EARLY LIFE

LIFE WITH ABU TAALIB: After the passing away of Abdul Mutallib, his uncle Abu Taalib took care of him. Abu Taalib took very good care of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and spent all of his time with him. He even slept beside the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Abu Taalib said, “I never saw the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) ever tell a lie, or betray anyone. I have never seen him hurt the feelings of any person or sitting in the company of bad boys. He never did anything that was unethical. He always remained very respectful, kind and honourable in the highest form.”   [Seeratul Mustafa pg 86/87]

JOURNEY TO SYRIA : When the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was twelve years old, Abu Taalib journeyed to Syria and thus took the Beloved Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) with him. On their journey they met with a monk called Baahira. The monk was well versed with the Injeel and Taurah and thus knew all the signs relating to the Final Messenger. He thus immediately recognised the Beloved Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and informed Abu Taalib of this. He said that the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Leader of all Prophets (Peace be upon them all), and that the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Rahmatul lil Aalameen (Mercy Unto the Worlds). He further said, “I have seen the stones and trees bow towards him, and a cloud that shelters him. I also saw the Seal of Prophethood between his blessed shoulders. You (Abu Taalib) should thus return with him to Makkah and not go forward to Syria. You should sell all your merchandise here and leave. In Syria there are many Jews who are his enemies. The moment he arrives in Syria, they will plan to martyr him.” Abu Taalib took heed to the words of Baahira and sold all his merchandise and then returned to Makkah Shareef with the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). [Tirmizi Shareef Vol.2]

THE BATTLE OF FUJAAR : Before Islam, it was a common practice for Arabs to war amongst themselves. They battled with one another leaving many dead and injured. From amongst these battles, on of the most famous ones, is known as the Battle of Fujaar.. The people of Arabia showed great respect to the months of Zilqaddah, Zilhijjah, Muharram and Rajab. They felt that it was very disrespectful and sinful to do battle during these months. They would thus keep their bows and arrows away and kept their swords in its sheath during these months. There would however be certain occasions where they would be forced to do battle during these months. The Arabs called these Battles Huroob-e-Fujaar, “sinful Battles”. The last Fujaar took place between the Quraish and Qais tribes.  During this time, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was twenty years of age. Because the Quraish were on Haq during this battle, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) also participated in it alongside his uncles. However, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did not fight in this battle, he passed arrows to his uncles. The Quraish were victorious in this battle eventually. [Seerat Ibn Hishaaam vol.2 pg.186]

HALFIL FUDHUL : After the Battle of Fujaar, the peace loving tribes realised that they want some kind of peace and cease fire amongst themselves. They were tired of all the fighting and killing that took place during their wars. They wished to live their lives in peace and harmony. Thus, all the leaders of the tribes such as the Banu Hashim, Banu Zahra, Banu Asad etc. gathered at the home of Abdullah bin Jad'aan. During this meeting, Huzoor-e-Akram's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) uncle Zubair bin Abdul Mutallib presented a view that there should be some kind of treaty or truce prepared to resolve the problem. The leaders of the Quraish thus took the following Oath, in which they said, “We will steer the disharmony away from our country, we will protect the travellers, we will continue to assist the poor, we will support the oppressed and We shall not allow any tyrant or usurper to live in Makkah.” The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was also present during this agreement and was very pleased with it.

Even after announcing his Nabuiwat, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) would often say, “I was so pleased with that agreement that even if someone gave me a prize camel, I would not be so pleased and even today, if any Muslim who is being oppressed calls out to me by saying “Ya Aala Halfil Fudhul, then I am ready to assist him.”

SECOND JOURNEY TO SYRIA : Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha) was a very respectable and revered woman in Arabia. She was widowed and she was in search of someone trustworthy to take her merchandise to Syria. Her attention fell upon Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and she offered him to take her merchandise to Syria. Due to his trustworthiness, she offered him two times the amount that she paid others to make this business trip. She also sent her servant, Maysara, with Huzoor (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). When they reached Syria, they stopped close to the Monastery of a monk called Nastoora. Nastoora had known Maysara for a very long time. He went up to Maysara and asked about the person sitting under the tree. Maysara informed him that the Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was from the Banu Hashim family and he lived in Makkah. He also told Nastoora that the Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) name was Muhammad and that he was also known as "Ameen" Nastoora said, “With the exception of Prophets, no other person has rested under this tree before. It is for this reason, that I have full faith, that this is the Final Messenger. I am seeing in him all the signs of the Final Messenger, that have been foretold in the Taurah and Injeel. O! How I wish I would be alive at the time when he announces his Prophethood. I would have spent all my moments with him serving him and assisting him. O Maysara! I advise you not to leave his side even for one moment. You should remain close to him and serve him with love and dedication, because Almighty Allah has blessed him with being The Final Messenger.”

