Yasir Qadhi - some points on groups with incorrect belief

My first encounter with Dr Yasir Qadhi was when a scholar of good character (other than perpetual lack of punctuality) and sound  knowledge, suggested that I draw from Dr Qadhi's Seerah programme for my own, which I had two years ago. I regret that I found his work way too "tweaked", bending the facts to suit his narratives. I therefore abandoned further delving into his work.

The still  not punctual friend of Allah invited me to attend Dr Yasir Qadhi's seminar, last night (13 Muharram 1440, 23 Sep 2018), in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.

I do acknowledge that the doctor appears to be far superior to myself in knowledge, sincerity and exerting himself for Islam. That does not negate that his talk raises serious questions. I raised some of them at the Q&A, but apparently there was no time to respond to me.

Before going into specifics, it must be pointed out that the Ahlus Sunnah which Dr Qadhi belongs to, is hallmarked by the trait of moderation. I fail to see how his arguing against the extremism of sectarianism is different to his  extremism of  including any group as Islamic as long as they claim to be Muslim. Both are extremes and miss the desired moderation in our attitude.

I have addressed some concerns to Dr Qadhi on Twitter, which I reproduce below. (The unpunctual scholar had more technical objections). I apologise for not having time for a more fleshed out article:

Sulayman al-Kindi‏ @sulayman_Kindi

@YasirQadhi Thank you for your insights at last night's talk, but there are matters which I must address without negating the overall good of your work.

1) Your equating deeds and belief and explicitly stating that good deeds negate wrong belief. I cannot belittle you by pointing out where the Quraan distinguishes between the two.

2) You specifically mention sajdah and charity. I am sure that there are Catholics who make more sajdah than some Muslims and Jews who give more charity than us. To whom does your doctrine of deeds>belief apply? If you intended a restriction, you might be more explicit in stating thus.

3) You spent well over a half-an-hour blasting the Ulama of South Africa. Every point your raised was possibly valid and I do not argue against them. However, was it mature to address those issues to all andsundry instead of a specific Ulama forum? You mentioned an example where you addressed a Sunni Ulama forum in your land, so the concept is not foreign to you. The lack of confidence certain sectors feel towards SA Ulama is their own doing, as you point out, but consider the added damage you have contributed.

4) As in [the] previous point [3] you came across as extremely patronising. How much time did you spend researching a people or spending time with different sectors before your judgements? Islam exists only 100 years in SA??? Do not equate the history of a few to the overwhelming majority - to paraphrase a statement you made several times last night.

5) I salute your superior knowledge but do not respect the patronising way you assume we know nothing of the Shiah. After putting us in our place and touting your qualifications you proceed to declare that do we even know of the Alawis being a group of the Itha Ashariyah! Yes, we all err, but you state this after elevating yourself and lowering your audience.

6) Your interpretation of inmates of Hell being liberated on the basis of their atomic faith

referring to their faith being correct on at least SOMETHING although wrong on most things; rather than a statement of weak but correct belief as per narrow minded people like myself, is problematic. How does your interpretation exclude the Jews who might have more points of coincidence with Islamic belief than certain deviant sects?

7) You said NOTHING new. If these are then the interpretations of Ibn Hajar etc whom you mentioned, please provide references.

8) Later you contradict yourself. Everything you said is purported from classic scholars

on the other hand, it does not matter if you say something new, because whatever you say is from the Quraan.

9) I am not convinced that Sunnis were always the majority at every point in our history, but that is a minor point

was salaam

A Muslim’s Thoughts on his Diet

عَنْ عَوْنِ بْنِ أَبِي جُحَيْفَةَ ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ , قَالَ : " آخَى النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَيْنَ سَلْمَانَ وَأَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ ، فَزَارَ سَلْمَانُ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ ، فَرَأَى أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ مُتَبَذِّلَةً ، فَقَالَ لَهَا : مَا شَأْنُكِ يَا أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ ؟ قَالَتْ : إِنَّ أَخَاكَ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ يَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَيَصُومُ النَّهَارَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ فِي شَيْءٍ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا حَاجَةٌ ، فَجَاءَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ ، فَرَحَّبَ بِهِ وَقَدَّمَ إِلَيْهِ طَعَامًا ، فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ : اطْعَمْ ، فَقَالَ : إِنِّي صَائِمٌ ، قَالَ : أَقْسَمْتُ عَلَيْكَ لَتُفْطِرَنَّهُ ، قَالَ : مَا آكُلُ حَتَّى تَأْكُلَ . ثُمَّ بَاتَ عِنْدَهُ ، فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ أَرَادَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ أَنْ يَقُومَ فَمَنَعَهُ سَلْمَانُ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ : يَا أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ إِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا ، وَلِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا ، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا ، فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ ، وَصَلِّ وَآتِ أَهْلَكَ ، وَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ ، فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي الصُّبْحِ ، قَالَ : قُمِ الآنَ إِنْ شِئْتَ ، قَالَ : فَقَامَا فَصَلَّيَا ثُمَّ رَكَعَا ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَا إِلَى الصَّلاةِ ، وَجَاءَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ لِيُخْبِرَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِالَّذِي أَمَرَهُ سَلْمَانُ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " إِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا مِثْلَ الَّذِي قَالَ لَكَ سَلْمَانُ " .

ʿAwn bin ʿAbī Juḥāyfah narrates from his father that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   said, “Indeed your body has a right over you...” [al-Bukhārī]

 

The first time that I can recall realising that I need to do something about my physical wellbeing, was years ago when I performed sajdah (prostration in prayer)and my belly bounced to the ground, not just my head. I could not offer a basic act of worship with the dignity it deserved. Sadly I went off course. Some factors are in my control, and some are not. A few years have now gone by wherein about two thirds of the time I was walking with crutches, leading to a vicious cycle of lack of exercise and care, which compounded existing health issues. On the 1^st September 2017 I decided to grab the bull by the horns and go on a vigorous diet. Here are some thoughts I would like to share.

