1-)
3. Prophets Mentioned in the Glorious Quran and Their Stories
3.1. WHAT IS A STORY?
A story is the real, exemplary life story of the prophets mentioned in the Quran.
The following are verses from the Quran related to the issue:
نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ
We do relate unto you the most beautiful of stories, in that We reveal to you this (portion of the) Quran: before this you too were among those who knew it not.(Yousuf, 12/3).
نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ نَبَأَهُم بِالْحَقِّ إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ آمَنُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَاهُمْ هُدًى
" We relate to you their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We advanced them in guidance..." (al-Kahf 18/13)
and;
تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَث ذَّلِكَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا فَاقْصُصِ الْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
".... so relate the story; perchance they may reflect " (al-Araf, 7/176).
In another verse, the following is stated:
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُوْلِي الأَلْبَابِ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَى وَلَكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ
كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
There is, in their stories instruction for men endued with understanding. It is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what went before it a detailed exposition of all things, and a Guide and a Mercy to any such as believe (Yousuf, 12/111).
The stories in the Glorious Quran tell us primarily about three meanings:
1- The stories in the Quran traced the events in the past and brought light to them. That meaning also indicates that the stories are historically true.
2- The stories narrate important events in the past.
3- The stories eliminated the insignificant details in the events. They reported only the necessary parts concisely to make people draw lessons.
The first prophet is Hazrat Adam, the last prophet is Hazrat Muhammad.
In a hadith, the number of prophets is reported as 124 thousand. 315 of them are rasuls.1
The names of 25 prophets are mentioned in the Glorious Quran. It is disputable whether Uzair (Ezra), Luqman and Dhul-qarnain, whose names are mentioned in the Quran, are prophets. According to some scholars, they are prophets. According to others, they are not prophets but selected slaves of Allah, walis.
The prophets mentioned in the Glorious Quran are as follows chronologically:
Hazrat Adam was created out of soil. His descent continued through marriage.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا
O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;― fear Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights) and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you (an-Nisa, 4/1).
Hazrat Adam, who was given ten pages by Allah, is the first man and first prophet.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى آَدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآَلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآَلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ
Allah did choose Adam and Noah the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran above all people (Aal-e-Imran, 3/33).
2. Hazrat Idris (Enoch)
His ancestry goes back to Seth, son of Hazrat Adam. He is the grandfather of Hazrat Nooh. This verse gives information about him:
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَبِيًّا وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا
Also mention in the Book the case of Idris: he was a man of truth (and sincerity), (and) a prophet: And We raised him to a lofty station. (Maryam, 19/56-57).
Most of the artisans regard a prophet as their patron. For instance, Hazrat Nooh (PBUH) is the patron for sailors, Hazrat Yousuf (PBUH) for watchmakers and Hazrat Idris (PBUH) for tailors.
He is reported to be the first person to write with pen and to teach to plan and set up cities. Although he is said to have been born in Egypt, he probably lived in Babel.
3. Hazrat Nooh
Hazrat Nooh, is the first of the great prophets. Hazrat Nooh is mentioned in many verses in the Glorious Quran with his struggle with deniers and his story about the deluge. In addition, the 71st chapter of the Quran was named after him. One of the verses that mentions him is as follows:
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَى قَوْمِهِ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًا فَأَخَذَهُمُ الطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَالِمُونَ
We (once) sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin. (al-Ankaboot, 29/14).
This verse, which is one of the most laconic and eloquent verses of the Quran, summarizes the deluge in a few sentences:
وَقِيلَ يَا أَرْضُ ابْلَعِي مَاءَكِ وَيَا سَمَاءُ أَقْلِعِي وَغِيضَ الْمَاءُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَاسْتَوَتْ عَلَى الْجُودِيِّ وَقِيلَ بُعْدًا لِلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ
When the word went forth: "O earth! swallow up your water, and O sky! withhold (your rain)!" and the water abated, and the matter was ended. The Ark rested on Mount Judi, and the word went forth: "Away with those who do wrong!" (Hood, 11/44).
4.Hazrat Hood
Hazrat Hood comes from the descent of Hazrat Noohs son, Sam. The 11th chapter of the Quran was named after him. He is the prophet that was sent to the nation of Ad in Yemen:
وَإِلَى عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَهٍ غَيْرُهُ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
To the Ad people, (We sent) Hood one of their (own) brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah! you have no other god but Him. Will yet not fear (Allah)?" (al-Araf, 7/65).
The people of the nation of Ad were strong. They had built high and strong buildings. They were destroyed through a violent wind because they did not obey Hazrat Hood. The Quran reports it as follows:
وَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَأُهْلِكُوا بِرِيحٍ صَرْصَرٍ عَاتِيَةٍ
And the `Ad― they were destroyed by a furious wind, exceedingly violent (Haaqqa, 69/6).
5.Hazrat Saleh
He was sent as a prophet to the nation of Thamud, which was also called Hijr, that lived between Damascus and Hijaz. The Quran points to it as follows:
وَإِلَى ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَهٍ غَيْرُهُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ بَيِّنَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ هَذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ آَيَةً فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِي أَرْضِ اللَّهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
To the Thamud people (We sent) Saleh one of their own brethren: he said: "O my people! Worship Allah; you have no other god but Him. Now has come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord! This she-camel of Allah is a sign unto you: so leave her to graze in Allah's earth and let her come to no harm, or you shall be seized with a grievous punishment. (al-Araf, 7/73).
The nation of Thamud was destroyed by a violent sound and quake because they disobeyed Allah by slaughtering the camel that was given to them as a miracle. In another verse, God Almighty states the following:
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِذَنْبِهِمْ فَسَوَّاهَا
Then they rejected him (as a false prophet), and they hamstrung her. So their Lord, on account of their crime, obliterated their traces and made them equal (in destruction, high and low)! (ash-Shams, 91/14).
In another verse, the sequel of that nation is indicated as follows:
فَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَأُهْلِكُوا بِالطَّاغِيَةِ
But the Thamud― they were destroyed by a terrible storm of thunder and lightning! (al-Haaqqa, 69/5).
6. Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham)
He is one of the prophets that is mentioned the most in the Glorious Quran. His struggle of oneness (tawheed) is often emphasized. He is the second of the great prophets. In addition, he is the only prophet that is loved and respected by all of the members of the three divine religions. He is famous for being khalilullah (friend of Allah) and his generosity. Two of the verses that praise him and his religion are as follows:
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَبِيًّا
Also mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham: he was a man of Truth, a prophet (Maryam, 19/41).
وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَاتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَاتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلًا
Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in faith? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend. (an-Nisa, 4/125).
Hazrat Ibrahim was born in Babel. All of the people in his nation, including his father, were idolaters. He started to struggle against idolatry when he was very young. Once he broke the idols and put the axe over the neck of the biggest idol when everybody went out of the city for a ceremony. When he was asked Who did it to our gods?, he showed the biggest idol and said, that biggest idol did it. Thus, he made them think. Then, they wanted to throw him into the fire, however, as a miracle Allah made the fire cool and safe for him.2
In another verse, it is stated that he discussed with Namrud and silenced and astonished him with the evidence he put forward about the existence of Allah.3
Hazrat Ibrahim married Sara (Sarah). At first, she did not have any children, so he married Hazrat Hajar (Hagar). Hazrat Hajar gave birth to Hazrat Ismaeel (Ishmael); Then Hazrat Sara gave birth to Hazrat Ishaq (Isaac).4
He went to Makkah after Palestine, Egypt and Syria. There he built the Kaaba with his son Ismaeel. Upon the command of Allah, he wanted to sacrifice (slay) his son Hazrat Ismaeel in Mina; he himself and his son passed that test and obtained the pleasure of Allah.5
The grave of Hazrat Ibrahim is in a place called Khalilurrahman near Quds (Jerusalem). Deeds like reciting khutbah (sermon), circumcision, cutting nails were first done by Hazrat Ibrahim.
In the Quran, the Prophet is told Tell them the story of Ibrahim and the story of Ibrahim (PBUH) is narrated as follows: Ibrahim (PBUH) tells his nation;
- What do you worship? He asked. They said;
- We worship idols and we shall continue to worship them. Hazrat Ibrahim said;
- All right, do they hear you when you beg them? Or do they do you good or harm? They said:
- No, but we found our fathers doing so. Ibrahim said;
- "Do you then see whom you have been worshipping― "You and your fathers before you?" For they are enemies to me; not so the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds; Who created me, and it is He Who guides me; Who gives me food and drink. And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me, Who will cause me to die, and then to live (again); "And Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgment Then, he begged Allah as follows:
- O my Lord! Bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous; Grant me honorable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest (generations); Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss; Forgive my father, for that he is among those astray; And let me not be in disgrace on the Day when (men) will be raised up― The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail.6
The lesson Hazrat Ibrahim taught his nation
There was a religious ceremony that the nation of Hazrat Ibrahim held and everybody took part in. They invited Hazrat Ibrahim to that ceremony. However, with the excuse that he was ill, he did not take part in the ceremony. There was nobody else in the city. Taking advantage of their absence, Hazrat Ibrahim broke all of the idols to pieces except the biggest one, with an axe, and put the axe over the neck of the biggest idol.7
When the keeper of the temple returned, he was astonished to see what had happened; he informed the people about it. The people gathered in the temple, called Hazrat Ibrahim, and asked him;
- Did you do it to our gods, O Ibrahim. Hazrat Ibrahim said;
- Maybe the biggest one (the one with the axe over its neck) did it. Ask them if they can speak. Then they said to themselves; you are the cruel ones. That is, they blamed each other because they left the idols alone and unguarded. However they said to Hazrat Ibrahim;
- You know very well that they do not speak. Hazrat Ibrahim said;
- Do you then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm? Fie upon you and upon the things that you worship besides Allah! have you no sense?.8 Some of the people said;
- Burn him and protect your gods if you do (anything at all)!.9
Meanwhile, the people in the palace were informed about what had happened. They took Hazrat Ibrahim before Namrud. They discussed the issue from the beginning. Hazrat Ibrahim told Namrud that Allah was existent and that He was unique (one), that the idols could do no good or harm to anyone. Then, Namrud said he was a god. Hazrat Ibrahim opposed it. Hazrat Ibrahim said that he was a human being and that he could not be a god. Then Namrud asked him;
- Tell me, who is your Lord? Hazrat Ibrahim said;
- My Lord is He Who gives life and death. Namrud said;
- I give life and death. Then, Namrud sent for two people in the dungeon. He ordered one of them to be killed and he freed the other. Then, he turned to Hazrat Ibrahim and said;
- You saw it. I gave life and death too. Then Hazrat Ibrahim said;
- It is Allah that causes the sun to rise from the East: do you then cause it to rise from the West. Then, Namrud was appalled; he was confounded by something that he did not expect.10
Then Namrud ordered that Hazrat Ibrahim would be burned. First, they put Hazrat Ibrahim in the dungeon. Then, they built a high structure with thick walls in an open area. They made a big fire there and invited the people there.11
They threw Hazrat Ibrahim into it. Then Almighty God said to the fire:
قُلْنَا يَا نَارُ كُونِي بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ :
وَأَرَادُوا بِهِ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَاهُمُ الْأَخْسَرِينَ
We said "O Fire! Be thou cool, and (a means of)) safety for Abraham!" Then they sought a stratagem against him: but We made them the ones that lost most! (al-Anbiya, 21/68-70).
Here, God Almighty showed a miracle of a prophet of His by not burning Hazrat Ibrahim in the fire. Thus, God Almighty taught us a lesson that fire did not burn on its own that it would not burn if He did not let. We see something similar in the world. Fine and thin leaves like cigarette paper do not catch fire in spite of the suns scorching heat.
One of the stories of Hazrat Ibrahim (PBUH) is his discussion with his nation about gods. He saw the stars, the moon and the sun and told them that they rose and set therefore those rising and setting things could not be gods. He told his nation that he believed that Allah was unique (one) that he turned towards Allah that his Lord had power and ability to do anything that He created the heavens and the earth and that he was not a polytheist.12
7. Hazrat Loot
Hazrat Loot is the son of Aaron, Hazrat Ibrahims brother. He was sent as a prophet to the people of Sodom who started the practice of homosexuality for the first time. They were destroyed totally, because they did not obey Hazrat Loot and went on that disgusting deed. The following is stated in the verse about it:
وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ أَتَأْتُونَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُمْ بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِنَ الْعَالَمِينَ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ الرِّجَالَ شَهْوَةً مِنْ دُونِ النِّسَاءِ بَلْ أَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُسْرِفُونَوَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا أَخْرِجُوهُمْ مِنْ قَرْيَتِكُمْ إِنَّهُمْ أُنَاسٌ يَتَطَهَّرُونَ فَأَنْجَيْنَاهُ وَأَهْلَهُ إِلَّا امْرَأَتَهُ كَانَتْ مِنَ الْغَابِرِينَ وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ مَطَرًا فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ
We also (sent) Loot: he said to his people: "Do you commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you? For you practise your lusts on men in preference to women: you are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds." And his people gave no answer but this: they said "Drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!" But We saved him and his family except his wife: she was of those who lagged behind. And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): then see what was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime! (al-Araf, 7/80-84).
8. Hazrat Ismaeel (Ishmael)
He is the son of Hazrat Ibrahim born of Hazrat Hajar (Hagar). The ancestry of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) goes back to him. He is famous for his obedience and steadiness when his father wanted to sacrifice (slay) him for Allah. The following is stated in the Quran regarding it:
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَى قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِي إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ
فَلَمَّا أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُ لِلْجَبِينِ وَنَادَيْنَاهُ أَنْ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا إِنَّا كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ إِنَّ هَذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلَاءُ الْمُبِينُ وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِي الْآَخِرِينَ
Then when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer you in sacrifice: now see what is your view!" (The son) said: "O my father! do as you are commanded: you will find me if Allah so wills one practicing Patience and Constancy!" So when they had both submitted (to Allah), and He had laid Him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice) We called out to him "O Abraham! You have already fulfilled the dream!"― thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For this was obviously a trial― And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times (as-Saaffat, 37/102-108).
9.Hazrat Ishaq (Isaac)
He is the second son of Hazrat Ibrahim, after Hazrat Ismaeel. His mother is Hazrat Sara. He was sent as a prophet to people living in Damascus and Palestine. There were a lot of prophets in his descent. The following is stated in the Quran:
قُولُوا آَمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ
Say you: "We believe, in Allah and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismaeel Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes and that given to Moses and Jesus and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord we make no difference between one and another of them and we bow to Allah (in Islam)." (al-Baqara, 2/136).
10. Hazrat Yaqoob (Jacob)
He is the grandson of Hazrat Ibrahim, coming from Hazrat Ishaq. His nickname is Israel and he lived in Palestine. He had twelve sons. A Jewish tribe comes from the descent of each one of his sons. The advice of Hazrat Yaqoob to his son is quoted as follows in the Quran:
...Then, Behold, he said to his sons: "What will you worship after me?" They said: "We shall worship your God and the God of your fathers―of Abraham Ishmaeel and Isaac,―the one (true) God to Him we bow (in Islam)."(al-Baqara, 2/133).
11. Hazrat Yousuf (Joseph)
He is one of the 12 sons of Hazrat Yaqoob and the most handsome one in creation. His exemplary story that started with a dream is narrated in detail Chapter Yousuf in the Quran named after him.
This verse shows that he is a prophet:
وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ آَتَيْنَاهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا وَكَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ
When Joseph attained his full manhood, We gave him power and knowledge: thus do We reward those who do right (Yousuf, 12/22).
12. Hazrat Ayub (Job)
He is one of the grandsons of Hazrat Ishaq. He was sent as a prophet to the region of Damascus during the time of Hazrat Yousuf. He had children and a lot of properties and estates. While he was leading a life like that and thanking Allah, Allah first took his properties and estates then his children with some misfortunes and then gave him an illness. Thus, Hazrat Ayub was put under a hard test but he faced that test with patience and thanking. His patience is still used as an idiom since he was patient against misfortunes. When his illness prevented him from mentioning and glorifying Allah, he prayed Allah.
His prayer is stated as follows in the Quran:
And (remember) Job, when he cried to his Lord "Truly distress has seized me But You are the Most Merciful of those that are merciful. (al-Anbiya, 21/83).
His prayer was answered by Allah and he recovered his health and then his previous bounties. That issue is stated as follows in the Quran:
وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ هَذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَاب وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُمْ مَعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِنَّا وَذِكْرَى لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ
Commemorate Our servant Job, Behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One has afflicted me with distress and suffering"! (The command was given:) "Strike with your foot: here is (water) wherein to wash, cool and refreshing and (water) to drink." And We gave him (back) his people and doubled their number― as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who have Understanding. (Sad, 38/41-43).
The stories of prophets, that is, what they experienced do not concern only their times and their people, all of the nations that will come till the Day of Judgment have something to learn from them. For instance, the lesson that people who live today will draw from the story of Hazrat Ayub is indicated as follows:
Corresponding to the outer wounds and sicknesses of Hazrat Ayub, we have inner sicknesses of the spirit and heart. If our inner being was to be turned outward, and our outer being turned inward, we would appear more wounded and diseased than Job. For each sin that we commit and each doubt that enters our mind, inflicts wounds on our heart and our spirit.
The wounds of Hazrat Ayub (PBUH) were of such a nature as to threaten his brief worldly life, but our inner wounds threaten our infinitely long everlasting life. We need the supplication of Hazrat Ayub thousands of times more than he did himself.
Just as the worms that arose from his wounds penetrated to his heart and tongue, so too the wounds that sin inflicts upon us and the temptations and doubts that arise from those wounds will penetrate our inner heart, the seat of belief, and thus wound belief. Penetrating too the spiritual joy of the tongue, the interpreter of belief, they cause it to shun in revulsion the remembrance of God, and reduce it to silence.
Sin, penetrating to the heart, will blacken and darken it until it extinguishes the light of belief. Within each sin is a path leading to unbelief. Unless that sin is swiftly obliterated by seeking God's pardon, it will grow from a worm into a snake that gnaws on the heart.
Some examples that sins lead to unbelief: For example, a man who secretly commits a shameful sin will fear the disgrace that results if others become aware of it. Thus, the existence of angels and spirit beings will be hard for him to endure, and he will long to deny it, even on the strength of the slightest indication.
Similarly, one who commits a major sin deserving of the torment of Hell, will desire the non-existence of Hell wholeheartedly, and whenever he hears of the threat of Hell-fire, he will dare to deny it on the strength of a slight indication and doubt, unless he takes up in protection the shield of repentance and seeking forgiveness.
For instance, the laziness of a man, in fulfilling his obligation, who does not perform the obligatory prayer and does not fulfill his duty of worship will distress him greatly. On account of that distress, he will desire and say to himself: "Would that there were no such duty of worship!" In turn, there will arise from that desire a desire to deny God, and bear enmity toward Him. If some doubt concerning the existence of the Divine Being comes to his heart, he will be inclined to embrace it like a conclusive proof. A wide gate to destruction will be opened in front of him.13
If the trouble caused by the duty of worship for a man who stops worshipping is like the bite of a gnat, then the spiritual troubles that will be caused by disobedience in the world and the torment of Hell he will undergo are terrifying like the bite of a snake.
As in the examples above, if sins are not repented, they will affect, blacken and toughen the heart until the light of belief is extinguished. This state is stated as follows in a verse:
But on their hearts is the stain of the (ill) which they do (al-Mutaffifin, 83/14)
13. Hazrat Dhul Kifl (Ezekiel)
Hazrat Dhul Kifl is known as the son of Hazrat Ayub. He was sent as a prophet to people living in the neighborhood of Damascus. He is mentioned in the following verses:
وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ كُلٌّ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ وَأَدْخَلْنَاهُمْ فِي رَحْمَتِنَا إِنَّهُمْ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
And (remember) Ismaeel, Idris and Dhul Kifl, all (men) of constancy and patience; We admitted them to Our Mercy: for they were of the Righteous ones. (al-Anbiya, 21/85-86).
وَاذْكُرْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ وَكُلٌّ مِنَ الْأَخْيَارِ
And commemorate Ismaeel, Elias, and Dhul Kifl: each of them was of the company of the Good. (Sad, 38/48).
14. Shuaib (Jethro)
He is one of the grandchildren of Hazrat Ibrahim. He was sent as a prophet to the cities of Madyan and Ayka. Almighty God states the following about Hazrat Shuaib:
وَإِلَى مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَهٍ غَيْرُهُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ بَيِّنَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ فَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
To the Madyan people We sent Shuaib, one of their own brothers: he said: "O my people! Worship Allah; You have no other god but Him. Now has come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord! Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best for you, if you have Faith (al-Araf, 7/85).
Hazrat Shuaib gave some very good advice to the people of the cities Madyan and Ayka. However, those atheist, immoral and thieving people did not take the advice that was given to them. They did not give up their bad deeds. Eventually, the people of Ayka were eliminated after a period of seven days with intense heat and then a rain of fire from a cloud. As for the people of Madyan, they were destroyed by the sound of a torment and an earthquake.
15. Musa (Moses)
He was given one of the four great divine books, Torah. Hazrat Musas father is Imran. His ancestry goes back to Hazrat Yaqoob, Hazrat Ishaq and Hazrat Ibrahim. He is the third of the Great Prophets. His life, his struggle with the Pharaoh and his story are narrated repeatedly in many verses. Therefore, he is one of the mostly mentioned prophets in the Quran.14
Hazrat Musa was born in spite of the precautions like killing the newborn male children taken by the Pharaoh; besides, he was fostered in the Pharaohs palace by sucking the milk of his real mother.
His brother, Hazrat Haroon (Aaron), was appointed as an assistant prophet. They both went to the Pharaoh upon the command of Allah to call him to the oneness of Allah, they also wanted the Pharaoh to stop torturing sons of Israel and let sons of Israel go with them.15
However, the Pharaoh did not heed what Hazrat Musa said despite seeing his miracles and did not give up the claim of being a god. He gathered together all of his skilled magicians to defeat Hazrat Musa; he got very angry when his magicians believed in Allah as a result of their defeat and cut off their hands and feet on opposite sides and executed them.16
When Hazrat Musa took the sons of Israel with him and went away, the Pharaoh immediately followed them with his soldiers. Just as he was about to catch them, Hazrat Musa was ordered by Allah Strike the sea with your stick when Hazrat Musa saw the Red Sea in front of him; he struck and the sea opened up. After sons of Israel crossed the Red Sea and stepped on land, the Pharaoh and his soldiers, who were following them, were drowned in the sea.17
Hazrat Musas life after the exodus was a struggle for correcting and improving his nation and striving against his unruly people. His nation, which was granted great bounties, did not accede to improve their behavior fully, and they were always condemned to derogation. Since they were inclined to go astray in the slightest opportunity, they did not obey Hazrat Haroon and started to worship the golden calf that Samiri made just after Hazrat Musa went to Mount Sinai.18
Sons of Israel were shaded by a cloud in the desert; they were fed by manna and quail miraculously by divine power easily. Hazrat Musa wanted to take them to the Holy Land. However, since they avoided taking part in the war, they were punished to wander in the desert for forty years. Thus, after a new generation arose, Yusha Bin Nun, according to a sound view, was able to take them to the Holy Land.19
16.Hazrat Haroon (Aaron)
He is Hazrat Musas brother. Upon Hazrat Musas prayer, he was appointed as a prophet to help Hazrat Musa. The following is stated in the Glorious Quran regarding Hazrat Haroon:
And give me a Minister from my family, Aaron, my brother; Add to my strength through him, And make him share My task: That we may celebrate Your praise without stint, And remember You without stint: For You are He that (ever) regards us." (Allah) said: "Granted is your prayer, O Moses!" (Taha, 20/29-36).
17. Hazrat Dawood (David)
He is from the descent of Hazrat Yaqoobs son, Yahuda. He was sent to sons of Israel as both a prophet and a ruler. He was given Psalms, one of the four great books. His name is mentioned in several places in the Quran. In a verse about him, the following is stated: And it is your Lord that knows best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth: We did bestow on some Prophets more (and other) gifts than on others: and We gave to David (the gift of) the Psalms. (al-Isra, 17/55).
A verse informs that birds and mountains bowed to Hazrat Dawood stating the following:
...it was Our power that made the hills and the birds celebrate Our praises with David: it was We Who did (these things)... (al-Anbiya, 21/79).
Hazrat Dawood had a wonderful voice. When he recited the Psalms, the listeners had spiritual pleasures. He softened iron with his hands like wax as a miracle and made armors out of iron. He earned a living through his own hands. He did not want to take money from the Treasury.
18. Sulaiman (Solomon)
He is Hazrat Dawoods son. He was both a prophet and a ruler like his father. Apart from his story regarding the queen of Saba, his name is mentioned in several verses. One of them is as follows:
(It was Our power that made) the violent (unruly) wind flow (tamely) for Solomon, to his order, to the land which We had blessed: for We do know all things. (al-Anbiya, 21/81).
Hazrat Sulaiman could understand the language of birds and their desires as a miracle. His domination was valid for men, jinn and even winds. He had some writings about ethics and wisdom. He died at the age of fifty-three or sixty after a forty-year of magnificent rule.20
19. Elias (Elijah)
He is one of the prophets sent to sons of Israel. Almighty God states the following regarding the issue: And Zakaria and Yahya and Eesa and Elias: all in the ranks of the Righteous (al-Anaam, 6/85).
Elias is a blessed prophet sent to sons of Israel. Sons of Israel began to worship idols after Hazrat Sulaiman. They did not obey Hazrat Elias, who was sent to them by Allah as a mercy. They drove him out of their land. However, consequently, they underwent famine; they repented. They sought Hazrat Elias and found him. They obeyed him for some time but then they started to disobey him again.
20. Hazrat Alyasa (Elisha)
He is a prophet sent to sons of Israel. The following is stated in the Quran:
And commemorate Ismaeel, Alyasa, and Dhul Kifl: each of them was of the company of the Good( Sad, 38/48).
21. Hazrat Younus (Jonah)
Hazrat Younus is from sons of Israel. He was sent as a prophet to the people of Nineveh, the capital city of Assyrian State, whose remains are now located near the city of Mosul, Iraq. The people of Nineveh, who worshipped idols, did not obey Hazrat Younus, who gave them advice for thirty-three years.
