Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ): Establishment of Islamic State at Medina and Rise of Islam

With the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in Yathrib (now Medina), the life of people of city changed altogether. The Muslims who had migrated from Makkah and been wholeheartedly welcomed by the locals and accommodated in their houses till the made their own in due course of time. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)too had temporarily lived in the house of Abu Ansari till he moved to his own small hujra (a living room adjacent to a masjid). The locals who gave sheltered to the immigrants (henceforth called the Muhajreen) from Makkah were started to be called as Ansars (brothers, supporters or helpers).

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) after his arrival in Yathrib, straightaway concentrated his efforts to bring about peace and reconciliation on among the troubled   tribes including the local Jews and people of the book, and set into motion a number of efforts that later laid the foundation of what is still called the Welfare State of Medina. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) specially emphasized on relations with the People of the Book, that is Jews and Christians. 

Side by side, the open invitation of Islam was given to the people of Media, who started to accept Islam slowly first and then the pace picked up at a faster rate when the rich and influential also accepted Islam. And by and by a Islam had spread amongst a sizable number of the local community. With the Arrival of the Muslims and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself, the city of Yathrib now started to be called as Madina tun-Nabi (city of the Prophet), which later changed to Al-Madina al Munawara (illuminated city) - a name that Medina is still continued to b e called so. 

While immigrants of Makkah started to make their own small houses, they along with Ansars started to make the first masjid in city, called Masjid ul Nabavi, the Masjid of the Prophet. Besides others, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also took part in the construction of the masjid with mud and palm tree husks. Soon after its completion, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) shifted to small adjacent mud house. After its completion, five times prayers started to be held regularly, attended by all Muslims. The five times a day gatherings also allowed the prophet to educate the newly converted Muslims about basics of Islam and how to resolve issues in the light of teachings of the Qur'an as commanded by Allah.

The consolidation and emergence of a social and political system along with rise in number of people embracing Islam threatened the rich traders and merchants of Makkah as one of the important trade route from Syria passed close to Medina. and by and by these trade caravans started to be raided by the Muslims. In one instance, a trade caravan spotted the presence of Muslims and were under threat and conveyed the news to Makkah. Thus a strong army of 1,000 was dispatched from Makkah which reached near the place of Badar. In the meantime the caravan changed its course and safely reached Makkah but the chieftains at Makkah decided to embattle the Muslims and break their strength. 

Thus the first battle between the Muslims and infidels of Makkah was fought at Badar in which 313 Muslims included the prophet participated. The Muslims brought about a humiliating defeat on the infidels and inflicted heavy casualties. The victory raised the morale of Muslims while the defeated infidels returned to Makkah welcomed by lamenting women. 

Thereafter, many battles were fought between the armies of Makkah and Medina generally tilting in favour of the Muslims with some setbacks. Read detailed account of some of the important and decisive battles under the heading MORE on the blue bar and drop down sub menu of Decisive Battles of Islam.

As mentioned earlier, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) wanted to have cordial relations with the people of the Book that is Jews and Christians. But Jews did not whole heartedly accepted a non Jew to be at the helms of the affairs in Medina. The Jews ridiculed him and did not view Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as a true messenger of Allah. The Jews also started to contrive with the infidels of Makkah to ensure any future role of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in the affairs of running of the Medina government.

After the Battle of Badr, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) expelled  Banu Qaynuqa, one of the three prominent tribes of the Jews from Medina for they were in the forefronts to reject the Prophet hood of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

In the meanwhile, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) started to enter into alliances with other tribes friendly to Islam to strengthen ands secure his boundaries. As Muslims strength and influence expanded, the tribes in Makkah started to raise army to stop the expanding influence of Islam and the send battle with the Muslims was fought at the semi mountainous terrain of Uhud. Although Muslims initially gained an upper edge over the army of Makkah, Muslims broke ranks after the fleeing Makkah army and also left a vantage post held by Muslims archers specially positioned by the Prophet. This was spotted by a segment of army of Makkah which came at the back of Muslims and inflicted heavy casualties. Muslims got hold of themselves and retreated to a higher ground to suffer any other further losses. In the process one of the teeth of the Prophet was also broken due to an arrow. Seeing the Muslims back into dominating position, the army of Makkah also retreated and went back to Makkah without completely destroying the Muslim army.

