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Our Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) Dr. Hamid Slimi Published by Canadian Centre For Deen Studies 2019

Table of Contents A Short Biography of Prophet Muhammad ?? His name and lineage ?? His life before Prophethood Revelation and Prophethood His Call and the challenges it faced Isra (night trip) & Mi’raj (ascension to Heaven) Migration to Madinah Establishment on Values and Principles Islamic teachings Success and accomplishment His death and culmination of revelation Description of the Prophet In the Noble Qur’an In the Torah & the Gospel In the Biography of the Prophet Umm Ma’bad’s description of the Prophet

Abu Sufyan’s description of the Prophet to Emperor Heraclius ?? Ja’far bin Abi Talib’s description of the Prophet to King Negus of Abyssinia ?? Description of the Prophet by his Companions What did they say about Prophet Muhammad The Family of the Prophet Names of the Mothers of the Believers Names of the Children of the Prophet Names of the Grandchildren of the Prophet Salawat on the Prophet Selected Islamic Songs Nasheed (O the Full moon rose over us) Nasheed (If you ask me…) References



A Short Biography of Prophet Muhammad (Blessings & Peace be upon him)



In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious and the Most In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful Merciful, All praise be to Allah the Almighty who has honoured us by making us Muslim and sending to us His beloved Messenger (Blessings & Peace upon him) the truthful and trustworthy one who has taught us the Unblemished Qur’an, defined himself and his message as mercy to the world and summed up the purpose of his mission in spreading mercy and also completing and showing the best ways of conduct and good manners to all humanity. The following is a very brief and concise biography of our Prophet Muhammad (Blessings & Peace be upon him) put in a very simple language and an easy style in order to reach as many readers as possible so they get to know of this great man and Prophet of Allah; the last Messenger to humanity. Thanks to Allah, there are many useful and informative books out there that encompass a lot of

information and details about the life of our Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) but they tend to be very long and difficult to remember. This is the main reason why I have written this humble work where I have included the most important phases and events for the life of the Messenger of Allah (Blessings & Peace be upon him) starting from his birth to his departure from this world. Studying the Prophet’s biography and knowing better about his life and his great accomplishments is one important way to learn and practice the Deen as well as seeking and preserving the sacred knowledge. I ask Allah the Almighty to bring benefit to all those who read this book, teach it, distribute it and help us spread good in this world to all people. This book is not claiming perfection or completion so please forgive me for any shortcomings or unintended mistakes in it. The author, Hamid Slimi

His name and lineage He is our beloved Prophet and Allah’s last chosen Messenger to humanity Abu al-Qasim Muhammad bin Abdillah bin Abdil Muttalib bin Hashim al-Qurashi al- Adnani. He was born in Makkah in the year known as the year of the Elephant around 570 CE (53 Before Hijrah/Migration to Madinah). He left this world in Madinah in the year of 632 CE (10 After Hijrah/Migration). He is Muhammad the father of al-Qasim and the son of Abdullah the son of Abdul Muttalib the son of Hashim the son of Abd Manaf the son of Qusay the son of Kilab the son of Murrah the son of Ka’b the son of Lu’ay the son of Ghalib the son of Fihr the son of Malik the son of al-Nadr…from the progeny of Prophet Ismail the son of Prophet Ibrahim (Blessings & Peace be upon them). His life before Prophethood His father Abdullah died while his mother Aminah Bintu Wahb was pregnant. So, he was born in Makkah and





lived as an orphan. When he reached the age of six, his mother died and became under the care of his grandfather Abdul Muttalib till the latter died. Since the age of eight till adulthood he was taken care of by his uncle Abu Talib Abd Manaf Bin Abdul Muttalib who treated him with love and care as one of his children or even closer to him. He lived in Makkah among his people and worked as a shepherd then later he worked in the market doing trade for people. He earned a very good reputation for his honesty and good manners to the point that he became known among Makkans and incoming traders for his trustworthiness and also as Muhammad al-Sadiq al-Amin (the Truthful & Trustworthy one). His good reputation gained him an important status in Makkan society. Despite his young age, he was sought by Makkan leaders for consultation, treaties, conciliation and even for dispute resolution. At the age of twenty-five, he married Lady/Sayyidah Khadijah Bintu Khuwaylid (May Allah be