God Almighty told Hazrat Younus that He was going to send a disaster to that nation. Hazrat Younus informed his nation about it but they went on worshipping idols. Then, Hazrat Younus left Nineveh without taking permission from Allah before that disaster. He went to the banks of the river Tigris. He wanted to get on a ship and go somewhere. However, the ship did not move. He said he was the cause of it because he left his nation without taking permission from Allah and told them to throw him into the sea. The people on board said they could decide about the person to be thrown into the sea by drawing lots. Younuss name was drawn. The captain did not accept it. Drawing lots was repeated three times. Each time, Younuss name was drawn. Finally, they threw it into the sea. He was swallowed by a big fish at once. Hazrat Younus prayed Allah in the stomach of the fish as follows:
"La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minazzalimin There is no god but You, You are far exalted and above all weaknesses, and I was indeed the wrongdoer,". He went on praying like that. After a while, the fish vomited out Younus, by the permission of Allah, and threw him to the shore.21
The story that mentions how Hazrat Younus was saved by glorifying Allah from the stomach of the fish is narrated as follows in the Glorious Quran:
So also was Jonah among those sent (by us). When he ran away (like slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden. He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was condemned: Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame. Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah, He would certainly have remained inside the Fish till the Day of Resurrection. But We cast him forth, on the naked shore in a state of sickness And We caused to grow, over him a spreading plant of the Gourd kind. And We sent him (on a mission) to a hundred thousand (men) or more. And they believed; so We permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while. (as-Saaffat,139-148).
The following message can be taken by the people living today from the story of Hazrat Younus (PBUH):
Now people today are in a situation one hundred times more awesome than the situation of Hazrat Younus (PBUH) in the stomach of the fish. Their night is their future. The life in the future is a hundred times darker and more fearful than his night due to their unawareness. Their sea is this spinning globe. Each wave of this sea, that is, each time the earth turns round on its own axis, bears on it thousands of corpses. That sea is a thousand times more frightening than his sea. The evil desires of mans soul are the fish that swallowed him. Those evil desires strive to shake and destroy the foundation of his eternal life. The evil desires of his soul are a thousand times more maleficent than his fish because his fish could destroy a hundred-year lifespan. The evil desires of mans soul seek to destroy a life lasting hundreds of millions of years. So, that is the true state of man. Then, man should follow the example of Hazrat Younus (PBUH), avert himself from all causes, and take refuge directly in the Causer of Causes, that is, our Sustainer and recite the following prayer;
كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ أَن لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّ
There is no god but You: Glory to You: I was indeed wrong (al-Anbiya, 21/87).
All of the events that interest the future of man are carried out by Allah. It is He Who knows all of the needs of man and Who will meet his needs and Who will satisfy the desire to live eternally by creating the hereafter.22
22. Hazrat Zakaria (Zacharias)
He is a great prophet from the descent of Hazrat Sulaiman. Hanna, the sister of Isha, who is Hazrat Zakarias wife, gave birth to a female child called Maryam from her husband Imran. The following is stated in the Quran about the vow Hanna made beforehand:
Behold! a woman of Imran said: "O my Lord! I do dedicate into You what is in my womb for Your special service so accept this of me! for You hear and know all things." (Aal-e-Imran, 3/35).
As it is stated in the verse, Hanna gave her daughter to the service of Bayt al-Maqdis. Hazrat Zakaria (PBUH) took Maryam to her aunt, Isha. After growing up at her aunts, Maryam was engaged in praying in a private room allocated to her in Bayt al-Maqdis. That pure and chaste girl became pregnant as a powerful and wise work of Allah without meeting any man. She gave birth to Hazrat Eesa (Jesus).
The Jews became suspicious because Hazrat Eesa was born without a father. They said, A child cannot be born without a father. However, they believed that Hazrat Adam was created without a father and a mother. The birth of Hazrat Eesa was a miracle of Allah. They slandered Hazrat Zakaria by saying that the childs father was him and martyred him at a very old age.
23. Hazrat Yahya (John)
He is Hazrat Zakarias son. He is of the same age as Hazrat Eesa. He practiced the Shariah (laws) of Hazrat Musa before the Gospel was sent. After Hazrat Eesa was given the Gospel, he was appointed to practice the Shariah of Hazrat Eesa (PBUH).
The chief of sons of Israel, Hiradus, wanted to marry his brothers daughter in accordance with the Shariah of Hazrat Musa. However, Hazrat Yahya said it would not be permissible any longer in accordance with the Shariah of Hazrat Eesa. Then, that innocent prophet was martyred by the chief when he was about 30 years old.
24. Hazrat Eesa (Jesus Christ)
He is the fourth of the great prophets. Hazrat Eesa is Hazrat Maryams son. It is a miracle that he was born without a father. Therefore, his birth is likened to that of Hazrat Adam in the Glorious Quran. The following is stated in the verse regarding it:
This similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam: He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be" and he was. (Aal-e-Imran, 3/59).
Allah, Who created Hazrat Adam out of dust without a father and mother, created Eesa without a father. The verse quoted above indicates that Hazrat Maryam was chaste apart from expressing the eternity of the power of Allah. The following is stated in the Quran regarding it:
Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them: then We sent to her Our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects. She said: "I seek refuge from you to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if you do fear Allah." He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from your Lord (to announce) to you the gift of a holy son." She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?" He said: "So (it will be): your Lord said `That is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us': it is a matter (so) decreed." So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: she cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! Would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!" But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-free): "Grieve not! for your Lord has provided a rivulet beneath thee; "And shake towards yourself the trunk of the palm-tree: it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee. "So eat and drink and cool (your) eye. And if you do see any man say `I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into no talk with any human being.' " At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). they said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing have you brought! "O sister of Aaron! your father was not a man of evil, nor your mother a woman unchaste!" But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He has given me revelation and made me a prophet; "And He has made me Blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; "(He) has made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable (Maryam, 19/16-32).
The Jews, who saw that miracle, avoided punishing Hazrat Maryam. When Hazrat Eesa became thirty years old, he received the Gospel and the duty of prophethood. He called the Jews to the straight path and gave them good advice. He showed the great miracles. However, very few people believed in him. Those people who believed in him are called disciples. According to a narration, they were twelve people.
Eventually, the Jews decided to kill Hazrat Eesa. They hanged a man whom they mistook for Hazrat Eesa in the center of execution in Quds (Jerusalem). Hazrat Eesa was ascended to the heaven by the command and power of Allah. There, he changed into the shape of an angel. Upon the will of Hazrat Eesa, his disciples went to the different parts of the earth and tried to propagate his religion.
25. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)
His name is mentioned in the Glorious Quran once as Ahmad and four times as Muhammad. Unlike other prophets, he is the last prophet and his prophethood is universaL.23
The following is stated in verse regarding it:
مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِنْ رِجَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things. (al-Ahzab, 33/40).
In another verse, it is stated that Hazrat Muhammad was sent for giving people glad tidings:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
We have not sent thee but as a (Messenger) to men, giving them Glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not. (Saba, 34/28).
A verse indicates that he addresses all men as follows:
قُلْ أَيُّ شَيْءٍ أَكْبَرُ شَهَادَةً قُلِ اللَّهُ شَهِيدٌ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكُمْ وَأُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآَنُ لِأُنْذِرَكُمْ بِهِ وَمَنْ بَلَغَ
Say: "What thing is most weighty in evidence?" Say: "Allah is Witness between me and you: this Qur'an has been revealed to me by inspiration that I may warn you and all whom it reaches. (Enam, 6/19).
History gives us information about the grandfathers of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) beginning from Adnan, one of his grandfathers. Adnan, who was born one century before Hazrat Eesa's birth and who was one of the grandchildren of Hazrat Ismaeel, settled in Makkah. Adnan's son Ma'ad is the great grandfather of Ismaeels descent that settled in Hijaz and Najid. Fahr, nicknamed Quraish, who was a grandchild of Ma'ad and who lived in the third century was the chief of the tribe that Hazrat Muhammad belonged to. Then, Qusai, one of the descendants of Fahr, became the ruler of Hijaz.
4.1.2- Activities of Qusai Bin Kilab
a- Protecting the Kaaba: It is understood that Qusai was dominant over Makkah in the middle of the fifth century. The first action of Qusai was to base the administration of Makkah on a sound organization. Before Qusai, Quraishi families lived in separate places quite away from the Kaaba. Their respect to the Kaaba prevented them from building houses near Kaaba. Qusai persuaded Quraishis to build houses in the neighborhood of the Kaaba considering the dangers that the Kaaba, the national temple, would face because of being unprotected, and they only left open areas for circumambulation facing the four sides of the Kaaba.
Qusai, who told Quraishis that it was necessary to provide hajjis (pilgrims) that visit the Kaaba every year with food and persuaded them to serve the visitors, made them pay a certain amount of tax to meet those expenses.
b- Daru'n-Nadwa and Liwa: Qusai built a palace opening to the yard of the temple for himself. This palace is called "Daru'n-Nadwa" in Arab history. There, the general conditions of the state were considered, discussed and decisions were made for necessary actions. No man under the age of fifty was allowed to join those meetings unless he was one of the relatives of Qusai. All necessary decisions for the services or urbanization were made there. When Quraishis were about to start or take part in a war, they took the flags from the hand of Qusai in Daru'n-Nadwa. Qusai tied a piece of white cloth on top of a spear and took it or sent it to the notables of Quraish. That ceremony, called Aqdul-Liwa, went on from the time Qusai started it till the Arab State ended.
c- Nadwa, Aqdul-Liwa, Rifada, Siqaya and Hijaba:
Nadwa; The duty of establishing the national assembly and presiding it.
Aqdul-Liwa; The duty of supreme military command.
Rifada; The duty of entertaining hajjis and serving food to the poor.
Siqaya; The duty of distributing the water collected from the wells in and around Makkah regularly.
Hijaba; The duty of keeping the keys of the Kaaba.
The duties mentioned above were all formal duties carried out by Qusai.
4.1.3-Period of Abduddar and Abdulmanaf
Thus, Qusai had all of the primary religious, civil and political duties. Qusai was both a ruler and a sovereign. He was also a religious leader. No doubt, that authority and power of Qusai gave the tribe of Quraish a great fame and honor; beginning from his period, Quraishis had a great prestige among other sons of Ismaeel. Qusai died in 481. Since he appointed his son Abduddar as a caliph while he was alive, his son succeeded his father without having any difficulty.
After the death of Abduddar there were terrible conflicts between his children and the children of his brother, Abdulmanaf. The tribes were divided into two about the continuation of the leadership. However, the conflicts were settled in a peaceful way. The duties of Siqaya and Rifada were given to Abdusshams, son of Abdulmanaf, and the duties of Hijaba, Nadwa and Liwa were given to sons of Abduddar.
4.1.4- Period of Hashim
Hashim, one of the grandfathers of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), was a prestigious and rich person in Quraish. He also had the duty of administering Makkah. He collected taxes, added some more money to the taxes and helped the poor who came to Makkah during hajj season with that money. Hashim was engaged in trade as most people of Makkah were. He was the person who started the tradition of sending a caravan of trade to Yemen in winter and Syria in summer. Hashim died in Gaza in Syria in the year 510 during a trade expedition. When he died, he had only one boy, Shaybah, born of a woman from Madinah called Salma.
4.1.5 – Period of Muttalib
When Hashim died, the duty of the Kaaba services was undertaken by his brother, Muttalib. Muttalib brought Shaybah from Madinah to Makkah. Since Shaybah lived in Madinah until he was eight, Makkan people thought he was one of the slaves of Muttalib and named him "Abdulmuttalib", which meant slave of Muttalib. History recorded that person who was the grandfather of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) not as Shaybah but as "Abdulmuttalib".
Muttalib died in Kazwin, Yemen in 520. Abdulmuttalib (Shaybah) was his inheritor. The Zamzam Well, which had disappeared before and which nobody knew where, was discovered by Abdulmuttalib. Abdulmuttalib was a person with high ethics, good manners and personal virtues.
4.1.6- Abdullah, Father of Hazrat Prophet
Abdullah, son of Abdulmuttalib, married Amina, daughter of Wahb, who was the chief of the family of Zuhri. However, the year that followed his marriage was going to bring about very important events. The Event of Elephant, which happened at the beginning of that year, affected the whole Arabia.
4.1.7- The Event of Elephant
Yemen governor, Abraha, of Abyssinia State, built a temple in San'a. His aim was to direct the material values and wealth that Makkah received due to the holiness of the Kaaba to his city, San'a. So, Abraha set off with a big army to demolish the Kaaba. He led the army riding a magnificently decorated camel.
When Abyssinians approached Makkah, Quraishis went out of Makkah to the surrounding mountains with their women and children. The next day, during the dawn, Abyssinians entered Makkah. Just then, the sky became full of swifts (birds) as a miracle. Those birds threw stones at the invading army. Those stones, which pierced the armors of the soldiers and animals, caused a great disorder in the army. At the same time, it started raining so heavily that the flood carried away the remains of the defeated army to the sea. The 105th chapter of the Quran (Chapter al-Fil) narrates that event. Abraha ran away to San'a wounded all over, and died as soon as he arrived there.
That event is narrated as follows in the Glorious Quran:
Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the Companions of the Elephant? Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray? And He sent against them flights of Birds, Striking them with stones of baked clay. Then did He make them like an empty field of stalks and straw, (of which the corn) has been eaten up. (al-Fil, 105/1-5).
4.1.8- Birth of Hazrat Muhammad
After a short time from the Event of Elephant, Abdullah died in Madinah, where he travelled when he was 25 years old. A few days after his death, his wife Amina gave birth to a child and he was named "Muhammad". Muhammad (PBUH) was born on the 12th of Rabiul Awwal in the year of Elephant, corresponding the 20th of April, 570, 52 days after the Event of Elephant.
During the night of the birth of Hazrat Muhammad, his mother, the mother of Uthman bin As and the mother of Abdurrahman bin Awf, all said they saw a great light. All of them said: "We saw such a light during his birth that, the light made the east and the west enlightened for us."
During the birth of Hazrat Muhammad, some miracles and extraordinary events that informed the birth of a person that would guide the whole world took place.
The first: Most of the idols in the Kaaba fell down head over heels that night.
The second: The famous palace of Kisra was shaken and 14 of its balconies fell down.
The third: The small sea of Sawa, which was regarded as holy, went down into the ground that night and the fire of the Magians (fire-worshippers) that was regarded as god and that had been burning continuously and that had never extinguished for one thousand years died out that night.
The events mentioned above indicated that the person to be born that night would abolish fire-worshipping, would break down Persian Sultanate and would prohibit worshipping idols by the permission of Allah.
After the arrival of the Messenger of Allah in this world, especially during the night of his birth, shooting stars became more frequent, which was, a sign that the access of Satan and jinn to information concerning the Unseen was to cease.
Since Allah's Messenger (PBUH) had appeared in this world with revelation, it was necessary to bar the knowledge concerning the Unseen that was transmitted by soothsayers and jinn and that was inaccurate and mixed with falsehoods, so that their knowledge should not cause any doubt concerning revelation or resemble it. In fact, soothsaying was widespread before prophethood: the Quran brought it to an end. In the meantime, many soothsayers accepted Islam, for they could no longer communicate with their informers, as their means of communication had been terminated by the Quran. That is, soothsaying was terminated by the arrival of the Quran.
4.1.9- Childhood of Hazrat Muhammad
Hazrat Muhammad was entrusted to a wet nurse called Halima of Madinah, from the tribe of Bani Sad, during his infancy in accordance with the customs of Arabs.
After that day, the properties and the milk of the goats of Halima increased unlike those of her tribe. When Allahs Messenger was with Halima Sa'diya as a child, Halima and her husband saw that and informed other people that, a piece of cloud cast a shadow on him so that he would not be disturbed by the sun. In addition, flies did not disturb him. They did not land on his body or clothes.
After staying with his wet nurse Halima for four years, Hazrat Muhammad was returned to his mother, and he started to live with his mother.
However, his mother Aminah did not live long, and she died when her son, Muhammad, was six years old. Muhammad, who was an orphan, was entrusted to his grandfather, Abdulmuttalib. Abdulmuttalib brought up his beloved grandson with great care. However, three or four years later Hazrat Muhammad lost his grandfather.
With the death of Abdulmuttalib, a new period started in the orphans life. In his deathbed, Abdulmuttalib entrusted his grandson to his son, Abu Talib. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) started to spend the rest of his life in the house of his uncle, Abu Talib.
When Abu Talib and his family ate with Hazrat Muhammad, they were full. When he was absent from the table, they were not full.
Ummu Ayman, who looked after him and served him when he was a child said; The Messenger of Allah never complained of hunger and thirst when he was a child and when he was grown-up.
According to a sound narration, the Messenger of Allah sat under a tree before his prophethood. The place was dry but it suddenly became green. The branches of the tree bent over him and cast a shadow.
4.1.10- His Syria Travel and His Youth
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) went to Damascus with his uncle, Abu Talib, in the trade caravan when he was about 12 years old. When they arrived in the city of Busra of the State of Damascus, they stopped opposite a monastery. A monk called Sergius and known as Bahira lived there. When the caravan approached, Bahira saw that a cloud was moving together with the caravan, casting a shadow on it. When the caravan stopped, the cloud stopped too, casting a shadow over it. When Bahira checked his knowledge regarding it and compared it to what he saw, he understood that the last prophet was in that caravan. He prepared a meal at once and invited Abu Talib and his friends to the monastery. Abu Talib left Hazrat Muhammad with the loads and went to the monastery with his friends. After everybody sat at the table, Bahira looked at the people at the table one by one. He could not find the signs that he was looking for on the face of any of them. Besides, he saw that the cloud was still over the place where they had stopped over. He asked Abu Talib,
- Is there anyone else with you that did not come here? Abu Talib said;
-Only a small child stayed with our belongings. Bahira said;
-I would like him to honor us too. Then, Abu Talib fetched Hazrat Muhammad to the table too. When Bahira looked at the child at the table carefully, he saw the signs about the last prophet that the previous prophets and scholars had mentioned on his face. After the meal, he called Hazrat Muhammad to sit next to him and said;
- I will ask you some questions. Answer me correctly for the sake of Lat and Uzza.
Hazrat Muhammad said;
-Do not swear using the names of Lat and Uzza. What I dislike most is the idols. Then, Bahira offered to swear using the name of Allah and asked Hazrat Muhammad questions to understand his state. The answers that Hazrat Muhammad gave confirmed his opinion. Then, by finding a pretext, he opened the back of Hazrat Muhammad, saw the seal of prophethood between his shoulders and kissed it with great respect. Bahira said to Abu Talib;
- What is your name? He said;
- I am called Abu Talib. This is my son. Bahira said;
- No, if you look at his face and body, this unique pearl is an orphan. Abu Talib said;
- Yes, you are right. He is not my son. He is my brothers son. He is an orphan because both of his father and mother died. However, since he is under my care, he is like my son. Bahira was glad that his opinion turned out to be true. He was now fully convinced and said;
- O Abu Talib! This child will be the last of the prophets. Go back to Makkah. I fear that Jewish people will harm him. His qualities are written in Torah. Abu Talib obeyed what Bahira said and sold his goods in Busra and returned.1
4.1.11 - His Marriage with Hazrat Khadija and His Children
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) went to Syria once more when he was 25 years old. This time, he went there accompanying the goods of Khuwaylids widow daughter, Khadija, who was one of his relatives and one of the notable people of Makkah. Thus, Hazrat Khadija had the opportunity to know Hazrat Muhammad better.
Meanwhile, go-betweens from both parties came together and they decided that Hazrat Khadija and Hazrat Muhammad should marry. The wedding ceremony took place in Hazrat Khadijas house. The notable people of Quraish came together.
Hazrat Muhammad went there with his uncle. First Abu Talib spoke:
Thanks Allah that He created us from the descent of Ibrahim and from the bloodline of Ismaeel. He made us the guards of the holy Kaaba, servants of the Haram and hence the rulers and chiefs of other people.
Now, let us come to the point: No youth from Quraish can be compared to my brother Abdullahs son, Muhammad. He will be superior to anyone in terms of generation, intelligence, ethics and virtue. He may have few belongings but it is not so important. Belongings are temporary things. They are like a shadow. Gold is something transitory that is taken and given.
I swear by Allah that his fame will be great. He wanted to marry your daughter Khadija, who has fame and honor.
After Abu Talibs speech, Khadijas cousin Waraqa bin Nawfal made the following speech:
Thanks Allah that He created us as you have mentioned. He gave us more honor and fame that you have mentioned. Now, we are the chiefs of Arabs. You are so, too. Our tribe does not deny your high rank, no one rejects your goodness and honor.
We also want to be relatives with you. O people! Become witnesses. I am marrying Abdullahs son Muhammad and, Khuwaylids daughter Khadija.2
Hazrat Khadija led a happy life with Hazrat Muhammad until she died. He did not marry another woman when she was alive. Hazrat Khadija had seven children: three boys and four girls, from the Prophet. The first child of Hazrat Muhammad that Hazrat Khadija gave birth to was Qasim. However, Qasim died when he was a small child. Zaynab was born when Hazrat Muhammad was 30; Ruqayya was born when he was 33. Then Umm Kulthum was born. Hazrat Fatima was born when he became a prophet. Then, he had two sons, Abdullah and Ibrahim but they did not live long.
4.1.12- Society of Virtuous People (Hilfu'l-Fudul)
After the death of Abdulmuttalib, law and order in Makkah broke down. There was not an authority to restore law and order. Blood and family links insured citizens to some extent against injustice and aggression. However, those who came to Makkah from other places faced all kinds of pressure. Not only their money and belongings but also their lives were in danger.
The famous poet, Hanzala, who was from the tribe Bani Yaqin, came to Makkah to see one of his partners. Hanzala was robbed in the streets of Makkah in the middle of the day. Upon the demand of Muhammad, the families of Hashim and Muttalib signed an agreement with the chiefs of the families Zuhra and Taym.
According to that agreement, those who signed the document promised to protect everybody, whether native or stranger, whether free or slave, and to demand and take the necessary assurance for those who were attacked from the aggressors. That nice agreement was named "Hilfu'l-Fudul"(Society of Virtuous People).
That society was established in 590, a few days after the marriage of Hazrat Prophet and the most important member of that society was Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). Hilfu'l-Fudul managed to protect weak and defenseless people effectively, prevented the oppression of many oppressors, and helped helpless people in the first year it was established.
4.1.13- His Arbitration in the Kaaba
When Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) was 35 years old, Quraishis started to repair the Kaaba. A bloody conflict was about to start among the tribes that started to repair the Kaaba when Hazrat Prophet intervened and settled the dispute. During the repairs, when it was time to place Hajaru'l-Aswad (the Black Stone) which was located in one corner of the Kaaba, all of the tribes tried to have the honor of placing it. The ambition to place that stone was about to cause a fight when somebody had an idea. He said, "Hold on, do not fight. Let us appoint an arbitrator. That arbitrator should place the stone." They agreed to appoint the first person to enter the yard of the Kaaba as an arbitrator. Just after the agreement, Hazrat Prophet entered the yard of the Kaaba. Everybody was glad that he became the arbitrator. They accepted him as the arbitrator. Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) laid the cloth that was on him on the ground and put the Black Stone on it. Then, he called one representative from each tribe and asked them to hold one corner of the cloth and lift the stone. When they lifted the stone, he placed the stone with his own hands. Thus, he prevented a great fight.
4.1.14- Taking Hazrat Ali to his House to Stay with Him
Meanwhile, due to his gratitude he felt to his uncle Abu Talib, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) undertook the livelihood and education of his son, Ali. The financial state of Abu Talib, who was trying to maintain the former state of his family, was not very good. In a year of drought that affected the country deeply, Hazrat Muhammad sent Jafar, one of the sons of Abu Talib, to stay with his uncle Abbas and took Ali, his other son, to his house to stay with him and undertook to bring him up. Later, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) married his daughter Fatima with Ali, making him his son-in-law. His holy descent continued with that marriage.
4.1.15- His Freed Slave Zaid B. Haritha
A young man called Zaid B. Haritha was taken as a prisoner by the people of an enemy tribe, was brought to Makkah as a slave and was offered for sale. A relative of Hazrat Khadija bought him and gave him to Hazrat Khadija as a present. Hazrat Muhammad accepted Zaid but did not regard him as a slave; he treated him as if he was his son. When Zaids father and uncle heard that Zaid was in Makkah at Muhammads house, they went there to take him. Hazrat Prophet freed him at once and let him go. However, Zaid did not go with his father despite his fathers insistence because of the love and compassion Hazrat Prophet showed him and stayed with him.
4.2. PROPHETHOOD OF HAZRAT MUHAMMAD AND AFTERWARDS
4.2.1- First Revelation (Prophethood)
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) received the honor of being a prophet when he became forty years old. When the Prophet approached the age of forty, he used to go to a cave in Mount Hira and stay there for a month, thinking and contemplating about the power and loftiness of Allah. When he became forty, what he had seen in his dream, started to take place exactly for about six months. Then, one day when he was in Hira, the angel, Gabriel (Jibril) came and brought down the first verse of Chapter al-Alaq.
The Prophet trembled because of the awe of the revelation of the Glorious Quran, went to his house and told his wife Khadija what had happened. After listening to him, Hazrat Khadija said: "O my dear husband! Be happy and glad. I swear by Allah, who owns the life of Khadija that you are on the right path."
Then Khadija went to his old uncle Waraqa b. Nawfal, who was aware of the books that were sent to Jews and Christians. She told him what had happened. As soon as Waraqa heard what she said, he said; "Quddus, quddus (Congratulations! Congratulations!); what you are talking about is Jibril, who was sent to Musa and Eesa. He will be the prophet of this nation; tell him about it and advise him to be brave."
Waraqa was a scholar who read the books that were sent to Musa and Eesa. When he met Hazrat Muhammad in the streets of Makkah, he told him: "I swear by Allah, who owns the life of Waraqa that Jibril was sent to you. They will call you a liar; they will torture you; they will drive you away from where you were born and they will fight you. I wish I would see those days and fight against them together with you." Waraqa kissed Hazrat Prophet on the forehead after saying those words.
After that, the divine revelation stopped for a while. No verses from the Quran were sent down. According to a narration, that period was three years. Then, Jibril appeared again. He started to bring the verses of the Glorious Quran. The Prophet was appointed to call the people of his tribe and all other people to Islam, the true religion.
4.2.2- First Muslims
1-Hazrat Khadija
The first person to believe the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad was his wife, Hazrat Khadija. Hazrat Khadija was also the first person to believe in the revelation and to worship Allah with Hazrat Prophet. Hazrat Khadija was not only the first person to believe in his divine prophethood, she was also the noble person who consoled and supported Hazrat Prophet the most during the struggle when the divine prophethood was declared. According to what was narrated in a hadith, Allah consoled Hazrat Muhammad through his wife. Hazrat Khadija revived his hope and relieved his burden.
2- Hazrat Ali
The second person to be honored by Islam after Hazrat Khadija was Hazrat Ali, the son of Hazrat Prophets uncle Abu Talib. During the first years of the prophethood Hazrat Prophet used to go the countryside around Makkah together with his wife, Hazrat Khadija and Hazrat Ali, his uncles son. There, he thanked Allah for His bounties. Once, Abu Talib, Hazrat Ali's father, felt admiration for their worship. He asked, "O, Muhammad! What is your religion?" Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) said, "My religion is the religion of Allah, angels, prophets and my ancestor Ibrahim. Allah sent me to guide his slaves. You are a person that can accept the truth. It is my duty to call you to this religion and you need to accept this religion and work in order to spread this religion." Abu Talib said: "O my nephew! I will not give up the religion of my ancestors. However, I swear by Allah that nobody can give you any harm as long as I am alive."
