Title/Agnomen: Al Mustafa , Abul Qasim
Father: Abdullah , Mother: Amina
Birth :/Place: 17 Rabi al Awal - Mecca
Death /Place :28 Safar - Medina
Lifespan:63 years
A Brief History of the Prophet"s Life LINEAGE
The oldest and noblest tribe in the whole of Arabia was Banu Hashim. They were the descendants of Ibrahim through his son Isma"il. The Arabs respected and loved them for their goodness, knowledge and bravery.
ABD AL-MUTTALIB
Abd al-Muttalib was the chieftain of Banu Hashim and he was also the Guardian of the Ka"bah. Among his ten sons, "Abdullah was the father of the Holy Prophet.
In Mecca, baby boy muhammad was born on 17th Rabi" al-Awwal, 570 AD.His father "Abdullah, son of "Abd al-Muttalib, died before he was born and when he was six, he lost his loving mother Aminah bint Wahab.His Grandfather, "Abd al-Muttalib, took the responsibility of bringing up the orphan. At the age of ten, he was berefted of his venerable grandfather.On his deathbed, he appointed his son Abu Talib as the guardian of muhammad.Gentle, soft spoken, tall and handsome boy, muhammad, accompanied the trading caravans of Abu Talib, across the deserts, giving him deep insight into nature and man.
KHADIJAH(A.S)
The wealthy noble widowed lady Khadijah, looking for a manager for her rich merchantile caravans, selects muhammad, the Trustee. Able and fair dealing,muhammad is a tremendous success. Khadijah already an admirer, made him an offer of marriage. muhammad was twenty five and Khadijah forty. In spite of this disparity in age, the marriage proved to be a very happy one. THE PROPHET
Lover of nature and quite worrried about human sufferings, muhammad very often retired to Mount Hira" for meditations. One night, Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Majesty) a voice addressing him, commanded "Recite in the name of thy Lord." Deeply excited by the strange phenomena of Divine Visitation,muhammad hurried home to his wife, Khadijah, who listened to him attentively and said that "I bear witness that you are the Apostle of God." After an interval, the voice from heaven spoke again "O thou shrouded in thy mantle, arise, and warn, and magnify thy Lord."
This was a signal for him to start preaching the gospel of truth of One God. In the beginning muhammad invited only those near him, to accept the new Faith. The first to embrace Islam among women was Khadijah and among men "Ali. Soon after, Zayd ibn al-Harithah became a convert to the new Faith.
For three long years, he laboured quietly to wean his people from the worship of idols and drew only thirty followers. muhammad then decided to appeal publicly to the Quraysh to give up idol worship and embrace Islam.The new Faith, is simple without complications, practical and useful for everyday life. It commands to believe and do good, keep up prayer and pay the poorrate, two orders giving four principles of a successful way of life.Almost ten years of hard work and preaching, in spite of all persecution,produced over a hundred followers, physical cruelties and social boycott made life unbearable in Mecca. The Holy Prophet of Islam advised his followers, to seek refuge in the to seek refuge in the neighbouring country of Ethiopia. Eighty eight men and eighteen women sailed to the hospitable shores of the Negus, under the leadership of Ja"far at-Tayyar (brother of "Ali) and the cousin of the Holy Prophet.
several times the chieftains came to Abu Talib saying, "We respect your age and rank, but we have no further patience with your nephew. Stop him or we shall fight you." Abu Talib asked muhammad for his decision.With tears in his eyes, the Apostle firmly replied, "O my uncle! If they place the sun on my right hand and the moon on my left, to force me to renounce my mission, I will not desist until God manifests His cause or I perish in the attempt."
TRAGEDIES
In a period of troubles, trials and tribulations two major tragedies afflicted muhammad. First the venerable guardian uncle Abu Talib died and shortly afterwards his noble wife Khadijah died, leaving behind her daughter Fatimah (peace be on her) - the only child she had from the Holy Prophet - the daughter who looked after her father so much so that the prophet called her Umm Abiha (the mother of her father). MUSLIM ERA
With the death of the old patriarch Abu Talib, the Meccans planned to assassinate the prophet. Under Divine guidance, he asked "Ali to sleep in his bed and muhammad put his green garment on "Ali. While the murderes mistook "Ali for muhammad, the Holy Prophet of Islam escaped to Medina.
The Muslim era of Hijrah (Emigration) is named after this incident and dated from 17th Rabi" al-Awwwal, 622 AD.
