OUR NABÎ, MUHAMMAD ﷺ
The Honourable Ancestors of Muhammad ﷺ
The paternal forefathers of Muhammad ﷺ, beginning with his father and preceding back to Adnân who was a descendant of Ismâ‘îl عليــه الســام are as follows:
Muhammad ﷺ, Abdullâh, Abdulmuttalib, Hâshim, Abdu Manâf, Qusayy, Kilâb, Murrah, Ka’ab, Luayy, Ghâlib, Fikhr, Mâlik, Nadr, Kinânah, Khuzaymah, Mudrikah, Ilyâs, Mudarr, Nidhâr, Ma’ad, Adnân.
The Maternal Ancestors of Muhammad ﷺ
The maternal ancestors of Muhammad ﷺ starting with his mother are:
Muhammad ﷺ, Âminah, Wahb, Abdu Manâf, Zuhrah, Kilâb.
The most eminent and the greatest of all the prophets ﷺ in every aspect is without doubt Muhammad ﷺ. All of the prophets عليهم السـام prior to Muhammad ﷺ were sent to a specific community, a village or a city. However, Muhammad ﷺ was appointed as the prophet to the whole of humankind and jinn, to all creatures and in the fullest sense to the whole of the eighteen thousand worlds as a means of mercy upon them.
In order to understand how great and comprehensive a mercy he is to the whole of humankind and jinn, we should examine the condition of the humanity prior to the time it was honoured by the joyful birth of Muhammad ﷺ.
Before the arrival of our Nabî ﷺ, the pride of the universe, it was the dark age filled with disturbance and chaos with all kinds of vice. Religiously, the people of the time were thoroughly lost in all types of innovation and deviation. They were involved in a whirlpool of cruel thrills, existing in a way far from humanity, justice, truth and civilization. Immorality, banditry and all sorts of oppression and violence occurred everywhere. Whoever had power and means oppressed, robbed, murdered and dishonoured the weak.
Some even buried their own daughters alive following absurd and superstitious traditions. They were deeply involved in barbarity and immorality. In general, women had no respect in society. They were sold in marketplaces as if they were ordinary trade goods. People were divided into tribes and groups in enmity, each looking for a chance to take revenge from the other.
It was such a dark age when Muhammed ﷺ honoured the world with his joyful birth just before daybreak in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, on the 12th night of the month of Rabî‘ Al-Awwal, in 571 C.E.
Even before the age of 40, when Nabî Muhammad ﷺ announced his prophethood, many miraculous wonders were taking place through his blessed hands. He displayed the best example of faithfulness and truthfulness in each and every phase of his life adhering perfectly to the divine order which says: “Therefore stand firm (in the straight path) as you are commanded.”
He ﷺ was far from all kinds of hypocrisy and lies. While nobody could trust anyone in that time, everybody believed and trusted in him. When they had disputes, they were happy to accept him as a judge and were satisfied with his decisions.
Even his enemies who rejected him and denied his message admitted that Muhammad ﷺ was far from lying and hypocrisy, for he was truthful, just and righteous in all ways. They also appreciated his morality and superior character and therefore called him “Muhammad Al-Amîn” (Muhammad, the Trustworthy).
Our master, mercy for all ﷺ, blessed this world at such a time when Thulumât (darkness) of kufr (disbelief) was dominant. He ﷺ eliminated all sorts of superstitions, saved the world from darkness and ignorance with the lights of Îmân and Islâm, and guided humanity to the path of genuine civilization by offering them the keys to happiness and prosperity in both worlds.
Today, even many orientalists who have impartially studied the history of Islâm have felt obliged to admit the superior position, unmatched morals, and humane character of Muhammad ﷺ. Some have also admitted that he ﷺ is really the great mercy and the most eminent saviour for the whole humanity. They could not simply help admiring him.
Thomas Carlyle, a famous Scottish philosopher, said in a work translated by Muhammad As’ad:
“I like Muhammad ﷺ, for he is far from pretence… There happens not to be a human scale to weigh Muhammad ﷺ either, for he is too great and eminent to be weighed.”
