Muhammad (Sm), Hazrat

Muhammad (Sm), Hazrat Prophet Muhammad (Sm) was born in the Year of the Elephant (Amul-e-Fil), when the Yemeni ruler Ashabul Fil Abraha tried to attack the Holy Ka'ba (Baitullah) with an army and elephants in his train. It was on a Monday in the month of Rabiul Awwal in the Arabic calendar that Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) was born. There are four different dates cited by various authorities as his birthday: the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 12th day of the month of Rabiul Awwal. But there is no doubt that he was born on the Monday that fell between the 8th and 12th that month. Majority of Islamic scholars believe that the 12th of Rabiul Awwal is the most probable date. Hafiz Ibne Hazar Al-Askalani and Ibne Aseer are among those who have accepted this date. It should be noted that according to some historians the Prophet's date of birth coincided with the attack that was carried out by Abraha on 20 April 570 or 571, although others have mentioned 19 April and 21 April as possible dates.

Muhammad's (Sm) father Abdullah died when he was still in his mother's womb. After he was born, his mother named him Ahmed. However, his grandfather Abdul Muttalib named him Muhammad (Sm) since he desired his grand-son to be admired by everyone in all ages. His Akika or naming ceremony was organised a few days after his birth by his grandfather. Muhammad (Sm) was at first suckled by his mother Amina. After two or three days he was breast-fed by Suwaibah, a slave-girl of his uncle Abu Lahab. As was the practice in the then aristocratic Arab families, he was given over to a wet nurse named Halima Sadia belonging to the Taif's Sad tribe, who was also entrusted with the responsibility of bringing him up. He spent the first five years of his life with her.

After receiving the revelation, Muhammad (Sm) was in a daze for a while. When he recovered, he was able to see Jibrail on a throne. The amazing sight perplexed him so much that he came back home and lied down folded in garments. It was then that the seven verses of Sura Muddathir were revealed to him. The first two revelations were very significant: 'He is the Creator Who leads His creations to perfection step by step. He is the most exalted, and read in His name. He has taught the use of the Pen,- taught man that which he knew not. He is the source of all knowledge; hence the use of the Pen to acquire knowledge and seek Him in all things - from a termite to man. When one recalls that the Prophet (Sm) was illiterate, this revelation acquires a special significance. By manifesting such a view, the Prophet beckoned towards a world of unbridled knowledge. The second revelation was as follows:

'O thou wrapped up (in a mantle)! Arise and deliver thy warning! And thy Lord do thou magnify. And thy garments keep free from stain! And all abomination shun! Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! But, for thy Lord's Cause, be patient and constant! (74:1-7).

The Prophet (Sm) began to spread the Word of islam cautiously among his near and dear ones in the Quraish tribe. Among the first to respond to his call and convert to Islam were Khadiza (R), Abu Bakr (R), Ali (R), his foster-son Zaid (R), and his nurse Umme Aiman (R). At Hazrat Abu Bakr's (R) call Zubair (R), Talha (R) and a few others embraced Islam. In this way the Prophet (Sm) preached Islam secretly among his closest people for three years before preaching it openly in the fourth year of his elevation to prophethood in accordance with the following revelations: 'And admonish thy nearest kinsmen' (26:214), and 'Therefore expound openly what thou art commanded' (15:94). The Prophet (Sm) ascended to the Safa Mountain and in a loud voice summoned all members of his Quraish tribe to assemble and accept the invitation for conversion to Islam. However, they declined his invitation to join his religion. From this time the people of Quraish began to oppress the Prophet (Sm) and his followers.