From the time he came to Medina, he was the grandest figure upon whom the light of history has ever shone. We shall now see him as the King of men, the ruler of human hearts, chief law-giver and supreme judge.The Preacher who went without bread, was mightier than the mightiest sovereigns of the earth. No emperor with his tiaras was obeyed, as this man in a cloak of his own clothing.
He laid the foundation of the Muslim commonwealth and drew up a charter which has been acknowledged as the work of highest statemanship, a master-mind not only of his age, but of all ages.
Unlike the Arabs, the Prophet, had never wielded a weapon, but now he was forced to defend Islam by force of arms. Commencing from the battle of Badr,a series of eighty battles had to be fought, which the infant commmunity defended successfully.
UHUD
Next year, Abu Sufyan, the famous long-lived enemy of Islam, again attacked the Muslims at Uhud. Hamzah, the first flag-bearer of Islam and uncle of the Prophet, was killed in action. In spite of strict instructions from the Prophet, a few Muslim soldiers deserted their post,when victory was in sight. This changed the course of the battle. Khalid ibn al-Walid attacked the Prophet and the grave situation was saved by the timely arrival of "Ali. The enemies ran away and the issue was decided. muhammad was deeply grieved at the death of Hamzah.
HUDAYBIYYAH
The Muslims had been in self exile for six years and began to feel a keen yearning for their homeland, Mecca. The Prophet desired to perform a pilgrimage to Ka"bah. When he forsook his home town he was weak, but when he wanted to return, he was strong. He did not use his strength to force an entry into the sacred city. Finding the Quraysh hostile, muhammad entered into a treaty Known as the Peace of Hudaybiyyah, appearing not very advantageous to the Muslims, but which revealed the Islamic character of moderation and magnanimity. For the strong to excercise restraint and toleration is true courage. Having reached upto the door of their birth place with hearts over-flowing with impatient longing to enter it, the Muslims retraced their steps peacefully to Medina, under the terms of the treaty, which allowed them to perform the pilgrimage next year.
MECCA
In The 8th year AH, the idolators violated the peace of Hudaybiyyah by attacking the Muslims. The enemies were defeated and Mecca was conquered.The Prophet who fled from Mecca as a fugitive, now returned home as a mighty conqueror. The Rahmatun lil "Alamin (mercy unto all beings, i.e., the Prophet) entered the city with his head bowed low in thankfulness to the Almighty (Allah) and ordered a general amnesty, instead of the mass massacre of those who persecuted him and his followers.
WIVES
A great number of Muslim soldiers were killed in battles at Badr, Uhud,Khaybar, Hunayn and other places, leaving behind young wives and children. The serious problem of taking care of the widows and orphans, threatened to break up the moral fabric of the Muslim Society. muhammad decided to marry these widows and set an example for his followers to do likewise.
LAST PILGRIMAGE
Under the Divine intuition of his approaching end, muhammad prepared to make the farewell pilgrimage to Mecca.Before completing all the ceremonies of Hajj, he addressed a huge multitude from the top of mount "Arafat on 8th Dhi al-hijjah, 11 AH,in words which shall ever ring and live in the atmosphere.
After finishing the hajj the Holy Prophet started for Medina. On his way, at Ghadir Khumm the Voice from Heaven cried: "O Apostle! deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message and Allah will protect you from the people, surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people. (5:67) muhammad immediately ordered Bilal to recall the Muslims, who had gone ahead,who were behind and who were proceeding to their homes at the junction, to assemble. The famous Sunni mutakallim and commentator, Fakhr ad-Din ar-Razi in his At-Tafsir al-Kabir, vol. 12, pp. 49-50, writes that the Prophet took "Ali by the hand and said: "Whoever whose mawla (master) I am, "Ali is his master. O Allah! Love him who loves "Ali, and be the enemy of the enemy of "Ali; help him who helps "Ali, and forsake him who forsakes "Ali."
DEATH
On muhammad"s return to Medina, he got busy settling the organization of the provinces and the tribes which had adopted Islam. His strength rapidly failed and the poison (administered at Khaybar by a Jewess) took its deadly toll. So ended the life dedicated to the service of God and humanity from first to last, on 28th Safar, 11 AH.
The humble Preacher had risen to be the ruler of Arabia. The Prophet of Islam not only inspired reverence, but love owing to his humility,nobility, purity, austerity, refinement and devotion to duty.