Then, Abu Talib turned to his son, Hazrat Ali and asked him what his religion was. Hazrat Ali said: "Dad! I believe in Allah and his Prophet and I go with Allah's Prophet. Abu Talib said: "All right son, He will call you only to goodness. You are free to be with him."
3- Zaid b. Haritha
Zaid b. Haritha, who rejected to return to his home although he was left free and did not leave Hazrat Prophet, was the third person who accepted Islam.
4- Hazrat Abu Bakr and others
After Zaid, Abu Bakr, one of the notables of Quraish became a Muslim. Then, he became famous as "Abubakr-i Siddiq" in the history of Islam. Hazrat Abu Bakr, who belonged to an important family like Taym b. Murra, was a rich merchant, a broad-minded, shrewd, active, honest and a lovable person. He had a great prestige among his fellow citizens. He was two years younger than Hazrat Prophet was. The fact that he accepted his new religion without any hesitation had a great and spiritual importance for the Messenger of Allah.
After Hazrat Abu Bakr, five more notable people became Muslims. The most important one was Hazrat Uthman b. Affan, who belonged to the tribe of Bani Umayyad and who later became the third caliph. The others were Abdurrahman b. Awf, Sad b. Abi Waqqas, Iran's future conqueror, and Zubair b. Awwam, the son of Hazrat Khadijas sister.
4.2.3- First Reactions to the Call to Islam
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) tried to turn people from idol worship during the three years that was full of pains and troubles. However, idol worship had been deeply located in the souls of those people. The tribe of Quraish was bound to their previous religion with some interests. The continuation of their power necessitated the continuation of idol worship. In addition, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) had to struggle against wrong ideas that were prevalent among people like superstitions and fortune telling. As a result of the three-year long struggle of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH), who had to struggle against so many and different oppositions, the number of Muslims reached thirty.
4.2.4- Safa Meeting and the Uneasiness it caused for Qurayshis
Hazrat Prophet decided to make a speech before all of the Quraishis in order to make them give up idol worship. So, a meeting was held on Safa Hill based on the demand of Hazrat Prophet. There, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) explained them how ugly the crimes committed by Quraish in the eye of Allah were and how wrong Quraishis were by worshipping the idols that were made by their hands. In addition, he warned them not to be exposed to the bad endings that the nations that did not obey their prophets underwent; he advised them to embrace Islam, the true religion.
Some people who were in the meeting with sarcastic attitudes, primarily Hazrat Prophets uncle Abu Lahab, disdained the words of Hazrat Prophet and laughed at the support and love young Ali showed Hazrat Prophet. They left the meeting by mocking and swearing.
4.2.5- Effects of the Call and the Fear of Quraishis
The fact that Abdulmuttalib's youngest son Hamza, Hazrat Muhammad's uncle embraced Islam gave Muslims a different force. It was because Hamza was a person who was famous for his courage and his stance against injustice. The whole Quraish was afraid of his strong sword. During the period when Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) underwent al kinds of injustice, Hamza came to the Prophet and said that he had embraced Islam.
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) never gave up calling people to stop the bad things they committed despite all of the troubles and torture he underwent. Hz Muhammad (PBUH) told people using words penetrating into their hearts about the bad endings of the tribes Ad and Thamud, who did not obey their prophets. He also told them that the tribe of Nooh underwent a disaster coming from the sky due to the sins they committed. He also mentioned the beautiful scenery in the nature, the bright light of the day, the darkness of the night that covered everywhere like a curtain, the magnificence of the rising sun; he called them to obey him and heed his warnings in order to prevent those nice things from turning to disasters.
The number of people that embraced Islam increased day by day. Quraish started to run out of patience. It was because the guidance of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) affected the people around him, which meant the power and the rule of Quraish was in danger. The principles of Islam, which would abolish the previous privileges, were contrary to the interests and traditions of Quraish. Therefore, that movement had to be prevented before it became stronger.
4.2.6- New methods of Polytheists
The notables of Quraish discussed the issue and decided to carry out a more insidious plan, the method of torture. However, they did not want to arouse the feuds among them, each tribe started to work in order to prevent the spread of Islam using their own way. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) who was under the protection his relatives, primarily Abu Talib, Hazrat Abu Bakr and a few other Muslims were not oppressed significantly due to both their high ranks and their strength. Other Muslims underwent all kinds of tortures. "Ramda" Mountain and Batha Valley near Makkah were the places where the most tragic tortures were carried out. Men and women that gave up idol worshipping were arrested by Quraish, were left in the scorching heat of the desert and on the baking-hot sands; when they were extremely thirsty, they were forced to prefer either accepting the idols as holy in return for water or dying of thirst.
Some of the Muslims who were exposed to those tortures seemingly regarded the idols holy with the hope of returning to Islam after the tortures. However, most of the Muslims endured all kinds of tortures but did not give up the belief of Islam. The most important of them was Bilal al-Habashi, the first muazzin of Islam. Bilal's master, Umayya b. Khalaf, once dragged him to the valley of Batha when the sun was extremely hot and put a very heavy stone on his chest and said, you will remain like this until you give up Islam or die. Bilal answered his master as Ahad, Ahad (Allah is one) although he was about to suffocate due to the weight of the stone and die of thirst. It went on like that for a few days. Just as Hazrat Bilal was about to die, Hazrat Abu Bakr bought him and freed him. Hazrat Abu Bakr bought six more slaves that were exposed to torture like that. However, Yasir and his wife Sumayyah could not endure the tortures of Quraishis and were martyred. They were the first martyrs of Islam.
4.2.7- An Offer from Qurayshis
Quraishis wanted to deceive Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) by offering him worldly glory and fame and make him give up calling people to Islam. One day, when Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was in the Kaaba, a bit further away from the notables of Quraish, one of the moderate Quraishis, Utba b. Rabia, came over to Hazrat Prophet and said:
"O my nephew, you are a certain man with your nice personality and honor. Now you have brought about conflicts in our tribe and arguments in families. You reject our gods. We have an offer for you. Think about it well before you tell us whether you accept it or not."
When Utba finished his words, Hazrat Prophet asked: "Have you finished your words, O Abu Walid?" When Utba said "Yes" Hazrat Prophet said: "Then, listen to me and started to recite the first eight verses of Chapter Fussilat:
Ha Mim. A Revelation from (Allah) Most Gracious, Most Merciful― A Book, whereof the verses are explained in detail― a Qur'an in Arabic, for people who understand― Giving Good News and Admonition: yet most of them turn away, and so they hear not. They say: "Our hearts are under veils, (concealed) from that to which you do invite us, and in our ears is a deafness, and between us and the is a screen: so do you (what you will); for us, we shall do (what we will!)." Say you: "I am but a man like you: it is revealed to me by inspiration, that your God is One God: so stand true to Him and ask for His forgiveness." And woe to those who join gods with Allah― Those who pay not Regular Charity, and who even deny the Hereafter. For those who believe and work deeds of righteousness is a reward that will never fail. (Fussilat, 41/1-8).
After reading those verses, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) said to Utba: "You have listened to it. Now follow the path you wish."
4.2.8- Migration to Abyssinia
The fact that the tortures Muslims were exposed to were becoming unbearable distressed Hazrat Prophet a lot. Therefore, he advised his friends to migrate to Abyssinia, which was a Christian country and which was ruled by a good ruler, until the thought of Quraish changed by the help of Allah. Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) was sure that his friends would be welcomed in that country since he had heard about the honesty and hospitality of that Christian ruler.
A group of fifteen Muslims acted in accordance with the advice of Hazrat Prophet and went to Abyssinia, the country of the ruler Najashi. That event is referred to as the first migration in the history of Islam. That event took place in the 5th year of the prophethood.
When Quraish heard that Muslims migrated to Abyssinia, they sent a delegation there. That delegation made a complaint about Muslims and asked the ruler of Abyssinia to return them. However, Najashi rejected their demand and the Quraishi delegation went back to Makkah in despair.
4.2.9- Application of Polytheists to Abu Talib
Makkan polytheists tried to prevent the spread of Islam. They applied to Abu Talib a few times and asked him to stop Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) from acting against their religion. Abu Talib kindly sent them away in their first application. However, they prevented Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) from entering the Kaaba since he continued to speak against their idols. Quraishis sent another delegation to Abu Talib. That delegation said to Abu Talib: "We respect you because of your age and rank. However, you should know that the respect has a limit. We cannot bear your nephews insults at our gods and bad words for our ancestors. Either prohibit him from doing those things or give up protecting him; so that we shall settle the dispute by fighting until one of the parties is defeated." The delegation of Quraish left Abu Talib after uttering those words.
Abu Talib sent for his nephew Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and told him about what Quraishis told him and told him not to struggle against them. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) thought that his uncle would stop protecting him and said: "Uncle! If they placed the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand to make me stop carrying out my mission, I would definitely not stop it until I died."
Hazrat Prophet wanted to leave Abu Talib and walk away because the thought that his uncle who protected him would abandon him distressed him. Abu Talib called him and said: "O my nephew, you may say whatever you wish. By Allah, I will never abandon you, I will never abandon you."
4.2.10- Hazrat Umar's Embracing Islam
Umar, son of Khattab, from the family of Adiy b. Kab, was famous for his oppression against Muslims; he was the greatest enemy of Islam and the most enthusiastic enemy of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). It is narrated that Umar embraced Islam upon listening to the first seven verses of Chapter Taha in the Quran. Umar listened to that chapter when he called at his sisters house as he was going to carry out some bad things like killing Hazrat Muhammad. Umar b.
Hattab, who was influenced by the verses he listened to, held his sword, which he had drawn to kill Hazrat Muhammad and his friends, in his hand and went before Hazrat Prophet.
Sahaba became worried when they saw Umar like that. However, Umar proceeded and kissed the hand of Hazrat Prophet and asked to be included among Muslims. Hazrat Umar's embracing Islam was welcomed by Muslims happily. The companions of the Prophet that were there cheered and cried out of joy. Hazrat Umar (May Allah be Pleased with him)s embracing Islam gave courage to all of the Muslims. The number of Muslims reached forty. Then, Muslims started to worship openly.
4.2.11- Besiege and Years of Sorrow
Quraishi polytheists, who were astonished by Hazrat Umars embracing Islam, realized that things were getting worse started to seek an opportunity to deal a major blow to Muslims. The fact that the delegation Quraishis sent to Abyssinia returned without any success, left them in despair. Therefore, they decided to eliminate sons of Hashim and sons of Muttalib totally. Hoping to realize that aim, Quraishis made an agreement against sons of Hashim and sons of Muttalib and put that agreement on the wall of the Kaaba. According to that agreement, Quraishis would not make a marriage with sons of Hashim and would not trade with them.
Muslims, with Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) among them, lived under siege for about three years, being exposed to all kinds of oppression and torture. Since their foodstuff ran out in a short time, children crying of hunger were heard everywhere. After some time, some of the notables of polytheists began to feel regret for the oppression they committed. The siege agreement was annulled before the tenth year of prophethood and those two tribes that were isolated from the rest of Makkan people were included in the social activities again.
The year following the end of the siege was a year of sorrow for Hazrat Prophet and Muslims. Our mother, Hazrat Khadija, and Hazrat Prophet's uncle, Abu Talib died in that year. With the death of Abu Talib, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) lost his protector, who stood between him and his enemies. Hazrat Khadija's death had a more sorrowful impact on him. With the death of Hazrat Khadija, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) lost his greatest supporter. She was like an angel of consolation and hope for the Messenger of Allah. Therefore, Hazrat Prophet maintained the memory of her love and self-sacrifice till he died.
4.2.12- First Aqabah Pledge
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) went out of Makkah during every hajj season, talked to the members of tribes who came from other places and called them to Islam. In the 11th year of the prophethood, he went out of Makkah as usual during the season of hajj. He met a group of people coming from Madinah in the place called Aqabah. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) asked them who they were and learned that they were from the tribe of Khazraj. They were six people. There was a link of relation between Khazraj tribe and Hashimi tribe. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) recited them a passage from the Quran and called them to Islam.
They accepted that he was the Prophet of Allah and believed in him. After they returned to Madinah, they started to spread Islam in the tribe of Khazraj, meanwhile there were some people from the tribe of Aws that embraced Islam.
When Madinah people came to Makkah again the next year, along with those six people, six more people believed in Hazrat Prophet. Since that meeting took place in the valley of Aqabah and a pledge was given there, it became known as the First Aqabah Pledge.
In that pledge, the people from Madinah swore and promised to Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) that they would not associate partners with Allah, would not steal, would not commit adultery, would not slander anybody and would not kill their small daughters.
4.2.13- Second Aqabah Pledge and Preparation for Migration
In the tenth year of the prophethood, 75 Muslims from Madinah together with some people who had not yet embraced Islam came to Makkah. Their aim was to invite Hazrat Prophet to Madinah. Hazrat Prophet together with his uncle Abbas went to Aqabah where people who came from Madinah had assembled. Then, people from Madinah said to Hazrat Prophet: "O Messenger of Allah, tell us what you want for you ".
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) called all of them to perform a prayer after reciting some verses. After the prayer, the previous pledge was repeated. Believers promised that they would not associate partners with Allah, obey the fundamentals of Islam and protect the Prophet just as they protect their children and wives.
4.2.14- Migration (to Madinah)
The situation of sahabas was getting worse and worse every day. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was worried that sahabas would undergo a massacre and advised them to migrate to Madinah. About one hundred families left Makkah quietly in groups of two or three. Muhajirs (migrants) were heartily welcomed in Madinah. A few districts of Makkah were evacuated like that.
All of the Muslims migrated to Madinah. Only Hazrat Prophet, Hazrat Ali, whom he liked very much and Hazrat Abu Bakr, his great friend, were still in Makkah. Fearing that Hazrat Muhammad would also migrate, Quraishis had a meeting in Dar-un Nadwa by inviting some new tribe chiefs too. They had a lot of arguments in that meeting. Everybody had quailed. Precautions like life imprisonment for Hazrat Prophet, his deportation from Makkah were discussed for a long time.
Eventually they decided to kill him. However, if only one person killed Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), the killer would be a target for the tribe of the Prophet.
Abu Jahl offered that brave men from each tribe should be chosen and that all of them would jab Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in the chest with their swords; thus, all of them would be responsible for killing him and it would be impossible to take revenge from all of the families that those young people belonged to. The offer was accepted. One young man was chosen from each tribe. They surrounded the house of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) at night. They waited there all night in order to kill him when he left the house in the morning. However, Jibril came over to Hazrat Prophet. He informed him about the situation and said that he was given permission to migrate to Madinah. The Messenger of Allah made Hazrat Ali lie in his bed and stay in Makkah in order to deliver the entrusted things to their owners and covered him with his overcoat. He picked a handful of dirt from the ground and threw it towards the faces of the polytheists waiting outside.
As each word that comes out of mouth goes into the ears of each listener, so did the handful of dirt that was thrown towards go into the eyes of the each person waiting there as a miracle. While they were busy with the dirt, the Messenger of Allah left the house without being seen by anybody.
As soon as Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) left his house, he went to the house of Hazrat Abu Bakr. Both of them went out and left Makkah, the city in which they were born, without being seen by anybody. Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) and his friend hid in a cave in Mount Thawr, in the South of Makkah for a few days. Eventually the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) entered Madinah on the 16th of the lunar month Rabiul Awwal, Friday morning, after a journey that lasted for 13 days.
1Paşa, A.C. Peygamberimiz. Editor: M. Ertuğrul Düzdağ. Erkam Matbaası, İstanbul, 2007. 2Paşa, A.C. Peygamberimiz. Editor: M. Ertuğrul Düzdağ. Erkam Matbaası, İstanbul, 2007.
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8. High Ethics and Good Manners of Hazrat Muhammad
Hazrat Prophet asked for high ethics from Allah in a prayer: "O Allah, grant me high ethics, nobody but you can grant high ethics. O Allah, keep me away from bad qualities.(Muslim, Misafirun, 201. )
Hazrat Prophet encouraged his ummah a lot to have high ethics and good manners:
Hazrat Prophet reminded people that high ethics was one of the ways of making belief perfect by saying, "The most perfect believer in terms of belief is the one who has the highest ethics and who treats his family in the nicest way".(Abu Dawood, Sunnah, 14)
The hadith "There is nothing heavier than high ethics in the mizan (balance) of a believer in the Day of Judgment" indicates the weight and hence the worth of high ethics in the day when all of the deeds, whether big or small, will be weighed.(Tirmizi, Birr, 16, 62.)
Serving as an example is the best way of tabligh. Believers are warned regarding the issue by the following verse: "O you who believe! Why say you that which you do not? (Saff, 61/2).
Hazrat Prophet is a good example in everything, primarily in calling people to Islam, worshipping, prayers, family life and relations with people.
Allah Himself witnessed that the ethics of Hazrat Prophet is high for the first time.
In the Glorious Quran, Allah says for Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH): "And you (stand) on an exalted standard of character" (al-Qalam, 68/4) and praises his ethics. He who created man definitely knows best which characters of man are nice and good. The creator of the universe, Allah, informed all human beings that the ethics of Hazrat Muhammad is high.
In another verse, Allah reminds that Hazrat Prophet is an exemplary person that needs to be followed:
"You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah." (al-Ahzab, 33/21)
In a hadith, Hazrat Prophet states the following regarding ethics:
I was sent only to complete the high ethics. With that hadith, Hazrat Prophet expressed that he was a teacher of high ethics and a complementary person to complete the high ethics taught by the previous prophets and a reminder of good manners and qualities that were forgotten.(Muwatta, Husnu'l-hulk, 8.)
One of the qualities of high ethics is to keep ones promise" and not to tell lies. Even the polytheists admitted that Hazrat Prophet was a person who always kept his promise and never told lies. Hazrat Prophet had written letters calling the rulers to Islam. When the ruler of Byzantium read the letter, he searched whether there was anyone of his tribe in his country because he wanted to find out about Hazrat Muhammad. They had found Abu Sufyan of Makkah, who had not embraced Islam yet at that time. Heraclius asked him some questions. One of the questions was how his ethics was. Byzantine ruler, Heraclius asked Abu Sufyan: "Did you accuse him of telling lies before he called you to the religion?"
Abu Sufyan said: "No"
Heracles: "has he ever broken his promise?"
Abu Sufyan said: "No"
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) stated that it was Allah who granted him that high ethics through the following words:
"My Lord has educated me, that is why my ethics is so high."(Ajluni, Kashfu'l- khafa, I, 70.)
On the other hand, our mother Hazrat Aisha pointed out to that truth by answering the question of a sahaba O Mother of Believers! How was the ethics of our Prophet? as; Do you ever not read the Quran." His ethics was the ethics of the Quran.
Our mother Hazrat Aisha answered another sahaba as follows: He was not at all a rude person; he would not argue with people in the market; he would not answer evil with evil; he would forgive people and treat them tolerantly.(Tirmizi, Birr and Sila, 69.)
In the Glorious Quran, the reason why people gathered around Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) is explained as his not being harsh-hearted and severe. It is one of the signs of high ethics. "It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you do deal gently with them. Were you severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)." (Aal-e-Imran, 3/159).
8.1. HAZRAT PROPHET GAVE IMPORTANCE TO CONSULTATION
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) assumed consultation, that is, appreciating the opinions of people around him as a principle. He also advised his ummah to consult.
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) consulted sahaba about the issues that he did not receive any revelation; he generally acted in accordance with that consultation. The verse: ... who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation... (ash-Shura, 42/38) in the Glorious Quran is proof that consultation is a necessity of Islamic belief.
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) acted in accordance with the opinion of the majority as a result of the consultation. He did not change it even if he had a different opinion. When Hazrat Ali told our Prophet that he wanted to marry his daughter Fatima, he asked his daughter and other members of his family and decided accordingly.
During the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) showed a place regarding the selection of the battlefield. Then, one of the sahabas asked him: Is this a place that Allah ordered you? Or is it your own opinion and military tactics?
Hazrat Muhammad said it was his personal opinion. Then the sahaba said that place was not suitable and added that they should proceed to the water source nearest the enemy and camp there. He proposed that they should start fighting after taking hold of the water sources. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said it was a nice plan and started to carry out the plan.
After the battle, he decided what to do with the prisoners of war after consulting the sahabas. He also consulted the sahabas about adhan (call to prayer), Uhud and Khandaq Battles and the Treaty of Hudaybiya.
When Hazrat Muhammad heard that Makkans would attack Madinah, he summoned his sahabas and had a meeting. He consulted them about the defence of Madinah.
During the meeting Salman Farisi, an Iranian, described a strategy of defence carried out in defending a city in Iran. In accordance with that strategy, deep and broad ditches would be dug around Madinah and the city would be defended like that. Hazrat Muhammad liked it; they defended Madinah in accordance with that strategy and became successful.
Now, let us hear what Anas b. Malik, who served the Prophet for a long time, says. His mother gave Anas to Hazrat Prophet as a present. Anas said: "I served Hazrat Prophet for ten years. He did not say pish even once. He did not reprimand me for something that I did saying why did you do it?. He was the most perfect man in terms of ethics. expressing how high was the ethic of the Messenger of Allah.(Tirmizi, Sunan, IV, 368)
8.2- INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN DURING BATTLES
Hazrat Prophet said the following to the commanders of the troops sent against Byzantium: "While taking the revenge of the crimes committed against us, do not touch those sitting in their homes and those who do not act hostilely. Show respect to the weakness of women. Do not touch the babies in the bosoms of mothers and the ill people. Do not destroy the means of living of people. Do not touch the trees of fruit and dates."
8.3- HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (PBUH) WAS MODEST
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) visited ill people, accompanied funerals when the met them and accepted the invitations for meals of the slaves. He milked his own goats and did his own work. He did not leave his hands before the hand of the person shaking hands with him, and he did not turn his face and leave before the person who left him turned his face. He was very generous. He was very brave. He always told the truth. He was the most loyal protector for the people he protected. When he spoke, he uttered the sweetest and nicest words.
People who saw him were filled with respect towards him. Those who had contacted him definitely liked him. People who described them said: We did not see anyone like him before him and after him. He spoke with definite and clear words; people did not forget what he had said. Chastity, kindness, patience, self-sacrifice and appreciation dominated his actions.
He consoled those who survived a disaster and those who were grievous and sorrowful. Even at the time of scarcity, he invited other people to his meals. He was interested in the personal welfare of the people around him. He stood on the way and listened to the complaints of even the poorest person. He went to the homes of the poor people to conciliate the heartbroken ones, to express condolence to the mournful ones. Sometimes a very poor slave came, took the Prophet to his master, and told him about the bad treatment he suffered and wanted to be apologized to him for the insult or to be freed.
Hazrat Prophet never ate before saying bismillah (in the name of Allah) and never left the dining table without praising Allah. He used his time very carefully and never wasted time. During the day, when he was not busy with worshipping, he accepted visitors and took care of the administration affairs. During the night, he slept very little and spent his time worshipping. He liked the poor and showed mercy to them.
He entertained the homeless in a part of the mosque that was near his house. He always invited someone to dinner to his modest dinner table. The method he used for his terrible enemies was to forgive them and show tolerance to them.
Allahs Messenger (PBUH) led a plain life. His clothes and possessions were plain. Hazrat Abu Hurayra narrated that the Prophet was starved many times. What the Prophet usually ate was a few dates. Sometimes there was no light in his house for months. Islamic historians say, Allah gave him the keys to all of the treasures in the world but he did not want them.
8.4- HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (PBUH) ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO WORK
That great Prophet (PBUH) always appreciated the ideas directed towards progress and encouraged them. Allahs Messenger (PBUH) stated that working was necessary and added that man could not have anything except the outcome of his work using the language of the Quran: That man can have nothing but what he strives for; That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight. (an-Najm, 53/39-40). The Prophet also stated the following: "It is for us to work and for Allah to give success."
8.5- HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (PBUH) HAD A BOUNDLESS COMPASSION
The love of our Prophet was universal. When Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said, He who goes to bed full and knows that his neighbor is hungry is not one of us., he meant all people, whether Muslim or not. When he said; None of you believes truly till one likes for his brother that which he loves for himself about Muslims he meant that a Muslim is someone who takes care of others.
8.6- BEST OF MEN ARE THOSE WHO ARE MOST BENEFICIAL FOR MEN
The concept of social life of our Prophet is not destructive but corrective and protective. It is he who expresses the sacredness of family life the best. According to him, the loftiest service is service to humanity. He stated the following: Best of men are those who are most beneficial for men.
He called believers to work in order to gain virtue and reward. According to him, children are the trusts of Allah to us to be nurtured with love and affection. Parents will be loved by their children and they will be shown affection. Relatives, neighbors and the poor are included in that context.
8.7- HAZRAT MUHAMMAD WAS A PERSON WHO FACILITATED THINGS AND WHO GAVE GOOD TIDINGS
When Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) sent a sahaba somewhere to do something, he always said: "Facilitate things to people, do not make it hard for them; give them good tidings and do not make them run away ".(Bukhari, Ilm,11)
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) assumed a forgiving attitude towards the crimes committed against him. The following hadith reported by Hazrat Aisha is important because it expresses the attitude of Hazrat Prophet regarding the issue.
When Hazrat Prophet was left free to choose between two things, he always preferred to choose the easier one if there was no sin or drawback in choosing it. If there was a sin, he avoided it more than anybody else did. The Messenger of Allah never tried to take revenge for himself; however, when something that Allah prohibited was committed, he did what was necessary."
It is the ethics of the Prophet. He forgave the crimes committed against him. However, he settled the ones regarding the divine law.
Abu Masud Ansari said: Somebody came to the Messenger of Allah and said, 'So-and-so lengthens the prayer when he leads the prayers so that I refrain from going to the mosque for the morning prayer' I had never seen Allahs Messenger (PBUH) so angry before. He said, 'O people! When any of you leads the prayer, keep it short. There may be the old, the weak and those who have important things to do among the congregation' "(Muslim, Hadith no:71.)
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) showed about one thousand miracles upon necessity. Some of them will be explained as examples here.
6.1. MIRACLES ABOUT FUTURE
1. According to an authentic narration, Allah's Messenger said to his companions, "You will be victorious over all your enemies, will succeed in the conquest of Mecca, Khyber, Damascus, Iraq, Persia and Jerusalem, and will share among yourselves the treasures of the rulers of the greatest empires, the Byzantine and the Persians." He did not say this as a matter of conjecture or personal opinion; he said it as if he had seen it, and what he said came true as predicted, despite the fact that at the same time he had to migrate to Madinah with a handful of followers, with the rest of the world, including the environs of the Madinah, hostile to him.(For more information, see Badiuzzaman Said Nursi-Mektubat (Letters).)
2. Also according to an authentic narration, when the Najashi, the Ethiopian ruler, who had accepted faith earlier, died in the seventh year of Hijrah, Allah's Messenger informed his companions about it; he even performed funeral prayers for him. One week later came the news confirming the death of the Najashi on the very same day as the Prophet had seen it.
