3 The Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

41. What was the fist stage of the revelation?

True dreams.

42. When did the first revelation come down to him?

On Monday, 21st of Ramadan, at night (August 10th, 610 AC). He was forty years then.

43. Who brought it?

Jibrael.

44. Who were the first to embrace Islam?

Four persons: Khadijah his wife, Zaid Ibn Haritha his freed slave, Ali Ibn Abi Talib his cousin and Abu Bakr his friend (May Allah be pleased with them).

45. Who accepted Islam at the instance of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him)?

Uthman Ibn Affan, Zubair Ibn Awwam, Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf, Sad Ibn Abi Waqqaas, Talha Ibn Ubaidullah and Saeed Ibn Zaid (Umar’s son-in-law) (May Allah be pleased with them).

46. Who were the ladies to accept Islam at first?

Abbas’s wife Ummaul Fadl, Abu Bakr’s wife Asma Bint Umais, his daughter Asma Bint Abi Bakr and Fatimah Bint Al Khattab Umar’s sister (May Allah be pleased with them).

47. How was the Dawah done in the beginning?

It was done in secret.

48. How many people embraced Islam in the early stage?

About forty.

49. How many years did the call in secret continue?

For three years.

50. During this period, where would the Muslims gather secretly?

They would gather secretly in the house of a Muslim called Arqam to learn about Islam and the revelations sent down to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.).

51. When did the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) start to preach Islam openly?

After three years when he received the revelation to that effect.

52. What was the impact of his public preaching?

The people accepted Islam increasingly.

53. What was the main miracle of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.)?

The Holy Quran.

54. Did the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) perform other miracles?

Yes, the splitting of the moon was one of them.

55. Who was Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib?

One of the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h.) uncles.

56. Name some of the disbelievers of Makkah who supported the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), but did not embrace Islam until the end.

Abu Talib, Mutim Ibn Adi and Abul Bukhtari.

57. How long did Abu Talib protect the Prophet (p.b.u.h)?

For 42 years – from the Prophet’s childhood until he himself died.

58. Who was Mutim Ibn Adi?

A chief of Makkah.

59. When did he (Mutim Ibn Adi) give protection to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.)?

When the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) returned from Taif and wanted to enter Makkah.

60. When did he (Mutim Ibn Adi) die?

He was killed in the Battle of Badr.

READ MORE - 3 The Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

2 The Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

21. Who took care of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) after the death of Abdul Muttalib?

His uncle Abu Talib.

22. How old was Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) when his grandfather Abdul Muttalib died?

About eight years old.

23. When did Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) travel to Syria and with whom?

He went to Syria with his uncle Abu Talib when he was twelve years old.

24. Who was Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her)?

She was a wealthy merchant of Makkah.

25. Why did she (Khadijah) want to marry Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

Because of his truthfulness and good conduct.

26. When did she (Khadijah) marry Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

When she was 40 years old.

27. How old was Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) at the time of the marriage?

He was 25.

28. What did he (the Prophet) give her (Khadijah) as Mahr (dowry)?

Twenty camels.

29. Was Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) a widow?

Yes. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was her third husband.

30. How was Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) known in the society?

He was known as Al Ameen (trustworthy) and Al Sadiq (truthful).

31. Did he get any sort of education?

No, he didnt get any formal education from the society, rather he was taught by Almighty Allah.

32. What should one say when the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) name is mentioned?

One should say صلى الله عليه وسلم (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

33. How many times is the name of Muhammad mentioned in the Holy Quran?

Four times.

34. What are the names of the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h.) uncles?

They are: Harith, Zubair, Abu Talib, Hamzah (May Allah be pleased with him), Abu Lahab, Ghidaq, Maqwam, Safar and Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him).

35. In the New Testament by what name was the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) mentioned?

By the name of Paraclete.

36. What is Kabah?

It is the oldest house of worship on the earth.

37. Who built it?

The Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismael (May Allah be pleased with them).

38. How did Quraish arrange rebuilding of Kabah?

They divided the work among various tribes. Each tribe was responsible for rebuilding a part of it.

39. Who laid the stones?

A Byzantine mason called Baqum.

40. Where did the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) go into seclusion?

To the Cave of Hira.

READ MORE - 2 The Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

1. When was the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) born?

He was born on Monday, 12th Rabi Al Awwal, April 22nd, 571 AC.

