Rabi-ul-Awwal Special Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Part-3 سیرت نبوی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

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Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)Becoming a Prophet (Part-3)

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu!

Welcome once again to our series on the **Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Yesterday, in Part Two, we reflected upon his childhood and youth, where we saw his remarkable honesty, purity, and patience. Even before he was chosen as a Prophet, his life shone with integrity and justice, preparing him for the weight of revelation.

Today, we enter a turning point not only in his life, but in the history of mankind: Part Three – The Beginning of Prophethood. At the age of forty, while meditating in the Cave of Hira, the Angel Jibreel (AS) descended with the first verses of the Qur’an Surah Al Alaq verse 1: “Read in the name of your Lord who created.”. From that moment, the mission of Islam began.

We will explore the first years of revelation, the secret call to Islam, the challenges faced in Makkah, and the unwavering patience of the Prophet ? and his companions. This stage of his life teaches us courage, steadfastness, and complete trust in Allah.

Tomorrow, insha’Allah, we will continue with Part Four: The Last Years of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

As Muhammad (PBUH) grew from childhood into manhood, his character continued to shine with a brilliance that made him stand apart from his people. In Makkah, where dishonesty in trade, idol worship, and tribal arrogance were common, Muhammad ? lived with integrity, humility, and trustworthiness. The people of Quraysh gave him the title al-Amin—the Trustworthy—because he never betrayed anyone’s trust, never spoke a lie, and always dealt with justice. This reputation would play an essential role later in his mission, for when he called the people to Islam, they could not deny his honesty, even if they rejected his message.

In his youth, Muhammad (PBUH) also earned a living through trade. Though he had once been a humble shepherd, he later joined caravans traveling north and south, learning the art of commerce while maintaining his integrity. Unlike many merchants who cheated and deceived, he was fair in all his dealings. His honesty soon brought him attention, especially from a wealthy and respected woman of Quraysh, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. Khadijah was a noblewoman known for her intelligence and business acumen. She employed men to trade on her behalf, sharing profits with them. When she heard of Muhammad’s (PBUH) honesty, she entrusted him with her caravan to Syria.

Muhammad (PBUH) managed the caravan with great success. Not only did he bring back more profit than usual, but his servant, Maysarah, who accompanied him, reported witnessing signs of his noble character and divine favor. Maysarah told Khadijah that on the journey, he saw clouds shading Muhammad (PBUH) from the sun and that a monk they encountered recognized him as the awaited Prophet. Khadijah was deeply impressed, not just by his success but by his trustworthiness and virtue.

Soon after, Khadijah proposed marriage to Muhammad (PBUH). She was forty years old at the time, and he was twenty-five. Their marriage was blessed with love, respect, and tranquility. Khadijah provided Muhammad (PBUH) with comfort and support, while he provided her with sincerity and loyalty. They had several children together, including Qasim, Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatimah. This marriage gave Muhammad ? stability and peace in his personal life, enabling him to focus on the deeper matters of the soul.

Although Muhammad (PBUH) lived among idol worshippers, he never bowed to their idols, never participated in their pagan rituals, and never engaged in sinful behavior. He often withdrew from the noisy gatherings of Quraysh and reflected on the corruption of society. He could not accept that stone idols, crafted by human hands, could have any power. Deep inside, his pure nature longed for the worship of the One true God, the Lord of Abraham and Isma‘il. Allah was preparing him for revelation, nurturing his soul through solitude and contemplation.

It became his habit to retreat to the Cave of Hira, a small cave in the mountains surrounding Makkah. There, he would spend days and nights in worship, contemplation, and reflection. He took provisions with him and remained in solitude, seeking truth and purity. During these retreats, he would reflect on the heavens, the earth, and the human soul, all of which pointed to the greatness of the Creator. His heart, free of idol worship, was being prepared to carry the weight of divine revelation.

Then came the moment that would change the course of human history. When Muhammad (PBUH) was forty years old, during one of his retreats in the Cave of Hira in the month of Ramadan, the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared to him. The angel came to him suddenly and commanded: “Read (Iqra)!” Muhammad (PBUH), unlettered and unable to read or write, replied, “I am not one who reads.” The angel seized him, embraced him tightly, and repeated the command. Again, Muhammad (PBUH) responded that he could not read. For the third time, Jibreel commanded him and then recited the first verses of the Qur’an:

Surah Al Alaq verse 1-5 “Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen—taught man that which he knew not.”.

These were the first words of revelation, the beginning of the Qur’an, the divine speech of Allah sent to guide humanity. Muhammad (PBUH) trembled with fear and awe, overwhelmed by the power of the experience. He rushed home to Khadijah, his heart racing, and said, “Cover me, cover me!” She wrapped him in a cloak until he calmed. Then he told her what had happened, saying, “I feared for myself.”