pleased with her) after she proposed to him. She was impressed by his great qualities, good manners and high level of integrity and trustworthiness. They were blessed during this marriage with four daughters and two sons. He did not marry any other woman till after her death, which was after a marriage that lasted more than twenty-six years. She was around sixty-six years old and he was around fifty- one when she died. Revelation and Prophethood When he reached the age of forty, Prophet Muhammad (Blessings & peace be upon him) received the first revelation of the Holy Qur’an through Archangel Gibril (Gabriel Peace be upon him) as a last message to humanity at the cave of Hira on Mount al-Noor in Makkah while he was meditating and reflecting. He used to stay away from the polytheistic practices and rituals that Quraysh tribe had introduced and added to the original faith and way of Prophets Abraham and Ismail (Peace be upon them). Over the centuries after Prophets Ibrahim &

Ismail, many idols and false gods were introduced or forced on people to worship. His Call and the challenges it faced During the first thirteen years of his mission in Makkah, he (Blessings & Peace be upon him) faced many challenges, plots and continuous hostility against him, his followers and relatives. His call was never to seek authority or status in society but it was rather a call to Tawhid (monotheism) and to return and revert back to the original pristine religion and way of Prophet Abraham (Blessings & Peace upon him) and to abandon the false idols people made by themselves and worshipped. He also called his people to value and respect the dignity of all humans not on the basis of their tribal affiliations or ethnicities but rather on the basis of humanity and morality. The Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) and his followers went through many hardships, tests and trials and unremitting difficulties in Makkah. They were very hard on the Muslims and harder on the Prophet himself

especially on the tenth year which is known as the year of sadness (‘Am-ul-Huzn) when many calamities and sad things fell all at once. However, the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) endured all of those tribulations with high degree of patience and perseverance as well as motivation for is followers. The leaders of Makkah revealed their intention to kill Prophet Muhammad and declared him as their enemy. They also imposed an embargo and sanctions against those who protected him namely, his uncle and all the clan of Banu Hashim except for their ally his unlce Abu Lahab who was also a devout enemy to him and his followers. No business, trade, marriage and interaction were allowed with the clan to put pressure on Abu Talib and Banu Hashim to deliver the Prophet to them. On that year of sadness, the Prophet’s uncle died then one month later his beloved wife Sayyidah Khadijah died after a long struggle under the siege and sanctions unjustly imposed by the Makkans. These heavy losses were one of the hardest events in his life (Blessings & Peace be





upon him) so he decided to go outside Makkah and call people to Islam and to find support for his cause. He headed to al-Taif region but to his surprise he was met with rejection, hostility and stoning to the point it made him and his companion Zayd bin Harithah bleed. Isra (night trip) & Mi’raj (ascension to Heaven) Nonetheless, after that Allah the Exalted rewarded and honoured his beloved chosen Messenger - who only showed gratitude and patience while facing all the trials and tests – with a special journey worthy of a special traveler. It was a night trip to the farthest Masjid in Jerusalem (al-Isra’ ‫ )ا ِﻹ ْﺳَﺮاء‬and an ascension to above the seven Heavens (al-Mi’raj ‫ )اﻟْ ِﻤ ْﻌَﺮاج‬where Allah showed his Messenger on that night great signs and privileged him with divine gifts which no pen can express in writing and no language can describe in words. It was a night of lights, glad tidings and spiritual uplifting. On that very night, Allah the Most Sublime ordered the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) and his Ummah to perform Salat prayers fifty times every earthly day and night but He reduced them

gradually at the request of the Prophet who was going back and forth (up and down) till they became five only. They are five in deeds but fifty in rewards since every good deed in Islam is multiplied ten times or even more. Migration to Madinah After the divine permission was given to the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) to migrate to Yathrib with his followers, he miraculously came out of Makkah in spite of the plot to kill him and the plans against him to prevent him from leaving his hometown. After a few days of a difficult journey he was able to reach Yathrib along his close companions Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and ‘Ali Bin Abi Talib (May Allah be pleased with them). They were received with the warmest welcome which was expressed by people’s chanting, greetings and different manifestations of happiness and relief. It was then the birth and the beginning of the first Muslim community, the Ummah.





