The Life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) l Basic 6 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

Learning Objectives: By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• Identify the qualities of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
• Illustrate how the Prophet (SAW) received the first revelation at Cave of Hira
• Examine his encounter with non-believers
• Discuss establishment of Ummah in Madinah after Hijrah

Lesson Content:

1. QUALITIES OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAW) BEFORE PROPHETHOOD:

Physical Qualities:

Appearance:

• Medium height, neither too tall nor too short
• Well-built and strong physical frame
• Beautiful face with bright complexion
• Dark hair and beard
• Bright, expressive eyes
• Pleasant and dignified appearance

Health and Fitness:

• Strong and healthy body
• Active and energetic
• Good physical stamina
• Graceful movements and posture

Moral and Character Qualities:

1. As-Sadiq (The Truthful)

• Never told a lie in his entire life
• Always spoke the truth, even if difficult
• People trusted his words completely
• Known for honesty in all dealings

Examples:

• In business transactions, always fair and honest
• When sharing news, always accurate
• Made promises he could keep
• Admitted when he didn’t know something

1. Al-Amin (The Trustworthy)

• People entrusted their valuables to him
• Even enemies trusted him with their property
• Reliable in keeping secrets
• Faithful to all commitments

Examples:

• Makkans left their valuables with him when traveling
• Even when leaving Makkah during Hijrah, he returned people’s belongings
• Never betrayed anyone’s trust
• Kept confidential information private

1. Generous and Kind

• Shared what he had with others
• Helped poor and needy people
• Kind to family, friends, and strangers
• Compassionate toward all creation

Examples:

• Gave food to hungry people
• Helped widows and orphans
• Kind to animals and plants
• Shared profits fairly in business

1. Patient and Gentle

• Calm and composed in all situations
• Never lost temper or became violent
• Patient with difficult people
• Gentle in speech and manner

Examples:

• Patient with rude customers in business
• Gentle with children and elderly
• Calm during conflicts and disputes
• Forgiving toward those who wronged him

1. Wise and Intelligent

• Made good decisions and judgments
• Solved problems fairly and wisely
• People sought his advice on important matters
• Had deep understanding of human nature

Examples:

• Resolved dispute over placing Black Stone in Kaaba
• Gave fair judgments in business conflicts
• Provided wise counsel to family and friends
• Made strategic decisions during challenges

Social Qualities:

Leadership:

• Natural leader whom people followed willingly
• Brought people together during conflicts
• Made decisions that benefited everyone
• Respected by all classes of society

Justice:

• Fair treatment of all people regardless of status
• Equal justice for rich and poor
• Stood up for rights of oppressed
• Never showed favoritism

Humility:

• Despite respect and honor, remained humble
• Helped with household work
• Sat and ate with servants
• Never considered himself superior to others

2. DESCRIPTION OF FIRST REVELATION AT CAVE HIRA:

Background:

The Cave of Hira:

• Small cave on Mount Hira near Makkah
• About 3 miles from the city center
• Quiet place for meditation and reflection
• Prophet used to retreat there regularly

Before the Revelation:

• Prophet was 40 years old
• Married to Khadijah (RA) for 15 years
• Had habit of going to Cave Hira for meditation
• Troubled by ignorance and idol worship in Makkah
• Seeking truth and meaning in life

The Night of Revelation (Laylatul-Qadr):

Month: Ramadan, in the year 610 CE

The Angel Appears:

• Angel Jibril (Gabriel) appeared in cave
• Appeared in his original angelic form
• Filled the cave with bright, divine light
• Magnificent and awe-inspiring presence

The First Command:

Angel’s Command: “اقْرَأْ” – “Iqra” (Read!)

Prophet’s Response: “مَا أَنَا بِقَارِئٍ” – “I am not one who reads” (The Prophet was not literate – couldn’t read or write)

Angel’s Action:

• Embraced the Prophet tightly three times
• Each time repeated the command “Read!”
• Prophet felt overwhelming pressure and awe

The First Verses Revealed:

Surah Al-Alaq (96:1-5):

اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ ○ خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ○ اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ ○ الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ ○ عَلَّمَ الْإِنسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ

Translation: “Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not.”

