Peace of God and His mercy to you.
Sorry for being late, but now better than later :) Here is an English translation of a brief Arabic biography of the Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him.
IntroductionHe is the last of the Prophets sent to humanity by God for guidance and happiness. He was a modest, trustworthy man before and after being a Prophet. He was the best example of a kind, caring, and loving person as all the Prophets, Peace Be Upon Them, were. And like the Prophets, he was assisted by God to spread His word.
Identity Card- Name: Muhammad
- Known as: Al Mustafa (The Chosen)
- Called: Abu Al Qasem (The Father of Al Qasem)
- His Father's Name: Abd Allah Bin Abd Al Muttaleb
- His Mother's Name: Amna Bint Wahab
- Date of Birth: 17th of Rabie Al Awwal, in the year 570 A.C.
- Date of Death: 28th of Safar, 11th year of Hijra
- Prophethood duration: 23 years
- Buried in: Al Madeena, Saudi Arabia
Blessed BirthIn the 17th of Rabie Al Awwal in the year known as The Year of Al Feel (the elephant), Muhammad was born. He was blessed that he was the son of two kind parents, Abd Allah and Amna. But, Abd Allah died two months before Muhammad was born. So, unlike other children, Muhammad had not had the chance to be with his dad and to feel the fatherhood.
Muhammad was nursed by Haleema Al Saadeyah. And he lived in the desert of Bani Saad for five years.
His ChildhoodWhen Muhammad was 6 years old, his mother died. His grandfather, Abd Al Muttaleb took good care of him. Abd Al Muttaleb often said about Muhammad "I feel that my son will be of great importance" because from the day he was born they were blessed.
When Muhammad was 8 years old, his grandfather died. And so, Muhammad was taken care of by his uncle Abu Taleb as Abd Al Muttaleb willed.
His YouthMuhammad had not reached adulthood yet, and he was very known among people as the trustworthy and the honest. And he was famous for his good behavior, righteousness, awareness and wisdom.
ProphethoodMuhammad did not follow nor did he approve of any pre-Islamic acts of worship the people around him used to follow, especially the worshiping of idols. He used to worship God in the cave of Heraa. And when Muhammad reached the age of 40, and while he was worshiping in the cave, the Angel Gabriel appeared before him and asked Muhammad:
Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth. Al Alaq 96:1
'A'ishah, the wife of Allah's Messenger may Allah be pleased with her, reported:
The first (form) with which was started the revelation to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was the true vision in sleep. And he did not see any vision but it came out like the bright gleam of dawn. Then, solitude became dear to him and he used to seclude himself in the Cave of Hira', where he would engage in tahannuth (and that is a worship for a number of nights) before returning to his family and getting provisions again for this purpose. He would then return to Khadijah and take provisions for a like period, till Truth came upon him while he was in the Cave of Hira'. There came to him the angel and said: Recite, to which he replied: I am not lettered. He took hold of me (the Messenger said) and pressed me, till I was hard pressed; thereafter he let me off and said: Recite. I said: I am not lettered. He then again took hold of me and pressed me for the second time till I was hard pressed and then let me off and said: Recite, to which I replied: I am not lettered. He took hold of me and pressed me for the third time, till I was hard pressed and then let me go and said:
Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists) (1), Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) (2) Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous (3), Who has taught (the writing) by the pen (the first person to write was Prophet Idrees (Enoch)) (4) Has taught man that which he knew not (5). Al Alaq
Then the Prophet returned therewith, his heart was trembling, and he went to Khadijah and said: Wrap me up, wrap me up! So they (his household) wrapped him till the fear had left him. He then said to Khadijah: O Khadijah, what has happened to me? And he informed her of the happening, saying: I fear for myself. Khadijah replied: It cannot be. Be cheerful. I swear by Allah that He will never humiliate you. By Allah, you join ties of relationship, you speak the truth, you bear people's burden, you help the destitute, you entertain guests, and you help against the vicissitudes which affect people. Thereupon, Khadijah went to Waraqah bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul-'Uzza, who was Khadijah's cousin. He was a man who adopted Christianity in the Days of Jahiliyah (Ignorance). He could write Arabic. He wrote in Arabic from the Gospel many writings. He was an old man inflicted with blindness. Khadijah said to him: O uncle, listen to your nephew. Waraqah bin Naufal asked: What did you see my nephew? The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), then, told him about what he had seen. Waraqah said to him: That is the angel who descended on Moses. I wish I were young. I wish I would be alive when your people drive you out. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) exclaimed: Would my people drive me out? Waraqah said: Yes, no man came with what you have come, but was opposed. If I would live during your era, I would give you great support. Source: al-islam
And that was the start of his prophethood, Peace Be Upon Him. And the first one of women to believe in his prophethood was his wife Khadeeja Bint Khuwailed. And the first of men who believed in Muhammad's message was Ali Bin Abi Taleb.
