The Life of Muhammad The Prophet

[Friend]

THE FAREWELL PILGRIMAGE

THE Prophet (pbuh) had become the most powerful leader in the whole of Arabia. After the idols in the Ka'bah had been smashed and Quraysh had become Muslim, most of the other tribes of Arabia came to declare their Islam. The year in which they came was later to be called the Year of Deputations. As each tribe joined Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sent his men to teach them about their new religion.
Many people also came to Medina to question the Prophet (pbuh) himself. One tribe sent a man called Dimam, who was large and strong. On arriving in Medina, he went straight to the mosque, where the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was sitting with some of his companions, and stood over the Prophet (pbuh). In a loud, rough voice he asked, 'Which of you is the son of 'Abd al-Muttalib?' When the Prophet (pbuh) answered him, Dimam went on, 'I am going to ask you a hard question, so do not misunderstand me. I ask you to swear by Allah, your God, the God of those before you and the God of those who will come after you, has He sent you to us as a messenger?'
'Yes, He has', replied the Prophet (pbuh).
'Has Allah instructed you to order us to serve Him; to pray these five prayers; to pay alms; to fast; to make the pilgrimage and to follow the other laws of Islam)?' continued Dimam. When the Prophet(pbuh) answered that Allah had indeed instructed him in this way, Dimam became a Muslim and, as he left, added, 'Then I will do the things we are told to do and avoid the things we are forbidden-no more and no less.`
As Dimam mounted his camel to leave, the Prophet (pbuh) told the people around him, 'If this man is sincere, he will go to Paradise.' When Dimam reached his people they all thought he had gone mad but by nightfall, after he had finished speaking, there was not among them that had not accepted Islam.
When the time came for the yearly pilgrimage, it was proclaimed that the prophet (pbuh) would be going to Mecca. The Muslims flocked to Medina from all over Arabia to join him on his journey to the Ka’bah. As the tribes arrived they camped around the city until they finally numbered more than thirty thousand. The Prophet (pbuh) went out with his family and friends to pilgrimage, but before setting off, he led all the Muslims in prayer. After the prayers, the Prophet (pbuh) got on his camel and headed towards Mecca followed by the pilgrims, all of whom, for the first time in centuries, worshipped Allah, the One God.
The Prophet (pbuh) and his companions were deeply moved by the sight of the huge number of Muslims accompanying them to Mecca, carrying no arms, and fearing no one. They could not help but remember their original flight from Mecca when they had been so few in number and were forced to leave in order to avoid the anger of Quraysh.
Throughout the journey the Muslims repeated a prayer taught to them by the Prophet (pbuh), which he in turn had received, from the Archangel Gabriel. This prayer, the talbiyah, has been part of the Hajj ritual ever since. It is in answer to the call Abraham was commanded to make when he and Ishmael finished building the Ka’bah.
Labaik Allahumma labaik, labaik la sharika laka labaik
in al-hamd wa al-ni'amatu laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka.
Here I am, O Allah, at Thy service. Here I am,
Thou art without partner, here I am. All Praise and blessings
are thine, and Dominion! Thou art without partner!
After ten days the pilgrims marched at sunset through the same pass by which they had entered on the Day of Conquest of Mecca. When they reached the Ka’bah, the Prophet (pbuh) stood before it in prayer, then he and all the Muslims walked around it seven times saying their prayer aloud. Next, just as Abraham had done, they went towards the Mount of Mercy at 'Arafah, which the Prophet (pbuh) ascended on a camel.
From the mountain he led the people in prayer and then spoke to them, as they stood assembled on the vast plain below. What the Prophet (pbuh) said is known as the ‘Farewell Sermon’, because it was the last speech the Prophet (pbuh) made before he died. He said, 'surely you will meet your Lord and He will question you about your deeds.' He asked the Muslims to take their guidance from the Koran and from his own example. This, he said, was the best way to live. He ordered them to cease living in the way they had before Islam. Revenge, one of the oldest traditions in Arabia, was ended forever; usury was prohibited; property was to be respected. Things which previously were forbidden during the four sacred months of the year were now forbidden at all times. He then commanded, 'Know that every Muslim is a Muslim's brother', which was a completely new idea to the tribes who had so often quarreled in the past. He also said, 'Allah has given everyone his due-exactly what each one deserves. After each point the Prophet (pbuh) asked, 'Have I explained it well? Is it perfectly clear?'
Everyone answered, 'Yes.' For these were the people who would have to pass on the Prophet's message and instructions to those who were unable to be present that day and to future generations. The Prophet (pbuh) said, 'I have left you two things. If you hold on to them you will be saved. They are Allah's Book and the words of your Prophet.' He then asked, 'Have I not conveyed the message?'
The multitude shouted out, 'By Allah, yes!' The Prophet (pbuh) ended, 'O Allah! Bear witness to that.'

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

… This day those who disbelieve are in despair of

(ever harming) your religion; so do not fear them, but fear Me!

