THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 035 THE PRINCIPALS OF ISLAM by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem The Principals of Islam The Oath of Abu Sufyan and the Incident of Sawiq When news of Ka'b the son of Ashraf’s death reached Mecca, Abu Sufyan was even more determined to take revenge and swore an oath that he would not bathe until he had led an attack against the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) because among Abu Sufyan’s motivations was that the rating of the Koraysh among other Arab tribes was at an all time low and Abu Sufyan was intent on re-establishing their former position. It was now Dhul-Hijjah 2H, two months after Badr. In a state of fury Abu Sufyan mustered two hundred men from the remnants of the Koraysh army and left Mecca by way of Najd. After many days travel they reached a waterhole in the vicinity of Mount Thayb, which lies outside Medina and there he ordered his army to strike camp. As darkness approached and the Muslims were at prayer in the Mosque, Abu Sufyan ventured into Medina and made straight for the house of a Jew named Huyay, Akhtab's son, and announced himself as he knocked at the door. Huyay took fright and refused to open the door, so Abu Sufyan made his way to the house of Shalom, Mishkam's son who was not only a chief, but also the banker of the Jewish tribe of An-Nadir. This time he was made most welcome, Shalom invited him into his home, entertained him with food and wine as he guessed the reason for Abu Sufyan's visit and was eager to help him achieve his goal. Later that same night, Abu Sufyan returned to his camp and dispatched a party of his men onto the outskirts of Medina. When they reached Al Urayd, a suburb of Medina, they found an Ansar and his companion tending to young palm trees, whereupon they attacked and killed them, then torched the newly planted grove and returned to camp. When news of the martyred Companions reached the ears of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), he and his Companions rode out in pursuit of the aggressors. However, it was to no avail because upon the marauder's return, Abu Sufyan ordered his men to break camp. In their haste to break camp they left some barley porridge which they called “Sawiq” behind, for memories of Badr were still very fresh upon their minds and they did not wish to face the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) again. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his Companions pursued Abu Sufyan until they reached a place called Karkaratu'l Kudr but the Koraysh were nowhere in sight and it was thought pointless to continue any further, so they returned to Medina. The incident became known as the Incident of Sawiq. The Prophet’s Compassion and Mercy to a Bedouin Allah honors the rank and status of our beloved Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saying: "We have not sent you (Prophet Muhammad) except as a mercy to all the worlds." Koran 21:107 The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) never, ever refused or even hesitated to give anything away. Even when he had nothing at all to give, he would tell the asker to go to one of the merchants in the town, buy whatever he needed, and have it charged to his account. As soon as he was in a position to settle the matter he did so. One day as the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was with his Companions a Bedouin came to him and asked for a gift. As was his custom, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) smiled and gave the Bedouin a gift and inquired, "Have I been good to you?" The Bedouin abruptly replied, "No, you have not, you have not done well." The Companions were outraged by the Bedouin's lack of manners and were about to seize him, but the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) gestured to them to leave him alone, and went into his room. A few minutes later, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked the Bedouin to join him, added more to his gift, and asked the same question. The Bedouin was delighted with the gift and replied, "Yes, may Allah repay you and your family well!" Then the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) said to the Bedouin, "What you said angered my Companions. If you like, say to them what you just said in my presence so that whatever is held against you in their hearts is removed." The Bedouin agreed and returned to them, repeated what he had said to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) then left. A short while after, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) returned to his Companions and said, "The example of that man and myself is like a man who has a she-camel that bolted away from him. But when people chase after it, it only makes her run away still further. Then the owner tells the people to leave him and his she-camel, saying, “I am more compassionate and better to her than you.” Then he walks in front of it, takes several clods of dirt, and drives it until it comes and kneels. Then he saddles it and mounts it. If I had let you do what you had a mind when the man spoke, you would have killed him and he would have entered the Fire." The sincere kindness and mercy of the Prophet, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), was always present, he never lost his patience. Allah honored His Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, by naming him with His Own attributes, the attributes of sincerity, kindness and mercy. The Bedouin and the Mimosa Tree It is unclear on which journey this story occurred, but one day when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and some of his Companions were traveling they reached a wadi where they met a Bedouin. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked where he was going and the Bedouin replied that he was returning to his family. Then the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked, "Would you like something which is good?" "What is it?" inquired the Bedouin. "It is that you bear witness that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is His worshiper and Messenger." The Bedouin asked, "Who will bear witness to what you say?" Whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) said, "That mimosa tree." Without hesitation the tree uprooted itself and came shuffling to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked the tree to bear witness to the truth whereupon it confirm the truthfulness of the matter three times then returned to its place. The Son of Abu Talha Abu Talha's young son had been taken very ill and the family became very concerned about his condition. Much as he would have liked, Abu Talha was unable to stay by his son’s side all the time and had left the house to attend to a certain matter, and it was during that time the angels took away the little one's soul. There was great sadness in the house and his mother, Umm Sulaim asked the rest of her household not to speak of the matter to Abu Talha until she had done so. That evening when Abu Talha returned, he asked his wife about his son whereupon she replied, "He is more settled than he was," and gave him his evening meal. After he had eaten, they slept together then she broke the news to him gently, saying, "Abu Talha, tell me, if someone lends something to another and afterwards asks for it back, would the borrower be right to withhold what was borrowed?" Abu Talha answered, "No," whereupon she softly said, "Then hope for your reward from Allah for that which has overtaken your son." Abu Talha became upset and exclaimed, "You kept me in ignorance about my son's condition until after we had been together!" The following morning Abu Talha went to the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and told him what had happened, whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked, "Were you and your wife together last night?" Abu Talha replied that they had been. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) raised his hands in supplication, saying, "O Allah, bless them both." When a child died Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi was salaam) would say, “When a child of a worshiper of Allah dies, Allah inquires from His angels, 'Have you taken into your custody the soul of the child of My worshiper?' They answer, 'Yes.' Then He inquires: 'Have you taken into custody the flower of his heart?' They answer, 'Yes.' Then He inquires, 'Then what did My worshiper say?' They answer, 'He praised You and bore witness that to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.' Upon this Allah says, 'Build for My worshiper a mansion in Paradise and name it the House of Praise.'" Umm Sulaim had become pregnant on the night she lost her son and nine months later, as they were returning with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) from a journey, Umm Sulaim's contractions started. She knew it would not be long before her baby arrived, so Abu Talha stayed with her whilst the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) continued on to Medina, which was but a few halts away. Abu Talha had always been anxious to accompany the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) no matter where he went, so he supplicated to Allah saying, "O Lord, You know I am eager to go with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) wherever he goes and to be with him upon his return, now I am detained as You see." No sooner had he supplicated than Umm Sulaim said, "Abu Talha, I no longer feel the pain, let us continued." So they continued and when they reached Medina she gave birth to a baby boy. Abu Talha took his infant son to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) who named him Abdullah, then he chewed upon a date, placed some in the baby's mouth and supplicated for blessings upon the baby. Abdullah was indeed a very blessed child, when he grew up he had nine sons and each one was able to recite the Koran by heart. The End of the Second Year Hijra The second year after the migration was drawing to an end. It had been a year of both happiness and sorrow. In it Allah had sent down the order to fight the unbelievers when provoked, and had given victory to the Muslims over the unbelievers at Badr. It was during that year the direction of Qiblah had been changed from Jerusalem to Mecca and Lady Rukiyah, may Allah be pleased with her, passed away and her youngest sister, Lady Fatima had married Ali. Allah had also sent down two new obligations. Obligations which were to constitute two of the pillars of Islam; namely, the fast during the month of Ramadan with its obligatory charity of 2.5% of one’s lunar annual savings at the end of the month to those deservedly in need. Regarding the Fast, Allah says: “Believers, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you, perchance you will be cautious. (Fast) a certain number of days, but if any one of you is ill or on a journey let him (fast) a similar number of days later on; and for those who are unable (to fast), there is a ransom – the feeing of a needy person. Whosoever volunteers good, it is good for him; but to fast is better for you if you but knew. The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Koran was sent down, a guidance for people, and clear verses of guidance and the criterion. Therefore, whoever of you witnesses the month, let him fast. But he who is ill, or on a journey shall (fast) a similar number (of days) later on. Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you. And that you fulfill the number of days and exalt Allah who has guided you in order that you be thankful.” Koran 2:183-185 and regarding the obligatory charity Allah says: “The obligatory charity shall be only for the poor and the needy, and for those who work to collect it, and to influence hearts (to belief), for ransoming captives, and debtors in the Way of Allah and the destitute traveler. It is an obligation from Allah. Allah is Knowing, Wise.” Koran 9:60 The Principals of Islam At some point during those early years after the migration the Angel Gabriel was sent by Allah to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to complete the principals of the Islamic belief. Omar, Khattab’s son related the occasion when he and some of the companions were sitting with the Holy Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) an unknown inquirer suddenly arrived. Omar described him as having brilliantly white clothes and jet black hair, however there was no sign of traveling whatsoever upon him. The inquirer sat down in front of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and their knees touched. He placed his hands on his thighs and asked, “Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), tell me about Islam.’ The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, “Islam is that you bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and that you establish the prayer, pay the obligatory charity (2.5% of one’s annual lunar savings), fast the month of Ramadan, and make the Pilgrimage to the House (Ka’bah in Mecca) if you can afford it.” The Companions were surprised to hear their visitor confirm the correctness of the Prophet’s answer saying, “That is correct.” Then the inquirer said, “Tell me about belief (iman).” To this the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, ‘It is that you believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and that you believe in the Holy Planning. Yet again the inquirer said, “That is correct, now tell me about Perfection (ihsan).” The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, “It is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, and if you do not see Him, know that He is watching you.” And the inquirer confirmed the correctness of the answer. Then the inquirer asked, “Tell me about the Hour of Judgement.” The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, “He who is being asked knows no more about it than the one who asks.” So the inquirer asked, “Then tell me about some of the signs of its approach.” To this the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied: “The female slave will give birth to her master, and the bare-footed, naked, penniless goat-herders will live arrogantly in high mansions.” And the inquirer confirmed the correctness of the answer yet again. Having asked these questions the inquirer departed and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) turned to Omar and asked, “Omar do you know who the inquirer was?” Omar replied, “Allah and His Messenger (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) know best.” Whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told him, “It was Gabriel who came to teach you your Religion.” The Principals of Islam 035 Back Cover Subtitles The Oath of Abu Sufyan and the Incident of Sawiq The Prophet’s Compassion and Mercy to a Bedouin The Bedouin and the Mimosa Tree The Son of Abu Talha The End of the Second Year Hijra The Principals of Islam