 

Fear Allah as best you are able to

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ

Sūrah ʾat-Taghābūn (verse 16) instructs us, “Fear Allāh as best you are able to…”. So why do we restrict this only to purely “religious” matters? I had reached a state of zero exercise. There were times when crawling for ablution and prayer made me scream. However, I thought, what is within my capacity? I could not exercise, but I could stop stuffing myself. So I concentrated on what I am able to do and a few months later I am now able to undertake light exercise again.

But what will people say?

 

A major stumbling block for many in doing the right thing is, “But what will people say?” What Allāh says is secondary to them. Again I thought, this is not exclusively a religious phenomenon. I do not feel hunger in the early morning and am always hungry at night irrespective whether and what I ate during the day. The people say that you HAVE to stuff something down your throat in the morning even if you do not feel hunger. Further you have to be a slave to food and have SIX small meals throughout the day. Is it Sunnah to eat when not hungry? What happened to keeping a third of the belly empty? Did the first generations of Muslims formally sit down to eat at fixed times and fix these at three? I say no and my body said no. Based on my requirements, I researched a bit andI came across OMAD (One Meal A Day). I have implemented this diet for nearly four months (with maybe 5 cheat days) and thank Allāh for the overall benefits of a diet which is closer to the Sunnah than the lifestyle of gluttony we have become accustomed to. I have lost 7kg so far. I feel much better. For the first time in my life I am having deep sleep. I am praying from a standing position, not sitting on a chair. There is less strain on my poor damaged ankles and knees. All praise belongs to Allāh.

 

A Believer can control his expenditure

 

The great saint of India, ʾAshraf ʿAlī Thānwī (Allāh’s mercy be upon him) advised that when we are in financial difficulties we tend to seek ways to increase our income, whereas this is fixed and predetermined by Allāh. On the other hand, expenditure is within our hands. It is that end which we should focus on. I once joked that there is not much for me to cut down on except to stop eating. After all, I already “coast” when driving downhill to save on fuel. Now that I have gone through four months of no breakfast and lunch including no snacks, however supposedly healthy, I have seen financial benefits as well. I normally live on my credit card (without incurring interest!). When I receive my salary I immediately pay my monthly bills and there is not much left on the very day of receipt. With a bit of a lower expenditure, this was this first month in years that I had some respectable amount left. In fact I was genuinely confused, since I have become so used to allocating almost everything to third parties and am not used to having an amount left over.

 

Our Focus on the material diverts us from Allāh

 

This is a topic on its own and requires further elucidation. Certainly Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  utilised physical means and to deny the world’s reality is not Sunnah. However, we just love to exaggerate what we like until the truth becomes a means of falsehood. So yes, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   taught us cleanliness, but using that as an excuse for your glamorous dressing and cosmetics is a most unjust lie when attributed to the simple  Messenger صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  . Similarly many of the religious like to enumerate the number of Sunnah ways they eat, but never reach the issue of amount. Food has become an obsession (look at the size of the bellies of the religious) and we forget that it is a simple means which Allāh had created for our sustenance and that the actual Sustainer is Allāh. The amount we require according to Sunnah, which we do  not mention, is quite minimal. When one attends a meal at a religious gathering (Tablīgh, the spiritual reformatories or the educational institutions etc) in South Africa, then without fail one will hear someone who does not eat much being mocked, “You are a poor batsman, eat more!” How heart-breaking that a religious gathering, Sunnah is regarded as a defect, and contravention of Sunnah is a virtue.

Some people become more obese during Ramaḍān, whereas in this month spiritual energy is so much more apparent. During this blessed month I normally have a cup of green tea, a glass of water and a date in the morning. In the evening I have a date, green tea and 2 litres of water. If I feel real adventurous, I party with a few olives. I do not imply anything special about myself. I write these words in the same vein as I would I say that I inhale and exhale to survive. Food is but a means from our Sustainer, and this is readily apparent to anyone who wishes to see it during Ramaḍān.

Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  sought out the absent and those in difficulty

 

Not so his supposed followers. Illness keeps one away from people and in the home. Meet someone after a lengthy duration and it is, “Hey, I haven’t seen you for ages!” Supposedly for some, Islām suffices with external virtues such as the length of a beard and a cut of a cloth. Sunnahs of the heart are foreign concepts.

 

Everything is black and white for this community

 

For some reason our minds have become programmed to see everything in very narrow constructs, there is just no grey area or consideration for another opinion. This attitude is not restricted to major religious and political issues of the day, but permeates to petty social interactions of our lives. An example in my life….. my left knee is still very weak. I cannot sit in the prayer posture or between prostrations without stretching out to my right. Sitting normally is extremely painful. On the other hand, I currently have the strength to stand, and do not deem praying while sitting for the entire duration to be permissible for me. As such, I need to be by the right hand side wall, or have nobody to my right, as I am forced to stretch in that direction. Try and explain this to the illustrious intellectual descendants of ʾal-Ghazzālī and ʾIbn Kathīr. No, either you are ill and I’ll get you a chair, or you are fine and can’t ask me to make space for you. The small minds of this community make it difficult to attend the Masjid, even when physically capable. How many other issues we face due to such attitudes I cannot enumerate.

 

We have been prohibited from artificial formalities

عن عمر رضي الله عنه قال: نُهِينَا عَنِ التَّكَلُّفِ. رواه البخاري.

ʿUmar (may Allāh be pleased with him) said, “We have been prohibited from takalluf [artificial formalities].” [al-Bukhari]

My teacher, Muḥammad Doodat (may Allāh guard him and accept him), is famous for his tough love. One lesson I always value is when he walked by carrying his books and eager beaver student me rushed forth to shake his hands. He rebuked me that did I expect him to drop his books just because I think I am being respectful? His hands are occupied and in fact what I am doing is not Sunnah, but causing difficulty to another Muslim, who in addition, happens to be my teacher.

Somehow, my peers, who might not have received the same tough love lesson, but definitely learnt the above Ḥadīth, seem to regard my crutches as the latest fashion accessories. Who cares what difficulty and pain they put me through. They expect me drop my crutches and to shake their pious hands. If you cannot assist, then at least desist from harm. I do not regard their hand grabbing as Sunnah. Sunnah is based on thoughtfulness, not artificial social formalities.  Again, a petty example of the broader mentality issues that need to be addressed.