Establishment on Values and Principles Prophet Muhammad (Blessings & Peace be upon him) founded his Ummah on great principles and values such as brotherhood through faith, justice for all, dignity, equality of all human beings, respect, continuous dialogue and bridge-building among diverse people. In addition, the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) emphasized the concept of sanctity and sacredness of the place, the time, honour and life. He built his blessed mosque with his own hands along his companions while chanting praises. He declared his Masjid as sacred (Haram) like in Makkah and Jerusalem which gave Yathrib a great significance and thereby the latter became known as al-Madinah al- Munawwarah (the illuminated city). In his time, the Muslim community was fully masjid-centered and the foundations of Islam and its essential teachings and regulations were laid in that blessed masjid. He (Blessings & Peace be upon him) also called all the non-Muslim citizens of Madinah to live in peace and harmony and be involved in the life of the city and its vicinity and to contribute to its society. As a ruler of the newly established nation, he made

an unprecedented statement by issuing an official declaration of a new constitution known as Sahifat-ul- Madinah to organize and govern the new Madinan life. In this document, which included many items, he guaranteed the rights and freedoms of the minorities at all levels including their freedom of religion, movement, security and trade. He invited everyone to make an alliance and to cooperate on everything that had, or lead to, good, justice, peace and prosperity. It was indeed a historical declaration and a great example to be emulated at all times and places by rulers and community leaders. This speaks volumes about the greatness of our beloved Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him). Islamic teachings The revelation of the Holy Qur’an continued in Madinah for another ten years to complete twenty-three years of the Prophethood phase. The revealed chapters and verses covered different themes from belief matters to social issues to every aspect of individual and social life. In Madinah, the focus was more on organizing life and how

the Muslim individual or the Muslim society should live whether though acts of worship, various transactions, or in the daily life. The Messenger of Allah (Blessings & Peace be upon him) delivered the full message and completed it when he performed his farewell pilgrimage where he delivered his last sermon that encompassed all the principles of Islam and summed up all wat the religion stands for including but not limited to: Women’s rights and good treatment, equality of all human beings regardless of their colours and races, social welfare and equal economic opportunity and the concept of sanctity of life, honour, places, times...etc., Success and accomplishment In spite of the fact that Muslims migrated to Madinah and left everything they owned behind them in Makkah including their homes and their properties, the Quraish tribe and their allies intensified their aggression against them and exercised all kinds of pressure including the economic, military and tribal ones. Muslims peacefully left their homeland to establish a new community for

themselves and live in peace in their new land but the Makkans kept provoking them and assailing against them after controlling and blocking all trade routes to Madinah. Muslims were forced to enter into defensive battles to protect Madinah and its vicinity, its people, their freedoms and their honour. All these challenges and battles, including the battles of Badr in the second year, Uhud in the third year and the Ditch in the fifth year, did nothing but to increase Muslims in their unity, faith and determination to support and follow their beloved Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him). On the eighth year, Muslims entered Makkah peacefully without shedding blood. They took over the city and were victorious against their longstanding enemies who persecuted them and never spared any effort to exterminate them. They rededicated the Ka’bah to Islam and removed all the idols that surrounded it. Makkah was once again pristine and peaceful as it was originally in the time of prophets Abraham and Ismail (Peace be upon them). Despite this great victory, the Prophet (Blessings &





Peace be upon him) did not humiliate the locals nor retaliate against his enemies who showed him and his followers in the past all kinds of hatred, humiliation, tormenting and pain. He rather forgave everyone without terms and conditions the same way Prophet Yusuf (Peace be upon him) forgave his brothers when he said to them, \"This day let no reproach be (cast) on you: Allah will forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!” (Yusuf: 92) Allah the Almighty blessed His messenger with all kinds of blessings and privileged him with many divine gifts and miracles including the Holy Qur’an and his successful mission which brought a chaotic society in Arabia from the days of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), anarchy and warring tribes to civilization, peace, law and order. In spite of the small means and in spite of the countless impediments, plots and attempts of assassination and assailment, Allah Almighty gave victory to his Prophet over his enemies. They were indeed twenty-three years of trials that ended with victory, peace, unity, prevailing of truth and perishing of falsehood and injustice. It was the light that prevailed over darkness

for the will of Allah is that His light can never be extinguished despite all the evil efforts to terminate it. On the Day of Judgment, Prophet Muhammad (Blessings & Peace be upon him) will be the one with the Banner of Praise (Liwa-ul-Hamd), the one in the praised position (al-Maqam al-Mahmud), the one with, and at, the fount of abundance (Ḥawd-ul-Kawthar) and the one with the greatest intercession (al-Shafa‛a al-Uẓma). He is the last Messenger of Allah, the Imam of the Messengers and leader of all the children of Adam (Peace be upon him). He was sent only as a Mercy to the world to guide humanity to the straight path and to show us how to become endowed with the best manners and moral values. He was also described by Allah as a lamp that spreads light for people to see the true reality of life, to establish justice and stand against oppression.