After the Battle of Uhud, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) started taking stock of its followers and army and also started monitoring the Jews of Medina who had been taking the sides of the tribes of Makkah. He therefore expelled the second Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir. But despite that the tribes at Makkah with connivance of tribes around Medina once again started to threaten Muslims.

Thus Abu Sufyan, the leading trade merchant and dominating personality of Makkah contrived with the expelled Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir and raised an army of 10,000. At that time Muslim army only numbered 3,000 and was in no position to fight a battle in the open. Therefore when the army of Makkah marched towards Medina, Muslims changed their tactics and dug a trench around Medina. The siege of Medina that started on 31 March 627, continued for weeks and the army of Makkah got weary of such kind of battle tactics and compelled their leaders to break the siege and go back. During the battle that ensued the last Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza changed sides and retreated from coalition. When the siege of Median was finally lifted, Muslims besieged the Jewish tribe who surrendered. 


Thereafter, the Muslims influence started to expand northwards which almost made it possible for the trade caravans of Makkah to freely use the Medina route and drastically reduced their trade with Syria.

.... continuing
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The Miracle of Moon Split

One of the miracles attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the splitting of the moon. although the subject has been supported and criticized by both Muslims and Non Muslims,. but the fact remains that heavenly and prophetic miracles cannot be proved or supported by science or any logical explanation. The miracles happen through prophets as by these Allah sends messages to the non believers of his absolute power and ability to do wonders or miracles much beyond the comprehension or wisdom of man. 

Talking of miracles, no science or mathematical calculations prove the making of a giant boat by Prophet Noah that carried pair of each existing animals of the time beside his own people. Nor has science been ale to prove the magnitude of the flood that followed and drowned the entire world under its enormous amount of water. 

Likewise, the ability given to Prophet Eesa (Jesus, peace be upon him) to cure the lepers and blind and raising of the dead. No one has ever questioned these miracles ever as these suit some of the religions earlier than Islam. Since Islam is seen as a threat to their faith, many non Muslims authors, scholars and religious men have taken upon them to negate and mock the miracles attributed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

However, the purpose of this post is not to open a debate forum to prove who and what is right. Instead this post is only to describe the miracle of splitting of the moon attributed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). However, since the miracle has been mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, we Muslims believe it to be absolute true as nothing in the Qur'an has ever been proven wrong. 

The incident is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an as under:

The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]. And if they see a miracle, they turn away and say, "Passing magic." And they denied and followed their inclinations. But for every matter is a [time of] settlement. (Al Qur'an 54: Surah Al Qamar Verses 1-3)

It so happened that one night when Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was out of the city of Makkah in an open area of Mina in the company of the non believers, the latter demanded of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to show that a miracle as a proof of his prophet-hood, like splitting of the moon. The moon shone above as bright and full as it was the 14th of the moon rise day.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) silently prayed to Allah (subḥānahu wa ta'āla - glorified and exalted be He) and asked to bestow upon him the miracle demanded to split the moon. A short while later, Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) informed the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that Allah had accepted his prayer. Then the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) raised his index finger and made of gesture sideways and the moon was seen split into two and seen cleft asunder. On seeing the moon split, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  said to his companions, 'Bear witness (to this). This how Allah saves His chosen ones, prophets and messengers from humiliation in front of pagans and the non believers.

Those who do not believe in the word of Qur'an or the commandment of Allah may know that it was foretold in the Qur'an about the victory of the Rome against the Persians which a prophet, what a to say even a false prophet, could not have predicted. And as predicted in the Qur'an, the Rome did rise and avenged their humiliating defeat. And if this is not all, there are many references and revelations that science later proved to be right and some still remain which someday will find answers.

