By Abdullahi Isa Wasagu
More than 1400 years ago in Arabia the people were living very much in fear. They feared their neighbours. They feared other tribes. They
even feared their idols. For this was the time before the advent of Islam.
The Arabs were worshiping idols. They ignorantly buried their young ones alive. As the religion of peace(Islam) began to spread among Arabs, this cruel practices desisted. Islam taught love and
peace. It taught kind and respect.
Holy Prophet Muhammad(pbuh & hf) himself was a kind and loving person. He treated everyone, old and young with kindness and respect.
Because the Holy Prophet was extending the message of God, he was changing for better the lives of many Arabs, and because that some
Arabs felt that by teaching of the Holy Prophet of Islam(pbuh & hf), their old Idols are losing power and recognition. They launched hostility about the teachings of the Prophet and himself, and later a planned kill was conspired by public figures of the Arabs. Every time
they attempted to kill him, the plan become foiled. The failed attempts began to angered the enemies of Islam even more, and so opted
to start harassing and humiliating the personality of the Holy Prophet in every way they knew.
One old woman launched a habit of throwing dustbin and some rubbish materials on the Holy Prophet Muhammad(pbuh & hf) whenever he passed along her house door. The Holy Prophet had to passed through that house daily on his way to the Mosque. Even when the old woman threw dustbin on him, he would pass silently without showing any anger or annoyance. And this was a regular daily events.
One day when the Holy Prophet was passing by the house passing by, the old woman was not there to throw the dustbin. The Holy Prophet of Islam made a hasty stop to inquire about her health status and well-being. The woman’s neighbor informed the Holy Prophet that, the
old woman was on a sick bed. The Holy Prophet politely asked permission to visit the old woman. When allowed he (pbuh & hf) entered
the house, the old woman thought that he had come to take his revenge when she was unable to defend herself because of sickness. But the Prophet assured her that, he had come to her, not to take any revenge, but to see her and to look after her needs, that it was the command of Almighty God that if anyone is sick, a Muslim should visit him and should render an assistance if it is necessary.
The old woman was greatly influenced by this kindness and love of the Holy Prophet of Islam(pbuh & hf). By such example of greatness of Holy Prophet, the old woman came to understand that he was truly Prophet of God and Islam was the true religion. At that very instance, she accepted Islam.
HIS VISIT TO TA’IF :
Abu Talib(r.a) and Nana Khadijah(r.a) were the two great supporters of the Holy Prophet(pbuh & hf). It was a divine will that they both
passed away within a very few days of each other, leaving the Holy Prophet devoid of a unique great supporter and to lament the
bereavement. He has lost a caring uncle and a loving wife.
The enemies were now relieved because Abu Talib(r.a) was no more to Prophet. A few days after Abu Talib’s death, when the Prophet was once passing through a line, a woman emptied her garbage from a window upon his head. He returned home with his head soiled. His only and beloved daughter Fatima Az-Zahara(s.a) sat down consoling him and washing off the dirt.
As things became intolerable in Makkah, the Holy Prophet Muhammad(pbuh & hf) decided to move to Ta’if, where he thought he would freely conveyed the message of Almighty Allah to the tribe of Thaqeef. Ta’if was known for its pleasant climate and beautiful scenery.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad knew very well that the people of Ta’if were no different from Makkans. They also worshiped idols and were in
constant contact with the people of Makkah. But he(pbuh & hf) did not despair, who dedicated his life for Islam by putting himself in danger
like no other. As he entered Ta’if and proclaimed his Prpphet hood, people jeered at him. One said: "God did not find anyone else as His Prophet except you?" Another said: " I must be naive or a thief If I believed you to be a Prophet." And so it went on.
Then in order to hinder him from preaching Islam, people of Ta’if set a group of children and vagabonds behind him. They pestered him and
threw stones on him. Tired, forsaken and wounded, he sought refuge in a nearby garden. The garden belonged to Atabah and Shaibah, two
wealthy chiefs of Quraish. They were both there when the Holy Prophet Muhammad get in to the garden and sat behind a tree. He was alone.
Then he raised his face towards the heaven and prayed: ‘O Almighty! I raise unto you my complaint for my weakness, my helplessness, and for the ridicule to which I have been subjected. O Merciful of all mankind and being! You are the Master of all oppressed people. You are my God! So to whom would You consign me? To the strangers who would ill-treat me, or to the enemies who would have an upper hand over me? If whatever that has befallen me is not because Your wrath upon me, then I fear not, No doubt, the field of Your security is enough for me.