This day I have perfected your religion, for you,

and I have completed My favor unto you, and

have chosen for you as a religion AL-ISLAM

(Koran v.3)

Many Muslims started to shed tears, knowing that if the Prophet (pbuh) had completed his message, his life must be near its end. After spending the rest of the day of ‘Arafah in prayer and contemplation, the Muslims began to complete the pilgrimage by returning to Mecca with the talbiyah prayer still on their lips. The first night of the return journey was spent at Muzdalifah. Here they gathered pebbles, which they carried with them the next day to Mina. There they stood before a huge rock and stoned it in remembrance of Abraham's meeting with the Devil in that very place. When Abraham received the order from Allah to sacrifice his son Ishmael as a test of his faith, the Devil had tried to convince him not to do it. He came to Abraham at Mina, as he was on his way to carry out Allah's command, but Abraham took some stones and hurled them at the Devil to drive him away since the casting of stones at Mina on the Prophet's 'Farewell Pilgrimage', this has become another ritual which Muslims perform on the annual pilgrimage to remind them that they, too, must continue to drive the Devil away when he tries to prevent them from being obedient to Allah.
After throwing the stones, the pilgrims sacrificed sheep and camels and gave the meat to the poor. In this way the great faith of Abraham was remembered, for when he had been ready to sacrifice Ishmael, Allah had sent a sheep in his place. The Muslims then completed the pilgrimage by again circling the Ka’bah seven times. They then cut their hair and nails and changed out of their white clothes to show they had returned to their daily lives. Before returning to Medina, the Muslims spent three nights in the valley at Medina where the final preparations were made for the journey home.
As for the Prophet (pbuh), he made one final visit before leaving Mecca. This was to the grave of his devoted wife, Khadijah, who had been the first person to believe in Allah's Revelation through him. The Prophet (pbuh) knew that this would be the last time he would see the grave, or Mecca, because during the pilgrimage he had received the chapter of the Koran called 'Help', form which he knew that his death was not far away.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

When Allah's help and triumph comes

And thou seest, mankind entering the religion of Allah in troops,

Then hymn the praises of thy Lord, and seek forgiveness of

Him. Lo! He is ever ready show mercy.

(Koran cx.1-3)

[Friend]

THE PROPHET’S DEATH

ONE NIGHT, shortly after his return to Medina, the Prophet(pbuh) woke upat midnight and asked his servant’ Abd Allah to saddle his mule. They then left the house and went to the Baqi al-Gharqad, the burial ground of the Muslims. There the Prophet (pbuh) stood in the front of the graves and, as though he could see the Muslims buried in them, spoke to them and prayed over them. Later, ’Abd Allah reported, ’The Prophet (pbuh) told me that he was ordered to pray for the dead and that I was to go with him.’

After the Prophet (pbuh) had prayed he turned to ‘Abd Allah and said, ‘I can choose between all the riches of this world, a long life and then Paradise, or meeting my Lord and entering Paradise now.’ ‘Abd Allah begged him to choose a long, rich life, followed by Paradise, but the Prophet (pbuh) told him that he had already chosen to meet his Lord now rather than remain in the world.
The following morning the Prophet (pbuh) awoke with a terrible headache, but despite this he had led the prayers at the mosque. From what he said afterwards to the people assembled there, they understood that his death was near. The Prophet (pbuh) praised his best friend, Abu Bakr, who had begun to weep, and told everyone that he knew they would all meet again at a pool in Paradise. He added, however that although he was sure they would always worship Allah alone, he feared that the pleasures of the world would attract them, and they would begin to compete with one another for material possessions, forgetting spiritual things.
Soon after the Prophet (pbuh) requested that he be moved to the room of A’isha, one of his wives. As the days passed his fever grew worse, until one day he was so ill that he could not even get to the mosque, which was next to where A’isha lived. The Prophet (pbuh) told A’isha to tell the Muslims to let Abu Bakr, her father, lead the prayer, which made them very sad for this was the first time anyone had taken the Prophet's place.
Later, on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awal, in the 11th year of Islam (June 8th 632 A.D.), the Prophet (pbuh) heard the voices of the people in prayer. With great effort he got up and looked from his door at all the Muslims who were assembled in rows behind Abu bakr; he smiled with great satisfaction. Abu Bakr saw him and stepped back to give the Prophet (pbuh) his place. The Muslims were happy, thinking he was going to pray with them as before, but the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who looked radiantly beautiful that day signaled to them to continue on their own. He prayed in a sitting position at the right of Abu Bakr, after which he went back inside and lay his head on 'A'ishah's lap. He was in such pain that his daughter Fatimah cried out in pity. Then the Prophet (pbuh) said, 'There is no pain for your father after this day; truly, death has appeared to me. We must all suffer it till the Day of Judgement.' As he lay there, A'ishah remembered that he had once said, Allah never takes a Prophet to Himself without giving him the choice.'
Then she heard the Prophet (pbuh) speak. His last words were, 'Nay, rather the Exalted Communion of Paradise.' A’ishah then said to herself, 'So, by Allah, he is not choosing us!' When the people in the mosque heard that the Prophet (pbuh) was dead, they were filled with grief. ‘Umar could not, and would not, believe it, and exclaimed that it was not true. Abu Bakr then went out and spoke gently to the people, saying 'All praise belongs to Allah! O people, whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. But for him who worships Allah, Allah is living and never dies.' He then recited this verse from the Koran which had been revealed after the battle of Uhud:

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom)
have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dies or is slain,
you will turn back on your heels? He who turns back
does no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward
the thankful.
No soul can ever die except by Allah's permission
and at a term appointed. Who so desires the
reward of the world, We bestow on him thereof;
and whosoever desires the reward of the Hereafter,
We bestow on him thereof We shall reward the
thankful.
(Koran iii.144-145)

After this the people pledged their loyalty to Abu Bakr, whom the Prophet (pbuh) had chosen to lead the prayer. Abu Bakr accepted and concluded what he had to say with these words:
'Obey me so long as I obey Allah and His Messenger. But if I

disobey Allah and His Messenger, you owe me no obedience.
Arise for your prayer, Allah have mercy upon you!'
The people rose and asked him; 'Where will the Prophet (pbuh) be buried?' Abu Bakr remembered that the Prophet (pbuh) had said, 'No Prophet dies who is not buried on the spot where he died.' And so the Prophet (pbuh) was buried in a grave dug in the floor of A'ishah's room, in the house next to the mosque. The spot became known as the Haram al-Nabawi and Muslims from all over the world go there to pray and to give their blessings and greetings of peace the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

And Lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing.
And Lo! thou art of a tremendous nature.
(Koran lxvii. 3-4)

[Muslimwoman]

Mashallah friend that was very well done, thank you for sharing the story of our Beloved Prophet so people can learn from his example.

Salaam
MW

[Friend]

Originally Posted by Muslimwoman

Mashallah friend that was very well done, thank you for sharing the story of our Beloved Prophet so people can learn from his example.

Salaam
MW

Hala my sis MW

Thanks for your nice post





We learned from our prophet how to be tolerant with others...even if they are abusive with us.


1. His story with the Jewish neighbor who used to THROW GARBAGE
at his doorsteps

:The Prophet had this Jewish neighbor.

Everyday the neighbor would throw his garbage at the Prophet’s door!
Then, one day, the garbage stopped appearing.
The Prophet wondered why and asked people about

what had happened to his neighbor.

He was told that the neighbor was sick, in bed.

So, the Prophet went and visited his Jewish neighbor to make sure

he’s OK and to wish him well.
So touched was the Jewish neighbor he change his behaviour with prophet and knew how this religion was great.



2. His story with the people of Ta’if who’s children STONED him:
One day the Prophet visited the village of Ta’if near Mecca.
He was hoping to find support amongst the people of that area
after he was shunned by many of his own tribe in Mecca. Instead of support,
he was faced by a mob of children, sent by their parents to throw stones at him.
He was hit by the hail of stones.
He was bleeding, and was barely able to escape into an orchard.
He could have asked for God’s wrath to be brought down upon the village,

but instead he prayed that one day these people will see the light.




3. His story with his tribe after he conquered Mecca:
When the Prophet’s army finally conquered

his hometown Mecca, many of the leaders of his tribe were filled with fear.
They feared the conquerer’s retribution.
Most of them NEVER BELIEVED in him.
They TORTURED and KILLED many of his followers and CONSPIRED

TO KILL HIM

in the early days of his prophethood.
What did the Prophet do? He told them: “Go. You are free!”




With my best regards

[Muslimwoman]

assalaamu aleykum dear friend

I believe this is one of the greatest teachings of our Beloved Prophet (pbuh), that our action speak so much louder than our words. You cannot demand that someone like or accept you but if you treat them with respect and kindness, the rest will usually follow.

We Muslims must demonstrate Islam and not just talk about it.

Salaam

[17th Angel]

Originally Posted by Friend

I want to write here the story of prophet mohammad from his birth to his death so you can have background about his personality ,, may be many of you don't interested about that but still there are few whom don't have any information about his life and personality .and many of those who have an idea about this ,,was get there information from bias sites.

Shokran Jazeelan.

[dailogue is the best]

Thank you, friend. of course u v done agreat job that Allah will bless u for.
oh our dear prophet, how great u r......we love you from the bottom of our hearts.....we love you because you teach us how to love and spread love.....we love you cz ur life wasnt just preaching of theories and words,but actions and deeds....and what deeds and what actions..justice, love and peace.....we love you, oh our model....and may Allah help us to be like you....to be a practiced Quran....we love you, oh our prophet...and our yearnig to you has filled our hearts with so much love, and our eyes with so much tears.....we love you...and may Allah gather us with whom we love...
thank you, friend, again....special thanks go to you, indeed.