As-Sīrah An-Nabawiyyah (The Prophetic Biography)

REMINDER: FASTING AL-AYYĀM AL-BĪD FOR RABI' AL-AWWAL 1448H Al-Ayyām al-Bīd refer to the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month. The moon is at its fullest and most luminous during this period. Fasting on these days is sunnah, mentioned in various hadith. Abu Dharr said: The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ said to me: "If you fast any part of the month, then fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th." {An-Nasai} Amr ibn al-'As said: The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ said to me: "It is sufficient for you to fast three days every month because, for every good deed, you will have ˹the reward of˺ ten like it, so that will be like fasting for a lifetime." {Al-Bukhārī} Abu Hurayrah said: "My close friend (the Prophet ﷺ) advised me to do three things which I will not give up until I die: fasting three days of each month..." {Muslim} FASTING DATES: 26th, 27th and 28th of August in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Saudi Arabia and the UK NB: Please confirm the dates with your local Islamic Centres if your country is not listed.

DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THE MONTH AND DAY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD'S BIRTH Historians and biographers disagree on the exact day and month of the Prophet's (ﷺ) birth. This uncertainty is understandable, as it was not known what status this newborn would achieve; his situation was like that of any other newborn. Thus, no one can state with certainty the date of his birth (ﷺ). Several opinions have been mentioned on this matter, including the following: 1️⃣. That he was born on 2nd Rabi'ul-Awwal. Ibn Kathir (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: "It was said that he was born on the second of the month ˹of Rabi'ul-Awwal˺..." {As-Sīrah an-Nabawiyyah (1/199)} 2️⃣. It was said that he was born on 8th Rabi'ul-Awwal. Ibn Kathir (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: "It was said that he was born on the eighth of the month ˹of Rabi'ul-Awwal˺..." {As-Sīrah an-Nabawiyyah (1/199)} 3️⃣. It was said that he was born on 10th Rabi'ul-Awwal. Ibn Kathir (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) mentioned:  "It was said that he was born on the tenth of the month ˹of Rabi'ul-Awwal˺..." {As-Sīrah an-Nabawiyyah (1/199)} 4️⃣. It was said that he was born on 12th Rabi'ul-Awwal. Ibn Kathir (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: "It was said that he was born on the twelfth of the month ˹of Rabi'ul-Awwal˺. This was stated by Ibn Ishaq. It was narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah in his Musannaf from 'Affan from Sa'īd ibn Mina that Jabir and Ibn 'Abbas said: The Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) was born in the Year of the Elephant on Monday 12th Rabi'ul-Awwal; on Monday his mission began, on Monday he was taken up to heaven, on Monday he migrated, and on Monday he died. This is the well-known opinion according to the majority. And ALLĀH knows best." {As-Sīrah an-Nabawiyyah 1/199)} 5️⃣. It was said that he was born on 9th Rabi'ul-Awwal, which corresponds to 20th April 571 CE. This is what the authors of some modern books on Sīrah regard as most likely to be correct, including Professor Muhammad al-Khudari and Safi ar-Rahman al-Mubarakfuri. Abu'l-Qasim as-Suhayli (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: "The mathematicians say that his birth occurred in the solar month of April, on the twentieth of that month." {Ar-Rawd al-Unuf (1/282)} Prof. Muhammad al-Khudari (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: "The Egyptian astronomer Mahmoud Basha (d. 1885 CE) who was well-versed in astronomy, geography and mathematics, and wrote several books based on his research stated that it was on the morning of Monday 9th Rabi'ul-Awwal, which corresponds to 20th April 571 CE. That corresponds to the first year following the elephant incident. He was born in the house of Abu Talib in Shi'ab Banu Hashim." {Nur al-Yaqīn fi Sīrat Sayyid al-Mursalīn Page 9}. See also ar-Rahīq al-Makhtum Page 41} It was also said that he (ﷺ) was born in Ramaḍān or in Safar or some other month. And ALLĀH knows best. It should be noted that celebrating the Prophet’s birthday was not prescribed by ALLĀH or by the Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ), nor was it celebrated by his companions who loved the Prophet (ﷺ) most. Therefore, it is not permissible for Muslims to celebrate his birthday, in obedience to the command of ALLĀH and the command of HIS Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever innovates into this matter of ours that which does not belong to it, it will be rejected." {Al-Bukhārī #2697, Muslim #1718} He (ﷺ) also said: "Verily he among you who lives long will see great conflicts, so you must keep to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs), those who guide to the right way. Cling to it with your molar teeth. Beware of newly invented matters in the religion, for verily every bid'ah (innovation) is misguidance." {Abū Dāwūd #4607} We ask ALLĀH to protect us from bid'ah and to bless us by helping us to follow in the footsteps of those who have attained HIS pleasure. May ALLĀH bless our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). https://t.me/prophetic_Seerah http://bio.link/albaseerah