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The Miraculous Journey of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to Jerusalem (Israa) and Heavens (Mairaj)

Just a year before migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad (peace by upon him - ﷺ) from Makkah to Medina, a miracle took place when Allah had the prophet toured Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem and from their his accession to the seven skies and Heavens when Allah spoke to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  with a hijab in between. His flight at night from Makkah to Jerusalem is called as "Israa (In Arabic Israa means walking or traveling at night)" and his accession to Heavens is known as Mairaj (in Arabic Mairaj means ladder, rising or accession). This miraculous journey happened on the night of 27 Rajab, 621 CE.

The event is described in the Holy Qur'an as under:

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing." (Al Qur'an Surah Al Israa 17:1)

As later revealed by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself to his companions, he was taken on a heavenly steed called "Buraq" brought by Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) from Makkah to the farthest mosque in Jerusalem. The mosque is quoted to be the Masjid Al Aqsa, the first Qibla or the direction in which Muslims were asked to offer their prayers. From here Angel Jibraeel and Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) ascended to the Heavens and had the honour of speaking directly to Allah Almighty.

The event of Mairaj is mentioned in Qur'an not directly but those who can correlate the events can best understand the Heavenly language:

"And [remember, O Muhammad], when We told you, "Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the people." And We did not make the sight which We showed you except as a trial for the people, as was the accursed tree [mentioned] in the Qur'an. And We threaten them, but it increases them not except in great transgression." (Al Quran Surah Al Israa 17:60)

And he certainly saw him in another descent,
At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary -
Near it is the Garden of Refuge -
When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it].
The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.
(Al Qur'an Surah Al Najm 53:13–18)

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) offed prayers at a place of Prophet Musa (Moses) and then Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) lead a prayer at Masjid al Aqsa which was attended by a number of exalted prophets like Prophets Ibraheem (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and Eesa (Jesus), peace be upon them all.  

From the same place, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was taken up to the Heavens by Angel Jibraeel and shown the seven levels of the sky and Heavens. At each level Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) met the most revered prophets:  At the first level he met the father of all prophets Adam, followed by Prophet Zackariah (John the Baptist and Prophet Eesa (Jesus), Prophet Yousaf (Joseph), Prophet Idris, Prophet Haroun (Aaron), Prophet Musa (Moses) and last Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham).

After the prayer, Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) brought two bowls; one of had wine and the other had milk, and asked to “Have either of them!" Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) chose the milk. Angel Jibraeel said to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), "You chose the natural one; if you had chosen the wine, your ummah would have gone astray after you. You were led to the natural state by choosing the milk; your ummah was led to the natural state, too. Wine was rendered haram (forbidden) for you!” 

Thereafter, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) visited Bayt al Mamoor (the much frequented house), which seventy thousand angels visited every day. This was followed by visit to to Sidra al-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Extremity). Sidra al-Muntaha is a tree the roots of which are on the sixth level with branches all over the seventh level, thus providing a shadow that covers the whole sky and Paradise; its leaves are like elephant ears and its fruits are like large jars.

Form thereafter, Angel Jibraeel told the prophet that from then on he was to travel alone to the seventh level as his wings would burn from the Noor (Light) of the Allah Almighty. There on the seventh level, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  met his Creator Allah the Almighty with a hijab in between, though at some places it is mentioned that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  met Allah face to face. This seems a little exaggeration as Allah is not a human form but a source of immense light as was witnessed by Prophet Musa (Moses) at Jabl e Toor when he received the famous Ten Commandments.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  is also said to have toured the Heaven and Hell and was shown how the blessed and the cursed will live their lives in hereafter. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  was also asked by Allah that all Muslims should pray for 50 times a day. When he descended and Prophet Mus asked him what he brought for his followers, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  replied: 50 prayers. To this Prophet Musa asked Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  to go back as his followers will not able to pray 50 times a day. Prophet Muhammad (?) went and had the prayers reduced to 45 times. Once again Prophet Musa showed his reservation and asked to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  to have the number reduced. This continued till the number was finally reduced to five. Although Prophet Musa still insisted for a further reduction, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  replied that he would fell embarrassed for any more request. Thus Muslims since then offer prayers five times a day, though some still not completing the total count as appreciated by Prophet Musa.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) then descended to place of Masjid Al Aqsa where he had tied the heavenly steed Buraq at the gate of the masjid, mounted on Buraq and returned to Makkah. The entire journey took place between the the night prayer and the morning prayer. This is just a shortened description of Israa and Mairaj. For complete details you may consult the sites given in reference.