سليمان الكندي

Twitter: @sulayman_Kindi

 

 

Biography of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in 29 Nights with Podcasts (25-30)

 

25.                        Ḥunayn (10 Shawwāl 8 Hijrī)

• After the submission of the Quraysh the Hawāzin led the Polytheists against Islām and were joined in war by Thaqīf (Tāʾif), Saʾd bin Bakr (tribe amongst whom Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   had spent his childhood), etc.


• They brought everything – cattle, women and children – to stake everything in the ultimate battle, to fight to the last.


• Muslims were 10,000 from Madīnah. 2,000 from Makkah accompanying them were not yet all Muslim. Muslims felt confident due to their numbers.


• Upon reaching Ḥunayn the Hawāzin attacked with rain of arrows and then charged. The Muslims seemed defeated and rumour spread that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   was martyred.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   held firm on his white mule, surrounded by few Muhājirūn and Anṣā ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه  held the mule’s bridle and called out to the Muslims. They rallied and defeated the enemy. The lesson was reliance on Allāh, not numbers or material advantage.


• A woman of Saʾd bin Bakr makes a commotion claiming to be the sister of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  . She is brought before and when he asks for proof she says, “I still have the marks of the bite that you bit me on my back,” i.e. when they were both children.


• The New Muslims were treated generously from the spoils and youngsters amongst the Anṣār complained. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   scolded them. “Did I not find you astray and through me Allāḥ guided you. You were poor and through me Allāh made you rich. You were divided and through me Allāh united you. ” But amazingly praised them at the time when one does not think to praise subordinates, “But you could have said… you were discredited and we believed you, abandoned and we helped you, expelled and we sheltered you, poor and we gave you resources.”

https://youtu.be/-h8Z8oR0g2g

26.                        Tabūk (Rajab 9 Hijrī)

• Major distance, intense heat to attack to attack the Romans. The hypocrites used various excuses to fall back. It was so difficult physically and psychologically that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   openly announced the destination unlike other battles.


• ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه donated 1000 dīnār, ʿUmar رضي الله عنه  over half his wealth, Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه   gave everything. ʿAlī رضي الله عنه  left behind as deputy.


• Passed the old lands of Thamūd in haste and forbade the use of its water. Today we make tourist sites of lands of punishment and use Dead Sea products.


• Various towns surrendered and the Romans retreated, so Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   headed back to Madīnah. Pagans of Arabia were now finally convinced that Islām’s victory was permanent.


• On the way back Zayd bin ʾArqam رضي الله عنه overheard Ibn Salūl say, “When we return to Madīnah, the noble ones will evict the despicable one from her.” Zayd was a boy so some of the Anṣār were hesitant about taking his word over a chief’s, but Allāh sent revelation, confirming his testimony.

https://youtu.be/QD3nYR9Eyaw

27.                        Arabia Submits

• Quraysh, Hawāzin and Rome had all been humbled and most were now convinced.


• The tribes now started flocking into Allāh’s Dīn. And 9 Hijrī is known as the year of Delegations. Some came before Tabūk, most needed convincing with Tabūk.


• Banū Tamīm first challenged the Muslims to a poetry contest and submitted when defeated in the contest. Lesson – arm yourself with the means of the time.


• ʿAbdul Qays, were the first of the east tribes to accept Islām in 5 Hijrī. Asajj was told he has two qualities Allāh loves, “Forbearance and deliberation before acting.” Consider how technology has destroyed this in us, we must press the reply and broadcast button immediately. They now sent a second delegation. They were forbidden glazed jars, used for wine. Lesson – what reminds and tempts to Ḥarām is to be avoided.


• Saʾd bin Bakr sent Damām bin Thaʿlabah رضي الله عنه . He spoke very roughly in the Bedouin manner to Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   . He embraced Islām, returned and converted the entire tribe in one day. Lesson – Allāh chooses who He wills. People of different types can all serve Islām.


• “The people of Yemen have come to you. They have sensitive minds and the softest of hearts. Imān is Yemeni. Wisdom is Yemeni.” Gentle manners is inextricable linked to Imān.


• Christians of Najrān sent a delegation. They accepted Islāmic rule but not Islām. Tolerance for other religions is part of Sharīʿah.


• Kindah and Ḥanīfah who had rejected Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   all those years back, now submitted. Although Banū Ḥanīfah turned away under a false prophet. Musaylamah the Liar.


• Wāʾil bin Ḥujr رضي الله عنه , prince of Yemen. Embraced Islām and in his newness treated the secretary of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   , the 18 year old Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه   Made him walk bare feet all the way to Yemen. Yet Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه  assisted him when he came to power.

https://youtu.be/epO4csmGQ4M

28.                        Signs of Impending Departure & Farewell

• Sūrah Naṣr. Everyone rejoiced at its revelation. Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه however wept uncontrollably in sorrow. He alone understood that this was in fact the funeral announcement of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   .


• “O Muʿāẓ, it may be that you will not meet me after this year of mine. Perhaps you will pass by this Masjid of mine and my grave.”


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   did not perform Ḥajj in 8 or 9 Hijrī despite being the ruler of Makkah. He sent Abū Bakr as his deputy as the Imām of Ḥajj. Annual Ḥajj is not Sunnah. He performed one recorded Ḥajj. Certainly only one in last 23 years of his life.


• Every Ramaḍān Jibrīl used to revise what Qurʾān had been revealed thus far. In the Ramaḍan of 10 Hijrī he made Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   recite twice instead of the usual once. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    understood that his time was near. He would not witness another earthly Ramaḍān or Ḥajj season.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   anounced his intention for Ḥajj and set on Saturday 25^th Ẓul Qaʿdah 10 Hijrī.


• Eventually more than 100,000 joined.