The Master inspired all who came into contact with him. He shared his scanty food; he began his meals in the Name of Allah and finished them uttering thanks;he loved the poor and respected them; he would visit the sick and comfort the heart broken; he treated his bitterest enemies with clemency and forbearance,but the offenders against society were administered justice; his intellectual mind was remarkably progressive and he said that man could not exist without contant efforts.
There is no god but One God and muhammad is the Apostle of God, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his descendants.
The method of visiting the shrine of the Holy Prophet (s) is as follows:
When you arrive in the holy city of al-Madinah, you may bathe yourself, preparing yourself for the ziyarah. When you intend to enter The Holy Prophet’s Mosque, you should stop at the door of the mosque and say the FIRST form of asking permission for entering there. You may enter from the Gate of Archangel Gabriel (Bab Jibra’il) preceding the right foot to the left.
You may then Allahu Akbar repeat one hundred times.
You may then offer the two unit prayer of Greeting the Mosque (tahiyyat al-masjid). After that, you may walk to the holy chamber that includes the tomb of the Holy Prophet. There, you may touch it with your hand, kiss it, and say the following:
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ
alssalamu `alayka ya rasula allahi
Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah.
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا نَبِيَّ ٱللَّهِ
alssalamu `alayka ya nabiyya allahi
Peace be upon you, O Prophet of Allah.
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنَ عَبْدِ ٱللَّهِ
alssalamu `alayka ya muhammadu bna `abdillahi
Peace be upon you, O Muhammad the son of `Abdullah.
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا خَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّينَ
alssalamu `alayka ya khatama alnnabiyyina
Peace be upon you, O Seal of the Prophets.
اشْهَدُ انَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ ٱلرِّسَالَةَ
ashhadu annaka qad ballaghta alrrisalata
I bear witness that you conveyed the Mission,
وَاقَمْتَ ٱلصَّلاةَ
wa aqamta alssalata
performed the prayers,
وَآتَيْتَ ٱلزَّكَاةَ
wa atayta alzzakata
gave alms,
وَامَرْتَ بِٱلمَعْرُوفِ
wa amarta bilma`rufi
enjoined the right,
وَنَهَيْتَ عَنِ ٱلمُنْكَرِ
wa nahayta `an almunkari
forbade the wrong,
وَعَبَدْتَ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصاً حَتَّىٰ اتَاكَ ٱليَقِينُ
wa `abadta allaha mukhlisan hatta ataka alyaqinu
and served Almighty Allah sincerely until death came upon you.
فَصَلَوَاتُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُ
fasalawatu allahi `alayka wa rahmatuhu
Blessings and mercy of Allah be upon you
وَعَلَىٰ اهْلِ بَيْتِكَ ٱلطَّاهِرِينَ
wa `ala ahli baytika alttahirina
and upon your Household, the Immaculate.
You may then stand near the fore pillar on the right hand side of the tomb with the minbar to your right, facing the kiblah, and this is where the Holy Prophet’s head rests. You may then say the following:
اشْهَدُ انْ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ
ashhadu an la ilaha illa allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu
I bear witness that there is no god save Allah, One and Only and having no associate,
وَاشْهَدُ انَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
wa ashhadu anna muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu
and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
وَاشْهَدُ انَّكَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ
wa ashhadu annaka rasulu allahi
I bear witness that you are the messenger of Allah
وَانَّكَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ ٱللَّهِ
wa annaka muhammadu bnu `abdillahi
and you are Muhammad the son of `Abdullah.
وَاشْهَدُ انَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالاَتِ رَبِّكَ
wa ashhadu annaka qad ballaghta risalati rabbika
I bear witness that you have conveyed the messages of your Lord,
وَنَصَحْتَ لاِمَّتِكَ
wa nasahta li'ummatika
offered your people good advice,
وَجَاهَدْتَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ
wa jahadta fi sabili allahi
striven hard in the way of Allah,
وَعَبَدْتَ ٱللَّهَ حَتَّىٰ اتَاكَ اليَقِينُ
wa `abadta allaha hatta ataka alyaqinu
worshipped Allah -until death came upon you-
بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ
bilhikmati walmaw`izati alhasanati
with wisdom and fair exhortation,
وَادَّيْتَ ٱلَّذِي عَلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ
wa addayta alladhi `alayka min alhaqqi
fulfilled the duty that was incumbent upon you,
وَانَّكَ قَدْ رَؤُفْتَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
wa annaka qad ra'ufta bilmu'minina
acted compassionately to the believers,
وَغَلُظْتَ عَلَىٰ ٱلكَافِرِينَ
wa ghaluzta `ala alkafirina
and been firm of heart against the unbelievers.