His death and culmination of revelation The Messenger of Allah departed from this world after a serious sickness and a heavy aching fever in the apartment of his beloved wife Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) next to his blessed Masjid. It was on the eleventh year after the migration to Madinah and on the same day he was born that is Monday the 12th of Rabi’-ul-Awwal (June 08, 632 CE). That was a very difficult day for his family and his companions (May Allah be pleased with them). His companion Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said, \"I have never witnessed a day better or brighter than that day on which the Messenger of Allah (Blessing & Peace be upon him) came to us; and I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than that one on which the Messenger of Allah died on.\" (Reported by al-Darimi & al- Baghawi) May Allah shower His Blessings on Prophet Muhammad, honour him and raise him to the highest ranks and also shower His blessings on his family and companions and all those who follow him and them till the day of resurrection. Ameen!

Description of the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him)



In the Noble Qur’an Allah The Exalted says: (My mercy extends to all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right and practise regular charity and those who believe in Our signs;― Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures);― in the Torah and the Gospel;― for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So, it is those who believe in him, honour, him, support him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him― it is they who will prosper. Say: \"O people! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He that gives both life and death. So, believe in Allah and His Messenger, the

unlettered Prophet, who believed in Allah and His words: follow him that (so) you may be guided.) (Chap. 7: 156-158) (It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from about thee; so, pass over (their faults), and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then when thou hast taken a decision, put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)). (Chap. 3:159) (Now has come unto you a messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that you should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful.) (Chap. 9:128) (We sent you not (O Muhammad), but as a Mercy for all creatures.) (Chap. 21:107)

(It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom― although they had been, before, in manifest error― (2) As well as (to confer all these benefits upon) others of them, who have not already joined them: and He is Exalted in Might, Wise. (3) Such is the Bounty of Allah, which He bestows on whom He will: and Allah is the Lord of the highest bounty.) (Chap. 62: 2-4) (Thus, have We made of you an Ummah justly balanced That you might be witnesses over the nations and the Messenger a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qiblah to which you were used, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels (from the faith). Indeed, it was (a change) momentous except to those guided by Allah. And never would Allah make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful. We see

the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens; now shall We turn you to a Qiblah that shall please you (O Muhammad). Turn then your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; wherever you are turn your faces in that direction. The people of the book know well that is the truth from their Lord nor is Allah unmindful of what they do… A similar (favour have you already received) in that We have sent among you a Messenger of your own rehearsing to you Our signs, and purifying you, and instructing you in Scripture and wisdom, and in new Knowledge. Then do remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and reject not faith.) (Chap 2: 143-4 and 151-2) (O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those charged with authority among you. If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day: that is best, and most suitable for final determination.) (Chap. 4:59)

(He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah: but if any turn away, We have not sent you to watch over their (evil deeds)). (Chap. 4:80) (You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah.) (Chap. 33:21) (Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things. O you who believe! Celebrate the praises of Allah, and do this often; And glorify Him morning and evening. He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. Their salutation on the Day they meet Him will be \"peace!\": and He has prepared for them a generous Reward. O Prophet! Truly We have sent you as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings,

and a Warner― And as one who invites to Allah's (Grace) by His leave, and as a Lamp spreading Light. Then give the glad tidings to the Believers, that they shall have from Allah a very great Bounty.) (Chap. 33: 40-47) (Allah and His angels, send blessings on the Prophet: O you that believe! Send prayers for blessings on him and salute him, with all respect. Those who disrespect Allah and His Messenger― Allah has cursed them in this world and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating Punishment. And those who harm believing men and women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring sin.) (Chap. 33: 56-58) (In order that you (o men) may believe in Allah and His Messenger that you may assist and honour Him and celebrate His praises morning and evening. Verily those who plight their fealty to you do no less than plight their fealty to Allah: The Hand of Allah is

