THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH (Allah praises and grants peace upon the Prophet) (Salla Allahu (sa) alihi wa sallam) Allah is the Arabic word for the Creator Islam is the Arabic word for submission to Allah © 2002 www.Allah.com © 2002 www.Muhammad.com © 2002 www.Mosque.com THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH by Grand Shaykh, Professor Hasan Qaribullah Dean of Umm Durman Islamic University and Sammania Grand Shaykh Grand Muhaddith Master Abdullah Ben Sadek Shaykha Anne Khadijah Darwish Shaykh Ahmad Darwish Shaykh Qaribulla USA Personal Secretary The Founder of the Mosque of the Internet Reviewed in part by Former manager of Muhammad Ali Please email it to friends and family Available in palm, word and web formats Converted to HTML format by Bill McLean www.mclean.faithweb.com [email protected] file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (1 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:18 PM] THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface Introduction Chapter 1 Prophet Abraham and the First House of Allah on Earth Chapter 2 The New Governors of Mecca Chapter 3 Hashim Chapter 4 Abd Al Mutalib Chapter 5 The Vow Chapter 6 The Marriage of Abdullah to Amina Chapter 7 The Memorable Year of the Elephant Chapter 8 The Birth of the Last Prophet of Allah, the Sealing of the Prophethood Chapter 9 Life in the Desert Chapter 10 A New Life in Mecca Chapter 11 The Early Years Chapter 12 Marriage Chapter 13 Sayd Chapter 14 Ka’ba Chapter 15 Ali, son of Abu Talib Chapter 16 The Prophethood Chapter 17 The Revelation, Rank of the Prophets, Messengers and the Arch Angel Gabriel Chapter 18 The Miraculous Koran Chapter 19 The Early Revelations Chapter 20 The First to Believe Chapter 21 The Characteristics of the Early Muslims Chapter 22 The Hierarchy of the Koraysh Chapter 23 The Command to Preach Chapter 24 The Koraysh and Abu Talib Chapter 25 Tufayl from the Tribe of Daws Chapter 26 Pre-Islamic Conditions in Yathrib Chapter 27 Unrest in Mecca Chapter 28 An Attempt to Bribe Chapter 29 Nadar, the son of Al Harith Chapter 30 Persecution Chapter 31 The Eavesdroppers Chapter 32 Waleed, Chief of the Makhzum Chapter 33 The Splitting of the Moon Chapter 34 Idolatry Through Lack of Divine Guidance - the Conversion of Omar, son of Khattab file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (2 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:18 PM] THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH Chapter 35 The Boycott Chapter 36 The Companions Migrate to Abyssinia Chapter 37 The Delegation from Abyssinia Chapter 38 The Cessation of the Boycott Chapter 39 The Year of Sorrow Chapter 40 The Vision Chapter 41 Abu Bakr and Talha Chapter 42 The Journey to Ta’if Chapter 43 The Message and the Tribes Chapter 44 The Night Journey and the Ascent Chapter 45 The Six Men from the Tribe of Khazraj Chapter 46 Madinat Al Nabi - the City of the Prophet Chapter 47 The Visitor from Najd Chapter 48 The Migration Chapter 49 A Time for Readjustment Chapter 50 The Jews of Medina Chapter 51 The Second Year after the Migration Chapter 52 A Threat from Mecca Chapter 53 The Second Year after the Migration Chapter 54 Prelude to the Encounter of Badr Chapter 55 The Encounter of Badr Chapter 56 The Revenge of Bilal and the Persecuted Chapter 57 The Spoils of War Chapter 58 The Death of Lady Rukayyah Chapter 59 The Arrival of the Prisoners Chapter 60 The Return of the Koraysh Chapter 61 Three Resolutions Chapter 62 The Marriage of Lady Fatima Chapter 63 “When you are touched with good fortune, they grieve” Chapter 64 The Market Place of the Tribe of Kaynuka Chapter 65 The Oath of Abu Sufyan Chapter 66 Lady Hafsah Chapter 67 The Request of Lady Fatima Chapter 68 The Caravan to Iraq Chapter 69 Prelude to the Encounter at Uhud Chapter 70 The Births of Al Hassan and Al Hussain Chapter 71 The Encounter at Uhud Chapter 72 The Return to Medina file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (3 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:18 PM] THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH Chapter 73 The Day after Uhud Chapter 74 Revelations Concerning Uhud Chapter 75 After Uhud Chapter 76 Lady Zaynab, Daughter of Khuzaymah Chapter 77 A Plot to Murder the Prophet (sa) Chapter 78 The Tribe of Nadir Declare War Chapter 79 The Fourth Year Chapter 80 The Second Meeting at Badr Chapter 81 The Fifth Year Chapter 82 Salman of Persia Chapter 83 The Marauders of Dumat Al Jandal Chapter 84 A Pattern of Life Emerges Chapter 85 Lady Zaynab, Daughter of Jahsh Chapter 86 The Revenge of the Tribe of Nadir Chapter 87 The Koraysh Prepare for the Attack Chapter 88 The Encounter at the Trench Chapter 89 The Aftermath