Spreading IslamWhen Prophet Muhammad was entrusted by God to spread His word, which is submitting to God only, he accepted it. He accepted this great task not because of ego, but because Muhammad was a great believer of God in a time when people were worshiping idols that were created by them.
In the first three years of secret inviting, 40 people converted to Islam. This was the first seed. Then, the Prophet invited his close relatives to Islam. After that, he started disclosing the message of God calling the people to believe on the Almighty God and refraining from worshiping idols.
The Wrath of QuraishThe leaders of Quraish faced the message of worshiping the only God with anger. And they hurt the people who supported and believed in it. When Prophet Muhammad saw all this vengeance, he asked the believers to migrate to Habasha (Ethiopia). And Quraish wrath increased and they started not working with people of Bani Hashim, not engaging in any trade with them, and not even marrying from them. And this lasted for three years. And the believers were not affected by all of that, although the death of the Prophet's guardian Abu Taleb and the mother of the believers Khadeeja Bint Khuwailed, in a year which was called the Year of Sadness, was so strong of an impact.
In the 11th year of Prophethood, Muhammad moved to Al Taef. And called its people to believe in God. The people hurt Muhammad and threw stones at him. Muhammad returned to Mecca still believing in God's mercy.
Abu Taleb Protects The ProphetAbu Taleb believed in the Almighty, and he supported Muhammad in spreading God's message. Abu Taleb was the reason why Quraish could not hurt the Prophet, and he told him:
Do what you are told, I am here protecting you.
Abu Taleb was very honest in protecting the Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him. He was famous for his saying:
And they shall not reach you
As long as I am not buried
Welcoming the MessageGod's mercy! Islam was accepted by many groups coming from Yathreb (Al Madeena) for pilgrimage. They met the Prophet secretly and vowed to support him and to follow him. And that was the first welcoming of the message in the 11th year of prophethood. And there was another welcoming in the next year.
And thus, it was the beginning of the loosening of Quraish's wrath on the believers of the Almighty God, the only God.
Migration to Al MadeenaWhen people's hearts accepted Islam, Quraish leaders did not accept it. They met and decided to assassinate the Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, to prevent the spread of the message of worshiping one God. And God was merciful to this nation. God willed that Ali Bin Abi Taleb sleep in the Prophet's bed that night. God's words for this event were known:
And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah; and Allah hath compassion on (His) bondmen. The Cow 2:207
The polytheists did not figure it out, until the Prophet left Mecca:
And when those who disbelieve plot against thee (O Muhammad) to wound thee fatally, or to kill thee or to drive thee forth; they plot, but Allah (also) plotteth; and Allah is the best of plotters. Al Anfal 8:30
And then, Ali and the believers followed the Prophet and all entered Al Madeena.
And the courageous act of Ali, May God Be Pleased With Him, is taught to the generations as a great example of sacrificing oneself for the message of God and to protecting His messenger, Peace Be Upon Him.
The Prophet in Al MadeenaIn the middle of the Arabic lunar month Rabie Al Awwal, the Prophet entered Al Madeena. And there, he started supporting the existence of Islam and spreading the great teachings of God. And in Al Madeena, the Prophet:
- built the masjid, the center for prayers and learning,
- worked on enhancing the brotherhood and cooperation between the believers,
- signed treaties with groups of power in and around Al Madeena,
- sent messengers outside Arabia to invite people to Islam, and
- formed the first Islamic protective army.
And so, the Prophet was able to form a strong, coherent, Muslim society in which he was the messenger, the father and the leader.
