attention to details. Afterwards, Khadija (radi Allahu anha) sits with Maisarah, who recounts the interesting events and amazing character of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) engages in more business deals with Khadija (radi Allahu anha), with similar successful results.

Khadija (radi Allahu anha) was becoming interested in this young man. She speaks to Waraqah, her cousin, who encourages her to pursue the proposal. She then speaks to her friend Nafisa, who offers to discuss the situation with the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). She asks him his opinion of Khadija (radi Allahu anha), and he praises her character. She asks if he would consider her for marriage, and he confirms if she is interested in marriage. Nafisa and the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) then go to Abu Talib to discuss the marriage proposal.

5-1-2012

Episode 19: The Virtuous Pact of Social Justice

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

Another scenario which highlighted the unjust practice of blind tribal allegiance occurred when the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was about 20 years old: this resulted in the formation of the Hilf al-Fudoul: ‘the Virtuous Pact’.

A man came to do business in Makkah from the tribe of Zubaid. The Zubaidi encountered a Qurayshi man, who asked him to handover his merchandise, but he would give payment to the Zubaidi the next day. People from outside Makkah respected the Quraysh, as they were the care-takers of the sacred sanctuary, hence the Zubaidi’s unquestioning trust of the Qurayshi. However, when he went to collect the money the next day, the Qurayshi man denied any knowledge.

The Zubaidi was distraught at the situation. He went to all the leaders and complained of the Qurayshi stealing his merchandise. They dismissed him unjustly, as their loyalties lay with the tribe. The Zubaidi then goes to the Ka’ba at sunrise, which is when the leaders would gather to discuss the day’s agenda. He stood at the door and took his shirt off, as a sign of desperation. He cried out to the people his situation, addressing the people of dignity and honour, asking how theft and oppression could occur in the city Makkah, the site of the sanctuary.

The first to stand up and sympathise with him is the Uncle of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), Zubair bin Abdul Muttalib, who later accepted Islam. The Qurayshi leaders gather and decide action must be taken. A man by the name of Abdullah bin Juda’an calls a meeting at home and an agreement is formed for injustice to stop: the pact is to support the rights of the oppressed, whatever the tribal backgrounds of the oppressor, even if this is against their own Quraysh.

This pact is called ‘Hilf al-Fudoul’. There are 2 opinions as to the meaning of ‘al-Fudoul’:

1)      From a historical perspective, there were three men present by the name of al-Fadal, hence the plural form ‘al-Fudoul’.

2)      From a linguistic perspective, ‘fadal’ means ‘virtuous’.

Thus, the first act under the Hilf al-Fudoul was that all the men present went to the Qurayshi who mistreated the Zubaidi. The merchandise is returned to the wronged Zubaidi.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) reports when in Medina that he witnessed the pact 30-40 years prior. He said would not trade his presence there for red she-camels i.e. the most valuable things in the world. He also said that if the pact was called in Islam, he would answer. Interestingly, the Hilf al-Fudoul was called upon even after the death of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) by his grandson Hussain ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib, when there was a disagreement over money with Al-Walid bin Utbah bin Abu Sufyan.

4-25-2012

Episode 18: The Sacrilegious War

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

Between the ages of 15-20 years old, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had some profound experiences which had a huge impact on him. One incident was that of the Harb-ul-Fijar: the ‘Sacrilegious’ war. ‘Fijar’ relates to something which is inappropriate and in violation of the ethics, morals or religion of the people at that time.

The conflict started because of a dispute between two men, one from Quraysh and another from a tribe in Ta’if. The man from Quraysh had some customers, who the man from Ta’if also approached to take their business for himself. Later, the man from Quraysh attacked and killed the man from Ta’if on account of his anger. As well as being unjust, this murder also occurred in one of the 4 sacred months, when killing was forbidden, hence the name ‘Sacrilegious War’.