3. According to an authentic narration, Allah's Messenger said to Fatima, "You will be the first of my family to join me after my death. Six months later, what he said took place.
4. Once, as he awakened in the house of Anas b. Malik's aunt, Umm Haram, he smilingly said:
"I saw my nation waging war on the seas like kings sitting on thrones." She requested:
"Pray that I too will be with them." He said:
You shall be. Forty years later, she accompanied her husband, Ubada b. Samit, on the conquest of Cyprus. She died there, and her grave has since been visited by the believers. Thus, what the Prophet foretold proved to be true.
5. According to an authentic narration, he said, "Istanbul will be conquered, and blessed are the ruler and the troops that will conquer it." He thus gave tidings that Istanbul would be conquered by Muslim hands, and that Mehmed the Conqueror would attain a high spiritual rank. His prediction again proved to be true.
6. Again, according to an authentic narration, he declared, "The fortress of Khyber will be conquered by Ali's hand." As a miracle of his prophethood and beyond all expectation, the following day Ali ripped off the gate of the fortress of Khyber, used it as a shield, and seized the fortress. Then he threw it aside after the conquest.
7. Again, according to an authentic narration, he declared about Utba ibn Abi Lahab: A lion will eat him, informing his tragic sequel. When Utba was going to Yemen, a lion came and ate him. Thus, it confirmed both the curse and news of the Prophet (PBUH).
Acting upon those miracles, do not attempt to explain it by simply saying, "Muhammad was a wise man!" It is because the accurate information of Muhammad (PBUH) concerning the Unseen cannot be explained except in one of these two ways: you will either suppose that this blessed person has such a keen sight and such a broad genius that he sees and knows the past and the future and all the world; he gazes upon the East, the West and the whole universe; and he discovers that which happened in the past and that which is to happen in the future. Such a quality cannot be found in an ordinary human being, but if it is, it must be a wonder bestowed on him by the Creator of the universe, which would itself be the greatest of miracles. Or you will believe this blessed person to be an official instructed by a Being under Whose governing and observation everything stands, under Whose command are all ages and all species of the universe, in Whose ledger is everything recorded, so that He shows and communicates information to him whenever He wishes. Thus, Muhammad (PBUH) instructs others as he himself is instructed by the Lord of Eternity.
6.2. MIRACLES ABOUT BARAKAH (BLESSING, ABUNDANCE)
Those miracles took place before the eyes many sahabas. Therefore, it is impossible to deny them.
1. During the feast on the occasion of the Prophet's marriage to Zaynab, Anas's mother, Umm Sulaym, prepared a dish by frying two handfuls of dates and sent it with Anas to the Prophet. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) told him, "Go and invite so and so (naming some people), and also invite whoever you encounter on your way." Anas invited those named and those he met. About three hundred Companions came and filled the Prophet's (PBUH) room and the anteroom. Then the Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Make circles of ten." He placed his blessed hand on that little amount of food, uttered supplications, and said, Help yourselves. All of them ate, being fully satisfied. Afterwards the Prophet (PBUH) said to Anas:
Remove the food. Anas later related, "I could not tell if there was more of it when I set it down, or when I removed it."
2. One of the famous sahabas, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari relates that when Allah's Messenger honored his home, he had made a meal for two, which would suffice the Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakr. However, the Prophet (PBUH) told him, "Invite thirty men from among the distinguished ones of the Ansar." Thirty men came and ate. He then said, Invite sixty men, They also came and ate. He said again, Invite seventy more. I invited them; they came and ate. When they finished eating, there was still food left in the bowls. All who came there embraced Islam, and took the oath of allegiance after witnessing that miracle. There were one hundred and eighty men who ate that food which was for two people.(Shifa 1;294)
3. Hazrat Umar and Abu Hurayra narrate: During a battle, the army was very hungry. They referred themselves to Allah's Messenger (PBUH). He told them, "Gather whatever food is left in your bags." Everyone brought a few dates. The largest amount someone brought was four handfuls of dates. They put them on a rug. Salama related, "I estimated the amount of the whole thing as the size of a goat lying down." Allah's Messenger prayed and then he announced, "Everyone may bring his dish." They rushed forward, and no one in the whole army remained with an empty dish. After all the dishes had been filled, there was even some left over. One of the Companions later said, "I realized from the way that abundance was obtained that if the whole world had come, the food would have sufficed them all."
4. According to an authentic narration from Abu Talha said: the Prophet (PBUH) fed seventy to eighty men with a small amount of rye bread that Anas had brought under his arm. He ordered, "Break the bread into small pieces." and prayed for abundance. Because there was not enough room, people came in groups of ten and ate it, leaving all full and satisfied.
5. Sound books state definitely that Jabir related under an oath: "During the battle of Khandaq, about a thousand people ate from four handfuls of rye bread and a young cooked goat; yet food was still left over."Hazrat Jabir says: The food had been cooked in my dwelling, and after the one thousand people had left, the pot was still boiling with meat in it, and bread was being made from the dough; the Prophet had wetted that dough and that pot with his blessed mouth, supplicating for abundance." Since that miracle of abundance was announced by Jabir with an oath while those thousand men were present, it can be regarded as having been related by one thousand men.
6. It is related by highly trusted and reliable researchers such as the author of Shifa ash-Sharif, Ibn Abi Shayba and Tabarani that Hazrat Abu Hurayra said:
Allahs Messenger (PBUH) ordered me: "Invite those over one hundred poor Muhajirs who are using the hall of the Masjid as their home." I searched and summoned them all. A plate full of food was placed in front of them, so, we ate as much as we wished. As we rose, the plate was as full as it had been when first placed before us. The finger marks on the food were the only signs of our eating.
This incident is related by Abu Hurayra not on his own, but in the name of the People of the Suffa and relying on their approval. Hence, the incident is as definite as if all the People of the Suffa had related it. Otherwise, is it ever possible that those men of truth and perfection would have remained silent and not contradicted it, had the narration been untrue?
7. According to an authentic narration, Hazrat Ali says: Allah's Messenger (PBUH) once gathered Bani Abdulmuttalib. They were about forty, including some who would eat a young camel and drink a gallon of milk in one meal. Yet, for them, he had prepared only a handful of food; all ate and were satisfied, and the food remained just as it had been before. Later he brought milk in a wooden cup that would have been sufficient for only three or four people. They all drank and were full.
It is a miracle of abundance as definite as the valor and loyalty of Hazrat Ali!
8. According to an authentic narration, on the occasion of the marriage of Hazrat Ali to Fatima az-Zahra (RA), Allah's Messenger (PBUH) ordered Bilal, "Make bread made from a few handfuls of flour; also slaughter a young camel."
Bilal relates: "I brought the food, and he put his hand over it for blessing. Later the Companions arrived in groups, ate, and left. From the remaining food, he sent a full bowl to each of his wives, saying that they should eat and feed from it whoever is nearby."
Such a blessed abundance was indeed necessary for such a blessed marriage!
9. It is reported that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) once ordered Hazrat Umar, "Give food and grain to the four hundred horsemen of the Ahmasi tribe for their journey." Umar replied, "O Messenger of Allah, all the provision put together is not more than the size of a young camel sitting down." The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Give it to them." Out of a half load of dates, Umar gave them an amount enough for four hundred men. After he had given that amount to them, as he later related: Everything was the same as before, without any decrease.
This miracle of abundance took place in relation to four hundred men, especially to Umar; those are the people supporting the narration, and their silence is but a confirmation of the report.
10. Bukhari included, accurate books relate, through an authentic narration, that once Abu Hurayra was hungry, so he followed Allah's Messenger (PBUH) into his home. There they saw that a cup of milk had been brought as a gift. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said to him, "Call all the People of the Suffa." Abu Hurayra relates: "I said to myself, 'I could drink that whole container of milk myself!,' as I was most in need of it. However, since it was the order of the Prophet, I fetched the People of the Suffa, who were more than a hundred." The Prophet told me: Make them drink it I gave the cup to each, one by one, and each drank until satisfied. In the end, the Prophet told me, You and I are left; now you drink. As I drank, the Prophet kept telling me drink more, until I said, 'I swear by the Glorious One Who has sent you with the truth that I am too full to drink any more.' Then the Prophet drank the rest, invoking the name of Allah and thanking Him. "Let it be blessed for him a hundred thousand times!"
This manifest miracle of abundance, as pure, indubitable and sweet as milk itself, is related by all the six accurate books of tradition, above all by Imam Bukhari, who committed to memory five hundred thousand narrations. Is it at all possible that such a truthful person as Abu Hurayra, who devoted all his life to the narrations of the Prophet (PBUH) and to the religion, and who heard and himself transmitted the prophetic narration; "Whoever knowingly tells a lie concerning me should prepare for his seat in hellfire,"(Bukhari, 1:38.) should have related an unfounded incident? Or would not any error in his saying be rejected by the People of Suffa, and harm the accuracy of all the other traditions he had memorized? Allah forbid!
O Allah: for the sake of blessings You have bestowed upon Your Most Noble Messenger, bestow the blessings of abundance upon the favors and nourishments with which You have provided us!
It is well known that once assembled together, weak things become strong. Once fine threads are twisted, they become a strong rope; once strong ropes are wound together, no one can break them. We presented only one miracle from among fifteen different kinds that related to the blessings of abundance; we have seen only one part out of fifteen parts of that part. Each of the examples mentioned is a proof on its own with enough strength to prove prophethood. Once considered altogether, it is impossible to reject them or to deny them.
Certainly, those miracles concerning the blessings of abundance illustrate that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is such an honored servant, and such a beloved envoy, of the Merciful and Munificent One Who provides his sustenance and creates the sustenance of all beings, that He changes His own custom for his sake and sends for him in case of need such banquets from the Unseen as He created out of nothing.
As is known, the Arabian peninsula is a place of scarcity of water and agriculture; its people, therefore; its people, therefore, and especially the Companions in the earliest age of Islam, were exposed to scarcity of food, in addition to lack of water that would arise quite frequently. Because of these prevailing conditions, the miracles of great importance were concerned with food and water. Rather than being direct miracles or evidences for the claim of prophethood, these wonders were responses to due needs as a Divine kindness, a gift, and a banquet provided by the Most Compassionate One.
6.3- MIRACLES ABOUT WATER
1. Accurate books of tradition, in particular Bukhari, report through an authentic narration from Hazrat Anas: Hazrat Anas says:
"About three hundred of us were together with Allah's Messenger in the place named Zawra'. He ordered us to perform ablution for the afternoon prayer, but we could not find water. He then told us to bring a little water, which we did, and he dipped his auspicious hands into it. I saw water running from his fingers like a fountain. His three hundred men performed ablution with that water and drank from it."
Hazrat Anas relates this incident in the name of three hundred men. Is it possible that those three hundred people should not have confirmed him or that none of them should have repudiated him if they had not agreed with him?
2. As narrated in accurate books, in particular Bukhari and Muslim, Jabir b. Abdullah al-Ansari says:
"We, fifteen hundred people, had become thirsty during the battle of Hudaybiya. Allah's Messenger performed ablution from a leather water bag called qirba and then dipped his hand into it. I saw that water was running out of the bag like a fountain. Fifteen hundred people drank from it and filled their water bags."
Once Salim b. Abil-Ja'd asked Jabir, "How many of you were there?" He said, "Water would have sufficed even if there had been a hundred thousand, but we were fifteen hundred."
Since that decisive miracle was witnessed by fifteen hundred Companions of the Prophet, its informants in effect number fifteen hundred, for human nature has a tendency to reject lies. As for the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), who sacrificed their tribes and persons, their fathers and mothers, their lives and all that they possessed for the sake of truth and veracity, they could not have remained silent in the face of a lie, especially in the light of the warning given by the narration, "Whoever knowingly tells a lie concerning me should prepare for his seat in hellfire." Since they remained silent concerning that report they accepted it, joined Jabir, and confirmed his words.
3. Imam Malik relates in his book, 'Muwatta', through Mu'adh b. Jabal: "During the battle of Tabuk, we found a spring that was barely running in the thickness of a thin piece of string. Allah's Messenger ordered, 'Collect a little water.' They put a little water into his palms. Allah's Messenger washed his face and his hands with the water, which he then put in the spring. Suddenly the outlet of the spring widened and water began to well out, which sufficed the whole army."
Another informant, Imam Ibn Ishaq, reports: "The fountain ran with a noise under the earth like that of thunder. Allah's Messenger said to Mu'adh, 'You will see, if your lifetime suffices, that this miraculous water will transform these places into gardens.' And so it did."
4. Accurate books, including those of brilliant authorities in the science of narration such as Ibn Jabir at-Tabari, relate through an authentic narration from Abu Qatada:
"We were going for help, as the commanders had been martyred in the famous battle of Muta. I had a water bag with me. Allah's Messenger commanded, 'Keep your water bag carefully; there will be great need for it.' Soon after, thirst prevailed. We were seventy-two people. Allah's Messenger said, 'Bring me your water bag.' I did, he took the bag and brought its brim to his lips. I do not know whether he blew into it or not. Then seventy-two men came and drank out of the bag and filled their bags. When I had it back, it was full to the brim just as it had been before."
5. Accurate books of narration, including above all Bukhari and Muslim, narrate through Imran b. Husain: Imran says:
"In a battle, we, together with Allah's Messenger, ran out of water. He said to me and Ali, 'There is a woman in such and such a place, riding her beast that is laden with two water bags. Go and fetch her.' Ali and I went to find her in exactly the same place as described, and brought her to the Prophet. He ordered, 'Pour a little water into a vessel,' which we did, and he prayed for blessing. He then commanded that: everyone should come to fill their water bags. All the people came, drank, and filled their bags. Afterwards he ordered: Collect something for the woman, and they filled her skirt."
Imran says, "I imagined that the two water bags were constantly filling. Allah's Messenger told the woman, 'You can go now. We did not take water from you; rather Allah gave us from His treasure.'"
6. Narration scholars, primarily Ibn Huzayma in his Sahih, report from Umar:
"We ran out of water during the battle of Tabuk. Some of us had to slaughter their camels to drink what was inside. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq requested that Allah's Messenger should pray. Allah's Messenger raised his hands, and hardly had he lowered them when the clouds gathered and heavy rain began to fall. After we had filled our vessels, the clouds withdrew immediately. In fact, it was only our area that received the rain; it did not fall outside of it." Thus, no chance was involved in the incident; it was purely a miracle of Muhammad (PBUH).
6.4- MIRACLES ABOUT TREES
One of the various miracles of the Messenger of Allah is that trees obey his orders like human beings and go near him by leaving their places.
1. Hazrat Burayda reports: "When we were together with Allah's Messenger on an expedition, a bedouin came and asked for a miracle. Allah's Messenger said, 'Tell that tree that Allah's Messenger summons her.' Then, when the Prophet pointed at a tree, it swayed and brought itself out with its roots, came to the presence of the Prophet saying, 'Peace be on you, O Messenger of Allah!' The bedouin said, 'Now let it go to its place again.' He commanded and it went. Then the bedouin said 'Allow me to prostrate myself before you.' The Messenger replied, 'No one is permitted to do that.'"(Shifa, 1:299)
2. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to lean against the pole called "palm-trunk" when delivering a sermon. When the pulpit of the mosque was built, he started his sermon from the pulpit. The pole began to moan like a camel; the entire congregation heard it. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) went near the pole, put his hand on it, talked to it, consoled it; then it stopped. That miracle of Hazrat Muhammad was reported by many people.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Its weeping is because of separation from the recitation of the Names of Allah that are uttered in the sermon."
Anas says, "It moaned like a water buffalo and caused the mosque to tremble." Sahl b. Sa'd says, "After this incident, weeping increased among people." Ubayy b. Ka'b says, "It wept so much that it split." According to another report, the Messenger (ASW) said, "Its weeping is because of separation from the recitation of the Names of Allah that are uttered in the sermon."
After that marvelous incident, the Messenger ordered that the pole should be kept under the pulpit. It was put under the pulpit and kept there until the pole was demolished for the restoration of the mosque. Then Ubayy b. Ka'b took it and kept it until it decayed.
As it is seen, trees know the Messenger of Allah and obey him. Human beings should not fall behind trees in terms of obeying him.
The famous scholar Hasan al-Basri would weep whenever he related that marvelous miracle to his students and would say, "A piece of wood demonstrates such love and longing for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). You need to feel this love more than it does."
Badiuzzaman Said Nursi says "Yes, and loving him can be achieved by love and longing for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), obedience to his luminous Sunnah and his illustrious Sacred Law.(Nursi, B.S. Mektubat (Letters))
6.5- MIRACLES ABOUT STONES AND SOIL
1. During the Battle of Badr, Allah's Messenger (PBUH) threw a handful of earth and small stones at the army of the unbelievers, saying, "May their faces be black!" That handful of earth penetrated into the eyes of each unbeliever, as the words "May their faces be black!" was heard by every one of them.
2. During the Battle of Hunayn, as well as Badr, Allah's Messenger (PBUH) again threw a handful of earth at the enemy, saying, "May their faces be black!" By Allah's permission, each one of them was hit with a handful of earth and had to retreat, being preoccupied with the earth in his eyes.
As those extraordinary incidents are beyond the ability of man and of material causes, the Qur'an declares; When you threw, it was not your act, but Allah's. (al-Anfal, 8/17). That is, that incident is beyond the power of man. It happened not through the power of man but extraordinarily, through the power of Allah.
6.6- MIRACLES ABOUT THE SICK AND THE WOUNDED
1. The following is reported in Shifa ash-Sharif of Qadi Iyad from Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas: "I was beside Allah's Messenger in the battle of Uhud. He shot arrows until his bow was broken. Then he began giving his arrows to me. Each time he gave me a featherless arrow, he ordered me to shoot it, which I did, and it flew just like one with feathers, piercing an unbeliever's body."
Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas adds: Qatada b. an-Nu'man was hit by an arrow, and one of his eyeballs poked. Allah's Messenger, with his auspicious blessed hand, placed the eyeball back in its socket. The eye healed at once, as if nothing had happened to it, and became even better than the other one.
2. It is also reported through an authentic narration that Abu Qatada was hit in the face with an arrow in the battle of Yawm az-Ziqarad. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) wiped his face with his auspicious hand. Abu Qatada says, "I never felt the pain, nor did the wound fester."
3. Narration scholars, including Imam Bayhaqi, report that once Hazrat Ali was so ill that he could not help moaning. As he was alone and praying for his cure, Allah's Messenger (PBUH) came in and said, "O my Allah, heal him!" He then said to Ali, "Get up!" touching him with his foot. He was cured at once. Ali says, "Since then I have never caught the same illness."
6.7- MIRACLES ABOUT HIS PRAYERS
1. Bukhari and Muslim report that once Allah's Messenger (PBUH) was asked to pray for rain. He prayed, and such a rain descended that they had to say: Pray for it to cease. He prayed again and the rain stopped at once.
2. When the number of the believers was below forty, Allah's Messenger (PBUH) prayed, "O my Allah! Give strength to Islam by means either of Umar b. Khattab or of Umar b. Hisham".(Tirmizi, Manaqib 17.)
Within a few days of his prayer, Umar b. Khattab was converted to the faith and became a means of propagating and exalting Islam.
3. The mother of Anas requested the Messenger (PBUH), Pray for abundance of descendants and wealth for Anas, who is your servant. The Prophet (PBUH) prayed, "O Allah! Give abundance to his wealth and offspring, and bless that which You bestowed upon him!"(Bukhari 8:93).
Anas said in his old age, swearing by Allah, "I have buried a hundred of my children. As for wealth, no one has led such a happy life as I have. You see the abundance of my riches, which is the result of the blessing of the Prophet's prayer."
4. Narration Scholars, including Bayhaqi, report that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) prayed that Abdurrahman b. Awf, one of the ten Companions who were given the glad tidings of Paradise, might have abundance and the blessings of wealth. Through the blessing of that prayer, he acquired such wealth that once he donated seven hundred camels with their loads to the cause of Allah.
5. As reported through an authentic narration, Allah's Messenger (ASW) prayed for Ali (RA), "O Allah, protect him from heat and cold!" Through the benediction of this prayer, Ali (RA) wore summer clothing in winter and winter clothing in summer. He said, "I never suffered from heat or cold."
6. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) also prayed for Hazrat Fatima, "O Allah, do not give her the suffering of hunger!" Fatima said, "Since then I have never suffered from hunger."
7. The Persian Shah Parviz tore up the letter sent to him by the Prophet (PBUH). When Allah's Messenger (PBUH) heard of this, he prayed, "O Allah, rend him and his land as he tore my letter!"
As a result of that malediction, his son Shirviya cut him into pieces with a dagger, and Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas (RA) broke his empire apart, so that no trace of his sovereignty remained anywhere. The Emperor of Byzantium and the rulers of other empires did not perish, however, for they respected the letters of the Messenger (PBUH).
8. Allah's Messenger cursed Utba b. Abi Lahab, saying, O Allah, send one of Your dogs upon him. Some time later, when Utba was on a journey, a lion came, spotted him among the members of the caravan, and killed him. That incident is famous.
6.8- MIRACLES ABOUT ANIMALS
1. Narrated in accurate books of narration, primarily Bukhari and Muslim: During the battle of Khyber, a Jewess roasted a goat and poisoned it with a very strong poison, and then sent it to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). When his Companions began to eat it, the Prophet (PBUH) suddenly said:
"Raise your hands! The goat tells me that it is poisoned." Everyone withdrew from the table. However, Bishr b. al-Baira', who had eaten only a morsel of it, died from the effect of the poison. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) sent for the Jewess, whose name was Zaynab, and asked her: Why did you do so? The inauspicious woman said, "I considered that if you were a prophet it would not harm you; and if you were a king, I would save the people from you."
2. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) and Hazrat Abu Bakr stopped at the house of Umm Mabad as they were emigrating from Makkah. There was a very thin, barren goat. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) asked:
"Does it not have milk?", Umm Ma'bad replied, "It does not have blood in its veins, how will it have milk?". Allah's Messenger (PBUH) touched its loins, stroked its teats, prayed, and then said, "Bring a vessel and milk it." They did so, and the whole household, as well as Allah's Messenger (PBUH) and Abu Bakr, drank the milk until they were fully satisfied. And the goat kept its newly acquired quality and productivity.
3. Before becoming a Muslim, Ibn Mas'ud was a shepherd. One day, Allah's Messenger and Abu Bakr went to where he was. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) asked him for some milk. He said, "The goats do not belong to me, but to someone else." Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, "Then, bring me a barren goat." Ibn Mas'ud fetched a goat that had not mated for the past two years. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) stroked her teats and prayed. Then they milked her and delicious milk came forth, which they drank. Ibn Mas'ud became a Muslim upon witnessing that miracle.
4. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, Salama b. al-Aqwa, Ibn Abi Wahab, Abu Hurayra, and Uhban (a shepherd who became involved in another event) narrate:
A wolf snatched a goat from a herd, but the shepherd rescued the goat. The wolf said, "Don't you fear Allah? You have deprived me of my sustenance!" The shepherd muttered to himself, "How strange! Can a wolf speak?" The wolf replied, "Your state is strange! There is a prophet behind this hill inviting you to Paradise, but you don't know of him!"
Abu Hurayra says: the shepherd asked the wolf, "I will go then, but who will take care of my goats?""I will," said the wolf, and the shepherd went to see Allah's Messenger, leaving the herd to the care of the wolf. He was converted to faith and returned to find the wolf shepherding the herd with no loss. He then slaughtered a goat and offered it to the wolf, for it had become a teacher for him.
That is, the wolf knows and obeys the Messenger of Allah. Human beings should draw a lesson from it.
6.9- MIRACLES ABOUT ANGELS
1. Traditionists, including Bukhari and Muslim, unanimously report that once the Archangel Gabriel (Jibril) came to Allah's Messenger, as he sat with his Companions, in the form of a man dressed in white, and asked:
"What is Islam, and what is faith, and what is goodness? Describe them" While Allah's Messenger was describing them, the Companions both learned a lesson and saw that person quite clearly. He appeared to be a traveler, but bore no sign of a journey. When he disappeared suddenly, Allah's Messenger said, "Gabriel did so in order to teach you a lesson."
2. Traditionists also report that the Companions would see Gabriel together with Allah's Messenger in the form of Dihya, who had a pleasing face. To sum up, Umar, Ibn Abbas, Usama b. Zaid, Harith, Hazrat Aisha and Umm Salama report, We see Hazrat Gabriel near the Messenger of Allah in the form of Dihya Is it ever possible that they should have said, "We have seen," without really seeing?
3. Abu Sufyan b. Harith Abdulmuttalib, a cousin of the Prophet, reports, In the battle of Badr, we saw horsemen dressed in white between the sky and the earth. During the battle of Badr Abu Sufyan had not become a Muslim yet.
4. One day, Hazrat Hamza told Allah's Messenger, I want to see Gabriel. Allah's Messenger showed Gabriel to him in the Kaaba, but he could not bear it and fell unconscious.
6.10- MIRACLES ABOUT THE PROTECTION OF HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (PBUH)
Traditionists, primarily Bukhari and Muslim, report from Aisha that after the verse, "And Allah will defend you from men." (al-Maeda; 5:70) had been revealed, Allah's Messenger said to those who had guarded him from time to time: "O men, leave me! For Allah, the Great and Mighty, protects me."
Indeed, once Allah's Messenger was appointed by Allah, he challenged all rulers and all religions. With his uncle and his tribe as the greatest enemies, the fact that he was able to take his last breath in his own bed and reach the highest place of the incorporeal abode after twenty-three years with neither guard nor means of protection in the face of numerous plots against him shows how sound a truth the verse "And Allah will defend you from men." indicates.
We will relate a few definite events as examples in this connection.
1. When Allah's Messenger, together with Abu Bakr, took shelter in the cave of Hira in order to be safe from the unbelievers who were in pursuit of them, two pigeons stood guard at the entrance like two sentries, and a spider, like a doorkeeper, covered the entrance of the cave with a thick web.
As Ubayy b. Khalaf, one of the heads of the Quraish, who was killed by Allah's Messenger in the Battle of Badr, was examining the cave. His friends said: Lets enter the cave He replied, "How shall we enter? This web seems to have been spun before Muhammad was born, and there are two pigeons standing there. Would they still be there if someone were in the cave?"
2. It is certainly known that as Allah's Messenger and Abu Bakr were going towards Madinah after leaving the cave of Hira, the heads of Quraish sent a man named Suraqa to try to assassinate them, paying him a considerable amount of money. Allah's Messenger and Abu Bakr saw that Suraqa was coming. As Abu Bakr showed anxiety, Allah's Messenger said, as he had done in the cave, "Do not be sad; Allah is certainly with us." (at-Tawbah; 9:40). He then cast a glance at Suraqa, and his horse's feet became stuck in the sand. Some time later, he slipped out of the sand and began to follow them anew, but he soon became stuck again and saw smoke coming out of where his horse's feet were thrust. Seeing that it was far beyond anyone's ability to lay hands on Allah's Messenger, he had to ask for help. Allah's Messenger freed him, saying, "Go back, and make sure no one else comes."
