Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.( part1)
“The Ultimate Leader ship, unparalleled leader of Dawah, Training, Organization
and the great Commander-in-chief
(33-21) indeed you have in the messenger of Allah the most Beautiful Conduct.
In Quran one of the numerous verses that praise prophet (saws) it is said
in surah Ahzab) “O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Verily, we have sent you
as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a Warner, (45) and as one
who invites to Allâh [Islâmic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allâh
(Alone)] by His permission, and as a lamp spreading light (through your
instructions from the Qur'ân and the Sunnah the legal ways of the Prophet SAW”.
Before Islam Prophet Muhammad SAW was the best person, possessed the best
qualities among his tribe Qurraish. His honesty and trust worthiness was honored
as Saadiq ( the truthful)and Ameen( the trustworthy).
But when he came from the cave of Hira with the divine message of monotheism of
one Allah, just a few accepted his message. He was 40 years old at that time. In
a short span of 23 years he became the most successful Prophet that most of
Arabia had accepted his message of Islam.
This was only because of his Ultimate leadership, unparalleled leader of Dawah,(
calling to the right path of Allah , Almighty God) Training, Organization and
the great Commander- in – chief.
Prophet (SAW)’s Basic Qualities
· Ability to command with respect
· Trusted on sincerity of purpose
· Confidence on ability
· Approachable for suggestion
· Acceptability as a leader
· Ready to sacrifice
· Open-minded
· Understanding of responsibilities
· Optimism
Practical Qualities
· Utmost trust in Allah(swt) for help and guidance
· No difference in morals and acts
· His Ability to help understand efficiently
· His Ability to answer questions adequately
· His Ability to acquire love and affection of the companions and followers
· Habit of making decisions after consultation
· Courage to encourage criticism
· Dynamic, Keen perception and Serious
Acknowledgment by a staunch enemy:
After the Treaty of Hudaybiyah, Allah's Messenger sent letters to the rulers of
neighboring countries. The Emperor of Byzantine (Rome received it in Syria at a
time when a trade caravan from Makkah heade by Abu Sufyan was in Damascus. The
Emperor summoned him, and the following conversation took place:
Emperor: Do the elite or the weak mostly follow him?
Abu Sufyan: The weak.
Emperor: Do his followers increase or decrease?
Abu Sufyan: They increase.
Emperor: Has anyone apostatized after converting to Islam?
Abu Sufyan: No.
Emperor: Have you ever heard him tell a lie?
Abu Sufyan: No, never.
Struck by the answers of Abu Sufyan, who was at that time one of the
bitterest enemies of Islam, the Emperor acknowledged Muhammad's position, "It is
inconceivable for one who has never told a lie during his whole life to invent
lies against Allah" (Al-Bukhari).
This was just because of his steadfastness on his mission and on his vision.
That was to save astray people from hell fire and to succeed them in the
hereafter with the gardens of Jannah.
He always encouraged truthfulness, as can be seen in the following hadiths:
"Promise me six things, and I will promise you Paradise: Speak the truth,
keep your promises, fulfill your trusts, remain (sexually) chaste, do not
look at what is unlawful, and avoid what is forbidden." (Authenticated by
Al-Albani)
"Abandon what arouses your suspicions, and follow what is certain.
Truthfulness gives satisfaction; lying causes suspicion."(At-Tirmidhi and
Ahmad)
"Always be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness
leads to Paradise. If you are always truthful and seek truthfulness, Allah
records you as such. Never lie, for lying leads to shamefulness and shamefulness
leads to Hell. If you insist on lying and seek deceit, Allah records you as
such." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Long suffering and forgiveness in the path of Dawah:(Calling to Islam)
The patience, long sufferings and forgiveness of the Holy Prophet (SAW) are the
highest qualities of his prophet hood. He never revenged for any personal or
financial matter. The hardest day for him was in the battle of Uhud, when his
own people disobeyed and the unbelievers caused him severe grief and affliction
to the great instinct. But he contented himself to suffer and prayed for their
forgiveness. He Prayed “O Allah! Show my people the right path for they do not
know and forgive them.” The companions out of grief asked, “O messenger of
Allah, you would have cursed them, so that they were annihilated.” He replied,
“I have not been sent to curse, but to call people to the truth and as a mercy
for the creation.”
Prophet SAW Suffered a lot in spreading Allah’s message that was given to him.
