Basics of Religious Education — Page 319
319 319 319 319 319 319 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION relatives turned against him. He continued his work under these circumstances until such a time as Allah ordered him and his followers to leave Mecca and migrate to Medina. The Meccans were so opposed to him that they would not even let him leave the town. He, along with his dear friend and follower, Abu Bakr ra , decided to leave Mecca. One night they left Mecca in the dark and took refuge in a cave called Thaur for nearly three days. During this time the Meccans left no stone unturned to trace him but to no avail. After three days he and Abu Bakr ra started on their journey to Medina. This is called the Hijra or the migration. He was welcomed warmly by the people of Medina. Soon after settling down in Medina the news started coming in that the Meccans had started raising an army to attack Medina and to destroy Islam and its Founder. The Holy Prophet sa and his followers were worried when they heard this news but had full faith in Allah about their safety. The first battle that was fought by the Holy Prophet sa and his followers is called the Battle of Badr as it was fought near a well of that name. The Prophet had 313 followers against the Meccans who were more than 1,000 in number. They were well equipped whereas the Prophet sa and his followers had little weapons and food. The non-believers were defeated at the hands of the Muslims and were routed. After this battle he had to fight several other battles in self- defense till he eventually entered Mecca as a conqueror in 630 A. D. and the hostilities ceased for the time being. The Holy Prophet sa died at Medina at the age of 63 and was buried there. The Prophet Muhammad sa is an excellent exemplar for us all. Allah wanted to make him a model for us all so He made him pass through various stages of human life. He showed kindness to his wives, mercy to his enemies and laid down standards of equality for men to follow. He commanded armies and was an excellent General. He was obedient to his elders and kind to the young. Has the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa been mentioned in other scriptures? Yes. Prophet Moses as told the Israelites that God had told him of the advent of the Holy Prophet in the following words: I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. (Deuteronomy 18:18) This was a prophecy about the Holy Prophet sa made in about 1451 B. C by the prophet Moses. 9. 2 9. 2 9. 2 9. 2 9. 2 G G G G G ENERAL ENERAL ENERAL ENERAL ENERAL R R R R R ELIGIOUS ELIGIOUS ELIGIOUS ELIGIOUS ELIGIOUS K K K K K NOWLEDGE NOWLEDGE NOWLEDGE NOWLEDGE NOWLEDGE — A — A — A — A — A RTICLES RTICLES RTICLES RTICLES RTICLES O F O F O F O F O F F F F F F A I T H A I T H A I T H A I T H A I T H