Stories

You know, Muhammad's reputation as honest and trustworthy

was based on more than just the way that he did business.

He also showed an interest in justice for all, not only for those with powerful families,

and when he was a young man he tried to achieve that by becoming part of a group of like minded people

who made a solemn pact to stand up for whoever might be suffering from injustice.

This pact was known as the Hilf-al-Fudul

Now Muhammad had some training in the use of weapons,

and showed an excellent talent for archery,

but he was not known as a fighter,

his reputation along with his honesty was more one of tolerance and loving kindness,

and it was this side of his nature that attracted Khadija to him

and which meant that they would spend so many years in happiness together.

With her Muhammad had a family of four daughters,

Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah,

and two sons,

Qasim who died before he was two,

and their last child, 'Abd Allah, who died soon after he was born.

And so, for fifteen years Muhammad and Khadija lived a life that was fulfilled

and content,

despite the moments of sadness that life brought them.

Until one day their world changed completely.

For on that day in the cave at Hira

Muhammad heard the first Words from God

that he had to recite to those around him.

From the moment Jibril passed on those words

Muhammad was no longer just al-Amin, the trustworthy,

or Abu-l-Qasim, the father of Qasim,

but Muhammad Rasul Allah,

Muhammad the Messenger of God.

Suddenly he was on a path that set him in conflict with the interests of

the most powerful people in the community around him.

Now he had to face a world that was much more hostile and threatening,

a world in which he would need to look to those closest to him for support and protection.

And his support came immediately and without question from Khadija,

and soon a small number of friends who recognised the truth of his words

and followed him in acceptance of Allah as the One God

Who alone was worthy of worship,

the One like Whom there is no other.

And he also had his uncle, Abu Talib,

who offered the protection of his family name,

his tribe, his clan,

protection that was to be very necessary over the next few years,

as members of other clans decided that

the best way to stop the growth of this religion that the Messenger was spreading

was to use force to try to prevent it.

And so began years of suffering on the part of those who chose to join with the Messenger,

until a year that Muhammad found almost unbearable to face,

the year that death took away his beloved wife and companion

Khadija,

as well as the man who had made him a part of his family

and cared for him and protected him,

Abu Talib.

This was the time known as the Year of Sadness.

But with this ending of one part of the Messenger's life, another chapter opened,

as an amazing event took place

an experience that would change the way that the Messenger and his followers worshipped,

a miraculous night journey known as the 'Isra.

How did the young Muhammad fight for justice?

What did Khadija think when Muhammad told her he had seen an angel?

What persuaded people to follow the Messenger?

How did the muslims suffer at the hands of the Qureysh?

How did the Messenger travel to Jerusalem?