22 April, 571 A.D / 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, 1st year of the Elephant:
Khatm-al-Anbiya (The Seal of Prophecy) was born in Makkah.
The blessed being made his appearance from the person of Sayyida Amina
(RA) who diverted totally the very stream of human history who uplifted
humanity from the lowest pit of degradation and raised it to the zenith
of glory and grandeur who heralded a new message of peace and prosperity
for the suffering people and bestowed upon them a panacea for all pains
and ills. He was named MOHEMMED “the Praised one” or “he
who is glorified”. The new-born was of the Banu Hashim clan of the
Quraysh and orphaned before birth. His father Hazrat Abdullah (RA) had
died before his birth. According to the custom of Arab noblemen, infants
were given into the charge of Bedouin women who suckle and nourish the
infants. This blessed child entrusted to Hazrat Halima Sadia (RA) for
nourishing. 576 A.D: He was five years old when Hazrat Halima Sadia (RA) returned him to his
mother Sayyida Amina (RA) 577 A.D: He was six years old when his mother Sayyida Amina (RA) taken him to
Madina for a visit. She wanted him to see the grave of his father. It
was a long journey, when they returned and encamped at a place named Abwa,
Sayyida Amina (RA) fell ill and in a few days she was died. In this strange and lonely place, young Mohemmed (saww) saw the last
agonies of the nearest and the best-loved person he knew, with no one
to share his baffled and piercing grief, except a slave girl named Hazrat
Umm-e-Aiman (RA).The blessed child was fatherless when he left on this
journey and motherless when he returned. 577 A.D: After the burial of Sayyida Amina (RA), Hazrat Umm-e-Aiman (RA) returned
young Mohemmed (saww) to his grandfather. Abdul Muttalib took the responsibility
of his grandson. 579 A.D: He was only eight years old when his grandfather died. After his grandfather’s
death, his uncle Abu Talib became his guardian. In later years, he was
brought up by his uncle. 583 A.D: At the age of twelve, he went to Syria for trade along with his uncle.
He was then growing up and had begun to look at men and things around
with a curious and observant eye. In later years, Abu Talib trained him
to be a merchant. With the passage of time, he established himself as
a man of high moral status and a trustworthy trader, thus he come to be
known as Al-Sadiq (the truthful one) & Al-Ameen (the trusted one) 590 A.D: At the age of twenty, He took part Harb-ul-Fijar (Sacrilegious War) between
the Quraysh and Banu Qais Élan over a trade conflict. He took part
in that war on behalf of Quraysh. 590 A.D: Four months after Harb-ul-Fijar (Sacrilegious War) a peace treaty called
Hulf-ul-Fudul (oath of virtue or the pact of chivalry) was renewed by
Quraysh aimed protection of trade caravans passing Makkah, being supported
by Hazrat Mohemmed (saww). March, 595 A.D / Zilhaj: At the age of twenty five, he became the business partner of Sayyida
Khadija (RA) a wealthy and prestigious lady of Makkah. She requested him
to take her trade articles of merchandise to Syria and he accepted this
offer. His visit to Syria proved very successful. Sayyida Khadija (RA)
was so stuck by his good sense, his honesty and his blameless ways that
she proposed him by her close friend named Nafeesa. He accepted her proposal
after the consultation with his uncle. September, 595 A.D: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) married Sayyida Khadeja (RA). He was twenty five
then and Sayyida Khadeja (RA) was forty. Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) had now
a home of his own and no further worries regarding his living. Sayyida
Khadeja (RA) played a vital role in prophet’s life; she was honored
to be the first wife of the prophet and during her life time, the only
one. (She spent 25 years with prophet) she bore Hazrat Mohemmed (saww)
two sons named Sayyidna Qasim and Sayyidna Abdullah (who both died in
infancy) and four daughters named Sayyida Zainab (RA) Sayyida Ruqayya
(RA) Sayyida Umm-e Kulsoom and Sayyida Fatima (RA). 598 A.D: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) begun to spend long hours in solitary meditation
into a cave he had found in mountain of Hira nearby. Here he pondered
and meditated in long and lonely vigils. His periods of loneliness became
more frequent and his vigils lengthened as he approached the age of forty. 599 A.D: At the age of twenty eight, the first baby was born who was named Qasim
(RA). This child died in infancy. 600 A.D: At the age of thirty, his first daughter Sayyida Zainab (RA) was born. 603 A.D: At the age of thirty three, his second daughter Sayyida Ruqayya (RA)
was born. 604 A.D: At the age of thirty four, his third daughter Sayyida Umm-e-Kulsoom (RA)
was born. 605 A.D: At the age of thirty five, he took part in rebuilding of Khana-e-kaaba
and settled a quarrel over the placing of Hajar-e-Aswad (Black stone)
and saved Quraysh from a certain blood shed. For their idolatry and pagan
customs, the Arabs still revered the Kaaba as the holy of holies. In the
Kaaba there is a black stone held to be particularly sacred. When they
decided to rebuild Kaaba, there was furious wrangling over the Hajar-e-Aswad
(Black stone) whoever was chosen to put it back into its place in the
structure, it was felt, would acquire a pride and precedence that would
humble all competitors. Every chief of Quraysh therefore, claimed the
honour. The quarrel waxed hot and bloodshed seemed imminent. At last they
asked Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) to arbitrate and settle the issue among them.