2. Where was the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) born?

In Makkah

3. What is the name of the Prophet's father?

Abdullah Ibn Abdul Muttalib.

4. What is the name of the Prophet's mother?

Aminah Bint Wahhab Ibn Abd Manaf Ibn Zahrah.

5. When and where did his (prophet's) father die?

He died in Makkah before Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) was born.

6. What is the name of the Prophet's grandfather?

Abdul Muttalib.

7. What was his granfather's position?

He was the chief of his clan Bani Hashim.

8. What is the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) lineage up to his fifth ancestor?

He is Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Muttalib Ibn Hashim Ibn Abd Manaf Ibn Qusai Ibn Kilab.

9. Who suckled the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

First Thuyeba, the freed slave girl of his uncle Abdul Uzza known as Abu Lahab, then Haleema Bint Abu Dhuaib, best known as Haleema Al Sadiyah.

10. Who named the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

Abdul Muttalib.

11. What did Muhammad's (p.b.u.h.) mother name him?

Ahmad.

12. Why did she (the Prophet's mother) choose this name?

Because she saw an angel in a dream calling the new-born baby Ahmad.

13. How old was Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) when his mother died?

Six years old.

14. Where did his mother take him?

She took him to Yathrib (Madinah) to visit her relatives.

15. Where did his mother die?

On her way back to Makkah, she died at Abwa and was buried there.

16. Who brought Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) back to Makkah?

His father’s slave girl, Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with her).

17. Who took the charge of his care?

His grandfather Abdul Muttalib.

18. How long did The Prophet's grandfather take care of the Prophet Muhammad?

For two years.

19. How was his (Abdul Muttalib's) behavior with Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

He loved him very much and preferred him to his own sons.

20. What did Abdul Muttalib foretell about his grandson?

That he would hold a prestigious position.

READ MORE - The Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Is Allah mentioned in other scriptures.

"Allah" is the most appropriate name for God in the Qur’an. Is this name "Allah" mentioned in other religious scriptures besides the Qur’an?

Almost all the major religious scriptures of the world contain the word "Allah" as one of the names of God.

a. Elohim El, Elah, Alah

In the Bible, God is very often referred to as ‘Elohim’ in the Hebrew language. The ‘im’ in the ending is a plural of honour and God is referred to as ‘El’ or ‘Elah’ in the English Bible with commentary, edited by reverend C. I. Scofield. ‘Elah’ is alternatively spelled as ‘Alah’. The difference in spelling is only of a single ‘L’. Muslims spell Allah as ‘Allah’ while the Reverend has spelled it as Alah and they pronounce it as ‘Elah’. Muslims pronounce it as Allah. Hebrew and Arabic are sister languages therefore we say it should be pronounced as ‘Allah’ and not as ‘Elah’.

When I was in school, I was taught ‘D, O’ is do, ‘T, O’ is to. What is ‘G, O’ It is ‘go’ and not ‘gu’. ‘N, U, T’ is nut, ‘C, U, T’ cut; ‘B, U, T’ is but, what is ‘P, U, T’? Not ‘pat’ but it is ‘put’. If you ask "Why?" The answer is "It is their language". If I have to pass I have to say ‘P, U, T’ is ‘put’ and not ‘pat’. Similarly the right pronunciation for A, L, L, A, H, is Allah.

b. Jesus (pbuh) cried out Allah Allah when he was put on the cross

It is mentioned in the New Testament in the Gospel of Mathew, chapter 27 verse 46 as well as Gospel of Mark, chapter 15 verse 34 when Jesus (pbuh) was put on the cross.

Jesus cried with a loud voice saying "E’-Li, E’-Li la’-ma sa-bach’-tha-ni?" that is to say, ‘My God, My God why hast Thou Forsaken Me?’ Does this sound like Jehovah! Jehovah! why has thou forsaken me? Does it sound like Abba Abba? The answer is ‘No’. Hebrew and Arabic are sister languages and if you translate "E’-Li, E’-Li la’-ma sa-bach’-tha-ni" into Arabic it is ‘Allah Allah lama tarak tani’ does it sound similar?

This statement of Jesus (pbuh), "E’-Li, E’-Li la’-ma sa-bach’-tha-ni" is preserved in its original Hebrew in each and every of its translation which is available in more than 2000 different languages of the world and in each and every of them, "Allah" is present.

