Chapter 1 - The Life of the Prophet Muhammad ( Rasulullahﷺ)

Long Time Ago...

Nearly four thousand years ago, in the locality of Iram near the Sumerian town of Ur in the valley of the river Euphrates, lived a young man named Nabi Ibrahim a.s. The people of Ur had once worshipped Allah but as time passed they forgot the true religion and started praying to idols, statues made of wood or clay, and sometimes even of precious stones.

Even as a small child Ibrahim a.s could not understand how his people, and especially his father, could make these images with their own hands, call them gods, and then worship them. Nabi Ibrahim a.s. had always refused to join his people when they paid respect to these statues. Instead, he would leave the town and sit alone, thinking about the heavens and the world about him. Nabi Ibrahim a.s. was sure his people were doing wrong and so alone he searched for the right way. One clear night as he sat staring at the sky he saw a beautiful shining star, so beautiful that he cried out: „This must be Allah!' Nabi Ibrahim a.s. looked at it in awe for some time, until suddenly it began to fade, and then it disappeared. He turned away in disappointment saying: I love not things that set. 

(Qur'an 6.77)

On another night Ibrahim a.s. was again looking at the sky and he saw 

the rising moon, so big and bright that he felt he could almost

 touch it. He thought to himself: This is my Lord. 

  (Qur'an 6.78) 

Nabi Ibrahim a.s then saw the beauty and splendor of the sunrise and decided that the sun must be the biggest and most powerful thing in the universe. But for the third time, he was wrong, for the sunset at the end of the day. It was then that Nabi Ibrahim a.s realized that Allahﷻ is the Most Powerful, the Creator of the stars, the moon, the sun, the earth, and of all living things. Suddenly Nabi Ibrahim a.s felt totally at peace because he knew that he had found the Truth. 

(Qur'an 26.70-82)

One day, while all the townspeople were out, Nabi Ibrahim a.s angrily smashed all the idols with his right hand except for one which was very large. When the people returned they were furious. They remembered the things Nabi Ibrahim a.s had said about the idols. They had him brought forth before everyone and demanded, 'Is it you who did this to our gods, 0 Abraham?' Nabi Ibrahim a.s replied, But this their chief did it.

Ask them, if they are able to speak.' The people exclaimed, 

'You know they do not speak.' 

'Do you worship what you yourselves have carved when Allahﷻ created you and what you make?' 

Abraham continued, 'Do you worship instead of Allahﷻ that which cannot profit you at all, nor harm you?' 

(Qur'an 37.95-96)

(Qur'an 21.66)

"Finally, Nabi Ibrahim a.s warned them, Serve Allah, and keep your duty unto Him; that is better for you if you did but know. You serve instead of Allah-only idols, and you only invent a lie. Lo! those whom you serve instead of Allah own no provision for you. So seek your provision from Allah, and serve Him, and give thanks unto Him, (for) unto Him you will be brought back."

(Qur'an 29. 16-17)

The people of Ur decided to give Nabi Ibrahim a.s the worst punishment they could find: he was to be burnt to death. On the chosen day all the people gathered in the center of the city and even the King of Ur was there.

Nabi Ibrahim a.s was then placed inside a special building filled with wood. The wood was lit. Soon the fire became so strong that the people were pushed back by the flames. But Allahﷻ said: 

O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham”. 

(Qur'an 21.69)

The people waited until the fire had completely died down, and it was then that they saw Nabi Ibrahim a.s still sitting there as though nothing had happened! At that moment they were utterly confused. They were not, however, moved by the miracle that had just happened before their very eyes.

Still, Nabi Ibrahim a.s tried to persuade his own dear father, who was named Azar (some mentioned Azar not his father but his uncle, not to worship powerless, unseeing, un-hearing statues. Nabi Ibrahim a.s explained that special knowledge had come to him and implored his father, 'So follow me and I will lead you on the right path. 0 my father! Don't serve the Devil.' But Azar would not listen. He threatened his son with stoning if he continued to reject the gods of Ur. He ordered Nabi Ibrahim a.s to leave the city with these words: 

'Depart from me a long while.'

Nabi Ibrahim a.s said:

"O, my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: 

so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight.