SUMMARY OF THE PROPHET'S HIJRAH (CONCLUSION) 7️⃣. The Construction of the Prophet's Mosque and the Establishment of Brotherhood between the Muslims. Al-Zuhri (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: The she-camel of the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ knelt at the site where his mosque would later be built. At that time, some of the Muslims were already praying there. The land was a drying yard (mirbad) belonging to two orphan boys from the Ansar, Sahl and Suhayl, who were under the guardianship of As'ad ibn Zurarah. The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ negotiated with the two boys to purchase the land so that it could be made into a mosque. They said, "Rather, O Messenger of ALLĀH, we will give it to you as a gift." But the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ refused until he had purchased it from them for ten dinars. The site was an enclosed area without a roof, and its qiblah was toward Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). As'ad ibn Zurarah had already been leading the Muslims in prayer and holding the Friday prayer there before the arrival of the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ. The land contained gharqad trees, date palms, and graves belonging to the polytheists. The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ ordered that the graves be exhumed, the palm trees and other trees cut down, and the trunks arranged along the qiblah side of the mosque. The mosque was made one hundred cubits long from the qiblah wall to the rear, and approximately the same width on both sides, or slightly less. Its foundations were laid to a depth of about three cubits. The mosque was then built with sun-dried mud bricks (adobe). The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ personally joined in the construction, carrying bricks and stones with his own hands while saying:

O ALLĀH! There is no true life except the life of the Hereafter, so forgive the Ansar and the Muhajirun.

He also said:

This is the true load—not the load of Khaybar. This is purer and more pleasing to our Lord.

As they (the Companions) carried the bricks, they chanted verses. One of them would say: "If we remain sitting while the Messenger is working, then that would indeed be misguided conduct on our part." The qiblah of the mosque remained facing Jerusalem, and the mosque was built with three doors: One at the rear, One known as Bab al-Rahmah (the Gate of Mercy), And the door through which the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ entered. The pillars were made from date-palm trunks, and the roof was covered with palm branches. When someone suggested making a more substantial roof, the Prophet ﷺ replied:

No, a shelter like the shelter of Mūsā (Alayhis-salām).

Next to the mosque, the Prophet ﷺ built the rooms (hujurat) for his wives using mud bricks, with roofs of palm trunks and branches. When the construction was completed, he consummated his marriage with A'ishah (may ALLĀH be pleased with her) in the room he had built for her on the eastern side of the mosque, adjacent to it. This is the location of her chamber today. He also built another room for Sawdah bint Zam'ah (may ALLĀH be pleased with her). Afterward, the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ established the bond of brotherhood between the Muhajirun and the Ansar in the house of Anas ibn Malik. They numbered ninety men - half from the Muhajirun and half from the Ansar. He paired them as brothers based on mutual support and solidarity. They even inherited from one another after death instead of their blood relatives, and this arrangement remained in effect until after the Battle of Badr. Then ALLĀH, the Exalted, revealed:

وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَرۡحَامِ بَعۡضُهُمۡ أَوۡلَىٰ بِبَعۡضٍ فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِۗ And those of blood relationship are more entitled to one another in the Book of ALLĀH. (8:75)

He (ﷺ) restored inheritance to blood relatives, ending inheritance based on the bond of brotherhood alone. 📚 Zād al-Ma'ād (3/75-77) Translation: AlBaseerah Institute https://t.me/prophetic_Seerah http://bio.link/albaseerah