فَبَلَّغَ ٱللَّهُ بِكَ افْضَلَ شَرَفِ مَحَلِّ ٱلْمُكَرَّمِينَ
faballgha allahu bika afdala sharafi mahalli almukarramina
Therefore, Almighty Allah has exalted you to the most honorable position of the ennobled ones.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي ٱسْتَنْقَذَنَا بِكَ مِنْ ٱلشِّرْكِ وَٱلضَّلالَةِ
alhamdu lillahi alladhi istanqadhana bika min alshshirki walddalalati
All praise be to Allah Who has saved us, through you, from polytheism and error.
اَللَّهُمَّ فَٱجْعَلْ صَلَوَاتِكَ وَصَلَوَاتِ مَلائِكَتِكَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ
allahumma faj`al salawatika wa salawati mala'ikatika almuqarrabina
O Allah, (please do) pour Your blessings and the blessings of Your Archangels,
وَانْبِيَائِكَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
wa anbiya'ika almursalina
Your commissioned Prophets,
وَعِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّالِحِينَ
wa `ibadika alssalihina
Your righteous servants,
وَاهْلِ ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَٱلارَضِينَ
wa ahli alssamawati wal-aradina
the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth,
وَمَنْ سَبَّحَ لَكَ يَا رَبَّ ٱلعَالَمِينَ
wa man sabbaha laka ya rabba al`alamina
and all those who glorified You, O Lord of the Worlds,
مِنَ ٱلاوَّلِينَ وَٱلآخِرِينَ
min al-awwalina wal-akhirina
from the past and the coming generations,
عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُولِكَ
`ala muhammadin `abdika wa rasulika
on Muhammad—Your servant, Your Messenger,
وَنَبِيِّكَ وَامِينِكَ
wa nabiyyika wa aminika
Your Prophet, Your Trustee,
وَنَجِيِّكَ وَحَبِيبِكَ
wa najiyyika wa habibika
Your Confidant, Your Most Beloved,
وَصَفِيِّكَ وَخَاصَّتِكَ
wa safiyyika wa khassatika
Your Choice, Your Select,
وَصَفْوَتِكَ وَخِيَرَتِكَ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ
wa safwatika wa khiyaratika min khalqika
Your elite, and the best of Your creation.
اَللَّهُمَّ اعْطِهِ ٱلدَّرَجَةَ ٱلرَّفِيعَةَ
allahumma a`tihi alddarajata alrrafi`ata
O Allah, (please do) confer upon him with the Elevated Rank,
وَآتِهِ ٱلوَسِيلَةَ مِنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ
wa atihi alwasilata min aljannati
grant him the right of intercession for entering Paradise,
وَٱبْعَثْهُ مَقَاماً مَحْمُوداً يَغْبِطُهُ بِهِ ٱلاوَّلُونَ وَٱلآخِرُونَ
wab`athhu maqaman mahmudan yaghbituhu bihi al-awwaluna wal-akhiruna
and raise him to a Position of Glory that all the past and the coming generations will wish to have.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ قُلْتَ:
allahumma innaka qulta
O Allah, You have said,
«وَلَوْ انَّهُمْ إِذْ ظَلَمُوا انْفُسَهُمْ جَاؤُوكَ فَٱسْتَغْفَرُوٱ ٱللَّهَ
walaw annahum idh zalamu anfusahum ja'uka fastaghfaru allaha
“And had they, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah
وَٱسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ
wastaghfara lahum alrrasulu
and the Messenger had (also) asked forgiveness for them,
لَوَجَدُوٱ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّاباً رَحِيماً.»
lawajadu allaha tawwaban rahiman
they would have found Allah Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful.”
وَإِنِّي اتَيْتُكَ مُسْتَغْفِراً تَائِباً مِنْ ذُنُوبِي
wa inni ataytuka mustaghfiran ta'iban min dhunubi
Here I am, before you, asking Allah’s forgiveness, repenting from my sins,
وَإِنِّي اتَوَجَّهُ بِكَ إِلَىٰ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّي وَرَبِّكَ لِيَغْفِرَ لِي ذُنُوبِي
wa inni atawajjahu bika ila allahi rabbi wa rabbika liyaghfira li dhunubi
and seeking your intercession for me before Almighty Allah—your and my Lord—that He may forgive my sins.
