1. Childrens ’ Seerah course August 2007 Sparkbrook Islamic Centre

2. “ We sent you not (O Muhammad), but as a Mercy for all creatures. (Holy Qur ’ an Al-Anbiya : 107)

3. “ Week One Before Prophethood The First Revelation

4. It was about 600 years after Eesa (as) Most of the people in the world were oppressed. The Romans and the Persians were the main superpowers

5. In Arabia, people had forgotten about the message of Ibraheem (as) to worship only Allah. They had even filled the kabah with idols and sometimes buried their daughters alive. Women and slaves and the poor suffered a lot.

6. The Quraysh tribe lived in Makkah. Abdul Muttalib was their head. He had 11 sons, the youngest and the one he loved best was Abdullah. Abdullah married Amina

7. Soon after, he went away on a trading journey. On the way back he stopped at Yathrib and became very ill and died. Amina was to have a baby, who would never see his father

8. “ At that time, Abraha was the ruler of Yemen. He had a grand church built and was unhappy that people preferred to visit the kabah He came with his huge army and war elephants, to pull the kabah down.

9. “ Sura al Feel (105) Have you not seen what your Lord did to the people of the Elephant? Did He not make their cunning go astray? And set upon them birds in great hordes to pelt them with stones of hard mud, making them like eaten- up leaves.

10. While Quraysh rejoiced at their victory, Amina had a baby son, Muhammad, (saw). Allah had sent a light into the dark world, as this baby was going to be the best of mankind

11. “ Halima was the milk nurse for Muhammad, (saw). He bought blessings to her and her family In the desert, two angels came and opened Muhammad ’ s chest and washed his heart with Zamzam water

12. “ Muhammad went back to his Mother when he was 5, but sadly she died when he was 7. His grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, cared for him but died when Muhammad was 8. Then his Uncle, Abu Talib, cared for him.

13. “ When Muhammad was 12, he went on a journey to Syria with his Uncle. They met Bahira, a monk, who recognised that he would be the final Prophet.

14. Like all the Prophets, Muhammad (saw) was a shepherd when he was young. He was very handsome, with jet black hair and beard, dark, bright eyes, and long, thick lashes. He was of medium height. He was loved by the people who called him Al Ameen.

15. Muhammad began to work for Khadija in her business. She asked him to marry her and he did. Their sons died, but Muhammad (saw) cared very much for his four daughters.

16. The kaba had to be rebuilt after a flood. The tribes argued about who would place the back stone in place. Muhammad (saw) solved the problem.

17. “ One night in the month of Ramadhan, Muhammad (saw) was contemplating in the cave of Hira. Angel Jibrail came and commanded him to “ Read ”. Muhammad (saw) said, “ I cannot read ”

18. “ Again, Angel Jibrail squeezed him tight and and commanded him to “ Read ”. Muhammad (saw) said, “ I cannot read ” Again, Angel Jibrail squeezed him tight and and commanded him to “ Read ”.

19. “ Afraid, Muhammad (saw) said, “ What shall I read? ” “ Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot, Read and your Lord is the Most Gracious, Who has taught with the pen, taught man what he did not know ” (96:1-5)

20. “ Muhammad (saw) was very afraid and went down the mountain to Khadija. She comforted him and believed that he would be the Prophet, and promised to support him. Her cousin, Waraqa, also believed her story of what had happened.

21. From that moment Muhammad gave his life for the sake of the truth. He would have to struggle against the forces of evil. He would experience rejection and be harmed. He would do this so the world would come into the light of Islam This was a very difficult task, but he had the courage and strength to do it.

22. “ Zayd and Ali both lived with Rasulallah. Ali ibn Abi Talib became Muslim at 10. Zayd ibn Al Harith also became Muslim as a boy. Abu Bakr became Muslim without any doubt or delay.

23. Secretly, more people became Muslim. Then Al Arqam offered his house to use as a meeting place. Many of the best Muslims, accepted Islam at this time. The Muslims learned more of the Qur ’ an and the leaders of Quraysh began to feel worried about this.

24. Next week Insha Allah We will look at the open call and the early struggle of the Muslims in Makkah