Chapter 90 The Death of Sa’ad, Mu’adhs son Chapter 91 The Koraysh Caravan Chapter 92 The Tribe of Mutalik Chapter 93 The Necklace of Lady Ayesha Chapter 94 The Vicious Lie Chapter 95 The Death of Ubayd Allah, son of Jahsh Chapter 96 The Prelude to the Opening of Mecca Chapter 97 The Treat of Hudaybiyah Chapter 98 The Escapees from Mecca Chapter 99 The Waiving of the Clause Chapter 100 The Blowers upon Knots Chapter 101 A Time of Sadness, a Time for Rejoicing Chapter 102 The Marriage between the Prophet (sa) and Lady Umm Habibah Chapter 103 The Jews of Khybar Chapter 104 The March to Khybar Chapter 105 The Events of Khybar Chapter 106 Lady Safiyah, Daughter of Huyay Chapter 107 The Victorious Arrival Chapter 108 The Tribes of Hawazin and Ghatafan Chapter 109 The Trial of Wealth Chapter 110 Gifts from the Muqawqas, Primate of the Christian, Coptic Church in Egypt file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (4 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:18 PM] THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH Chapter 111 Umrah - the Lesser Pilgrimage Chapter 112 The Dispute Chapter 113 The Turner of Hearts Chapter 114 The Eighth Year Chapter 115 The Intercepted Letter Chapter 116 The Tribes of Bakr and Khuzah Chapter 117 The Road to Mecca Chapter 118 The Opening of Mecca Chapter 119 The Encounter at Hunain Chapter 120 The Spoils of War Chapter 121 The Return Journey to Medina Chapter 122 A Son is Born Chapter 123 Smaller Expeditions Chapter 124 Tabuk Chapter 125 The Return from Tabuk Chapter 126 The Delegation from Ta’if Chapter 127 The Year of Deputations Chapter 128 The First Pilgrimage after the Opening of Mecca Chapter 129 Life in Medina Chapter 130 A Time of Great Sorrow Chapter 131 A Time to Learn Chapter 132 The Farewell Pilgrimage Chapter 133 The Return from Yemen Chapter 134 The 11th Year Prophetic Homestead - His Genealogy and Description PREFACE YOU, THE READER AND HERACLIUS, EMPEROR OF ROME HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON The authors were unable to find a more eloquent preface to this millennium biography than a letter sent by the Prophet to his contemporary the Emperor Heraclius. In reply, Heraclius commenced an imperial investigative effort to cross examine the current Prophethood. In the year 610 CE, Heraclius, succeeded Phocas as Emperor of Rome. His empire flourished and extended as far west as the Danube in Europe, and included all the countries on the Mediterranean coast. It also included the Balkans of which Turkey with its famed city Constantinople, named after the Emperor Constantine was a jewel in the crown of the Roman empire, and many of the Arab countries surrounding Arabia. As part of his prophetic duty Prophet Muhammad (sa) invited Heraclius to Islam and in response Heraclius decided to file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (5 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:18 PM] THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH examine Prophet Muhammad. By exploring this book you are, by default, examining Prophet Muhammad (sa) and this what is meant by referring to the reader as having something in common with Heraclius. Prophet Muhammad (sa) sent his messenger, Dihyah Al Kalbi to the governor of Bostra with a letter for Heraclius inviting him to Islam saying: PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S LETTER TO HERACLIUS In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful. From: The Prophet of Allah To: Heraclius, the greatest of Romans Peace be upon those who follow Divine Guidance. I therefore invite you to embrace Islam. Surrender to Allah and live in peace. Allah will doubly reward you, but if you turn away, the sin of the Arians will rest upon you." Then he quoted the Koran: 'Say: People of the Book! (Jews, Nazarenes and Christians) let us come to a common word between us and you, that we will worship none except Allah, that we will associate none with Him, and that none of us take others for lords beside Allah.’ If they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims’ Koran 3:64 IMPERIAL, INVESTIGATIVE CROSS EXAMINATION OF THE PROPHETHOOD A peace treaty was in effect between the Prophet (sa) and the hostile tribe of Koraysh. Abu Sufyan, its chieftain, one of the most bitter enemies of Islam knew that on account of the peace treaty he could rely upon the safe passage of his caravan to trade in far away Syria (Ash-Sham). Heraclius had many questions he wanted answered. When he learned that a Koraysh caravan from Mecca was now in the vicinity, he sent a rider with a message to the caravaners saying he wished them to accompany his rider back to Jerusalem so that he may speak with them. As Abu Sufyan and his caravan