Islam

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 to have this choice’? His ...

Amr Ibn al-Jamuh was one of the leading men in Yathrib in the days of Jahiliyyah. He was the chief  of the Banu Salamah and was known to be one of the most generous and valiant persons in the  city. One of the privileges of the city’s leaders was having an idol to himself in his house. It was hoped  ...

Abul Aas belonged to the Abd ash-Shams clan of the Quraysh. He was in the prime of his youth, handsome and very impressive looking. He was the epitome of Arab chivalry and was endowed with all the characteristics of pride, manliness and generosity. He took great pride in the traditions of his ancestors. Abu-l Aas inherited the Quraysh love for ...

When he was still a youth, not yet past the age of puberty, he used to roam the mountain trails of  Makkah far away from people, tending the flocks of a Quraysh chieftain, Uqbah ibn Muayt. People  called him “Ibn Umm Abd”–the son of the mother of a slave. His real name was Abdullah and his  father’s name was Masud. ...

Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum was a cousin of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Mother of the Believers, may  God be pleased with her. His father was Qays ibn Said and his mother was Aatikah bint Abdullah.  She was called Umm Maktum (Mother of the Concealed One) because she gave birth to a blind  child. Abdullah witnessed the rise of Islam in Makkah. ...

History would have by-passed this man as it had bypassed thousands of Arabs before him. He, like them, would have had no  claim to attention or fame. The greatness of Islam, however, gave to Abdullah ibn Hudhafah the opportunity to meet two  world potentates of his time–Khusraw Parvez the King of Persia and Heraclius, the Byzantine emperor. The story of ...

The life of Aishah is proof that a woman can be far more learned than men and that she can be the teacher of scholars and  experts. Her life is also proof that a woman can exert influence over men and women and provide them with inspiration and  leadership. Her life is also proof that the same woman can be ...

“You [Ali] are my brother in this world and the next.” (Ahaadeeth) Ali (RA)’s Election After Uthman(RA) ‘s martyrdom, the office of the caliphate remained unfilled for two or three days. Many people insisted that Ali(RA) should take up the office, but he was embarrassed by the fact that the people who pressed him hardest were the rebels, and he ...

“Every Prophet has an assistant, and my assistant will be Uthmaan(RA).” (Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, in a Ahaadeeth) Uthmaan(RA) ‘s Election When ‘Umar(RA) fell under the assassin’s dagger, before he died the people asked him to nominate his successor. ‘Umar(RA) appointed a committee consisting of six of the ten companions of the Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) about whom the Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) had said, ...

“God has placed truth upon Umar’s tongue and heart. (Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, in a Ahaadeeth)” Umar(RA) ‘s Life During his last illness Abu Bakr(RA) had conferred with his people, particularly the more eminent among them. After this meeting they chose ‘Umar(RA)as his successor. ‘Umar(RA)was born into a respected Quraysh family thirteen years after the birth of Muhammad(Pbuh) Umar(RA)’s family was ...