Muhammad Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Muttalib ibn Abdullah Al-Muttalib

The Best of Allah’s CreationThe Best of Allah’s Creation The Seal of the ProphetsThe Seal of the Prophets

((peace and blessings be upon himpeace and blessings be upon him) )

His birth and ancestryHis birth and ancestry

MuhammadMuhammad, the Master of all Prophets, was born in , the Master of all Prophets, was born in Makkah, Monday morning, the Makkah, Monday morning, the 99thth of of Rabi’ Al-Rabi’ Al-AwwalAwwal, the year of the Elephant. (or the 20, the year of the Elephant. (or the 20 thth or 22 or 22ndnd of April 571 A.D., according to the scholar of April 571 A.D., according to the scholar Muhammad S. Al-Mansourpuri and the astrologer Muhammad S. Al-Mansourpuri and the astrologer Mahmood Pasha.) Mahmood Pasha.)

His father His father AbdullahAbdullah, died a few months before his , died a few months before his birth and his mother, birth and his mother, Amina bint Wahab Abd Amina bint Wahab Abd MunafMunaf, died when he was about six years old., died when he was about six years old.

His genealogy has been traced to the noble His genealogy has been traced to the noble house of house of Isma’eelIsma’eel (Ishmael), the (Ishmael), the son of the Prophet son of the Prophet IbraheemIbraheem (Abraham). (Abraham).

BabyhoodBabyhood MuhammadMuhammad was entrusted to was entrusted to Haleemah bint Abi Haleemah bint Abi

DhuaibDhuaib, a bedouin wet-nurse to suckle and care for , a bedouin wet-nurse to suckle and care for him. It was a general custom among the Arabs living him. It was a general custom among the Arabs living in towns to send their babies to live in the healthy in towns to send their babies to live in the healthy surroundings of the desert and to develop a strong surroundings of the desert and to develop a strong physique and acquire pure speech and manners typical physique and acquire pure speech and manners typical of bedouins.of bedouins.

Many reports indicate how Haleemah was struck with Many reports indicate how Haleemah was struck with good fortune and blessings when the boy good fortune and blessings when the boy Muhammad Muhammad was living with them.was living with them.

Childhood Childhood When his mother died, When his mother died, MuhammadMuhammad was later was later

entrusted to his grandfather entrusted to his grandfather Abdul MuttalibAbdul Muttalib who who showed preference to him over all his grandchildren. showed preference to him over all his grandchildren. Upon his death however, Upon his death however, Abu TalibAbu Talib, Muhammad’s , Muhammad’s uncle, took over the care of his nephew.uncle, took over the care of his nephew.

Abu Talib took care of Abu Talib took care of MuhammadMuhammad the best possible the best possible way and even preferring him over his own children. way and even preferring him over his own children. He remained for 40 years cherishing his nephew and He remained for 40 years cherishing his nephew and extending all possible protection and support to him.extending all possible protection and support to him.

Early job and marriage Early job and marriage During his youth, he worked as During his youth, he worked as a shepherd for Bani Sa’da shepherd for Bani Sa’d in in

Makkah.Makkah. At At age 25age 25, he , he traveled to Syriatraveled to Syria and worked as a merchantand worked as a merchant

for for Khadijah bint KhuwailidKhadijah bint Khuwailid, a prominent businesswoman , a prominent businesswoman during her lifetime and who later became his during her lifetime and who later became his first wifefirst wife..

Khadijah became attracted to Khadijah became attracted to MuhammadMuhammad because of his because of his good manners, honesty, sincerity and faith. Not to mention good manners, honesty, sincerity and faith. Not to mention the noticeable increase in her fortune, profits and blessings the noticeable increase in her fortune, profits and blessings since she employed since she employed MuhammadMuhammad..

He was He was 25 25 and she was and she was 4040 when they married. Their marriage when they married. Their marriage was blessed with 6 children. The 2 boys, was blessed with 6 children. The 2 boys, Al-QasimAl-Qasim and and AbdullahAbdullah, both died in their childhood and the 4 girls, , both died in their childhood and the 4 girls, ZainabZainab, , RuqayyahRuqayyah, , Umm KulthumUmm Kulthum and and FatimaFatima. All the . All the girls died in the Prophet’s lifetime except Fatima who died six girls died in the Prophet’s lifetime except Fatima who died six months after his father’s death.months after his father’s death.

Before Prophethood Before Prophethood MuhammadMuhammad in his youth was an embodiment of the best in his youth was an embodiment of the best

social attributes – “social attributes – “an exemplary man of weighty mind and an exemplary man of weighty mind and faultless insightfaultless insight.”.”