Anas (Allah be pleased with him) narrated from prophet (saw) “In the path of
Allah I have been daunted and threatened more than anyone else. Once I had to
pass thirty days and nights in such a dreadful condition that Bilal and I had
nothing that any living being would eat, except what little Bilal had kept under
his arm.”(Maariful Hadith, Shamail Tarmizi)
Taif’s Incident
Once when Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked Prophet SAW that did he
suffer more than the battle of Uhud? Which he replied that the hardest day was
when Holy Prophet SAW accompanied with Zaid bin Haritha went to Taif to preach
oneness of Allah and to invite them to Islam. The chiefs instigated the local
rowdies for mischief while he was preaching. They pelted him with stones so
heavily that he began to bleed profusely. The blood clotted in his shoes, after
receiving so many injuries he fainted and fell down. Zaid (ra) lifted him on his
back and brought him outside of town in a canyon and sprinkled some water on
him. Allah (swt) send Angeles of Torment who asked prophet SAW “if you say then
these bad people will be crushed between these two hills.”
Prophet saw replied “do not do this, I pray for their guidance and I believe
that they will accept Allah’s message. (Bukhari, Muslim)
The unbelievers persecuted the Holy Prophet (SAW), his companions and followers
incessantly for twenty one years. They harassed, tortured and compelled them to
move out from Mekkah to Madinah. In Madinah they attacked and fought several
battles with them. But when Mekkah was conquered and these worst enemies of
Islam were completely at the mercy of Prophet (S.A.W). At this moment just a nod
from him would have rolled their heads to dust, instead he asked them, “Do you
know how I am going to deal with you today?” They replied in a suppressed tone,
“O truthful and trustworthy one! You are a noble brother and the son of a noble
brother. We never found you merciless.” The Prophet(SAW)said, “ I say the same
words to you today which Yusaf (AS) Said to his brother- no reproach is on you
this day: Go, I set you all free.” Prophet (saw) preached the message of Allah
to everyone, everywhere, day and night with all his abilities and strength. He
was the greatest preacher, leader, Commander-in –chief, statesman, companion,
friend, caretaker, father, relative and husband.
Leadership
Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) told on the authority of his father Ali(RA)
that Prophet(saw) divided his time in three parts in his home.
1. For Ibadah
2. Social obligations to his family
3. Taking some rest
Then he would further divide his own share of time between himself and for other
people utilizing most of it in the matters related to Ummah.
During this time he discussed matters of common interest with chosen companions.
Those companions would spread out his words to other believers. He did not hold
back anything from the people; neither the religious commands of Allah (swt) nor
his own deeds (sunnah). During these hours he would receive different type of
people, try to solve their problems, answer their questions, sometimes
ambassadors from rulers and believers of other faiths such as Jews and
Christians would visit him. We may call it a Grand or General Assembly of
Mohammad (SAW) with all the simplicity and grandeur of Allah (SWT). In these
assemblies strategies were finalized for battles, donations collected, believers
were inspired for sacrifices of life and wealth, Quran’s commands delivered and
envoys send to other rulers for accepting Islam.
He would ask the people who were present there to pass on what they have learnt
to those who were not present.
The Greatest commander-in-chief
And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war
(tanks, planes, missiles, artillery) to threaten the enemy of Allâh and your
enemy, and others besides whom, you may not know but whom Allâh does know. And
whatever you shall spend in the Cause of Allâh shall be repaid unto you, and you
shall not be treated unjustly. (Al-Anfaal 60)
Holy Prophet (saw) planned with minimum resources available at that time to
fight the battles against the enemies of Islam.
Anas(RA) narrated from Prophet (saw )”I have been favored with superiority in
four things, generosity, valor, manly vigor and victory over opponents.”
On the occasion of battle of Hunain companions were greatly disturbed with
limited arson and number against the enemy. But Prophet (SAW) was calm and
composed on his position riding on a horse. Abu Sufyan tried to attack him. He
calmly got down prayed to Allah for his help and victory, ”O Allah, if this
small group of your believer is defeated and killed. Then there would be no one
to uphold your name. O Allah we need your help and victory”. With Allah’s
guidance he picked up a handful of dust and threw it to enemy and chanted,” I am
prophet of Allah, it is true. I am a descendant of Abdul Muttalib”. On that day
no one was as fearless, brave and daring as he was.
Ibn Umar (RA) I have seen no one more courageous, energetic, generous and
possessing highest merits than the Holy Prophet (SAW) on the day of battle of
Badar. We regularly took refuge by his side and anyone who kept close to him was
considered to be brave, since he was so close to enemy.
