MUHAMMAD صلي الله عليه وسلم

That's the Prophet Muhammad , a philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, a cult without images, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and one spiritual empire. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than him?

The Look

He was a white man with a rosy tinge. He was of a height a little above the average. He was well built with broad shoulders. His belly never protruded out of his chest profile. He used to walk briskly and firmly, lifting each foot off the ground. His gait was described as it would tire others to keep pace with him. His companions described him as a handsome person with prominent forehead, high tipped nose, long eyelashes, large black eyes with well set teeth and a pleasant smile. He had slightly curly hair and a thick beard. His companions indicated that he had a friendly bright face that looked like a full moon. He didn't laugh loudly, his laugh was mostly a smile that would show his teeth a bit like hailstones. His cheerfulness and open personality were felt by all people.

He was unfailingly cheerful, easy going by nature and mild mannered. He was not a clamorous loud mouth, nor a repeater of obscenities. He was not a fault finder, nor did he overly praise the others. He didn't speak unnecessarily and what he said was always to the point and without any padding. His words were precise and concise having complete meaning in few words. He spoke with excellence and there was no excess in it and no abnormal brevity. When he emphasized a point, he used to repeat it thrice with a gesture. He spoke of nothing unless he hoped a reward from God for it. 

He told his companions: "I'm a guarantor for a house in the heart of the Paradise for those who quit arguing even if they were right and I'm a guarantor for a house in the middle of the Paradise for those who quit lying even if they were kidding and I'm a guarantor for a house in the highest part in the Paradise for those who behave with good manners." (Sahih Abu Dawood)

The Manners

He kept his feelings under firm control. When annoyed, he would turn aside or keep silent. When someone commits an act that violates God's Law, he used to show serious anger and firm stand. No one would stand against his anger when matters of the Lord's truth were opposed, until he had triumph, but he would never get angry for his own sake.

He was always the first to greet the others and would not withdraw his hand from a hand shaker till the other man withdrew his. Whoever saw him unexpectedly would admire and revere him. And however socialized or associated with him familiarly, loved him. He was gentle by nature. He was neither coarse nor disdainful of anyone. When he looked at the others, he looked at them in full face. If someone called him he didn't turn his face only, but gave attention with his whole body. When he would go to visit a group, he would sit in the nearest available spot. He ordered his companions to follow his practice. He would give those seated near him his full share of attention in such a way that no one would think others had been given precedence over him. He didn't reserve fixed places among the people to be seated. He was fair with his companions and all people. They were distinguished only by virtue and devotion to God.

Everything he did was in moderation, without excess or contrariness. He never criticized the food or drink that was prepared for him, nor he did overly praise it. When at home, he would divide his time into three parts, one for God, one for his family and one for himself. He always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes and sweep the floor. He used to dress well and smell good. (Sahih Bukhari, Chapter Kitabul Adab)

After dawn prayers, he would remain sitting in the mosque reciting the Holy Qur'an and praises of Allah till the sun rose. After midnight, he used to get up for Tahajjud prayers which he never missed even once in his life. (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari)

He had declared unlawful for himself and his family anything given by the people by way of zakat or sadaqa (types of charity). He was so particular about it, that he would not appoint any member of his family as a zakat collector. His house was but a hut with walls of unbaked clay and a thatched roof of palm leaves covered by camel skin. 

When he died, he did not leave a cent or any property except his white mule and a piece of land which he had dedicated for the good of the community. (Sahih Bukhari) as he said: "What have I to do with worldly things. My connection with the world is like that of a traveler resting for awhile underneath the shade of a tree and then moving on"

The Life

Muhammad's  is son of Abdullah, son of Abdul-Muttalib (ancestry reaches back to the Prophet Ishmael son of Prophet Abraham) and Amina. He was from Bani-Hashim family (Bani-Hashim was from Quraysh, a tribe that was highly ranked in Arabia). He was born on 22 April 570 CE (1) in Mecca, Arabian Peninsula and he passed away on 6 June 632 CE in Madinah (approximately 450 km north of Mecca).