REMINDER: FASTING AL-AYYĀM AL-BĪD (THE WHITE DAYS) FOR SAFAR 1448AH The white days of the month refer to the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month. The moon is at its fullest and most luminous during this period. Fasting on these days is sunnah, mentioned in various hadith. Abu Dharr said: The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ said to me: "If you fast any part of the month, then fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th." {An-Nasai #2424} Abdullāh ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As said: The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ said to me: "It is sufficient for you to fast three days every month because, for every good deed, you will have ˹the reward of˺ ten like it, so that will be like fasting for a lifetime." {Al-Bukhārī #1874} Abu Hurayrah said: "My close friend (the Prophet ﷺ) advised me to do three things which I will not give up until I die: fasting three days of each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after Witr." {Muslim #721} FASTING DATES: 28th (Tuesday), 29th (Wednesday) and 30th (Thursday) of July in Nigeria and South Africa And, 27th (Monday), 28th (Tuesday) and 29th (Wednesday) of July Saudi Arabia. NB: Please confirm the dates with your local Islamic Centres if your country is not listed. http://bio.link/albaseerah

SUMMARY OF THE PROPHET'S HIJRAH (6/7) 6️⃣. The Prophet's ﷺ Arrival in Madinah Then, when Friday came, he (ﷺ) mounted ˹his camel˺ by ALLĀH's command to him. The time for Jumu'ah (Friday prayer) came upon him while he was among Banū Sālim ibn Awf, so he led them in Jumu'ah prayer in the mosque that was in the middle of the valley. Then he rode on, and the people took hold of the reins of his she-camel, saying: 'Come to us, where there are numbers, equipment, weapons, and protection.' But he (ﷺ) said:

Leave her, for she is commanded.

His she-camel continued carrying him, and whenever she passed by a house from among the houses of the Anṣār, they would eagerly invite him to stay with them. He (ﷺ) would reply:

Leave her, for she is commanded.

She continued until she reached the place where his mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawiyy) stands today, and there she knelt down. He did not dismount from her until she got up again and walked a short distance. Then she turned around, returned, and knelt down in her original spot. At that point he (ﷺ) dismounted, and this was in the quarter of Banū al-Najjār, who were his maternal relatives ﷺ. This was from ALLĀH's guidance and facilitation for her, for he (ﷺ) loved to stay among his maternal relatives and thereby honor them. The people then began speaking to the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ, inviting him to stay with them. But Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī quickly took his baggage and carried it into his house. The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ then said:

A man is with his baggage.

And As,'ad ibn Zurārah came and took hold of the reins of his she-camel, so she remained with him. ... Al-Barā' said: "The first of the Companions of the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ to arrive among us were Muṣ'ab ibn Umayr and Ibn Umm Maktūm. They began teaching the people the Qur'an. Then Ammār, Bilāl, and Sa'd arrived. After them, Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb came with twenty riders. Then the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ arrived. I have never seen the people rejoice over anything as much as they rejoiced at his arrival, until I even saw the women, children, and servant girls saying: 'The Messenger of ALLĀH has arrived!'" Anas said: "I witnessed the day he entered Madinah, and I have never seen a day more beautiful or brighter than the day he entered our city. And I witnessed the day he passed away, and I have never seen a day uglier or darker than the day he died." The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ stayed in the house of Abū Ayyūb until his living quarters and his mosque were built. While staying at the house of Abū Ayyūb, the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ sent Zayd ibn Ḥārithah and Abū Rāfi to Makkah, giving them two camels and five hundred dirhams. They returned to him with his two daughters, Fāṭimah and Umm Kulthūm, his wife Sawdah bint Zam'ah, Usāmah ibn Zayd, and his mother, Umm Ayman. As for Zaynab, her husband, Abū al-Āṣ ibn al-Rabī, did not allow her to leave. Abdullāh ibn Abī Bakr also came with them, bringing the family of Abū Bakr, among whom was Ā'ishah. They stayed in the house of Ḥārithah ibn al-Nu'mān. 📚 Zād al-Ma'ād (3/72-75) Translation: AlBaseerah Institute https://t.me/prophetic_Seerah http://bio.link/albaseerah