The infuriated tribe from Ta’if gathers an army and heads to Makkah. The Quraysh were upset with the Qurayshi who killed the man unjustly, but due to tribal allegiances, they felt compelled to defend the tribe’s honour, instead of acting justly e.g. paying blood money. A stalemate ensues: neither tribe wishes to hold a full-scale war, because the stakes are high: neither wanted to see their areas desecrated. The conflict remained for about 5 years, with only 5 days of actual fighting.

The Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) uncles were heading out to fight. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was at an age when it was expected he would participate in defending the tribe. However, he disliked to participate because of the unjust pretext the war was being engaged under. Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) managed to avoid the first 2 days, but had to go on the third and fiercest day. The majority say his role was that of collecting the arrowheads and lining them up for the warriors to use: he never unjustly raised a sword against anyone.

At the end of the 5 years, the leaders of both tribes sat together for discussions: they could not even remember why they were fighting. Both sides agreed to forgiveness.

4-18-2012

Episode 17: The Teenage Years

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

The session concentrates on the adolescence of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in Makkah, which is recognised to be a challenging time from an iman perspective in anyone's life. However, some incidents show how Allah protects his Messengers and Prophets from falling into any reprehensible behaviour, including the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

One incident related by the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) mentions a time when he was a young boy. Together with other young boys, he was shifting rocks. To aid the task, some boys exposed themselves by removing their lower garment and used the sheet to carry the rocks. The boys encouraged the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to do the same. As soon as he did this, he felt a hard slap at the back of his head, but he did not see anyone behind him. Then he heard a voice telling him to put his clothes back on again.

The second incident reports a time when he was an older teenager, when there were renovations of the Kaba in progress. The high ranking members of the noble families were given preference to help in the task first. Thus, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had an early opportunity to help carry the materials for the reconstruction. His Uncle Abbas suggested adjusting his garments, which risked exposure of his body, so as to aid carrying the rocks. As the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) started to do this, Abbas narrates that he collapsed to the ground, with his eyes looking up towards the sky. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) then got up, asking for his clothing, and he immediately dressed appropriately again. On enquiry, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that he had been forbidden from walking around not properly clothed in public. 

Abu Talib was in some financial difficulty and the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) wanted to help him. Belonging to a noble family, it was not appropriate for him to do menial labour. The men of Quraysh were merchants, which was the most prestigious job in that culture. However, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was too young to do this and Abu Talib disliked that he travelled. He pursued the job of shepherding, which was regarded respectfully: it was deemed a job that imbued leadership qualities in a person e.g. patience, observation, responsibility and vigilance.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was protected from the evil practices at the time, but was not completely sheltered i.e. he was aware of the happenings, but never felt inclined to participate in lewd behaviour or idol worship. One story recounts how he was encouraged to attend a social gathering, but on two occasions, he passed out before reaching the event. He did not wake up until the following morning, by which time everyone had left.

4-3-2012

Episode 16: Bhaira The Monk

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

Another well-konown incident is the meeting of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) with Bhaira the monk. There is a difference in narrations as to the age of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) when this happened: the minority report that he was 9 years old i.e. that this happened soon after he came under the care of Abu Talib. The majority report he was 1 2 years old.

Abu Talib was a businessman and he decided to go on a business trip to Ash-Sham. At that time in history, Ash-Sham was ruled by the Romans, with a strong Christian presence. Travel was very difficult and initially, Abu Talib planned to leave the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) behind in Makkah. However, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) cried profusely and asked not to be left behind. Finally, Abu Talib agrees he can join the business caravan. 

While travelling, they stop near a place called Busra, which was the usual stopping place for the Quraysh. Here, there was a temple inhabited by Bhaira ar-Rahib. The majority say he was Christian, but some accounts say he was Jewish. That temple had always been inhabited by academic scholars of the Jewish-Christian tradition. The locals would stay away from Bhaira as he did not like interacting with people. When the Quraysh arrived, he would usually have nothing to do with them. 

This time, with the arrival of the Quraysh caravan, something catches the attention of Bhaira: he sees that a cloud is moving along with them. When they stop, the cloud stops. He notices a boy breaks apart from the group and the cloud follows him. Sitting under a tree, the branches seem to move to provide shade for the boy. Bhaira recognises the signs of the last Messenger of all times.