3. Another certain event is also reported in relation to that incident. When a shepherd saw Allah's Messenger and Abu Bakr, he immediately went to Makkah in order to inform Quraishis, but when he arrived there, he forgot what he had come for. Tried as he might, he could not remember his intention, so he had to turn back. He later realized that he had been made to forget.
4. During the battle of Ghatfan and Anmar, the courageous head of a tribe named Ghuras stealthily approached Allah's Messenger, and holding his sword over the Prophet's head, asked:
"Who will save you from me?" Allah's Messenger replied:
"Allah!" and prayed, "O Allah, protect me from him with something You know." Suddenly, Ghuras was fallen by a blow he received between his shoulders, and his sword slipped out of his hand. Allah's Messenger took the sword and asked him:
"Now who will save you from me?" but then he forgave Ghuras and allowed him to return to his tribe. His men were all surprised at such a courageous man having failed to do anything.
They asked, "What happened to you, why couldn't you do anything?" He told them what had happened, and added:
"I am now coming from the presence of the best of men."
An important inspector appointed by a ruler is recognized by every department of the administration and is connected with each of them, because he has a duty to perform on behalf of the ruler. Similarly, all beings that exist in the departments of this Divine Kingdom, from angels to insects and spiders, know him, recognize him, or have been informed about him. So, he is the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds and the Seal of the Prophets.
6.11- EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS BEFORE THE PROPHETHOOD OF HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (PBUH)
Those extraordinary states are indicated by the Glorious Quran, Jewish scholars, Christian scholars, soothsayers, their holy books and pages.
a-The indication of the Glorious Quran
According to the Qur'an, they are the tidings of Muhammad's prophethood given by the Torah, the Gospel and the Psalms. There are signs in the Quran relating to that news. Since all those books are revelations and those who brought them are prophets, it is fitting that they should certainly have mentioned a being who would supersede their religions, change the shape of the universe, and illumine half of the world with his light. Is it possible that those books, which predict petty events, should not have mentioned the most significant phenomenon of humanity, that is, the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH)?
1. Allah's Messenger declares to the People of the Book by the tongue of the Qur'an, "Your scriptures describe and confirm me. In whatever I declare, I have the affirmation of your scriptures."
Despite challenging them with verses like: "Say, 'Bring the Torah and read it. Say, 'Come, let us gather together -our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves: then let us earnestly pray and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie! " (Aal-e-Imran; 3:61,93), neither the Jewish scholars nor the Christian priests could ever bring forth a single error of his. If they had been able to, those stubborn and envious unbelievers of whom there were excessive numbers at the time and the whole world of unbelief, would have advertised it everywhere.
b- The information from Jewish and Christian scholars and soothsayers
The Torah, the Gospel and the Psalms have been translated time after time: thus a great many alien words have become intermingled with them. In addition, the sayings of the interpreters and their wrong interpretations have been confused with the original verses, and the distortions of ignorant and hostile men were also incorporated. Thus, alterations and corruptions were multiplied in the scriptures. Once the famous scholar Sheikh Rahmatullah Al-Hindi silenced the priests and the Christian and Jewish scholars by proving to them the changes made in thousands of places in those books. However, even now, after so many corruptions, the celebrated Husain Al-Jisri extracted from the previous scriptures one hundred and ten pieces of evidence concerning the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
1. Many Jewish and Christian scholars acknowledged and admitted; that the characteristics of Muhammad (SAW) were evident from their scriptures:
"The characteristics of Muhammad (PBUH) are evident in our scriptures." The famous Roman Emperor Heraclius, who was a non-Muslim himself, said, "Yes, Jesus foretold Muhammad's coming."
2. Another Roman ruler, Muqawqis, the governor of Egypt, and celebrated Jewish scholars such as Ibn Suriya, Zubayr b. Bativa, Ibn Ahtab and his brother Ka'b b. Asad, although remaining non-Muslim admitted, "Indeed, our books include his qualities. They mention him.
3. A famous Christian scholar named Daghatr, after seeing the description of the Prophet (PBUH), also entered the fold of Islam and was martyred when he announced his conversion to the Byzantines.
4. From among the Christian leaders, Harith b. Abi Shumar al-Ghasani and the prominent rulers and religious leaders of Damascus such as Sahib al-Ilba, Heraclius, Ibn Natur and al-Jarud entered the fold of Islam, after seeing the Prophet's description in their books. Of them, only Heraclius concealed his conversion for the sake of worldly kingship.
5. Like those people, Salman al-Farisi was also formerly a Christian, who began searching for the Prophet (PBUH) after seeing his description in the Bible; Salman found him and believed in him.
6. A distinguished scholar named Tamim, as well as the Christians of Ethiopia and the priests of Najran, all unanimously declared: We have seen in our books the description of the Prophet (PBUH) so we believed in him."
7. Among the rulers of Yemen, one named Tubba' saw the description of the Prophet (PBUH) in the scriptures, believed in him, and proclaimed his belief with this poem:
"I bear witness to Ahmad, for he is a messenger from Allah. Were I to live long enough to see him, I would be a minister and a cousin to him." That is, "I would be like Ali"
8. Sayf b. Dhiyazan, the ruler of Yemen, learned the description of Allah's Messenger from the earlier scriptures and believed in him. When Abdulmuttalib, the grandfather of Allahs Messenger (PBUH), went to Yemen with some other men from Quraishis, Sayf summoned them and said:
"A child will be born in Hijaz, with a mark between his two shoulders that resembles a seal. He will be the leader of humanity." Then, in private, he told Abdulmuttalib, "You are his grandfather." He thus gave, in a wondrous way, the tidings of Muhammad (PBUH) before his prophethood.
9. Ibn al-Ala, a renowned Christian scholar, gave tidings of Muhammad (PBUH) before his mission had begun and without even seeing him. Later, when he met Allah's Messenger (PBUH), he said:
"By the One Who sent you with the truth, I have found your description in the Gospel of Jesus, and the son of Mary (Maryam) gave glad tidings of your coming."
10. The Negus (Najashi) of Ethiopia said:
"I wish I were in Muhammad's service rather than being a sovereign king. That service is higher than sovereignty."
11. A famous foreteller named Shiqq, who looked very much like half a man with only one eye, one arm and one leg, repeatedly foretold the messengership of Muhammad (PBUH), and his reports have been recorded in history books, with the certainty of tawatur in meaning.
12. The famous foreteller of Damascus, Satih, was a monstrosity; he lacked bones, even limbs, had a face that looked like a part of his breast, and lived a very long life. He was highly reputed for his predictions. In fact, Khusraw, the Persian ruler, once sent him a learned man named Muyzan to ask for the interpretation of a strange dream of Khusraw and the meaning of the collapse of the fourteen pillars of his palace that had occurred on the night of Muhammad's (PBUH) birth. Satih said:
"Fourteen rulers will reign, and then your empire will be utterly destroyed. A man will come with a religion, and will abolish both your religion and empire." In that clear statement, Satih predicted the arrival of the last Prophet.
c- The signs in holy books and pages
Here we will point out from the New Testament (Gospel), the Old Testament (Torah) and Psalms a few examples of verses regarding our Prophet.
The Gospel
1. The first verse from the Gospel: "I am leaving so that He may send you the Paraclete, that is, Ahmad.
2. A second verse from the Gospel: "I ask from my Lord for the Paraclete (he who distinguishes between right and wrong) that he may abide with you forever."
3. The sixteenth chapter and seventh verse of the Gospel of John is as follows: "But I am telling you the truth. My departure is but for your benefit. For, unless I depart, the Comforter will not come."
Now, who else other than Muhammad (PBUH) is to be the true Comforter for humanity? Certainly, he is the one who will save the transient humanity from eternal annihilation and thus comfort it, and he is the one whose coming to the earth has made the whole world proud and thankful.
4. The sixteenth chapter and eighth verse of the Gospel of John: When he comes, he will give the world convincing evidence concerning its sin, concerning goodness and concerning judgment."
Who else other than Muhammad (PBUH) has come to transform the world's mischief into goodness, save humanity from evil deeds and polytheism and revolutionize the politics and rule of the nations of the world?
5. The sixteenth chapter and eleventh verse of the Gospel of John: The decree for the Chief of the World to come has been sent."
Here "the Chief of the World" is certainly Muhammad (PBUH), known as the master of humanity.
6. The twelfth chapter and thirteenth verse of the Gospel of John: But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself, whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak, and he will tell you things to come."
Now that verse is undoubtedly clear. Who is, or who could be, that person other than Muhammad (ASW), who invited the whole of humanity to the truth, whose every statement was based on revelation, who announced whatsoever he received from Gabriel, and who informed humanity in detail about Doomsday and the Hereafter?
7. Again, the Turkish translation of Johns Gospel, Chapter fourteen, and verse thirty is as follows: I shall not speak with you for much longer, for the chief of the world is coming, and I am nothing compared with him. Thus, the title Chief of the World means Glory of the World. And the title of Glory of the World is one of the most famous of Muhammad (PBUH), the Arabians titles.
8. The Gospel also describes him as "wearing a crown." What is meant here is a turban, for in former days it was the Arabs who generally wore headcover with a wrapper around them. Hence, the description refers of a certainty to Muhammad (PBUH).
9. The term Paraclete in the Gospel is defined in Biblical interpretation as "the one who distinguishes good from evil.; he is the person who will lead the humanity of future times to the right.
10. Jesus said in the Gospel, I will go so that the Chief of the World will come.
Who else other than Muhammad (PBUH) had come as the leader of humanity after Jesus, distinguishing good from evil and guiding man? Jesus always gave his followers the good tidings that "One will come, and there will be no longer any need for me. I am a forerunner of his, and bring the good news of his coming." Confirming that, is the following verse from the Qur'an:
"And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said, 'O Children of Israel! I am Allahs Messenger to you, confirming that which was revealed before me in the Torah and bringing the good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad (as-Saff, 61/6).
Certainly, Jesus gave in the Gospel the good news many times, the news that the most significant leader of humanity was to come, and he mentioned him with some names and titles in Syriac and Hebrew that mean, as scholars in the field confirmed, Ahmad, Muhammad, and Fariq (distinguishing between truth and falsehood). That is, Jesus frequently gave the good tidings of Ahmad (PBUH)
The Torah
1. A verse from the Torah: "O Moses, verily I shall send them a Prophet like you, from the sons of Israel, the sons of Ismaeel; I shall place My Word in his mouth, and shall punish whoever does not accept the words of the one who will speak in My Name."
2. Another verse from the Torah: Moses said, 'O Lord! Verily I have found in the Torah the best of Ummahs that will emerge for the benefit of humanity, that will enjoin the good and forbid the wrong, and that will believe in Allah. Let it be my Ummah!' Allah said, 'That is the Ummah of Muhammad.'"
3. Abdullah b. Amr b. As, who made extensive studies of the earlier scriptures, Abdullah b. Salam, who was the earliest to accept Islam from among the famous Jewish scholars, and the famous scholar Ka'b al-Ahbar all pointed in the Torah, which was not then corrupted to its present extent, the following verse, which, after addressing Moses, addresses the Prophet yet-to-come:
"O Prophet, verily We have sent you as a witness, a bearer of glad tidings, a warner and a protection for the unlettered. You are My bondsman, and I have named you 'the reliant on Allah.' You will not be harsh, stem and clamorous in the marketplaces; nor will you requite evil with evil, but instead pardon and forgive. Allah shall not take you unto Himself until you straighten a crooked people by causing them to say, 'There is no god but Allah."(Isaiah 42.)
4. Another verse from the Torah: Muhammad is Allah's Messenger, his birthplace is Makkah, he will emigrate to Tayba, his rule will be in Damascus, and his Ummah will be constantly engaged in praise.
5. The following verse is in the Thirty-Third Section of the Fifth Book of the Torah: "The Lord came from Sinai, rose up unto us from Seir, and shined forth from Mount Paran."
In that verse, with the phrase "the Lord came from Sinai," the prophethood of Moses is mentioned: with the phrase "rose up unto us from Seir" (Seir being the mountains of Damascus) the prophethood of Jesus is indicated. Finally the phrase "He shined forth from Mount Paran" (the Paran mountains being the mountains of Makkah), gives tidings of the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH).
6. Moreover, confirmed by the sentence at the end of Chapter al-Fath, "This is their similitude in the Torah." is the following verse of the Torah concerning the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) who would shine forth from the Paran Mountains: "The flags of the blessed ones will be with him and they will be on his right." In the verse, the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) are described as "the blessed ones," that is, his Companions are blessed, righteous men, the beloved ones of Allah.
The Psalms
1. A verse in the Psalms: O David (Dawood)! A prophet will come after you. His name is Ahmad, Muhammad, Sadiq and Sayyid. His ummah is treated with mercy.
2. The following verse is in the seventy-second section of the Psalms "And he will reign from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. The kings of Yemen and the Islands all will bring their gifts. And to him all the kings will prostrate themselves. All the nations will serve him... And he will live, and in his behalf prayer will be made constantly. All day long he will be praised. His name will prove to be time indefinite. It will continue as long as the sun..."
Those verses clearly describe the Glory of the World, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Since Prophet David who other than Muhammad (PBUH) has come to propagate his religion from East to West, to subject lands to pay tax in his name, to make many rulers obedient in deep adoration for him, and to gain every day the prayers and remembrance of one fifth of the humanity and whose light shines from Madinah? Is there anyone else but him?
The Pages
1. The books of other prophets include names that correspond in Syriac and Hebrew to the various names of the Prophet (PBUH) such as Muhammad, Ahmad and Mukhtar. For example, in the tablets of the Prophet Shu'aib (Jethro) his name is Mushaffaf and means "Muhammad."
2. In the Torah of Moses, he is mentioned as Munhamanna, which again means "Muhammad," and as Himyata, which means "the Prophet of al-Haram." In the Psalms of David, he is named al-Mukhtar. Again in the Torah of Moses, the name is al-Khatam al-Khatam. Both in the Torah of Moses and in the Psalms of David, it is Muqim as-Sunna. In the Pages of Abraham and in the Torah of Moses, he is mentioned as Mazmaz, and again in the Torah of Moses as Ahyad.
Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, "In the Qur'an, my name is Muhammad, in the Gospel Ahmad, and in the Torah Ahyad."(Al Anwarul Muhammadiyya Minal Mawahibil Ladunniyya, p.143)
There are a lot of sections and verses mentioning, with great significance, a prophet that will come in the future in the Torah, Gospel, Psalms and Pages of the other prophets. Who can other than Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), the last Prophet, be that person that is mentioned with great significance and repeatedly by all of those prophets and in the holy books and pages?
To conclude, numerous wonderful events became evident confirming, or causing others to confirm, his prophethood even before he declared his message.
It is quite natural and appropriate that all species of creatures, with their wondrous states, inform the coming of a person who will be the spiritual leader of the world, who will change the inner structure of the world, who will rescue transitory man and jinn from eternal annihilation with the realities of belief he brought.
6.12- THE MIRACLES OF SHAQQ-UL QAMAR (SPLITTING OF THE MOON) AND MIRAJ (ASCENSION)
1. One of the great miracles of Allahs Messenger (PBUH), is the splitting of the moon, that is shaqq-ul qamar. That miracle was related through various channels, to the degree of tawatur, and by the foremost among the Companions such as Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn Abbas, Ibn Umar, Ali, Anas and Hudhayfa. The Qur'an expresses it as follows:
The Hour is nigh and the moon split (al-Qamar, 54/1); the verse announced that great miracle to the world. To that verse, even the stubborn unbelievers of the time could not respond with denial; all that they said was, "It is magic." Thus, the splitting of the moon is certain even from the viewpoint of the unbelievers.
2. As Allah's Messenger (PBUH) showed the inhabitants of the earth the miracle of the splitting of the moon, so too, he showed the inhabitants of the heavens a still greater miracle of his, the 'Night Journey' or the 'Ascension.'
Miraj is the miracle of the ascension of (PBUH) to the presence of God Almighty with his soul and body, which is one of the greatest miracles. That is, it is Hazrat Prophet (PBUH)s ascension to the presence of Allah. In other words, it is his rising above all the rest of the universe, surpassing all beings, and holding a universal, elevated, and all-embracing conversation with the Creator of all beings.
When the Prophet (PBUH) informed Quraishis about his Ascension the following morning, they dismissed it as false, and said, "If you have really traveled to the Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, then describe to us its doors, walls and condition." Allah's Messenger (PBUH) later said:
"I was annoyed by their question and denial in a way that had never happened to me before. Suddenly, Allah Almighty lifted the veil between me and the Masjid al-Aqsa and manifested it to me, so that I looked at it, saw it, and described it." Thus, Quraishis saw that he gives the correct description of Masjid al-Aqsa.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to Quraishis: "On the way I saw a caravan of yours. It will arrive at such and such a time tomorrow." Then, they started to wait for that caravan. The caravan was delayed for an hour. The sun was delayed, as the scholars confirm it, for an hour too in order to confirm Allahs Messenger. That is, the earth and the sun stopped their duty for an hour in order to prove his word.
The earth stops its duty and the sun becomes a witness in order to confirm only one word of Prophet Muhammad. You can understand what the people who do not accept him and do not obey him lose and how fortunate those who say we listened to him and obeyed him are.; say praise be to Allah for the blessings of belief and Islam.
6.13- THE GREATEST MIRACLE: THE GLORIOUS QURAN
The proof of prophethood is only possible by miracles. The greatest miracle of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is the Glorious Quran. It is because the Quran is a miracle that will maintain its uniqueness and wonder from the time it was sent down until the Day of Judgment and a miracle that will live eternally. It is impossible to imitate. The fact that the Quran is a miracle is a reality that was accepted and approved by the Islamic world.
As the art of magic was widespread at the time of Moses, the important miracles that appeared with him were of appropriate nature; and the practice of medicine was prevalent at the time of Jesus, the miracles prevailing then were of the same kind. Similarly, four crafts were in great popularity at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
First: eloquence and fluency in writing.
Second: poetry and oratory.
Third: soothsaying and divination.
Fourth: knowledge about the events of the past and the facts of cosmology.
When the Qur'an came, it challenged at the same time the experts in those four fields.
First, it made the men of eloquence bow down before it. They all listened to it with amazement.
Second, it stunned the poets and orators so that they bit their fingers in astonishment. Their most beautiful poems written in gold were given a blow, and the famous Seven Poems that were placed on the walls of the Kaaba as an object of pride were brought down.
Third, it also silenced the soothsayers and magicians, made them forget about their discoveries of hidden knowledge, resulted in the expulsion of the jinn from the heavens, and brought the process of divination to a certain end.
Fourth, it rescued from myth and fabrications those who were cognizant of the events of bygone times and the facts of cosmology, teaching them the real story of past events and the illuminating knowledge of the facts of creation.
Thus, those four groups bowed down before the Qur'an in astonishment and respect and became its students. None of them ever dared dispute with a single verse of it.
Certainly, they never dared dispute, although the Most Wise Qur'an challenged them continuously for twenty-three years in a way that irritated them and incited their stubborn reaction, saying in effect:
"Bring the like of this Qur'an by means of an unlettered person like Muhammad (PBUH)!
If you cannot do that, let it be not an unlettered person, but the most learned and literary one.
If you cannot do that, let it not be one person, but gather all your learned and eloquent ones and let them help each other. Also invoke the aid of your gods in whom you place trust.
This too you cannot do: so make use of all the books of the highest eloquence that have ever been written and those that are still to be written, ask for their aid, and produce the like of the Qur'an.
Still you cannot produce an equal to the whole Qur'an; so let it be the like of only ten chapters (suras) of it.
If you cannot match any ten suras truly and in all respects, then make them up from baseless stories and imaginative tales, and bring about something that will match only the poetry and eloquence of the Qur'an.
If you still cannot succeed, then bring the like of only one sura.
And not a long one; the equal of any short sura will suffice! Otherwise your religion, your lives and properties will be at stake both in this world and in the hereafter!"
With those eight alternatives, the Qur'an has been challenging and silencing men and jinn, not for twenty-three years, but for more than fourteen centuries. Nonetheless, those unbelievers did not have recourse to the easiest way, that is, open debate, but chose from the beginning the most dreadful way, to wage war, putting in danger their lives and properties and their households. Thus, dispute must certainly have been impossible.
Otherwise no man of wisdom, especially those of the Arabian peninsula of that time and especially those intelligent men of Quraish, would have had resorted to the most difficult way, if any literary man among them had been able to produce the like of a single sura of the Qur'an and thus save them from the attacks of the Qur'an.
In summary, as the famous Jahiz put it, "Dispute by words was impossible, and they had to resort to struggle by the sword.
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10. Universality of the Prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad
10.1. NECESSITY OF MORE THAN ONE PROPHET BEFORE HAZRAT MUHAMMAD
The first man and the first prophet is Hazrat Adam. According to some narrations there were three hundred thousand prophets between Hazrat Adam and the last prophet, Hazrat Muhammad.
The issues like the existence and oneness of Allah, the existence of the hereafter and the angels, which are among the fundamentals of belief, were present in all religions from Hazrat Adam to Hazrat Muhammad and they did not change. Since man did not change in terms of his nature, all of the decrees about man as an individual are generally the same in all religions. Therefore, the fundamentals of ethics are the same in all religions and they do not change.
The need for prophets and books from Allah continued in order to convey men the orders and prohibitions of Allah.
As for social life, it is a necessity, here, that decrees will vary from religion to religion. Since the characters of men who lived in the ancient times were somewhat rude, their experience was less, and their way of living was closer to bedouins, Allah sent religions that contained decrees in accordance with their social lives.
Moreover, since men lived in places very far away from other men and since transport and communication were limited and due to many more reasons, it was impossible for only one prophet to lead them. Therefore, God Almighty sent different prophets to the people living in the same continent in ancient times and the laws of those prophets were different in accordance with their social lives. Sometimes there were even two prophets in one tribe at the same time: for instance, Hazrat Musa and his brother Hazrat Haroon.
10.2- SUPERIORITY OF PROPHETS OVER ONE ANOTHER
Prophets need to be evaluated among themselves in terms of first having the title of prophethood and then their own characteristics and qualities.
In a country, the governor of the biggest city and the governor of the smallest city are equal in terms of having the title of governorship; similarly, prophets are equal in terms of being the messengers of Allah and being worthy of obedience. That issue is explained as follows in some verses:
We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His Messengers." And they say: "We hear and we obey; (We seek) Your forgiveness, Our Lord, and to you is the end of all journeys.". (al-Baqara, 2/285).
They say: "Become Jews or Christians if you would be guided (to salvation)." Say you: "Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham is True, and he joined not gods with Allah.
.. Say you: "We believe, in Allah and the revelation given to us and to Abraham Ismaeel, Isaac Jacob and the Tribes and that given to Moses and Jesus and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord we make no difference between one and another of them and we bow to Allah (in Islam)." (al-Baqara, 2/135-136).
There are differences of grade among prophets in terms of having different characteristic and qualities. God Almighty expresses that reality clearly in these verses:
And it is your Lord that knows best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth: We did bestow on some Prophets more (and other) gifts than on others: and We gave to David (the gift of) the Psalms.(al-Isrâ, 17/55).
Again, Allah Almighty states the following after mentioning the stories of the prophets like Musa, Haroon, and Dawood: Those messengers We endowed with gifts some above others: to one of them Allah spoke; others He raised to degrees (of honour); to Jesus the son of Mary We gave clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit.(al-Baqara, 2/253).
Allah Almighty mentioned some prophets as great prophets due to the extraordinary patience they showed during their duty of tabligh:
Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) messengers of inflexible purpose; and be in no haste about the (Unbelievers). On the Day that they see the (Punishment) promised them, (it will be ) as if they had not tarried more than an hour in a single day(al-Ahqaf, 46/35).
The names of great prophets are listed as follows in a verse:
And remember We took from the Prophets their Covenant: and from you: from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, the son of Mary: We took from them a solemn Covenant (al-Ahzab, 33/7).
10.3- UNIVERSALITY OF THE PROPHETHOOD OF HAZRAT MUHAMMAD
Since Allah Almighty wanted all human beings to learn from a single prophet, He did not send any prophets after Hazrat Eesa (Jesus) for more than five hundred years. Thus, during that period all of the books and messages of the prophets that had previously been sent including the religion brought by Hazrat Eesa were to a large extent forgotten and falsified. Humanity entered the period of interregnum, that is, after Hazrat Eesa until the advent of Hazrat Muhammad human beings were deprived of the truth and reality. There was a great need for a prophet. Meanwhile Allah Almighty sent Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) as the Prophet for all human beings, his message being valid until the Day of Judgment.
The following evidence indicates that the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad is universal:
1. Being sent as a mercy to the worlds: Allah Almighty expresses the universality of the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) as follows:
And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds (al-Anbiyâ, 21/107).
2. Being the last prophet: The fact that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet means that his prophethood is universal. Since there will be no prophets after him, he will be the prophet of all of the human beings that will come to the world until the Day of Judgment. Allah Almighty explains that issue as follows:
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets; and Allah is cognizant of all.(al-Ahzab, 33/40).
Since Islam is the last religion, it needs to be the most perfect and universal religion.
3. Hazrat Prophets defining himself as sayyid of men: Hazrat Prophet will have two kinds of shafaa (intercession) in the Day of Judgment: Firstly, when all people gather in the gathering place, people who are bored and suffocated will apply to their prophets for shafaa so that reckoning will start at once; however, no prophet will dare to do it and they will direct people to Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). Reckoning will start with the shafaa of Hazrat Prophet. Secondly, Allah Almighty will give Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) the authority to do shafaa first for his ummah who believed in him and then for everybody who said La-ilaha illallah = There is no god but Allah. It is understood from the hadith that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) will do shafaa for the ummahs of previous prophets that recognized Allah as one.(1),(2)
Hazrat Prophet explained his situation before Allah Almighty and other people in the gathering place as "I am the master of sons of Adam in the Day of Judgment! Do you know the reason why?
4. The Quran is the greatest miracle of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).(3) The Quran is a universal book. The following is stated in a verse regarding the issue:
It is guidance to those who fear Allah (al-Baqara, 2/2).
In another verse, God Almighty says: Say this Qur'an has been revealed to me by inspiration That I may warn you and all whom it reaches... (al-Anaam, 6/19)
The following is stated in another verse: Verily this Qur'an dos guide to that which is most right (or stable), and give the glad tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a magnificent reward (al-Isra, 17/9).
The fact that the Quran is a universal book indicates that the prophethood of Hazrat Prophet is universal.
5. Hazrat Muhammads (PBUH) acting like a universal prophet: Hazrat Prophet sent envoys to the rulers of Byzantium, Egypt, Abyssinia, Iran, Yamamah and Ghassan and called them to Islam in the seventh year of hijrah. That act of his shows that his prophethood is not local but universal.
