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 [...]

About twenty years before the start of the Prophet’s mission, that is about the middle of the sixth century CE, an Arab  named Sinan ibn Malik governed the city of al-Uballah on behalf of the Persian emperor. The city, which is now part of Basrah,  lay on the banks of the Euphrates River. Sinan lived [...]

This is a story of a seeker of Truth, the story of Salman the Persian, gleaned, to begin with, from  his own words: I grew up in the town of Isfahan in Persia in the village of Jayyan. My father was the Dihqan or  chief of the village. He was the richest person there and [...]

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 [...]

Sayid Ibn Aamir al-Jumahi was one of thousands who left for the region of Tanim on the outskirts of Makkah at the invitation of  the Quraysh leaders to witness the killing of Khubayb ibn Adiy, one of the companions of Muhammad whom they had  captured treacherously. With his exuberant youthfulness and strength, Said jostled through [...]

Zayd the son of Amr stood away from the Quraysh crowd as they celebrated one of their festivals. Men were dressed in rich  turbans of brocade and expensive Yemeni burdabs. Women and children were also exquisitely turned out in their fine clothes  and glittering jewelry. Zayd watched as sacrificial animals, gaily caparisoned were led out [...]

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 [...]

Even before Islam was introduced to Yathrib, Rumaysa was known for her excellent character, the power of her intellect and  her independent attitude of mind. She was known by various names including Rumaysa and Ghumaysa, but these were  possibly nicknames. One historian says that her real name was Sahlah but later she was popularly known [...]

Abu Sufyaan ibn Harb could not conceive of anyone among the Quraysh who would dare challenge his authority or go against  his orders. He was after all, the sayyid or chieftain of Makkah who had to be obeyed and followed. His daughter, Ramlah, known as Umm Habibah, however dared to challenge his authority when she [...]

Here is the story of Rabiah told in his own words: “I was still quite young when the light of iman shone through me and my  heart was opened to the teachings of Islam. And when my eyes beheld the Messenger of God, for the first time, I loved him  with a love that possessed [...]