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Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): Migration to Medina (Hijrah) and Miracle of Allah

A major milestone in the history of Islam is the decision by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him - ﷺ) to migrate from Makkah to Media, then called Yathrib. The decision was not easy or entirely by the prophet himself, but it was rather forced upon him due to the ever increasing treacheries of the non believers of Makkah since the open proclamation of Islam by the prophet. The poor newly converted Muslims were the main target of the non believers who where and when found were subjected to extreme torture and their house ransacked.

In the meantime, there was a parallel development taking place in the city of Yathrib in the form of power politics. The state of unrest was mainly due to a long ongoing dispute between the local Arabs and the Jews, which had resulted into many bloody clashes costing precious lives. Thus a delegation from Yathrib elders visited Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  in Makkah and requested him to be their arbitrator to bring peace to the community.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  thus decided to migrate to Yathrib to find him a breathing space away from the hostile non believers of Makkah and thus asked his followers to slowly and gradually to head for Yathrib.

The non believers came to know of plan of migration of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and decided to assassinate him before he too left. They thus planned the raid on the night before move of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Sensing the danger, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had already left his cousin Ali ibn Talib and surreptitiously left Makkah along with his trusted friend and companion Abu Bakr. The presence of Ali in the house of the prophet frustrated the non believers and they sent out armed horsemen to follow Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  and his companion on the route to Yathrib.

By dawn Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr had reached a cave called Thawr and decided to take shelter in there to avoid detection. They stayed there for three days. One day one of the armed teams reached the mouth of the cave and both Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  and his companions could hear their voices outside. This rather scared Abu Bakr, but at that time Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  assured him of Allah's protection and said: “How can you be apprehensive about two with whom is a third, especially when the third one is Allah (ﷻ)?” And true to assurance of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the team after some time retracted and went back.

Unknown to both, Allah (ﷻ) had sent a spider that built its web on the mouth of the cave and a pair of doves came and made a nest near the cave mouth and laid eggs. The armed team when saw these two signs thought no one could have entered the cave from the intact web and disturbing the doves. The miracle of Allah thus saved the two.

The episode of Thawr is mentioned in Qur'an as under:

If ye help not (your leader), (it is no matter): for Allah did indeed help him, when the Unbelievers drove him out: he had no more than one companion; they two were in the cave, and he said to his companion, “Have no fear, for Allah is with us”: then Allah sent down His peace upon him, and strengthened him with forces which ye saw not, and humbled to the depths the word of the Unbelievers. But the word of Allah is exalted to the heights: for Allah is Exalted in might, Wise.“ [Surah Al Taubah 9:40]

Once reassured of their safety, the prophet and his companion left of Yathrib on the fourth day. Back in Yathrib, the Muslims who had earlier migrated from Makkah along with locals eagerly waited for the prophet. They would queue up at the mouth of Makkah - Yathrib route awaiting for their revered guests. 

Upon their arrival, they were greeted by the locals and everyone wanted the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to stay with them. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  who was riding his white camel "Qiswa" said that whereever her camel stops, he would stay with that household. The camel kept wandering in the streets followed by the crowd wanting to know who the blessed host of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would be. Finally the camel sat in front of the house one Abu Ayub Ansaari. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stayed with his host till his abode was ready and shifted there.The house of Abu Ayub Ansaari is part of Masjid e Quba. 

The life at Yathrib and the later part of life of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) will be covered in the next post.

