[www.keralites.net] PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam)

PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam)   The Holy Prophet Hadrat Muhammad al-Mustafa (Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam) is the final Prophet sent by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala). He is the most beloved Prophet of Allah. He is the greatest Prophet of Allah. He preached the complete religion of Islam. He taught people to worship only One God, Allah. He guided people towards goodness and told them to avoid evil. He taught people to love and respect all the previous Prophets sent by Allah. Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam) was born in 571 C.E. in Makkah, on 12th Rabi Awwal. His father's name was Hadrat Abdallah. His mother's name was Bibi Aminah. He was brought up by Bibi Halima. He belonged to the tribe of Quraish. Prophet Muhammad lived a very simple life. Prophet Muhammad got Allah's first message to preach Islam at the age of forty. He received Allah's first messages in the cave of Hirah in Makkah through Archangel Hadrat Jibril (Alayhissalam). The first word he heard of revelation was Iqra', which means, "Recite". The Qur'an, which is the Final Heavenly Book of Allah was revealed to him over a period of 23 years. His own Sayings have been recorded in separate books of Hadith. We follow the Qur'an which is the Word of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala). We also follow the Hadith which are the Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam). Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) married a pious lady at the age of twenty-five. Her name was Hadrat Khadijah (Rady Allahu Anha) who was forty years old at that time. He was blessed with four daughters. They are Hadrat Fatima, Hadrat Zainab, Hadrat Ruqayya and Hadrat Umm Kulthum (Rady Allahu Anhunna). He was blessed with three sons. They are Qasim, Abdallah, and Ibrahim. They passed away in their infancy. His favourite wife was Hadrat Khadija (Rady Allahu Anha). After she passed away, he married again. Hadrat Aisha (Rady Allahu Anha) is one of his most famous wives. His behaviour towards his wives was the best and he treated them equally. Those who became rulers of Muslims after him are called his Khalifas. His first four and greatest Khalifas are Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq, Hadrat Umar Faruq, Hadrat Uthman Ghani and Hadrat Ali Murtada (Rady Allahu Anhum). Prophet Muhammad loved children very much. He took care of orphans. He always talked to people politely. He had the best manners and character. He was very generous. He loved living with poor people. He preferred doing his work by himself. When Prophet Muhammad's clothes got ripped, he would cut a piece out of another fabric and would make patches by sewing it together.   He never got angry. He never broke a promise. He has many names of praise. The name Muhammad means "The Praised One". On earth he is called Muhammad, but in the heavens, he is called Ahmad. Ahmad means "Most Praiseworthy". He was always truthful so he was called As-Sadiq (the Truthful). He was also called Al-Amin (the Trustworthy). He is Nabi Allah (The Prophet of Allah), and Rasul Allah (The Messenger of Allah). He is called al-Mustafa (The Chosen One). He had been chosen by Allah as the Final Prophet. He was invited by Allah to visit Him in the heavens. This is called his Mi'raj. He is the only one who saw Allah.   He migrated from Makkah to Madina at the age of 53. This is called his Hijra. He built the Masjid Nabawi in Madina Munawwara. He split the moon in half with his Shahadat finger. This was one of his miracles. His sweat smelled like mint and roses. There is no picture of Prophet Muhammad on earth. He had no shadow. When Prophet Muhammad was alone he was of average height but when he was with other people, he appeared the tallest. He had a beard, which is one of his Sunnahs (traditions). He told those who opposed him, "Even if you keep the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand I will not give up preaching the religion of Allah." He was very brave. He fought many battles against those who wanted to kill him but he forgave his enemies when he achieved victory. He converted almost the whole of Arabia to Islam through his goodness and great character. Allah had chosen him for that task. He passed away in Madina at the age of 63. His last resting place in Madina is called his Rawda (Garden of Paradise). On the Day of Judgment, he will plead with Allah to forgive all the sinners. He is the king of Jannah (Paradise). His name is in the Kalima, in the Adhan and in Salah. He is the best creation of Allah. The greatest number of books and poems have been written in his honour and praise. All Muslims love the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam). When we mention his name, we say: Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam, which means: May Allah's blessings and peace be upon him. May we enter Paradise in his company, Amin.

Engr. Sulthan

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