Our Nabī, Muhammad Mustafa (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) honoured this world with his joyous birth in 571 CE in Makkah al-Mukarramah. He belonged to the Banu Hashim family of the Quraysh tribe. His father Hadrat Abdullah passed away two months before his birth, and thus, he became an orphan before he was born. When his noble mother Hadrat Aminah passed away, he was six. Then his maidservant, Umm Ayman brought him to Hadrat Abdulmuttalib, his grandfather. When Abdulmuttalib passed away after two years, his uncle Abu Talib, took care of him.
Our Prophet (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) spent his entire life in purity, loyalty, and modesty. Allah Ta‘ālā always protected him in all aspects.
When Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) blessed this world with his birth, the Arabian Peninsula, like the rest of the world, was in complete ignorance. People all over the world diverted from true religion (tawhid) and moral virtues. They were disunited and many evil deeds such as gambling, drinking alcohol, and indecency (the social evil) were rampant.
The situation in Arabia was pathetic. The Arabs deviated from the belief of tawhid and worshipped the Sun, Moon, stars, and idols. There were about 360 idols inside the Holy Ka’bah. The literacy rate was quite low. They raised few poets and eloquent speakers, yet they were unable to read and write. There was a constant enmity among tribes, and they would constantly fight with each other. This was the situation in Arabia where Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) began his mission.
Our beloved Nabī (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) always opposed and kept away from the idols and other falsehoods. He never lied throughout his life; no betrayal or opposition to haqq (the truth and religion) was seen from him. He was utterly distant from the ignorant practices and customs of his tribe.
He was not taught by anybody, and he did not write anything. He did not discuss any matter of religion with anybody before he declared his prophethood. The divine plan regarding his education was to reveal all the ilm (knowledge) and hikmah (wisdom) into his heart directly. His simple lifestyle was due to wisdom; everybody around him witnessed his decent and simple life.
Allah Ta‘ālā sent many prophets to human beings since Adam (alayhis salām) to convey the religion and guide them to the straight, true path. The last Nabī (Khatam al-Nabī) and the greatest of them is Muhammad Mustafa (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam).
When our noble Nabī, the great and sinless person, became forty, he began to experience some extraordinary happenings, which was a preparation to receive nubuwwah. Then, the angel Jibreel Amin visited him and gave him the glad tidings that he was the prophet of Allah and gradually brought him the ayahs (verses) and surahs of the Qur’an al-Karim. Henceforth, through the revelation he received, from the blessed tongue and lips of Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) emerged ilm and hikmah. He conveyed many realities, rulings of Islam and incidents to take lessons.
Arabia and its surrounding enveloped in the darkness of ignorance until then awakened, and people were blessed with this true religion and strived for its cause. The sahābah kirām became pioneers and role models for mankind and began spreading Islam to every corner of the world.
Although he had such honour, blessings and success, Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) had no change in his attitudes and lifestyle. He was never distracted by dunya, although he had the vast opportunity to benefit from it. He preferred a simple life and continued to fulfil his duty as a prophet and bore many hardships on that path. All these facts testify to his exalted nature, his perseverance and greatness. Thanks to his tireless efforts, Islam was conveyed and preached to the entire world and the Manifest Qur’an, the similitude of which cannot be produced by anyone, was globally spread and the nur (light) of Islam began to shine in the hearts.
Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam), the Beloved of Allah, passed away at the age of 63 on Monday, the twelfth of Rabi’ al-Awwal in the eleventh year of hijrah. His blessed body was buried at his glorious Masjid in Madīnah al-Munawwarah. Sallallāhu Alayhi Wa Sallam (May Allah shower his peace and blessings upon him)
December 28, 2023 Fazilet Calendar