Considering how fair-minded non-Muslims admire, like and show appreciation for our prophet ﷺ, it is essential to ponder on the point how we, Ummati Muhammad ﷺ (the followers of Muhammad ﷺ), should love and revere him.
Additionally, we should note that after Muhammad ﷺ arrived, the sharî’ahs (religions) of the former prophets عليهــم الســام were all abrogated. Justice, truth and authority ﷺ are now under the sole authority of Nabî Muhammad ﷺ, and Qur’ân Al-Karîm is in effect.
In relation to this, once our prophet ﷺ saw Hazrat Umar ﷰ holding pages from the abrogated Tawrâh in his hand and said to him in an almost scolding way:
“O Umar, are you also of those who doubt and are uncertain of the prophethood that has been granted to me and of the Noble Qur’ân that has been revealed to me, like the Jews and the Christians? I swear by Allâh, if Mûsâ, who received Taurâh, were alive today he would have no other choice but to follow me.”
Accordingly, with the advent of Muhammad ﷺ and the Qur’ân, the rules of the Taurâh and Injîl are abrogated. The authority and validity in our time and up until Judgement Day solely belong to Nabî Muhammad ﷺ and the Qur’ân, which was revealed to him.
WE MUST KNOW OUR PROPHET ﷺ WELL
Being an honourable, virtuous and good person both in this world and in the hereafter, is only possible by knowing our prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the cause of mercy to all the worlds, by understanding him thoroughly and being a true follower of him. If a person fails to know, acknowledge and love our prophet ﷺ, it is not possible for them to be among the honourable and virtuous.
Our Prophet’s name is Muhammad ﷺ, his father’s name was Abdullâh and his mother’s name was Âminah. His father passed away when his mother was 7 months pregnant. He illuminated the whole universe with his birth in Makkah Al-Mukarramah near dawn on Monday the 12th of Rabî‘ Al-Awwal, corresponding to the 20th of April 571 C.E. He resembled no other babies at birth. The light of prophethood in him blinded onlooking eyes.
He stayed with his foster mother, Halîmah, until he was four years of age. After that, he was returned to his family. When he was six, his mother Âminah passed away. His grandfather Abdul Muttalib took him under his care. But, two years after his mother’s demise, his grandfather passed away. After this time, he stayed with his uncle Abû Tâlib.
Muhammad (ﷺ)’s childhood, youth, bachelorhood, and marriage (i.e. each and every stage of his life) passed with a unique virtue and perfection not seen in any other human being.
He married Khadîjah Al-Kubrâ رضـي الله عنهـا (Mother of the Muslims), at the age of 25. He never worshipped idols. From childhood, he never showed any love for them. In fact, he always hated the idols. He would only worship Allâh تعالــى according to the religion of Ibrâhîm عليه الســام.
At times, he would ascend Mount Hira near Makkah and meditate on the endless greatness and supreme power of Allâh تعالــى. With the love Allâh تعالــى bestowed upon him, he immersed himself in the ocean of divine love and continuously engaged in the remembrance of Allâh while flashes of divine light of Tawhîd (unity) burned in his heart.
Again, one day when Muhammad ﷺ was in the cave of Hira, deeply absorbed in contemplation of the spiritual world unique to him, Jibrâ’il عليــه الســام came to him by the order of Allâh تعالــى to officially announce his duty of prophethood.
Jibrâ’il عليــه الســام said to Muhammad ﷺ, the beloved one of Allâh and the saviour of humankind and the jinn:
“Iqra’!” (Read)
“What shall I read?” asked Muhammad ﷺ.
Jibrâ’il عليــه الســام embraced the prophet ﷺ, squeezed his chest tightly and released him.
“Iqra’!” repeated Jibrâ’il عليــه الســام.
“What shall I read?” asked Muhammad ﷺ again.
Jibrâ’il عليــه الســام embraced him, squeezed his chest tightly and released him by saying again: “Iqra’!”
Prophet ﷺ asked again: “What shall I read?” Thereupon, Jibrâ’il عليــه الســام embraced him, squeezed his chest tightly and released him for the third time.
