Peace and Blessings Upon Him

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Sunday, March 11th, 2012

As promised, below is the entire story of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) word for word as told by the museum. It's confusing. Please don't ask me to explain it.....because I can't.

Raising the Prophet



The Quraish chiefs of Makkah were accustomed to sending their sons into the desert while there were still infants. This allowed them to learn the pure form of the Arabic language from the uncorrupted origins, grow up in a healthy environment and become strong, independent, courageous persons of integrity and strong personality. And so ‘Abd al-Muttalib sent his grandson Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) to a Bedouin wet-nurse called Halima al Sa’diya. Halima al-Sa’diya was blessed from the moment she began to care for the child Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him): her breasts were uncustomarily filled with milk; her camel was lively and took the lead on journeys.


When the Prophet (peace and blessing upon him) was about 4 years old and still suckling among the Bani Sa’d, he had an accident in whish is chest was cut open. The Imam Muslim narrates the event: “The Angel Gabriel came to the Prophet while he was playing with the other young boys and began to wrestle with him. He tore open his chest, removed his heart and took out a blood clot, saying: “This is what Satan holds over you.” He then washed the Prophet’s heart in a olden bowl with water from the well of Zamzam, sealed the wound and returned the Prophet to where he been. The boys went looking for his wet-nurse and sad that Muhammad had been killed. They went to take him and found him looking pale.” Anas added “I saw the traces of the resealing of his chest.”


Journey to Syria


When Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) was 12, he travelled to Syria with his uncle Abu Talib. Upon arrival, a Christian monk called Bahira saw in Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) certain signs indicating that he would be the Seal of the Prophets. He took the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) by the hand, and agreed to answer his questions. He asked him about his sleep. His appearance and his affairs and the answers he gave agreed with the description in the monk’s possession. Then he examined the Prophet’s back and saw the Seal of the Prophets between his shoulders. The monk said: This is the Master of all beings (on earth) and things. This is the Prophet of the Lord of all beings and things” He then asked his uncle Abu Talib to take him back to Makkah lest he be harmed. And so his uncle sent the boy back to Makkah.


Marriage to Khadija


When Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) was 25, a rich noble woman of Quraish called Khadija, daughter of Khuwaylid, hired him to act on her behalf in her financial affairs. She had heard of his honesty, trustworthiness, good manners and maturity, and of his practical experience in commerce. And so the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) went to Syria with her servant boy Maysarah to trade on her behalf. Maysarah told Khadija what he had seen of Muhammad’s moral standing and the miracle that happened to him. Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) grew in Khadija’s estimation and she decided to marry him. He agreed when he learned of her nobility, purity and virtue – she was known among her people as one pure and virtuous. God gave him all his children from her in Makkah, with the exception of his son Ibrahim was born of Maria the Copt, in Madinah. All the Prophet’s male children died in childhood. Khadija was 40 years old when Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) married her.


Laying the Black Stone


When Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) was 35, the Ka’bah was destroyed by floods, and the tribes of Quraish acted quickly to rebuild it from their lawful money. But when they come to lay the black stone in its right position they argued with each other over who would have the honor of doing so. An inter-tribal war almost broke out had they not agreed to give this honor to the first person to appear before them. Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) was the first person to appear before them so they said: “The amin (trustworthy one), has come.” Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) ordered that a piece of cloth be brought forth and then placed the black stone in the middle. He ordered each tribe to lift one side of the cloth and then placed the stone in its proper place with his own hand.


The Revelation


God instilled in Mohammad (peace and blessings upon him) a love of solitude and religious devotion in the Hira’ cave. There he would spend a number of days and nights. At the age of 40, divine inspiration suddenly came down upon him while in this cave during the month of Ramadan. The Angel Gabriel asked him three times to read but he replied that he was unable to do so: then the angel Gabriel spoke the words:


“Read! In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher who created,


Created man out of a clot of congealed blood.


Read! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful.


He who taught (the use of) the Pen,


Taught man that which he knew not.” (96:1-5)


The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) hurried in fear to his wife Khadija and told what happened. She then took him to her cousin, Warqa bin Nufal, who was learned in the books about the Prophets and their messages. He reassured her and told her that Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) had seen the Angel Gabriel. After this, Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) stopped receiveing divine inspiration for a short time. Then it began once more, ordering the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) to speak forth, which he did. During the three years of preaching in secret, more than 67 people answered his call, including 13 Mawali. The Prophet (peace and blessing upon him) used to meet in secret with them in Al-‘Arqam’s house. Meanwhile, the polytheists, the nobles in particular, who opposed him, did everything they could to harm his followers, especially the slaves. The first man who embraced Islam was Abu Bakr; the first youth was Ali bin Abu Talib and the first woman was Khadija bint Khuwaylid.