• Reached Makkah 4^th Ẓil Ḥijjah. Immediately kissed Ḥajar and performed Ṭawā


• Two Farewell Sermons. Sanctity of property. Blood vengeance of pre-Islām abolished. Usury abolished. “Fear Allāh in regards women…you are responsible for providing for them..” Hold on to the Qurʿān to avoid going astray. “Time has completed the cycle to reach the same point when Allāh created the heavens and earth.”


• Yet the opening and closing statements were indications of bidding farewell. “O people hear my words, for I do not know if I shall meet you again after this year and in this place again.”


• “Have I delivered the message? Have I delivered the message?”


• Whilst pelting Jamarāt, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   stopped and said, “Learn your rites. For I do not know whether I am likely to perform the Ḥajj after this occasion.”

https://youtu.be/hbTu6mxuKOI

29.                        To the Companion Most High

• After returning from Ḥajj, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   went to Uhud. He prayed for the martyrs in the manner of one bidding farewell.


• Late one night in Ṣafar 11 Hijrī Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   went to pray for the deceased in Baqīʿ. The next morning his ailment began.


• ʿĀʾishah, “O my head!” “No, O ʿĀʾishah, O my head.”


• At house of Maymūnah, asked wives permission to be nursed at one house, ʿĀʾishah’s.


• Faḍl bin ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه and ʿAlī رضي الله عنه  had to support him. He walked feet dragging, cloth tied to the head due to the pain.


• Summoned ʾUsāmah رضي الله عنه commanding him to march to Syria. Army left after his passing.


• Only money left was 9 Dirham. “How shall I face Allāh with these in my possession?” and gave them away. (ZAR 213.84)


• Kept falling unconscious, so appointed Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه as Imām, except for few prayers when he felt better.


• Last prayer he led was Maghrib, recited wal-Mursalā


• All doors attached to the Majid shut except for that of Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه .


• Last sermon, “I advise you in regards the Anṣār. They are my friends and as if part of my own liver. They have fulfilled their obligations and nothing remains now for them except reward. Accept their good and overlook their wrong.”


• Last night Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   spent on earth there was no oil to light his lamp. ʿĀʾishah had to borrow oil from others.


• Last public appearance. Monday during Fajr Ṣalāh, “Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    lifted the curtain and kept his eyes fixed on us …. He smiled and then laughed…. And that was the day on which he died.”


• Last command later that day, “[Guard your] Ṣalāh. [Care for] those whom your right hands possess. Expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula.”


• Saw Miswāk in ʾAbdurraḥmān bin Abī Bakr’s رضي الله عنه ʿĀʾishah softened it and gave it to him. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    cleaned his teeth and dropped it out of weakness.


• With his head in our Mother’s lap, saying his last words, “Allāhumma ar-Rafīq al-ʾAʿlā” Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   left to the Companion Most High.

https://youtu.be/Lcx0hj0PBRA

30.                        Description in Tirmiẓi, if Allāh wills 30 nights

عن  أنس قال خدمت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عشر سنين فما قال لي أف قط وما قال لشيء صنعته لم صنعته ولا لشيء تركته لم تركته وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من أحسن الناس خلقا ولا مسست خزا قط ولا حريرا ولا شيئا كان ألين من كف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ولا شممت مسكا قط ولا عطرا كان أطيب من عرق رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم

• Anas رضي الله عنه narrated, “I served the Prophet صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    for ten years. He never uttered the slightest sound of displeasure and never said for anything I did, ‘Why did you do that,’ Nor for something that I left, ‘Why did you leave that?’ Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    was amongst the most beautiful of people in his appearance. I have never touched brocade or even silk or anything for that matter which is softer than the palm of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   . I have never smelt musk or any other perfume more fragrant than the perspiration of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   .


• : كَانَ عَلِيٌّ إِذَا وَصَفَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  ، قَالَ : ” لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   بِالطَّوِيلِ الْمُمَّغِطِ ، وَلا بِالْقَصِيرِ الْمُتَرَدِّدِ ، وَكَانَ رَبْعَةً مِنَ الْقَوْمِ ، لَمْ يَكُنْ بِالْجَعْدِ الْقَطَطِ ، وَلا بِالسَّبْطِ ، كَانَ جَعْدًا رَجِلا ، وَلَمْ يَكُنْ بِالْمُطَهَّمِ , وَلا بِالْمُكَلْثَمِ ، وَكَانَ فِي وَجْهِهِ تَدْوِيرٌ , أَبْيَضُ مُشَرَبٌ ، أَدْعَجُ الْعَيْنَيْنِ ، أَهْدَبُ الأَشْفَارِ ، جَلِيلُ الْمُشَاشِ وَالْكَتَدِ ، أَجْرَدُ , ذُو مَسْرُبَةٍ ، شَثْنُ الْكَفَّيْنِ وَالْقَدَمَيْنِ ، إِذَا مَشَى تَقَلَّعَ كَأَنَّمَا يَنْحَطُّ فِي صَبَبٍ ، وَإِذَا الْتَفَتَ الْتَفَتَ مَعًا ، بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ خَاتَمُ النُّبُوَّةِ ، وَهُوَ خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ ، أَجْوَدُ النَّاسِ صَدْرًا ، وَأَصْدَقُ النَّاسِ لَهْجَةً ، وَأَلْيَنُهُمْ عَرِيكَةً ، وَأَكْرَمُهُمْ عِشْرَةً ، مَنْ رَآهُ بَدِيهَةً هَابَهُ ، وَمَنْ خَالَطَهُ مَعْرِفَةً أَحَبَّهُ ، يَقُولُ نَاعِتُهُ : لَمْ أَرَ قَبْلَهُ , وَلا بَعْدَهُ مِثْلَهُ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ


• Whenever Ali radiallahu anhu described the nobel features of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), he used to say: “Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was neither very tall nor short, but of a medium stature among people.  His hair was neither very curly nor very straight, but had a slight wave in it.  He did not have a big body nor a round face, but his face was slightly round (meaning he did not have a fully round face nor a fully elongated face, bur in between the two).  The complexion of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was white with redness in it.  The eyes of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were extremely black.  His eyelashes were long.  The joints of the body (e.g. elbows and knees etc.) were large, likewise the portion between the two shoulders was broad and fully fleshed.  There was no hair (more than normal) on his body. He had a thin line of hair running from the chest to the navel.  The hands and feet of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were fully fleshed.  When he walked, he lifted his legs with vigour, as if he were descending to a low-lying place.  When he addressed a person he turned his whole body towards that person. The seal of Prophethood was situated between his shoulders.  He was a last of all prophets.  He was the most generous and the most truthful.  He was the most kind-hearted and came from a most noble family.   Any person who saw him suddenly would become struck with awe. Anyone who came in close contact with him, and knew his excellent character would love him.  Anyone who described him can only say: “I have not never seen anyone before or after like him صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  . ” [Shamāʿil lit-Tirmiẓi. Translation adapted from Mawlānā Yūsuf Karān]

 

https://youtu.be/jRxlGN6xklc

و صلى الله على راكب البراق كامل الأخلاق

Biography of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in 29 Nights with Podcasts (20-24)

 

20.                        Uḥud (3 Shawwāl 3 Hijrī)

• After Badr hypocrites arose under ʿAbdullāh bin Ubayy ibn Salūl.


• Kaʿb bin Ashraf the Jew incited the Quraysh to avenge Badr.


• The Quraysh army arrived 3000 strong, accompanied by women such as Hind, wife of Abū Sufyān (may Allāh be pleased with them). She later much regretted her ignorance at Uḥud and distinguished herself in the cause of Islām in such battles like Yarmūk.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    and Ibn Ubayy thought to defend Madīnah. Muslims who missed Badr wished to engage the enemy. They prevailed.


• 1000 set out against 3000 Quraysh.


• Ibn Ubayy removed his 300 followers, causing anxiety amongst the remaining 700.


• Two clans of the Anṣār thought to abandon the battle – a major sin – but remained. Allāh so loves the Anṣār that He proclaimed himself their friend in Sūrah Āl ʿImrān “wallāhu walīyumā” upon this incident of disobedience, not when they were obedient.


• Jubayr bin Muṭʿīm and Hind arranged for Waḥshī, an expert javelin thrower and slave to kill Ḥamzah (may Allāḥ be pleased with him), which he did.


• Flag-bearer, Muṣʿāb bin ʿUmayr martyred.


• 50 Muslim archers stationed on hill left their position when it seemed the Muslims were winning. This allowed the Quraysh cavalry to attack from the other direction and the Muslims were routed especially when rumour spread that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   had been martyred.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   thrown with a stone, and front teeth smashed.


• Ṭalḥah binʿUbaydillāh shielded him with his own body against the arrows until his hand was paralysed.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   was too weak to climb to a rock to sit and offer Zhuhr. Ṭalḥah carried him.


• Amongst who died defending Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   was Abū Dahdah al-Anṣārī who had donated 500 trees in exchange for a tree in Paradise.


• The Quraysh gave up trying to reach Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  . Abū Sufyān called out that Uḥud was in exchange for Badr. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    told ʿUmar to reply, “Our dead are in Paradise. Your dead are in Hell.” Abū Sufyān called out, “We have ʿUzzā and you have none.” Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    told ʿUmar to reply, “Allāh is our Protector and you have none.”

https://youtu.be/qm8jcvyOyH0

https://youtu.be/4OvpI9DhHP0

21.                        Khandaq (Shawwāl 5 Hijrī)

• Jews of Banū Naḍīr orchestrated an alliance against the Muslims. They would supply a year’s harvest from Khaybar, the Quraysh 4000 men and the Ghaṭfān 6000 men. The Jews of Qurayzhah inside Madīnah would betray the Muslims.


• Salmān the Persian رضي الله عنه proposed the Persian tactic of digging a trench at the vulnerable northern front.


• Muslims worked through extremely harsh winter and hunger. Abū Ṭalḥah رضي الله عنه showed Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   a slab of stone tied to his stomach to placate his hunger. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    showed him two.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    called out, “O Allāh! There is truly no life but that of the Hereafter. Forgive the Anṣār and the Muhājirūn.” They replied, “We are those who have pledged to Muḥammad, to wage Jihād forever as long as we last.”


• A large rock could not be destroyed. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   himself smashed it in three blows. In each blow he prophesied conquest over Syria, Persia and Yemen in turn – at a time when the Muslims seemed to face utter destruction.


• Miracle of the increasing barley and mutton at the house of Jābir bin ʿAbdillāh رضي الله عنه .


• Severe siege for a month. Nuʿaym bin Masʿūd رضي الله عنه secretly embraced Islām and managed to turn the Arabs and Jews against each other. The lack of morale combined with a fierce hurricane made the Arabs withdraw.


• “None of you shall pray ʿAṣr except at Qurayzhah” – differences of opinion of the command existed even in the lifetime of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  .

https://youtu.be/S-kbhSVjH5c

22.                        Hudaybiyah (Ẓul Qaʿdah 6 Hijrī)

• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   saw from Allāh that he was performing ʿUmrah. Ṣaḥābah prepared to join him as pilgrims, not armed as an army. They dressed as such and brought animals for sacrifice to make their peaceful intentions clear.


• The Quraysh intended to stop the 1400 Muslims. They encamped at Ḥudaybīyah, on the border of the Ḥaram, where the Quraysh could not attack.


• ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه sent as ambassador. The Quraysh respected him offered to let him perform Ṭawā He refused if Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    could not, so they detained him in anger.


• Muslims heard that ʿUthmānرضي الله عنه had been killed. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    called on the Muslims to pledge to fight to the death under a tree. Even in that serious moment Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    made time to be light hearted with Salmāh bin Akwā رضي الله عنه .


• Eventually negotiations ensued and a treaty signed. The Ṣahābah were greatly offended by the deletion of Basmallāh and “Muḥammad Rasūlullāh” and the apparently harsh terms, but Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   was practical and Allāh intended something great.


• With peace achieved, the Muslims could interact with other tribes and spread the message. More people embraced Islām in the next two years than in the previous 19 years.

https://youtu.be/UaJtxvIfGNw

23.                        Khaybar & Muʿtah

• Khaybar, 112 km NE of Madīnah. The Jews there were once again plotting with Ghaṭfān against the Muslims.