He spread out his wrap on the earth, placed the holy stone in the middle
and asked all the claimants to lift the wrap and carry it to the Kaaba.
Then he picked up the Hajar-e-Aswad (Black stone) himself and fixed it
in its place. Thus much bloodshed was avoided. 605 A.D: At the age of thirty five, his fourth daughter Sayyida Fatima (RA) was
born. 12 February 610 A.D / Ramadan-ul-Mubarak: The beginning of the Prophet’s mission; at the age of forty, he
began to receive the revelation of Quran in a cave (Hira) at the summit
of a mountain (Jabal-e-Noor) outside Makkah. Where the prophet (saww)
was engaged in meditation on one of the last nights of the month of Holy
Ramadan, Gabriel (A.S) appeared to him with the first revelation the beginning
of verse 96: “Proclaim! (Or read!) In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who
created, Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood, Proclaim! (Or read!) And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, He who taught (the use of) the pen, Taught man that which he knew not.” (96:1-5) Gabriel (A.S) disappeared then and Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) came home,
strangely troubled, and said to his wife: “Cover me up, Khadeja, cover me up!” After a while, he became calmer and spoke his wife of the divine commendments
revealed to him. Sayyida Khadija (RA) comforted him: “Fear not, my noble one, but rejoice. God will not forsake you in this affair nor expose you to shame. For you are good and kind a truthful. You are hospitable to
the passing stranger; You aid and comfort the poor and the lowly, and support the
virtuous in righteous deeds.” Sayyida Khadija (RA), without a moment’s hesitation, accepted the
truth of his words. She thus became the first to believe that the prophet
(saww) had indeed been charged with a divine mission, followed by Sayyidna
Ali (RA) his cousin, and Hazrat Zayd b. Harith (RA) his freed servant.
The first convert from outside the family circle was Sayyidna Abu Bakr
(RA) a respected merchant and best friend of Mohemmed (saww). After this,
quietly and unobtrusively, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) went round preaching,
relating to whomsoever would listen or seemed likely to accept, the message
and the commandments he had received. Thus three years passed. These three
years produced only forty followers for his faith. These forty are known
as Al-Sabiqun-al-Awwalun (the First and foremost) 614 A.D / 4th Nabawi: At the beginning of the fourth year of revelation, Devine message came: “And admonish thy nearest kinsmen” (26:214) To act upon this Devine order, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) arranged a feast
in which he invited his family members, his clan Banu Hashim. The feast
is to be known as Dawah-Dhul-Asheerah (the feast of the nearest kinsmen).
At the end of this feast, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) declared that there is
no god but Allah (swt) who chose him as his messenger. The meantime Hazrat
Mohemmed (saww) asked the guests to give up the paganism and to worship
the one and the true God. His family members listened to him with growing
anger; some of them shouted abuses at him when he insulted their gods.
Abu Lahab one of his uncles who later became a violent enemy of Islam
was particularly harsh in his words. By and large the Banu Hashim paid
no heed to his words, nor did they give them too much importance. 614 A.D / 4th Nabawi: Few days after Dawah-Dhul-Asheerah (the feast of the nearest kinsmen)
the Devine message came: “Whatever is commanded and ordained, proclaim it openly.”
(15:94) So Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) climbed the hill of safa and called out to
the people of Makkah. When a goodly crowd had collected, Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww) proclaimed the divine message openly, he first of all swore to
his own truthfulness and good faith. Then he asked them to abjure false
gods, to worship no one except the one true God, to abstain from promiscuity
and lewdness, to live in purity and virtue to treat one another with kindness
and consideration, to forsake all suppressions and all pagan practices.
The people of Makkah listened to him with growing anger; they shouted
abuses at him when he insulted their gods. Abu Lahab condemned him as
he did earlier and said angrily: “O, Mohemmed! Your hands were Perish, had you collected
us to listen this?” From that day, Abu Lahab became the most violent enemy of Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww) and his followers. Allah (swt) revealed a complete Surah (verse)
in condemnation of Abu Lahab. Allah (swt) says: “Perish the hands of the Abu Lahab! (Father of Flame) Perish he!
No profit to him from all his wealth, and all his gains! Burnt soon will he be in a Fire of Blazing Flame! His wife shall carry the (crackling) wood as fuel! A twisted rope of palm-leaf fiber round her (own) neck!”
(111:1-5) By and large the people of Makkah did not pay any heed to his call and
refused to give it too much importance. They dismissed his sermon as the
passing whim of a temporarily obsessed. 614 A.D / 4th Nabawi: At the age of forty four, his second son was born who was named Abdullah
or Tahir (RA). He died in infancy. 615 A.D / Rajab, 5th Nabawi: Islam attracted some support but provoked a great deal of hostility from
infidels who felt their interests threatened. Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) observed
the cruelties and hardships visited on his followers. At last he advised
his followers to leave their homes and migrate to Abyssinia (Modern-day
Ethiopia). Nijashi (Negus) The king of Abyssinia of that time was very
merciful and upright; he permitted Muslims to stay in his country and
to perform their religious rites according to their belief, despite attempts
by infidels of Makkah to turn him against the Muslims. 615 A.D / 5th Nabawi: Two notable chiefs of Quresh, Sayyidna Hamza (RA) and Sayyidna Umar (RA),
embraced Islam. The day Sayyidna Umar (RA) did so, the Muslims felt so
elated that they offered their prayers openly and in congregation. 616 A.D / 6th Nabawi: When the infidels of Makkah felt that they were unable to stop the progress
of Islam, the tribal leaders of Quraysh put their heads together and finally
they decided upon a scheme. They showed the unity against prophet’s
clan Banu Hashim and banned the whole family. They drew up a joint proclamation
and hung it upon the walls of Kaaba. It read, “It has been agreed that henceforth no one in Makkah shall have
any dealings or transact any business with Mohemmed b. Abdullah, his family
or his followers. No one shall sell food to them nor visit them, nor converse
with them. This ban will continue until Banu Hashim hand him over to us
to be treated as he deserves.”
