بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم
In the Name of Allah,
the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A Hiatus
After Jibreelعليه السلام first appeared before Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم at
the cave of Hira, a long time passed without any further revelation. A distressed
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم feared Allah had abandoned him. Why had his Lord
deserted him? In moments of despair, he would want to throw himself off a
mountain, but then he would sense Jibreelعليه السلام's presence and become
calm again. This interim period was a time of contemplation, a time for
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم to prepare himself for what lay ahead.
One day Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم returned to the cave of Hira to worship
in solitude. As he left the cave and began to descend the mountain, another
strange event took place. The Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم described the event as
follows :
When I descended the mountain and came to the valley, I heard a
voice saying, '' Muhammad! You are the Prophet of Allah, and I
am Jibreel!'' Then I raised my head and on the horizon, I saw the
angel who had come to me in the cave of Hira. I was filled with
awe and bowed towards the earth. I hurried home to Khadeejah
and asked her to wrap me up. She put a blanket around me and
sprinkled water on me.
It was at this time that the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم received the second
revelation. It comprised the first five verses of Surah Al- Muddaththir :
يآأيُّهاَ المُدَّثِّر0 قُم فَأَنذِر0 وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّر0 وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّر0
وَالرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُر0 وَلَا تَمنُن تَستَكثِرُ0 وَلِرَبِّكَ فَاصْبِرْ0
''O you wrapped in garments! Arise and warn!
And magnify your Lord, And purify your garments!
Shun idols and false worship! And give not a thing in
order to have more. And be patient for the sake of your
Lord!'' (74 : 1-7)
This revelation with its instructions regarding worship came before
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم was instructed to perform regular prayers
(Salah). It marked the resumption of visitations by Jibreelعليه السلام,
and subsequent revelations came in quick succession.
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم had been appointed as a prophet with the
first revelation. With the second revelation, he was made Allah's
Messenger, entrusted with two tasks. The first task was to ''arise
and warn.'' He was ordered to teach his people about Allah and to
warn them about the consequences of their sins.
The Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's second task was to obey the commands
of Allah and act as a model for others. The Surah contains a series of
instructions to the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم, and a line by line examina-
tion reveals the basic religious practices ordered in Islam. In the original
Arabic, the phrase fakabbir in the first verse means : Worship Allah
alone without associating any partners with Him. In the second verse,
the expression thiyaabaka fatahhir literally means : Purify your
clothing; but according to Muslim scholars, it also means : Purify
your conduct. The next verse, warrujaza fahjur enjoins the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم
to : Abstain from the pagan customs of the Arabs. The verse la tamnun
tastakhir means : Do not expect to be rewarded in this world for your
efforts. Finally, wa lirabbika fasbir means : Be patient for your Lord's
sake.
The Mission begins
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم accepted his duties as prophet and messenger
with resolute obedience. He answered his Lord's call by inviting members
of his household to worship Allah in keeping with His commandments. They
were to be Muslims, those who had surrendered to Allah, and their religion
was Islam, the religion of peace. However, the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's
compatriots were a rough people accustomed to settling their disputes with
swords. They clung to idol worship because it had been the practice of their
ancestors who had strayed far from the pure monotheism of Ibrahim and
Ismailعليهما السلام. Sensing their antagonism, the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم began
to quietly teach those closest to him, those whose hearts he felt would be
open to the truth.
The First believers
Khadeejahرضى الله عنها was the first person to believe her husband had been
chosen as Allah's Messenger and Prophet. As his wife, she knew more than
anyone else did that Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم was no ordinary man : his
sublime character and innate morality set him apart from those he lived
among. She had heard talk about Allah's final prophet who was yet to appear.
She had also heard about some of the strange and miraculous events that
others had witnessed concerning Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم. Furthermore,
she had heard Waraqa say that the angel who had come to the cave of Hira
was none other than Jibreelعليه السلام, and that this angel had brought
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم a revelation from Allah. Lastly, she was present
at the moment Surah Al- Muddaththir was revealed. It was therefore only
natural that she was the first to believe in Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم and
his appointment as Allah's final messenger.
