The Hijrah of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

The Hijrah – emigration of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to Madeenah – constitutes a wonderful memory honored by many annually. But, it is only the wise who recognize its full magnanimity: as a victory for the believers and their escape from a life of injustice and subjugation to a free and respectable one. It marked a new phase in the struggle between Islam and disbelief, and between truth and falsehood, hence only fit to signify the start of the Muslim calendar.

Read more: http://english.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=155649

Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid: the first to embrace Islam

Is it not a great honor that the first person to embrace Islam was a woman? She was the first to bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that her husband was the Messenger of Allaah. Her husband was our beloved Prophet, Muhammad and she was Khadeejah .

Read here: http://english.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=76852

The Prophet's way in correcting people's mistakes

Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "Whilst we were in the Mosque with the Messenger of Allah a Bedouin came and stood urinating in the Mosque. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah said, 'Stop it! Stop it!' and were about to attack him. But the Messenger of Allah said, 'Do not interrupt him; leave him alone.' So they left him until he had finished urinating, then the Messenger of Allah called him and said to him, 'In these Mosques it is not right to do anything like urinating or defecating; they are only for remembering Allaah, praying and reading Qur'aan,' or words to that effect. Then he commanded a man who was there to bring a bucket of water and throw it over the (urine), and he did so." (Muslim)

The principle which the Prophet followed in dealing with this mistake was to treat the man gently, not to be harsh with him.

REad more: http://english.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=76856

The Prophet’s humbleness

Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was a perfect model of modesty and humbleness. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, never spoke loudly or in an unseemly manner. In the market, he always passed by the people quietly with a smile. Whenever he heard anything undesirable in an assembly, he did not say anything out of respect for the people, but the color of his face showed his feelings and the Companions became cautious. `Aa’ishah said that she never saw Allaah's Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, laughing so that she could see his molar teeth, for he only used to smile.

`Abdullaah Ibn Maslamah reported Allaah's Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as saying:"Modesty is a part of the teachings of the previous prophets and anyone who lacks it is most likely to do whatever he likes." Zayd reported Allaah's Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as saying: "Every religion has a character and the character of Islam is modesty."

The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, lived a simple and modest life, both in Makkah as a trader before his prophethood, and in Al-Madeenah as the head of the State after being appointed Allaah’s Messenger. The change in his social status from that of a trader in Makkah to the head of the State in Al-Madeenah did not bring any change in his modest living. `Umar reported the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as saying: "Do not exalt me as the Christians have exalted Jesus, son of Mary. I am just His servant, so call me Allaah's Servant and Messenger."

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not behave towards others as if he was better than they were, nor did he spurn manual work. `Abdullaah bin Abi `Awfa reported that the Prophet of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, never disdained to go with a slave or a widow to accomplish his or her tasks. Others reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to tidy up his house, tie the camels, feed the animals, take food with his servants, and help them in kneading dough and bringing provisions from the market. Anas reported that the Prophet of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to visit the sick, attend funerals, ride on a donkey and accept a slave's invitation for a meal. Jaabir stated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to slow down his pace for the sake of the weak and also prayed for them.

When `Adiyy bin Haatim came to see the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he called him inside his house. A maidservant brought a cushion to rest on, but the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, placed it between him and `Adiyy and sat down on the floor. `Adiyy later said that he had then immediately realized that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was not a king. A similar incident was reported by `Abdullaah bin `Amr bin Al-`Aas who said: “Once when the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, came to my house, I gave him a cushion filled with bark, but he sat down on the floor placing the cushion between me and him.”

Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was humble in all things. Anas said that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would accept an invitation even if he was presented barley bread and soup whose taste had changed. He also reported the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as saying: "I am Allaah's servant, I eat like a servant and sit like a servant.''

On one of his journeys, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked his companions to roast a goat. One said that he would slaughter the animal; another said that he would skin it, while a third said that he would cook it. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then said that he would collect wood for fuel. Their response was: “O Messenger of Allaah! We will do everything.” The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then said: “I have no doubt that you will. But I do not like distinctions to be made, nor does Allaah like any one of His servants to assert his superiority over his companions.”