• Shortly after returning to Madīnah, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   marched against Khaybar. Only the participants of Ḥudaybiyah were allowed to join.


• Forts fell except for that of Marhab. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  , “Tomorrow I shall give the flag to a man who loves Allāh and His Rasūl and he will conquer the fort. ”


• ʿAlī’s رضي الله عنه eyes was afflicted. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    applied his saliva to his eyes and it was cured. He gave him the flag and he was victorious over Marhab.


• A Slave embraced Islām and was martyred in the battle. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   said, “I saw two Ḥūr standing by his side, although he never made a Sajdah to Allā”


• Khaybar was conquered and the Jews allowed to remain and farm on condition that half their crops would go to the Muslims. ʿAbdullāh bin Rawāḥāh رضي الله عنه used to divide the crops and let the Jews choose which half they wanted.


• 3000 Muslims marched to Muʾta when the Roman governor killed the ambassador of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  , Ḥārith binʿUmayr al-ʾAzdī رضي الله عنه .


• The first commander, Zayd bin Ḥārithah رضي الله عنه was killed, followed by Jaʾfar bin Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه . He was 33 and had just returned from a decade in Abyssinia. Then ʿAbdullāh bin Rawāḥāh رضي الله عنه .


• Khālid bin Wālid assumed command and returned the troops home.


• The Muslims derided them as runaways, but Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   said they were those who retreat to return to battle.

https://youtu.be/RDHq31Dldqs

24.                        Conquest of Makkah (19/20? Ramaḍān 8 Hijrī)

• As allowed by the Treaty of Ḥudaybiyah, Banū Bakr aligned itself with the Quraysh whilst Khuẓāʿah allied with the Muslims, feeling closer to the descendant of ʿAbd Manāf whose mother was from Khazāʿah.


• Bakr attacked Khuzāʿah with Quraysh assistance, who even encouraged them to massacre Khuzāʿah when they sort refuge in the borders of the Ḥaram.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   sent ultimatum to Quraysh – pay blood money; or break alliance with the offending section of Bakr; or face the consequences. The Quraysh decided on war.


• Ḥātib bin Abī Baltaʾah رضي الله عنه wrote to inform the Quraysh of the plan of attack. His messenger was caught and he was forgiven. He is one of the 313 of Badr.


• 10,000 Ṣaḥābah set out for Makkah. Even the Bible mentions this event.


• Abū Sufyān رضي الله عنه met Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    who was encamped outside Makkah. He embraced Islām and received guarantee of safety.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   entered Makkah on his camel. He carried the recently deceased Zaynab’s son with him. His best daughter who suffered much on his behalf. He was reciting Sūrah Fatḥ.


• Saʿd bin ʿUbādah shouted, “Today is a day of massacre. The Kaʿbah offers no sanctuary…” Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  , “Today is a day of mercy, the Kaʿbah will be covered…” origin of Kaʿbah covering


• After Ṭawāf, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   personally began smashing the idols with his bow.


• Standing on the steps, “There is no god but Allāh alone Who has no partner! He was true to His promise and helped His slave. It is He alone who defeated the allies… O gathering of Quraysh, what do you say I shall do to you?” “Good! For you are noble brother, son of a noble brother.” “Then I say to you what Yūsuf said to his brothers, ‘There is no blame upon you today.’ Go, you are free.”


• Makkah embraced Islām, including Hind bint ʿUtbah.

https://youtu.be/EFN5Q_AfZWc

 

و صلى الله على راكب البراق كامل الأخلاق

Biography of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in 29 Nights with Podcasts (15-19)

Herewith my notes for the Sīrah discussion I intend giving this year after Tarāwīḥ, Allāh willing. If we had all the time in the world we could not do justice to the greatest personality that ever walked the face of the earth. Yet in view of the lack of knowledge on the basics of his life by the general public I am using this platform for this purpose, on the premise that one can only truly love someone if one knows that person. As long as we are ignorant about the life and character of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    our love for him cannot be as complete as it could be.

سليمان الكندي
Twitter: @sulayman_Kindi

15.                        Hijrah of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ

• Meeting at Darun Nadwah. Imprisonment and exile rejected. Murder was the only option left but the clan of the murder would be held responsible. Abū Jahl proposed a man of each clan join in the murder so no single clan could be blamed.


• Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    emerged from Khadījah’s house, cast sand upon them, reciting from Yāsīn, they did not see him.


• Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    turned to look last time at Makkah, “O Makkah, you are the best of Allāh’s lands and most beloved. If not that your people have expelled me, I would never have left you.”


• Headed south instead of north, tactics.


• Status of Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه, Sūrah Tawbah, “Allah is with us,” i.e. him and Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    as they hid in the Cave of Thawr.


• Surāqah bin Mālik, horse kept sinking as he attempted to attack. Begged for written word of protection. Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    predicted that he would wear the Persian Emperor’s bracelets. Occurred in time of ʿUmar.

https://youtu.be/PH4NNgm53yo

16.                        Description of al-Madīnah, Arrival at Qubāʾ

• Built by two Jewish clans in the time of Mūsā, awaiting the final prophet.


• They were traders while the later Yemeni Azdīs were farmers.


• Yathrib was renamed Madīnah, whoever says Yathrib should seek forgiveness.


• Its south was protected by thick date plantations, the east and west by lava soil. The lava soil caused most of the water to be bitter, hence the drinking of nabīz (soaking dates in the water).


• Entered 12^th Rabīʿul ʾAwwal. This year was later renamed as first year of Islāmic calendar.


• Anṣār waited everyday until the noon heat drove them indoors. A Jew happened to see and called out. The Anṣār came rushing out. Women on the rooftops, men waving swords and children reciting Ṭalʿal badru ʿalaynā.


