Muhammad: His life based on the earliest sources by Martin Lings
~ I started off reading this book with enthusiasm for the first 5 chapters. However the feeling was overcome with confusion when more details overwhelmed me. For a week, I procrastinate and ended up feeling guilty for not able to finish the book in a month. To internalize: Procrastination may result in stress, a sense of guilt and crisis, severe loss of personal productivity, as well as social disapproval for not meeting responsibilities or commitments - Wikipedia. I then decided to study the book and summarized one chapter at a time. So here I go! Bismillah! ~
I. The House of God - Started with the life of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim), his wives (Sarah & Hagar), and his sons (Isaac & Ishmael). God spoke to Abraham that two great nations would emerged from his line. Hagar & Ishmael were guided to a barren valley name Becca (subsequently called Mecca). In Hagar's search for water, she passed seven times between Safa & Marwah & God created a water spring known as Zamzam. God spoke to Abraham about the creation of Kaabah and the rites of pilgrimage were laid down.
II. A Great Loss - With the influence of neighbouring pagan tribes, idols were brought into Kaabah. As a result, their approach to God became less direct. Zamzam was buried by Jurhumites before they were driven out of Mecca for committing injustices. Khuza'ah took over Mecca & made Hubal the chief idol of Mecca. Sadly, they made no attempt to find Zamzam.
II. A Great Loss - With the influence of neighbouring pagan tribes, idols were brought into Kaabah. As a result, their approach to God became less direct. Zamzam was buried by Jurhumites before they were driven out of Mecca for committing injustices. Khuza'ah took over Mecca & made Hubal the chief idol of Mecca. Sadly, they made no attempt to find Zamzam.
III. Quraysh of the Hollow - Quraysh, the most powerful Arab tribe of Abraham's descent, ruled Mecca after a fierce battle. Quraysh was led by Qusayy, followed by his son, Abdu Munaf, followed by grandson, Hashim. Hashim's brother, Muttalib, brought Hashim's son, Abd al-Muttalib, to Mecca to take over the responsibility of feeding and watering the pilgrims.
IV. The Recovery of a Loss - Abd al-Muttalib received a vision to locate Zamzam. Upon discovery of the well & other treasures, he agreed that the lots should be cast. Some went to the Kaabah and some to Abd al-Muttalib while none to Quraysh. The clan of Hashim took charge of Zamzam.
V. The Vow to Sacrifice a Son - God blessed Abd al-Muttalib with 10 sons but 1 son was to be sacrificed due to his pact with God. The son was Abd Allah. However after consulting with a wise woman in Yathrib, 100 camels were sacrificed instead.
VI. The Need for a Prophet - There were increasing number of idols in the Kaabah and in every household. Hence there was a need for a Prophet for the Arab. The Christian had the belief that the coming of a Prophet was imminent. Meanwhile, Abd al-Muttalib married his son, Abd Allah to Aminah. Qutaylah could see the radiance which lit Abd Allah's face & it seemed to shine from beyond this world.
VII. The Year of the Elephant - Abrahah from Yamen wanted revenge when a man from Kinanah, a tribe akin to Quraysh, destroyed his church. He sent his army & Elephants to destroy Kaabah. However Allah answered the prayers to protect Kaabah, by sending flocks of birds, each had three pebbles, to destroy Abrahah's troop. Abd Allah passed away during his trade trip. He left behind Aminah and their unborn child. Aminah was conscious of a light within her and could hear a voice say to her- To name the child, Muhammad, and he would be under the protection of the One & from the evil of every envier.
VIII. The Desert - Halimah from the Bedouins tribe became the nursing mother for Muhammad. Since then, Halimah & her family were blessed with good tidings. Muhammad grew up well and had a strange encounter while he and Halimah's son were with some lambs. Two men clothed in white came to Muhammad, laid him down, opened his breast, took out his heart & washed it in a gold basin full of snow.
IX, Two Bereavements - Muhammad returned to stay with his mother, Aminah, in Mecca. However Aminah passed away when he was 6 yrs old. His grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib took care of him and were always seen together. Muhammad would attend Assembly where the chief men of the town would meet to discuss various matters. However 2 yrs later, his grandfather passed away and his uncle, Abu Talib, took care of him.
X. Bahira the Monk - Muhammad travelled with merchant caravan as far as Syria. While Muhammad was at Bostra, Bahira the Monk observed an unusual movement of a cloud hovering Muihammad's group & he could sense that the coming of the Prophet. The moment Bahira glanced at Muhammad, he noticed that many of his features of both face and body corresponded to what was in his book. The monk advised Abu Talib to protect Muhammad from the Jews.
XI. A Pact of Chivalry - Muhammad had a marked aptitude for archery and had showed his skill during one of the battles. There is a need for a justice system in Mecca.The groups made a pact to stand together as one man on the side of the oppressed against the oppressor until justice was done, whether the oppressed were a man of Quraysh or one who had come from abroad.