2. "Allah" in Sikhism

One of the names by which Gurunanak Sahib referred to God is "Allah".

3a. "Allah" in Rigveda Book 2 Hymn I verse II

Even in the Rigveda which is the most sacred scripture of the Hindus, one of the attributes given to God Almighty in Book no 2 Hymn no I verse II, is ‘Ila’ which if pronounced properly is the same as Allah.

3b. Allo Upanishad:

Amongst the various Upanishads one of the Upanishad is named as ‘Allo’ Upanishad in which God is referred to as "Allah" several times.

READ MORE - Is Allah mentioned in other scriptures.

An idol is required for concentration in worship.

The Hindu Pundits and Scholars agree that the Vedas and other Hindu religious scriptures prohibit idol worship, but initially because the mind may not be matured, an idol is required for concentration while worshipping. After the mind reaches higher consciousness, the idol is not required for concentration.

1. Muslims have reached the higher level of consciousness

Muslims have reached the higher level of consciousness. If an idol is required for concentration only in the initial stages and not later on when the mind reaches higher consciousness then I would like to say the Muslims have already reached the state of higher consciousness because when we worship Allah (swt) we do not require any idol or statue.

2. Child asks why does it thunder?

When I was discussing with a Swami in IRF. He said that when our child asks us, "Why does the sky thunder?", we reply that "aaee ma chakki pees rahi hai", the grandmother is grinding flour in the heaven; because he is too young to understand. Similarly in the initial stages people require an idol for concentration.

In Islam we don’t believe in telling a lie, even if it’s a white lie. I will never give such a wrong answer to my child because later on when he goes to school and learns that the thundering sound after lightning is due to the expansion of rapidly heated air, he will either think that the teacher is lying or later on when he understands the fact he will conclude that the father is a liar. If you feel that the child may not understand certain difficult things you should simplify the answer rather than give a wrong fictitious reply. If you, yourself do not know the answer, you should have the guts to be truthful and say ‘I don’t know’. But many children nowadays will not be satisfied with this answer. If this answer was given to my son, he would say "Abba (father), why don’t you know?’ This will compel you to do your homework and thus educate yourself as well as your child.

3. Those in standard one require idol for concentration – (2 + 2 = 4 will remain same in standard one and ten)

Some pundits while trying to convince me regarding idol worship said that in standard one the student is initially taught to worship God by concentrating with the help of an idol but later on when he graduates he no longer requires the idol to concentrate while worshipping the God.

A very important fact to be noted is that only if the fundamentals of any particular subject is strong, then only will he be able to excel in future for e.g. A teacher of mathematics in standard one teaches the students that 2 + 2 = 4 irrespective whether the student passes school or does graduation or does a Ph. D. in mathematics, the basics of 2 + 2 = 4 will yet remain the same, it will not change to 5 or 6. In higher standards the student, besides addition may learn about Algebra, Trigonometry, Logarithm, etc. but the fundamental of addition will yet remain the same. If the teacher in standard one itself teaches the fundamentals wrong, how can you expect the student to excel in future?

It is the fundamental principal of the Vedas regarding the concept of God that He has got no image, so how can the Scholars even after knowing this fact keep silent at the wrong practice being done by people.

Will you tell your son who is in standard one that 2 plus 2 is not equal to 4 but 5 or 6 and only confirm the truth after he passes school? Never. In fact if he makes a mistake you will correct him and say it is 4 and not wait till he graduates; and if you don’t correct him initially you will ruin his future.

READ MORE - An idol is required for concentration in worship.

Are the Vedas a revelation of God?

If Allah has sent His books and revelations in every period, then which revelation was sent to India? Can we consider the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures to be the word of God?

1. Revelation sent in every period

The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Rad, chapter 13 verse 38

"For each period is a book (revealed)." [Al-Qur’an 13:38]

2. Four revelations of God mentioned by name in Qur’an

By name, only four revelations of God are mentioned in the Qur’an i.e. Torah, Zaboor, Injeel and the Qur’an

Torah is the revelation which was given to Moses (pbuh)

Zaboor is the revelation which was given to David (pbuh)

Injeel is the revelation which was given to Jesus (pbuh)

and Qur’an is the last and final revelation which was given to the last and final Messenger Muhammad (pbuh).