Then I seek refuge in Your light which illuminates darkness and straightens the affairs of this World and the hereafter, that Your
displeasure and wrath may not descend upon me. For the sake of Your pleasure, I remain pleased and resigned to your faith. No change in
this World occurs without your Will."
Atabah and Shaibah were watching. They sent for their servant named Adaas and gave him a plate full of grapes. "Take this to that man
under the tree", they ordered.
Adaas was a Christian. He brought the grapes to the Holy Prophet and bid him eat. As the Prophet(pbuh & hf) picked a bunch he said:
"Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, (In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent the Most Compassionate). Adaas had never heard this before.
He was impressed by it, because the man was invoking mercy and compassion of Almighty in spite of his desolate state.
"Who are you?" Adaas asked. "I am the Prophet of Allah", responded the Holy Prophet. Where do you come from? The servant said: "I am Adaas, a Christian. I come from nainava."
"Nainava, you come from a place where my brother Yonus bin Mati (Johnah son Mati) lived." The Holy Prophet said: "Adaas was surprised
to hear the name".
"What do you know of Yunus? Here no one seems to know him. Even in Nainave, there were hardly ten people who knew his grandfather’s
name."
The Holy Prophet said: "Yes, I know him. Because just like me, he was a Prophet of God." Adaas fell on his knee before the Holy Prophet, kissed his hand and embraced Islam.
HIS KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY :
The Prophet’s social ties with his companions portray the most wonderful picture of Islamic brotherhood ever heard of. The following
narratives give us a glimpse of his firm ties, in the society in which he lived.
Anas bin Malik, who frequently attend to Prophet’s assembly, says whenever a Prophet missed any one of his companions for a period (3)
days, he used to inquire about that person, would pray for him if he happened to be ill, would pay him a visit.
Another companion of the Holy Prophet, Jarir bin Abdullah says once the Holy Prophet of Allah entered a house, and soon it was full of
people. When Jabir went in, he found no vacant spot and therefore sat outside. The Prophet was observing Jarir took a piece of his clothing,
rolled it up and threw it, indicating him to spread it underneath him. Jarir says he caught hold of the clothing, put it on his face and
kissed it.
HOLY PROPHET’S SACRIFICE OF LAMB :
On group journies, the Holy prophet would walk like others and would never allow someone to work instead of him. Once just as the Holy
Prophet Muhammad(pbuh & hf) and his noble companions landed from their rides, and laid the loads down, it was decided that they would
sacrifice a lamb for dinner.
One of the companions volunteered: "I will sacrifice a lamb." Another companion said: "I will skin it." Fourth companion said: "I will ,,,,,,"
The Holy Prophet said: "I will gathered the wood from the desert."
The group said: "O Holy Prophet of Allah! Don’t make discomfort yourself as such, you rest. We will be honoured to do all thos at our
will."
The Holy Prophet said: "I know that you are eager to do it all, but Almighty God is not pleased with a servant who distinguishes between
himself and his companions, and considers himself better than others."
Then the Prophet went to the desert, gathered some firewood and brought it to the group.
TYING THE CAMEL :
The caravan had been traveling for few hours now. Signs of fatigue were obvious on their faces. They arrived at a point and stopped. The
Holy Prophet who was also among the caravan stopped the camel and landed. Prior to anything, they were in search of water to prepare for
prayer.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad was also searching for water. But soon, he returned to his Camel, without saying anything to anyone. The
companions were surprised that the Holy Prophet had ordered to stopping here, but now perhaps he may want to move on again. Eyes and
ears were awaiting his order. But the surprised of the group increased as they saw him approaching his Camel, tied up its knees and returned back in search of water. Noises were raised from every corner: ‘O Prophet of Almighty God! Why didn’t you order us to do this for you, and instead you put yourself to discomfort? We would have proudly done this for you.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad responded: "Never seek others’ help in your affairs, do not rely on others even if it is a small piece of work as
Miswak (the wood used for brushing teeth)."
HIS COURAGE AND VALOUR :
Prophet Muhammad(sawa) was second to non in Almighty God’s creation, beginning from Prophet Adam(a.s) till eternity. He was an excellent exemplar of the noblest manners and merits including courage and bravery. His valour was a byword among his contemporaries, for he stood up gallantly against the heaviest odds, endured pain and injuries in a victoriously fought, overcome and showed mercy to the
stone-hearted infidels of ignorant Arabia. Magnanimity is the finest form of valor and the Prophet excellent in this particular field,
forgiving enemies and freeing multitudes from injustice, oppression, servitude and ignorant.
To be continued.
For: Internet Forum of the Islamic Movement.