He proved to be the ideal of manhood and possessed a spotless He proved to be the ideal of manhood and possessed a spotless character. He was most obliging to others, the most honest in character. He was most obliging to others, the most honest in his talk and the mildest in temper.his talk and the mildest in temper.

He was the most gentle-hearted, chaste, hospitable, truthful He was the most gentle-hearted, chaste, hospitable, truthful and the best to keep covenant. He earned the title and the best to keep covenant. He earned the title Al-AmeenAl-Ameen, , the Trustworthy,the Trustworthy, from his fellow citizens. from his fellow citizens.

Khadijah bint Khuwailid, his first wife said of him: “Khadijah bint Khuwailid, his first wife said of him: “He He unites uterine relations, he helps the poor and the needy, unites uterine relations, he helps the poor and the needy, he entertains guests and endures hardships in the path of he entertains guests and endures hardships in the path of truthfulnesstruthfulness.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari) .” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

The Beginning of ProphethoodThe Beginning of Prophethood WhenWhen Muhammad Muhammad was almost 40 years old, he used to spend was almost 40 years old, he used to spend

most of his time in most of his time in spiritual isolationspiritual isolation. He would head up to . He would head up to the hills within the confines of Makkah. His favorite retreat is the hills within the confines of Makkah. His favorite retreat is the the Hira’ CaveHira’ Cave in in Mount An-NourMount An-Nour, 2 miles from Makkah., 2 miles from Makkah.

While there, he used to devote most of his time in While there, he used to devote most of his time in worship worship and meditationand meditation on the universe around him. on the universe around him.

He was troubled from the moral evils and idolatry prevalent He was troubled from the moral evils and idolatry prevalent among his people yet he was helpless as he did not have a among his people yet he was helpless as he did not have a definite course of action to rectify their situation.definite course of action to rectify their situation.

This detachment from the impurities of worldly life caused This detachment from the impurities of worldly life caused Prophet Muhammad’s soul to come into close affinity with Prophet Muhammad’s soul to come into close affinity with the Unseen Powerthe Unseen Power – an affinity which lasted for several – an affinity which lasted for several years years and signaled a new era of fervent contact with that and signaled a new era of fervent contact with that PowerPower..

The Revelation The Revelation While at Hira’ Cave, the While at Hira’ Cave, the angel Gabrielangel Gabriel came to the Prophet came to the Prophet

MuhammadMuhammad – – peace and blessings be upon himpeace and blessings be upon him – – and said, “Recite.” He answered, “I can’t recite.” Then as and said, “Recite.” He answered, “I can’t recite.” Then as described by the Prophet, “he took me and squeezed me described by the Prophet, “he took me and squeezed me forcefully and then let me go and repeated the order, ‘Recite.’ forcefully and then let me go and repeated the order, ‘Recite.’ I said, ‘I cannot recite,’ and once again he squeezed me and let I said, ‘I cannot recite,’ and once again he squeezed me and let me till I was exhausted. Then he said, ‘Recite.’ I said, ‘I me till I was exhausted. Then he said, ‘Recite.’ I said, ‘I cannot recite.’ He squeezed me for a third time and then let me cannot recite.’ He squeezed me for a third time and then let me go and said: go and said: ““Read! In the name of your Lord, who has Read! In the name of your Lord, who has created all that exists, who has created man from a clot of created all that exists, who has created man from a clot of blood. Read! And your Lord is Most Generous.blood. Read! And your Lord is Most Generous.”” (Surah (Surah Al-Alaq, verse 1-3) The Prophet then repeated these verses.Al-Alaq, verse 1-3) The Prophet then repeated these verses.

As to the exact date of the revelation, careful investigation of As to the exact date of the revelation, careful investigation of evidence and relevant clues point directly to evidence and relevant clues point directly to Monday, 21Monday, 21stst RamadhanRamadhan at night (or 10 at night (or 10thth of August, 610 A.D.) with the of August, 610 A.D.) with the Prophet Muhammad exactly 40 years, 6 months, and 12 Prophet Muhammad exactly 40 years, 6 months, and 12 days of age.days of age.

The Message and its The Message and its ImplicationsImplications One of the manifest revelations to the Prophet One of the manifest revelations to the Prophet MuhammadMuhammad, ,

“O you enveloped in garments! Arise and warn! And your “O you enveloped in garments! Arise and warn! And your Lord Allah magnify! And your garments purify! And keep Lord Allah magnify! And your garments purify! And keep away from the idols. And give not a thing in order to have away from the idols. And give not a thing in order to have more. And be patient for the sake of your Lord!”more. And be patient for the sake of your Lord!” (Surah (Surah Al-Muddathir verses 1-7) gives a summary of the Prophet Al-Muddathir verses 1-7) gives a summary of the Prophet Muhammad’s general mission and objective. Muhammad’s general mission and objective.

