That Blessed Day

Compiled by Arsalan Zibaii

Dear Readers our best greetings to you on the auspicious occasion of the anniversary of the birth day of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and that of Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (AS). As a very useful gift to you for this blessed occasion here you will get familiar with the early life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through a part of the book “The Story of the Qur’an, its history and place in Muslims life” by Ingrid Mattson, and then with some of his characteristics presented to you through an article wrote by Professor Mohsen Qara’ati.

The Early Life of Muhammad

The Qur’an and Islamic tradition ascribe significance to the fact that prophets are often born in unusual circumstances or have difficult childhoods. Adam, recognized as the first prophet of Islam, was created without a father or mother. Moses was taken from his family to be raised in the house of the Egyptian tyrant. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. Jesus was born without a father. Muhammad lost his father, while was still in his mother’s womb. Muhammad came from a respectable Meccan family, and had a grandfather who could care for him, so his situation was not dire. However, in a patriarchal society, a fatherless child was at a distinct disadvantage and was called an “orphan” (yatim).

The Quraysh had a custom of sending infants to live with Bedouin tribes for the first few years of their lives. They believed that the desert air was healthier, and that the Bedouin would teach their children the customs and pure language of their ancestors. For the Bedouin who accepted the children, the advantages were more than monetary. According to Arab (and later Islamic) custom, wet-nursing created a relationship similar to that established by birth. The wet-nurse was respected as a mother, and her children were brothers and sisters to the nursed child. Establishing such a relationship with the future leaders of a powerful tribe like the Quraysh was a strategic move for impoverished nomads. According to early Islamic narratives, because Muhammad was an orphan, he was passed over by a group of Bedouin women who came to Mecca looking for suckling. In the end, a kindly woman named Halima took pity on the child and took him.

Muhammad was returned to the custody of his mother and grandfather when he was a toddler. But his childhood was marked by the repeated loss of close family members. His mother died when he was six years old and his grandfather died when he was eight. The boy was then taken in by his paternal uncle, Abu Talib, who remained dedicated to protecting Muhammad throughout his life.

Muhammad learned the art of trade from his uncle, and probably accompanied him a number of times to Syria to buy and sell his goods there. Islamic sources narrate the story of one trip in particular, in which portents of Muhammad’s future prophet hood became manifest. When the trade caravan stopped near a monastery, a Christian monk noticed a cloud miraculously shading the young Muhammad as he worked around the camp. Examining the boy, the monk found the “seal of the prophet”-a mark on Muhammad’s back proving his special status. This is one of a number of Islamic narratives that show pious Christians supporting or confirming Muhammad’s position as a prophet sent by God.

At the age of twenty-five, Muhammad was hired by a widow, khadijah bint Khuwaylid, to conduct trade on her behalf. Impressed by the young man’s comportment and charm, Khadijah through a friend convey the message that she would not refuse Muhammad if he proposed marriage. Muhammad married the forty-year-old woman with whom he lived monogamously for the next twenty-five years until her death. Khadijah was Muhammad’s closest companion, the first to believe in his mission and the mother of his children, including a few boys who died in infancy and four girls who lived to adulthood. Until the end of his life Muhammad would remember Khadijah with immense gratitude and love.

Islamic sources say that before he became a prophet, Muhammad was not distinguished with political or economic power in Mecca. He was, however, known among the Quraysh as a man of honesty and integrity and was called “the trustworthy” (al-Amin). About five years before Muhammad received his first revelation, the leaders of Quraysh relied on his sound judgment to resolve a particularly sensitive dispute. They were rebuilding the Ka’ba after having discovered some rot in its foundation. After they completed the reconstruction, the only task remaining was to reinsert the sacred “Black Stone” in the corner of the building. The leaders could not agree on who should have this honor, so when Muhammad appeared, they decided he should resolve the dispute. Muhammad’s ingenious solution was to place the stone on his cloak which was lifted by all the leaders gathered, and then he himself positioned the stone in its final resting place.

Whatever life historical value, this story is rich with symbolism. The religious life the Quraysh, like the Ka’ba, had rotted at the foundation. It would take the Prophet Muhammad to unite the Quraysh and lead them in a project of spiritual renewal.

