It does not befit a Prophet…

بسم الله الرمان الرحيم

السلام عيكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

الحمد الله

The defeat at Badr was an ignominy which the Quraysh pride could not leave unavenged. Revenge was, therefore, the catchword all over Makkah. The mushrikeen even forbade lamenting over their murdered people, or ransoming their captives at Badr Battle lest the Muslims should realize the grave degree of sadness and feeling of tragedy they were experiencing. Due to this amongst many other reasons, the mushrikeen decided to attack the Muslims once again.

When the news reached Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم in Madinah, he immediately went to his Sahabah رضي الله عنهم for shura. Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم advised them that they should defend within Madinah but some of the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم, who had missed Al-Jihad in Badr, suggested that the Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم should go out of Madinah and urged him to accept their point of view. One of them said: “O, Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, for long time we have been looking forward to this day; and we have implored Allah to make such a day draw near. Thanks to Allah it is time to fight. So let us go out and fight our enemies lest they should think that we have lost heart and do not dare to fight them.” Hamzah bin ‘Abdil Muttalib رضي الله عنه the paternal uncle of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, who had already covered the ornaments of his sword with idolaters’ blood in Badr Battle, was ahead of those enthusiastics who urged him to go out and meet the disbelievers. He said to Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم: “By Allah, Who has sent the Book down unto you, I will not taste food till I fight them with my sword outside Madinah.” After weighing careful the pros and cons of the issue, it was decided that the enemy should be resisted outside the city at Uhud.

Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم led the afternoon prayer with crowds of people. Then he entered his house accompanied by his two friends Abu Bakr and ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما. They helped him dress and wear his head cloth. He صلى الله عليه و سلم armed himself and wore two armours one over the other. He صلى الله عليه و سلم then wore his sword and went out to meet people. People were waiting for him impatiently. Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh and Usayd bin Hudair رضي الله عنهما blamed people for pressing on Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم. They said: “You have forced Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم to fight the enemy outside Madinah.” Therefore they were determined to leave the whole matter to Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, and blamed themselves for what they had already done. When Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلمcame out, they said: “O Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, we should have not disagreed with you. So, you are free to do what you desire. If you prefer to stay inside Madinah we will stay with you. Upon this Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said something that should be written in gold: “It does not befit a Prophet that once he had put on armour, he should take it off, until Allah has decided between him and the enemy.”

Lessons learnt from this incident:

1) 1)Importance of making shura as Allah سبحانه و تعالى said describing the people who trust Him, “And those who answer the Call of their Lord and perform As-Salat, and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them.”[1] And also when He سبحانه و تعالى was describing the favour He had upon Rasul Allah (SAWS), “And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah’s) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).”[2]

2) Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم was not arrogant because consulted with his Sahabah رضي الله عنهم and listened to their opinion

3) Love of Jihaad which is the noblest deed in Islam Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم and the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم had.

4) The care for the feelings of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم and love for him the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم showed when they thought they had coerced him into something Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم did not want to do.

5) Firmness in decision of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم in going out to Uhud to fight the kuffar. Another thing to note is that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم was amongst the 5 Prophets عليهم الصلوات و السلام who were the title, “Ulul ‘Azm,” meaning the “Possessors of Strong Will,” the Prophets عليهم الصلوات و السلام were: Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, ‘Isa and Muhammad.

6) We also learn the Tawakkul Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم had in Allah سبحانه و تعالى

7) Bravery of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم and that shows one of his characteristics of manhood

8) Status of Prophets عليهم الصلوات و السلام in general with his صلى الله عليه و سلم’s statement, ‘It does not befit a Prophet that once he had put on armour, he should take it off, until Allah has decided between him and the enemy,’ which was of honour and nobility.

9) Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم even though he was a Prophet, had to prepare with worldly means contrary to the popular belief which is a Prophet عليه الصلاة و السلام does not need to prepare in worldly means because Allah سبحانه و تعالى would him.

10) Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم did not have the knowledge of the Unseen because if he did, then he wouldn’t have said, “…until Allah has decided between him and the enemy,” rather he would have said, “until Allah سبحانه و تعالى has given him victory.”

11) Making Allah سبحانه و تعالى the Judge in everything due to the saying of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم“…until Allah has decided between him and the enemy.”

12) A Leader should represent his people and not vice versa and we learn this from, “…until Allah has decided between him and the enemy.” Notice that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم used the word ‘him’ to represent the Muslims not us which shows the how great a leader Rasul Allahعليه الصلاة و السلامwas.

And indeed, Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows best.

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[1] Surat Al Shura, ayah 38

[2] Surat `Ale ‘Imraan, ayah 159

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The Last days

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Amongst his final Khutb Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم announced, “Allah gave one of His servants a choice between this world and what He has with Him, and that servant chose what Allah has with Him.” Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه wept because he understood that this meant Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم was going to leave this world.

It was in the 11^th year after Hijrah, on the 29^th Safar that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم’s final illness had initiated. He صلى الله عليه و سلم participated in funeral rites in Al-Baqee‘. On the way back he صلى الله عليه و سلم had a headache, his temperature rose so high that the heat effect could be felt over his headband. He led the Muslims in prayer for eleven days though he was sick. The total number of his sick days was either thirteen or fourteen. It was reported that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم showed his willingness to stay in his beloved ‘A’ishah Al Siddiqah رضي الله عنها’s house in his final days. Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم also suffered from the poison that the Jewish lady had put in the meat in the Battle of Hunayn.

Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said words in his last days that deserve to be written in Gold and amongst them he advised:

1) Jews, Christians and polytheists should be expelled out of Arabia.

2) Not to take his صلى الله عليه و سلم’s grave as a Masjid

3) Adherence to Qur’an & Sunnah

4) “The prayer, the prayer and what your right hand possess (i.e. rights of slaves)”

Three days before Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم passed away, in the evening he grew so sick that he could not overcome the strain of disease or go out to enter the Mosque. ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها said,” Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم asked, “Have the people performed the prayer?” “No. They haven’t. They are waiting for you.” “Put some water in the washing pot.” Said Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم. We did what he ordered. So he صلى الله عليه و سلم washed and wanted to stand up, but he صلى الله عليه و سلم fainted. When he صلى الله عليه و سلم came round he asked again “Have the people prayed?” Then the same sequence of events took place again and again for the second and the third time from the time he صلى الله عليه و سلم washed to the time he fainted after his attempts to stand up. Therefore he sent to Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه to lead the prayer himself. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه then led the prayer during those days. They were seventeen prayers in the lifetime of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم. Three or four times ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها talked to Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلمto exempt Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه from leadership in prayer lest people should despair of him, but he refused and said, “You (women) are like the women who tried to entice Joseph (Yusuf) into immorality. Convey my request to Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.”

Two days before he صلى الله عليه و سلم passed away, Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم felt that he was well enough to perform the prayer; so he went out leaning on two men in order to perform the noon prayer. Abu Bakrرضي الله عنه, who was then about to lead the prayer withdrew when he saw him coming; but Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم made him a gesture to stay where he was and said: “Seat me next to him.” They seated him on the left hand side of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم then led the prayer, and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه followed him and raised his voice at every ‘Allâhu Akbar’ (i.e. Allâh is the Greatest) Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said, so that the people may hear clearly.

One day before he صلى الله عليه و سلم left this dunya, the Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم set his slaves free, paid as a charity the seven Dinars he owned and gave his weapons as a present to the Muslims. So when night fell ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها had to borrow some oil from her neighbour to light her oil-lantern. Even his armour was mortgaged as a security with a Jew for thirty Sa‘(a cubic measure) of barley. Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم’s final possessions included:

1) A donkey

2) A sword which he صلى الله عليه و سلم then gave to the Muslims

3) Land which he صلى الله عليه و سلم gave as Sadaqah.