XII. Questions of Marriage - Muhammad had come to be known throughout Mecca as al-Amin, the Reliable, the Trustworthy, the Honest. When Muhammad rested at Bostra, a monk named Nestor,told Maysarah, who was accompanying him, that Muhammad is a Prophet. Khadijah was informed and upon consulting Waraqah, the latter also opined that Muhammad is a Prophet. Khadijah and Muhammad got married.
XIII. The Household - Muhammad was blessed with 2 sons & 4 daughters. However his 2 sons passed away.
XIV: The Rebuilding of the Ka'abah - Quraysh rebuilt the Kaabah and make Muhammad to be the arbiter when the clans had a violent disagreement amongst them. Muhammad spread a cloak on the ground and let each clan hold the borders of the clock & lifted it up together.
XV. The First Revelations - Muhammad began to experience powerful inward signs and like some descendants of Ishmael, he would go for spiritual retreats to Mt Hira. One night in the month of Ramadhan, an Angel in the form of man came to him and said, "Recite!" - Surah Al-Iqra: Recite in the name of thy Lord who created. He created man from a clot of blood. Recite and thy Lord is the most bountiful. He who hath taught by the pen, taught man what he knew not." Subsequent revelations appeared to Prophet like the reverberations of a bell & the Angel takes the form of a man.
XVI. Worship - Angel Gibriel showed Prophet how to perform the ritual ablution & postures/movements of the prayer. Prophet received revelations in a stern command to remind men of the Day of Resurrection, Day of Judgement, followed by Hell or Paradise & intensity of worship. Allah also emphasize on the need of gratitude- to say Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds and the need of dedication- to say In the name of God, the infinite Good, the All-Merciful. These revelations were immediately transmitted by the Prophet to those who were with him, then passed from mouth to mouth, memorised and recited.
XVII. Warn Thy Family - Increasing number of believers and intensified worshippers. However Prophet's 4 uncles refused to believe in Prophet's message. Abu Talib was not prepared to forsake the religion of his forefather. Abbas was evasive, Hamzah uncomprehending and Abu Lahab accused Prophet of a deceiver. Prophet did not give up and continue to spread the message to the sons of Abd al-Muttalib.
XVIII. Quraysh take action - Quraysh wanted Abu Talib to restrain Prophet from spreading Islam. They could not attack Prophet as Abu Talib had the power to protect him as a chief of a clan. Hence the Quraysh spreaded the accusation that Prophet is a dangerous sorcerer and to be avoided at all cost. Visitors were warned and roads leading to Mecca were manned. However Islam was spoken of well or ill throughout Arabia.
XIX. Aws and Khazraj - The Arabs were in favour of Prophet but against the message while the Jews were in favour of the message but against the man. The Yathrib Arab were interested when they heard of Prophet and the message, for they were already familiar with the oneness of God & man's final end.
XX. Abu Jahl & Hamzah - Some of the chief men of Quraysh gathered together and insulted Prophet openly. Abu Jahl, the most vociferous in his denunciation of the Prophet as a dangerous sorcerer, was confronted by Hamzah.
XXI. Quraysh make offers and demands - Utbah, the more conciliatory nature from Quraysh made offers such as kingship, wealth to the Prophet in return that Prophet stopped spreading Islam. However upon listening to Prophet's recitation of some revelation, Utbah got amazed at the beauty of the language. When he returned, he instructed the Quraysh to let Prophet continued his mission. However the Quraysh still insisted to make offers to Prophet. When Prophet declined again, they seeked for evidences to show the existence of God. They even accused Prophet of receiving the revelation from a man in Yamamah called Rahman.
XXII. Leaders of Quraysh -
IV. The Recovery of a Loss - Abd al-Muttalib received a vision to locate Zamzam. Upon discovery of the well & other treasures, he agreed that the lots should be cast. Some went to the Kaabah and some to Abd al-Muttalib while none to Quraysh. The clan of Hashim took charge of Zamzam.
V. The Vow to Sacrifice a Son - God blessed Abd al-Muttalib with 10 sons but 1 son was to be sacrificed due to his pact with God. The son was Abd Allah. However after consulting with a wise woman in Yathrib, 100 camels were sacrificed instead.
VI. The Need for a Prophet - There were increasing number of idols in the Kaabah and in every household. Hence there was a need for a Prophet for the Arab. The Christian had the belief that the coming of a Prophet was imminent. Meanwhile, Abd al-Muttalib married his son, Abd Allah to Aminah. Qutaylah could see the radiance which lit Abd Allah's face & it seemed to shine from beyond this world.
VII. The Year of the Elephant - Abrahah from Yamen wanted revenge when a man from Kinanah, a tribe akin to Quraysh, destroyed his church. He sent his army & Elephants to destroy Kaabah. However Allah answered the prayers to protect Kaabah, by sending flocks of birds, each had three pebbles, to destroy Abrahah's troop. Abd Allah passed away during his trade trip. He left behind Aminah and their unborn child. Aminah was conscious of a light within her and could hear a voice say to her- To name the child, Muhammad, and he would be under the protection of the One & from the evil of every envier.