Bahira becomes very intrigued and decides to invite the Quraysh for a feast at the temple. The group is surprised by his pleasant behaviour. They leave the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to look after the precious merchandise. Bhaira does not see the boy at the feast and asks if they brought everyone. After this, they bring him to the feast too. Whilst the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is eating, Bhaira studies him intently. He shows a lot of affection towards the boy, as he wanted to show his hospitality to the boy that he believed to be the Prophet of the last times. 

Bhaira speaks to Abu Talib, sharing his concerns that this special boy should not be taken further into Ash-Sham: he feels that other people may recognise what Bhaira himself recognised, but they may not be so merciful towards the boy. Thus, Abu Talib decides the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) should return to Makkah. There are three narrations as to what happens next:

A small minority mention that Abu Talib decides to take the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) with him to Ash-Sham, but he shortens the business trip.

The majority mention Abu Talib returns to Makkah from Busra and he takes the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) home himself.

Another account mentions that some young people were with the caravan, including Abu Bakr and Bilal the slave. Others in the business caravan do not want to lose Abu Talib's company on the trip and suggest that the 3 young people go together to Makkah.

3-27-2012

Episode 15: With His Loving Grandfather & Uncle

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

This episode looks at the time the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) spent with his grandfather and uncle. It is interesting to note that Allah never deprived him of the presence of a loving, caring individual, despite him losing his father and mother. These individuals were always people of great character and ethics.

Abdul-Muttalib, his grand-father, was incredibly loving towards the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He was always looking for him and would check on him before going to sleep. There was a cushion for Abdul Muttalib to sit on under the shade of the Ka’ba, where he would meet and greet people, with his back against the Ka’ba. This seat was especially reserved for him and no-one dared to sit on it. His sons would sit immediately around him: even his own children would not dare sit on that seat out of respect for him. However, the Prophet, aged 6, would come and sit on that seat. His uncles would grab him and move him out the way: when Abdul-Muttalib would see them moving him, he would say to leave the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) alone.

When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) reached the age of 8, his grandfather passed away. Abdul-Muttalib called all his family and emphasised the importance of taking care of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He asked Abu Talib to talk care of him, whereas as Abbas was given the responsibility of the well of Zam Zam and arranging water for the visitors of the Ka’ba.

Abu Talib was the most closely related to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), as he had the same mother as Abdullah, the father of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). A simple man, Abu Talib took great care him: he would not eat food until the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had eaten, and would check upon him before going to sleep. He truly loved him more than his own children.

3-13-2012

Episode 14: Death of the Prophets Mother

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) went back to being in the care of his mother, Amina, in Makkah. Amina decided to make a trip to Yathrib, which later became the blessed city of Medina. Some say his mother wanted him to meet the extended family members; others report it was because she wanted to visit the grave of her husband, Abdullah, who died in Medina. The two were accompanied by Umm Aiman (Barakah), one of the milk mothers of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). They spent time in Quba and Yathrib, staying for about one month. They left Yathrib and travelled to a place called Abwa: it is here that Amina passed away due to an unknown illness.

Umm Aiman buried the mother of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and embraced Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), who was 6 years old. Some reports say she returned to Yathrib with the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), where they stayed for a few days until his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, came to take him home. Other reports mention Umm Aiman returned to Makkah with Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) alone.

Once, the Sahabah were with the Prophet at a place near Abwa. The Prophet asked them to wait until he came back, requesting that no-one followed him. He returned looking ill and heavy-hearted. He then explained that he went to the grave his mother. Initially, the Prophet had forbidden the visiting of graves, to distance people from idol worship. However, when they had become secure in their faith, he then allowed them to visit graves.

Another narration shows the shear sadness of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) from these memories of his mother. Some Sahabah are reported to have accompanied the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to a grave, where he sat down and cried profusely, to the point where he choked up and lost his breath. The Sahabah also started crying. Umar comforted the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and asked why he was crying so much, to which the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied that the grave was that of his beloved mother. This story shows the human, emotional side of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

2-14-2012

Episode 13: Splitting of his Chest

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

This episode recounts the story of the splitting of the Prophet Muhammad's (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) chest. His brother Abdullah came running one day to his parents looking petrified, crying 'My brother, my brother!' He mentions that two men came wearing white clothes, lay the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) down on his back and split his chest open. It was at this point Abdullah went running for help.