Prophet’s Reaction:

Fear and Trembling:

• Prophet was overwhelmed and frightened
• Never experienced anything like this before
• Rushed home to his wife Khadijah
• Asked her to cover him with blankets

What He Told Khadijah: “زَمِّلُونِي زَمِّلُونِي” – “Cover me! Cover me!” He was shaking from the powerful experience Told Khadijah everything that happened Expressed fear about what had occurred

Khadijah’s (RA) Response:

Comfort and Assurance: “كَلَّا وَاللَّهِ مَا يُخْزِيكَ اللَّهُ أَبَدًا” “No! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you.”

Her Reasons:

• You maintain good relations with relatives
• You speak the truth
• You help the poor and needy
• You serve your guests generously
• You assist those who are afflicted by calamities

Seeking Confirmation:

• Took Prophet to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal
• Waraqah was Christian scholar who knew previous scriptures
• He confirmed that this was the same angel who came to Prophet Musa
• Predicted that Prophet would face opposition from his people

3. EARLIER ENCOUNTERS WITH NON-BELIEVERS:

The Period of Secret Da’wah (First 3 Years):

Initial Approach:

• Prophet began calling people to Islam secretly
• Started with close family and trusted friends
• Gradual introduction of Islamic message
• Careful selection of early converts

First Believers:

• Khadijah (RA): First woman to accept Islam
• Abu Bakr (RA): First adult male to accept Islam
• Ali (RA): First child to accept Islam
• Zayd ibn Harithah (RA): First freed slave to accept Islam

The Period of Open Da’wah:

Divine Command to Proclaim Publicly: After three years, Allah commanded: “وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ” – “Warn your nearest relatives”

Gathering on Mount Safa:

• Prophet called all Makkan tribes to Mount Safa
• Asked if they would believe him if he told them enemy armies were approaching
• All confirmed they trusted him completely
• Then he declared his prophethood and called them to Islam

Reactions of Non-Believers:

1. Mockery and Ridicule

What They Said:

• Called him “majnun” (mad/crazy)
• Said he was “sha’ir” (poet) making up stories
• Claimed he was “kahin” (fortune-teller)
• Accused him of being “sahir” (magician)

Their Arguments:

• “These are tales of the ancients”
• “He has invented lies against Allah”
• “Why doesn’t an angel come down with him?”
• “Why wasn’t the Quran revealed all at once?”

1. Economic Boycott

Trade Restrictions:

• Refused to do business with Muslims
• Boycotted Muslim merchants
• Prevented others from trading with Muslims
• Economic pressure to force abandonment of Islam

Social Isolation:

• Cut off social relationships
• Excluded from community gatherings
• Prevented marriages with Muslim families
• Complete social ostracism

1. Physical Persecution

Against the Prophet:

• Abu Lahab threw stones at him
• People threw garbage on his path
• Spit at him and threw dust on his head
• Physical attacks during prayer

Against Early Muslims:

• Bilal (RA): Dragged on hot sand with heavy stones
• Yasir family: Parents killed, Ammar tortured
• Sumayyah (RA): First martyr in Islam
• Many others tortured and abused

1. Attempts at Negotiation

Compromise Offers:

• Worship their gods for one year, they worship Allah for one year
• Make Prophet wealthy if he stops preaching
• Make him king if he abandons his message
• Find him the most beautiful wife if he gives up Islam

Prophet’s Response: “If you put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand to give up this mission, I will not give it up until Allah makes it victorious or I die trying.”

4. ESTABLISHMENT OF UMMAH IN MADINAH AFTER HIJRAH:

Background to Hijrah:

Increasing Persecution:

• Situation in Makkah became unbearable
• Continuous threats to Prophet’s life
• Most companions had migrated to Abyssinia
• Need for safe place to establish Islamic community

The Invitation from Madinah:

• Representatives from Yathrib (later called Madinah) came for Hajj
• Met Prophet secretly and accepted Islam
• Invited him to come to their city
• Promised protection and support

The Two Pledges of Aqabah:

First Pledge (621 CE):

• 12 men from Madinah accepted Islam
• Pledged to worship only Allah
• Promised to avoid major sins
• Committed to obey the Prophet