6. Abundance and variety of miracles: The fact that Hazrat Muhammads (PBUH) miracles contain all kinds of miracles of the previous prophets and that his greatest miracle, the Quran, contains the fundamentals of the previous heavenly books shows the universality of his prophethood and religion.(4)
7. Miraj (the Ascension) shows that the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is universal. In that sacred journey, he met prophets in the layers of the heaven and the chief angels that were responsible for those layers, and saw many spiritual worlds, primarily Paradise and Hell. Seen in that aspect, Miraj is the inspection of Hazrat Prophet, with the title of the chief of the universe, and taking reports from the angels about their duties and meeting God Almighty on behalf of the world.
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is the master and sayyid of this world. His helpers are the prophets. His students are the saints and the selected people.(5)
10.4. SPIRITUAL PERSONALITY AND UNIVERSALITY OF THE PROPHETHOOD OF HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (PBUH)
Different prophets were sent to people in different times and places so that they would be aware of the divine message. Prophets who were selected by God Almighty from among the people with the most distinguished qualities served as examples for people around them in all aspects with their superior qualities. The chain of prophethood that started with Hazrat Adam was completed with the most perfect link, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
By answering astonishing and hard questions like Where are you coming from and where are you going? What are you going to do in this world? Who is your leader? in a concise, beautiful and perfect manner thanks to the miraculous book in his hand, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) proved that man really deserves to be the caliph (vicegerent) and the most honorable creature on the earth and that he was the chief of this world.
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is no longer an individual; he has become a spiritual personality that represents the whole past and future together with those that embraced Islam and approved that religion. All prophets that form the roots of that spiritual personality indicated and gave good tidings of the cause of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) with their miracles, books and pages. Millions of saints, selected people and truthful people that came after him approved his cause and represented it. Thus, that luminous person became the head of the chain of zikr (remembrance of Allah) that includes the previous prophets and chiefs and the saints and selected people that came after him.
That luminous person (PBUH) conveyed the religion he brought to all jinn and people in Madinah, he became the imam of all of the believers in the pulpit of Makkah, and the earth became like a mosque for him.
Thus, his light embraced all parts from east to the west and from the past eternity to future eternity; he was an individual but thanks to the religion of Islam he brought, he became a collective personality.
In conclusion, the fact that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is the imam of all of the believers, the preacher for all jinn and people, the chief of all of the previous prophets, the head of the chain of all saints and selected people that the religion he brought is general that he shows a spiritual personality is the greatest proof of his universality.
(1)For hadiths that give more detailed information about the issue, see: Bukhari, Anbiyâ 3, 8, Tafseer, Bani İsrail 5: Muslim, Eeman 327, (194); Tirmizi, Qiyamah, 11, (2436). (2)For hadiths that give more detailed information about the issue, see: Bukhari, Tawheed 36, 37, Tafsir, Baqara 1, Riqâq 51; Muslim, Eeman 322, (193). (3)Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, Sözler (Words) (25th Word, Conclusion) (20th Word, An Important Point). (4)Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, Mektubat (Letters) (19th Letter, Âyetül-Kübrânın 16. Meselesi, 4.). (5)Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, Sözler (Words) (11th word.)
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7. Tabligh (Conveying, proclaiming) Method of Hazrat Muhammad
ما على الرسول إلا البلاغ
The Messenger's duty is but to proclaim (al-Maeda, 5/ 99).
7.1- WHAT IS TABLIGH?
Tabligh is the proclaiming of the prophets the orders that they receive from Allah to men truly, without changing them.
Allah states the following in the Glorious Quran:
يَاأَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ وَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ
"O Messenger! proclaim the (Message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His Mission (al-Maeda, 5/67).
In another verse, Allah orders Hazrat Prophet as follows:
ادع إلى سبيل ربك بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة وجادلهم بالتي هي أحسن
Invite (all) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Lord knows, best who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
It is stated in that verse that tabligh should be done with wisdom and beautiful preaching and that they should be struggled against in the best way.
7.2- CALL WITH WISDOM
Wisdom is the divine purpose in the universe and creation; it is a short saying beneficial for ethics and reality. Wisdom is also defined as a valuable attribute arising from the merger of science and gentleness. In other words, it is the coherence in the mind, word and action. Therefore, it is essential that the words to be uttered in tabligh should be reasonable and done by the speaker.
In a verse in the Glorious Quran, the following is stated, He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit overflowing "(al-Baqara, 269 ).
What is meant here is this : O Prophet, convey the truth that is sent down to you by Allah to men in the way Allah orders you.
Doubtlessly, it is Allah who chooses and educates prophet. Allah informed them about how to do tabligh. One of those methods is to do tabligh and to call with wisdom.
7.3- CALL WITH BEAUTIFUL PREACHING
We see that in the tabligh of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH), beautiful preaching and sweet talk are prevalent. There are many examples of it in his life.
One day, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) was with his companions. Suddenly, a young man appeared and said the following immodestly:
-O the Messenger of Allah! I want to be friends with such and such woman and to have sexual intercourse with her." The companions of the Prophet got very angry. Some of them wanted to beat and to drive away that young person out of fury. Some of them started to shout because the young man had spoken immodestly. Our Prophet said;
- Leave that young man and called him to come near to him. He made the young man to sit down in such a way that the young mans knees touched his knee:
— He asked: O young man, would you like someone to commit adultery with your mother? Do you think you will like it?" The young man answered:
— No. O Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah said:
— Then, the children of that woman would not like it, either. Then, the Messenger of Allah asked:
— If somebody wanted to commit adultery with your sister, would you agree to it?" The young man said:
— No, never!
— Then, nobody would like it, the Prophet said. Then Hazrat Prophet put his hand on the bosom of that young man and prayed as follows:
— O Allah! Make the heart of this young man pure. Maintain his virtue and honor; forgive his sins.(Ahmad b. Hanbal, V, 256.)
There are a lot of examples like that in the life of the Prophet.
7.4- BEST WAY OF STRIVING
Allah stated the best way of striving as follows:
" And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender." (al-Ankaboot, 29/46).
Our Prophet (PBUH) had borrowed 30 dinars from a Jew for a fixed term.
One day before the term, the Jew came over to the Prophet (PBUH) and said:
- "O Muhammad, pay your debt! You, the sons of Abdulmuttalib, always delay your debt and extend the term!" Hazrat Umar said to him:
- "O Jew! I swear by Allah, if you were not in the house of the Messenger of Allah, I would blow your eye out!" Our Prophet (PBUH) said to Hazrat Umar:
- May Allah forgive you, O Umar! We expected a different behavior from you. You should have told me to pay my debt in a nice way and you should have helped him to collect his money by advising him to behave more gently when demanding his money. That gentle behavior of our Prophet (PBUH) confirmed the information that the Jew had learned about the Prophet (PBUH) in the Torah. Our Prophet (PBUH) told the Jew:
- "O Jew! My debt will be due tomorrow morning!". Then, he turned to Hazrat Umar and said:
- "O Umar! Go to the date orchard with him! If he likes, give him dates as much as I owe him and give some extra dates. When you give him, say Im giving you that amount as extra! If he does not like it, give him more from the orchard! The Jew went to the orchard and liked it. Hazrat Umar gave him the amount of the dates that our Prophet (PBUH) told him to give. He also gave him the extra amount. When the Jew took the dates, he said:
- "I witness that; there is no god but Allah! And Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah!". Then he added that he saw that the Prophet had all the attributes, especially the attribute of gentleness and that he behaved like that only to understand it. Then, he said to Hazrat Umar:
- "Be a witness that I am giving away all of those dates and also some of my properties to some of the poor Muslims He and all of the people in his family except one became Muslims.
In a hadith, Hazrat Prophet said; I only proclaim the message, it is Allah who guides people to the true path.(Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, IV, 101.)
7.5. PHASES IN
THE TABLIGH OF HAZRAT PROPHET
فَاصْدَعْ بِمَا تُؤْمَرُ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
So proclaim that which you are commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters " (al-Hijr, 15/ 94).
The Messenger of Allah, who was appointed as a prophet, carried out the duty of calling to Islam secretly for a while; three years later, he started to call people to Islam openly when Allah ordered him to do so.
7.5.1- Secret Tabligh
Hazrat Prophet called his wife Khadija to believe first. Our Prophet was very glad when Hazrat Khadija became a Muslim without any hesitation.
One day, Hazrat Ali saw Hazrat Prophet and his wife Khadija praying. He watched them in admiration and asked them, what is it?, when the prayer ended.
Hazrat Prophet said: "O Ali, this is the religion that Allah chose and liked. I call you to believe in Allah, who is unique, and advise you to avoid worshipping Lat and Uzza, who can neither do good to nor harm people.
In response to that offer, Hazrat Ali said:
It is something I have never seen or heard before. I cannot say anything before asking my father, Abu Talib.
However, Hazrat Prophet had not received the order of openly proclaiming his cause yet. Therefore, he warned Hazrat Ali:
O Ali! he said. If you want, do what I have told you. If not, keep what you have seen and heard a secret. Do not tell anyone anything!
Ali b. Abu Talib promised that he would keep it as a secret upon the warning. He spent that night thinking. He went before the Messenger of Allah and said, Allah did not ask Abu Talib when He created me, so why should I ask him to pray Him and he became a Muslim.
Hazrat Ali, who received the honor of becoming the first child to embrace Islam, was ten years old then.
Then Zaid b. Haritha and Hazrat Abu Bakr embraced Islam.
Hz Prophet proclaimed Islam secretly for three years after he was chosen as a prophet. In the house of Hazrat Arqam in the foot of Safa Hill, he read the Quran, performed prayers and conveyed Islam to people who came there.
7.5.2- Open Tabligh
At the end of the third year, the verse; And admonish your nearest kinsmen[ash-Shuara, 214> ordered Hazrat Prophet to do tabligh openly and start from his relatives. Upon receiving that verse, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) told Ali; Prepare a meal with meat for one person and fill a vessel with milk. Then summon sons of Abdulmuttalib; I will talk to them.
The next morning, forty-five of his relatives including two women gathered in the house of Abu Talib. After they had a meal, Hazrat Prophet wanted to talk but due to the harsh reaction and insult of Abu Lahab, people left the house before Hazrat Prophet could convey his message.
After that abortive feast, Hazrat Prophet held a second feast and gathered his relatives through Hazrat Ali. After the meal, he stood up and started to speak as follows:
Praise is only for Allah. I praise Him. I ask only His help. I believe in Him and I trust Him. I know doubtlessly that and I inform you that there is no god but Allah. He is unique, he has no partners.
Then, he explained his purpose as follows:
A person who was sent to look for a meadow would not tell lies to his family. I swear by Allah that even if told lies to all people, I wouldnt lie to you. Even if I deceived all people, I wouldnt deceive you.
I call you to believe in Allah, who is the only god. I am His prophet sent to you and all human beings. He added;
I swear by Allah that you will die as you fall asleep. You will be revived as you wake up from sleep and will be reckoned for your deeds. You will be rewarded for your good deeds and punished for your bad deeds. . It is either staying in Paradise or Hell continuously. You are the first people that I warn about the torture of Hell.
Later, the Prophet started to inform everybody about his religion upon the arrival of this verse; "Therefore expound openly what you are commanded, and turn away from those who join false gods with Allah." (al-Hijr, 15/94).
One day, he stepped on a high stone in Safa Hill and called out to Makkans; O Quraishis, come here and gather together, I have some important news for you!
They wondered and asked, O Muhammad! Why did you gather us here? What are you going to tell us? Hazrat Prophet said;
O Quraishis! If I told you that there were horsemen of enemies behind that mountain or in that valley and that they would attack you, would you believe in me?
They all said, Yes, we would believe in you. We have always heard the truth from you so far. You were not even accused of telling lies.
Then, Hazrat Prophet called the names of each Quraish tribe and said; Then, I inform you about a great torture to come. Allah ordered me to admonish my nearest kinsmen. I call you to say, Allah is unique; there is no god but Him. I am his slave and messenger. If you accept what I say, I will guarantee and assure you to go to Paradise. You should know very well that I cannot do you any good either in this world or in the hereafter unless you say Allah is unique; there is no god but Him.
Thus, Hazrat Prophet started to do open tabligh.
Calling Nations and Tribes to Islam
In the seventh year of hijrah, a ten-year peace treaty was signed with Quraishis. Meanwhile, Hazrat Prophet called rulers and tribe chiefs to Islam by writing them letters.
The letter sent to Abyssinian Ruler, Najashi (Negus) is as follows:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Negus Al-Ashama, the king of Abyssinia
Peace be upon him who follows true guidance. Salutations, I entertain Allahs praise, there is no god but He, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Source of peace, the Giver of peace, the Guardian of faith, the Preserver of safety.
I bear witness that Jesus, the son of Mary, is the spirit of Allah and His Word which He cast into Mary, the virgin, the good, the pure, so that she conceived Jesus. Allah created him from His spirit.
I call you to Allah Alone with no associate and to His obedience and to follow me and to believe in that which came to me, for I am the Messenger of Allah.
I invite you and your men to Allah, the Glorious, the All-Mighty.
I hereby bear witness that I have communicated my message and advice. I invite you to listen and accept my advice. Peace be upon him who follows true.
The letter of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) was read in the presence of Negus. Negus stood up from his throne and sat down on the floor with modesty and said:
- If I had the opportunity to go to him, I would definitely go. I witness by Allah that he is the Prophet that the People of the Book have been waiting for. Seeing him through eyes is not more satisfactory than this glad tiding. However, I have very few helpers from the Abyssinians. I am waiting for my helpers to increase and for their hearts warm towards Islam.
Negus wrote a letter replying the letter of the Prophet and sent it to him with many presents.
7.5.3- Gradualism in Tabligh
One of the methods that we see in the tabligh of Hazrat Prophet is gradualism. It is the most appropriate behavior for the human psychology.
The Glorious Quran was sent down in accordance with that principle too. It is one of the wisdoms that the Quran was sent down in twenty-three years. That principle is valid in the sending down the verse of alcohol; that principle is also valid in terms of the difference between the verses sent down in Madinah and those sent down in Makkah. Allah states that he will not lay on human beings a burden greater than they have strength to bear. The religion that started with Hazrat Adam evolved gradually and reached its peak with Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
It is very difficult to change the customs and traditions of a society. One of the ways to overcome that difficulty is acting gradually. All prophets used that method.
Now, let us have a look at the samples of gradual education.
Hazrat Prophet gave Muaz the following advice when he sent Muaz to Yemen. "You are going to a tribe from the People of the Book. Call them to witness that there is no god but Allah and that I am his messenger. If they agree to it, tell them Allah orders to perform five prayers a day. If they agree to it too, tell them Allah prescribed the rich to pay zakat to the poor. If they agree to it too, do not take the best of their possessions. Beware the curse of the oppressed because there is no veil between the curse of the oppressed and Allah."(Bukhari, Zakat, Ibn Majah, Zakat.)
Here Hazrat Prophet advised Muaz b. Jabal to follow gradualism while conveying the orders of the religion.
7.5.4- Appealing to the Addressed People in Tabligh
It is one of the tabligh methods of Hazrat Prophet to treat men in accordance with their minds and levels. He forgave the crudeness of the Bedouins; he treated people in accordance with their positions. He joked with children and treated them in accordance with their levels.(Abu Dawood, Adab 23.)
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) sometimes gave different answers to the questions asked. It was because he took into consideration the state of the person he addressed. For instance when someone asked what is the most virtuous form of worship?, he said the prayer performed in time whereas he answered another person as obeying ones parents.
7.5.5- Displaying a Gentle Attitude
One of the most important properties of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in his tabligh was that he never assumed a harsh attitude. He never treated anybody harshly. He always treated people sweetly, softly, politely and gently. He even said that Allah did not like the people who treated their family and people around them harshly.
Regarding the issue, this message is given to our Prophet when the story of Hazrat Musa is told through the Quran: But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah) (Taha, 20/44).
The fact that Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) is reminded that people would break away from about him if he were harsh-hearted shows how delicate the duty of tabligh is (Aal-e Imran, 3/159).
Our mother, Hazrat Aisha, said that Hazrat Prophet had sent her an ill-tempered camel that was not used as a riding camel and said:
"O Aisha, treat the camel gently. If gentleness is present in something, it makes that thing ornamented. If it is absent, it makes that thing ugly."(Abu Dawood, Jihad, 1.)
7.5.6- Sending Teachers and Instructors
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) were interested in the tribes that came to Makkah for hajj, met them and conveyed them Islam. In one of those visits, in a place called Aqabah, he met some people who had come from Madinah. When he told them about Islam, they became very interested and asked for some more information.
When those people came for hajj again the next year, they asked for a teacher who would tell them about Islam in Madinah. Upon that request, our Prophet sent Hazrat Mus'ab to Madinah.
Our Prophet also sent Muaz b. Jabal to Yemen in the ninth year of hijrah in order to teach people the Glorious Quran. Before the journey, Hazrat Prophet gave him some advice about how to do tabligh.
5.1. FIRST ACTIVITIES IN
MADINAH AND MASJID NABAWI
The tribes of Aws and Khazraj forgot about the fight between them and the enmity that brought about misfortunes thanks to Islamic brotherhood. They were all called "Ansar" (Helpers) because they helped Islam. The believers who abandoned their countries, the places they were born, were called "Muhajirs" (Emigrants).
Immediately after the Messenger of Allah arrived in Madinah, the construction of a mosque started and Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) himself worked in the construction. The land that the mosque (Masjid Nabawi) was built on belonged to two brothers. Those brothers granted the land but Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) ordered his companions to pay for the land because those two brothers were orphans.
The most important thing after the construction of the mosque was the setting up of a brotherhood between Ansar and Muhajirs. A muhajir without a house was made brothers with a person from Ansar of Madinah; and the person from Ansar shared his house and properties with his muhajir brother.
Enemies of Muslims
There were three groups of enemies against Prophet.
First Group: They were Quraishis who lived in Makkah and did not believe in him. They were the greatest enemies of Muslims from the beginning. Our Prophet tried to guide them through nice words while he was in Makkah. However, since their enmity and aggression went on after hijrah, Muslims had to use weapons against them.
Second Group: They were impartial people. They were waiting to see what would happen in the end. Some of them, like Bani Huzaa, liked Muslims. Others, like the tribe of Bani Bakr, did not want Muslims to progress.
Third Group: They were Jewish tribes that made peace and signed contracts with Muslims. Bani Qurayza, Bani Nadir and Bani Qaynuqa were in that group. They had made a contract with Hazrat Prophet in the first year of hijrah. They had promised not to attack Muslims. In return, they would carry out their religious ceremonies freely and their properties and lives would be protected. However, they did not keep their promise. They worked against Muslims.
Apart from the three groups mentioned above, there was another group, the Group of Munafiqs. They were Muslims seemingly but they worked against Islam secretly and caused disturbance. "Abdullah ibni Ubayy ibni Salul" from the tribe of Khazraj and Haris ibni Suhayl" from the tribe of Aws were from that group.
Permission for our Prophet to make jihad
As it is known, our Prophet is mercy for all of the worlds. He wanted to make humanity live in a brotherly order and edify them. He tried to enlighten people who were in the darkness of ignorance with the lights of hidayah (guidance). Therefore, he gave his tribe very nice advice. He treated them with lenience and sweetness for thirteen years. Unfortunately, most of them did not appreciate that happy life. They did not give up attacking Muslims. Eventually, they made Muslims leave their hometown. However, that was not sufficient for them. They provoked other tribes against Muslims. They did not refrain from insulting the honor Muslims by using some poets.
It was the first year of hijrah. Allah permitted Muslims to make jihad. Allah permitted Muslims to use force against those who wanted to eliminate Islam. Upon that permission, a lot of battles were fought, troops were sent to fight enemies. They were carried out in order to protect the existence of Islam. The battles that our Prophet himself took part in were called ghazwa. A small group of soldiers that set out for a battle under the commandment of a sahaba was called a Sariyya. A Sariyya means a distinguished military unit consisting of between five and four hundred soldiers.(1)
5.2- BATTLE OF BADR
Before Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) got permission from Allah to fight his enemies, Quraish had been in the battlefield. The Messenger of Allah, who had never used a weapon before, who always felt sorrow for the humanity that was dragged to misfortunes, who cried when his children or friends died, had to act in accordance with the circumstances.
The allies of Makkan people started to attack the places around Madinah, to destroy the fruit trees of Muslims and to take away the herds of Muslims. An armed and fully equipped army, under the commandment of Abu Jahl set out in order to eliminate Muslims and to protect a convoy that brought weapons and equipment. Muslims were informed about the act of polytheists. About 300 Muslims went to the valley of Badr, which was the destination of Abu Jahl and aimed to invade a vantage point that would overlook the army of the polytheists. When Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) saw the army of unbelievers proceeded towards the valley, he raised his hands towards the sky and made a very emotional prayer. "O Lord!" he said, "We expect to be victorious. O Lord! If this small congregation is destroyed, there will remain nobody on earth to pray you."
The angels in the sky had come down to help Muslims. Muslims, who witnessed the power of Allah in every stage of life, saw the angels that ran in the waves of wind to help them and that brought them the victory of Allah. In fact, Makkans were driven back suffering great losses. Several leaders of them were killed. Abu Jahl was one of those that were killed.
Seventy people from the enemy were killed, and about seventy people were taken prisoners. Fourteen Muslims were martyred. Some of the prisoners that were taken were released in return for money and some freely, without any money. Some of them were freed on condition that they would teach ten children of Ansar to write. Our Prophet did not give consent to killing the prisoners.
5.3- BATTLE OF SAWIQ
As soon as Quraishi prisoners of war returned their homeland, Abu Sufyan set out with two hundred horsemen and promised not to return unless they took revenge from Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions. When Abu Sufyan arrived at a place a few kilometers away from Madinah, he attacked the Muslims who had made no preparations and they plundered the date trees of Muslims. Then, Muslims made preparations and answered back Makkan polytheists; they turned and ran away. Since they threw away their bags full of roasted flour in order to decrease their load, that battle was called Sawiq Battle
Meanwhile, an interesting event took place. One day, Hazrat Prophet was sleeping under a tree a bit further away from his headquarters. He suddenly woke up upon a noise. He saw an Arab polytheist with a sword in his hand. He said;
-"O Muhammad, who will save you from me now?" Hazrat Prophet said, without any hesitation;
- "Allah". On hearing that answer, the heart of the wild bedouin filled with fear and chill. He shivered and his sword fell down. This time, Hazrat Prophet grabbed the sword and asked him:
-"Who will save you from me now?" The poor bedouin said;
- "I swear by Allah nobody can save me". Hazrat Prophet said:
- "Then, learn to be merciful from me." The heart of the bedouin polytheist became tender. Later, that person became one of the closest companions of Hazrat Prophet.
5.4- BATTLE OF UHUD
That battle took place in the third year of hijrah. Makkan polytheists started to prepare in order to take revenge for the defeat of Badr. In a short time, they collected 3000 armed and fully equipped warriors. 700 of them had armors and their aim was to take revenge for the defeat of Badr. In addition, they received support from the tribes around Makkah.
The army, under the commandment of Abu Sufyan, established headquarters in the Northeast of Madinah. Meanwhile, they started to destroy the vineyards and orchards of Madinah people.
Meanwhile, our Prophet had a dream. He saw in his dream that a cow was slaughtered, a hole was opened in his sword called Zulfiqar, he put on a sound armor and he put his hand in the collar of that armor. He interpreted that dream as: "The slaughtered cow denotes that some of my companions will be martyred; the whole in my sword denotes that someone from my family will be martyred; and the sound armor denotes Madinah." He added, "Therefore, we should not leave Madinah. If the enemy attacks, we will defend."
Since Madinah was like a castle with the buildings and walls surrounding it, that strategy would be appropriate. However, some young people who were not present in the Battle of Badr wanted to fight the enemy and take part in the jihad. Hazrat Hamza, the lion of Allah, did not want to be remain closed in Madinah. Therefore, our Prophet decided to go out of Madinah and put on two armors, one over the other. He also took his sword.
Those who put forward ideas that were contrary to the Prophets regretted doing so and said:
- "O Messenger of Allah! We are subject to you. We will do whatever you order." However, Hazrat Prophet said:
- "It is not appropriate for a prophet to return without fighting after putting on his armor and being equipped with weapons. Then, he went out of the city with a force of one thousand people.
300 munafiqs (hypocrites) from the Jews lead by Abdullah bin Ubayy returned. Thus, the number of people under the commandment of Hazrat Prophet decreased to 700. There were only two cavalrymen in the army.
However, that mujahid group proceeded despite everything. They arrived at the foot of Mount Uhud. They spent the night there. In the morning, after the prayer, they put on their weapons and went down to the plain. Hazrat Prophet invaded the region under Mount Uhud. He placed a group of archers (about 50) in the mouth of a river in a high place behind the soldiers and told them not to leave that place, to shoot the cavalrymen of the enemy and protect the back side of the Muslims.
At the end of the battle, the enemy was defeated and started to run away. The soldiers under the commandment of Abdullah thought the enemy was defeated completely and wanted to follow the enemy and to collect booty. They did not obey their commander and left their place. When the enemy saw it, they attacked the left side of the Muslim army from that stream. Suddenly Muslim army was defeated. Meanwhile a lot of sahaba including Hazrat Hamza were martyred.
Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar were seriously injured. However, all of the attempts of the polytheists concentrated on Hazrat Prophet (PBUH). Hazrat Prophet had been separated from the main block of the army and became the primary target of the attackers.
Sahaba started to become martyrs one by one. Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) was injured. Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) saw that an affection flowing from the belief of Muslims surrounded him while blood was flowing from his wounds. Therefore, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) congratulated the hands that forgot about their own wounds and tried to stop the bleeding in his forehead. The mujahids who fought hopelessly in the center under the commandment of Hazrat Ali managed to reach a point on the mountain and escaped the attack of the enemy.
Since Quraishis were very tired, they could neither attack Madinah nor follow the mujahids on top of Mount Uhud. Polytheists left Madinah after they destroyed the bodies of the Muslims who were martyred. Abu Sufyans wife Hind and other Quraishi women broke the heart of Hazrat Hamza into pieces and bit it; they also made earrings and bracelets from the ears and noses of the other martyrs, presenting the ugliest way of barbarity. Doubtlessly, the barbarity that Quraishis carried out on the martyrs of Muslims distressed Muslims extremely. However, the tender heart of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) surpassed the ache in his heart and said, "Put up with the evils they committed. Patience is the best way." The tradition of destroying the bodies of the death people that dated back to former times was absolutely banned by Islam from then on.
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) appointed a group of mujahids to follow the army of the polytheists after he returned to Madinah. His aim was to inform them that Muslims, who did not win the battle, were not psychologically defeated. When Abu Sufyan understood that they were being followed, he killed two people from Madinah that he met on the way and ran quickly towards Makkah. Abu Sufyan informed Allahs Messenger that he would return to Madinah soon in order to kill Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions. The answer of the Messenger of Allah to that news was: "For us Allah suffices. He is the best guardian."
The moral and spiritual effects of the Battle of Uhud on the enemy groups caused the bedouins around to attack the lands of Madinah. However, thanks to the measures taken by Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) most of those attacks were repulsed.