His self-deprecation was such that he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, once said: “By Allaah, I do not know, even although I am Allaah’s messenger, what my fate in the next world will be, nor do I know what yours will be.”

Abu Tharr Al-Ghifaari narrates that one day he was sitting with another companion of black complexion whom he addressed as: “O black man.” When the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, heard of this, he was greatly displeased and cautioned Abu Tharr never to make scornful remarks to anyone, whoever he might be, and to accord equal treatment to all, adding: “No white man has any superiority over a black man.”

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, once saw a wealthy Muslim gathering up his loose garments so that a certain distance would be kept between himself and a poor Muslim sitting close by. He sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam remarked: “Do you fear that his poverty will cling to you?”

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, lived like any ordinary person, and did not assume any superior rights. He once had to borrow some money from a Jew called Zayd bin Sana’a. The Jew came to demand the immediate return of the loan a few days before the expiry of the stipulated period. Tugging at the mantle around the Prophet’s shoulders, he jibed that the progeny of ‘Abd Al-Muttalib were always defaulters.

`Umar not being able to tolerate this misbehavior on the part of the Jew, started berating him, and was on the point of beating him when the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to the Jew, smiling: “There are still three days to go before the promise has to be fulfilled.” To ‘Umar he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “We might have had better treatment from you. You could have advised me to be more careful about the return of loans and you could have advised the Jew to be more courteous in demanding repayment.” He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then requested ‘Umar to get some dates so that the loan could be repaid, and to give the Jew an extra forty kilograms for the rebuke he had been given.

We can say that humbleness is seen in every sphere of the Prophet’s life. His way of talking, walking, sitting, eating and every aspect of his life reflected humbleness.

Sunday : 16/08/2009

http://english.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=134455

Prophet Muhammad's manners and disposition

Allaah Says (what means): "By the grace of Allaah, you are gentle towards the people; if you had been stern and ill-tempered, they would have dispersed from round about you" [Quran, 3: 159]

About himself the prophet said: "Allaah has sent me as an apostle so that I may demonstrate perfection of character, refinement of manners and loftiness of deportment." [Maalik and Ahmad]

By nature he was gentle and kind hearted, always inclined to be gracious and to overlook the faults of others. Politeness and courtesy, compassion and tenderness, simplicity and humility, sympathy and sincerity were some of the keynotes of his character. In the cause of right and justice he could be resolute and severe but more often than not, his severity was tempered with generosity. He had charming manners which won him the affection of his followers and secured their devotion. Though virtual king of Arabia and an apostle of Allaah, he never assumed an air of superiority. Not that he had to conceal any such vein by practice and artifice: with fear of Allaah, sincere humility was ingrained in his heart. He used to say: "I am a Prophet of Allaah but I do not know what will be my end." [Al-Bukhaari]

In one of his sermons calculated to instill the fear of Allaah and the day of reckoning in the hearts of men, he said: "O people of Quraysh be prepared for the hereafter, I cannot save you from the punishment of Allaah; O Bani Abd Manaaf, I cannot save you from Allaah; O Abbaas, son of Abdul-Mutalib, I cannot protect you either; O Faatimah, daughter of Muhammad, even you I cannot save." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]

He used to pray: "O Allaah! I am but a man. If I hurt any one in any manner, then forgive me and do not punish me." [Ahmad]

He always received people with courtesy and showed respect to older people and stated:

"To honor an old man is to show glorification to Allaah."

He would not deny courtesy even to wicked persons. It is stated that a person came to his house and asked permission for admission. The prophet remarked that he was not a good person but might be admitted. When he came in and while he remained in the house, he was shown full courtesy. When he left 'Aa'ishah said: "You did not think well of this man, but you treated him so well."

The prophet replied: "He is a bad person in the sight of Allaah who does not behave courteously and people shun his company because of his bad manners." [Al-Bukhaari]

He was always the first to greet another and would not withdraw his hand from a handshake till the other man withdrew his. If one wanted to say something in his ears, he would not turn away till one had finished as reported in the books of Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi . He did not like people to get up for him and used to say: "Let him, who likes people to stand up in his honor, he should seek a place in hell." [Abu Daawood].