"O, my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against ((Allah)) Most Gracious"

"O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflicts thee from ((Allah)) Most Gracious 

so that thou become to Satan a friend."

(The father) replied: "Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, 

I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a good long while!"

Abraham said: "Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: 

for He is to me Most Gracious.

(Qur'an 19.43-47)

Imagine how terrible it must have been for him to leave his home, his family, and all that he knew and set out across the wilderness into the unknown. But at the same time, how could he have remained among people who did not believe in Allahﷻand who worshipped statues? Nabi Ibrahim a.s always had a sense that Allahﷻ cared for him and he felt Allahﷻ near him as he traveled. At last, after a long hard journey, he arrived at a place by the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Egypt. There he married a noblewoman by the name of Sarah and settled in the land of Palestine.

Many years passed but Nabi Ibrahim a.s and his wife were not blessed with any children. In the hope that there would be a child, and in keeping with tradition, Sarah suggested that Ibrahim a.s should marry Hagar, her Egyptian handmaid. Soon after this took place, Hagar had a little boy named Ishmael. Sometime later Allahﷻpromised Nabi Ibrahim a.s another son, but this time the mother of the child would be his first wife, Sarah. This second son would be called Isaac. 

Allahﷻ also told Nabi Ibrahim a.s that from his two sons-Ishmael and Isaac-two nations and three religions would be founded and because of this he must take Hagar and Ishmael away from Palestine to a new land. These events were an important part of Allah's plan, for the descendants of Ishmael would form a nation from which would come to a great Prophet, who would guide the people in the way of Allahﷻ. This was to be Prophet (Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ).

From the descendants of Sarah's child, Isaac would come to Moses a.s and Isa a.s (Jesus). So it was that Nabi Ibrahim a.s, Hagar, and Ishmael a.s left Palestine. They traveled for many days until finally they reached the arid valley of Bacca later to be called Makkah), which was on one of the great caravan routes. There was no water in the valley and although Hagar and Ishmael only had a small supply of water left, Nabi Ibrahim a.s left them there knowing Allahﷻwould take care of them. Soon all the water was gone. 

The child began to grow weak from thirst. There were two hills nearby, one called Safa and the other Marwah. Hagar went up one hill and looked into the distance to see if she could find any water, but found none. So she went to the other hill and did the same. She did this seven times. Then sadly she returned to her son, and to her great surprise and joy she found a spring of water bubbling out of the earth near him. This spring, near which the mother and child settled, was later called Zamzam. The area around it became a place of rest for the caravans traveling across the desert and in time grew into the famous trading city of Makkah.

From time to time Nabi Ibrahim a.s traveled from Palestine to visit his family and he saw Ishmael grow into a strong young man. It was during one of these visits that Allahﷻ commanded them to rebuild the Kaaba-the very first place where people had worshipped Allahﷻ. They were told exactly where and how to build it. It was to be erected by the well of Zamzam and built in the shape of a cube. In its eastern corner was to be placed a black stone that had fallen to earth from heaven. An angel brought the stone to them from the nearby hill of Abu Qubays. Nabi Ibrahim a.s and Ishmael worked hard to rebuild the Kaaba and as they did so they prayed to Allah to send a Prophet from among their descendants. And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House:

 (Nabi Ibrahim a.s prayed):

'Our Lord! Receive this from us; 

(Qur'an 2.127-129) 

When the Ka'bah was completed, Allah commanded Nabi Ibrahim a.s to call mankind to pilgrimage to His Holy House. Nabi Ibrahim a.s wondered how anyone could hear his call. Allah said, 'You call and I will bring them.' This was how the pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Makkah was established and when Muslims make the pilgrimage today they continue to answer the age-old call of Nabi Ibrahim a.s.

Who is the “founder” of Islam? Who “brought” Islam?

Most would respond by saying, Prophet Muhammadﷺ ( Rasulullahﷺ). Many Muslims would give the same answer.

But that is not the correct answer. One may say it is only partially correct.

The traditional thinking is that Islam was born in Arabia in the early Seventh century C.E. That is also only partially true.

Before you get upset, let me explain.

The Qur’an describes Islam as a universal religion with a much broader meaning. Allahﷻ sent the same basic religion to all messengers from Adam a.s and on to Prophet Muhammad ( Rasulullahﷺ).