Characteristics of His Holiness

His Compassion and Sympathy:

Before the advent of Islam, it so happened that people were worried about the conditions of famine. Abu Talib, the uncle of the Holy Prophet was also equally perturbed because he had a large family to support and his resources were limited. The Holy Prophet decided with his uncle Abbas to go to Abu Talib and in order to lessen the burden of his daily expenses, each one of them should take one son of Abu Talib. Thus Abbas took Ja'far and the Holy Prophet brought Imam Ali to his house and became his guardian from his very childhood. This was one example of the compassionate nature of the Prophet of Islam.

His Morals:

The Holy Prophet used to sleep on the floor on a simple mat. He cobbled his shoes and patched his clothes himself. He smiled away any disgraceful remark. He would go to buy things for himself.

Anas bin Malik says, "For years I was in the service of the Holy Prophet but never even for once did he reprimand me on my fault. The Holy Prophet milked the she-goat himself, greeted the children first and accepted the invitation of his slaves. He would never make a disparaging remark about the food which was not of his liking. He was particular about cleansing his teeth with Miswak, applying perfume and taking bath on Fridays. While going out of the house he put on white dress. While taking his food, he would never lean upon anything so that there might not be any sign of pride when he was sitting before Allah's bounties.

His Hospitality:

Salman Farsi, the loyal companion of the Holy Prophet said: "I happened to visit the Holy Prophet at his house. He offered me the same pillow which was the only one in his own use". Such a treatment of his visitors was not particularly shown to Salman Farsi but it was for every Muslim.

One day each of the foster brothers and sisters of the Holy Prophet separately came to the Holy Prophet. He treated the sister with greater respect than the brothers. When the people inquired about this distinction, the Holy Prophet replied: "As this sister used to respect her parents, I have greater regard and love for her" (Bihar-ul Anwar, vol. XVI, p. 281) .

Sometimes the guests of the Holy Prophet overstayed their welcome even after finishing with their meals and got themselves busy in conversation but still he tolerated it. At last a Qur'anic verse was revealed saying:
“If you are invited, you may enter, but be punctual (so that you will not be waiting while the meal is being prepared). When you have finished eating, leave his home, and do not sit around chatting among yourselves. This will annoy the Prophet and he will feel embarrassed to tell you…..”  (Surah al-Ahzab –53 ).

His Extreme Dedication:

The Holy Prophet used to wake up from his sleep after midnight. After prostrating himself before Allah, brushing his teeth with Miswak, and reciting a few verses of the Holy Qur'an, he got himself busy with the worship of Allah. Some of his wives used to say to him: "You are innocent and infallible and yet you do a lot of imploration!" The Holy Prophet would answer them by saying: "Should I not try to be a grateful servant of Allah".

During the month of Ramadan, the Holy Prophet used to free his slaves. While offering prayers he trembled with fear. When he offered his prayers alone he prolonged his bowing and prostration but in congregation he shortened them. One of his companions who was appointed to lead the congregational prayers was instructed by him to recite a short Surah after Surah al-Hamd so as not to prolong the duration of the prayers in congregation.

His insight and sagacity:

While solving any problem, the Holy Prophet used to apply his foresight, and sense of justice.  When the different tribes of Arabia rebuilt the Holy Ka'ba, the dispute arose as to which tribe should install the sacred Black Stone (Hajarulaswad) at its original place. This dispute was going to create an ugly situation. A man suggested that whoever came to the Masjidul Haram first of all in the early morning should be made to arbitrate between them. The following morning the Holy Prophet was the first to come to the Holy Ka'ba and hence he was accepted as an arbiter in this dispute. The Holy Prophet then ordered them to bring a sheet of cloth. When the cloth was brought he placed the sacred Black Stone in the middle of the sheet of cloth and asked every chief of the tribes to lift it from each corner and carry it near the Holy Ka'ba. Thereafter, the Holy Prophet picked up the sacred Black Stone and placed it at its original place. It was because of the Holy Prophet's insight as well as the sense of justice that his dispute was settled amicably.