Category: Islam

We are in the second year of the Hijrah. Madinah the city of the Prophet is buzzing with activity as the Muslims prepare for  the long march southwards to Badr. The noble Prophet made a final inspection of the first army to be mobilized under his leadership to wage Jihad against those  who had tormented…

Umm Salaamah! What an eventful life she had! Her real name was Hind. She was the daughter of  one of the notables in the Makhzum clan nicknamed “Zad ar-Rakib” because he was well known  for his generosity particularly to travelers. Umm Salamah’s husband was Abdullah ibn Abdulasad  and they both were among the first persons…

Umayr Ibn Saad became an orphan at an early age. His father died leaving him and his mother poor and destitute. His mother  eventually married again, to one of the richest men in Madinah. His name was Julas ibn Suwayd who was from the powerful  tribe of al-Aws. Umayr was well looked after by Julas…

“O Abu Mundhir! Which verse of the Book of God is the greatest?” asked the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant  him peace. “Allah and His Messenger know best,” came the reply. The Prophet repeated the question and Abu Mundhir  replied. “Allah, there is no god but He, the Living the Self-Subsisting….

Thabit Ibn Qays was a chieftain of the Khazraj and therefore a man of considerable influence in Yathrib. He was known for  the sharpness of his mind and the power of his oratory. It was because of this that he became the khatib or the spokesman  and orator of the Prophet and Islam. He became…

Returning to Makkah in haste after a trading trip to Syria, Talhah asked his family: “Did anything happen in Makkah since we  left?” “Yes,” they replied. “Muhammad ibn Abdullah emerged alleging that he is a Prophet and Abu Quhafah (Abu Bakr) has  followed him.” “I used to know Abu Bakr,” said Talhah. “He is an…

In giving advice to his companions, the noble Prophet, peace be on him, once said: “Learn the Quran from four persons:  Abdullah ibn Masud, Salim Mawla Abi Hudhayfah, Ubayy ibn Kab and Muadh ibn Jabal.” We have read about three of these companions before. But who was this fourth companion in whom the Prophet had…

We are now in a small town in a narrow valley. There is no vegetation, no livestock, no gardens, no rivers. Desert after  desert separates the town from the rest of the world. During the day the heat of the sun is unbearable and the nights are  still and lonely. Tribes flock to it like…

Muadh Bin Jabal was a young man growing up in Yathrib as the light of guidance and truth began to spread over the Arabian  peninsula. He was a handsome and imposing character with black eyes and curly hair and immediately impressed whoever  he met. He was already distinguished for the sharpness of his intelligence among…

If you wish you may consider yourself among the Muhajirin or, if you wish, you may consider yourself one of the Ansar.  Choose whichever is dearer to you.” With these words, the Prophet, peace be upon him, addressed Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman when he met him for the first time in  Makkah. How did Hudhayfah come…