Khadijah, with her wisdom and love, comforted him with words that revealed her deep understanding of his noble character. She said narrted Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4953: “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You uphold family ties, you bear the burdens of the weak, you give to those who have nothing, you honor your guests, and you help others in times of truth and hardship.”. Her reassurance calmed his fears, and she immediately sought to confirm the truth of his experience.

Khadijah took Muhammad (PBUH) to her cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a learned man who had studied the scriptures of the Jews and Christians. When Muhammad (PBUH) described what had happened, Waraqah recognized the signs. He said: “This is the same Namus (Angel Jibreel) whom Allah sent to Musa (Moses). Would that I were young and could live until the time when your people drive you out.” Surprised, Muhammad (PBUH) asked, “Will they drive me out?” Waraqah replied,(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4953) “Yes. No man has ever brought what you will bring without being opposed. If I live to see that day, I will support you with all my strength.”

Thus, the mission of prophethood began. At first, revelation paused for a short time, a period known as fatrat al-wahy (the pause of revelation). During this time, Muhammad (PBUH) longed for the angel to return, but the silence was heavy. Then, one day, as he was walking, he saw Jibreel again, filling the horizon. The angel recited:

Surah Al Mudassir verse 1-5 “O you who is covered, arise and warn. And glorify your Lord. And purify your garments. And shun all idols.”.

This was a direct command, instructing Muhammad (PBUH) to rise and begin warning his people. From this moment, his mission as the Messenger of Allah was active.

At first, he called his message quietly, beginning with those closest to him. The first to believe was his beloved wife Khadijah, followed by his young cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib, his loyal friend Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, and his servant Zayd ibn Harithah. Abu Bakr’s influence was immense, as he brought several prominent men into Islam, including Uthman ibn Affan, Talhah ibn Ubaydullah, and Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas. These early believers formed the core of the Muslim community, enduring hardships and persecution for their faith.

For three years, the Prophet (PBUH) called people privately, teaching them the oneness of Allah, the importance of worship, and the abandonment of idols. The believers would gather secretly in the house of al-Arqam near Mount Safa, where they learned the Qur’an and strengthened their faith. These years were critical, laying the foundation for the Muslim community and preparing them for the challenges ahead.

Then, Allah commanded the Prophet (PBUH) to make his call public. The Qur’an says in surah Ash Shuara verse 214: “And warn your closest relatives.”. Obeying this command, Muhammad (PBUH) gathered the Quraysh on Mount Safa and called out to them. He asked, “If I were to tell you that an enemy was advancing upon you from behind this mountain, would you believe me?” They replied, “Yes, we have never known you to lie.” Then he said, “Indeed, I am a warner to you before a severe punishment.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4770).

But instead of accepting, many of his relatives mocked him. His uncle Abu Lahab, in arrogance, said: “May you perish! Is this why you gathered us?” In response, Allah revealed a chapter condemning Abu Lahab:

Surah Al Lahab verse 1-5 “Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he! His wealth and what he earned will not avail him. He will burn in a Fire of blazing flame, and his wife too, the carrier of firewood, with a rope of palm-fiber around her neck.”.

Thus began the long struggle between the Prophet ? and the Quraysh. They could not deny his honesty, but they refused to abandon their idols and traditions. They insulted him, accused him of sorcery, and persecuted his followers. Yet, Muhammad ? remained patient, steadfast, and unwavering in his mission.

Through these years, the Qur’an continued to be revealed, guiding the Prophet (PBUH) and strengthening the believers. The verses spoke of tawheed (oneness of God), the reality of the Hereafter, the stories of past prophets, and the consequences of disbelief. The revelation transformed the small community of believers, filling their hearts with faith, courage, and hope.

Thus, from the solitude of the Cave of Hira to the first public call on Mount Safa, the journey of prophethood had begun. The man known as al-Amin had now become the Messenger of Allah, entrusted with the greatest responsibility: to deliver the final message of truth to all mankind.

Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah, we have completed the third part of the biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In this part, we studied the moment of revelation, the first words of the Qur’an revealed to mankind, and the struggles of the Prophet (PBUH) as he called his people to the worship of one true God. We reflected on his patience in the face of hostility, his compassion for his companions, and the miraculous growth of Islam despite hardship.

Yet, the story of his blessed life is not complete without understanding his final years, when the message of Islam reached its peak, and he (PBUH) prepared the Ummah with guidance that would last until the end of time.

Insha’Allah, tomorrow we will present Part Four: The Final Years of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), including the migration to Madinah, the establishment of the Muslim community, the Farewell Hajj, and the noble passing of the Messenger of Allah Almighty.

Join us for this last and most emotional part of his biography, as we reflect on the legacy he left for all believers.

Allah Hafiz
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