Hijra to Ethiopia


When the persecution of Muslims increased in the fifth year of missionary activity, the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: “In Ethiopia there is a kind in whose land no one is oppressed. Go to his country and stay until Allah relieves you of the troubles you are falling under here.” 11 men and 4 women left in secret to the part of al-Shu’aybah near present Jeddah. Allah had predestined that a ship be there, which took them to Ethiopia. The Quraish were not aware that they had gone. This journey to Ethiopia was known as the first migration (first Hijra). The migrants had not been in Ethiopia long when news reached them that that people of Makkah had converted to Islam and so they returned in the month of Shawwal of the same year. But before they reached Makkah they learned this was no more than a rumour. Some of them returned to Ethiopia whilst others entered Makkah secretly or in the company of men from the Quraish tribe in the town. When the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) saw the persecution of Muslims was worsening, he allotted them to migrate to Ethiopia once more. This time their number was some 80 men and 19 women. The Quraish failed in their endeavours to hold them. In fact, the King of Ethiopia, himself accepted Islam and, when he dies 9 AH, the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) mourned him and performed the Salat Al-Gha’ib prayers (in absentia of the corpse) for him.


The Boycott


In spite of the atmosphere of affliction and contempt to which Muslims were subject in Makkah, ‘Umar bin al-Khattab had embraced the new faith and Hamza bin ‘Abd al-Muttalib – the Prophets’ paternal uncle – now openly declared his conversion to the religion.


When the Quraish saw that the Companions of the Prophet had found a safe haven, that ‘Umar and Hamza had converted to Islam and that Islam had spread among the tribes, they agreed amongst themselves to kill the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him). News of this reached Abu Talib who called his people, the Bani Hashim and the Bani Abd al-Muttalib to protect the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him). Both the Muslims and non-Muslims among them agreed to this, with the exception of Abu Lahab. Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) was taken to Wadi Abu Talib where he was protested against his enemies. When the Unbelievers of Quraish aw this they conspired among themselves to draft an agreement against the Bani Hashim and the Bani Abd al Muttalib not to trade, marry, speak or sit with them, until they handed over the Prophet (peace and blessing upon him). They hung this agreement from the ceiling of the Ka’bah and this situation continued for almost three years. During this time the Muslins were afflicted with adversity and hardship and some of the died of hunger. A few people of the Quraish sought to have the unjust agreement nullified. Before the paper could be torn up, the Prophet (peace and blessing upon him) told his followers that the termites had consumed everything on it except the name of Allah. They found this to be true, this being one of the signs of his prophethood.


“Glory to Allah who did take His Servant for a journey by night form the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, Whose precincts We did bless, In order that We might show him some of Our signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth all things” (17:1)


Allah too the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) in body and soul from the Sacred Sanctuary in Makkah to the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Al-Buraq, accompanied by the Angel Gabriel. There he led the prayers with the other prophets. On that night he was taken up through the lowest to the seventh heaven. There he saw the prophets in their abodes. Then was has taken up to Sidrat Almuntaha. This is when the five times of daily prayer we appointed


On his return to Makkah he passed and greeted a caravan of the Quraish who recognised his voice. When he reached Makkah he told his people of the great signs of God he had seen during his ascent. Those who had seen the Aqsa mosque asked him to describe it – and Allah raised the mosque visibly to him and so he described it. They confirmed that his description was correct. Among those who believed with hesitation was Abu Bakr who the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) called on that day Al-Saddiq, the unequivocal Believer. Bu the denial of the Unbelievers and their persecution of the Prophet continued.


Year of Sorrow


The Prophet’s wife Khadija and his uncle Abu Talib both dies in the tenth year of his mission, no more than two months apart. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) thus lost his uncle who had protected him form the persecution of the Unbelievers in Quraish. On this matter the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said “The Quraish could not harm me until Abu Talib died.” He also lost Khadija, his faithful companion and the person to whom he could turn in times of trial. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) once said of her: “I was told [by Allah] to tell Khadija that in paradise she would have a palace (built) of jewels, where there will be neither disturbance not hardship.” Because the year was filled with such suffering it has become known as the Year of Sorrow.