His father passed away before he was born. His mother sent him out of Mecca to be breastfed by a wet nurse called Halima (this was an old Arab custom) till he's 2 years old. In the age of 2 to 6 years old he lived with his mother until she passed away in the year 576 CE then lived with his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib until he passed away when he's 8 years old. From 8 to 25 years old he lived with his paternal uncle Abu-Talib who had 10 children.

Muhammad  was illiterate, he could not read or write. He never lived outside Mecca for sought foreign knowledge. Muslims believe that he conveyed the Holy Qur'an as the Message of God and His Book to all people. He conveyed it letter by letter and word by word without rephrasing any part of it with his own words. His sayings and teachings were not mixed with the Holy Qur'an, they were collected in books which are called 'The Sunnah of the Prophet' which means his teachings, way of life and explanation of Qur'an.

Muhammad  worked as a shepherd when he was kid. Since 15 years old he worked in trading with his uncle, merchandising between Yemen and Syria until 23 years old. After that he worked as a merchant or a trader for a wealthy woman called Khadijah who had a general trading business (they used to buy commodities from one area and sell them in another). He was known in his community as a successful and honest tradesman. He was famous for his fidelity, integrity and trustworthiness. It was not long before he earned the title of As-Sadiqul Ameen which means the truthful and the trustworthy.

When he was 40 years old (year 610 CE) he received the divine revelation and dedicated his life to conveying God's Message to all people. He taught people the oneness of God and conveyed Qur'an which call for social justice, peace, harmony and well-being.

The Family

Muhammad  married Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwaylid who came from a noble family called Asad. He married to one wife (Khadijah) for 25 years. (2) She was a respected woman in her community and she was a widow. He worked for her for two years before she proposed marriage to him through a third party. She found him a very loyal, transparent and ethical person. Although Khadijah was 15 years older than him, both of them came from a similar soacial class in the community. The age difference was no obstacle to the establishment of a successful marriage which lasted for 25 years until Khadijah died in the year 619 CE at the age of 65. 

Muhammad  remarried after two years and a few month Khadijah passed away with Aisha, the daughter of his closest friend and most supportive companion, Abu-Bakir. Two years later, Hafsa, the daughter of his second closest companion Omar, lost her husband in the battle of Uhud and become a widow. Omar offered his trusted friends to marry her daughter but no one proposed her. Then he took the initiative and married her. Ramlah, known by the nick name 'Um Habibah', the daughter of top man in Mecca Abu-Sufyan, who didn't believe him and fought him for 20 years. Her husband converted to Christianity and passed away in Abyssinia. She was left alone there, so he proposed to Um Habibah and she accepted and got married to him. 

Then he married Saffiya, the daughter of Jewish leader from Bani Al-Nadhir who betrayed him and worked against him but then they sieged and surrendered. Saffiya was amongst those who were captured but he released her and proposed marriage to her. She accepted and they were married. In the same year, he sent a messenger to the king of Egypt, calling him to accept the message of Islam and the king replied with a polite apology and sent him some gift as well as a physician and a servant or concubine called Mariya (Mary) and he accepted the gifts. He married Mariya and later on she gave birth to a baby boy named Ibrahim.

Muhammad  loved Khadijah and was loyal to her and his children. On several occasions he described her as the best woman of her time alike to Mary the mother of Jesus who was the best woman of her time. (Narrated by Bukhari) He and Khadijah lived in harmony and peace, they had four daughters Zaynab, Ruqayya, Um Kulthoum, Fatima and two sons Al-Qassim, who died when he was 3 years old and Abdullah, who died at the age of four. He used to spend time with his family, help his wife in house matters, sew his own clothes and look after his children.