The Companions (RA) contributed generously all their belongings in the way of
Allah when the call was made. This generosity occurred at every battle and the
greatest example is battle of Tabook. Abu baker (RA) brought all his belongings,
Omar (RA) half, Osman (RA) brought 100 camels loaded with belongings and a
companion worked whole night in a Jew’s field and earned a few dates. He was
standing quiet at a corner, when Prophet SAW noticed him; he asked him to come
forward and asked him to put his hard earned dates over all the belongings.
During the battle of Ahzab the whole battle was so strategically planned with
minimum resources that the Prophet (saw) ‘s army contained the enemies for so
many days. Later on the enemies got frustrated and went away. In that battle
when a companion showed that due to food shortage he had tied a brick to press
his stomach, Prophet SAW showed him that he has tied two bricks against his
stomach. During all the battles he was always at the fore front, fighting with
valor, planning, courage and bravery.
Here, I will discuss in detail the treaty of Hudaiybia which proved a turning
point in establishing deen of Allah (swt). Which is the greatest example of
Prophet ( SAW) encompassed leadership and his planning as a greatest
Commander-in –chief.
Treaty of Hudaibiyah
The Muslims and the Ka'abah
Six whole years had passed since the Hijrah, during which the Muslims longed to
visit the Ka'bah and perform the pilgrimage and `umrah. One day, while they
congregated in the mosque in the morning, the Prophet informed them of a vision
he had seen that they should enter the holy sanctuary of Makkah secure, shaven,
and unarmed, and without fear for their safety. As soon as the Muslims heard of
the news, they praised God for His grace and spread the tidings all over Madinah.
No one, however, could imagine how this was going to be accomplished. No! There
was to be neither war nor fighting. Muhammad (SAW) proclaimed to the people that
pilgrimage to Makkah would take place in the holy month of Dhu alQadah. He
invited other tribes too to join them on this trip for Haj. During the holy
month was intended purely for pilgrimage and not for conquest, as well as to
proclaim the fact that Islam had imposed pilgrimage to Makkah just as pre
Islamic Arab religion had done and, finally, that he had actually invited even
the Arabs who were not Muslims to join in the performance of this sacred duty. ,
despite all this, the Qurraish insisted on fighting him during the holy month
and stop them from entering Makaah at whatever cost.
Quickly, they mobilized an army, including a cavalry force of two hundred. Abu
Jahl and his army advanced to Dhu Tuwa and took up position to prevent the
Muslims' religious march to Makkah.
Muhammad (saw) and the Muslims continued their march. At 'Usfan, they met a
tribesman of Banu Ka'b whom the Prophet questioned regarding the Qurraish. The
man answered: "They heard about your march; so they marched too, pledging that
they will never let you enter Makkah. Their general, Khalid ibn al Walid, set up
camp for his cavalry at Kara' al Ghamim." Upon learning this, Muhammad said:
"Woe to Qurraish ! If the Arab tribes destroy me that will be the realization of
their objective. If, on the other hand, Allah gives me victory, then they can
enter into Islam with dignity; and if they resist, they can then fight with good
cause. What does the Qurraish think? By God, I shall continue to serve that for
which Allah has commissioned me until the divine message has become supreme or I
lose my neck in the process." The Muslims were not afraid of battle. With the
high morale they enjoyed, their swords alone would be sufficient to stop this
new aggression of the Makkans. But if they did fight the Makkans, the peaceful
purpose of the whole affair would not be realized. Prophet(saw) and his
followers took a more tough route through the valley which brought them to the
locality of al Hudaybiyah, south of Makkah. Upon arrival at the plain of al
Hudaybiyah, al Qaswa', the she-camel of the Prophet, stopped. The Muslims
thought that she camel was exhausted; but the Prophet (saw) explained that it
was stopped by the same power which stopped the elephant from entering Makkah.
He then called upon the Muslims to encamp. When they complained that the place
was waterless, he sent a man with a stick to one of the wells of the area and
asked him to verify the existence of water. When the man plunged his stick into
the bottom of the well, water sprang up; the people felt reassured, and they put
up camp. The Makkans had resolved to prevent the Muslims by force from entering
their city. To them, this was a clear and final commitment. Both sides preferred
a settlement by the sword. The Muslims who approved of this course thought their
victory would bring about a final destruction of the Qurraish. In this way,
negotiations between Muhammad (SAW) and the Qurraish lasted a long time.
The Prophet (SAW) tested the patience of the Qurraish once more by sending a
delegate from his camp to negotiate with them. He called 'Umar ibn al Khattab
for the job of conveying his message He counselled the Prophet to send another
man, 'Osman ibn 'Affan, who was far more protected among the Qurraish than he.