REMINDER: FASTING AL-AYYĀM AL-BĪD (THE WHITE DAYS) FOR MUHARRAM 1448AH The white days of the month refer to the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month. The moon is at its fullest and most luminous during this period. Fasting on these days is sunnah, mentioned in various hadith. Abu Dharr said: The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ said to me: "If you fast any part of the month, then fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th." {An-Nasai #2424} Abdullāh ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As said: The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ said to me: "It is sufficient for you to fast three days every month because, for every good deed, you will have ˹the reward of˺ ten like it, so that will be like fasting for a lifetime." {Al-Bukhārī #1874} Abu Hurayrah said: "My close friend (the Prophet ﷺ) advised me to do three things which I will not give up until I die: fasting three days of each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after Witr." {Muslim #721} It is also worth noting that the month of Muharram is the best month for fasting after Ramadān, as the Prophet ﷺ said: "The best fasting after Ramadān is fasting in the month of ALLĀH, Muḥarram." {Muslim #1163} Combining the virtue of Muharram with the Sunnah of the White Days makes these days even more significant. Therefore, be keen, be mindful, and eager to take advantage of these blessed opportunities. FASTING DATES: 28th (Sunday), 29th (Monday) and 30th (Tuesday) of June in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia And, 29th (Monday), 30th (Tuesday) of June and 1st (Wednesday) of July South Africa. NB: Please confirm the dates with your local Islamic Centres if your country is not listed. Also Read: The Excellence of Fasting Three Days Every Month http://bio.link/albaseerah

SUMMARY OF THE PROPHET'S HIJRAH (5/7) 5️⃣. The Arrival of the Prophet in Madinah. The Anṣār had learned that the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ had departed from Makkah and was heading toward Madinah. They would go out every day to the volcanic plain (al-Ḥarrah) and wait for him from the early part of the day. When the heat of the sun became intense, they would return to their homes. On Monday, the 12th of Rabī al-Awwal, in the thirteenth year of his Prophethood, they went out as usual. When the sun grew hot, they returned. At that time, a Jewish man climbed one of the fortresses of Madinah for some personal matter and saw the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ and his companions, dressed in white, with the desert mirage shimmering around them. He cried out at the top of his voice: "O Banū Qaylah! Here is your companion! Here is your grandfather that you have been waiting for!" The Anṣār immediately rushed to their weapons to receive the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ. The sounds of excitement and takbīr echoed among Banū Amr ibn Awf. The Muslims proclaimed "Allāhu Akbar" out of joy at his arrival and went out to meet him. They welcomed him with the greeting of Prophethood and surrounded him from all sides, while tranquility enveloped him and revelation was descending upon him. ALLĀH was his Protector, along with Jibrīl, the righteous believers, and the angels thereafter as supporters. He (ﷺ) continued until he arrived at Qubā, among Banū Amr ibn Awf. He stayed with Kulthūm ibn al-Hidm, though it is also said that he stayed with Sa'd ibn Khaythamah; the first opinion is more firmly established. He remained among Banū Amr ibn Awf for fourteen nights and established Masjid Qubā, which was the first mosque founded after the beginning of his Prophethood. 📚 Zād al-Ma'ād (3/71-72) Translation: AlBaseerah Institute https://t.me/prophetic_Seerah http://bio.link/albaseerah