Most Important WarsThe reason for the Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, to engage in war is to remove any obstacles facing the spread of God's message in Arabia. The Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, said:
I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, perform the Prayer, and pay Zakah. If they do that, their blood and property are guaranteed protection on my behalf except when justified by law, and their affairs rest with Allah. Source: al-islam
No Muslim after that has the right to persuade by force or scare other non-Muslims to convert to Islam. God says:
There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower. The Cow 2:256
Quraish and other Arab tribes were violent against those who enter Islam and worship the only God. God wanted His message to spread to all humanity. He allowed the Prophet and the believers to fight against the Polytheist in order for the humanity to truly worship one God.
There were 27 wars in which the Prophet participated against the Polytheist. Before war, they were informed to accept God's message. When they refused, God allowed to fight against their soldiers, so the strong had to be heard. No eldelry, women, children, buildings, or even trees were hurt:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) made a raid upon Banu Al-Mustaliq while they were unaware and their cattle were having a drink at the water. He killed those who fought and captivated others. On that very day, he captured Juwairiah. 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (himself) was among the raiding troops. Source: al-islam
A woman was found murdered in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). (On seeing that) Allah's Messenger disapproved of the killing of women and children. Source: al-islam
For every person killed unjustly, a share of his killing (also) falls upon the first son of Adam, for he was the first to introduce killing. Source: al-islam
Not only that forbidding killing of the innocents in war was in the time of the Prophet, but it was also a message for all the humanity so that justice be assured. It was made known that Abu Bakr ordered the men he sent to the many regions of the Islamic Nation to not kill the innocents. Abu Bakr ordered Yazeed, who he sent him as an Amir to Sham, by saying:
Yazeed, make sure you do not kill a woman, nor a child, nor an elderly, and make sure that you do not cut a tree, and do not destroy buildings, and do not slaughter a goat nor a camel unless to eat, and do not burn the cattle nor drown them, and do not be violent nor be a coward. Source: Islamweb
One of the important wars was
Badr in the second year of migration, in which the believers defeated the Polytheist. And in the third year of migration the war of
Uhud took place in which Muslims lost because of not following the orders. And in the fifth year Al Ahzab war, known as
Al Khandaq, took place in which Quraish and its suporting Arab tribes were defeated. And in the sixth year the Prophet signed a treaty known as
Al Hudaibia Treaty with Quraish. And thus the Prophet was able to spread God's message peacefully, and they fought against the Jews in
Khaibar war.
Conquest of MeccaAl Hudaibia Treaty did not last long when Quraish
broke it in the 8th year of migration. The Prophet led an army of 10,000 fighters and entered Mecca without bloodshed.
The Final PilgrimageIn the 9th year of migration, the Prophet fought the Byzantines in the
Battle of Tabouk and defeated them. In the 10th year of migration, the Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, finished performing his first and final pilgrimage. At the end of it, he gave his famous
Farewell Sermon:
O People, listen well to my words, for I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present today.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, and this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (riba), therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabi`ah ibn al Harith ibn `Abd al Muttalib.
O Men, the Unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which God forbade, and to forbid that which God has made permissible. With God the months are twelve in number. Four of them are sacred, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Sha`ban. Beware of Shaitan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your financial obligation. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no prophet or messenger will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things: the Qur’an and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people. Source: Wikipedia
And God's words were known:
...This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion... The Table 5:3
The Prophet's Last MomentsThe end of the Prophet's life was near. From
rasoulallah.net:
In the month of Safar (the 1st Arabic month) in the eleventh year Hijri, the Prophet (PBUH) went to Uhud, the place where the Muslims fought before against Quraish and many Muslim martyrs were killed and buried there, and prayed for the martyrs there. He was seeing off all people, dead and alive, and then he left.
On the twenty ninth of Safar, the messenger (PBUH) said to his servant that he had been ordered to repent for the people of Al-Bakki’ (a grave yard in Mdina) and he asked his servant to come with him. When he arrived there he said: “Oh people of the graves peace be upon you. Be pleased with what you are in. The turmoils came keeping in trace as the very dark nights. The last very close to the first and the last worse than the first".
Then he looked at his servant and said that he was given the keys of all life treasures and eternity then the Paradise, and asked to choose between that and meeting the Almighty Allah then Paradise. Before finishing his words his servant begged him to choose eternity life; but the Prophet’s only concern in his life was just to tell his message. So he replied him saying that he had chosen to meet Allah then Paradise. After that he repented for the dead people in Bakki’.