Following the death of his uncle Abu Talib the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) went to Taif to seek assistance from the Thaqif and protection for his people, asking them to accept Islam. But they did not accede to this request and greatly persecuted his people. Only one boy, a Christian called ‘Addas from Ninevah in Iraq believed him. He re-entered Makkah under the protection of Al-Mut’im bin Uday and began to call people to Islam.


Pledges of Aqaba


The seasons of pilgrimage and the markets in the vicinity of Makkah were important occasions in which the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) would offer Islam to others. In the eleventh year of his mission some people from the Al-Khazraj responded to his call and promised to continue the call in Al-Madinah. And so Islam spread throughout al-Madinah.


In the thirteenth year of his mission seventy-three men and two women came to Makkah to perform the rite of the Hajj and to meet the Prophet (peace and blessing upon him) at ‘Aqaba. There they paid homage to him and agreed to provide assistance and protection. This was known as the second Pledge of ‘Aqaba. This pledge provided the basis for the Prophet’s (peace and blessings upon him) migration or hijra to al-Madinah to establish the Islamic State.


Plot to Kill the Prophet


When the Polytheists learned of what had taken place between the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) and the Ansar in the second Pledge, and of the secret migration of the Muslims to al-Madinah, they feared that the Muslims might come together there and that the Prophet (peace and blessing upon him) would join them and thereby achieve his goals towards the spread of Islam. Therefore, they assembled in the meeting place and discussed the best means to stop the spread of Islam. The Qur’an speaks of these meetings, the words of the Almighty Allah:


“Remember how the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep


thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home).


They plot and plan, and Allah too plans,


But the best of planners is Allah.” (8:30)


The conspirators decided to kill the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) on the 26th of Safar in the fourteenth year of the Prophet’s noble mission, corresponding to 12 September, 622 AD. But Gabriel came to the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) and informed him of the Unbelievers’ intent and ordered him not to sleep in his own bed that night but to make his journey or hijra to al-Madinah.


The Emigration to Madinah


(If ye help not (you Leader), {it is no matter}: for God did indeed help him, when the Unbelievers drov him out: he had no more than companion They were in the Cave, and he said his companion, “Have no fear, for God is with us”).


The prophet Muhammad was instructed by God to immigrate to Medina. Together with his friend and close companion AbuBakr, who was to become the first Caliph, secretly left Makkah at night and took refuge at a cave in the Mountain of Thawr. Qurash put up a handsome award for any person who would kill Muhammad or indicate his whereabouts. After three nights in the cave, the Prophet and his companion proceeded with a guide along an abandoned coastal road. However, Suraqah Ibn Malik, riding a horse, was able to locate the Prophet and to pursue him. Fortunately, the four legs of the horse sank deep in the sands and he failed to win the prize.


At Medina, Muslims used to go out every morning to the outskirts of the city in anticipation for the Prophet’s arrival. When the followers sighted the Prophet, they ran towards him and they met at the site where the Prophet was to build the Mosque of Quba’a. The Prophet continued moving towards Medina until he settled at the site of what was to become the Prophet’s Mosque which has been existing ever since.


Allah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) with good tidings and warnings first to his people of Arabia: And admonish thy nearest of Kinsman (26:214) and then to all mankind: We have not sent you but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them Glad tidings and warning them (against sin), but most men understood not. (34:28). Thus the first object was to deliver his message Arabia, and Allah guided the listeners in throngs to accept His religion, thereby changing their way of life from the multiplicity of tribalism and the unity of Islamic society.


The life of the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) is closely connected with places in Arabia which hold a special place in the hearts of Muslims. Foremost of these is Makkah the Revered, God’s Holy city, in which lies the honored Ka’bah built by Ibrahim and his son “Isma’il: And remember Ibrahim and Isma’il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: for Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing” (Surah 2: 127).


Death of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him)


In 10H (631 AD), the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) led a large number, some 100,000 Muslims to Makkah for his farewell pilgrimage. After the return of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) to al-Madinah he suffered illness before his death on 13 Rabi’ al-Awwal, 11H (8 June 632 AD). The Prophet (Peace and blessings upon him) was buried in the room where he died, the house of ‘Aishah, the Mother of Believers (God be pleased with her).

Hopefully you're not more confused now than before.

Julie

References: The National Museum in Riyadh Saudi Arabia.