The day Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم passed away; in a narration by Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه, he said: “While the Muslims were performing the dawn prayer on Monday — led by Abu Bakr, they were surprised to see Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم raising the curtain of ‘A’ishah’s room. He looked at them while they were praying aligned properly and smiled cheerfully. Seeing him, Abu Bakr withdrew to join the lines and give way to him to lead the prayer. For he thought that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم wanted to go out and pray.” Anas رضي الله عنه said: “The Muslims, who were praying, were so delighted that they were almost too enraptured at their prayers. Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم made them a gesture to continue their prayer, went into the room and drew down the curtain.” Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم did not live for the next prayer time.

When it was daytime, Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم called Fatimah رضي الله عنها and told her something in a secret voice that made her cry. Then he whispered to her something else which made her laugh. ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها enquired from her after Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم’s death, as to this weeping and laughing to which Fatimah رضي الله عنها replied, “The first time he disclosed to me that he would not recover from his illness and I wept. Then he told me that I would be the first of his family to join him, so I laughed.” Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم gave Fatimah رضي الله عنها glad tidings that she would become the lady of all women of the world. Fatimah رضي الله عنها witnessed the great pain that afflicted her father. So she رضي الله عنها said, “What great pain my father is in!” To these words, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) remarked, “He will not suffer any more when today is over.” He asked that Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما be brought to him. He kissed them and recommended that they be looked after. He asked to see his wives رضي الله عنهن. They were brought to him. He preached them and told them to remember Allâh سبحانه و تعالى. Pain grew so much severe that the trace of poison he had at Khaybar came to light. It was so sore that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said to ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها, “I still feel the painful effect of that food I tasted at Khaybar. I feel as if death is approaching.” He (SAWS) ordered the people to perform the prayers and be attentive to slaves. He repeated it several times.

When the pangs of death started, ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها leant him against her. She رضي الله عنها used to say: One of Allâh سبحانه و تعالى’s bounties upon me is that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم died in my house, while I am still alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against me. Allâh سبحانه و تعالى has mixed his saliva with mine at his death. For ‘Abdur Rahman — the son of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنهما — came in with a Siwak) in his hand, while I was leaning that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم against me. I noticed that he was looking at the Siwak, so I asked him — for I knew that he wanted it — “Would you like me to take it for you?” He صلى الله عليه و سلم nodded in agreement. I took it and gave it to him. As it was too hard for him, I asked him “Shall I soften it for you?” He صلى الله عليه و سلم nodded in agreement. So I softened it with my saliva and he passed it (on his teeth There was a water container (Rakwa) available at his hand with some water in. He put his hand in it and wiped his face with it and said,” There is no god but Allâh. Death is full of agonies.” As soon as he had finished his Siwak brushing, he raised his hand or his finger up, looked upwards to the ceiling and moved his lips. So ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها listened to him. She heard him say: “With those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace with the Prophets and the Truthful ones (As-Siddiqin), the martyrs and the good doers. O Allâh, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship on high.” Then at intervals he uttered these words: “The most exalted Companionship on high. To Allâh we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode.” This event took place at high morning time on Monday, the twelfth of Rabi‘ Al-Awwal, in the eleventh year of Al-Hijrah. He was sixty-three years and four days old when he died.

The great (loss) news was soon known by everybody in Madinah. Dark grief spread on all areas and horizons of Madinah. Anas رضي الله عنه said, “I have never witnessed a day better or brighter than that day on which Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم came to us; and I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than that one on which Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم died on.”

Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه had taken permission from Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم to go to suburbs of Al Madinah to a place called Al Sunh where his wife رضي الله عنها was and he was granted so. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه didn’t even reach Al Sunh but he heard the news that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم had passed away so he hurried back to Al Madinah. He talked to nobody but went on till he entered ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها’s abode, and went directly to where Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم was. Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم was covered with a Yemeni mantle. He uncovered his face and tended down, kissed him and cried. Then he said, “I sacrifice my father and mother for your sake. Allâh, verily, will not cause you to die twice. You have just experienced the death that Allâh had ordained.”