This social boycott was so rigidly enforced that Hazrat Mohemmed (saww)
and his followers were forced to leave the town and find shelter in a
nearby valley called Shib-e- Abi Talib (valley of Abu Talib). This boycott
continued for three years. 619 A.D / 10 Nabawi: Finally, the social boycott came to an end, and Muslims, along with the
prophet Mohemmed (saww) returned back to the Makkah. 619 A.D / 10 Nabawi: Immediately after the end of social boycott, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) experienced
the bitter phase of his life when Abu Talib his loving and beloved uncle
and protector, head of Banu Hashim died. In the same year, a few weeks
later, Hazrat Mohemmed’s (saww) beloved wife, Sayyida Khadeja (RA)
also passed away after a tender and faithful association of twenty-five
years. Thus Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) lost two of his best beloved and nearest
ones within the short span of a few days. So this year came to be known
as Aam-ul-Huzn (the Year of sorrow) 619 A.D / 10 Nabawi: At the age of forty nine, he married Sayyida Sawdah (RA) aged thirty-five;
the widow of a late companion of Prophet Mohemmed (saww) named Hazrat
Sakran b.Amr (RA). 619 A.D / 10 Nabawi: Mohemmed (saww) married the daughter of Abu Bakr (RA), Sayyida Ayesha
(RA). She was to be the Prophet’s favorite wife, and a presence
that kindled his intuition and sense of spiritual immense. Sayyida Ayesha
(RA) had a sound knowledge of Hadith and Sunnah that’s why towards
the end of her life; she was often consulted on matters of Hadith and
Sunnah. 619 A.D / 10 Nabawi: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) went to Taif (a town, sixty miles away from Makkah)
for preaching, the people of Taif treated him even more brutally than
did the people of Makkah. They set their bullies and street urchins after
him, who abused and mocked him and pelted him with stones. Wounded and
hurt, his shoes filled with the blood dripping from his cloths, he took
shelter in an orchard and sitting under the shade of a tree. His greatness
lies in the fact, instead to curse the people of Taif, he asked Allah
(swt) to forgive them. 620 A.D / 10 Nabawi: On the return journey from Taif, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) recited the Quran
at night in Nakhlah (Oasis) seven passing Jinn (Genie) stopped and listened. 22 March, 620 A.D / 27th Rajab, 10 Nabawi: The incident of Mairaj (A Sacred Night journey) took place in which the
prophet was taken in one night from Makkah to Jerusalem, mounted on the
steed Al-Buraq (the miraculous steed) brought to him by the Angel Gabriel
(A.S) From the temple Mount the prophet accompanied by Gabriel (A.S) ascends
to the Divine Presence. 22 March, 620 A.D / 27th Rajab, 10 Nabawi: The same night (at Mairaj) five Ritual prayers were made incumbent on
Muslims which must be performed at five appointed times each days. 620 A.D / 10 Nabawi: Six pilgrims of the tribe of Khazraj of Yathrib (Madina) belong to an
agricultural community to the north, came to Makkah. Hazrat Mohemmed (saww)
preached them and later on they accepted Islam. 621 A.D / 11 Nabawi: The first Aqabah covenant (oath of allegiance) took place. Twelve men
of the tribes of Khazraj and Aws came in the presence of Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww) and took the oath of allegiance. 622 A.D / 12 Nabawi: The second Aqabah covenant (oath of allegiance) occurred. Seventy two
men came in the presence of Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) and accepted Islam.
They pledged to defend the Prophet and promised to be with Islamic Movement
whatever the circumstances will be. 12 September, 622 A.D / 27th Safar.ul.Muzaffar, 13Nabawi: At the age of fifty two, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) decided to migrate from
Makkah to Madina. The position of Muslims had become untenable, but they
were saved by an invitation form the people of Yathrib, who wanted Mohemmed
(saww) to come and arbitrate in the feuds the racked their community.