5.5- BATTLE OF KHANDAQ
Battle of Khandaq took place in the fifth year of hijrah. Quraishis, along with some other tribes, formed an army of more than ten thousand people and proceeded to Madinah.
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) held a consultation with sahabas. Upon the advice of Salman Farisi, they dug a ditch around the city of Madinah in the direction that the enemy would come and assumed a position of defense. Our Prophet (PBUH) worked together with his friends to dig the ditch.
They finished digging the ditch in two weeks. Then, the enemy started to appear. However, they were astonished to see the ditch in front of them. They had never seen that kind of defense in Arabia before. Those who wanted to cross the ditch were prevented by arrows and stones. An enemy soldier, Amr Ibn Abdi Wud, who managed to cross the ditch and who was regarded to be equal to a division of soldiers, started to challenge Muslims. He asked somebody to challenge him and fight him. (Hazrat Ali May Allah grant him honor) challenged him and killed him.
The siege lasted for fifteen days. It was very cold. The enemy started to be frustrated. One night, during a storm, their tents were overturned. The next day, they went away. Muslims took the food and the camels that they left and got rid of the dearth of food. During the Battle of Khandaq, five Muslims were martyred, and four enemy soldiers were killed.
5.6- THE CHARTER HAZRAT PROPHET GAVE TO CHRISTIANS
Meanwhile, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) sent a charter to the monks in Saint Catherines Monastery near Mount Sinai and to all Christians. That charter is the highest and noblest document of tolerance of religious content recorded in the history of the world. That tremendous document that the history of Islam recorded with confidence expresses a tolerant and liberal approach. It can be explained as follows:
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) provided Christians with the interests and protection that their co-religionist rulers could not provide and proclaimed that any Muslim that violated the items of that chart would be regarded to have broken his promise to Allah and violated the true religion. Hazrat Prophet undertook the protection of Christians, the defense of the settlements that their churches and priests were present and the protection of Christians from all kinds of losses in the land of Islam; in addition, he charged Muslims with the application of those principles. According to that chart, no tax contrary to justice would be loaded on Christians; no priest would be driven out of the church he served; no Christian would be compelled to change his religion; no monk would be driven out of his monastery and no pilgrim would be prevented from going on his way. Furthermore, no church would be pulled down in order to make a mosque or houses.
5.7- TREATY OF HUDAYBIYA
Six years had passed after Hazrat Prophet (PBUH), who gave a new spirit to Makkan muhajirs and aroused the feelings of love, unity and fraternity among them, and his companions left their homeland for the sake of their religion. People from all over Arabia came there in order to listen to that great prophet and they consulted with him about all of their issues. Although muhajirs made new friends in Madinah, they all longed for Makkah, the place where they were born. They had been separated from their hometown and found a place to shelter. However, the fact that they had been expelled from the Kaaba and had been deprived of making the worship of hajj for six years distressed them greatly. Allahs Messenger (PBUH) longed for Makkah, the place where he was born, and especially the Kaaba with the same desires and wishes.
Hajj season approached. Hazrat Prophet expressed that he intended to make hajj. The sahabas accepted it gladly. The started to make preparations at once; Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) set out with 700 unarmed people from Ansar and Muhajirs. However, the enmity of Quraishis towards Muslims was still active. Therefore, Quraishi troops were deployed in a place a few kilometers away from Makkah in order to block Muslims way and then they wanted to block all of the ways to Makkah. All of the Makkans came to an agreement not to let Muslims in; and they treated the envoy that was sent to them to get permission to enter Makkah badly.
Then, a group of Makkans came to the place where Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) had stopped and told him that any Muslim that proceeded to Makkah could be killed. Those impertinent polytheists were so insolent as to throw arrows and stones at Hazrat Prophet (PBUH).
When Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) realized that the polytheists could not be persuaded, he tended to sign a treaty with polytheists in order to end the state of war between Muslims and Quraishis by accepting all of the items that Makkans put forward. Eventually, after a lot of distress, the treaty was signed and the enmity was suspended for ten years. The treaty included very hard items for Muslims. According to those hard items, those who joined the group of Hazrat Prophet from Quraishis without getting permission would be returned to Quraishis but those who joined Quraishis from Muslims would not be returned. The tribes that wanted to make allies with Quraishis or Muslims were free to return criminals. According to the treaty, Muslims would return to Madinah without making hajj that year but could visit Makkah for hajj the next year and could stay for only three days. During those three days, they could have their swords with them but only in their sheaths. That treaty is known as the Treaty of Hudaybiya since it was signed in the place called Hudaybiya.
5.8-LETTERS CALLING TO ISLAM
When Hazrat Prophet returned to Madinah, he sent envoys to the neighboring rulers to call their people to Islam, based on the revelation he received, informing that Islam would be accepted by the whole mankind. Especially two of those envoys were very important. One of them had been sent to the Kaiser of Byzantium, Heracles and the other to the Khusraw of Iran, Parviz. However, we will mention the reactions that three rulers showed against those letters calling to Islam here:
1- Reaction of Iran
The Shah of Iran (in his own words the Shah of the Shahs) regarded it as insolence that a Makkan muhajir addressed him as if he was equal to him, a great Khusrawh. As the letter that had been presented to Khusraw infuriated him, he tore the letter of the Messenger of Allah into pieces throwing them on the ground and he ordered the envoy away by insulting him. When the news of the insolence to the envoy of Hazrat Prophet reached Madinah, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) said calmly: The country of Khusraw will be torn to pieces like that."
2- Reaction of Byzantium
Byzantium king, Heracles, met the envoy of Hazrat Prophet more respectfully and gave a decent answer. However, Heracles wanted to know the person who wrote the letter before he proceeded to Syria. Therefore, he sent for some Arab merchants who were in Gazza. Abu Sufyan, who was the most merciless enemy of Islam, was among them. The answers given to the questions of Heracles helped Heracles to understand Islam truly.
3- Reaction of the Amir of Gassan
One of the envoys of Hazrat Prophet was sent to the Amir of Gassan, one of the feudal lords of Heracles. The Amir of Gassan lived in Busra (today in Jordan) near Damascus. Let alone receiving a welcome as an envoy, the envoy of the Prophet was martyred by the chief of a tribe subject to Byzantium. That murder, which was regarded as an impact on the international responsibility and courtesy, became the cause of the wars that made Muslims come into conflict with all Christians.
5.9 - KHYBER
In spite of the great defeat that they received, the Jews had great hatred and animosity against Muslims and they attempted various plots in order to eradicate Islam. There was a fertile place in the northeast of Madinah, at a three day-distance to Madinah, full of strong castles and belonging to the Jews. All of those castles were called Khyber. Khyber means a strong place. Among the people of Khyber, there were families from the tribes of Bani Nadr and Bani Qurayza who took shelter there. The Jews of Khyber had great animosity against Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions. Especially after the joining of Bani Nadr and Bani Qurayza, their hatred and enmity got stronger and more merciless.
In the seventh year of hijrah, in the month of Muharram, a troop of 1400 people was sent to Khyber. The Jews wanted help from their allies but their allies did not help them fearing that Muslims could harm them if they helped. Thus, The Jews of Khyber had to fight alone. The castles of the Jews were seized by Muslims despite their intense defense. Now, the next one was al-Qamus, their strongest castle. After their intense defense, it was seized by Muslims too. Upon the seizure of the castle al-Qamus, the Jews saw that their defense was no good. Then, they applied the Messenger of Allah in order to be pardoned. Allahs Messenger (PBUH) pardoned them. Muslims left their land and estate to them on condition that they would treat Muslims well; they were also given full liberty to carry out their religion freely. However, since the people of Khyber were exempt from paying the taxes that Muslim paid, they paid half of the crops they collected from their land as tax.
5.10- BATTLE OF MUTA
In the eight year of hijrah, our Prophet sent a letter to the governor of Busra by Haris Ibn Umair. When Haris arrived at a place called Muta, near Damascus, he was killed by Shurahbil, one of the commanders of the Byzantium Kaiser. Therefore, an army of 3000 people was sent against Shurahbil. Gathering his forces, Shurahbil attacked Muslims near the village of Muta, not very far away from Balqa, Syria, where the envoy had been killed. It was heard that the Kaiser had an army consisting more than one thousand soldiers. There was an intense battle. In the end, the enemy army was defeated and had to withdraw. Hazrat Khalid took advantage of the situation and turned to Madinah with the Muslim army.
The first battle of Muslims against Romans was the Battle of Muta. In that war, three thousand Muslims defeated one hundred thousand Byzantines.
5.11- CONQUEST OF MAKKAH
In the eighth year of hijrah, Quraishis violated the Treaty of Hudaybiya by attacking some tribes that were under the protection of Muslims and the allies of Muslims.
Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) left for Makkah with 10 000 mujahids in order to put an end to the oppression, suppression and the aggression of the polytheists. Our Prophet gave the following order to his commanders: You will never fight unless you are resisted or attacked. You will not kill anybody. Muslims entered Makkah, the homeland of the Prophet, without much resistance.
The fate of the cruel and merciless enemies that overwhelmed humanity because of the tortures they inflicted on innocent people and even the dead bodies was in the hands of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). However, the moment that Muslims gained the victory, all of the troubles and tortures that were suffered up to then were forgotten and a general amnesty was declared for the people of Makkah.
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), who was a refugee and oppressed once, would go on his duty of prophethood with amnesty and tolerance.
The Muslim army maintained the line that the Messenger of Allah determined. No house was plundered; no woman was insulted. The Muslim army defeated the Makkan polytheists, the most terrifying enemy of Islam, calmly. All of the idols were turned upside down; now, truth arrived, and falsehood perished. All of the polytheists saw how impotent their idols were by their own eyes and closely. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) made the following speech addressing the people who gathered near the gate of the Kaaba:
There is no God but Allah. He has no partners. He kept His promise and held his slave. He devastated the enemy that came together alone. You should know that everything that was a source of pride belonging to the era of jahiliyyah (ignorance), feuds and fighting are under my feet and they were all abolished. All men were created out of Hazrat Adam, and Adam was created out of the dust of the ground. Then, he recited the following verses:
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (al-Hujurat, 49/13).
After reciting those verses of the Quran, he asked them: O people of Quraish, how do you think I will treat you?. They all said, With pardon and tolerance.... When he heard them say so, the Prophets eyes watered and said: "Today I will say you what Hazrat Yousuf told his brothers. I will not hold you responsible. May Allah forgive and mercy you. He is the most merciful of those that are merciful. You are all free.
The conquest that was unmatched in the history of the world took place like that. Men embraced Islam in groups. Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) sat on Mount Safa and took the pledge that he had taken from the people of Madinah from the people of Makkah. They promised that they would not associate partners with Allah, would not steal, would not commit adultery, would not kill their small daughters and would not rape women.(2)
That conquest had been informed by the Glorious Quran together with Hudaybiya. Thus, the promises given in the Quran were realized.
5.12- YEAR OF ENVOYS
After the conquest of Makkah, the wild heroism, feuds and polytheism clouds that blackened the horizons of the city began to clear and the era of barbarity ended. In the ninth year of hijrah, we see that delegates from many places came to Madinah to present their respect and esteem to Hazrat Prophet (PBUH).
In fact, the conquest of Makkah condemned the polytheism in Arabia. The chief of the tribes that were the greatest enemies of Islam started to come from many different places in groups of delegates to express their obedience and commitment to Hazrat Prophet (PBUH). The companions of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) and the notables of Madinah entertained the members of those delegations in their houses and showed their hospitality. Those delegates were paid their traveling expenses and given some little presents when they returned.
5.13- BATTLE OF TABUK
In the ninth year of hijrah, it was heard that Byzantines wanted to invade Arabia. Upon that news, preparations for a great expedition were started. They started to collect volunteers all over Arabia. That year, there was a dearth of food in Najid and Hijaz. Dates had decayed and camels had died. People were not ready for a big expedition. Some people did not find the season appropriate; some said that the heat was intense hence the journey would be very hard and that the Byzantine Empire had a tremendous army. Many people applied to the Messenger (PBUH) of Allah to be exempt from being a soldier. Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) accepted the applications of the people who were not weak or poor but did not want to carry arms or did not want to leave their homelands.
However, the desire of fighting shown by notables of sahaba and other self-sacrificing believers encouraged the cowardly people and activated the efforts and patriotism of everybody. Assistance and financial aids from all over Arabia started to come to the army. A great force gathered in a short time and the Islam army proceeded towards the boundary under the commandment of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH).
The troubles the Islam army had due to the heat and thirst were very big. After a long and tiring journey, the army reached Tabuk, a place midway between Madinah and Damascus, and stopped there. Here, Muslims understood that the danger of Byzantium was an imagination and that the Emperor was busy with his internal affairs. When Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) saw that the Islamic ummah was free from the danger, he ordered the army to return. After staying in Tabuk for 20 days, the Islam army returned and reached Madinah in the month of Ramadan.
5.14- LAST TIMES OF HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (PBUH)
In the tenth year of hijrah, delegations from all over Arabia came to Madinah in order to inform Hazrat Prophet about the allegiance of their tribes to Islam. Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) gave the following orders to the men he sent to various towns:
Be lenient towards people and show compassion. Do not oppress. Encourage people to become religious, do not scare them. When you meet people from the People of the Book, they will ask you, What is the key to Paradise?. Answer them as, Believing in Allah and doing good deeds.
The prophethood of Hazrat Prophet was about to be completed. The great Prophet (PBUH), who emerged in a bedouin tribe, conveyed the commands and prohibitions of Allah to that tribe through the Quran; he liberated them from polytheism and heresy, and made them guides and teachers for civilized nations.
5.15- FAREWELL HAJJ (PILGRIMAGE)
Arab tribes came to Madinah in large groups to embrace Islam. Hazrat Prophet wanted to perform the farewell hajj feeling that his death is near. The Messenger of Allah left Madinah with a big group on the 25th of Dhul-Qadah.
When he reached Makkah, before completing hajj, he recited the following sermon to more than one hundred thousand Muslims that gathered in the foot of Mount Arafat:
O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be among you again.
O People! Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.
O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers...
O My Companions! Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Truly, the usury of the Era of Ignorance has been laid aside forever, and the first usury I begin with is that which is due to my fathers brother Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib.. Your capital, however, is yours to keep.
O My Companions! Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived, and the first such right I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabi`ah ibn Al-Harith, grandson of Abdulmuttalib (my uncles son).
As for your slaves, make sure to feed them with what you eat and make sure that they wear what you wear. If they commit mistakes that you cannot forgive, leave them. They are slaves of Allah and they do not deserve cruel treatment.
O people! Learn that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim that belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Avoid oppressing people.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.
Towards the end of the Farewell Sermon, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) said the following:
- O people! Tomorrow they will ask you about me, what will you say?
- We witness that you carried out the duty of being the Messenger of Allah, You carried out your task faithfully, and you advised us. Then Hazrat Prophet said the following three times:
- O Allah, be my witness! O Allah, be my witness! O Allah, be my witness!
After that sermon, our Prophet went to Mina in order to perform the obligations of hajj. In a part of the sermon he recited there, he stated the following:
Beware! Never commit the following four deeds :Do not attribute any partners to Allah. Take not life, which Allah has made haram and untouchable, except by way of justice. Do not commit adultery. Do not commit theft.
Towards the evening, before Hazrat Prophet left Mina the following verse was revealed:
This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. (al-Maeda, 5/3).
Hazrat Abu Bakr, who heard that verse, cried saying that the Messenger of Allah was informing about his death.
Then, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) completed the obligations of hajj and returned to Madinah.
5.16- HIS LAST DAYS
Hazrat Prophet turned to the congregation and said the following after a prayer during his last days:
- O Muslims, if I have done anything wrong to anyone, I am ready to compensate it. If I owe any money to any of you, let him take it from my possessions. Upon that speech, one of the people present there stood up and said that the Prophet owed him three dirhams; he explained that he had given that amount to a poor person based on the command of the Prophet. That debt was paid and our Prophet said:
- It is better to be embarrassed here than to be embarrassed in the hereafter
On another day, Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) ascended the pulpit in the mosque and said the following:
O people! I hear that you get in a flap thinking that I will die. No prophet stayed eternally with his ummah; so why do you think I should stay with you? You should know that I will rejoin Allah. I deserve to have the honor of rejoining Him more than you. I advise you to show respect and allegiance to first muhajirs.
O Muhajirs! My advice to you is this: Do good to the Ansar! They were good to you. They granted you asylum in their homes. Although they had difficulty in making their living, they held you prior to themselves. They shared their property with you. If any one of you takes command over them, let him take care of them and forgive their faults.
O people! Whatever happens in the world depends on the predestination of Allah. When the time for something is known, it would be of no use hurrying for it. Allah does not hurry about any of His servants. If a person attempts to overpower Allahs will, He will subdue him with His wrath and ruin him. If a person tries to trick and deceive Allah, he will deceive himself and lose control of his own matters. I am clement and merciful towards you. You will rejoin me. The place you will meet me is by the pond Kawthar. He who wishes to be there with me, should not do unnecessary things nor talk idly.
O people! Sins and disobedience to Allah will change the blessings of Allah. If people obey the commandments of Allah, their commanders and governors will be merciful towards them. If they are sinful and disobedient, so will be the people who rule them.(3)
Our Prophet (PBUH), rejoined his Lord, whom he wanted so much, on Monday, June 8th, in the year of 632 while he was engaged in worshipping and praying calmly.
(1)Bilmen, Ö., N.. Büyük İslam İlmihali, p. 547.
(2)Suruç, S. Prophetimizin Hayatı. Nesil Yayınları, Istanbul, 2003, p.468-515.
(3)Paşa, C.A. Peygamber Efendimiz. Editor; Ertuğrul Düzdağ.İstanbul, 2007, p.305.
8-)
1. Prophethood
A verse and its meaning:
وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَى عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُواْ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِ وَادْعُواْ شُهَدَاءكُم مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ إِنْ فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُواْ وَلَن تَفْعَلُواْ فَاتَّقُواْ النَّارَ الَّتِي وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَافِرِينَ *كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
" And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true. But if you cannot and of a surety you cannot then fear the Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, which is prepared for those who reject Faith. " (al-Baqara, 2/23-24)
In the Glorious Quran, prophethood is expressed with the words nubuwwa, bi'sa, risalah and irsal. Prophet is expressed with the words nabi, mab'uth, rasul, mursal or their plurals. Nubuwwa; is prophethood. It is the duty of conveying the orders of Allah to men; it is being an envoy between Allah and His slaves.
Rasul; means apostle or messenger. He is a person who was sent by Allah to a nation or to the humankind with a new book and a new Shariah (law) as a prophet.
Nabis; are prophets who were not sent by a new book and a new Shariah but continue the book and the Shariah brought by the rasul before them.
Prophethood cannot be obtained by working; it is a grant of Allah to His selected slaves. Prophets were honored with revelation. They were equipped with superior characteristics that are not present in other men; their prophethood was confirmed by Allah through miracles that were granted to them.
In fact, the Quran points to it as follows: Such is the Bounty of Allah, which He bestows on whom He will... (al-Jumua, 62/ 4).
According to the Quran, Prophets convey the orders and prohibitions of Allah to men without decreasing or increasing anything; they know and inform them about things that they do not know and will not know through the revelation they receive from Allah. They recite the verses of Allah to men and teach them the book and wisdom; they advise them to follow the straight path and ask Allah for their forgiveness.
The most perfect men among human beings are the prophets in the chain of prophethood. They are the representatives of good deeds and beauty; their opponents are the representatives of evil and ugliness.
Doubtlessly, prophethood is a heavy load. Allah burdened people who are capable of carrying it with that load. It is stated in the Glorious Quran pointing to the heavy burden of the prophethood and the divine words as follows; Soon shall We send down to you a weighty Message (al-Muzzammil, 73/5). That the expression " a weighty Message " is used for the Quran here is an indication that it is a hard task to carry out its orders, to serve an example in accordance with its instructions and to bear the burden of its revelation.
Zaid bin Sabit says the following regarding the issue: "The Messenger of Allahs knee was leaning on my knee once when he received a revelation. I felt such a heavy burden on my knees that I thought my knees would be broken."
Hazrat Aisha reported the following regarding the issue: "On an intensely cold winter day, I saw sweat dripping from the hand of Messenger of Allah when he received revelation." 1
In another report Hazrat Aisha says the following; The Messenger of Allah was on a camel when he received revelation. The chest of the camel remained on the ground until the revelation ended. It could not move until the revelation ended ". 2
1.2. NECESSITY OF PROPHETHOOD
Reasons that necessitates Prophets to be sent:
1. To Know the True nature of the Beings in the Universe is Only Possible through an instructor.
It is necessary to know the true nature, the reason and wisdom of the creation of the beings from atoms to galaxies that were created with a wisdom, purpose, plan and art. In order to understand the beings in the universe that denote many meanings like a book, we need an instructor. If an incomprehensible book is without a teacher, it will be a bundle of meaningless paper. Thus, prophets are the teachers of this book of the universe. They free the book of the universe from being an incomprehensible book; each of them teaches humanity the wisdom and purpose of the creation of each being.
2. Prophets are Necessary for us to know the Existence of Allah and the Hereafter.
Mind cannot comprehend the attributes of Allah, the existence of the hereafter and the events that will take place there. Prophets are necessary in order to know them.
The first duty of prophets is to inform and teach man about Allah. It is to call men to the reality of oneness (tawheed), which is one of the Fundamentals of the Quran. The following verse points to it:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ
"Not a messenger did We send before you without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me" (al-Anbiya, 21/25).
As it is understood from that verse, the first duty of prophets is to tell people that Allah is unique (one) and there is no god but Him.
In another verse, Almighty God states that He sent each community a prophet and that that prophet called them to worship Him:
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولًا أَنِ اُعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ هَدَى اللَّهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الضَّلَالَةُ فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ
"For We assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command) "Serve Allah, and eschew Evil": of the people were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom Error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).!" (an-Nahl, 16/36).
We understand from a verse in Chapter al-Araf that one of the aims of prophets to be sent is to warn people about Hell torture, to avoid them from doing bad things and consequently to ensure them to receive the mercy of Allah.
أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ أَنْ جَاءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ لِيُنْذِرَكُمْ وَلِتَتَّقُوا وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
"Do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man of your own people, to warn you― so that you may fear Allah and happily receive His Mercy?" (al-Araf, 7/ 63).
Allah explains the reasons why He sent prophets through the words of prophets in the book that He sent, the Quran. There are many examples; let us have a look at a few of them. In the Quran, prophets are mentioned as people who convey men what they receive from Allah and who give people advice:
أُبَلِّغُكُمْ رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّي وَأَنْصَحُ لَكُمْ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
"I but fulfill towards you the duties of my Lord's mission: sincere is my advice to you and I know from Allah something that you know not (al-Araf, 7/62).
In that verse, prophets are described as people who teach men what they do not know along with being responsible for conveying the truth and the right path to men.
Saleh (PBUH) was a prophet who was sent to the nation of Thamud. He said to them: «O my people! worship Allah: you have no other God but Him. It is He Who has produced you from the earth and settled you therein: then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance): for my Lord is (always) near, ready to answer.» (Hud, 11/61)
The last prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) states in a hadith that he is a person who tries to prevent people from going to Hell using the following words:
"My situation and your situation are like the situation of a man when locusts and luna moths start to jump into the fire. I hold you in your belts so that you will not fall into the fire. However, you try to break loose."
The fact that all of the prophets, primarily, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and saints always say in their prayers and supplication protect us from fire, free us from fire, rescue us from fire that is, protect us from Hell shows that the most important problem of mankind is protection from Hell. Thus, the people who show that great danger and the way of liberation from it are prophets.
3. The Aim in the Creation of Man can only be understood through Prophets
When man comes to the world, he is in need of learning everything and he is ignorant of the laws of life. However, animals are sent to the world in a perfect form in accordance with their abilities as if they were made perfect in another world. They learn all of the conditions of life and their relation with the universe, the laws of life and they acquire necessary skills in two hours, two days or two months. In twenty days, an animal like a sparrow and a bee obtains the life experience that a man obtains in twenty years, that is, they are inspired.
As for man, he cannot learn the conditions of life fully in twenty years. He is in need of learning until he dies. He is sent to the world in a weak and feeble form; he can stand on two after a year or two. He can discriminate between what is harmful and what is useful for him only after fifteen years; He can obtain what is useful for him and avoid what is harmful for him only through the help of the community. That is, the natural duty of man is to become perfect through knowledge and science, and to carry out the duty of worship through prayer and supplication.
Thus, man has come to this world in order to become perfect through knowledge, science, prayer and supplication. The development of all talents and abilities depend on knowledge and science. And the essence, core, light and spirit of all of the real knowledge and science is to know Allah, and the base of knowing Allah is belief in Allah.
The most persuasive, acceptable and correct answers to the three astonishing, difficult and terrifying questions that man faces; Who are you? Where are you coming from? And where are you going? What is your duty in this world? can only be given by prophets.
Thus, a guide who will direct men to the right path is needed. They need a teacher who will direct them to perfection that they are seeking. Those guides and teachers are definitely prophets.
4- Prophets Can Describe How to Worship
The forms and parts of worships and how to perform them are given in detail in heavenly books. They can only be conveyed and taught by prophets.
5. Prophets are guides for people
There is a need for people with high ethics and good manners who will serve as examples in the community. They are prophets.
Allah, who encompasses everything with His mercy and knowledge, who grants endless bounties and blessings to His creatures, did not deprive men of the divine guidance of prophets.
1.3- ATTRIBUTES OF PROPHET
Prophets have superior attributes related directly to their mission. The three most important attributes among them are as follows:
1- Ismah (Innocence): It is the protection of prophets by Allah from committing sins, disobedience and harams (forbidden things). Prophets never approach a secret or open sin, they are away and liberated from all faults, mistakes and blemishes. Prophets were kept away from sins before the prophethood and during the prophethood.
2- Amanah (Trust): It is the reliability of prophets. No doubt, a person who cannot assure men cannot succeed in his cause. That attribute is stated in several verses:
وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ بِضَنِينٍ
Neither does he (Muhammad - PBUH) withhold grudgingly a knowledge of the Unseen (at-Takwir, 81/24).
إِنِّي لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ: I am to you an messenger worthy of all trust (ash-Shuara 26/107).
3- Sidq (Loyalty): That attribute is related to prophets telling the truth. They never tell lies. That attribute is, like the others, obligatory and necessary for prophets. The opposite of it, telling lies, is impossible for prophets. That attribute is so clear and obvious in prophets that even their enemies had to appreciate that attribute although they denied their prophethood. For instance, Makkan polytheists gave Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) the nickname al-Amin (the Trustworthy) before his prophethood. While the Glorious Quran orders Hazrat Prophet to be honest (straight), it described Hazrat Idris (Eunuch), Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham) and Hazrat Yousuf (Joseph) as siddiq (loyal) (Hood 11/112;Yousuf 12/46).
4- Fatanah (Intelligence): It is quick apprehension and comprehension. That attribute expresses that prophets are clever and intelligent.