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Prohibition of intoxicants

There are few things that Muslims have been asked to avoid or to completely stay away from. One of the things not to be taken in any cost is the pork or meat of animal T the time of slaughter of which name of Allah has not been taken or the meat of the dead animal. This subject has been adequately covered in one of our previous posts titled Prohibition of Pork.

Today this post concerns all intoxicants including wine and alcohol which may temporarily incapacitate one's ability to think clearly and act wisely. We all know when under the influence of intoxicants, people tend to take actions for which they are later ashamed of.

In Islam, the prohibition of intoxicants came in stages since an outright rejection might have had a rather heavy sacrifice for the newly converted Muslims who were heavy drinkers as per the prevailing norms of Arabia. Thus in the first instance, the Muslims were asked not to offer prayers when under the influence of intoxicants as they would not be able to abide by the etiquettes of standing and praying in front of their lord, and to respect the monologue between a Muslim and Allah:

"O ye who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when ye are drunken, till ye know that which ye utter." (Al-Qur'an Surah An Nisa 4:43)

Allah's Messenger has been quoted, as reported by Abdullah ibn 'Umar, in At-Tirmidhi, as saying, "If anyone drinks wine God will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents God will forgive him. If he repeats the offense God will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents God will forgive him. If he again repeats the offense God will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents God will forgive him. If he repeats it a fourth time God will not accept prayer from him for forty days, and if he repents God will not forgive him, but will give him to drink of the river of the fluid flowing from the inhabitants of Hell."

The explicit and exclusive commandments came from Allah to outrightly reject intoxicants. The prohibition of intoxicants is clearly stated in the Holy Qur'an:

"They question thee about strong drinks and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin, and (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than their usefulness." (Al-Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 2:219)

“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah ], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” (Al-Qur’an Surah Al Ma'idah 5:90)

Although the word "Avoid" has been used in the commandment from Allah, this clearly means that anything that Allah has asked its followers to avoid has some wisdom behind it and must therefore be avoided in true letter and spirit. 

In the Bible too, though the word prohibition is not used, the following verses spell out why wine or other intoxicants are to be avoided:

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” [Proverbs 20:1]

“And be not drunk with wine.” [Ephesians 5:18]

From the above verses it is clear that a small quantity leads to over drinking and causes harms much beyond the expectations of the drinker. When under the influence of intoxicants, one loses control of one's senses and people are more often than not are seen loudly abusing, sexually assaulting, urinating ( as they lose control over the restraining instincts and ability). In many cases females are given high doses of intoxicants to sexually abuse when they lose control over their thinking ability.It is only when the effect of intoxication is over, one is ashamed of one's acts which later become a lifetime source of remorse and regret.

It may be added here that In Qur'an, the word wine or alcohol is not specifically used. Instead the word "Kham'r" is used. Kham'r is any substance or emotion or feeling that covers one's judgment and reasoning about right from wrong. It can be defined as a state of "intoxication", a state of "altered consciousness", a state of "stupor".

Adding to the explanation of the above referred verses of the Holy Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been quoted as saying:

“Alcohol is the mother of all evils and it is the most shameful of evils.” (Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3371.)

and

“Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity, is prohibited even in a small quantity.” Thus there is no excuse for a nip or a tot. (Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3392)

Al-Hakim narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said : "He who commits adultery, fornication, or drinks wine, Allah removes that person's faith from him in the same way as one takes off one's clothing."

Anything that has been prohibited or asked to be avoided by Allah may certainly have been done so in good for the mankind. It is the science and development of medicine science which has lately covered the ill effects of intoxicants on the health of humans. Some of the intoxicant related diseases include:

1. Cirrhosis of Liver

2. Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc.

3. Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis

4. Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and Heart Attacks

5. Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis 

6. Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy 

7. Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events,confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types of paralysis 

8. Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra occurs in alcoholics.

9. Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent infection of alcoholics or post operatively. 

10. Numerous Endocrine Disorders ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome.

11. Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency, however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive’s syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia, Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges.

12. Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities 

13. The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol.14. Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The esistance to disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol intake.

15. Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.

16. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the cough reflexes which are protective are paralyzed. The vomitus thus easily pass to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may even cause suffocation and death.

17. Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the fetus. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognized more and more in the medical profession.

18. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.

19. Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails) and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common diseases among alcoholics.

The commandments of Allah are always for the benefit of the mankind and though ills of every type exist around us, it is only those who fear Allah who save and protect them from those which have been asked to be avoided. All such commandments thus be taken seriously for own sake and sake of the society which are badly influenced and effects by individual acts of misuse by indulging into alcoholism and intoxication.

May Allah guide us to be always on the righteous path and may He save us from all ills prohibited for us. Aameen 

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Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) : Open Proclamation of Islam

For three years Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) spread the word of Allah surreptitiously and quietly. The newly converted Muslims also kept low as most of them were hesitant to reveal their new identity as they could have attracted a strong reaction from the non believers of Makkah. 

The population of Muslims increased slowly and by 613, three years since 610 when the first verses of Qur'an were revealed onto Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Allah commanded the prophet to openly spread the word of Allah. That was the day of great joy for the Muslims as they following the prophet came out of their houses loudly speaking the first kalima, "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is messenger of Allah."

Naturally this infuriated the non believers as except for a modest community which believed in oneness of God, all believed in countless gods and worshiped their idols placed in and around the Ka'ba, once built by Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham, peace be upon him) with the aid of his son Prophet Ismail (Ishmael, peace be upon him) to be the home of Allah. 

The emergence of a new religion started ringing bells of alarm in he rank and file of big merchants of Makkah as any unrest in Makkah was a direct threat to their trade and relations with other non Muslims tribes near and far.

But the real strong reaction came from the non believers or infidels as they are mostly called when the prophet proclaimed that worshiping of the idols was an unforgivable sin and that polytheism they had been practicing was against the spirit of Islam and oneness of Allah.

Initially, the rich and famous of Makkah politely requested Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) not to denounce the religion and faith of his forefathers and even his own tribe Bani Hashim, which was entrusted with the upkeep and maintenance of Ka'aba and looking after the trade caravans coming to Makkah. But Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) flatly refused and continued with his Godly mission. They then try to bribe him with wealth, a place in the elite of Makkah and even asked him to pick up any woman he wanted from the women of Makkah. But these wordily gifts were nothing against the benefits Allah had promised for the Muslims both during this world and hereafter.

The non believers then approached Abu Talib, the ailing and very old uncle of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and requested him to persuade his nephew from propagating his new religion. When Abu Talib called his nephew and conveyed him the message of the non believers, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Even if they place sun on my one hand the moon on the other, I would not fall back from what he was commanded to do by Allah.

With this open negation of their request, the non believers joined hands and become extremely hostile to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers. And everyday there would be open scenes of torture of Muslims to scare away other potential followers of Islam. The earliest martyrs of Islam were a very old couple who were slaves of a rich merchant of Makkah, Abu Jahal. The wife Sumayyah bint Khayyat was stretched on burning sand of Makkah with her hands and legs stretched out bound. When she still refused to denounce Islam, Abu Jahal killed her with his spear. Her husband too was tortured and killed, both right in front of their son.

Bilal was a African slave, whose master Umayyah ibn Khalaf when came to know of Bilal's acceptance of Islam, he too was laid down on the burning sands with only a short cloth covering his lower half and a heavy stone placed on his chest. Despite the pain and burning, Bilal continued to call "Ahad (meaning Allah is one)." The ritual continued for many days till his master left him for being no use to him.

Following increased hostility of the people of Makkah, the prophet allowed a group of Muslims to Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum, which was then ruled by a just and kind Christian king Najashi. The non believers sent a contingent to Najashi to persuade hm to return the Muslims but when Najashi asked them to tell him what Muslims thought of Jesus, they narrated the entire episode of how Jesus was born as a miracle of Allah and how he was chosen to be a prophet. Listening to these divine verses, the King found truth in the Quranic verses and allowed them to live peacefully in his country.