journeyed to Jerusalem, he wondered why the Emperor of Rome had sent for him but he didn't have to wait long. As soon as they reached Jerusalem, Abu Sufyan and his companions were presented to Heraclius and his court whereupon Heraclius called for an interpreter and inquired about Prophet Muhammad (sa). He asked Abu Sufyan and his companions who amongst them was closest to the Prophet (sa) in kinship. Abu Sufyan replied that it was he and told him that the Prophet (sa) hailed from a noble lineage. Then, Heraclius turned to his companions and said, "If he says something you know to be contradictory, you must speak." Heraclius' questions were direct, he asked Abu Sufyan if any of his tribe had ever before claimed to be a prophet whereupon Abu Sufyan replied that none had. Then he asked if any of his ancestors had been a king and Abu Sufyan replied that they had not. Heraclius was interested to know what kind of people followed the Prophet (sa) and if their numbers were increasing or decreasing. Abu Sufyan told him that they were poor people and that their numbers were increasing. Then, Heraclius asked if he knew of anyone of his followers had reverted to their old religion, and Abu Sufyan replied that he knew of none. Referring to the Prophet's character Heraclius asked Abu Sufyan if he had ever known the Prophet (sa) to lie, or if he had ever betrayed or broken his word, whereupon file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (6 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:19 PM] THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH Abu Sufyan replied no to all counts, then, referring to the latter Abu Sufyan commented in a tone of resentment, "We have a treaty with him, but we do not know what he will do." Heraclius asked next if they had ever fought against the Prophet (sa) and if so to tell him about the outcome. Abu Sufyan replied that they had fought; sometimes they had been victorious and upon other occasions victory belonged to the Prophet (sa). Then, Heraclius inquired about his teachings whereupon Abu Sufyan told him that the Prophet (sa) ordered his followers to worship Allah alone and not to associate anything with Him, and to renounce the idols their forefathers had worshipped. Abu Sufyan continued to tell him that the Prophet (sa) also ordered them to pray, not to lie, to be chaste and to foster kindred relationship. THE WITNESSING TO THE AUTHENTICITY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SA) From these answers Heraclius derived his opinion of the Prophet (sa) saying, "All the prophets came from noble families, I asked you if anyone before him from your tribe claimed to be a prophet and your reply was no. If your reply had affirmed it then I would have deduced he was mimicking that man. I asked if any of your ancestors had been a king, you replied they had not. If your answer had been otherwise I would have assumed that he wanted to reclaim his ancestral kingdom. When I asked if he lied, you replied that he did not, so I wondered how a person who does not lie could ever tell a lie about Allah. I also asked you about his followers, whether they were rich or poor and you replied they were poor -- the followers of all the prophets were poor. When I asked if his followers were increasing or decreasing, you replied increasing; this is the course of true belief. Then, I asked if there was anyone, who, after embracing Islam recanted and you replied that you knew of none; this is another sign of belief as it enters the heart. When I asked you if he had ever been known to betray, you replied that he had not; this is the way of all prophets. Then I asked you what he ordered his followers to do, and you told me that he orders that Allah alone is to be worshipped, and forbade the worship of idols. Then you told me that he orders you to pray, speak the truth, and be chaste. If what you say is true, he will, in the near future occupy this seat." Then Heraclius told Abu Sufyan: "I knew he was about to appear, but did not know he would be from you. If I could meet him I would wash his feet with water." Then Heraclius called for the letter the Prophet (sa) had sent him while before and read it aloud whereupon there was a sudden outcry from the court and Abu Sufyan and his companions were thrown out onto the street. As soon as they were able to pull themselves together Abu Sufyan told his companions, "He has become so prominent that even the King of the light-skinned Byzantine people is afraid of him!" and knew in his heart that it would not be long until the Prophet (sa) conquered. Abu Sufyan was a proud man and his reputation mattered greatly to him and was heard to say in the years to come, "By Allah, if it were not for