5- Tabligh (Conveying): It is the conveying of Prophets the orders they received from Allah to people exactly. The attribute of tabligh is mentioned in several places in the Glorious Quran. Some of them are as follows:
يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ وَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ
O Messenger! proclaim the (Message) which has been sent to you from your Lord. If you did not you would not have fulfilled and proclaimed His Mission: and Allah will defend you from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guides not those who reject Faith. (al-Maeda, 5/67).
أُبَلِّغُكُمْ رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّي وَأَنْصَحُ لَكُمْ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
(Hazrat Nooh went on as follows :) I but fulfill towards you the duties of my Lord's mission: sincere is my advice to you and I know from Allah something that you know not (al-Araf, 7/62).
وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ
The Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear (Message) (an-Noor 24/54).
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), who is the absolute teacher and perfect guide, adopted the above-mentioned order of Allah as a guide for him, worked, and endeavored more when people did not listen to him and obey him. He understood it with the message of the verse, you will not be able to guide everyone whom you love: but Allah guides those whom He will and He knows best those who receive guidance (al-Qasas, 28/56) that to make people listen and to guide them are the duty of God Almighty. He could not interfere with the duty of God Almighty.
A miracle is an extraordinary event that men are incapable of doing and that is granted by Allah only prophets. In other words, a miracle is the approval of the truthfulness of prophets by the creator of the universe.
There are many wisdoms of a miracle. They may manifest as a proof of prophethood, persuasion of deniers, strengthening the belief of the believers and meeting some needs.
2.1. 1- SOME PROPERTIES OF MIRACLES
In fact, the properties of a miracle are present in the definition above. Let us clarify them.
a- A miracle must be something extraordinary. That extraordinary thing can be words or something similar. The following are some examples of that kind of a miracle: once pebbles in the hands of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) glorified Allah; the palm log in the minbar (pulpit) groaned like a camel because it was separated from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH); trees witnessed.
It can be a deed or action. The fact that water began flowing from among the fingers of Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) is that kind of a miracle. A miracle may also take place through the changing of a law of nature or through the loss of the essential quality of something. For instance, the fact that fire did not burn Hazrat Ibrahim (PBUH) is that kind of a miracle.
b- A miracle takes place through the will and creation of Allah.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ لَمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ بِآَيَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ قُضِيَ بِالْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ
We did aforetime send messengers before you: of them there are some whose story We have related to you, and some whose story We have not related to you. It was not (possible) for any messenger to bring a Sign except by the leave of Allah: but when the Command of Allah issued, the matter was decided in truth and justice, and there perished there and then, those who stood on Falsehoods. (al-Mumin, (Ghafir) 40/78).
Therefore, nobody can determine its time and kind.
وَأَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِنْ جَاءَتْهُمْ آَيَةٌ لَيُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهَا قُلْ إِنَّمَا الْآَيَاتُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَمَا يُشْعِرُكُمْ أَنَّهَا إِذَا جَاءَتْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
They swear their strongest oaths by Allah, that if a (special) sign came to them, by it they would believe. Say: "Certainly (all) signs are in the power of Allah: but what will make you (Muslims) realize that even if a (special) sign come, they will not believe." (al-Anaam 6/109).
c- A miracle must occur in accordance with the claim or prayer of a prophet.
d- Miracles occur through the hands of prophets. The extraordinary things that occur through people that are not prophets are not miracles.
2.1.2- Miracles are usually related to the Issues that Communities are deeply interested in
When the miracles of all prophets are examined, it is seen that the miracles are related to the issues that are common and famous in the relevant community. The kind of miracle must also be in accordance with the level of thought and culture of that community. It is possible to summarize that general rule and other secondary issues as follows:
a- The miracles of the prophets who lived in Arab lands were in accordance with the conditions of the desert. For instance, the miracle of Hazrat Saleh (PBUH) was a camel that came out of rocks, its birth was strange. It is referred to as follows in the Quran:
قَالُوا إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مِنَ الْمُسَحَّرِينَ مَا أَنْتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُنَا فَأْتِ بِآَيَةٍ إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ قَالَ هَذِهِ نَاقَةٌ لَهَا شِرْبٌ وَلَكُمْ شِرْبُ يَوْمٍ مَعْلُومٍ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَأَصْبَحُوا نَادِمِينَ
They said: "You are only of those bewitched!You are no more than a mortal like us: then bring us a Sign, if you tell the truth!" He said: "Here is a she-camel: she has a right of watering, and you have a right of watering, (severally) on a day appointed. "Touch her not with harm, lest the Penalty of a Great Day seize you." But they hamstrung her: then did they become full of regrets. (ash-Shuara 26/153-157).
b- Magic was very common among all of the Egyptians whether common people or the elite. The Pharaoh and his soldiers frightened people with it. Therefore, Hazrat Musa (Moses) (PBUH), who was sent to that community, had two basic miracles: the miracles of the stick and his hand. His stick turned to a large snake. When he put his hand into his bosom and took it out, it shone light. The magicians of the Pharaoh had similar magic to those two miracles. However, every person with a mind could discriminate easily between magic and miracle that the magicians power could never reach.1
c- After the age of Hazrat Musa, the determinist philosophy that ascribed everything to causes and that claimed nothing could take place without a cause was common. Therefore, the prophets that were sent in that age showed kinds of miracles that destroyed that philosophic belief. They proved with those miracles that causes are not real doers and that everything in the universe existed and continued to exist through the creation of a creator who had a will. For instance, the miracles of Hazrat Sulaiman (Solomon) (PBUH) like dominating jinn and birds, understanding the language of birds and other animals, dominating the wind were that kind of miracles.2
d- During the time of Hazrat Eesa (Jesus Christ) the science of medicine along with that materialist philosophy was common. Therefore, his miracles were related to those two fields. For instance, his birth was a miracle that destroyed the materialist philosophy and the positivist thought completely. It is because he was born without a father, which is one of the causes for man to come into the world and he uttered wise words when he was only a baby. His miracle about the science of medicine was the fact that he revived the dead with the permission of Allah, which showed the ultimate point in that science.3
e- Before the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was sent, fluency and rhetoric were at the peak in that community. That is, words were used in accordance with the person to be addressed in terms of form, meaning and harmony. Arabs appreciated and showed respect to nothing as much as rhetoric and fluency. The fact that they put up seven elected poems called Muallaqat Saba (Seven Suspended Poems) on the wall of the Kaaba, the most sacred temple, was an indication of that appreciation and respect. Another proof of that respect was the fact that the poet of each tribe was a national hero. So much so that, one word of the poet was enough to declare war or to make peace. Therefore, divine wisdom necessitated the greatest miracle of the last prophet (PBUH) to be something of that kind, and gave him the Glorious Quran, which was at the peak of rhetoric. Thus, his miracle had an attribute that the miracles of other prophets did not have, the attribute of being eternal, as he himself was brighter than other prophets.
f- Although miracles are proofs for the truthfulness of prophets, they are not so compelling as to make people believe. It is because the world is a place of testing. Otherwise, everybody would have believed and there would have been no testing. Therefore, in miracles, there is a slight opening for denial as a pretext. However, the more obvious and definite the miracle is, the more intense and difficult the testing is. The denial of such miracles brings about the torture of total destruction. For instance, when the nation of Hazrat Saleh (PBUH) did not believe although the miracle that they demanded took place, they were destroyed totally.4
2.2. OTHER EXTRAORDINARY STATES AND DEEDS
1. Irhas (Extraordinary Event before Prophethood)
If something extraordinary takes place in or through a prophet before prophethood, it is called irhas. For instance, the fact that a cloud continuously cast a shadow on Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and some stones and trees greeted him, the fact that Hazrat Eesa spoke when he was in the cradle are extraordinary states of that kind.
2. Karamah (Extraordinary Event by a wali)
The wonders shown by wali slaves of Allah are called karamah. A wali, who reached the rank of walayah, is a person who is very fastidious in obeying Allah and His Messenger and in avoiding sins and lust, loves Allah very much and is loved by Allah. Some of the attributes of them are summarized as follows in the Glorious Quran:
أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَى فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآَخِرَةِ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
Behold! verily on the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve; Those who believe and (constantly) guard against evil― For them are Glad Tidings, in the life of the Present and in the Hereafter: no change can there be in the Words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme Felicity. (Yunus 10/62-64).
The first one of the next two verses describes the karamah of Hazrat Maryam and the second one of Ashab Kahf (Companions of the Cave):
Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty; to the care of Zakariya was she assigned. Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Mary! whence (comes) this to you?" She said: "From Allah: for Allah provides sustenance to whom He pleases, without measure (Aal-e- Imran 3/37).
إِذْ أَوَى الْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى الْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا آَتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا فَضَرَبْنَا عَلَى آَذَانِهِمْ فِي الْكَهْفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدًا ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَاهُمْ لِنَعْلَمَ أَيُّ الْحِزْبَيْنِ أَحْصَى لِمَا لَبِثُوا أَمَدًا
Or do you reflect that the Companions of the Cave and of the Inscription were wonders among Our Signs? Behold, the youths betook themselves to the Cave: they said "Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Yourself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way! Then We drew (a veil) over their ears, for a number of years, in the Cave, (so that they heard not): Then We roused them, in order to test which of the two parties was best at calculating the term of years they had tarried! (al-Kahf, 18/9-12).
The following karamah of Hazrat Umar is also famous: One of his commanders, Sariya, was in a battle with his army in Nihawand. While reciting the Friday sermon, Hazrat Umar saw the battle arrangement of the armies as if he was watching the battlefield on a cinema screen, and called out O Sariya, withdraw to the mountain!. Sariya heard it and carried out the order.
Karamah is regarded as the miracle of the prophet that the wali follows because the wali reached that rank by following him.
3.Maunah (Divine Help)
Maunah is an extraordinary state seen in Muslims with good deeds and high ethics. The fact that those people make their livings easily in spite of hardships, that they face misfortunes bravely are examples of maunah.
4.Istidraj (Extraordinary Event by an Unbeliever)
Istidraj is an extraordinary state or deed seen in people who are obvious unbelievers and commit sins openly: Some wonders like prospering in worldly issues, being extraordinarily successful may take place in or through such people. For instance, the fact that the Pharaoh and Namrud continued their sultanate in the world in splendor for a certain time are examples of istidraj. Istidraj is given to them so that they will not have any excuses in the world and their torture will be increased. Almighty God states the following in a verse regarding the issue:
فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّى إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُمْ بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُمْ مُبْلِسُونَ
But when they forget the warning they had received, We opened to them the gates of all (good) things, until, in the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts, on a sudden, We called them to account, when lo! they were plunged in despair! (al-Anaam 6/44).
5.Khidhlan (Extraordinary Event by an Unbeliever to the contrary of his will)
Extraordinary states or deeds that take place to the contrary of the will of unbelievers or sinners. That kind of extraordinary events occurred in or through some imposter prophets. When one of those imposters, Musaylama al Kadhdhab, was asked to show a miracle similar to those shown by Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), he patted the patient to cure him but he died immediately. When he rubbed his saliva on the blind eye of a child who was blind in one eye, his other eye became blind, let alone being cured. When he spitted into a well to increase its water, the well dried up. They are examples of khidhlan.
2.3. PLACE OF MIRACLES IN
THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMANKIND
5
Just as prophets exalted men spiritually in belief and worshipping Allah through their guidance, so did the Quran make those prophets masters and foremen in regard to mankind's material progress.
Thus, it is the hand of miracle that first gave man the gift of the ship, which was a miracle of Hazrat Nooh (Noah) and the clock, a miracle of Hazrat Yousuph (Joseph).
It is a subtle indication to this truth that most craftsmen take a prophet as the patron of their craft. For example, seamen take Hazrat Nooh (PBUH), watchmakers take Hazrat Yousuph (PBUH), tailors take Hazrat Idris (Enoch) (PBUH)...
Then, the verses of the miracles of the prophets, which are the most brilliant verses of the Quran, are not historical stories, but comprise numerous meanings of guidance. Yes, through mentioning the prophets' miracles, it traces the final limit of man's science and industry. It points the finger at his furthest aims. It specifies his final goals. And by striking the hand of encouragement on man's back, it urges him forward towards that aim.
For example, the verse,
شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا And to Solomon (We made) the Wind (obedient): its early morning (stride) was a month's (journey), and its evening (stride) was a month's (journey) (Saba 34/12)
which describes one of Hazrat Sulaimans (PBUH) miracles, the subjugating of the air, says: "Solomon traversed the distance of two months in one day by flying through the air."
Thus, it is suggesting in it that the road is open for man to cover such a distance in the air. O man! Since the road is open to you, reach this level and draw close to it! And in meaning Almighty God is saying through the tongue of this verse:
"O man! I mounted one of my servants on the air because he gave up the desires of his soul. If you too give up the soul's laziness and benefit thoroughly from certain of my laws in the cosmos, you too may mount it."
And this verse explains a miracle of Hazrat Musa (Moses):
وَإِذِ اسْتَسْقَى مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ فَقُلْنَا اضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ الْحَجَرَ فَانفَجَرَتْ مِنْهُ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ عَيْناً قَدْ عَلِمَ كُلُّ أُنَاسٍ مَّشْرَبَهُمْ كُلُواْ وَاشْرَبُواْ مِن رِّزْقِ اللَّهِ وَلاَ تَعْثَوْاْ فِي الأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ
And remember Moses prayed for water for his people; We said: "Strike the rock with thy staff." Then gushed forth therefrom twelve springs. Each group knew its own place for water. So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah, and do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth. (al-Baqara, 2/60).
That verse indicates that the treasuries of Mercy concealed under the earth may be profited from with simple tools. In places hard as rock even, the water of life may be attracted with a staff. Thus, through this meaning the verse says to man: "You may find the subtlest effulgence of Mercy, the water of life, with a staff. Then, come on, work and find it!" And in meaning Almighty God says through the verse's allusive tongue:
"O man! Since I gave to the hand of one of my servants who trusted in Me such a staff that it draws the water of life from wherever he wishes, if you too rely of the laws of My Mercy, you may obtain an implement resembling it or close to it. So, come on and do so!" Thus, one of the most important contributions to man's progress is the creation of an implement that causes water to gush forth from most of the places it is struck. This verse traces farther goals and limits, and ends beyond that.
And for instance, a verse that concerns a miracle of Hazrat Eesa (Jesus) is as follows:
وَرَسُولًا إِلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُمْ بِآَيَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُمْ مِنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنْفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَى بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَأُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآَيَةً لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
And (appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel, (with this message): I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay as it were the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave; and I heal those born blind, and the lepers and I quicken the dead by Allah's leave; and I declare to you what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if you did believe. (Aal-e-Imran 3/49).
Just as the Quran explicitly urges man to follow Jesus' (PBUH) high ethics, so too it allusively encourages him towards the elevated art and divine medicine of which he was the master. Thus, this verse indicates it:
Remedies may be found for even the most chronic illnesses. Then, O man! and O calamity-afflicted sons of Adam! Don't despair! Whatever the illness, its cure is possible. Search for it and you will find it. It is even possible to give a temporary tinge of life to death.
And in meaning Almighty God is saying through the figurative tongue of this verse: "O man! I gave two gifts to one of My servants who abandoned the world for Me. One was the remedy for spiritual ills, and the other the cure for physical sicknesses. Thus, dead hearts were raised to life through the light of guidance. And sick people who were as though dead found health through his breath and cure. You too may find the cure for every ill in the pharmacy of My wisdom. Work and find it! If you seek, you will certainly find." Thus, that verse traces the limit that is far ahead of man's present progress concerning medicine. And it hints at it, and urges him towards it.
And for instance:
وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الأَسْمَاء كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلاَئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنبِئُونِي بِأَسْمَاء هَؤُلاء إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
And He taught Adam the names of all things; then He placed them before the angels and said: "Tell Me the names of these if you are right (al-Baqara, 2/ 31).
Hazrat Adam's (PBUH) greatest miracle in the question of the supreme vicegerency was the teaching of the Divine Names. Thus, like the miracles of the other Prophets each allude to a particular human wonder, the miracle of Hazrat Adam, who was the father of all the prophets and the opening of the office of prophethood, indicates almost explicitly to the final points of all human attainment and progress, and their final goals. Through the tongue of allusion, Almighty God (May His glory be exalted) is saying in meaning with that verse:
O Sons of Adam! Since as a proof of their superiority over the angels in the question of the vicegerency, I taught your forefather all the names, you too, since you are his sons and the inheritors of his abilities, should learn all the names and show your worthiness before all creatures in the degree of the Supreme Trust. For the way is open to you to rise to exalted rank like the highest positions over all creatures in the universe, and for vast creatures like the earth to be subjected to you. Come on, step forward, adhere to each of the names, and rise!"
However, your forefather was deceived one time by Satan, and temporarily fell to the earth from a position like Paradise. Beware! In your progress, do not follow Satan and make it the means of falling into the misguidance of 'nature' from the heavens of divine wisdom. Continuously raising your head and studying carefully My most beautiful names, make your sciences and your progress steps by which to ascend to those heavens.
Then you may rise to my dominical names, which are the realities and sources of your sciences and attainments, and you may look to your Sustainer with your hearts through the telescope of the names.6
2.4. WAY OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE LADDER OF SCIENCE
The laws of the Glorious Quran that are in the form of orders and prohibitions are based on God Almightys attribute of speech. For instance, decrees related to belief, worship, haram (prohibited) and halal (permitted).
The laws that occur in the universe are based on God Almightys attribute of will. For instance, law of gravity, law of buoyancy, law of burning.
Man is obliged to obey both of those laws of God Almighty. When he acts in accordance with the laws of nature that are the works of His attribute of will, he will receive his reward in this world; if he does not, he will receive the punishment in this world. For instance, the result of working is wealth; the result of laziness is misery. In accordance with that law, whether an unbeliever or a Muslim, a person will be rich if he works, and will be miserable if he does not work.
He who obeys the attribute of speech will receive the reward and he who does not obey will receive the punishment generally in the hereafter. That is, the reward and punishment of belief and worship will generally be in the hereafter.
However, as the works and efforts, especially science, in the world bring about material development, goodwill and looking at the beings in the name of Allah will bring about spiritual development and may be a stepping-stone and a ladder to understand and know Allah.
As it is known, all of the beings in the universe are the work of Allahs power and knowledge. The universe was created with a plan, wisdom and balance like a book. All of the exact sciences and even social sciences have been trying to present the forms, structures natures and behaviors of the beings in the book of the universe. If the balanced, purposeful, perfect and planned creation in the beings that are presented by each science is contemplated and considered as the manifestation of Allahs knowledge, power and names and is looked at as works of Allah, the knowledge obtained from that science will be a means of knowing and understanding Allah better. It is called the science of knowing Allah or Marifatullah. Consequently, the more progress a person makes in the field of science, the better he will know Allah and will develop in Marifatullah. That development is only possible through looking at the beings with signified meaning, that is, on behalf of their Creator. That is, instead of saying How nice, one should say, how nice it was created.
If beings are looked at with their literal meaning, that is, as a work of nature or coincidence, then all of the sciences become meaningless and cause Allah to be forgotten. It will give rise to naturalism and denial. It will throw man to the lowest of the low spiritually. Therefore, it is necessary to look at things not with literal meaning but with signified meaning, that is, on behalf of Allah that created them. For instance, when we look at a tree and ascribe its formation and its uses for us to nature and coincidence, that look is look with literal meaning. If we remember its creator when we look at the tree, then we look at the tree on behalf of Allah, that is, with signified meaning.
Thus, when we look at beings with signified meaning, that is, on behalf of Allah, then each science becomes a ladder for understanding and knowing Allah and turns to the worship of contemplation. Thus, man that becomes engaged in sciences that will be useful for mankind will become a mirror to the hadith An hour of contemplation is better than a year of extra worship. That science that is learnt leads to the science of knowing Allah, that is, Marifatullah and it brings about the spiritual development of man along with material development.
1 Ash-Shuara 26-32; an-Naml 27/12. 2 An-Naml 27/16-26) (Saba 34/12. 3 Aal-e-Imran 3/49; Maryam 19/17-22; Maryam 19/29-33. 4 Ash-Shams 91/11-14. 5 Reminder : There are various levels of meaning of the verse of the Quran. It is stated as follows in a hadith: "In each level of meaning of a verse there is one apparent, one esoteric, one end limited and one beginning limited meaning. Each of those four levels have details, signs, branches and knobs (described as shujun and ghusun) in the hadith" (Nursi, B. S. Şualar. Sözler Neşriyat, İstanbul, 2004, p.617). When the issue is explained the esoteric meanings of the verses were given along with literal meanings. 6 Nursi, B. S. Sözler (Words). Sözler Neşriyat, İstanbul, 2000, p.248.
لَقَدْ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And Now has come unto you a messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that you should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful (at-Tawbah, 9/128).
9.1- IMPORTANCE OF SUNNAH
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Say: "If you do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Aal-e-Imran, 3/31).
The verse says: "If you believe in Allah, you will surely love Him. Since you love Allah, you will act in the manner He loves. To do that, you must resemble the one Allah loves. And he may be resembled by following him. Whenever you follow him, Allah will love you too. Anyway you have to love Allah so that He shall love you."(For more information: B. Said Nursi. Mektubat (Letters))
It means that the most exalted goal for man is to receive Almighty God's love. The verse clearly shows that the way of achieving this elevated aim is by following Allahs Beloved and his Sunnah.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Anyone who revives my Sunnah during the corruption of my Ummah will gain the reward of one hundred martyrs."
The issues of Sunnah and even its small ethical rules are like compasses that show the routes in the ships. They are like buttons that enlighten the harmful and dark ways. They are also like the pole star that shows the direction to those who want to follow the right way.
Following the Sunnah of the Prophet, that is, obeying him and following his way, is certainly most valuable. Especially at times when aberrations are prevalent following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) is even more valuable. And particularly when the Prophet's Ummah is corrupted, to comply with a small matter of conduct of the Sunnah is a significant worship.
Following the Sunnah directly recalls Hazrat Prophet (PBUH), and that recollection and remembrance is transformed into recollection of the Divine Presence. The moment the Sunnah is complied with in even the least significant dealings, in the conduct of eating, drinking, or sleeping, such habitual, natural acts become meritorious acts of worship and Islamic acts. It is because such commonplace actions a person thinks of following the Messenger of Allah and conceives of them as an order of the Quran. Then he recalls that the Quran is the word of Allah. Then, he realizes that he is in the presence of Allah and he gains the reward of worshipping by observing Sunnah.
Therefore, one who makes it his practice to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) transforms all his acts into worship.
9.2- KINDS OF SUNNAH
The Sunnah of Allahs Messenger (PBUH) has three sources: his words, actions and positions. All of those three have parts that are fardh (obligatory), nafilah (extra) worship and nice customs.
The fardh parts have to be observed. They are five prayers, fasting, hajj (pilgrimage), zakat (almsgiving) and kalima shahada. When they are left, torture and punishment are due. Everybody has to observe them.
Believers had better observe extra worship. However, no torture or punishment is due when they are left. Like the sunnah parts of prayers. When they are carried out, a lot of reward is granted. It is bida (innovation) and aberration to change or to abolish them.
It is a good thing to imitate him and to be subject to him, to imitate his nice and high customs his praiseworthy acts in terms of wisdom, interest, individual life and social life like greeting people, doing ones neighbors favors, helping ones relatives, exchanging presents, being careful about cleanliness, paying attention to ones clothing, planning and organizing ones life, not harming others, showing affection to the young and respect to the old, visiting friends and relatives, inviting people and accepting invitations, visiting ill people and being sensitive about ones worshipping.
Almighty God says the following in the Quran; And you (stand) on an exalted standard of character. (al-Qalam, 68/4). Distinguished sahabas like Hazrat Aisha described Hazrat Prophet (PBUH) as; The examples of the high ethics expressed in the Quran are present in Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). It is he who represents those good things who is created in accordance with those high things.
The acts, positions, words and actions of such a person are all samples for humanity. The shortest way of having high ethics is to have the ethics of our Prophet.
The Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) is courtesy. There is no matter in Sunnah beneath which a light, and courtesy, is not to be found. Allah Messenger (PBUH) said, "My Sustainer taught me good manners, and how well he taught me."
Yes, one who studies the Prophet's life and knows his Sunnah will certainly understand that Almighty God gathered together in His Beloved all the varieties of courtesy and good manners. One who gives up his Sunnah abandons courtesy.
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The first man Hazrat Adam was also the first prophet. He was educated and chosen by his Lord; he was taught the wisdom, aims and benefits of things, and was made superior to angels; thus, he was chosen as the caliph on the earth. There are two ways, as favor and evil, good and bad, ugly and nice, in front of man. The talents and abilities in man could take him either way. One of the ways takes him to the lowest of the low, that is, to the bottom of Hell; the other takes him to the highest of the high, that is, to the highest place in Paradise.
Thus, man needs guides and educators that will inform him about the commands and prohibitions of Allah, that will answer astonishing and difficult questions like Where are you coming from?, Where are you going?, What will you do in this world? concisely, nicely and perfectly showing that man really deserves to be the caliph on the earth and the most honorable creature, that will ensure him to develop his talents and abilities in a positive way and that will serve as models for him.
Those guides are prophets that were chosen among people and that were equipped with high ethics and good manners. God Almighty sent exemplary people like that to almost every community in every century. Those prophets served as examples for the communities they lived in with the messages they conveyed, and with their good manners and conduct; they educated them spiritually and transformed both their world and hereafter into Paradise.
Prophets made people develop good manners and conduct that is very important for the community like keeping ones promise, observing the rights of others, not telling lies, not cheating people, observing the rights of the poor and the weak, doing ones parents and relatives favors.
People living today need the guidance of prophets more than people that lived before. It is only possible by accepting the life of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), whose religion and call is universal, and who is the representative of high ethics and good manners for humanity. It is because he is the imam (leader) of all of the believers, the preacher of all of the jinn and men, the chief of all of the antecedent prophets and the first link of the awliya (saints) and asfiya (selected people) chain that will come after him.
Humanity can only reach universal peace and quiet like that. Gaston Care states it as follows: If Islam disappears from the world, it will be impossible to maintain universal peace."
In this book, there are examples from the stories of previous prophets and signs indicating what messages we can receive from those stories. Attention is drawn to the misfortunes that previous communities experienced and to their exemplary state because of not heeding the messages of their prophets. It is for us to try, and for Allah to give success.
Korkuteli- 2008
Authors Prof. Dr. Musa Kazım YILMAZ Prof. Dr. Ali BAKKAL Ass. Prof. Hikmet AKDEMİR Dr. Mehmet DİLEK Lecturer Abdülkadir AYDIN
Editors Prof. Dr. Âdem TATLI Prof. Dr. Ömer Rıza AKGÜN Lecturer Dr. İdris GÖRMEZ Hatem ÖZPOLAT
General Coordinator Prof. Dr. Yunus ÇENGEL
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