Basics of Religious Education — Page 222
222 222 222 222 222 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa was born in Mecca on April 20, 571 A. D. in the respected family, Haashimite of the tribe of Quraish. ( Seerat Khatamun Nibiyyeen, authored by Hadrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad ra ) His father, Abdullah, died some time before his birth. His mother, Aminah, had seen a vision, also some time before his birth. In this vision, an angel proposed to her the name Muhammad sa for her child. Also, she saw that glittering lights, emitting from herself, spread all over the world. (Seerat Ibne Hash-shaam) The young Muhammad sa was brought up under the care of his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, the chief of Mecca. He entrusted him to the care of nurse Haleema, as was the custom in Mecca. His mother died when he was about six years old, and just 2 years later, his grandfather also passed away. Now, the young Muhammad sa passed under the care of his uncle, Abu Talib. He already had a large family to support, and was by no means a rich man, yet he accorded great care and love to his little nephew. Muhammad sa behaved in a calm, obedient and friendly manner in his years of upbringing. As Prophet Muhammad sa grew to manhood, he won great respect for his excellent conduct. Soon he was known among his fellow Meccans as Al-Ameen meaning “The Trusty” and as-Saadiq meaning “The Truthful”. He used to assist his uncle in his day-to-day life, and when he was 12 years of age, accompanied him in a trade caravan to Syria. He always tried to refrain from taking part in the quarrels of others, but was ever ready to help put an end to such quarrels. as a result of this, he became an active member of the famous association in which members undertook a pledge called Hilful-Fadool , to help the oppressed people and to restore their rights. Hadrat Khadijah ra , a rich widow of Mecca, on hearing Muhammad sa ’s fame as an honest young man, employed him as her trade agent. In this capacity, he led some trade caravans to Syria and brought back considerable profits. Hadrat Khadijah ra was much impressed and made a proposal of marriage to Muhammad sa which was accepted. He was twenty-five when he married Hadrat Khadijah ra , who was forty and had been twice widowed. She placed all her wealth at her husband’s disposal. Muhammad sa distributed a significant part of her wealth among the poor and chose a life of austerity for himself and his wife. Birth and Childhood (April, 571 A. D. ) Youth of Prophet Muhammad sa Marriage to Khadija ra (595 A. D. ) H H H H H OL OL OL OL OLY Y Y Y Y P P P P P ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET SA SA SA SA SA AND AND AND AND AND S S S S S UCCESSORS UCCESSORS UCCESSORS UCCESSORS UCCESSORS — L — L — L — L — L IFE IFE IFE IFE IFE OF OF OF OF OF H H H H H O L O L O L O L O LY Y Y Y Y P P P P P ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET SA SA SA SA SA 6. 1 6. 1 6. 1 6. 1 6. 1