• Spent few days at Qubāʾ. Built Masjid and performed his first Jumuʿah there, then continued to centre of Madīnah.

https://youtu.be/XIlExvxIS4I

17.                        Madīnah

• Camel allowed to roam, stopped on the land of orphans, Sahl and Suhayl. Bought for al-Masjid an-Nabawī site. In the interim Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    stayed with his nearest Anṣārī relative Abū Ayyūb was from Najjār as was ʿAbdul Muṭṭalib’s mother. Tribal connections were important amongst Arabs. Allāh sets events in motions long before. Just as Ḥubbā bint Ḥulayl was mother of ʿAbd Manāf, which had repercussions after Ḥudaybiyah.


• Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    personally helped with the construction.


• Simple non-solid structure with, rain used to come through the roof.


• Two notable first encounters – ʿAbdullāh bin Salām, Chief Rabbi, who hears:


• يا أيها الناس: أفشوا السلام، وأطعموا الطعام، وصِلُوا الأرحام، وصلّوا بالليل والناس نيام، تدخلوا الجنة بسلام) رواه أحمد والترمذي


• Salmān, the Persian , who finds Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   in extremely emotional encounter after years of searching for the truth, and much sacrifice.

https://youtu.be/p_tSXcx8ICE

https://youtu.be/RxygP891dvs

18.                        The New Social Structure

• Muʾākhāh – the brotherhood. Each Muhājir was allocated with an Anṣārī brother. The Anṣār willing and most generously assisted their brethren and initially the Muhājirūn were made their heirs before the laws of inheritance were finalised in the Qurʿān.


• The generosity is unmatched in human history. The Qurʿān says of the Anṣār, “They give preference over their own selves even though they are poverty-stricken”


• Great praise for the Anṣār in Ḥadīth, “The sign of faith is love for the Anṣār…” “By Allāh! You are the most beloved people unto me.” They accepted when the rest of humanity rejected and thus included themselves amongst the rejected ones.


• However, people have also exaggerated. Whilst Saʿd bin Rabīʿah رضي الله عنه did offer half his wealth and one of his two wives for his Muhājir bother, ʿAbdur Raḥmān bin ʿAwf رضي الله عنه, ʿAbduraḥmān refused. He accepted assistance only in so far as starting off his own trade and son became independent. It’s incorrect what some say, “The Anṣār gave half their wealth and divorced their wives for the Muhājirūn.”


• Islāmic character is that those who have must try to assist. Those who don’t have should seek independence and not live on hand-outs.


• The Jews entered into a pact of mutual defence. The Jews violated the pact. An-Naḍīr tried to kill Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   and were expelled.  Qurayzhah helped the enemy at Khandaq and were destroyed.


• After the building of the Masjid, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   chose a spot for a Muslim business area. Trade was previously entirely Jewish. This is an example of the balance Islām teaches.

https://youtu.be/-QBn3wR3E0w

19.                        Badr

• Abū Sufyān seized the Muslim property in Makkah, sold it in Syria to raise funds to attack Islā He was passing Madīnah returning to Makkah and had to be stopped.


• At this stage the Anṣār were only bound by Oath of ʿAqabah, i.e. protect Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   in Madīnah, there was no duty on them to confront Abū Sufyān, but their numbers were needed.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   out of shyness asked the Muhājirūn thrice if they would set out. Saʿd bin Muʿāẓ (may Allāh be pleased with him) realised that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    was referring to his people. “Perhaps you think, O Messenger of Allāh, that the Anṣār have only undertaken to help you on their own territory. I wish to tell you on behalf of the Anṣār that you may lead us where you like, align us with whom you like, or break relations with whomsoever you see fit. You may take from our wealth what you want and leave for us what you want, but what you take would be more beloved than what you leave us. We shall follow whatever you command. By Allāh, if you go to Bark Ghimdān [symbol for far place] we shall follow you. By Allāh, should you jump into the sea, we would jump with you.”


• The Muhājir “troops” were the same people who sat behind each other to cover their nakedness, who fainted in Ṣalāh due to lack of food. They were now called to fight and none hesitated.


• ʿUmayr bin Abī Waqqās, young boy, hid so that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   would not send him back. He was martyred.


• Abū Sufyān received intelligence and changed course whilst the Quraysh sent a fully equipped army of 1000 to meet the 313 Muslims.


• Reaching Badr Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   showed where specific enemies would be killed. It happened exactly.


• Night before Battle of Badr, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   spent weeping, “O Allāh, if this little group is destroyed then never again will You be worshipped.” – Spiritual combined with material the next day of taking up arms. Middle path is Sunnah.


• 17^th Ramaḍān, first year that fast had been ordained. Some continued fasting some took leeway. Neither party reprimanded the other.


• Triple duel before the battle, Muslims win.


• Angels descend. The two boys of Afrāʾ and ʿAbdullāh bin Masʾūd (may Allāh be pleased with them) kill Abū Jahl. 70 Quraysh killed and 70 captured. 6 Muhājirūn and 8 Anṣār martyred.


• Muslims give their food to the prisoners and remain hungry.

https://youtu.be/R_hDebGcuZs

و صلى الله على راكب البراق كامل الأخلاق

Biography of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in 29 Nights with Podcasts (11-13)

Herewith my notes for the Sīrah discussion I intend giving this year after Tarāwīḥ, Allāh willing. If we had all the time in the world we could not do justice to the greatest personality that ever walked the face of the earth. Yet in view of the lack of knowledge on the basics of his life by the general public I am using this platform for this purpose, on the premise that one can only truly love someone if one knows that person. As long as we are ignorant about the life and character of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    our love for him cannot be as complete as it could be.

سليمان الكندي
Twitter: @sulayman_Kindi

Contents

• The Year of Sorrow..


• Miʿrāj


• Oath of ʿAqabah.

11.                        The Year of Sorrow

• Shortly after the boycott ended Abū Ṭālib died.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   begged him to recite the Kalimah, but upon the taunting of Abū Jahl, “Are you going to leave the religion of Abdul Muṭṭalib?” he refused and insisted that he was dying on his father’s religion.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   was greatly grieved when his beloved uncle died on disbelief, but ordered Alī رضي الله عنه to bury him. Furthermore, he no longer had the protection of the chief of Banū Hāshim and persecution became more direct and violent.