At last Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) left for Madina accompanied by Sayyidna
Abu Bakr (RA). During this journey they took shelter in a cave called
Saur, some distance from Makkah. For three days they hide in the cave,
the pursuers hovering around. One day a band came so near the mouth of
the cave that their voices could be distinctly heard inside. Sayyidna
Abu Bakr (RA), greatly troubled in heart, said to Prophet Mohemmed (saww): “There are only two of us and they are many. What if we
are discovered?”. Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) replied, “Fear not, there are not two of us but three, and the third amongst
us is God.” 16 September, 622 A.D / 1st Rabi-ul-Awwal 13th Nabawi: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) and his companion Sayyidna Abu Bakr (RA) left
the cave Saur and left for Madina. 27 September, 622 A.D / 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal 1st Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) arrived at the city of Madina. He was accorded
a red carpet welcome by the people of Yathrib; when the Holy prophet entered
the city, the daughters of the Ansar (helpers) welcomed him with the recitation
of these words; “Tala-ul-badr-u-Alaina-min-saniyyat-el-wadaaie” (The moon has shone upon us from the two hills of Wida’a) The name of the town was changed to Madina, the city of prophet (saww)
There he delivered his first Friday sermon and led the prayer. The year
in which the migration from Makkah to Madina took place was a turning
point of prophet’s life and milestone of Islamic history called
hijrah. The hijrah marked the beginning of the Muslim era and the beginning
of Islamic calendar as well. 622 A.D / 1st Hijri: Masjid-e-Quba (Mosque of the Quba) was built at three miles away from
Madina. Quba infect a village outside Madina where the prophet first arrived
after his migration from Makkah, and here he built a mosque later known
as Masjid-ul-Taqwa (the mosque of Reverence). This is considered to be
the first mosque in Islam. 622 A.D / 1st Hijri: Beginning of Azan (the call to prayer); in addition to the call, mosques
would display a white flag as a signal that the prayer was being called,
at night, a lamp was lit on the top of the minaret to serve the same purpose. 622 A.D / 1st Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) set a relationship between Muhajriin (Refugees
of Makkah) and Ansar (Citizens of Madina or Helpers). This is to be known
as Muakhat. In fact most of the Muhajriin (Refugees of Makkah) were prosperous
and well-to-do, but now they were all equally destitute. As a preliminary
step, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) enjoined the Ansar (Citizens of Madina or
helpers) to adopt as brothers their co-religionists namely Muhajriin (Refugees
of Makkah) to share with them like their own kith and kin whatever they
possessed, in prosperity and in want. These bonds endured and Muhajriin
were soon absorbed into the community. 622 A.D / 1st Hijri: Masjid-e-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet) started to build in Madina. It
is the second most venerable mosque in Islam, after the Masjid-ul.Haram
(the grand Mosque of Makkah). The first mosque on the site of today’s
structure was supported by the trunks of standing palm trees that had
grown there, and Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) himself worked on its construction.
In its time, Masjid-e-Nabawi was the principal mosque in Islam, where
the prophet spent much of his time with his companions. 623 A.D / 1st Hijri: In Madina there was a large Jewish population with whom Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww) negotiated an agreement in order to adjust their relation with
his followers. This is to be known as Mithaq-e-Madina (Charter of Madina).
The salient features of that agreement were as follows:
* Every tribe and clan would manage its affairs and settle its own disputes
according to its own law.
* No party in Madina, either Muslim or Jewish would directly negotiate
any treaty or agreement at any time with any outside party rising beyond
the precincts of Madina.
* In case of war out side Madina no citizen of Madina would be compelled
to join either of the warring parties.
* In all disputes in Madina, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) would be the final
arbitrating authority.
623 A.D / 1st Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) was privileged the right through divine revelation
to fight for defensive reasons. 623 A.D / 1st Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) led the very first battle of Islamic history,
named Viden. 623 A.D / 1st Hijri: Battle of Sawwan took place. 623 A.D / 1st Hijri: Battle of Dhul-Asheerah took place. 624 A.D: / 1st Hijri: Hazrat Salman Farsi, the Persian (RA) embraced Islam. 16 March, 624 A.D / 17 Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, 2nd Hijri: The battle of Badr was fought. Badr a valley lies 90 miles away to the
south of Madina, where that battle took place, after the name of that
valley (the battle front) the battle is to be known as “the battle
of Badr”. It was the first major encounter with infidels and Hazrat
Mohemmed (saww) led the 313 devotees. That was a milestone not only in
the Islamic history but also in the world history, when a Small army of
just three hundred Muslims defeated a strong force of more than one thousand
infidels of Makkah. That was the battle in which Angles led by Gabriel
(A.S) joined the Muslims. That was the battle in which notable chiefs
of Quraysh and bitter enemies of Islam like Ut,ba, Shai,ba, Waleed, Umayyah
and Abu-Jahl (father of ignorance, the worst enemy of Islam) were put
to death by a small but an enthusiastic Muslim army. Abu-Jahl’s
death was an exemplary event of that battle when he was put to death by
two young boys of Madina, named Ma,uz and Ma,az. At the beginning of the
battle Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) threw a handful of pebbles at the infidels
of Makkah, saying: “Abased be those faces”. A later revelation of Quran said that: “It was not he, but Allah (swt) who threw” (8:17) Another secret of the victory of Muslim force lies in the fact that they
fought as a disciplined body with an order of battle. To this the Quran
says: “Allah (swt) loves those who fight in Allah’s (swt)
way in ranks” (61:4) The Muslim casualties were fourteen, those of the infidels seventy among
few bitter enemies of Islam were killed, the rest being held for ransom.
