THE PROPHET (SAAS)

The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.A.S)

Muhammad (S.A.A.S) was born in 570 A.D. in the city of Mecca, in the Arabian Peninsula, in what is now Saudi Arabia. At the time of his birth Mecca was already considered a holy city, as it received pilgrims from all over the Arabian Peninsula, due to the importance of the Kaabah (shrine built by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael).

Muhammad (S.A.A.S) was born three months after the death of his father, Abdullah.

Upon the death of his father, Abd al-Mutalib, the Prophet's grandfather, became his guardian.

Abd al-Mutalib was a respected chief of the clan of Hashim and the tribe of the Koraixites, the main and most influential tribe in Mecca. They were responsible for managing and protecting the Kaaba.

After his second birthday, Muhammad (S.A.A.S) returns to his mother's house and stays with her until he is six years old. He spent part of his adolescence working as a shepherd. As a teenager, he once accompanied the caravan of his uncle, Abdul Taleb, to Syria where he met a Christian monk named Bahira.

After checking one of the boy's shoulders, the monk realized that he would be the Messenger of God. Soon after, the monk went to the boy's guardian and warned him to take care of him away from the polytheists in Mecca; for if they found out, they would immediately kill him..

Muhammad (S.A.A.S) followed a simple and humble life and as a consequence of the beauty of his character, he was given the title of "al Amin - the trustworthy custodian" and "al Sadiq - the truthful one" by the people of Mecca. For example, when some people in Mecca had the need to travel, they would ask Muhammad (S.A.A.S) to guard and watch over their property during the time they were away.

At the age of 25, his reputation attracted a proposal from Khadijah, a Coraixite merchant and widow, who asked him to marry her. Muhammad (S.A.A.S) had his first marriage, and lived a simple and happy life at his wife's side for 25 years, until she died.

Shortly before his 40th birthday, Muhammad (S.A.A.S.) created a habit of spending days in retreat in a cave called "Hira" in Mecca, where he used to meditate. In the month of Ramadan 610 A.D., while he was meditating in that cave, the Archangel Gabriel appeared in front of him and ordered him to recite some verses.

However, Muhammad (S.A.A.S) replied that he could not read. After three times of insistence, having received the same answer, on the fourth time, the archangel recited the first revealed verses of the Quran which are in Sura (chapter) Al- Alaq:

"Read, in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot. Read, that your Lord is Most Generous, who taught through the cup, taught man what he did not know." (96:1-5)

Not knowing what was happening, Muhammad (S.A.A.S) ran out, scared and feverish. When he got home, he asked his wife, Khadija, to cover him because he was so cold and frightened. After he recovered, he told what happened to his wife, who, after having reassured him, accompanied him to a relative - a Christian expert named "Uaraqa Ibn Naufal" - so that he could explain to them what this event looked like.

According to what he knew about the Torah and the Gospel, this expert told Muhammad (S.A.A.S.) that he had seen the same Spirit that would have been sent to Moses and Jesus, and that he would be expelled from his own city, by his people; upon hearing this, Muhammad (S.A.A.S.) questioned him, "Will they go so far as to expel me from the city?" Uaraqa answered yes; for there was never a prophet who was not expelled from his city by his own people. From then on, Muhammad (S.A.A.S.) would continually receive a visit from the Archangel Gabriel; and under the circumstances, the Quran would be revealed little by little.

*(S.A.A.S) - means "May the Peace of God, His Mercy and Blessings be upon him." It must be said whenever the prophet's name is mentioned.