3. All the previous revelations sent only for their people

All the revelations that came before Qur’an were only sent for their own people and were to be followed only for a particular time period.

4. The Qur’an sent for whole humankind

Since the Qur’an is the last and final revelation, it was not sent only for the Muslims or the Arabs but it was sent for the whole of humankind. It is mentioned in:

a. Surah Ibrahim, chapter 14 verse 1

"Alif Lam Ra. A book which We have revealed unto thee, in order that thou mightest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light . . ."

[Al-Qur’an 14:1]

b. A similar message is repeated in Surah Ibrahim chapter 14 verse 52

"Here is a Message for mankind: let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that He is (no other than) One God: let men of understanding take heed."

[Al-Qur’an 14:52]

c. Qur’an mentions in Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 185

"Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)."

[Al-Qur’an 2:185]

d. A similar message is repeated in Surah Zumur chapter 39 verse 41

"Verily We have revealed the Book to thee in Truth, for (instructing) mankind."

[Al-Qur’an 39:41]

5. Which revelation sent to India?

The question that arises is "which revelation of God was sent to India and whether we can consider the Vedas and the other Hindu Scriptures to be the revelations of God?" There is no text in the Qur’an or Sahih Hadith mentioning the name of the revelation that was sent to India. Since the names of the Vedas or other Hindu scriptures are no where to be found in Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, one cannot say for sure that they were the revelations of God. They may be the revelation of God or may not be the revelation of God.

6. Even if the Veda was the word of God today you have to follow the Qur’an

Even if the Vedas and the other scriptures were the revelations from God, they were only meant for people of that time and were to be followed only for that particular period of time. Today all human beings through out the world including India should only follow the last and final Revelation of God, i.e. the Qur’an. Moreover since all the previous revelations were not meant to be followed for eternity, Almighty God did not preserve them in their original form. There is not a single religious scripture of any of the major religions which claims to be the word of God and has maintained its pure original text and is free from alteration, adulteration and interpolation. Since the Glorious Qur’an is to be followed for eternity, Allah (swt) has taken upon Himself to maintain its original purity and guard it from corruption. Allah says in Glorious Qur’an.

Surah Hijr chapter 15 verse 9

"We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)."

[Al-Qur’an 15:9]

READ MORE - Are the Vedas a revelation of God?

Why don’t Muslims in India follow the Islamic criminal law?

When Muslims in India insist on having a separate Muslim Personal Law for themselves, why don’t they also insist on implementing the Islamic Criminal Law for the Muslims; for example implementing the rule that the robber’s hands should be chopped off if a Muslim robs?

1. Muslim Personal Law

Personal Law is a law concerning an individual person and the persons closely related to him, e.g. laws relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc. It includes laws which are mutually agreed upon by a group of people. This law does not include any crime or an act that will harm the society directly.

2. India is Secular And Democratic

In any country, the Personal Law may differ for different groups of people and for different communities. Since India is a secular and democratic country it allows different groups of people to follow their own personal law if they wish.

3. Islamic Personal Law is the Best

Muslims believe that compared to all the different types of personal laws available in the world, the best and the most result oriented is the Islamic Personal Law. Muslims of India prefer following the Muslim personal law also because of their own belief in Islam.

4. Criminal Law

Criminal law is that law which is associated with a crime or an act which directly affects the society e.g. robbing, raping, murdering, etc.

5. The Criminal Law should be the same for all people

In any country, the criminal law unlike the Personal Law cannot be different for different groups of people. It has to be same for all people of different groups and different religions e.g. In Islam if a person robs, his hands are chopped off. This punishment is not prescribed in Hinduism. If a Hindu robs a Muslim, what would be the robber’s punishment? The Muslim would want the hands of the robber to be chopped, while the Hindu Law would not agree.

6. The Muslims in India alone cannot separately follow the Islamic Criminal Law without involving the Non-Muslims

Even if a Muslim agrees, that as far as he commits a crime he should be given the punishment according to Islamic Criminal Law, it would not be practical. In case an allegation is made against a Muslim for robbery and if the witnesses are Non-Muslims, and if each one follows his own Criminal Law, the punishment in Islam for bearing false witness is 80 lashes, whereas in the Indian Crimial Law, a person giving false witness can easily escape. Thus, for a non-Muslim to falsely accuse a Muslim of any crime is very easy, if both follow their own criminal law. However, if both follow the Indian Law where the punishment is lenient for false witnesses and robbers, it will encourage both the robber to rob as well as encourage the witnesses to give false witness for their own benefit.