Abu Bakrرضى الله عنه was also among the first to become Muslim. When
the verses of Al-Muddaththir were revealed, the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم
went to Abu Bakr, who was a leading Makkan trader and a prominent
figure in his own right, and told him what had happened. Two years
younger than the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم, he was thoroughly familiar
with his friend's character and the reputation he enjoyed in the comm-
unity for truthfulness. Abu Bakr did not doubt Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم's
declaration of his prophethood, just as he did not refuse his invitation
to Islam. With his declaration of faith, he became one of the first Muslims.
Ali bin Abu Talibرضى الله عنه was only a child when the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's
mission began, and some sources indicate that he was ten years old when
he became Muslim. He was living under the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's
guardianship since his father, Abu Talib, was unable to provide for all
his children. Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم was like a second father to the
boy, who believed without a doubt that his guardian was indeed a prophet,
and that he had brought the truth.
Among the first to accept the faith was also the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's
freedman, Zayd bin Harith bin Sharahbeel kalbi. Sold into slavery in the
pre-Islamic era, Zayd had refused to leave the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم when
his relatives tried to buy his freedom. For a while he was known as Zayd
bin Muhammad, but following the prohibition of giving adopted children
the names of their foster parents, he was referred to by his actual name as
mentioned above. Notwithstanding the change of name, Zayd's love for
the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم was deep and the bond between the two was
enduring.
These four ( khadeejah, Abu Bakr, Ali and Zaydرضى الله عنهم ) accepted
Islam the same day the opening verses of Surah Al-Muddaththir were
revealed. Some sources hold that they accepted Islam in the same order
as given above.
Life changed for the new Muslims who desired to reform the religious
practice of their families and friends. After his conversion, Abu Bakr
رضى الله عنه began to encourage others to abandon idol worship and
follow Allah's Messengerصلى الله عليه وسلم. A well-respected merchant,
known for his generosity and intelligence, Abu Bakrرضى الله عنه was the
foremost authority on Arab genealogy. His reputation and his character
ensured that people gravitated to him, and if he deemed a person was
sincere in finding the truth, he would talk to him about his new faith.
Many people were interested in what he told them about Islam, and
they went with him to the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم. Among those who
became Muslims in this way were Uthman bin Affan Umwi, Zubayr
bin Awwam Asadi, Abdur Rahman bin Auf Zuhri, Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas
Zuhri, and Talha bin Ubaydullah Taymi.
Many others from the Quraysh later became Muslims : Abu Ubaydah
Amir bin Jarrah; Abu Salamah bin Abdul Asad and his wife, Umm
Salamah; Arqam bin Abil-Arqam; Uthman bin Madh'un and his brothers
Qadam bin Madh'un and Abdullah bin Madh'un; Ubaydah bin Harith bin
Muttalib bin Abdul Munaf; Sa'eed bin Zaydbin Amr bin Nafil and his
wife (the sister of Umar), Fathimah bint Khattab; Khabbab bin Aratt,
Ja'far bin Abi Talib and his wife Asmaa bint Umays; Khalid bin Sa'eed
bin Aas and his wife, Amina bint Khalaf, his brother , Amr bin Sa'eed
bin Aas; Hatib bin Harith and his wife, Fathimah bint Mujalil, his
brother, Khattab bin Harith, his wife, Fakiha bint Yasir, and his other
brother, Muammar bin Harith; Muttalib bin Azhar and his wife, Ramla
bint Abi Auf; and Na'im bin Abdullah bin Naham.
More believers came from other tribes to embrace Islam: Abdullah bin
Mas'ood Hadhli; Mas'ood bin Rabi'a Qari; Abdullah bin Jahsh and his
brother, Abu Ahad bin Jahsh; Suhayb bin Sinan Rumi; Ammar bin Yasir
Ansi and his parents, Yasir and Sumayya; and Amir bin Fuhayrah.
Umm Ayman Barakah, the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's father's Abyssinian
slave who had looked after the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم during his child-
hood, also became a Muslim, as did Ummul Fadal Lababatul kubra bint
Harith Hilalya, and Asmaa bint Abu Bakr Siddeeq.
These and others who embraced Islam in the early days of Islam are called
the ''Earliest Believers.'' Scholars put their number at 130, but the exact
time of their declaration of faith cannot be determined. Such a list includes
those Companions also who embraced Islam after the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم
began preaching his message openly.