The Prophet called 'Osman ibn Affan, his son-in-law, and sent him to Abu Sufyan
and the noblemen of Quraysh. 'Uthman proceeded to Makkah, and on its outskirts
was met by Aban ibn Said who extended to him his protection for the duration of
time that it would take him to convey his message. 'Osman approached the
noblemen of Quraysh and handed over the Prophet's message. The Qurraish pleaded
that they had already sworn defiantly that Muhammad would not be allowed to
enter Makkah this year. The negotiations lasted a long time during which 'Osman
(RA) was forced to stay in Makkah.
Soon the Muslims began to suspect that he had been treacherously put to death.
Muslims were greatly disturbed and prophet (saw) called his companions to him
under a large tree in the middle of that valley, and there they covenanted with
him to fight to the last man. Their faith was certain, their conviction was
strong, and their will was determined to avenge. This covenant was called the
Covenant of al Ridwan. Allah (swt) was so pleased with this that he sent these
verse "Allah is pleased with the believers who have covenanted with you under
the tree. God knows what is in their hearts and, therefore, He has granted them
His peace and will soon give them great victory. [Qur'an, 48:18]. While in this
state, the news reached them that `Uthman had not been murdered, and soon the
man himself returned safe and sound.
The Qurraish sent Suhayl ibn `Amr to reconcile Muhammad and to ask him to return
for the same purpose the following year. They argued that in such an arrangement
the tribes would not claim that Muhammad had entered Makkah in defiance of the
Qurraish. Suhayl began his negotiations with the Prophet, and these lasted a
long time.
In the Muslim camp the Muslims listened these negotiations and often lost
patience at their involvement and length, the obstinacy with which Suhayl
refused to make any concessions, and the leniency with which the Prophet made
his. If it was not an absolute confidence the Muslims had in their Prophet, they
would have never accepted the terms reached by those negotiations. They would
have fought with the Makkans and either entered Makkah victorious or perished in
the process. Even such a great man as `Umar ibn al Khattab lost patience and
said to Abu Bakr, "O Abu Bakr, isn't Muhammad the Prophet of Allah and aren't we
Muslims?"
Abu Bakr answered in the affirmative. 'Umar then said, "Why then we are receding
non-believers.” Abu Bakr replied, "O 'Umar, do not trespass one inch where you
ought not to go. Remember that I witness that our leader is the Prophet of
Allah." Angrily, 'Umar quickly said: "I, too, witness that our leader is the
Prophet of Allah."
It is reported, for instance; that Muhammad called 'Ali ibn Abu Talib and said
to him: "Write, 'In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.'" Suhayl,
the non-Muslim delegate of Quraysh interrupted. "Stop," he said, "I do not know
either 'the Merciful' or 'the Compassionate.' Write, 'In your name, 0 God.'" The
Prophet of God
'Following is the text of a pact reached by Muhammad, the Prophet of
God and Suhayl ibn 'Amr.' " Suhayl again interrupted. "Stop it. If I accepted
you as a Prophet of God I would not have been hostile to you.
You should write only your name and the name of your father." The
Prophet of God instructed 'Ali to write accordingly, referring to himself as
Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah.
The text of the treaty was agreed upon. In the opinion of most biographers, the
treaty specified that the peace was to last for ten years. The pact also
specified that any person from Qurraish immigrating to Muhammad's camp without
permission from his guardian would have to be returned to Makkah, whereas any
Muslim emigrating from Muhammad's camp to Makkah would not have to be returned.
It also specified that any tribe was free to ally itself to Muhammad, and
likewise, any tribe seeking an alliance with Qurraish could do so without let or
hindrance from the Muslims. The pact stipulated that Muhammad and his companions
would leave the area of Makkah that year without fulfilling their religious
function but that they might return the next year, enter the city and stay there
in three days for this purpose while carrying no more than swords in their
scabbards.
As soon as this pact was solemnly concluded by the parties concerned, the tribe
of Khuza`ah entered into an alliance with Muhammad and that of Band Bakr with
Quraysh. Soon after, Abu Jandal ibn Suhayl ibn 'Amr left Makkah forever and came
to the Muslim camp seeking to join the Muslims. When Suhayl, the delegate of
Qurraish to the Muslim camp, saw his son change loyalties, he struck him in the
face and pulled him by the hair to return to the Qurraish. Abu Jandal was
calling upon the Muslims to save him from the fate of being returned to the
unbelievers who would persecute him for his faith. This greatly increased the
Muslims' resentment and their dissatisfaction with the pact the Prophet had just
concluded with Suhayl. But Muhammad spoke to Abu Jandal. "0 Abu Jandal," he
said, "have patience and be disciplined; for Allah will soon provide for you and
your other persecuted colleagues a way out of your suffering. We have entered
with the Qurraish into a treaty of peace and we have exchanged with them a
solemn pledge that none will cheat the other." Abu Jandal returned to Qurraish
in compliance with the demand of this treaty and Suhayl returned to Makkah.