7. The Muslims in India would prefer the Islamic Criminal Law to be implemented on all Indians

We Muslims would prefer that in India the Islamic Criminal Law be implemented on all the Indians, since, chopping the hands of a thief will surely reduce the rate of robbery in India. Similarly, 80 lashes for giving false testimony will prevent a person from giving false witness.

8. Islamic Criminal Law is Most Practical

Islam besides pointing out a crime, it also gives you a solution showing how to prevent the crime e.g. chopping the hands of a robber, death penalty for the rapist. The punishment is so severe that it is a deterrent for the criminal to commit the crime. He will think a hundred times before committing a crime.

Thus if crime has to be reduced or stopped in India the best solution is to implement ‘The Common Islamic Criminal Law’.

READ MORE - Why don’t Muslims in India follow the Islamic criminal law?

Are Ram and Krishna prophets of God?

If according to Islam, messengers or prophets were sent to each and every nation of the world, then which prophet was sent to India? Can we consider Ram and Krishna to be messengers of God?

1. Prophets sent to every nation

a. The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Fatir, chapter 35 verse 24

". . . And there never was a people, without a warner

having lived among them (in the past)."

[Al-Qur’an 35:24]

b. A similar message is repeated in Surah Rad, chapter 13 verse 7

". . . and to every people a guide."

[Al-Qur’an 13:7]

2. Stories only of some prophets narrated in the Qur’an

a. Allah (swt) says in Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 164

"Of some messengers We have already told thee the story; of others we have not."

[Al-Qur’an 4:164]

b. A similar message is repeated in Surah Ghafir chapter 40 verse 78

"We did aforetime send messengers before thee: of them there are some whose story We have related to thee, and some whose story We have not related to thee. . ."

[Al’Qur’an 40:78]

3. 25 Prophets of God are mentioned by name in the Qur’an

By name, only 25 Prophets of God are mentioned in the Qur’an e.g. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammed (pbut)

4. More than 1,24,000 prophets of God

According to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), there were more than 1,24,000 prophets sent to this world.

5. All previous prophets sent only for their people

All the prophets that came before Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were only sent for their own people and were to be followed only for a particular period of time.

Surah Ali Imran, chapter 3 verse 49

"And (appoint him) a messenger to the Children of Israel, . . ."

[Al-Qur’an 3:49]

6. Muhammad (pbuh), the last messenger of God

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final messenger of Almighty God. It is mentioned in

Surah Ahzab, chapter 33 verse 40

"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things."

[Al-Qur’an 33:40]

7. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), sent for whole Humankind

Since Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final messenger, he was not sent only for the Muslims or the Arabs, but he was sent for the whole of humankind.

a. It is mentioned in

Surah Anbiya, chapter 21 verse 107

"We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures."

[Al’Qur’an 21:107]

b. A similar message is repeated in

Surah Saba, chapter 34 verse 28

"We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not."

[Al Qur’an 34:28]

c. It is mentioned in

Sahih Bukhari, volume 1, Book of Salaah, chapter 56 hadith no. 429

Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: Allah’s Messenger said,

"Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind."

8. Which prophet was sent to India?

Regarding the question of which prophet of God was sent to India, and can we consider Ram or Krishna to be prophets of God, there is no text in the Qur’an or Sahih Hadith mentioning the name of the prophet that was sent to India. Since the names of Ram and Krishna are nowhere to be found in the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, one cannot say for sure whether they were prophets of God or not. Some Muslims, especially certain Muslim politicians who try to appease the Hindus, say Ram Alai-his-salaam, i.e. Ram, may peace be on him. This is totally wrong, since there is no authentic proof from the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith that he was a prophet of God. However, a person may say that perhaps they may have been the prophets of God.

9. Even if Ram and Krishna were prophets, today we have to follow the last Prophet of God i.e. Muhammad (pbuh)

Even if Ram and Krishna were prophets of God, they were only meant for people of that time and were to be followed only for that particular period of time. Today, all the human beings throughout the world, including India should only follow the last and final prophet and Messenger of God – prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

READ MORE - Are Ram and Krishna prophets of God?