Thus, it can be said that a spiritual operation was performed on Muhammad ﷺ, our Prophet, the master of the human and the jinn, as a sign of a great miracle. Then Jibrâ’il عليــه الســام revealed the first five Âyât (verses) of Sûrah Al-Alaq, which read:
- Recite in the name of your Rabb who created –
- Has created man from a clot.
- Read! And your Rabb is the Most Generous,
- Who has taught by the pen.
- Has taught man that which he knew not.
Thus, the divine task of prophethood was officially granted to Muhammad ﷺ. The revelation of the Noble Qur’ân was completed in twenty-three years.
The prophet ﷺ invited people to Islâm for thirteen years in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, where he suffered hardship and persecution. However, he endured all the oppression and endeavoured to spread the message of the existence of Allâh تعالــى and His unity.
Afterwards, he migrated from Makkah Al-Mukarramah to Madînah Al-Munawwarah, where he used all his strength to carry out his holy prophetic duties for ten more years. He instructed people in humaneness and the way of civilization. He illuminated their dark hearts with the divine light of Islâm. Thus, he fulfilled his sacred mission.
He demised at the age of sixty-three. He entrusted the Noble Qur’ân, the guide for the salvation of humanity, along with his Sunnah Al-Saniyyah (The valuable Traditions) to his ummah and advised adherence to both.
Peace and blessings be upon you, O prophet of Allâh ﷺ.
It is only Allâh, the Sustainer of the worlds, who knows and praises you perfectly. You are Muhammad Mustafâ ﷺ. You are the mercy to the worlds. You are the prophet of all human and Jinn. You are Khatam Al-Nabîyyîn, the seal of the prophets.
You are the chosen receiver of the divine word of Allâh:
“Law Lâka Lawlâk, Lamâ Khalaq’tul Aflâk”
ASHÂB AL-KIRÂM – the Honourable Companions of Muhammad ﷺ
Ashâb Al-Kirâm (the Honourable companions of Muhammad ﷺ) are the people who saw the prophet ﷺ even once while having Îmân (faith) in him, and stayed in his company even for a short while.
All of them had very high rank, for they saw the last prophet ﷺ, gathered around him, strived with their souls and wealth for the spread of Îmân (faith) and Islâm. Thus, they won the favour of the prophet ﷺ and were immersed in spiritual light from head to toe.
The Ashâb Al-Kirâm pioneered the spread of the supreme religion of Islâm. No one else could reach the position of the lowest level of Ashâb (companions), even if he were to conquer the whole earth himself, or spend an earthful of gold in charity.
We, the Muslims, are required to love, admire, esteem and respect all the Ashâb Al-Kirâm. We are not allowed, by any means, to utter any ill words against any one of them because of some conflicts that might have occurred amongst them. For they were Mujtahid (a jurist capable of deriving a legal ruling from the Qur’ân and Sunnah) thus acted with ljtihâd (Islâmic jurisprudence).
Any one who utters a word against any of them severely weakens his faith and his religious practice suffers great damage. Such an individual can never be a perfect believer (Al-Mu’min Al-Kâmil) unless he corrects his belief in this regard.
The Two Groups of the Companions of Nabî Muhammad ﷺ
- Al-Muhâjirîn – the Makkan Muslims who migrated from Makkah Al-Mukarramah to Madînah Al-Munawwarah for the sake of Allâh تعالــى, leaving behind all their wealth and properties.
- Al-Ansâr – the Muslims who were native inhabitants of Madînah Al-Munawwarah. They provided all types of assistance using all their means for the pleasure of Allâh تعالـى, to their Muslim brothers from Makkah.
Thus, both parties surely acquired great merits and ranks in the sight of Allâh تعالــى for their sincere supports and sacrifices.
The most prominent individuals, after the Prophets عليهــم الســام, are certainly Ashâb Al-Kirâm (the honourable companions of the Prophet ﷺ). Among the Ashâb ﷰ, the most superior are:
- Hazrat Abû Bakr ﷰ
- Hazrat Umar ﷰ
- Hazrat Uthmân ﷰ
- Hazrat Ali ﷰ
