Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah class
There is a related hadith by Abd al-Razzaq that before prophecy, Allah looked at people on earth and loathed them except for a small group of Christians. Allah sent the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam as a test for people as well as a test for himself.
The birthplace of the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam, Mecca, was a place known for prophecy (Ibrahim (as) and Ishmael…) The Arabs were divided into 3 groups:
1) Ancient Arabs who were destroyed because they preferred error over guidance
2) Pure Arabs who only spoke Arabic
3) Semitic people from the northeast who migrated to the Arabian peninsula and learned Arabic. The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam descended from them (Adnaniun lineage who were descendants of Ibrahim; people of Ishmael who had learned Arabic from the Dirhimites).
The ka`bah was a place Allah was worshipped since it was built until a supposedly “religious” man introduced idols to the kabah. (Listen to Imam Anwar al-Awlaki’s cd set on the Life of Muhammad (saw), and you’ll get great details)
The era before the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was known as jahiliyya (age of ignorance). Amongst the tribes were the Ansar and the Quraysh, who were also known as Muhajirun because they had performed hajj.
After describing the social context of the era, Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah continued on with the political and economic landscapes.
The economy depended upon commerce (international trade) and agriculture/husbandry. There was no industry or serious craft like textiles. There was tribal solidarity and a hierarchal system where the shaykh in charge would take one fourth of any gains of the tribe. He made the rules and gains were made from war. When it rained, they believed they should go to war because the water disrupted the cattle. Tribes made political allegiances with surrounding areas. They had ties with Persians; in the north, they had ties to the Byzantians, and also had ties with Yemen and Ethiopia.
It is important to remember that these people would later be transformed from those who Allah did not like to those who would praise Him. These people would also take this tawheed to different countries like Europe. Most people were illiterate during this time. There were some Yemenis who knew how to write an ancient script, but these people boasted about it. Thus, Islam was an immense gift. In the du`a recited before eating, it praised Allah and thanked Him for food and drink and also for letting them become Muslims and saving them from blindness. (Blindness in the metaphorical sense).
The time in which the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was born is to be celebrated. There were some miracles that occurred before the birth: the fire the Zoroastrians worshipped blew out; the oil from the tree zaytun was lit without having fire.
The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was born in a noble lineage. We can trace it back to Adnan with certainty. His sallalahu alayhi wa salam lineage does not have any illegitimacy—none of his ancestors commited adultery.
As we know, when things are very dark, this is when dawn is about to come. We also know the position of the constellation of stars. The names of the stars present during the birth of the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam all relate to joy (sa`ad).
The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was born circumcised with his head raised towards the heavens. He didn’t have the normal “gunk” that babies are born with. During this era, people preferred children to be raised in a harsh environment so they could endure. The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was taken to Halima’s house, and since then, miracles occurred. He was very trustworthy and known as “al-Amin”. People would leave their trusts with him whenever they would go on journeys.
The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam liked khalwa (spiritual retreats by himself). This is a sign of people who have intellect because people should enjoy the company of God by himself over the company of others. He was inspired to know not to believe in shirk (associating partners with Allah).
In Mecca, there were 12 tribes; 10 inside and 2 outside of Mecca. They argued about who should put the last stone on the ka`bah. They agreed that the next person to enter would decide. The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam entered and he got a cloak and put it over the stone, and all 12 tribes placed the stone. Once, when rebuilding the ka`bah, his uncle told him to put his clothes below his waist as it was known that people were ok with nakedness. He didn’t want to disobey his uncle, but when he tried to fulfill the request, an angel came and physically prevented him from doing so and the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam fell.
There’s a saying that no man is a hero in his house, but the prophet’s sallalahu alayhi wa salam family were the first to convert to Islam because they were in awe of him.
All prophets peace be upon them all received prophecy at age 40. Prior to age 40, the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam never claimed prophecy. This transformation changed all of society—people who were astray became guides, people who were nothing became scholars.
As was the case with every prophet, people originally denied him. The first group of Muslims were patient and none of them apostated away from Islam. Tribes boycotted them and some wouldn’t sell food. The belief of the people during this time was to not leave the beliefs of their forefathers. There were 13 years of patience; but the events that occurred within these 13 years was in preparation for what lay ahead. The turning point was when Umar (ra) converted.