He should warn that He should warn that no one should be worshipped other than no one should be worshipped other than AllahAllah. His act of purifying his garments signal the . His act of purifying his garments signal the sanctifying sanctifying of his soul in order to reach the ideal statusof his soul in order to reach the ideal status and become and become eligible to the mercy of Allah, His protection and guidance. eligible to the mercy of Allah, His protection and guidance.

He should He should exert himself to the utmostexert himself to the utmost and dedicate his whole and dedicate his whole efforts for the mission he was called for. He should efforts for the mission he was called for. He should be patient be patient and persevere in order to attain the pleasure of Allah, the and persevere in order to attain the pleasure of Allah, the AlmightyAlmighty..

The MissionThe Mission Prophet MuhammadProphet Muhammad – – peace and blessings be upon peace and blessings be upon

himhim – – rose up to his mission with flying colorsrose up to his mission with flying colors. The . The heavenly call ordering him to undertake the enormous heavenly call ordering him to undertake the enormous responsibility to call people unto Allah meant to drive him responsibility to call people unto Allah meant to drive him down numerous hardships and strife in the way of Allah. down numerous hardships and strife in the way of Allah.

He He managed successfully to rise to his feetmanaged successfully to rise to his feet and measure up and measure up to the new task. He went through his mission in a to the new task. He went through his mission in a spirit of spirit of complete selflessness and strugglecomplete selflessness and struggle..

He accomplished all his obligations to his Lord and to the rest He accomplished all his obligations to his Lord and to the rest of humanity. He of humanity. He left not a single commitmentleft not a single commitment except that except that which he fulfilled. which he fulfilled.

His Physical AttributesHis Physical Attributes Anas bin Malik described the Prophet – peace and blessings be Anas bin Malik described the Prophet – peace and blessings be

upon him – saying: “upon him – saying: “He was of medium height amongst the He was of medium height amongst the people, neither tall nor short; he had a rosy color, neither people, neither tall nor short; he had a rosy color, neither absolutely white nor deep brown; his hair was neither absolutely white nor deep brown; his hair was neither completely curly nor straight. …When he died, he had scarcely completely curly nor straight. …When he died, he had scarcely twenty white hair in his head and beardtwenty white hair in his head and beard.”.”

Narrated Al-Bara’: “Narrated Al-Bara’: “Allah’s Messenger was the most handsome Allah’s Messenger was the most handsome of all the people, and had the best appearance. … (His face) was of all the people, and had the best appearance. … (His face) was as bright as a moonas bright as a moon.”.”

Narrated Abu Juhaifa: “ .. Narrated Abu Juhaifa: “ .. the people got up and held the hands the people got up and held the hands of the Prophet and passed them on their faces. I also took his of the Prophet and passed them on their faces. I also took his hand and kept it on my face and noticed that it was colder than hand and kept it on my face and noticed that it was colder than ice, and its smell was nicer than muskice, and its smell was nicer than musk.”.”

Narrated Anas: “Narrated Anas: “I have never touched silk softer than the palm I have never touched silk softer than the palm of the Prophet nor have I smelled perfume nicer than the sweat of the Prophet nor have I smelled perfume nicer than the sweat of the Prophetof the Prophet.”.”

Some of his Virtues and Some of his Virtues and MeritsMerits Allah’s Messenger said: “I have five names: I am Allah’s Messenger said: “I have five names: I am

MuhammadMuhammad and and AhmadAhmad; I am ; I am Al-MahiAl-Mahi through whom Allah through whom Allah will eliminate disbelief (will eliminate disbelief (KufrKufr); I am ); I am Al-HashirAl-Hashir who will be the who will be the first to be resurrected, the people being resurrected thereafter; first to be resurrected, the people being resurrected thereafter; and I am also and I am also Al-AaqibAl-Aaqib (there will be no Prophet after me).” (there will be no Prophet after me).”

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr: “Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr: “The Prophet never used bad The Prophet never used bad languagelanguage. He used to say, ‘. He used to say, ‘The best amongst you are those The best amongst you are those who the best manners and characterwho the best manners and character.’”.’”

Narrated Aishah: “Narrated Aishah: “Whenever Allah’s Messenger was given Whenever Allah’s Messenger was given the choice of one of two matters, he would choose the the choice of one of two matters, he would choose the easier of the two, as long as it was not sinful to do so, but if easier of the two, as long as it was not sinful to do so, but if it was sinful to do so, he would not approach it. He never it was sinful to do so, he would not approach it. He never took revenge for his own sake but he did only when Allah’s took revenge for his own sake but he did only when Allah’s Laws were outraged in which he would take revenge for Laws were outraged in which he would take revenge for Allah’s sakeAllah’s sake.”.”