The battle amounted to be an astonishing victory for the Muslims, and
that gained them political credibility for their cause among other tribes
and soon they emerged as one of the strong forces of the world. 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: The fasting of the month of Ramadan was made mandatory on Muslims. The
prophet (saww) recommended fasting as a spiritual discipline. February, 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: During the prayer, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) got the revelation of changing
the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Makkah and congregation followed
the suit, so Makkah was declared as new Qiblah (Prayer Direction) for
Muslims. The mosque where the Prophet turned towards Makkah during the
prayers is now called Masjid-ul-Qiblatain (Mosque of the two prayer direction) 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: Battle of Salim took place. 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: Muslims got the felicity of celebrating Eid-ul-Fitar. At the mean time
they got the divine order to pay the Fitrah (the Amount at the feast of
fast breaking). It is Special alms (Zakat) called Zakat-ul-Fitr, it is
consist of a measure of grain for every member of the household (or its
equivalent in value) it is given directly to the poor. 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: Zakat was made mandatory on Muslims. Term “Zakat” is taken
to mean “purification” from the verb“Zaka” which
signifies “to thrive”, “to be wholesome” and “to
be pure”. The giving up of a portion of the wealth one may possess,
in excess of what is needed for sustenance, to “purify” or
legitimize what one retains. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and
is in effect a tax on one’s possession. It may be paid directly
to the poor as alms. 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) tied the knot of his beloved daughter Sayyida
Fatima (RA) with his cousin Sayyidna Ali (RA). 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: Battle of Bnu Qaynuqa took place. 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: Battle of Sawweq took place. 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: Battle of Ghatafan took place. 624 A.D / 2nd Hijri: Battle of Behrain took place. 625 A.D / 3rd Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) married Sayyida Hafsah (RA) the 21 year-old daughter
of Sayyidna Umar (RA). She was the widow of Hazrat Khunays (RA), who had
martyred in a battle. 21 March, 625 A.D / 6th Shawwal-ul-Mukarram, 3rd Hijri: Battle of Uhud took place. Uhud on the western outskirts of Madina is
a hill with a plain stretching before it. Infidels of Makkah were gathered
there to avenge their defeat at Badr. On the morning of the battle 300
men of Muslim force under Abdullah b. Ubayy (the leader of the hypocrite’s
faction in Madina) deserted the prophet as the troops rode out of the
city, leaving the Muslims only 700 strong. Nevertheless, the Muslims were
close to victory when forty archers whom Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) had stationed
on the hill to remain there and guard the flank, saw that the Muslims
were wining, most of them abandoned their post, this left the way open
for a counter-attack by a detachment of the infidels cavalry. The ten
Muslim archers who had remained faithful to their orders proved too small
number to hold the cavalry and were cut down. Caught by the break through
of the infidel’s cavalry, Muslim force was routed and the prophet
(saww) himself was wounded momentarily knocked unconscious. The rumor
of prophet’s death caused the infidels to withdraw thinking the
battle won. When the infidels learned that the prophet had survived it
was too late to launch a counter-attack. In this battle Sayyidna Hamzah (RA) b. Abdul Muttalib an uncle of the
prophet and one of Islam’s most formidable warriors, was martyred
speared by a slave named wahshi. Hind, daughter of a slain chief of Quaish
at Badr, thirsting to revenge her father and her kinsman killed at Bard,
had set her slave to this exploit with promises of reward. Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww) greatly mourned Sayyidna Hamzah (RA), foremost of the martyrs of
Uhud. 625 A.D / 3rd Hijri: Battle of Hamar-ul-Asad took place. 625 A.D / 3rd Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) married Sayyida Zainab b. Khuzaymah (RA), a widow
of Hazrat Ubaydah (RA), who had martyred in the battle of Badr. She was
known as the Umm-ul- Masakin (the mother of the poor) for her generosity.
She died not long after the marriage. 625 A.D / 4th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) led the Muslims in the battle of Banu Nadeyr. 625 A.D / 4th Hijri: Wine was declared prohibited in Islam. 625 A.D / 4th Hijri: Battle of Dat-ul-Rajee took place. 625 A.D / 4th Hijri: Battle of Dat-ul-Raqa took place. 625 A.D / 4th Hijri: Battle of Beir-e-Mauna took place. 626 A.D / 4th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) married Sayyida Umm-e-Salmah (RA) the widow of
Hazrat Abu Salmah (RA), who had martyred in the battle of Uhud. 626 A.D / 4th Hijri: Battle of Badr-ul-Ukhra took place. 626 A.D / 5th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) led the Muslims in the battle of Daumat-ul-Jandal. 626 A.D / 5th Hijri: Battle of Banu Mustaliq took place. 626 A.D / 5th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) married Sayyida Juwayriyyah b.Harith (RA) daughter
of the chief of the Banu Mustailq, who thus became allied to the prophet
(saww). 627 A.D / 5th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) married Hazrat Zainab b. Jahash (RA), the divorced
wife of his freed man Hazrat Zayd b. Harith (RA). 627 A.D / 5th Hijri: The order of observing Pardah (The covering of the head, face and body
by women in public) was revealed. 23 March, 627 A.D / 28th Shawwal-ul-Mukarram, 5th Hijri: Madina is besieged by infidels of Makkah: Battle of Khandaq (the Trench)
also called Ahzab (War of the Confederates) took place. The Quraysh had
made an alliance with certain desert tribes, the Bannu-Ghatafan and Jews
of Banu Nadir who had emigrated from Madina to Khyber. Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww) ordered his devotees a defensive trench to be dug around Madina,
a strong hitherto completely unknown to the Arabs but used by the Sassanid