The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) sold all the merchandise very quickly and then returned to Makkah. As they entered Makkah, Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha), was seated in her home awaiting their arrival, when she saw that two Angels where giving shade to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). On seeing this, a deep love for the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) entered her heart. After a few days, she informed Maysara about this and he informed her that he had also witnessed the same and various other amazing occurrences. He also informed her of the meeting with Nastoora and his words of love and affection for the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). After hearing of these, Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha) felt an increased love and respect for Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and thus intended to send a proposal of marriage. [Madarijun Nabuiwat vol.2)

THE BLESSED NIKAH : Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha) was well respected amongst the Quraish and was well known for her piety and chastity. She was first married to Abu Haala bin Zaraara from whom she had two sons, Hind bin Abu Haala and Haala bin Abu Haala. After he passed away, she married Ateeq bin Aabid Makhzoomi from whom she had one son and one daughter, named, Abdullah bin Ateeq and Hind bint Ateeq. He too passed away after some time.

After his passing away, many wealthy Arabs desired to marry her, but she rejected all their proposals. She was now forty years of age and Bibi Khadija was now intent on making Nikah to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Others sent proposals of marriage to her, but she sent a proposal of marriage to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). She sent this proposal by the hand of her servant Nafeesa Bint Ummaya. The Famous Imam of Seerat (History of Prophet  (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Muhammad bin Ishaaq writes that the reason why Bibi Khadija preferred to marry the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was said in her own words. She said to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), “I preferred you because of your beautiful character and high morals.” [Zirkaani vol.1 pg.200]

The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) presented the proposal before the elders of his family. They were all very pleased and accepted the proposal. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) went to the house of Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha) accompanied by Hazrat Hamza, Abu Taalib and other elders of the family. During the Nikah, Abu Taalib delivered a Khutba (talk) in which he said, “All Praise is due to Allah, Who created us in the family of Hazrat Ibraheem (alaihis salaam) and the descendants of Ismaeel (alaihis salaam), and he created us in the families of Mu'add and Muzir, and that he has made us Leaders over people. This is the son of my brother. He is Muhammad ibn Abdullah. If he has to be compared to any other youth in this community, you will find him to supercede them in every way. Yes, He may not be very wealthy, but wealth is something that increases and diminishes. It is something that changes and causes change. After Praise, My nephew Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is that personality with whom I am very close and whom I love dearly. All of you here are well aware of this. We are performing his Nikah to Khadija bin Khuwaild and twenty camels from my wealth is being given as the dowry. His future is going to be very powerful, splendid and bright.” [Zirkani vol.1. pg 201].

At the time of marriage, the Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) age was twenty five years two months and ten days and Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha) was forty and one narration forty one years of age at that time. [Madarijun Nabuiwat Vol.2).

Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha) remained in Nikah with the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) for approximately twenty five years, and whilst she was in his Nikah, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did not make another Nikah. With the exception of Huzoor's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) once son Hazrat Ibraheem (alaihis salaam), all the rest of the Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) children were born from Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha). She spent her entire live serving and being dedicated to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). [Zirkani]

LIFE AS A MERCHANT : Rasoolullah's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) forefathers were all traders and merchants, and since he had journeyed to Syria with Abu Taalib, he also continued as a trader. He was the most respected amongst all merchants and travelled to Syria, Basra and Yemen. He was known by all other traders and ordinary people as “Ameen” -The Honest. Even in this field, there is no example to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Sahabi-e-Rasool Hazrat Abdullah bin Abil Humsa (radi Allahu anhu) says, “During the time of Commencement of Revelation and before the Announcement of Prophethood, I entered into some business transaction with the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). I had paid some of the money to him and owed him part thereof. I had promised that I would come in a little while and pay the remaining amount. Co-incidentally, I did not remember my promise for three days. After three days when I passed the place where I had promised to meet Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), I found him waiting there, but he did not even show the smallest sign of displeasure at the fact that I had not fulfilled my promise to Him. All he said was, ‘Where have you been? I have been waiting at this spot for you since three days.’ [Sunan Abu Dawood vol.2 pg.334]