Islam didn't forbid polygamy but it restricted and regulated it. It's not compulsary to marry more than one wife but it's permissible for genuine reasons (e.g. the wife is barren, suffers from a chronic disease, becomes handicapped, disabled or for other reasons). A man can marry a second wife if he can demonstrate full respect, justice and impartiality. Verse 3, Chapter 4 in Qur'an states: "Marry of the women, who seem good and suitable to you, two or three or four, and if you fear that you cannot do justice (to them) then (marry only one)"  Before this revelation, men used to have scores of wives with no limits or conditions. The prophet was married to more than 4 wives before this revelation.

The Mission

610 CE

He received the Message of God. (3) He was appointed as the Messenger of God to convey God's Words to mankind. A mission that required strong belief, dedication, commitment and honesty.

610 - 612 CE

He invited his friends, his inner circle and selected good quality people, to accept Islam. In the first three years after prophecy, around 130 people accepted Islam and became a strong nucleus that was able to spread Islam publicly. These core Muslims were mix of rich and poor people.

613 - 615 CE

Muhammad  and his followers started to talk to people openly about Islam. Although he was known as a trustworthy and an honest man, Meccan leaders did not accept his invitation to embrace Islam and resisted him. They described him as a poet, a magician and a crazy a man. Meccan leaders tried to dissuade him from calling people to Islam by tempting and threatening him. At the same time they tried to prevent people from listening to him. They showed increased hostility towards new Muslims. They persecuted and tortured the poor and weak Muslims.

Muhammad  was very close to his followers. He used to meet them at Al-Arqam House which was like a small college. He taught them values and morals and instilled feelings of responsibility and commitment. He saw the suffering and tribulation some of his followers endured and advised them to seek refuge in Abyssina, describing it as a land of virtue ruled by a fair Christian king, under whom no one was treated unjustly. He supported his followers and sent some of them to Abyssina.

Two influencial men, strong and well respected Meccan men accepted Islam, Omar Bin Al-Khattab and Hamza Bin Abdul-Muttalib (uncle). That was important turning point for Muslims. Hamza became a strong supporter and protector for him until he died in the battle of Uhud in 625 CE. Three years after the passing away of the prophet Omar became the second caliph and ruled the Islamic state for 11 years.

616 - 618 CE

Meccan leaders boycotted Muhammad  and his followers and imposed a social and economical blockade on them which lasted for 3 years. During this time he and his followers suffered great tribulation. This period was a tough test for their patience, belief and commitment to the truth.

619 - 620 CE

It's a sorrowful year. Meccan chiefs cancelled the social and economical blockade as they found it not useful. In the same year, Khadijah and his uncle Abu-Talib passed away. He lost hope in Mecca and decided to convey the Message of God and seek support outside Mecca. He went to Ta'if but was met with hostility. (4) In addition, he spoke to more than 20 Arab tribes about Islam but he didn't receive any positive response.

620 - 622 CE

Muhammad  met six people from Yathrib (a city located 450 km north of Mecca) during the pilgrimage time and talked to them about Islam. They believed him and returned to their city with intentions to invite more people from their own tribe and other tribes in Yathrib. They agreed to return to Mecca the next year at the same time of pilgrimage to meet again with him, 'the Prophet and the Messenger of God'.

The same group returned the following year (621 CE) with six more people. (5) They pledged their allegiance to him (accepting him as the Messenger of God) and promising him: (1) not to worship anyone except Allah The One God (2) not to steal (3) not to commit adultery (4) not to kill (5) not to slander neighbours (6) not to disobey the Messenger of God.

The group went back to Yathrib and invited their tribal leaders and their people to accept Islam. They returned again in the following year (622 CE) at the time of pilgrimage with more than 70 men and 2 women. A similar pledge of allegiance was given again to the prophet.

A new Muslim community formed 450 km north of Mecca. The leaders of the two main tribes in Yathrib (Aws and Khazraj) embraced Islam and subsequently their people became Muslims. The prophet was invited to come to Yathrib and become its ruler and leader.

622 CE

Chiefs of Mecca plotted to kill Muhammad  then migration to Yathrib commenced. He asked Meccan Muslims (6) to migrate to Yathrib. Following their migration, he migrated to Yathrib in September 622 CE. His migration represents the most important turning point in the Islamic history. From Yathrib, Islam blossomed, an Islamic state was established and a just social order was born.