Hoping no turning back of Muslims to their original faith, the notables of  Makhzum and Banu Abd-Shams tribes boycotted the Banu Hashim tribe, to which the prophet belonged to and were denied of all food and water for almost three years. This was the worst time for the Muslims of Makkah and the cries of women and children due to hunger and thirst could be heard in Makkah but the non believers were unmoved. It was only after three years that the boycott ended and the Muslims were allowed back in Makkah.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was to suffer yet a fatal blow of events in 619 when one after the other his uncle Abu Talib, who even though had not accepted Islam continued to support and protect his nephew against the powerful elite of Makkah, and prophets wife Khadija passed away.  The year is thus known as the "Year of Sorrow" in Muslim history.

After Abu Talib, his brother Abu Lahab took over the reins of Banu Hashim. Lahab was a staunch infidel and deadly against his nephew. With him at the head of the tribe, Lahab served all links with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This left him in extreme danger and made him vulnerable to the treacherous attitude of the infidels. He thus tried to seek refuge and protection from other tribes and even traveled to Taif, a hilly and pleasant place of Arabia. But there too the non believers treated him unjustly and stoned him and he was wounded to an extent that Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) came to him and asked his permission to destroy the town and people of Taif. But the prophet exercised extreme restraint and came back to Makkah. 

Since the life in Makkah had become very difficult at the hands of the non believers, the prophet finally decided to migrate to Yathrib (now called Madina), his ancestral town. And in 620, All Muslims of Makkah left for Yathrib in groups though still being chased by the infidels but all made it safely to Yathrib. This left the prophet and a few companions back in Makkah till they also migrated to Yathrib.

During the last days of stay in Makkah, two miracles happened that still mystifies the world: The splitting of the moon and The Miraculous Journey of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to Jerusalem (Israa) and Heavens (Mairaj). Read details about these two and many other important events by clicking on MORE (the last heading on the blue bar) and click on Major Events in History on the drop down menu.

A detailed account of prophet's migration will be posted in our next post.

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Scriptural Contradictions lead a Jew to Embrace Islam

Each personal account of non Muslims embracing Islam is unique and worth listening to and reading. I came across this account of a Jew embracing Islam in the Arab News and this time the scriptural contradictions and the truth made this young man to embrace Islam. And reading his account I wonder why our faith leaders and scholar paint a picture that may ultimately lead to the truth which weightier and logical.

This young man Musa was 15 when he developed interest in other religions than his own that of orthodox Jews. He did not have many friends so he started having chat with different people of different faiths and even Muslims, discussing various queries that he had had about his own faith. 

One day while reading the account of Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) and his brother Prophet Haroun (Aaron, peace be upon him) in the Old Testament, he got puzzled as to how Prophet Haroun could have made the calf from the ornaments and gold pieces in the absence of Prophet Musa and lead his people to worship the gold calf. He wondered prophets don't commit sin and that too of idolatry and letting his people worship an idol. 

Read herein under how the incidence is mentioned in the Exodus Chapter 32 attributing the making of the gold calf to Prophet Haroun.

“Moses and the Golden Calf” Exodus Chapter 32

1. And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
2. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
3. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
5. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD.
6. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
7. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshiped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

He then searched for the truth in Quran and came read the explanation given in Qur'an which shows the truth - the truth that despite Prophet Haroun's stopping his people from making an idol, how his people defied the orders and commandments of Prophet Musa and got astray to the old practice of symbolizing idol of some animal or object as their gods.