(people of Persia) it was Salman Farsi, the Persian, who gave the idea
to the prophet, the trench took six days of feverish work to dig only
a week before the attack. Army of the infields’ cavalry was stopped
by the trench, they attempted to cross the trench but not succeeded, the
attackers laid siege for two weeks. At last the Quraysh abandoned the
siege and left precipitously the most notable casualty on the Muslim side
was Hazrat Saad b. Muadh, chief of one of the clans of the tribe of Aws. 627 A.D / 5th Hijri: Battle of Banu Quraiza took place. 627 A.D / 6th Hijri: Battle of Banu Liyhan took place. March, 628 A.D / Dhu-ul-Qa, dah, 6th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) signed the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah with infidels
of Makkah. By virtue of The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the infidels of Makkah
had to agree to compromise with the Muslims. Though, few terms of that
treaty were seemed completely against the Muslim’s interests but
for the long run point of view, they were in favor of Islam and prophet
(saww) knew it. Afterwards, the glad tiding of a manifest Victory was
revealed which confirmed the prophet’s (saww) vision and sagacity: “Verily, we have granted thee a manifest Victory”
(48:1) Hudaybiyyah is a place on the road from Jeddah to Makkah; just outside
the Haram (restricted precinct) Here Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) stopped and
awaited the outcome of events when prevented from making the pilgrimage
by the infidels of Makkah. A Quranic revelation (48:27) declared the Prophet
would pray at Makkah. He set out to perform pilgrimage at Makkah with
a party of about 1000 men unarmed and in Iharam (pilgrim dress). The Quraysh
stopped the party at Hudaybiyyah, about ten miles from Makkah. Sayyidna
Uthman (RA) was sent to negotiate with infidels when he did not return
at the expected time, many thought that he had been killed or captured
and that all was lost. In this moment of peril, the prophet’s followers
individually made a new oath of fealty to the prophets known as Bait-ur-Ridwan
(the pact of felicity). Sayyidna Mohemmed (saww) himself represented the
absent Sayyidna Uthman (RA) by proxy in this oath. Sayyidna Uthman (RA)
returned with some infidels. The Quraysh agreed to a truce, “the
peace of Hudaybiyah”. Under the conditions of this treaty the prophet
would be allowed to make the pilgrimage not then but in the following
year. Makkah would be emptied for three days for the Muslim pilgrims.
The peace also stipulated a truce for ten years, that those who were not
free but subjects or dependents of the Quraysh and who defected from the
pagans to the Muslim would be returned to the Quraysh by the Muslims,
whereas those who were subject to the Muslims and who defected from the
Muslims to the Quraysh would not be returned by the Quraysh. Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww) performed the pilgrimage the following year. The testimony of faith
declaring that there is no god but Allah (swt) and Mohemmed (saww) is
the messenger of Allah (swt) rang out in the valley of Makkah. The Quraysh
camped on the hill of Abu Qubays, heard it, a portent of the coming triumph
of Islam. Other effects were equally far-reaching. The desert tribes had
seen the infidels of Makkah dealing with the Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) as
an equal and as a sovereign, and many turned to the new religion. Shortly
thereafter, in the year 630 taking an incident between an allied tribe
and the infidels of Makkah as a breach of the truce, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww)
marched upon Makkah and conquered it, meeting almost no resistance. 628 A.D / 6th Hijri: Marriage with infidels declared forbidden through divine revelation. 628 A.D / 6th Hijri: Sayyida Rehana b. Shamun (RA) entered the household of Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww). She was originally Jewish and came from Banu Quraiza. 628 A.D / 6th Hijri: Sayyida Maria Qibtia, the Copt (RA) entered the household of Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww) who was originally a slave-girl who was sent to the presence of
Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) as gift from Muqawqis, the Byzantine viceroy ruling
the Copts in Egypt. She bore Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) a son, Sayyidna Ibrahim
(RA) who died eighteen months after his birth. 628 A.D / 6th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) married Sayyida Umm-e-Habiba (RA) the daughter
of Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraysh and widow of Ubayd (who had been
converted to Christianity in Abyssinia, where he died). May, 628 A.D / Muharram-ul-Haram, 7th Hijri: Messengers are sent to Muqawaqis, ruler of Egypt, Kisra of Persia, Qaisar
(Heraclius) of Byzantium, the rulers of the Yemen and others, calling
them to Islam. June, 628 A.D/30Muharram-ul-Haram,7th Hijri: Battle of Khayber took place. Shortly after the Muslims returned from
Hudaybiyyah, they learnt that the Jews of Khayber were planning another
attack on Madina to avenge their defeat. Their agents, it was reported,
were inciting other tribes as well. To forestall these moves the Muslims
marched on Khayber with sixteen hundred men and the Khayber fortress,
reputed to be impregnable, was stormed and conquered by Sayyidna Ali (RA)
after a siege lasting twenty days. As a result the Jewish citadels of
Khayber were conquered, and the growing strength of the Muslims became
apparent. 628 A.D / 7th Hijri: To avenge their defeat at Khayber, the Jews made a conspiracy against
Muslims; they planned to kill Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) and some of his companions.
For implementing the conspiracy, the wife of a Jewish notable slain in
the war of Khayber, invited Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) and some of his companions
to a meal in her house. The food was poisoned. Hazrat Mohemmed (saww)
had barely tasted the food when he suspected treachery and stopped eating
but one of his companions, Hazrat Bishr b. Bara, died of poisoning. According
to the law of the time the whole Jewish community should have been held
accountable for this treacherous crime and punished accordingly but Hazrat
Mohemmed (saww) held his hand and only the guilty woman was punished.