Extracts from When the Moon Split
by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri
In the Name of Allah,
the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A Hiatus
After Jibreelعليه السلام first appeared before Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم at
the cave of Hira, a long time passed without any further revelation. A distressed
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم feared Allah had abandoned him. Why had his Lord
deserted him? In moments of despair, he would want to throw himself off a
mountain, but then he would sense Jibreelعليه السلام's presence and become
calm again. This interim period was a time of contemplation, a time for
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم to prepare himself for what lay ahead.
One day Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم returned to the cave of Hira to worship
in solitude. As he left the cave and began to descend the mountain, another
strange event took place. The Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم described the event as
follows :
When I descended the mountain and came to the valley, I heard a
voice saying, '' Muhammad! You are the Prophet of Allah, and I
am Jibreel!'' Then I raised my head and on the horizon, I saw the
angel who had come to me in the cave of Hira. I was filled with
awe and bowed towards the earth. I hurried home to Khadeejah
and asked her to wrap me up. She put a blanket around me and
sprinkled water on me.
It was at this time that the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم received the second
revelation. It comprised the first five verses of Surah Al- Muddaththir :
يآأيُّهاَ المُدَّثِّر0 قُم فَأَنذِر0 وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّر0 وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّر0
وَالرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُر0 وَلَا تَمنُن تَستَكثِرُ0 وَلِرَبِّكَ فَاصْبِرْ0
''O you wrapped in garments! Arise and warn!
And magnify your Lord, And purify your garments!
Shun idols and false worship! And give not a thing in
order to have more. And be patient for the sake of your
Lord!'' (74 : 1-7)
This revelation with its instructions regarding worship came before
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم was instructed to perform regular prayers
(Salah). It marked the resumption of visitations by Jibreelعليه السلام,
and subsequent revelations came in quick succession.
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم had been appointed as a prophet with the
first revelation. With the second revelation, he was made Allah's
Messenger, entrusted with two tasks. The first task was to ''arise
and warn.'' He was ordered to teach his people about Allah and to
warn them about the consequences of their sins.
The Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's second task was to obey the commands
of Allah and act as a model for others. The Surah contains a series of
instructions to the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم, and a line by line examina-
tion reveals the basic religious practices ordered in Islam. In the original
Arabic, the phrase fakabbir in the first verse means : Worship Allah
alone without associating any partners with Him. In the second verse,
the expression thiyaabaka fatahhir literally means : Purify your
clothing; but according to Muslim scholars, it also means : Purify
your conduct. The next verse, warrujaza fahjur enjoins the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم
to : Abstain from the pagan customs of the Arabs. The verse la tamnun
tastakhir means : Do not expect to be rewarded in this world for your
efforts. Finally, wa lirabbika fasbir means : Be patient for your Lord's
sake.
The Mission begins
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم accepted his duties as prophet and messenger
with resolute obedience. He answered his Lord's call by inviting members
of his household to worship Allah in keeping with His commandments. They
were to be Muslims, those who had surrendered to Allah, and their religion
was Islam, the religion of peace. However, the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's
compatriots were a rough people accustomed to settling their disputes with
swords. They clung to idol worship because it had been the practice of their
ancestors who had strayed far from the pure monotheism of Ibrahim and
Ismailعليهما السلام. Sensing their antagonism, the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم began
to quietly teach those closest to him, those whose hearts he felt would be
open to the truth.
The First believers
Khadeejahرضى الله عنها was the first person to believe her husband had been
chosen as Allah's Messenger and Prophet. As his wife, she knew more than
anyone else did that Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم was no ordinary man : his
sublime character and innate morality set him apart from those he lived
among. She had heard talk about Allah's final prophet who was yet to appear.
She had also heard about some of the strange and miraculous events that
others had witnessed concerning Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم. Furthermore,
she had heard Waraqa say that the angel who had come to the cave of Hira
was none other than Jibreelعليه السلام, and that this angel had brought
Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم a revelation from Allah. Lastly, she was present
at the moment Surah Al- Muddaththir was revealed. It was therefore only
natural that she was the first to believe in Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم and
his appointment as Allah's final messenger.
