Lessons from Sunnah & Seerah: Understanding Prophet Muhammad's Life & Traditions, Summaries of Religion

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Lessons from the Sunnah

and Seerah of Prophet

Muhammad (PBUH)

BS Foad, M.D

The Sunnah and the Seerah

The Sunnah is the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): -His sayings -His actions -What he approved or did not object to

The Seerah is the life story of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before and after the revelation

We need to understand the Sunnah and the Seerah according to the guidance in the Qur’an. The Qur’an is closely associated with the life of Prophet Muhammad and the difficulties that he faced and solved

The life of Muhammad before the

revelation

-He was an orphan

His father died before he was born; his mother died when he was 3 years old; he was raised by his grandfather who died when Muhammad was 6 years old, then his uncle took care of him

-He was poor but had dignity

-He was from the most noble family in Quraish

-He is a descendant of Prophet Abraham

-He worked as a Shepard

-Later on he worked as a merchant , and gained experience as how to deal with people

Muhammad before the revelation

-He was known among his people as Al-Ameen (The one to be trusted ); and they kept their valuables with him for safe-keeping

-He also was known as As-Sadiq (The one who is truthful ) since he never lied or cheated

-He was also known for his sound judgment. When the chiefs quarreled among themselves who will have the honor of putting the black stone in the Ka’Ba, they accepted Muhammad as the judge, and he placed the stone in his robe and each chief held one corner of the robe carrying the stone, then he placed the stone himself in its place in the Ka’Ba

The experience that Muhammad

(PBUH) gained helped him

-Being an orphan made him kind and sensitive to

the plight and needs of those who are weak and

vulnerable

-Being a Shepherd taught him patience and gave

him time to think, reflect and consider

-Being a merchant taught him how different

people are especially in financial transactions,

and how to interact and deal with others of

different characters and dispositions

His marriage to Khdeeja

-She was his only wife for 25 years. He married her when he was 25 years old and she was 40 years old. She was a wealthy merchant and Muhammad worked for her.

-All his children came from Khadeeja (except for Ibrahim from Marium): 4 daughters and 2 sons. His sons died in infancy. All his daughters died during his life except for Fatima, his youngest daughter who died shortly after his death

-She supported him, stood by him, and provided for him a peaceful home and was given the good news that she will have a house in heaven made of pearls.

-She was the first to believe in him and accept Islam

The revelation

• Muhammad used to meditate in the cave of Hara’a searching for God. He spent the month of Ramadan in seclusion and his soul became purified and got close to God

-The Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) brought him the first verses of the Qur’an when he was 40 years old. It said: “Read in the name of your Lord who created man. He created man from a clot. Read and your Lord is most honorable. Who taught man the use of the pen. He taught man that which he did not know” Al-Alaq (Clot) 96: 1-

The revelation

The Angel appeared to the Prophet in his true

form: huge with wings

Muhammad was frightened

The Angel shook him and ordered him to read,

but he was illiterate and could not read

After this revelation the Qur’an kept coming down

in stages for the next 23 years: guiding the life of

Muslims, answering questions and giving hope

Why was the Qur’an revealed over 23

years?

1-The Qur’an came down from time to time to

answer questions and to guide the Muslims

during their struggle, and to strengthen their

hearts and to give them hope

2-If the Qur’an came down all at once, it would

have been impossible for the Prophet or his

companions to memorize it, understand it or

apply it in their lives. It is a mercy of God that

the Qur’an came down slowly over many years

The first Muslims

1- Khadeeja , his wife, was the first Muslim to believe in Muhammad as God’s messenger and to accept Islam 2-Among the men Abou Bakr , Muhammad’s close friend was the first Muslim 3-Among the children Ali, his cousin whom he took care of was the first Muslim 4-Among the captives Zaid , his slave was the first Muslim. Muhammad gave him his freedom and adopted him The early Muslims learned the Qur’an and their Islam from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This secret Da’wa lasted for 3 years Then the order came to proclaim the message : “And warn your nearest relatives and kin” Ash-Shura’a 26: 214 So Muhammad gathered his people and told them about his mission and message, and invited them to worship God

Why did the Quraish oppose

Muhammad?

“They say: “If we were to follow the guidance

with you, we would be snatched away from

our land”. Have We not established for them

a secure sanctuary, to which are brought as

tribute fruits of all kinds? A provision from

Ourselves, but most of them understand

not”

Al-Qasas 28: 57

Those in power resist social change

“Every time We sent a Warner to a population the wealthy ones among them said: “We believe not in the message with which you were sent. We have more in wealth and in sons and we cannot be chastised”. Say: “My Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases, but most people know not. It is not your wealth nor your sons that will bring you closer to Us, but only those who believe and work righteousness, these are the ones for whom there is a multiplied reward for their deeds” Sa Ba 34: 35-

Being guardians of the sacred shrine

is no substitute for faith in God

“Do you consider the giving of drink to

pilgrims, or the maintenance of the sacred

mosque equal to the pious service of those

who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and

strive in the cause of Allah? They are not

equal in the sight of Allah, for Allah guides

not those who do wrong”

At-Tawba 9: 19

The Quraish tried to discredit

Muhammad

They called him a mad person and a magician who tried to

distort the religion of their forefathers

“O you to whom the message is being revealed!

Truly you are mad and possessed! If you are telling the truth, why don’t you bring us the Angels?” Al-Hijr 15: 6 & 7

“And they say: “Tales of the ancient, which he has

caused to be written, and they are dictated to him morning and evening” Al-Furqan 25: 5