VIII. The Desert - Halimah from the Bedouins tribe became the nursing mother for Muhammad. Since then, Halimah & her family were blessed with good tidings. Muhammad grew up well and had a strange encounter while he and Halimah's son were with some lambs. Two men clothed in white came to Muhammad, laid him down, opened his breast, took out his heart & washed it in a gold basin full of snow.
IX, Two Bereavements - Muhammad returned to stay with his mother, Aminah, in Mecca. However Aminah passed away when he was 6 yrs old. His grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib took care of him and were always seen together. Muhammad would attend Assembly where the chief men of the town would meet to discuss various matters. However 2 yrs later, his grandfather passed away and his uncle, Abu Talib, took care of him.
X. Bahira the Monk - Muhammad travelled with merchant caravan as far as Syria. While Muhammad was at Bostra, Bahira the Monk observed an unusual movement of a cloud hovering Muihammad's group & he could sense that the coming of the Prophet. The moment Bahira glanced at Muhammad, he noticed that many of his features of both face and body corresponded to what was in his book. The monk advised Abu Talib to protect Muhammad from the Jews.
XI. A Pact of Chivalry - Muhammad had a marked aptitude for archery and had showed his skill during one of the battles. There is a need for a justice system in Mecca.The groups made a pact to stand together as one man on the side of the oppressed against the oppressor until justice was done, whether the oppressed were a man of Quraysh or one who had come from abroad.
XII. Questions of Marriage - Muhammad had come to be known throughout Mecca as al-Amin, the Reliable, the Trustworthy, the Honest. When Muhammad rested at Bostra, a monk named Nestor,told Maysarah, who was accompanying him, that Muhammad is a Prophet. Khadijah was informed and upon consulting Waraqah, the latter also opined that Muhammad is a Prophet. Khadijah and Muhammad got married.
XIII. The Household - Muhammad was blessed with 2 sons & 4 daughters. However his 2 sons passed away.
XIV: The Rebuilding of the Ka'abah - Quraysh rebuilt the Kaabah and make Muhammad to be the arbiter when the clans had a violent disagreement amongst them. Muhammad spread a cloak on the ground and let each clan hold the borders of the clock & lifted it up together.
XV. The First Revelations - Muhammad began to experience powerful inward signs and like some descendants of Ishmael, he would go for spiritual retreats to Mt Hira. One night in the month of Ramadhan, an Angel in the form of man came to him and said, "Recite!" - Surah Al-Iqra: Recite in the name of thy Lord who created. He created man from a clot of blood. Recite and thy Lord is the most bountiful. He who hath taught by the pen, taught man what he knew not." Subsequent revelations appeared to Prophet like the reverberations of a bell & the Angel takes the form of a man.
XVI. Worship - Angel Gibriel showed Prophet how to perform the ritual ablution & postures/movements of the prayer. Prophet received revelations in a stern command to remind men of the Day of Resurrection, Day of Judgement, followed by Hell or Paradise & intensity of worship. Allah also emphasize on the need of gratitude- to say Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds and the need of dedication- to say In the name of God, the infinite Good, the All-Merciful. These revelations were immediately transmitted by the Prophet to those who were with him, then passed from mouth to mouth, memorised and recited.
XVII. Warn Thy Family - Increasing number of believers and intensified worshippers. However Prophet's 4 uncles refused to believe in Prophet's message. Abu Talib was not prepared to forsake the religion of his forefather. Abbas was evasive, Hamzah uncomprehending and Abu Lahab accused Prophet of a deceiver. Prophet did not give up and continue to spread the message to the sons of Abd al-Muttalib.
XVIII. Quraysh take action - Quraysh wanted Abu Talib to restrain Prophet from spreading Islam. They could not attack Prophet as Abu Talib had the power to protect him as a chief of a clan. Hence the Quraysh spreaded the accusation that Prophet is a dangerous sorcerer and to be avoided at all cost. Visitors were warned and roads leading to Mecca were manned. However Islam was spoken of well or ill throughout Arabia.
XIX. Aws and Khazraj - The Arabs were in favour of Prophet but against the message while the Jews were in favour of the message but against the man. The Yathrib Arab were interested when they heard of Prophet and the message, for they were already familiar with the oneness of God & man's final end.
XX. Abu Jahl & Hamzah - Some of the chief men of Quraysh gathered together and insulted Prophet openly. Abu Jahl, the most vociferous in his denunciation of the Prophet as a dangerous sorcerer, was confronted by Hamzah.
XXI. Quraysh make offers and demands - Utbah, the more conciliatory nature from Quraysh made offers such as kingship, wealth to the Prophet in return that Prophet stopped spreading Islam. However upon listening to Prophet's recitation of some revelation, Utbah got amazed at the beauty of the language. When he returned, he instructed the Quraysh to let Prophet continued his mission. However the Quraysh still insisted to make offers to Prophet. When Prophet declined again, they seeked for evidences to show the existence of God. They even accused Prophet of receiving the revelation from a man in Yamamah called Rahman.
XXII. Leaders of Quraysh -