The death of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم resulted in the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم being grief stricken such as ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه who on hearing the news couldn’t move because of the shock. ‘Umar رضي الله عنه went around with a sword in his hand saying, “Whoever says Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلمhas passed away, will have his chopped off. He has gone to meet his Lord as Musa went for forty days.” Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه came out of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم’s house and noticed the chaotic situations of the Muslimeen. He saw ‘Umar رضي الله عنه giving a speech and saying what was mentioned before. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said, “‘Umar sit down,” but he refused to do so thus he started giving his own speech and people left ‘Umar رضي الله عنه and went to listen to Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه’s speech in which he said,” · “And now, he who worships Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Muhammad is dead now. But he who worships Allâh, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allâh says, ”Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allâh, and Allâh will give reward to those who are grateful.’” {Surat `Al ‘Imraan, ayah 144}

‘AbduLlah Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهماsaid, “By Allâh, it sounded as if people had never heard such a Qur’ânic verse till Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه recited it as a reminder. So people started reciting it till there was no man who did not recite it.” Sa‘eed Ibn Al-Musayyab رحمه الله said that ‘Umar رضي الله عنه had said: “By Allâh, as soon as I heard Abu Bakr say it, I fell down to the ground. I felt as if my legs had been unable to carry me so I collapsed when I heard him say it. Only then did I realize that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had really died.”And thus the Muslimeen were struck with the greatest calamity which this Ummah would ever be afflicted with.

[Most portion taken from Al Raheeq Al Makhtum]

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Humanities Teacher – 21 Teaching Techniques of Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Humanities Teacher – 21 Teaching Techniques of Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم by Shaykh Muhammad Alshareef حفظه الله.

Humanities Teacher 21 Teaching Techniques

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…look at me now?!

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

There was a mushrik from Ta’if who came to Makkah and there he saw a man moving in a strange way. He was then followed by a lady and lastly, by a young boy. This man from Ta’if was a friend of al-‘Abbas رضي الله عنه (and at this time he wasn’t a Muslim) so he asked him, “Who are these people?” al-‘Abbas رضي الله عنه said, “The first man is Muhammad, the lady is Khadijah and boy was ‘Ali. Muhammad claims to be a Prophet sent by Allah.” This man just left the place. Later on became a Muslim about 20 years or so ago and used to say, “Had I become a Muslim at that time, I would have been the fourth Muslim and look at me now?!”

Lesson to be learnt from this incident:

Do not miss an opportunity for good when it is presented to you lest you might be regretful later on. Cling on to the chance of gaining hasanaat whenever you get it even if you don’t feel like doing the act it maybe that Allah سبحانه و تعالى will open for you a door to success through it which might be of great benefit in the Aakhirah and Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows best.

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I want to retaliate…

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Before battle of Badr, Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم was arranging ranks to launch an attack and was straightening the lines as if he was straightening the lines for the Salah. He was holding an arrow in his hand and he came up to one of the soldiers Sawaad ibn Ghuzaiyyah رضي الله عنه who was protruding a bit from the line. So Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم pushed him back with the arrow in his stomach. Sawaad رضي الله عنه said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, you hurt me! I want to retaliate.” Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم exposed his stomach and said, “Go ahead and retaliate.” Sawaad رضي الله عنه hugged Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and kissed his stomach. Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم responded, “Why did you do that?” Sawaad رضي الله عنه answered, “O’ Messenger of Allah, you can see what is about to happen. I wanted my last contact with you to be my skin touching yours.” Then Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم made du‘a for Sawaad رضي الله عنه, “May Allah bless you.”

Lessons to be learnt:

1) Humility of Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم: He صلى الله عليه و سلم did not tell other soldiers to take him away and got tortured for what he said like leaders of our times would

2) Justice of Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم when he allowed the companion رضي الله عنه to retaliate

3) Love of Sawaad رضي الله عنه for Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم

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