the fact that I would have been ashamed that my companions would label me as a liar, I would not have told the truth." INTRODUCTION ARCH ANGEL GABRIEL’S DISCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPALS OF ISLAM: file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (7 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:19 PM] THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH Omar, the son of Khattab narrated, “We were sitting with the Holy Prophet (sa) one day, when an unknown man appeared to us. His clothes were brilliantly white, his hair jet black but there was no sign of traveling upon him. 1. SUBMISSION TO ALLAH (ISLAM) He sat down in front of the Prophet (sa) and their knees touched. Placing his hands on his thighs he said, ‘Prophet Muhammad (sa) tell me about Islam.’ The Prophet (sa) replied, ‘Islam is that you bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and that you establish the prayer, pay the obligatory charity, fast the month of Ramadan, and make the Pilgrimage to the House (Ka’ba) if you can afford it.’ Then to our surprise the man confirmed the correctness of the answer saying, ‘That is right.’ 2. FAITH AND BELIEF (IMAN) Then the man said, ‘Tell me about faith.’ To this the Prophet (sa) replied, ‘ It is that you believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and that you believe in predestination.’ 3. SPIRITUAL PERFECTION (IHSAN, ISLAMIC SUFISM) Again the man said, ‘That is right, now tell me about perfection.’ The Prophet (sa) replied, ‘It is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, and if you do not see Him, know that He is watching you.’ The man asked again, ‘Tell me about the Hour of Judgement.’ The Prophet (sa) replied, ‘He who is being asked knows no more about it than the one who asks.’ So the man asked, ‘Tell me about some of the signs of its approach.’ To this the Prophet (sa) replied, ‘The female slave will give birth to her master, and the bare-footed, naked, penniless goat-herders will live arrogantly in high mansions.’ The man departed, and I remained for a while. The Prophet (sa) asked me, ‘Omar, do you know who the inquirer was?’ I replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ So he told me, ‘It was Gabriel who came to teach you your Religion.’” CHAPTER 1 PROPHET ABRAHAM AND THE FIRST HOUSE OF ALLAH ON EARTH Prophet Abraham was born to honorable parents descended from Prophet Noah. He was born in the city of Hara, Iraq during the reign of King Nimrod and is often referred to as “The Friend of Allah” and "The Father of the Prophets". Before Abraham reached maturity his father passed away, and as was the custom in those days, he would, out of respect for his paternal uncle, refer to him as his father. There had been a void in guidance since the death of Prophet Noah and the people of Hara reverted to idolatry. Hara was renowned for its ornate, pagan temples and its citizens took great pride in the idols housed within them. Offerings were file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (8 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:19 PM] THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH sacrificed to the idols and ritual ceremonies, wishfully invoking their favors performed before them. A lucrative commerce had grown around the activities of the temples. Carved replicas of the idols were a much sought after possession and it was to this profession that Azar, Abraham’s uncle, whom he now called “father” directed his talents. WHO IS MY LORD Abraham was unlike his contemporaries, he grew to be an upright, caring, young man repulsed by idol worship and sought the answer to a question that had consumed him for many years -- who was his Lord? In the process of his guidance, Allah in His Mercy caused Abraham to contemplate upon the kingdoms of the heavens and earth. One evening, as he gazed up into the night sky, he saw a planet shinning more brightly than the others and exclaimed, "This is surely my Lord!" but, as the morning light came the planet set he rejected his thought saying, "I do not like the setting ones!" On another occasion as he saw the moon rise he said once again, "This is my Lord!" But like the planet as the light of the morning broke it disappeared whereupon he said, "If my Lord does not guide me, I shall be amongst the astray nation!" Then, when he saw the sun rise upon the horizon he said, "This must be my Lord, it is larger!" But as it set he turned to his people saying, "O nation I am quit of what you associate (with Allah, the Creator) I have turned my face to Him who created the heavens and the earth, uprightly, and I am not among the idolaters!" Koran, Chapter 6 verses 76-79 ABRAHAM IS CHOSEN BY ALLAH AND BECOMES A