over their hands: then anyone who violates his oath, does so to the harm of his own soul and anyone who fulfils what he has covenanted with Allah― Allah will soon grant him a great Reward.) (Chap. 48: 8-10) (O you who believe! Put not yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger: but fear Allah: for Allah is He who hears and knows all things. O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him in talk, as you may speak aloud to one another lest your deeds become vain and you perceive not. Those that lower their voice in the presence of Allah's Messenger― their hearts has Allah tested for piety: for them is Forgiveness and a great Reward.) (Chap. 49: 1-3) (And remember Jesus, the son of Mary, said: \"O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah (sent) to you confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.\" But when he came

to them with Clear Signs they said \"This is evident sorcery!\" (Chap. 61:6) (Nun. By the Pen and by the (Record) which (men) write― You are not, by the grace of Your Lord, mad or possessed. Nay, verily for you is a Reward unfailing: And you do stand on an exalted standard of character.) (Chap.68 :1-4) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. (By the Glorious Morning Light. (1) And by the Night when it is still― (2) The Guardian-Lord Has not forsaken you, nor is He displeased. (3) And verily the Hereafter will be better for you than the present. (4) And soon will Your Guardian-Lord give you (that wherewith) you shall be well-pleased. (5) Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter (and care)? (6) And He found you wandering, and He gave you guidance. (7) And He found you in need, and made you independent. (8) Therefore, treat not the orphan

with harshness; (9) Nor repulse the petitioner (Unheard); (10) But the Bounty of Your Lord rehearse and proclaim!) (Chap. 93) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. (Have We not expanded your chest? ― (1) And removed from you your burden (2) which did gall your back? ― (3) And raised high the esteem (in which) you (are held)? (4) So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief. (5) Verily with every difficulty there is relief. (6) Therefore, when you are free (from your immediate task), still labour hard (7) And to Your Lord turn (all) your attention.) (Chap. 94) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. (To you have We granted the Fount (Of Abundance). (1) Therefore, to Your Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice. (2) Lo! It is your insulter (and not you) who is without posterity.) (Chap. 108: 1-3)



In the Torah & the Gospel \"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. \"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not harken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.\" (Deuteronomy 18:18-19) King James version \"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you unto all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me\". (John 16: 12-14) King James version



In the Biography of the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) Umm Ma’bad’s description of the Prophet (S) There are countless of descriptions we can read about our Prophet Muhammad (Blessings & Peace be upon him) and this book would not be enough to state all of them. However, a description by a non-Muslim woman named Umm Ma’bad at her first encounter with the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) is one of the most popular due to its meticulousness in the description of the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him). “The Messenger of Allah (Blessings & Peace be upon him) and Abū Bakr visited a tent. In front of this tent was an old woman whose name was Umm Ma’bad. She was a very generous woman; anybody who would pass by her she would feed them. When the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) and Abū Bakr got there, she did not provide them with anything, so he (Blessings & Peace be upon him) asked her if she had anything to spare, she said, “If I had anything, you would not have to ask.” So the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) saw in the corner of her tent a very weak and meager goat and asked her, “What is the problem with that

goat?” She replied, “That goat is too weak to go out with the rest of the flock to feed.” So he (Blessings & Peace be upon him) asked again, “Is there any milk in her?” She said, “She is weaker than that!” The Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) asked, “Will you allow me to milk her?” She said, “Go ahead.” So he (Blessings & Peace be upon him) went to milk that goat and asked for a big container; not a cup [but] a big container. And then he touched the goat and started milking it till the milk was flowing out until it filled the container with foam on top. Then he gave it to Umm Ma’bad first to drink, then he gave it to Abū Bakr and ‘Āmir and ‘Abdulah Bin ‘Uraiqat, and when they all drank he was the last to drink then he said, “The servant of the people is the last to drink,” so he was the last to drink. Thereafter, the Prophet (Blessings & Peace be upon him) left while there was still a lot of milk in that container. When the husband of Umm Ma’bad came back with his flock of sheep he noticed the milk container and asked, “Umm Ma’bad, where did this milk come from?!” She answered, “A blessed man (Rajulun Mubarak) visited us and he was the one who milked the goat.” The husband (Abū Ma’bad) asked her to describe this blessed man to her; Umm Ma’bad gave a description of the Messenger of Allah (Blessings & Peace be upon him) that remains