Read herein under how Qur'an mentions the same episode with a difference - a difference that appeals to logic as prophets cannot commit sins and are aways guiding their people to the righteous path rather than walking their way:

The Qur’an “Moses and the Golden Calf” Sura Ta Ha 20

83. And what caused you to hasten from your people, O Musa?
84, He said: They are here on my track and I hastened on to Thee, my Lord, that Thou mightest be pleased.
85. He said: So surely We have tried your people after you, and the Samiri has led them astray.
86. So Musa returned to his people wrathful, sorrowing. Said he: O my people! did not your Lord promise you a goodly promise: did then the time seem long to you, or did you wish that displeasure from your Lord should be due to you, so that you broke (your) promise to me?
87. They said: We did not break (our) promise to you of our own accord, but we were made to bear the burdens of the ornaments of the people, then we made a casting of them, and thus did the Samiri suggest.
88. So he brought forth for them a calf, a (mere) body, which had a mooing sound, so they said: This is your god and the god of Musa, but he forgot.
89. What! could they not see that it did not return to them a reply, and (that) it did not control any harm or benefit for them?
90. And certainly Haroun had said to them before: O my people! you are only tried by it, and surely your Lord is the Beneficent God, therefore follow me and obey my order.
91. They said: We will by no means cease to keep to its worship until Musa returns to us.
92. (Musa) said: O Haroun! what prevented you, when you saw them going astray,
93. So that you did not follow me? Did you then disobey my order?
94. He said: O son of my mother! seize me not by my beard nor by my head; surely I was afraid lest you should say: You have caused a division among the children of Israel and not waited for my word.
95. He said: What was then your object, O Samiri?
96. He said: I saw (Jibreel - Gabriel) what they did not see, so I took a handful (of the dust) from the footsteps of the messenger, then I threw it in the casting; thus did my soul commend to me
97. He said: Be gone then, surely for you it will be in this life to say, Touch (me) not; and surely there is a threat for you, which shall not be made to fail to you, and look at your god to whose worship you kept (so long); we will certainly burn it, then we will certainly scatter it a (wide) scattering in the sea.

He feels that the 'facts' mentioned in the earlier scriptures may have been polluted or changed but the same facts remain unchanged in the Holy Qur'an.

He is also amazed to find many facts mentioned in the Qur'an which were only lately proved by science, like the development of human embryo:

“And certainly We created man of an extract of clay, Then We made him a small seed in a firm resting-place, Then We made the seed a clot, then We made the clot a lump of flesh, then We made (in) the lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We caused it to grow into another creation, so blessed be Allah, the best of the creators.” (Qur’an 23:12-14)

He then continues to talk of factors that finally led him to embrace Islam.  Here read in his own words:

Here is one of the key factors that led me to explore my heart to find the truth of life. In Arabic, the word Islam comes from salama which means "to submit"; "purity" and "peace" come from the same root. The person submits to the One, the Merciful, and the Most Beneficent Allah; whereas other religions are named after people: Judaism comes from the tribe of Judea, Christianity from Jesus Christ, etc. Islam is a word derived from a verb; anyone who submits to Allah and believes in all the prophets is a true Muslim. Many of the great prophets mentioned in the Old Testament lived prior to Judaism and Judea; they submitted to God, and therefore they were all Muslims. And we shall live as the prophets lived, for they were great human beings.

This account was shared when Musa was 15 years in 2015 and was cautiously living with his new faith in order to arrest any backlash that may occur from his parents and friends. I am sure by now he would be 18 and taken an open decision about his newly acquired faith.

I must commend this young teenager who at this early age of life has been able to critically analyze his book of original faith and the Holy Qur'an and then take his ultimate decision to change his faith. His clarity of thought really amazes me as even I who am a born Muslims have not been able to critically analyze even our own holy book and draw lessons for my life. 

He even leaves a beautiful message for all of us and those thinking of converting to Islam:

When studying Qur’an, my advice to you is to read it for yourself. Looking at biased websites, you are not able to see the full content of a verse. Through this whole experience I have discovered that I did not find Islam, I re-embraced Islam; nor did I convert, I reverted; and on my ride from darkness to light, it has only made me a stronger, more spiritual, and a better human being. May Allah guide us all to the truth that I was led to.

May Allah be always his protector and bless him with more knowledge and wisdom to inspire others to embrace Islam.

Photo | Source | Arab News |  Comparison Bible and Quran |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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