• Thereafter our mother, Khadījah رضي الله عنها , died. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   never smiled for months thereafter.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  had not married anyone else during her lifetime.


• She used to take food to the Cave of Ḥirāʾ. It was she who comforted Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   during his anxiety after the first revelation and was his pillar of strength. She was the first female believer. She spent all her wealth on him and his cause. He always remembered her and sent gifts to her friends, to the extent that ʿĀishah felt feminine discomfort in regards her status, despite never having met her.


• Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   sought the protection of aṭ-Ṭāʾif, the town associated with his the tribe of his childhood, Banū Saʿd.


• The chiefs rejected him and allowed the rabble to stone him till his feet bled.


• The angel in charge of the mountains around aṭ-Ṭāʾif offered to crush the town, but Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   refused, hoping their progeny would be believers.


• However, Adas, a Christian slave embraced Islām and a delegation of Jinn overhead his recitation and embraced Islām, as mentioned in Sūrah al-Jinn.

https://youtu.be/lzDYjfhkQB4

12.                        Miʿrāj

• A consolation for Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   for his great sorrow, and also indicates the status of Khadījah رضي الله عنها.


• Isrāʾ – night journey – authenticated by the Qurʾā


• From the Ḥaṭīm. Jibrīl now washed the heart of Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ for the second time.


• The exact date is not known, not even the year for certain. As Muslims we commemorate the lessons and commands, i.e. Ṣalāh, not the anniversary.


• Isrā, first half of the journey was earth city (Makkah) to earth city (Baytul Muqaddas). Second half was to heaven (Miʿrāj). This may be symbolic of rights of created and Creator.


• Performs Ṣalāh, leading all the previous Prophets. Muḥammad صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    is the Imām of Ambiyāʾ.


• Jibrīl asks him to choose between wine and milk.


• Ascension to the Heavens. Each gate-keeper angels asks, “Who is this? Was he called for?” Stories that heavens were specially decorated in preparation are false and have no basis in Ḥadīth.


• At each heaven specific prophets welcome him, from Ādam to Ibrāhīm.


• 50 Ṣalāh made compulsory, reduced by 5-10 at the insistence of Mūsā, until 5 for which we are rewarded 50.


• Various scenes of Paradise and Hell.


• When he related this to the Quraysh they mocked him and demanded evidence. He described the Masjid as Allāh showed him. The masjid was used as rubbish dump. This does not mean the building did not exist as some claim. Further when Umar conquered Baytul Muqaddas, he cleaned the Masjid, not built it.


• Abū Bakr earned his titles of ʾaṣ-Ṣidīq on this occasion when he immediately accepted the word of Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    without any doubt.

 

https://youtu.be/Wglb4ynAUVA

 

https://youtu.be/7QN8fRDe1N4

13.                        Oath of ʿAqabah

• Various tribes came to Makkah for business and pilgrimage.


• Having not convinced the Quraysh and Ṭāʾif, Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   turned to other tribes.


• He focussed on the prominent tribes for practical reasons, e.g. Kindah, Banū Shaybah, Banū Ḥanīfah. All rejected.


• At this early stage when Muslims were few in number and politically insignificant, Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    already promised the conquest of Persia to whoever accepted his message. Prophecy can only be accepted by those of faith when it seems impossible. There is nothing amazing about accepting what seems materially bound to happen.


• The Aws and Khazraj, two clans of Azd, had decimated each other in wars lasting years over petty issues and acutely needed a leader. They were politically unimportant, except for the location of their city, Yathrib, on the trade route to Syria.


• They understood more about Prophethood because the Jews lived in their city and declared that they awaited a Prophet. In fact two Levite clans built Yathrib at the site where they expected him to appear.


• Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    met 6 people of Khazraj at ʾAqabah from Yathrib, they were keen. They recognised this to be the promised Prophet and accepted.


• They returned home and spread Islā The next year 12 of both clans rendered the First Oath of ʿAqabah – oath of Islām


• Rasūlullāh r sent Musʿab bin ʿUmayr to teach Islā The people called him al-Muqriʾ, the Reader. When there was 40 Muslims Musʿab started the first Jumuʿah at the house of Asʿad bin Zurārah. People would always remember Asʿad at the time of Jumuʿah.


• The following year 71 men and 2 women pledged the Second Oath of ʾAqabah, but insisted that Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   would never leave them. This time oath of Islām combined with political allegiance.

https://youtu.be/xjQV0emDhwY

Biography of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in 29 Nights with Podcasts (14)

Herewith my notes for the Sīrah discussion I intend giving this year after Tarāwīḥ, Allāh willing. If we had all the time in the world we could not do justice to the greatest personality that ever walked the face of the earth. Yet in view of the lack of knowledge on the basics of his life by the general public I am using this platform for this purpose, on the premise that one can only truly love someone if one knows that person. As long as we are ignorant about the life and character of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    our love for him cannot be as complete as it could be.

سليمان الكندي
Twitter: @sulayman_Kindi

 

14.                        Hijrah

• When Muslims later met to discuss when to start dating their calendar, Hijrah was chosen over Mawlūd, revelation of Qurʾān, etc.


• Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    allowed his followers to go first. He would leave at the end. Thus was his character. Leadership is responsibility, not seeking privileges.


• The Quraysh tried to stop the Muslims. Thus families were split, e.g Umm Salmah, her husband and child.


• They had to leave their wealth behind, some had to give up everything, e.g. Ṣuhayb “Rūmī”


• All had to go secretly except ʿUmar, who openly announced his Hijrah. He arms himself, makes Tawāf and calls, “Whoever wishes to make his wife a widow and children orphans, then come and meet me…”


• Abū Bakr was not granted permission because he was destined to accompany Muḥammad صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ     When told he wept for joy. He had only 5,000 dirham left out of 40,000 before Islām. He spent everything on Islām.


• ʿAlī was left behind to give back the trusts. Despite their opposition, the Quraysh trusted al-Amīn صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ    so much, they used to leave their valuables with him.

https://youtu.be/jU1QlJa9G9s

و صلى الله على راكب البراق كامل الأخلاق