623 - 624 CE

Muhammad  chosen the ruler of Yathrib. The people of Yathrib were a mix of Arabs and Jews. Although there were two main Arab tribes and three smaller Jewish tribes, the Arab community was larger than the Jewish one and had the rulling power. He was chosen as the ruler of Yathrib willingly and peacefully with the agreement of the majority of people.

Muhammad  changed the name of the multicultural society, Madinah was the new name he gave to the city of Yathrib. After the migration of the Meccan Muslims, Yathrib no longer belonged to certain group of Arabs, instead, it became the home land of believers who accepted Islam. He didn't call Yathrib the city of Islam since there were Jewish tribes and other Arab people who didn't embrace Islam. Instead, it was named Madinah which means 'The City' in which all inhabitants had similar citizenship rights. He said: "O People, seek and spread peace and offer food to each other, look after your kinship and pray to God at night while others are sleeping so you gain God's pleasure and enter his paradise." He linked these acts to God's pleasure in order to motivate people to love each other and live in peace and harmony in a multicultural society.

623 - 624 CE

Muhammad  formed the first constitution and charter of human rights and liberties. Most of the Jews hoped that the last Prophet would come from a Jewish background. Although the majority of Jews didn't accept him as a Messenger of God, he (as the ruler of the state) formed the first 'Constitution and Charter of Human Rights and Liberties' to which all Arab and Jewish tribes agreed upon and signed.

The constitution guaranteed the freedom of conscience and worship for Muslims and Jews as well as Arabs who didn't accept Islam. In addition, the constitution protected the safety and security of all citizens in Madinah and required all parties who signed the covenant for the constitution to be part of the national defence should Madinah be attacked by enemies. The constitution stated justice, human rights, liberties and prohibition of crime and immoral practices.

624 CE

The unavoidable battle of Badr. When Muslims migrated from Mecca to Madinah, many of them were forced to abandon their homes and their properties were confiscated. The chiefs of Mecca used the confiscated money in trade and business. Muslims knew about a trade caravan belonging to the Meccan chiefs, led by their enemy Abu-Sufyan which would pass through a trade route close to Madinah.

Muhammad  called upon Muslims to take the caravan in return for their wealth that was confiscated in Mecca. A force of only 313 Muslims took up the mission. The Meccan intelligence advised Abu-Sufyan to change the route of the trade caravan. In addition, Mecca sent an army of 950 soldiers to fight the Muslim force which was not prepared for war and was far less equipped than the Meccan army. It was astonishing and beyond expectation that Muslims won their first battle against the Meccan chiefs. Many Meccan chiefs and important figures were killed in this battle.

625 CE

Meccan chiefs attacked Muhammad  and his followers in the battle of Uhud. In retaliation for their loss in the battle of Badr and their fear of losing their leading role in Arabia, Meccan chiefs with some Arab allies, sent an army of 3000 soldiers to attack Muslims at the mount Uhud, north of Madinah. The Muslims lost this battle and he was wounded but saved. In the battle of Uhud many of his companions were killed including his beloved uncle Hamza.

626 CE

Meccan and other tribes attacked Muhammad  and his followers in the battle of trench. This battle is also called 'the Battle of Confederates'. Since the prophet was not killed in the previous battle, Meccan chiefs and some Arab and Jewish tribes called for a united effort and a comprehensive assault to kill him and destroy Muslim community. 10.000 soldiers marched towards Madinah. After consulting his companions, the prophet decide to adopt the proposal of a Persian Muslim named Salman to dig a trench on the northern access of Madinah (5,5 km long x 4.6 m wide). Muslims were in their most awkward situation and tried their best including psychological warfare, to defend themselves. After a month long siege the pagan army became impatient and strong storms and wind blew which forced the confederates to pack up their tents and withdraw.