The Qur’an repeatedly describes Islam as the “religion of Ibrahim a.s.” (Din Al Ibrahim a.s ). There are numerous references to “this religion” as the “way of Ibrahim”.

Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allahﷻ, does good, and follows the way [faith or religion] of Abraham, the true in Faith? For Allahﷻ did take Ibrahim a.s for a friend. 

"Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah, 

does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in Faith? 

For Allah did take Abraham for a friend."

(Quran 4:125)

Say (O Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ ): ‘Surely, (as for) me, my Lord has guided me to the right path; (to) a most right religion, the faith of Ibrahim a.s, the upright one, and he was not of the polytheists. 

(Quran 6:161)

The Qur’an also calls Ibrahim a.s, as well as his descendants, Muslim.

Again, please don’t get upset. The description of a “Muslim” as spelled out by the Qur’an is not necessarily the same as the conventional meaning we have become accustomed to. If you believe Islam was brought by Prophet Muhammad (Rasulullahﷺ), and that a Muslim is one who followed after Prophet Muhammad( Rasulullahﷺ), then calling anyone Muslim before his time would not make sense to you.

But the Qur’an repeatedly mentions many prophets before Muhammad ( Rasulullahﷺ)  as ‘Muslims’.

"And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help!"

(Quran: 22-78)

(Quran 2:130–131)

Islam- One Religion

This may be an oversimplification, but Islam means ‘submission’ (to One true God) and a Muslim is a submitter (to One true God).

The Qur’an has made numerous references to Islam as the same religion brought by all other prophets, starting from Adam a.s and on. Here is a small sample.

(Quran 42:13)

(Quran: 21:92–94)

 (Quran 23:51–53)

One might find an apparent contradiction in calling Islam the one religion God sent down, as well as the “religion of Abraham.” So how about the prophets before Abraham? What religion were they preaching?

 The Qur’an, as mentioned in preceding discussions, praises Abraham as a noble servant of God, and one may conclude that by referring to the universal religion Islam as the religion of Abraham, the Qur’an intended to highlight Abraham’s key role in propagating that religion by linking it to him, who in turn was following the same universal religion.

So how is Prophet Muhammad (Rasulullahﷺ) viewed by Muslims? Why is he still considered to be the ‘founder of Islam’?

This in no way undermines the highest position Prophet (Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ) holds in the hearts of Muslims, and in the Qur’an itself. The Qur’an is full of praises for Prophet(Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ). The Qur’an calls him ‘mercy for the worlds’. His name means “the praised one”. He has several nicknames in the Qur’an, such as Ya'sin and Ta’ha, in reference to his perfection, and being the beloved of God. He is the focal point for Muslims and is considered a role model. (Whether we follow the examples of the role model is another story). In fact, the Shahada, or testimony for Muslims, is not complete without believing  “Muhammad is God’s Prophet”.

I hope no one thinks the article in any way lowers his status in Islam, as he clearly is the front and center in Islam. Just want to make sure that my immense love for him is still reflected here. 

Prophet (Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ) did not “bring” Islam. He completed it. Many Muslims would argue that he perfected it. And the following verse from the Qur’an supports this view.

This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion. 

(Quran 5:3)

It would be accurate to say that the Islam we see today was indeed ‘brought’ by Prophet (Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ) in that the rituals, and the sharia or jurisprudence, were introduced through him. Similarly,  the sharia of Moses a.s (Law-Torah) was introduced to the Israelites and the sharia of Isa a.s (Jesus) to his disciples. The following verse explains that every nation was given a set of laws or sharia.

…. To each among you have We prescribed a law and an open way. If Allahﷻ had so willed, He would have made you a single nation [community-Ummah], but He intended to test you in what He has given you: so vie with one another [hasten to] in good works. The goal of you all is to Allahﷻ; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which you dispute. 

(Quran 5:48)

Since Allahﷻ is the one who will show us the truth, so let us not dispute. Let’s vie with one another in good works.

    Allahﷻ

 Rasulullahﷺ

Rasulullahﷺ

 Allahﷻ

 Rasulullahﷺ

Rasulullahﷺ

رضي الله عنه

  سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ ﷺ.