Some of his MiraclesSome of his Miracles The Prophet said: “Before me, every Prophet was given a The Prophet said: “Before me, every Prophet was given a

miracle… Jesus used to cure the sick and made the dead alive, miracle… Jesus used to cure the sick and made the dead alive, Moses was given the stick, and I have been given the permanent Moses was given the stick, and I have been given the permanent miracle of the Qur’anmiracle of the Qur’an till the Hour is established, so I hope till the Hour is established, so I hope that my followers will be more in number than all the other that my followers will be more in number than all the other Messengers’ as my miracle will last till the Day of Resurrection, Messengers’ as my miracle will last till the Day of Resurrection, and and it is a Glorious Book; when anyone reads it, even if he is it is a Glorious Book; when anyone reads it, even if he is a pagan, he is convinced that it is produced by none other a pagan, he is convinced that it is produced by none other than the Creator of the heavens and the earththan the Creator of the heavens and the earth.”.”

Narrated Anas: “Narrated Anas: “The Makkans requested Allah’s messenger The Makkans requested Allah’s messenger to show them a miracle, so he showed them the splitting of to show them a miracle, so he showed them the splitting of the moon.the moon.””

Narrated Ibn Umar: “Narrated Ibn Umar: “The Prophet used to deliver his talk The Prophet used to deliver his talk while leaning against a trunk of a date-palm tree. When he while leaning against a trunk of a date-palm tree. When he had the pulpit made and used it instead, the trunk started had the pulpit made and used it instead, the trunk started crying and the Prophet went to it, rubbing his hand over it crying and the Prophet went to it, rubbing his hand over it to stop its crying.to stop its crying.””

His Last MomentsHis Last Moments Aishah used to say: “Aishah used to say: “One of Allah’s bounties upon me is One of Allah’s bounties upon me is

that the Messenger of Allah died in my house, while I am that the Messenger of Allah died in my house, while I am still alive. He died between my chest and neck while he still alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against mewas leaning against me.”.”

The Prophet in his last moments said: “The Prophet in his last moments said: “There is no god but There is no god but Allah. Death sure has its agoniesAllah. Death sure has its agonies.”.”

Aishah heard him say before he died: “With those on whom Aishah heard him say before he died: “With those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace with the Prophets and the You have bestowed Your Grace with the Prophets and the Truthful ones, the martyrs and the good doers. O Allah, Truthful ones, the martyrs and the good doers. O Allah, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship on high… Companionship on high… The most exalted Companionship The most exalted Companionship on high. To Allah we turn and to Him we turn back for on high. To Allah we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abodehelp and last abode.”.”

The last of all Prophets died at high morning time on The last of all Prophets died at high morning time on Monday, Monday, 1212thth of Rabi’ Al-Awwal of Rabi’ Al-Awwal, in the , in the 1111thth year Hijri year Hijri. He was . He was sixty-sixty-three years and four days oldthree years and four days old..

This presentation was intended to give a brief This presentation was intended to give a brief insight on insight on Prophet Muhammad’s Prophet Muhammad’s being and being and

character. I pray that it will enlighten hearts and character. I pray that it will enlighten hearts and minds and clear filthy notions about ourminds and clear filthy notions about our Beloved Beloved Messenger. He is theMessenger. He is the Seal of all Prophets. Seal of all Prophets. He is He is

thethe Best of Allah’s Creation. Best of Allah’s Creation. O Allah, send your prayers upon the Prophet O Allah, send your prayers upon the Prophet

Muhammad, his household, and his Muhammad, his household, and his companions and all those who follow him till companions and all those who follow him till

the day of Reckoning. the day of Reckoning. Ameen. Ameen.

To Our Dear FriendsTo Our Dear Friends The call to Islam could be explained briefly as:The call to Islam could be explained briefly as:

Testimony to the Oneness of Allah, the Most HighTestimony to the Oneness of Allah, the Most High Belief in the HereafterBelief in the Hereafter Purifying one’s soul and raising it above all evils through Purifying one’s soul and raising it above all evils through

virtues, perfect manners and righteous deedsvirtues, perfect manners and righteous deeds Committing one’s all affairs to AllahCommitting one’s all affairs to Allah Belief in Muhammad’s message and abidance by his noble Belief in Muhammad’s message and abidance by his noble

leadership and righteous guidanceleadership and righteous guidance

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Some of the reference materials used for this Some of the reference materials used for this presentation:presentation:

Sahih Al-Bukhari Sahih Al-Bukhari

Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar)Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar)

By Safi-ur-Rahman Al MubarakpuriBy Safi-ur-Rahman Al Mubarakpuri

Stories of the Prophets (English Translation)Stories of the Prophets (English Translation)

By Al-Imam ibn KathirBy Al-Imam ibn Kathir