628 A.D / 7th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) married Sayyida Safya (RA), the seventeen-year-old
widow of Kinanah, chief of the Jews of Khaybar who had been killed at
Khaybar. Sayyida Safya (RA) accepted Islam and married the prophet on
the return journey to Madina. 628 A.D / 7th Hijri: The group of Muslims who migrated to Syria returned to Makkah. 628 A.D / 7th Hijri: Battle of Wadi-ul-Qura took place. April, 629 A.D / Dhu-ul-Qa, dah 7th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) with two thousand of his trusted followers performed
Umra-tul-Qaza (pilgrimage) as agreed in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and
Hazrat Bilal (RA) called the prayer (Azan) from the top of the Kaaba,
thus the Kalimah-e-Shahadah (the testimony of the faith) echoes in the
valley of Makkah, while the Quraysh watch and listen from the hill of
Abu Qubays. The Muslims scrupulously observed the terms of the Treaty
of Hudaybiyyah, even though they were now strong enough to dictate their
own terms if they so desired. 629 A.D / 7th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) married Sayyida Maymuna (RA) after the pilgrimage
to Makkah. She was the sister in law of Prophet’s uncle Hazrat Abbas,
and a widow. 629 A.D / 8th Hijri: Hazrat Khalid b. Walid (RA) and Hazrat Amr b.Al-Aas (RA) embraced Islam. 629 A.D / 8th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) led the Muslim force in battle of Mauta. That
was the battle in which Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) addressed Hazrat Khalid
b. Walid (RA) by the name of Saif-Ullah (the Sword of Allah) which then
became his honorary title. 12 January, 630 A.D / 20 Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, 8th Hijri: Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was nearly two years old. The infidels of Makkah
now violated one of the terms of the treaty. A tribe allied to them attacked
a tribe allied to the Muslims, causing much damage to life and property.
The aggrieved tribe brought their complaint to Hazrat Mohemmed (saww).
He wrote to the infidels of Makkah and demanded the according to the term
of the treaty they should either indemnify the aggrieved tribe for their
losses or break their alliance with the aggressor tribe and let the Muslims
deal with it as thought best. Alternatively they should terminate the
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. The infidels of Makkah chose the latter and the
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was thus terminated. They soon realized how hasty
and unwise they had been and sent Abu Sufyan as their envoy to Madina
to make amends. It was too late. Muslims were to be fed up of the infidels
of Makkah and their patience worn out at last, decided to pull out this
thorn from their side. Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) ordered his devotees to
march towards the Makkah. A large force was accordingly assembled and
it marched towards the Makkah. When they approached the end of their journey
and Makkah was a few miles away, they halted and encamped for the night.
Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) commanded that each group should light a bright
fire to give the infidels an idea of their strength. The infidels, he
hoped would not give battle once they knew that resistance was hopeless
as always he was anxious to avoid unnecessary blood shed and so no blood
was shed. The infidels of Makkah gave in, their leader Abu Sufyan presented
himself before Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) as their envoy, and accepted Islam.
When Abu Sufyan returned to Makkah he made the following proclamation
on behalf of the prophet Mohemmed (saww) “Whoever takes refuge in the house of Abu Sufyan shall
be forgiven Whoever remains indoors and keeps his door shut shall be forgiven. Whoever enters the Kaaba shall be forgiven. Whoever goes about his business unarmed shall go in peace.” No one was forced to change his faith or made to accept the faith of
the conquerors as pre-conditions for personal security. Every one was
given quarter on one simple condition-peaceful submission. So no resistance
was seen then Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) entered in Makkah and conquered it
without shedding a single drop of blood. The Kaaba was purified of idols by Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) himself. On
that occasion, Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) was reciting these verses: "Truth has (now) arrived, and Falsehood perished, For Falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish." (17:81) Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) announced general pardon for everyone and said: “I have today abolished all customs and all rituals of
the days of jahillya (ignorance) except that arrangements for the distribution
of water to the pilgrimage from the holy well of zamzam (pure water) will
continue as before. O, people of Quraysh! Take heed: Allah (swt) has destroyed your
factionalism of the days of jahillya, and your pride in blood and lineage.
All men are equal. All are descended from the same ancestor, Adam. And
Adam was nothing but dust.” Thus the holy city of Makkah was now Hazrat Mohemmed’s (saww) undisputed
domain, his greatness lies in the fact he won Makkah, his native city,
without any actual war or blood shed. 1st February, 630 A.D /11 Shawwal-ul-Mukarram, 8th Hijri: Battle of Hunain took place. Immediately after the conquest of Makkah
the Muslims fought a battle against the allied tribes of Hawazin and Thaqif
at a point between Makkah and Taif. During the battle field Hazrat Mohemmed
(saww) prayed: “Allah (swt)! I ask of thee thy promise.” Suddenly the tide of battle turned. Afterwards the revelation came: “Assuredly Allah (swt) did help you in many battle-fields
and on the day of Hunain: Behold! Your great numbers elated you, but they
availed you naught: the land, for all that it is wide, did constrain you,
and ye turned back in retreat. But Allah (swt) did pour His calm on the
Messenger and on the Believers, and sent down forces which ye saw not:
He punished the Unbelievers; thus doth He reward those without Faith.