If you have a certain request to pray Almighty Allah for granting it, you may stand before the holy tomb and make it between your shoulders, face the direction of kiblah, raise your hands, and pray for the settlement of your need, for it is predictable that your need will be settled, Allah willing.
Ibn Qawlawayh, through a considerable chain of authority, has reported Muhammad ibn Mas`ud as saying that he, once, saw Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (‘a) coming near the tomb of the Holy Prophet(s), putting his hand on it, and saying these words:
اسْالُ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِي ٱجْتَبَاكَ وَٱخْتَارَكَ
as'alu allaha alladhi ijtabaka wakhtaraka
I pray Allah -Who has chosen you, selected you,
وَهَدَاكَ وَهَدَىٰ بِكَ
wa hadaka wa hada bika
guided you, and guided (others) through you-
انْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْكَ
an yusalliya `alayka
to bless You.
«إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَىٰ ٱلنَّبِيِّ
inna allaha wa mala'ikatahu yusalluna `ala alnnabiyyi
“Surely, Allah and His angels bless the Prophet;
يَا ايُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوٱ صَلُّوٱ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوٱ تَسْلِيماً.»
ya ayyuha alladhina amanu sallu `alayhi wa sallumu tasliman
O you who believe! Call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) salutation.”
In Misbah al-Mutahajjid, Shaykh al-Tusi says: When you finish praying near the tomb (of the Holy Prophet), you may come to the minbar, pass your hand over it, hold the two lower pommels, and then rub your face and eyes, for this brings about eye healing. You may then offer prayers there, praise and thank Almighty Allah, and ask for the settlement of your needs. In this respect, the Holy Prophet (s) is reported to have said, “The area between my tomb and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise. My minbar is situated at one of the gates of Paradise.” You may then come near the standing-place of the Holy Prophet (maqam al-nabi) and offer as many prayers as possible therein. You may also offer as many prayers as possible in the Holy Prophet’s Mosque, for the reward of one prayer herein is equal to the reward of one thousand prayers (offered at other places). Whenever you enter or leave the Mosque, you may invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon the Holy Prophet. You may also offer prayers at the House of Lady Fatimah (‘a). You may also visit the standing-place of Archangel Gabriel (maqam jibra’il), which lies under the waterspout. At this very place, Archangel Gabriel used to stay after he would ask permission of the Holy Prophet (s). At this place, you may say the following:
اسْالُكَ ايْ جَوَادُ
as'aluka ay jawadu
I beseech You, O All-magnanimous,
ايْ كَرِيمُ
ay karimu
O All-generous,
ايْ قَرِيبُ
ay qaribu
O Nigh,
ايْ بَعِيدُ
ay ba`idu
O Remote,
انْ تَرُدَّ عَلَيَّ نِعْمَتَكَ
an tarudda `alayya ni`mataka
to renew Your boons to me.
Ziyarat to be recited at the shrine of Holy Prophet (sawa) in Madinah at the time of departing i.e. bidding farewell.
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ
Assalaamo a’layka yaa rasoolallaahe..
Peace be on you, O Apostle of Allah
أَسْتَوْدِعُكَ اللَّهَ وَ أَسْتَرْعِيكَ وَ أَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمَ
Astawde-o’kallaaha wa astar-e’eka wa aqra-o a’laykas salaama
I entrust you with Allah, I request Him to take care of I say “peace be on you”…
آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ وَ بِمَا جِئْتَ بِهِ وَ دَلَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ
Aamanto billaahe wa bemaa jea-ta behi wa dalalta a’layhe
I believe in Allah, and in that which you brought, and in that to which you guided.
اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَجْعَلْهُ آخِرَ الْعَهْدِ مِنِّي لِزِيَارَةِ قَبْرِ نَبِيِّكَ
Allaahumma laa taj-a’lho aakheral a’hde minnee le zeyaarate qabre nabiyyeka
O Allah let not my this visitation to the grave of Your Prophet be my last.