PROPHET Shortly after this Allah sent the Arch Angel Gabriel to inform Abraham that He had chosen him to be His Messenger. Abraham was deeply humbled by the news and Gabriel brought him, over a period of forty-two visits, ten Holy Scrolls. Prophet Muhammad informed his companions later on that the contents of the Scrolls were examples. Abraham's open rejection of idolatry caused a commotion, no one had ever challenged the deity of the idols of Hara; to his fellow citizens the notion was deemed blasphemous. However, Abraham was resolved, he had no doubt that Allah was the only One to be worshipped because he was convinced that it was He alone who had created everything. THE LOGIC OF ABRAHAM Abraham tried reasoning with those around him in the best manner, but they refused to accept his logic even after he had drawn their attention to the obvious fact that their idols had either been hewn from stone or carved from wood by people such as themselves. Abraham never stopped challenging his people and asked if their idols could do anything else other than just stand motionless, year after year, in the same place -- the place in which they themselves had been positioned many years before! He reminded his people that the idols neither ate nor drank from the offerings placed before them nor could they harm or benefit anyone. But still the people refused to abandon their idolatry. Over the course of time the idolaters became file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (9 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:19 PM] THE MILLENNIUM BIOGRAPHY OF MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH outraged and told Abraham that it was he who was wrong and that he must fear their gods. Abraham shook his head and asked, "And how should I fear what you have associated when you yourselves are not afraid that you have associated with Allah that which He did not send down for it upon you an authority.” Koran, Chapter 6 verse 81 ABRAHAM AND KING NIMROD The news of Abraham's preaching reached King Nimrod who considered himself to be a deity. Abraham feared no one except Allah, so when he was presented to the king he challenged him saying, "My Lord is He who revives and causes to die." But the artful king scoffed at Abraham and told him, "I revive and cause to die." The king knew exactly what Abraham meant, but had tired to outwit him with his reply by referring to the power he had as king to either spare the life of a guilty criminal, or put to death an innocent person -- whichever suited his whim. Abraham challenged him yet again saying, "Allah brings up the sun from the east, so you bring it from the west." This time the king knew he had been revealed and the color drained from his face, and Abraham waited to see if he would surrender to Allah but he did not and so Abraham returned home. Koran, Chapter 2 verse 258 ABRAHAM AND THE MIRACLE OF THE FOUR BIRDS One day, Abraham asked Allah to show him how He revived the dead. Allah asked Abraham, "Haven't you believed?" Abraham told Him that it wasn't that, rather, it was just to satisfy his heart. So Allah told him to take four birds, sacrifice them, then cut them into pieces and mix their bits and pieces together then go to the neighboring hills and place some of the mixed pieces on each of them. Allah told Abraham that after he had done this to call the birds and their severed parts would reassemble and fly to him. Abraham did exactly as he was told, he sacrificed a peacock, an eagle, a crow and a rooster, then, after he had mixed their body parts together he placed them upon the neighboring hills, keeping only their heads with him. Once this had been done he called to them whereupon their mixed parts were brought back to life, reassembled, and flew to join themselves to their respective head that Abraham still held in his hand. Koran. ABRAHAM AND HIS “FATHER” PART COMPANY: Now Azar was among those who refused to accept Allah as his Lord. Abraham asked him why he was so devoted to the idols but Azar could offer no better reply than to say that many people before him had worshipped them, and what was good enough for them was good enough for him also. Azar became upset and embarrassed by his nephew’s preaching and threatened to stone him if he persisted. Such was Abraham’s conviction that he did not stop preaching and after a while, Azar realized that his threats were of no use so he told his nephew he did not wish to see him again for sometime. As they parted company, tender- hearted Abraham told Azar he would ask Allah to forgive him, and that perhaps his Lord would file:///D|/E-books/Millenium Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Hasan Qaribullah.htm (10 of 365) [6/25/2008 3:54:19 PM]