A cut was made from the hollow of his neck to his navel. They removed the heart, split it open, and took a black blood clot out and threw it away. They had a dish made of gold, and they washed the heart in ZamZam with ice. The heart was then returned again to the chest.

These men were actually angels: they were seen to come from the sky. A conversation takes place between the two angels, which reports that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) would outweigh the whole Ummah.

Halimah and her husband were very worried by this event, and thus they immediately set out to Makkah to return the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to his mother. His mother realised something had occurred, and reassured them that Shaytaan would never be able to get a hold of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). She recounts the miraculous events during her pregnancy e.g. she did not feel any burden whatsoever during the pregnancy.

In respect of the the heart being cleansed, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) encounters a similar event at the time of Isra and Mi'raj.

2-7-2012

Episode 12: Halimah's Blessing

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

This episode discusses Halimah Sadiya, another lady who breast-fed the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The Arabs in Makkah preferred their children to spend their early years being raised in the desert, where it was felt they were safer from diseases and pollution rife in the city, as well as having the opportunity of learning pure, eloquent Arabic. Women from desert tribes would come to Makkah to collect the children, in return for financial incentives.

Halima was married and had three children of her own. She and her family made an arduous journey to Makkah, recounting that it was a year of drought. Her camel was not able to give milk, thus her own milk dried up. Their mule was very slow, thus they fell behind the group. They did not sleep all night due to hunger and the wailing of their hungry child. Eventually reaching Makkah, they found that all the other women in the tribe had already secured babies from good families with good financial incentives. The one chid left was the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Halima was reluctant to take him, worried that he was an orphan, but she also did not want to return empty-handed.

As soon as Halima collected the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), miracles started: her milk flowed abundantly; the mule suddenly became fit and active; the camel produced milk; their land became green and the livestock grazed to their fill, also producing abundant milk.

When a child reaches 2 years, it is usually time to return them home again. Halima did not want to return the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) because of the blessings he brought, as well as the close attachment that had developed.: she convinced his mother to allow him to return with her, thus he stayed a further time of between 6-18months.

1-31-2012

Episode 11: The Women Who Cared for the Prophet

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

This episode discuses the infancy of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was nursed by his own mother, Amina, as well as some other women. When a child is nursed by a women other than the mother, it establishes a relationship such that it is forbidden to marry that  person i.e. she becomes a milk-mother; he also cannot marry her daughters. The lives of two milk-mothers are explored:

a) Barakah (Umm Ayman)

Barakah was originally from from East Africa and a slave. First owned by Abdul Muttalib, she was given to Abdullah, and thus ended up in the home of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): he inherited her from his mother, and when he married Khadijah, he freed her, but she remained close to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

Barakah accepted Islam and performed Hijrah. She accompanied the Muslims in some of the battles. Ayman, her son, was born from a previous marriage and was a believer. Her husband also accepted Islam, and was martyred in a battle. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) proposed that whoever would like to marry a women from the people of paradise, that man should marry Umm Ayman. Zaid ibn Haritha, the adopted son of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), chose to marry her. They had a son together called Usama ibn Zaid. Barakah died 20 days after the death of Umar Al-Khattab.

b) Thuwaybah

Thuwaybah was a slave-girl owned by Abu Lahab. When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was born, she came running to Abu Lahab to inform him of the  good news. Abu Lahab was so overjoyed that he freed her on the spot. It is mentioned that Abbas the uncle of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), saw Abu Lahab in a dream and asked him what happened after death. Abu Lahab said he had been punished non-stop, but every Monday, he was given a break because when the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was born he freed Thuwaybah. Thuwaybah also nursed the Prophet's uncle, Hamza, and Abu Salamah. She accepted Islam, and died in 7AH.