فَإِنْ تَوَفَّيْتَنِي قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ
Fa-in tawaffaytanee qabla zaaleka
If You cause me to die before I come here again,
فَإِنِّي أَشْهَدُ فِي مَمَاتِي عَلَى مَا شَهِدْتُ عَلَيْهِ فِي حَيَاتِي
Fa-innee ash-hado fee mamaatee a’laa maa shahidto a’layhe fee hayaatee
Then I, bear witness in my death upon what I testify in my lifetime,
أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
An laa elaaha illaa anta
That there is no god save You,
وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُكَ وَ رَسُولُكَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ
Wa anna mohammadan a’bdoka wa rasooloka sallallaaho a’layhe wa aalehi ..
And that Mohammad is Your bondman and Your Apostle, blessing of Allah be on him and his progeny..
صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ لاَ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ آخِرَ تَسْلِيمِي عَلَيْك
Sallallahu alayk assalamu alayka la ja'alahullahu akhira tasleemi alayk
May Allah bless you, peace be on you, may Allah not make this my last greeting of peace upon you
اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
allahumma salli `ala muhammadin
O Allah, (please) bless Muhammad
كَمَا حَمَلَ وَحْيَكَ
kama hamala wahyaka
as he bore Your revelations
وَبَلَّغَ رِسَالاَتِكَ
wa ballagha risalatika
and conveyed Your messages.
وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
wa salli `ala muhammadin
And (please) bless Muhammad
كَمَا أَحَلَّ حَلاَلَكَ
kama ahalla halalaka
as he declared lawful that which You deemed lawful,
وَحَرَّمَ حَرَامَكَ
wa harrama haramaka
forbade that which You deemed unlawful,
وَعَلَّمَ كِتَابَكَ
wa `allama kitabaka
and taught Your Book (to people).
وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
wa salli `ala muhammadin
And (please) bless Muhammad
كَمَا أَقَامَ ٱلصَّلاَةَ
kama aqama alssalata
as he performed the prayers,
وَآتَىٰ ٱلزَّكَاةَ
wa ata alzzakata
defrayed the poor-rate,
وَدَعَا إِلَىٰ دِينِكَ
wa da`a ila dinika
and called to Your religion.
وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
wa salli `ala muhammadin
And (please) bless Muhammad
كَمَا صَدَّقَ بِوَعْدِكَ
kama saddaqa biwa`dika
for he gave credence to Your promise
وَأَشْفَقَ مِنْ وَعِيدِكَ
wa ashfaqa min wa`idika
and feared Your threat.
وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
wa salli `ala muhammadin
And (please) bless Muhammad
كَمَا غَفَرْتَ بِهِ ٱلذُّنُوبَ
kama ghafarta bihi aldhdhunuba
as You, for his sake, forgave sins,
وَسَتَرْتَ بِهِ ٱلْعُيُوبَ
wa satarta bihi al`uyuba
concealed defects,
وَفَرَّجْتَ بِهِ ٱلْكُرُوبَ
wa farrajta bihi alkuruba
and relieved agonies.
وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
wa salli `ala muhammadin
And (please) bless Muhammad
كَمَا دَفَعْتَ بِهِ ٱلشَّقَاءَ
kama dafa`ta bihi alshshaqa'a
as You, for his sake, warded off misery,
وَكَشَفْتَ بِهِ ٱلْغَمَّاءَ
wa kashafta bihi alghamma‘a
relieved grievances,
وَأَجَبْتَ بِهِ ٱلدُّعَاءَ
wa ajabta bihi alddu`a'a
responded to prayers,
وَنَجَّيْتَ بِهِ مِنَ ٱلْبَلاَءِ
wa najjayta bihi min albala'i
and saved from misfortunes.
وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
wa salli `ala muhammadin
And (please) bless Muhammad
كَمَا رَحِمْتَ بِهِ ٱلْعِبَادَ
kama rahimta bihi al`ibada
as You, for his sake, had mercy on the servants,
وَأَحْيَيْتَ بِهِ ٱلْبِلاَدَ
wa ahyayta bihi albilada
restored lands into life,
وَقَصَمْتَ بِهِ ٱلْجَبَابِرَةَ
wa qasamta bihi aljababirata
trashed the tyrants,
وَأَهْلَكْتَ بِهِ ٱلْفَرَاعِنَةَ
wa ahlakta bihi alfara`inata
and obliterated the despots.
وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
wa salli `ala muhammadin
And (please) bless Muhammad
كَمَا أَضْعَفْتَ بِهِ ٱلأَمْوَالَ
kama ad`afta bihi al-amwala
as You, for his sake, multiplied fortunes,
وَأَحْرَزْتَ بِهِ مِنَ ٱلأَهْوَالِ
wa ahrazta bihi min al-ahwali
protected against terrors,
وَكَسَرْتَ بِهِ ٱلأَصْنَامَ
wa kasarta bihi al-asnama
broke the idols,
وَرَحِمْتَ بِهِ ٱلأَنَامَ
wa rahimta bihi al-anama
and had mercy upon the human beings.
وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
wa salli `ala muhammadin
And (please) bless Muhammad
كَمَا بَعَثْتَهُ بِخَيْرِ ٱلأَدْيَانِ
kama ba`athtahu bikhayri al-adyani
as You sent him with the best of all religions,
وَأَعْزَزْتَ بِهِ ٱلإِيمَانَ
wa a`zazta bihi al-imana
strengthened the faith through him,
وَتَبَّرْتَ بِهِ ٱلأَوْثَانَ
wa tabbarta bihi al-awthana
broke into pieces the idols though him,
وَعَظَّمْتَ بِهِ ٱلْبَيْتَ ٱلْحَرَامَ
wa `azzamta bihi albayta alharama
and poured tribute on the Holy House.
وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
wa salli `ala muhammadin
And (please) bless Muhammad
وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ ٱلطَّاهِرِينَ ٱلأَخْيَارِ
wa ahli baytihi alttahirina al-akhyari
and his Household the immaculate and virtuous
وَسَلِّمْ تَسْلِيماً
wa sallim tasliman
and send thorough benedictions on them.
On the Birth of our Master Muhammad (saws)
The conception of the mother of our Master with the Prophet (as) who has been sent to us by the Lord of the worlds is so important to the angels, the Prophets (as) and the Messengers (as) that my heart, intellect, tongue and pen cannot describe.
His birth and Prophetic mission include many Divine Favors and benefits that I cannot fully describe.
1. The Noble Prophet (as) came after 124,000 Prophets (as).
God said the following about one of them in the Holy Qur‟an: “God chose him (as) and commanded the angels to prostrate in front of him (as) and appointed him (as) as His Prophet (as)."
It says the following about another one: “The Almighty God chose him (as) as His Friend.” It says the following about another one: “It was We that made the hills declare, in unison with him, Our Praises, at eventide and at the break of day.”Sad 38:18
It says the following about another one: “The Almighty God granted such a kingdom upon him (as) that He had not given to any of the creatures.”
It says the following about another one: “The Almighty God spoke with him (as) and granted him a high rank."
And he says about another: “The Almighty God granted him a spirit (as) from His affair and granted him (as) the ability to revive the dead.” It has spoken a lot about his (as) high rank, etc.
However, none of these Prophets (as) and Trustees (as) of the past have been given access to religious and worldly sciences as much as our Master (as) has been given. None of them gained as much of the means of human and divine etiquette which our Master Muhammad (as) gained. Muhammad (as) reached his goal and through him his nation reached such a high place that cannot be described. His (as) nation filled up the East and the West with the knowledge of his (as) religion and the blessings that God granted them.
2. The Prophet (as) only had a very short time to teach his nation the sciences that spread in all lands and amongst all worshippers. This could not have been made possible except by means of clear verses and miracles from God.
He (as) spent thirteen years in Mecca during which he (as) could not make any such efforts.
Then he (as) spent ten years in Medina during which he (as) was busy fighting with the unbelievers and suffering from the disturbances of hypocrites and ignorant people. Even if he (as) had peace in all these twenty-three years and could spend it on the sciences, still this is too short a time to spread what he (as) actually spread in the world. This is one of the major miracles of the Almighty God and His Prophet (as) that the pen and the tongue cannot describe.
3. The Prophet (as) revived wisdom and the enemies of the intellect were defeated.
4. The Prophet (as) helped the intellect after reviving it at a time when the intellect had been defeated by its enemies.
5. In a very short time, the Prophet (as) elaborately introduced the purity of the previous Prophets (as) in such a way that they themselves had not been able to do so in a long time.
6. The Prophet (as) uncovered the superior place of the previous Prophets (as), their secrets and their religious laws such that none of those who claim to report their news and works had done.
7. The Prophet (as) is superior to other Prophets (as) since he (as) is their seal, their speaker, and their first and their last in having a high rank.