The birthplace of the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam, Mecca, was a place known for prophecy (Ibrahim (as) and Ishmael…) The Arabs were divided into 3 groups:
1) Ancient Arabs who were destroyed because they preferred error over guidance
2) Pure Arabs who only spoke Arabic
3) Semitic people from the northeast who migrated to the Arabian peninsula and learned Arabic. The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam descended from them (Adnaniun lineage who were descendants of Ibrahim; people of Ishmael who had learned Arabic from the Dirhimites).
The ka`bah was a place Allah was worshipped since it was built until a supposedly “religious” man introduced idols to the kabah. (Listen to Imam Anwar al-Awlaki’s cd set on the Life of Muhammad (saw), and you’ll get great details)
The era before the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was known as jahiliyya (age of ignorance). Amongst the tribes were the Ansar and the Quraysh, who were also known as Muhajirun because they had performed hajj.
After describing the social context of the era, Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah continued on with the political and economic landscapes.
The economy depended upon commerce (international trade) and agriculture/husbandry. There was no industry or serious craft like textiles. There was tribal solidarity and a hierarchal system where the shaykh in charge would take one fourth of any gains of the tribe. He made the rules and gains were made from war. When it rained, they believed they should go to war because the water disrupted the cattle. Tribes made political allegiances with surrounding areas. They had ties with Persians; in the north, they had ties to the Byzantians, and also had ties with Yemen and Ethiopia.
It is important to remember that these people would later be transformed from those who Allah did not like to those who would praise Him. These people would also take this tawheed to different countries like Europe. Most people were illiterate during this time. There were some Yemenis who knew how to write an ancient script, but these people boasted about it. Thus, Islam was an immense gift. In the du`a recited before eating, it praised Allah and thanked Him for food and drink and also for letting them become Muslims and saving them from blindness. (Blindness in the metaphorical sense).
The time in which the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was born is to be celebrated. There were some miracles that occurred before the birth: the fire the Zoroastrians worshipped blew out; the oil from the tree zaytun was lit without having fire.
The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was born in a noble lineage. We can trace it back to Adnan with certainty. His sallalahu alayhi wa salam lineage does not have any illegitimacy—none of his ancestors commited adultery.
As we know, when things are very dark, this is when dawn is about to come. We also know the position of the constellation of stars. The names of the stars present during the birth of the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam all relate to joy (sa`ad).
The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was born circumcised with his head raised towards the heavens. He didn’t have the normal “gunk” that babies are born with. During this era, people preferred children to be raised in a harsh environment so they could endure. The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam was taken to Halima’s house, and since then, miracles occurred. He was very trustworthy and known as “al-Amin”. People would leave their trusts with him whenever they would go on journeys.
The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam liked khalwa (spiritual retreats by himself). This is a sign of people who have intellect because people should enjoy the company of God by himself over the company of others. He was inspired to know not to believe in shirk (associating partners with Allah).
In Mecca, there were 12 tribes; 10 inside and 2 outside of Mecca. They argued about who should put the last stone on the ka`bah. They agreed that the next person to enter would decide. The prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam entered and he got a cloak and put it over the stone, and all 12 tribes placed the stone. Once, when rebuilding the ka`bah, his uncle told him to put his clothes below his waist as it was known that people were ok with nakedness. He didn’t want to disobey his uncle, but when he tried to fulfill the request, an angel came and physically prevented him from doing so and the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam fell.
There’s a saying that no man is a hero in his house, but the prophet’s sallalahu alayhi wa salam family were the first to convert to Islam because they were in awe of him.
All prophets peace be upon them all received prophecy at age 40. Prior to age 40, the prophet sallalahu alayhi wa salam never claimed prophecy. This transformation changed all of society—people who were astray became guides, people who were nothing became scholars.
As was the case with every prophet, people originally denied him. The first group of Muslims were patient and none of them apostated away from Islam. Tribes boycotted them and some wouldn’t sell food. The belief of the people during this time was to not leave the beliefs of their forefathers. There were 13 years of patience; but the events that occurred within these 13 years was in preparation for what lay ahead. The turning point was when Umar (ra) converted.
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