In his way back, he felt a headache and his temperature got terribly high. When he entered his house, he found his wife complaining from a headache saying: "oh my head". But the Messenger told her that his headache was the worst. Then he tried to give her a hint that if he die, he wants her to wash him and prepare him for bury; so he said to her that she should not panic because if she die before him he is going to wash her and prepare her to bury and pray for her. But she did not understand what he had meant by these words. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) replied that if she is going to die, he (PBUH) will come back to her house and enjoy his days with his wives.
Aisha said that either because of her jealousy or because she wanted to release the Prophet from his pain, especially because of his complain from a terrible headache. When the Prophet heard her words he laughed.
The Prophet led the people in the prayers for 11 days while he was sick. His complete days of sickness were 13 or 14 days.
The Messenger (PBUH) was the perfect role model in applying the roles which he had taught his nation, especially with women. So when his sickness got worse and worse he asked his wives: "where am I tomorrow? "- that’s because he used to spend every day with one of his wives – The main cause of his question was to know when the day of Aisha is, because he loved Aisha more than his other wives.
The prophet asked Allah for forgiveness because he couldn’t be fair in his love towards his wives. He treated them all in a fair and equal way, but in terms of love; his love to Aisha was the most.
His wives knew that he loved Aisha most, so they asked him to stay with her during his sickness. The Prophet (PBUH) moved to Aisha’s house and stayed with her the last week of his life.
In his ordinary days the Prophet (PBUH) used to cure his pains with Quran (especially the last three Surahs : -al Ikhlas, Al Falaq & An Nas , that are called “ Al Mu’awathat”), but in his last days he was so sick that he could not cure himself. So Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to read the verses she memorised from the Prophet and blow in his hand, and then stroked over his body to cure him.
On Wednesday, five days before his death, he got worse and he was so sick that he fainted. When he got up he asked to spill on him seven buckets of water so he could speak to the people outside.
Even in his last moments he was interested in giving advices to his people, he could say only spill water over me but he described exactly what needs to be done in such cases, so that people can do the same as a cure from such sickness.
He said that this water should be from different wells, and to spill only seven buckets all at once. After they had spilt water over him, he felt that he got better. So he entered the mosque to give a speech.
He said: “cursed be all those who use to make the graves of their prophets place of worship……”
Once during the days of his illness, Abu Bakr - the closest friend of the Messenger- and Alabbas - the uncle of the Messenger -passed while a group of the Ansar -the inhabitants of Madinah who supported the Messenger- were crying. Abu Bakr -may Allah be pleased with him- asked them why they were crying. They replied saying that they had missed the presence of the Messenger among them. Abu Bakr entered the Prophet’s room and told him about what he had seen.
The Messenger loved the Ansar very much because they are the people who protected him and offered their souls and money to support him. So when Abu Bakr told him, he tied his head with a piece of cloth and walked to the mosque despite his pains and gave the Muslims his last speech.
He thanked and praised Allah and told the Muslims that they have to take care of the Ansar as being the first people who believed and protected him when others let him down, he trusted them most and they had done their best for Islam. And he stressed that they did what they had promised (to protect the Messenger and defend him and his religion), so he advised to forgive the one who commits a mistake and accept their good deeds.
While he was advising and showing them the right and wrong, he began to tell them that his death got closer by saying that there was a slave ( he means himself) that had been given the chance by Allah to choose between eternity life or to accept Allah’s faith. But he chose Allah’s faith.
When Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) heard this sentence, he cried knowing that the Prophet’s death will be very close and said that they would give their souls for the sake of the Prophet.
The companions of the Messenger wandered why Abu Bakr said such words.
But after the Prophet’s death they knew that the Prophet was talking about himself and that Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) was the wisest between them.
The Messenger told Abu Bakr to calm down. Then he told his companions, that he wishes to be with Abu Bakr forever, and it is friendship and brotherhood in Islam which tied them till Allah gather them again in the hereafter.
The Death of the ProphetIn the 11th year, and while an army led by Usama Bin Zaid was being prepared to fight the Byzantines, the Muslims were greatly saddened by the death of the Prophet after having a severe illness. He was resting on Ali Bin Abi Taleb's lab before he passed away.
Source of the brief Arabic biography:
tibneen.comTo know more about the Prophet, check:
rasoulallah.netAnd peace of God and His mercy be upon the Prophet Muhammad.
