History of Islam

• Religious conditions in pre-Islamic Arabia:

  • Most Arabs were idolatrous, carving idols from wood and stone to worship
  • Each clan had its own idols, with 360 idols in Makkah alone
  • Leading idols were Al-Lata, Uzza, Manata, and Hubbal
  • Other religious groups included Christians, Magians (fire worshippers), Hanifs (followers of Prophet Ibrahim), and Jews practicing Judaism
• Social and moral conditions in pre-Islamic Arabia:

  • Arabs engaged in leisure activities like drinking, intoxication, and gambling
  • Women were denied rights such as inheritance and were inherited as property
  • Baby girls were buried alive, women were forced into sexual perversions and polyandry
  • Women were treated as articles of trade and could be sold or exchanged
  • Poetry was highly cherished, with poetry competitions held in open places
  • Arabs practiced polygamy without limits
• Economic conditions in pre-Islamic Arabia:

  • Agriculture practiced near oases with irrigation in areas like Yathrib, Taif, and Southern Arabia
  • Tourism in Makkah brought profit from historical sites like the Kaaba
  • Nomadism was common, with Arabs living a nomadic life with animals
  • Barter trade was practiced by town dwellers, exchanging goods and commodities
• Political conditions in pre-Islamic Arabia:

  • Arabia had a chieftainship political system with each tribe led by a tribal chief
  • Tribal chiefs were appointed based on merit and age, with Bedouins leading independent lives under tribal leaders
  • Tribal clashes were common, often due to revenge missions
  • Some parts had Kings ruling their subjects
• Birth and early life of Prophet Muhammad:

  • Born on 12th Rabiul-Awwal/22nd April 570 CE in Makkah
  • Belonged to the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraish tribe
  • Raised by his grandfather Abdul Muttalib and later by his uncle Abu Talib
  • Showed signs of prophethood at a young age, known for his unimpeachable character
  • Married Khadija, a rich merchant widow, and had six children
• First revelation to Prophet Muhammad:

  • At the age of forty, in the cave Hira at Jabal Nur, Jibril (A.S) appeared to him
  • Jibril revealed the first verses of the Quran, marking the first revelation
  • Muhammad repeated the words until they stuck in his memory
  • Muhammad shared the experience with Khadija, who believed in his virtues and protection
  • Revelation paused for a period known as Fatra before continuing with the first seven verses of Surat ul Mudathir
• Prophet Muhammad's turning point in life was marked by a divine message from Allah (S.W.T) to become a globally esteemed and divinely distinguished role model
• Prophet Muhammad was anointed as the last messenger of Allah (S.W.T) and had the divine responsibility of leading others in the worship of Allah
• Prophet Muhammad's mission was to deliver mankind from idolatry and direct them towards the worship of Allah
• Prophet Muhammad received the Quran, the seal of the divine books of Allah (S.W.T), for the guidance of mankind
• Early Muslim community:

  • Prophet Muhammad preached Islam to the entire Ummah
  • Initially preached in secret to family and close friends
  • Early converts included Khadija Binti Khuwaylid, Ali bin Abi Talib, Abubakar Assidiq, and Zaid bin Harith
  • Nearly forty people had converted to Islam after three years of preaching in secrecy
• Persecution:

  • Quraish persecuted early Muslims to discourage them from practicing Islam
  • Methods of persecution included physical torture, verbal abuse, and social isolation
  • Muslims like Bilal bin Rabah and Ammar bin Yassir were severely mistreated for their faith
• Migration to Abyssinia:

  • Muslims migrated to Abyssinia to escape persecution in Makkah
  • King Negus allowed Muslims to stay in Abyssinia and protected them from the Quraish
  • Results of migration included peaceful coexistence, intermarriage, and the spread of Islam in Abyssinia
• Boycott of the Banu Hashim:

  • Banu Hashim were boycotted by the Quraish to stop the spread of Islam
  • Banu Hashim and sympathizers were confined in a hostile valley for three years
  • Effects of the boycott included economic hardships, mental torture, and the death of Khadija and Abu Twalib
• The Year of Sorrow (A’m-ul Huzn):

  • Prophet Muhammad faced bereavement with the loss of Khadija and Abu Twalib
  • Allah granted him a miraculous journey, Israai wal Mi’raaj, to uplift his spirit towards Islam
• Israai wal Mi’raaj (620 C.E):

  • Israai: Night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem
  • Mi’raaj: Ascension from Jerusalem to the seventh heaven
  • Reasons for Israai wal Mi’raaj included consoling the Prophet, preparing him for his mission, and giving hope to believers
• • Signified the position and status of Majid Aqswaa to Muslims and as the gateway to Majid Haraam
  • Prominence of Swalat (prayer) and its position in a Muslim's life
  • Prophet was given the five daily prayers in the journey of Miiraaj
  • Highlighted penalties for social evils like backbiting, fornication, denying orphans their wealth, and not paying Zakat
  • Importance of Masjid Aqswaa as a holy trust to Muslims
• Significance of Israai wal Mi’raaj:

  • Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was the leader of the two Qiblas, BaitulMaqdis and Masjidul Haraam in Makkah
  • Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was a true successor of the messengers before him
  • Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was declared as the leader (Imam) for the generations to come
  • Pre-ordained that Islamic religion was to stay up to the end of time (Yaum-ul-mahshar)
  • Finality of prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
  • Distinguished between true believers and false ones
  • Strengthened the faith of Abu Bakr, the first to believe in the prophet
• Beginning of the Muslim Mission in Madina:

  • Madinatu-Rasool (the city of the prophet) was originally Yathrib, inhabited by Arab and Jewish tribes
  • Prophet preached Islam to groups visiting Makka for pilgrimage or business
  • Met six people from the tribe of Khazraj who accepted Islam
  • Group from Khazraj agreed to support the prophet in propagating Islam in Yathrib
  • Aus and Khazraj tribes sorted out their differences
  • Group from Yathrib pledged support to the prophet, leading to the journey of Hijra
• Terms of the First Covenant of Aqaba (621C.E):

  • Worship one God
  • Abstain from evils
  • Obey the laws of Allah (SWT) and His prophet
  • Mus’ab bin Umair and Abdullah bin Umm Makhtum taught Yathribites more about Islam
• The Second Covenant of Aqaba (622 C.E):

  • Group of 72 Yathribites pledged allegiance to the prophet
  • Promised to defend and uphold the agreement, worship one God, and live by Islamic teachings
  • Prophet appointed twelve leaders from among them to represent him in Yathrib
• Muslim Emigration to Madina:

  • Quraish intensified torture against Muslims, leading to permission for secret migration to Madina
  • Noble companions migrated, starting with Abu Salama and his family
  • Muslims welcomed by Yathribites in Quba, earned title Ansaar (helpers)
  • Abubakar and Ali planned to migrate with the prophet
• Migration of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) to Madina:

  • Quraish plotted to kill the prophet, but he escaped to Madina with Abubakar
  • Hid in the cave of Thaur with miraculous protection from Allah
  • Stayed hidden for three days until search parties gave up
  • Arrived in Madina, welcomed by Ansaar, and settled in the city
• Tasks in Madina:

  • Construction of the Prophet's Mosque on land purchased by Abubakar
  • Rehabilitation of Muhajirun from Makkah to establish Islamic brotherhood
• Rehabilitation of the Muhajirun from Makkah:

  • The main test of the prophet in ensuring Islamic brotherhood was established
  • Ansaar took care of Muhajirun who left belongings in Makka
  • Prophet united Ansaar and Muhajirun, Ansaar continued sharing wealth with Muhajirun
  • Some Muhajirun were adopted into Ansaar's homes, others had homes built for them
  • Employment provided on plantations, financial support for starting businesses
  • Unique bond referred to as 'Muwakhaat'
• Fostering Unity Among the Tribes of Madina:

  • Prophet regulated lives of citizens of Madina, including Jews, Christians, pagans, Arab tribes of Aws and Khazraj, Ansaar, and Muhajirun
  • Established Madinan charter (Madinan constitution) with rules and regulations to govern all citizens
  • Aimed to foster unity and harmony among different tribes and groups
• Relationship between Ansaar and Muhajirun:

  • United by bond of Islamic brotherhood
  • Ansaar shared wealth with Muhajirun
  • Ansaar adapted Muhajirun into their homes, built houses for others
  • Some found jobs for Muhajirun on plantations, others provided financial support for starting businesses
• • Protected Muslims and Islam against plots of Jews and hypocrites
  • Proved Prophet as a great leader, organizing Madina and freeing it from tyranny, tribalism, selfishness, and dictatorship
• Madinan Constitution:

  • Agreement between Muslims and Arabian tribes in Madina, including Jews, Christians, and Polytheists
  • First political agreement between Muslims and non-Muslims
  • Based on Quran and Sunnah
  • Outlined principles for establishing good relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims
  • Declared Prophet's position as supreme leader and controller of all affairs of Madina
  • Summarized rights of Madina citizens, ensured freedom of speech, thought, and worship
  • Protected life and property, discouraged crimes like murder and stealing
• Challenges in Madina:

  • Opposition from Abdullah ibn Ubayy and his supporters (Munafiqun)
  • Opposition from Jews in Madina
  • Threats and interference from Quraish, including looting and destruction of trade
  • Conspiracies and negative propaganda against the Prophet
  • Prophet remained patient awaiting Allah's command
• Hijra as a Turning Point in the History of Islam:

  • Warm welcome in Yathrib (Madina) compared to persecution in Makka
  • Rapid spread of Islam after Hijra
  • Triumph of Islam over pagan religions
  • Establishment of trade and organized army in Madina
  • Construction of Masjidul Quba, the first mosque
  • Beginning of Islamic Calendar at the time of Umar al Khattab
• Importance of Hijra in the history of Islam:

  • Rapid spread of Islam outside Makka
  • Triumph of Islam over pagan religion in Arabian Peninsula
  • Peaceful living and expansion of trade
  • Organization of Muslim army for defense
  • Establishment of Islamic laws and regulations
  • Acquisition of a city (Madina) for Muslims
• The Battle of Badr:

  • Prophet's effort for peace treaties with Jews and tribes in Madina
  • Quraish's anger towards Muslims settling in Madina
  • Collaboration between Munafiqun and Quraish against Muslims
  • Reasons for Quraish fighting in the Battle of Badr
  • Events of the Battle, including interception of Quraish caravan and preparation for battle
• The prophet sent Ali Bin Talib, Zubeir Bin Awwam and Saad Abi Waqqas to the wells of Badr to find out about the Quraish army
• The Quraish army at Badr consisted of Utba and Shayba sons of Rabia, Hakim Ibu Khizam, Tuamin Bin Adiy, Nufalah Bin Khuwaylid, Abdul Baghtary bin Hisham, Iraath Bin Amr, Annadhar Bin Aswad, Umayyad Bin Khalaf and Amr Bin Hisham (Abu Jahal)
• Habbab Bin Mundhir suggested that the Muslims should camp at the water source to deny the Quraish access
• The battle of Badr involved a combat between a few pairs from both armies before the main battle, known as a duel
• In the duel at Badr, Hamza Bin Abdul Muttalib, Ali Bin Abu Twalib, and Ubeid Bin Harith from the Muslim side fought against Utba bin Rabia, his brother Shayba bin Rabia, and Utba's son al Walid from the Quraish
• The Muslims were assisted by angels after the prophet prayed to Allah for help
• The Muslims emerged victorious in the battle of Badr, with 70 enemies killed and 70 others taken as captives