Abu Bakrرضى الله عنه was also among the first to become Muslim. When
the verses of Al-Muddaththir were revealed, the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم
went to Abu Bakr, who was a leading Makkan trader and a prominent
figure in his own right, and told him what had happened. Two years
younger than the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم, he was thoroughly familiar
with his friend's character and the reputation he enjoyed in the comm-
unity for truthfulness. Abu Bakr did not doubt Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم's
declaration of his prophethood, just as he did not refuse his invitation
to Islam. With his declaration of faith, he became one of the first Muslims.
Ali bin Abu Talibرضى الله عنه was only a child when the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's
mission began, and some sources indicate that he was ten years old when
he became Muslim. He was living under the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's
guardianship since his father, Abu Talib, was unable to provide for all
his children. Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم was like a second father to the
boy, who believed without a doubt that his guardian was indeed a prophet,
and that he had brought the truth.
Among the first to accept the faith was also the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's
freedman, Zayd bin Harith bin Sharahbeel kalbi. Sold into slavery in the
pre-Islamic era, Zayd had refused to leave the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم when
his relatives tried to buy his freedom. For a while he was known as Zayd
bin Muhammad, but following the prohibition of giving adopted children
the names of their foster parents, he was referred to by his actual name as
mentioned above. Notwithstanding the change of name, Zayd's love for
the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم was deep and the bond between the two was
enduring.
These four ( khadeejah, Abu Bakr, Ali and Zaydرضى الله عنهم ) accepted
Islam the same day the opening verses of Surah Al-Muddaththir were
revealed. Some sources hold that they accepted Islam in the same order
as given above.
Life changed for the new Muslims who desired to reform the religious
practice of their families and friends. After his conversion, Abu Bakr
رضى الله عنه began to encourage others to abandon idol worship and
follow Allah's Messengerصلى الله عليه وسلم. A well-respected merchant,
known for his generosity and intelligence, Abu Bakrرضى الله عنه was the
foremost authority on Arab genealogy. His reputation and his character
ensured that people gravitated to him, and if he deemed a person was
sincere in finding the truth, he would talk to him about his new faith.
Many people were interested in what he told them about Islam, and
they went with him to the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم. Among those who
became Muslims in this way were Uthman bin Affan Umwi, Zubayr
bin Awwam Asadi, Abdur Rahman bin Auf Zuhri, Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas
Zuhri, and Talha bin Ubaydullah Taymi.
Many others from the Quraysh later became Muslims : Abu Ubaydah
Amir bin Jarrah; Abu Salamah bin Abdul Asad and his wife, Umm
Salamah; Arqam bin Abil-Arqam; Uthman bin Madh'un and his brothers
Qadam bin Madh'un and Abdullah bin Madh'un; Ubaydah bin Harith bin
Muttalib bin Abdul Munaf; Sa'eed bin Zaydbin Amr bin Nafil and his
wife (the sister of Umar), Fathimah bint Khattab; Khabbab bin Aratt,
Ja'far bin Abi Talib and his wife Asmaa bint Umays; Khalid bin Sa'eed
bin Aas and his wife, Amina bint Khalaf, his brother , Amr bin Sa'eed
bin Aas; Hatib bin Harith and his wife, Fathimah bint Mujalil, his
brother, Khattab bin Harith, his wife, Fakiha bint Yasir, and his other
brother, Muammar bin Harith; Muttalib bin Azhar and his wife, Ramla
bint Abi Auf; and Na'im bin Abdullah bin Naham.
More believers came from other tribes to embrace Islam: Abdullah bin
Mas'ood Hadhli; Mas'ood bin Rabi'a Qari; Abdullah bin Jahsh and his
brother, Abu Ahad bin Jahsh; Suhayb bin Sinan Rumi; Ammar bin Yasir
Ansi and his parents, Yasir and Sumayya; and Amir bin Fuhayrah.
Umm Ayman Barakah, the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم's father's Abyssinian
slave who had looked after the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم during his child-
hood, also became a Muslim, as did Ummul Fadal Lababatul kubra bint
Harith Hilalya, and Asmaa bint Abu Bakr Siddeeq.
These and others who embraced Islam in the early days of Islam are called
the ''Earliest Believers.'' Scholars put their number at 130, but the exact
time of their declaration of faith cannot be determined. Such a list includes
those Companions also who embraced Islam after the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم
began preaching his message openly.
Extracts from When the Moon Split
by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri
Comments
Post a Comment