Again will Allah, after this, turn (in mercy) to whom He will: for Allah
(swt) is Oft-forgiving, most Merciful. (9:25-27) The Muslim victory in this battle persuaded the desert tribes to accept
Islam and shortly thereafter the rebel tribe of Taif also surrendered
and entered Islam. 3rd February, 630 A.D/ 13 Shawwal-ul-Mukarram, 8th Hijri: Battle of Taif took place. 630 A.D / 8th Hijri: Majority of the people of Hawazin tribe embraced Islam. 630 A.D / 9th Hijri: The beginning of the year of Deputation; when tribes from all over Arabia
accepted Islam. 630 A.D / 9th Hijri: The Department for alms and charity was established. 630 A.D / 9th Hijri: Sayyida Maria Qibtiya (RA) bore Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) a son, named Ibrahim
(RA). October, 630 A.D / Rajab-ul-Murajab, 9th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) led a military expedition to Tabuk in North Arabia.
It was the last battle who led by Hazrat Mohemmed (saww). 630 A.D / 9th Hijri: Usury was declared prohibited in Islam. 630 A.D / 9th Hijri: Tribes Hamadan, Banu Asad and Banu Abbas embraced Islam. 631 A.D / 9th Hijri: Hajj (the pilgrimage) that year was led by Sayyidna Abu Bakr (RA). Hajj
was made obligatory for Muslims who are affluent enough. 631 A.D / 9th Hijri: Hazrat Mohammed (saww) sent Sayyidna Ali (RA) on a mission to Yemen. 631 A.D / 10th Hijri: Tribe Ghassan embraced Islam. 27January, 632 A.D / 10th Hijri: Mohemmed’s (saww) son Ibrahim (RA) died at the age of eighteen
months. 632 A.D / 10th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) set off for Makkah to perform the last Hajj. 9 March, 632 A.D / 9th Zilhaj, 10th Hijri: The “Farewell Pilgrimage” while delivering his last sermon
at plain of Arafat to the multitude Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) received the
final revelation of Quran. In his last sermon at Arafat, he mounted his
camel and said: “O, people, listen carefully to my words for I may not
be among you next year, nor ever address you again from this spot. O, people, verily Allah (swt) has made inviolable for you each
other’s blood and each other’s property, until you meet your
lord, even as he has made inviolable this, your day, in this your land,
in this your month. O, people, women have rights over you just as you have rights
over them. Be good to them. O, people, you may soon have to appear before your lord and answer
for your deeds. So, beware! Do not go astray after I am gone. O, people, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new
faith will be born. O, people, listen to me in earnest! Worship your Allah; say your
prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and give of your wealth in
charity. All Muslims, free or enslaved, have the same responsibilities.
None is higher than other unless he is higher in virtue. O, people, feed your slaves as you feed yourselves. Do not oppress
them nor usurp their rights.” During the sermon of Arafat the last passage of Holy Quran was revealed: “Today the unbelievers have despaired of your religion,
therefore fear them not, but fear you me. Today I have perfected your
religion for you, and I have completed my blessing upon you, and I have
approved Islam for your religion. (5:4-5) Thus Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) turned his blessed face to heaven and said: “My Lord! Have I delivered aright the Massage I was charged
with and fulfilled my calling?” And the assembly responded with one voice: “Oh, Prophet (saww) by God! You have!” Thereupon Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) lifted his fore-finger towards the heaven
and then pointing towards people, said: “O, Lord: Bear Thou witness unto it.” 632 A.D / 13th Zilhaj, 10th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) returned to Madina. 632 A.D / 11th Hijri: Delegation from Nakaha came to meet Hazrat Mohemmed (saww). It was the
last delegations who met him. 632 A.D / 18th Safar-ul-Muzzaffar, 11th Hijri: Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) fell ill. 8 June, 632 A.D / Rabi-ul-Awwal, 11th Hijri: On one of the day of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, in 11th year of the
Hijrah, when the sun was near its zenith, Rehmat-al-il-Aalameen (A mercy
to the universe) Hazrat Mohemmed (saww) passed away at 63 (To Allah (swt)We
belong, and to Him is our return) in the home of the favorite of his wives
Sayyida Ayesha (RA). Hazrat Mohemmed’s (saww) tomb in the mosque
of Madina is venerated throughout Islam. Hazrat Mohemmed’s (saww) grandson Sayyidna Hassan (RA) composed
two couplets in a eulogy of his great grandfather. These couplets are
the reflection of every Muslim. Sayyidna Hassan (RA) says: “No eye has ever seen a better person than thee, And none more handsome than thee was born to any woman; Thou wast created free from all defects, As if thou wast created as thou desired to be created.” Hazrat Mohemmed’s (saww) bounty did not cease to flow and his blessed
mission remained continue. His companions and his followers kept his mission
alive. The expansion of his message (Islam) carried on, within a hundred
years, its realm extended from Spain to India. Today it is found in every
corner of the world, and over one billion people are counted as Muslim,
who recite as the foundation of their faith, the words: “There is no God but Allah, Mohemmed (saww) is the Messenger of Allah.” In the holy Quran Allah (swt) says: “Allah (swt) and His angels send blessings on the Prophet:
O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.”
(33:56) “O Allah (swt)! Send blessings upon Mohemmed and upon the
family of Mohemmed as You sent blessings upon Abraham and upon the family
of Abraham; indeed, You are praiseworthy and glorious. O Allah (swt)! Bless Mohemmed and the family of Mohemmed as You
blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham: indeed, You are praiseworthy
and glorious.” |
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