In the Cave Hira When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was nearly forty, he had been wont to pass long hours in retirement meditating and speculating over all aspects of creation around him. This meditative temperament helped to widen the mental gap between him and his compatriots. He used to provide himself with Sawiq… Continue reading In the Shade of the Message and Prophethood

The Muhammadan Call could be divided into two phases distinctively demarcated: The Makkan phase: nearly thirteen years. The Madinese phase: fully ten years. Each of the two phases included distinctive features easily discernible through accurate scrutiny into the circumstances that characterized each of them. The Makkan phase can be divided into three stages: The stage… Continue reading Phases and stages of the call

Strife in the Way of the Call – Three Years of Secret Call It is well-known that Makkah was the centre for the Arabs, and housed the custodians of Al-Ka‘bah. Protection and guardianship of the idols and stone graven images that received veneration on the part of all the Arabs lay in the hands of… Continue reading The First Stage

First Revelation Regarding Revelation – The Preaching “And warn your tribe [O Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ] of near kindred.” [26:214]. This was the first verse to be revealed in this concern. It is included in Sûrah Ash-Shu’arâ (Chapter 26 – The Poets) which relates the story of Moses (Peace be upon him) from… Continue reading The Second Phase, Open Preaching

General Social Boycott Four events of special significance occurred within less than four weeks — the conversion of Hamzah, the conversion of ‘Umar, Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) refusal to negotiate any sort of compromise and then the pact drawn up between Banu Muttalib and Banu Hashim to immunize Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and… Continue reading General Social Boycott

The Final Phase of the Diplomacy of Negotiation The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) left his confinement and went on preaching his Faith as usual. Quraish, likewise, repealed the boycott but went on in their atrocities and oppression on the Muslims. Abu Talib, the octogenarian notable, was still keen on shielding his nephew… Continue reading The Final Phase of the Diplomacy of Negotiation

Abu Talib’s Death In Rajab, the tenth year of the Prophethood, Abu Talib fell ill and passed away, six months after leaving the confinement at Ash-Sh‘ib. In another version, Abu Talib breathed his last in Ramadan, three days prior to the death of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her). On the authority of Al-Musaiyab,… Continue reading The Year of Grief

Calling unto Islam beyond Makkah In Shawwal (in the last of May or in the beginning of June 619 A.D.), ten years after receiving his mission from his Lord, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) set out towards At-Ta’if, about 60 kilometres from Makkah, in the company of his freed slave Zaid bin Haritha inviting… Continue reading The Third Phase

Islam being introduced to Arabian Tribes and Individuals In Dhul Qa‘dah, the tenth year of Prophethood, i.e. July 619, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) , returned to Makkah to resume his activities. The time for pilgrimage to Makkah was approaching so he hastened to introduce people both tribes and individuals to Islam and call… Continue reading Islam being introduced to Arabian Tribes and Individuals

Al-Isra’ and Al-Mir‘raj (The Miraculous Night Journey from Makkah to the Farthest Mosque in Jerusalem, and the Ascent through the Spheres of Heavens) The last days of the Makkan phase of the Prophet’s life are noted for alternate fortunes ranging between two extremes: gradual success and continual persecution. However, glimpses of propitious lights were looming… Continue reading Al-Isra’ and Al-Mir‘raj