8. The Prophet (as) is superior to the previous Prophets (as) since the twelve Imams (as) have come from his (as) progeny and implemented the ins and outs of the religion. One of these Imams is Al-Mahdi (as) who is called from the heavens and has a rank that none of the Prophets (as) had.
On What is Narrated on Honoring the Seventeenth Night of Rabi ul-Awwal
The following is found in the forty-fifth part of the book Shafa al-Sudoor regarding the interpretation of the Chapter Isra of the Qur‟an compiled by Abi Bakr Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn Zyad known as Al-Naqash.
We read a narration regarding the ascension of the Prophet (as) that it has been on the night of the seventeenth of Rabi ul-Awwal before immigration to Medina. If what is said about the ascension on that day is true, then it is best to honor that day and respect it with performing good deeds on that night.”
Section 14 On What is Best for the Muslims To Do on the Birthday of the Prophet (as)
Know that indeed it is best to exalt each occasion based on the extent of the benefits and the goodness which accompany it.
All the Muslims have all agreed upon the fact that Muhammad (as) is the most important person born, or even the most important person ever born in the world and he has a higher rank and has more benefit than all of the creatures whose deeds and words were beneficial.
For this reason, it is best that the birthday of the Noble Prophet (as) be exalted to the extent of the nobility of the Prophethood and the benefit which he (as) has had. I have seen that the Christians and some of the Muslims exalt the birthday of Jesus (as) in such a way that no other creature in the world is exalted. I wonder why the Muslims exalt the birthday of their Prophet (as) – who is superior to all of the Prophets (as) – less than the birthday of another Divine Prophet (as). Certainly, this is improper.
It may be the case that when a person who does not have any children is blessed with a child, he becomes much happier than on the birthday of the Master of the Prophets who is the greatest creation near the Lord of the worlds! He may even exalt and glorify this occasion much more than the birthday of the Prophet (as) while this is opposed to the practice of the knowledgeable ones and it is far away from the beliefs of prosperous people.
O' the person who is acquainted with the right path, observe the etiquette of worshipping and consider the Owner of the Judgment Day! I swear to you by God! I swear to you by God! Beware that the birthday of the Seal of the Prophets (as) is not less important to you than the birthday of an individual born in this ephemeral world.
On this day you should become acquainted with the Almighty God's Favor and Blessing by creating this holy person of His for you and other worshippers and you should confess and glorify the person born on this day and seek proximity to the Threshold of the Almighty God by paying charity and praying in gratitude with the prayer which we mentioned before.
Congratulate other Muslims and proclaim the nobility of this day over other days so that the hearts of women and children become acquainted with this day and it becomes beneficial for them and causes their promotion in this world and the Hereafter.
Whoever praises something but does not glorify it and whoever exalts something but does not know what he is exalting is one of those whose behavior denies his sayings and his deeds confess to his loss and failure. This is because the Almighty God describes those who bear witness to something with their tongue but behave differently as liars and hypocrites where He says, “When the Hypocrites come to You, they say, “We bear witness that You are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” Yea, Allah knoweth that You are indeed His Messenger, and Allah beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars.” Then will this kind of confession of the hypocrites to the mission of the Noble Prophet (as) while their hearts and deeds deny what they say have any benefit for them?!
On What to End the Birth Date of the Prophet Muhammad (as) with
In this part, what the Almighty God has shown us through the narrations and the intellect are presented.
You should do more glorification and exaltation according to the extent of glory of this great holy day since it is greater than all other occasions. Moreover, you should turn to the Threshold of the Almighty God in the last moments of this day and confess to your shortcomings in recognizing the right of this blessing and acting in His Obedience and Worship. You should ask God to help you to succeed in performing superior and more complete deeds than what you can do now to make you closer to God.
You should cry in His Presence and implore the Prophet (as) who is born on this day to present all your needs to the Almighty God. You should ask the Almighty God to perfect and correct the shortcomings of your deeds and all of the affairs of which you are not informed of but is of your interest. You should consider the Prophet (as) who is born on this day and present all your deeds to him. You should commemorate the Prophet (as) as much as you can and ask him to perfect the shortcomings of your deeds with his own perfection and present them to the Mercy, Majesty and Grandeur of the Glorious God with his own hands and the power of Prophethood, kindness and intercession.
Text, translation and recitation from Duas.org