until this day as one of the best descriptions ever given about him (Blessings & Peace be upon him) even though she only met him once. She said: “I saw him to be a man of evident splendour; fine in figure, his face handsome. Slim in form. His head not too small. Elegant and good-looking. His eyes large and black. His eyelids long. His voice deep. Very intelligent. His eyebrows are high and arched. His hair in plaits. His neck long and his beard thick. He gave an impression of dignity when silent, and of high intelligence when he talked. His words were impressive, and he was decisive; not trivial, not trite. His ideas like pearls moving on their string. He seemed to be the most splendid and fine-looking man from a distance, and the very best of all from close by. Medium in height, the eye does not find him too tall nor too short. A tree branch as it were between two others, but he was the finest looking of the three, the best proportioned. He was the centre of his Companions’ attention; when he spoke, they listened well, and if he ordered, they hurried to obey. A man well-helped, well served, never sullen, and never refuted.” Her husband said, “This man must be Muhammad, the one whom Quraish are pursuing. If I meet him, I will pledge allegiance to him and become Muslim.”

Abu Sufyan’s description of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to Emperor Heraclius Around the time Prophet Muhammad (Blessings & Peace be upon him) had migrated to Madinah and many people were entering the folds of Islam, Heraclius (575-641 CE) was the Emperor of the Byzantine or Eastern Roman Empire. Heraclius heard of the Prophet from Arabia, and wanted to collect more information about him. At that time, Abu Sufyan, whose full name was Sakhr bin Harb , was still not Muslim and a prominent leader of the Quraish tribe in Makkah. He was powerful, influential, and wealthy. He regularly led business caravans for trade between Makkah and the area of Syria and Palestine and had connections with many people there and was well- known to them. Around the abovementioned time, Heraclius invited Abu Sufyan and his companions and asked him about Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The complete dialogue between Heraclius and Abu Sufyan has been recorded in the authentic book of Hadith, Sahih Bukhari and was narrated by the Companion Abdullah bin Abbas who heard it from Abu Sufyan directly when he retold this story after he embraced Islam. Abdullah bin Abbas said: Abu Sufyan narrated to me personally, saying,

\"I set out during the Truce that had been concluded between me and Allah's Messenger (‫)ﷺ‬. While I was in Sham, a letter sent by the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬was brought to Heraclius. Dihya Al-Kalbi had brought and given it to the governor of Busra, and the latter forwarded it to Heraclius. Heraclius said, 'Is there anyone from the people of this man who claims to be a prophet?' The people replied, 'Yes.' So, I along with some of Quraishi men were called and we entered upon Heraclius, and we were seated in front of him. Then he said, 'Who amongst you is the nearest relative to the man who claims to be a prophet?' So, they made me sit in front of him and made my companions sit behind me. Then he called upon his translator and said (to him). 'Tell them (i.e. Abu Sufyan's companions) that I am going to ask him (i.e. Abu Sufyan) regarding that man who claims to be a prophet. So, if he tells me a lie, they should contradict him (instantly).' By Allah, had I not been afraid that my companions would consider me a liar, I would have told lies. Heraclius then said to his translator, 'Ask him: What is his (i.e. the Prophet's) family status amongst you? I said, 'He belongs to a noble family amongst us.\" Heraclius said, 'Was any of his ancestors a king?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Did you ever accuse him of telling lies before his saying what he has said?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Do the nobles follow him or the poor people?' I said, 'It is the poor who followed him.' He

said, 'Is the number of his follower increasing or decreasing?' I said, 'They are increasing.' He said, 'Does anyone renounce his religion (i.e. Islam) after embracing it, being displeased with it?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Did you fight with him?' I replied, 'Yes.' He said, 'How was your fighting with him?' I said, 'The fighting between us was undecided and victory was shared by him and us by turns. He inflicts casualties upon us and we inflict casualties upon him.' He said, 'Did he ever betray?' I said, 'No, but now we are away from him in this truce and we do not know what he will do in it\" Abu Sufyan added, \"By Allah, I was not able to insert in my speech a word (against him) except that. Heraclius said, 'Did anybody else (amongst you) ever claimed the same (i.e. Islam) before him? I said, 'No.' Then Heraclius told his translator to tell me (i.e. Abu Sufyan), 'I asked you about his family status amongst you, and you told me that he comes from a noble family amongst you Verily, all Apostles come from the noblest family among their people. Then I asked you whether any of his ancestors was a king, and you denied that. Thereupon I thought that had one of his fore-fathers been a king, I would have said that he (i.e. Muhammad) was seeking to rule the kingdom of his fore-fathers. Then I asked you regarding his followers, whether they were the noble or the poor among the people, and you said that they were only the poor (who