627 CE

One year after the battle of trench,  the prophet took a peaceful initiative to perform Umrah (visit the Ka'bah House of God in Mecca and perform other religious rites). Visiting Mecca for the purpose of worship was a religious right that Mecca undertook to give to all people in Arabia. It was a great surprise for Meccan chiefs to see him approaching Mecca with 1400 civilians coming from Madinah. After several negotiations, Treaty of Hudaybiya, a truce was made between the Meccan chiefs and the prophet for 10 years during which time he and his companions returned to their homes with a condition to come again to visit Mecca in the following year (628 CE). The truce had many other terms with which the Muslims were disappointed because they weighed heavily on the Meccan side.

628 - 629 CE

During the truce, Muhammad  conveyed God's Message inside and outside Arabia. The truce was a golden chance for him to convey the Message of God and freely talk to people about Islam without being stopped or intercepted by other forces. He sent delegations to other Arab tribes in Arabia and wrote more than fourteen letters to the rulers and kings of neighbouring countries and superpowers such as Persia, Byzantine and Egypt inviting them to accept Islam as 'the Message of God'. Muslims increased in numbers as people found the truth in Islam.

630 CE

Within less than 2 years, the truce was broken from the Meccan side when their allies killed 20 Muslims. In response to this shocking act, the prophet marched with 10.000 Muslims to conquer Mecca but asked his soldiers not to fight any one unless they were fought. (7) The Meccan chiefs were embarrassed and were not prepared to fight the Muslims. When the Muslim army arrived in Mecca, he addressed the whole people of Mecca confirming the oneness of God, referring victory to Him and reminding people that all of them descended from Adam and Adam was created from dust of the ground.

Then he asked the people of Mecca "What do you expect me to do with you?". They replied "We hope for the best. After all, you have been a gracious brother and a courteous cousin" Despite the hardship caused by the Meccan people during the last 21 years, the prophet behaved with high moralities. He replied "Have no fear today. Depart then (to your homes), you are free" His address was very influential and many people came to him to make pledge and embrace Islam.

630 - 631 CE

After the peaceful takeover of Mecca, delegations from all over Arabia came to learn about Islam. Except the Hawazen tribe who fought the Muslims and eventually lost the battle of Hunayn, most Arab tribes embraced Islam. The prophet sent many of his companions to various provinces in Arabia to teach people Islam 'The Message of God'.

632 CE

Muhammad  mission was accomplished in 23 years and his life was nearing to an end. In 623 CE he performed pilgrimage and gave his final sermon to more than 100.000 people as a farewell address. His sermon reminded people about the basic elements of faith, belief in One God, sanctity of life, wealth and property, equality of all races, rules of justice, women's rights and obligations, exploitation and monopoly, morality and the rights of others.

The Prophet Muhammad  passed away in his home in Madinah in 632 CE leaving only few possessions. He didn't leave any money or wealth but a legacy of faith, that is still illuminating with God's light, the hearts of millions of people around the globe.

Footnotes

1. According to some narrations and calculations he was born in the year 571 CE.
2. Some narrations state that the marriage of him and Khadijah lasted for 24 years and several months.
3. There is one and only one Qur'an which is revealed to him in original Arabic. However, there are many translations for the meanings of the verses in the Holy Qur'an to different languages such as English, French, Chinese, etc. 
4. The Prophet was attacked in Ta'if and experienced the worst treatment there. When he left Ta'if he was very disappointed. According to some narrations, he called God with a wonderful supplication. 
5. Aqaba or Al-Bay'aa 'Pledge' Mosque: established by the Abbasside Caliph Abu Jaafar Al Manssour on the same place that is believed the new Muslims from Madinah pledged commitment to the prophet as they embraced Islam.
6. A small Muslim community stayed in Mecca and were not able to migrate to Yathrib (Madinah).
7. The Islamic calendar starts from the date the prophet migrated from Mecca to Madinah (13 September 622 CE approx., The peaceful taking over of Mecca was on 8 January 630 CE approx.)