Second Pledge (622 CE):

• 73 men and 2 women from Madinah
• Pledged to protect Prophet as they would their own families
• Committed to establishing Islamic state
• Prepared way for Hijrah

The Hijrah Journey:

Secret Departure:

• Prophet and Abu Bakr left Makkah secretly at night
• Hid in Cave Thawr for three days
• Allah protected them from search parties
• Guided by expert guide to Madinah

Divine Protection:

• Spider web covered cave entrance
• Birds nested at cave mouth
• Search parties passed by without looking inside
• Clear sign of Allah’s protection

Arrival in Madinah:

Warm Welcome:

• People of Madinah welcomed Prophet joyfully
• Children singing songs of welcome
• Women celebrating from rooftops
• Everyone wanted Prophet to stay in their home

Choosing Location:

• Let his camel decide where to stop
• Camel stopped at land belonging to two orphans
• Prophet bought the land fairly
• Decided to build mosque and home there

Establishment of Islamic Community (Ummah):

1. Building the First Mosque

Masjid an-Nabawi:

• Simple structure made of palm trunks and mud
• Served as place of worship, education, and community center
• Prophet’s home attached to mosque
• Model for all future Islamic communities

Functions:

• Five daily prayers in congregation
• Friday prayers and sermons
• Teaching Quran and Islamic knowledge
• Resolving community disputes
• Planning and coordination center

1. Brotherhood Between Muhajirun and Ansar

Muhajirun (Emigrants):

• Muslims who migrated from Makkah
• Left behind homes, property, and businesses
• Came with strong faith but few possessions
• Needed support to establish new lives

Ansar (Helpers):

• Muslims of Madinah who welcomed emigrants
• Shared homes, wealth, and businesses
• Showed unprecedented generosity and sacrifice
• Created model of Islamic brotherhood

The Pairing System:

• Prophet paired each emigrant with local helper
• Shared everything equally – homes, wealth, businesses
• Some Ansar even offered to divorce wives so emigrants could marry them
• Created strongest bonds of brotherhood in history

1. The Constitution of Madinah

First Written Constitution:

• Established rights and duties of all community members
• Defined relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims
• Created unified community from diverse tribes
• Established justice system and governance

Key Principles:

• All Muslims are one community (Ummah)
• Protection for all residents regardless of religion
• Collective responsibility for security and welfare
• Prophet as final arbitrator in disputes
• Religious freedom for all communities

1. Economic System

Zakat System:

• Obligatory charity for wealth redistribution
• Helped poor and needy community members
• Funded community projects and defense
• Created economic justice and social solidarity

Trade and Commerce:

• Encouraged honest business practices
• Established market regulations
• Promoted economic cooperation
• Built strong economic foundation

Results of Ummah Establishment:

1. Political Unity

• Transformed warring tribes into unified community
• Ended centuries of tribal conflicts
• Created stable governance system
• Established justice and rule of law

2. Social Harmony

• Brotherhood across tribal and ethnic lines
• Care for poor, orphans, and widows
• Women’s rights protected and enhanced
• Created inclusive, caring society

3. Spiritual Growth

• Regular worship and remembrance of Allah
• Quranic education for all community members
• Development of Islamic character and values
• Strong connection to Allah and His guidance

4. Economic Prosperity

• Fair distribution of wealth through Zakat
• Honest trade practices boosted commerce
• Cooperation increased productivity
• Economic security for all community members

Lessons from This Period:

For Individuals:

• Stand firm for truth despite opposition
• Trust in Allah during difficult times
• Sacrifice for the sake of faith and community
• Help others who are in need or difficulty

For Communities:

• Unity and brotherhood overcome all divisions
• Sharing and cooperation create strong societies
• Justice and fairness must be foundations of community
• Religious freedom and tolerance are essential

For Leaders:

• Lead by example and personal sacrifice
• Consult community in important decisions
• Establish clear principles and constitution
• Care for all community members equally

HOMEWORK:

1. List 6 qualities that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was known for before becoming a prophet
2. Describe what happened during the first revelation at Cave Hira
3. Explain how the Muhajirun and Ansar created brotherhood in Madinah with specific examples