Muhammad (SAW), was fully aware with the resentment and dissatisfaction of the
Muslims around him. After reciting his prayers he reassured, sought his
sacrificial animal, and slaughtered it. Then, he sat down and shaved his head,
thus declaring the `umrah, or lesser pilgrimage, complete. His soul was
satisfied and his heart full of contentment, as if the peace of God had come
upon him. When the people saw what he did and observed the peace of soul shining
through his face, they began to slaughter their animals and to shave off their
hair. Some of them shaved off their hair completely.
Muslims returned to Madinah and there await the arrival of the coming season for
another trip to Makkah, Most of them accepted this idea grudgingly, and consoled
themselves purely on the grounds that the unwelcome compliance therewith was
only the command of the Prophet(SAW) himself. They were not accustomed to defeat
or to surrender without a fight. On their way home between Makkah and Madinah,
the surah "al Fath" was revealed to the Prophet, and he recited it to his
companions.
"We have granted to you a clear victory that God may forgive you, your past and
future shortcomings, grant you His blessings, and guide you to the straight
path." [Qur'an, 48:1-30]
There was hence no reason to doubt that the Hudaybiyah Treaty was a victory for
the Muslims. History has shown that this pact was the product of profound
political wisdom and farsightedness and that it brought about consequences of
great advantage to Islam and indeed to Arabia as a whole. It was the first time
that Qurrraish acknowledged the Islamic state that was rising in Arabia; to
perform the pilgrimage was equally recognition on her part that
Islam was an established and approved religion in the Peninsula.
Furthermore, the peace of the following two or ten years gave the Muslims the
peace and security they needed on Qurraish. The peace also contributed to the
spread of Islam. Indeed, Islam spread after this treaty more widely and quickly
than it had ever spread before. While those who accompanied Muhammad S.A.W to
Hudaibiyah counted one thousand and four hundred, those who accompanied him on
his conquest of Makkah two years later counted well over ten thousand. The
greatest objection to those who doubted the wisdom of the Hudaibiyah pact was
directed to the provision that any Qurraish member joining the Muslims without
the permission of his guardian would have to be returned to Qurraish, and that
any apostate from Islam would not have to be returned to Madinah. Muhammad's
opinion in this matter centered on the consideration that the apostate from
Islam who seeks the shelter of Qurraish is not really worthy of readmission to
the Muslim community; that for the convert who wished to join that community but
who was not allowed to at present, Allah would soon find an outlet. Events have
confirmed this judgment of Muhammad far more quickly than his companions
anticipated, and given evidence that Islam had actually drawn great advantages.
Indeed, the treaty even made it possible two months later for Muhammad to begin
to address himself to the kings and chiefs of foreign states and invite them to
join Islam .A full year had passed since the Treaty of al Hudaybiyah. Muhammad
(saw) and his companions were accordingly free to enter Makkah and to visit the
Ka'bah under the terms of that treaty. The Prophet, therefore, proclaimed to the
people that they might now prepare themselves to go to Makkah for performance
Umrah. Many among them, the Muhajirun, were emigrants from Makkah who had left
their hometown seven years ago. Others, the Ansar, conducted wide trade with
Makkah and felt great love and loyalty to Kaaba which they longed to visit. They
exceeded two thousand in number. Hence, there were six hundred or more than in
the previous year. In compliance with the terms of the Hudaybiyah Treaty, none
of them carried any arms except his sword which he kept in its scabbard.
Muhammad feared treachery. He therefore equipped a hundred cavalrymen and
assigned them to Muhammad ibn Maslamah. The Muslims herded before them the
sacrificial animals; the entire procession was led by Muhammad(SAW) riding his
she-camel, al Qaswa.
They set out from Madinah in the direction of Makkah moved by the strongest
emotion to circle the House of Allah and to see the places where they were born.
Muslims performed Umra, while Holy Prophet (SAW) leading them with
Tawaaf, Saai and all other rituals. They performed this all in the dynamic
leadership of their leader, Muhammad (SAW). Under this unparalleled leadership,
Makkah was conquered after a couple of years, Kaaba was cleaned from idols and
staunch enemies embraced Islam.