SUMMARY OF THE PROPHET'S HIJRAH (4/7) 4️⃣. The Remarkable Encounter of Surāqah ibn Mālik during the Prophet's Hijrah When the polytheists lost hope of capturing the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr, they offered a reward equal to the blood-money (diyah) for each of them to whoever brought them back. As a result, the people exerted themselves vigorously in searching for them. But ALLĀH'S decree always prevails. As they passed by the territory of Banū Mudlij, travelling northward from Qudayd, a man from the tribe spotted them and came to his people saying: "I have just seen some figures on the coast, and I think they are none other than Muhammad and his companions." Surāqah ibn Mālik immediately realized what was happening and wanted the reward for himself alone - though it was already decreed for him a far greater success than he could have imagined. So he said: "No, they are merely so-and-so and so-and-so who have gone out in search of something they lost." He remained for a short while, then entered his tent and instructed his servant: "Take the horse out from behind the tent and meet me behind the hill." He then took his spear, lowered its tip, dragging it along the ground so as not to attract attention, and mounted his horse. When he drew near to them and heard the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ reciting Qur'an - while Abu Bakr kept looking back repeatedly and the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ did not turn around - Abu Bakr said: "O Messenger of ALLĀH, this is Surāqah ibn Mālik. He has caught up with us." The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ supplicated against him, and immediately the forelegs of Surāqah's horse sank into the earth. Surāqah then said: "I know that what has happened to me is because of your supplication. So pray to ALLĀH for me, and I promise that I will turn the people away from pursuing you." The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ supplicated for him, and he was released. Surāqah then asked the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ to write him a document of security. By the Prophet's command, Abu Bakr wrote it for him on a piece of leather. Surāqah kept this document until the day of the Conquest of Makkah. He later brought it to the Prophet ﷺ, who honored it and said: "This is a day of fulfillment and loyalty." Surāqah offered them provisions and riding animals, but they replied: "We have no need for them. Rather, help conceal our whereabouts." He said: "You have been spared." He then returned and whenever he encountered people searching for them, he would say: "I have already investigated the matter for you. There is nothing here. You have no need to search this area." Thus, at the beginning of the day he had been striving to capture them, but by its end he had become their protector and guardian. 📚 Zād al-Ma'ād (3/66-67) Translation: AlBaseerah Institute https://t.me/prophetic_Seerah http://bio.link/albaseerah

SUMMARY OF THE PROPHET'S HIJRAH (3/7) 3️⃣. The Hijrah To The Cave The Quraysh intensified their search for the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr and brought along expert trackers until they reached the entrance of the cave and stood over it. In the Two Ṣaḥīḥs (al-Bukhārī and Muslim), Abu Bakr (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of ALLĀH, if one of them were to look beneath his feet, he would see us." The Prophet ﷺ replied: "O Abu Bakr, what do you think of two when ALLĀH is the third of them? Do not grieve; indeed, ALLĀH is with us." The Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr could hear their conversation above their heads, but ALLĀH, the Most High, concealed them from their sight. Meanwhile, 'Āmir ibn Fuhayrah was tending Abu Bakr's sheep around them. He would listen to what was being said in Makkah and then bring them the news. Before dawn, he would return with the people so as not to arouse suspicion. Ā'ishah (may ALLĀH be pleased with her) said: "We prepared their provisions as quickly as possible. We placed food for them in a travel bag. Asmā bint Abu Bakr (may ALLĀH be pleased with her) tore a piece from her waistband and tied the bag with it. She tore the other half and used it as a strap for the mouth of the water-skin. Because of this, she was given the title 'Dhāt an-Niṭāqayn' (The Woman of the Two Waistbands)." Al-Ḥākim narrated in his Mustadrak that Umar (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ set out for the cave with Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr would sometimes walk ahead of him and sometimes behind him. The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ noticed this and asked him about it. Abu Bakr replied: 'O Messenger of ALLĀH, when I remember those pursuing us, I walk behind you; and when I remember the possibility of an ambush, I walk in front of you.' The Prophet ﷺ said: 'O Abu Bakr, if anything were to happen, would you prefer that it happen to you rather than me?' Abu Bakr replied: 'Yes, by the One who sent you with the truth.' When they reached the cave, Abu Bakr said: "Stay where you are, O Messenger of ALLĀH, until I inspect the cave for you." He entered and thoroughly checked it. When he reached the upper part of the cave, he remembered that he had not checked one of the holes, so he said: "Stay where you are, O Messenger of ALLĀH, until I inspect this hole." He checked it and then said: "Come down, O Messenger of ALLĀH." So the Prophet ﷺ entered. They remained in the cave for three nights until the search for them had died down. Then Abdullāh ibn Urayqiṭ arrived with the two riding camels. They set out on their journey, Abu Bakr taking Āmir ibn Fuhayrah behind him on his mount, while the guide led the way ahead of them. The care of ALLĀH watched over them, HIS support accompanied them, and HIS aid carried them onward and brought them safely to their destination... 📚 Zād al-Ma'ād (3/65-66) Translation: AlBaseerah Institute https://t.me/prophetic_Seerah http://bio.link/albaseerah