He would himself, however, stand up when any dignitary came to him. He had stood up to receive the wet nurse who had reared him in infancy and had spread his own sheet for her. His foster brother was given similar treatment. He avoided sitting at a prominent place in a gathering, so much so that people coming in had difficulty in spotting him and had to ask which one was the Prophet . Quite frequently uncouth bedouins accosted him in their own gruff and impolite manner but he never took offence. [Abu Daawood]

He used to visit the poorest of ailing persons and exhorted all Muslims to do likewise [Al-Bukhaari]. He would sit with the humblest of persons saying that righteousness alone was the criterion of one's superiority over another. He invariably invited people be they slaves, servants or the poorest believers, to partake with him of his scanty meals. [At-Tirmithi]

Whenever he visited a person he would first greet him and then take his permission to enter the house. He advised the people to follow this etiquette and not to get annoyed if anyone declined to give permission, for it was quite likely the person concerned was busy otherwise and did not mean any disrespect.

There was no type of household work too low or too undignified for him . 'Aa'ishah has stated: "He always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes and sweep the floor. He would milk, tether, and feed his animals and do the household shopping." [Al-Bukhaari]

He would not hesitate to do the menial work of others, particularly of orphans and widows [An-Nasaa'ee, Ad-Daarami]. Once when there was no male member in the house of the companion Khabaab Ibn Al-Arat who had gone to the battlefield, he used to go to his house daily and milk his cattle for the inhabitants [Ibn Saad].

Wednesday : 24/02/2010

Clashes over Israel heritage sites

Israeli soldiers have used tear gas and stun grenades against stone-throwing Palestinian protesters in the West bank town of Hebron.

The unrest on Monday followed a decision by the Israeli prime minister to include a shrine in the city, and another in Bethlehem, on a list of Israeli heritage sites.

"We understand that the situation has calmed down, but a general strike is still in effect in Hebron," Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh, reporting from Bethlehem, said.

"The Palestinians are outraged because they consider this a statement of Israeli sovereignty over occupied Palestinian land."

Shopkeepers in Hebron had closed their stores for the day in protest at the decision Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, to include the Cave of the Patriarchs on the list of about 150 sites that the government protects.

The city has long been a flashpoint between Palestinians and Israelis, with several hundred Jewish settlers living in heavily guarded enclaves among approximately 160,000 Palestinians.

Revered sites

The Cave of the Patriarchs is the second holiest site for Jews and said to be where the patriarchs of the religion, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were buried along with three of their wives.

It is also venerated by Christians and Muslims, who call it al-Ibrahimi mosque, reflecting the fact that Abraham is considered the father of both Judaism and Islam.

"We strongly condemn this decision which yet again confirms the Israeli government's determination to impose facts on the ground," Saeb Erakat, a senior aide to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, told the AFP news agency on Monday.

"We call on the international community to consider this decision illegal," he said.

"This Israeli decision is provocative for Muslims around the world and especially Palestinians."

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu had bowed to pressure from right-wing politicians and the settlers' lobby to include the Cave of the Patriarchs and Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem on the list.

'Emotional legacy'

On Sunday, Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting that the country's existence depended not only on its defence force and its economic resilience, but also on its "ability to justify our connection to the land".

"It is anchored first and foremost in our national and emotional legacy," he said.

But Mark Regev, a spokesman for the Israeli government, said the list was not meant to set borders.

"The purpose of the list ... is to single out sites that are of great importance to the Jewish people," he said.

Robert Serry, the United Nations envoy to the Middle East, criticised Israel's decision and said that it could threaten hopes of resuming peace talks.

"I urge Israel not to take any steps on the ground which undermine trust or could prejudice negotiations, the resumption of which should be the highest shared priority of all who seek peace," he said.

Netanyahu has recently said he is prepared to resume negotiations without preconditions, but the Palestinian Authority has refused until Israel halts all settlement construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

The Palestinians want an independent state based on the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, under which it would control security, borders and other matters.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/02/201022213615373286.html