WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.469 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:05.469 --> 00:00:07.469 Summary of the Book: 00:00:07.469 --> 00:00:11.470 *Ramadan: Events and Lessons* 00:00:11.470 --> 00:00:20.859 The Commission of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:22.859 Time: Ramadan 00:00:22.859 --> 00:00:26.859 Year 1 of the Prophetic Mission 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:31.859 Corresponding to 610 CE 00:00:31.859 --> 00:00:40.390 Before the advent of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the world 00:00:40.390 --> 00:00:43.390 was groaning under the heavy weight of pre-Islamic ignorance (Jahiliyyah), 00:00:43.390 --> 00:00:48.390 which confined minds and human life within narrow, suffocating molds, 00:00:48.390 --> 00:00:53.390 far removed from the broad horizons of knowledge needed to understand life, the purpose of its people, 00:00:53.390 --> 00:00:55.390 and their ultimate destiny thereafter. 00:00:55.390 --> 00:01:01.549 Consequently, false objects of worship became the focus of this intellectual foolishness— 00:01:01.549 --> 00:01:03.549 a foolishness that knew no bounds. 00:01:03.549 --> 00:01:05.549 As the poet said: 00:01:05.549 --> 00:01:09.549 "I came while people were in chaos; whenever you pass by them, 00:01:09.549 --> 00:01:13.549 you find them bowing before an idol infatuated with another idol. 00:01:13.549 --> 00:01:17.549 The earth was filled with injustice, subjugated 00:01:17.549 --> 00:01:21.549 to every tyrant among creation who sat in judgment." 00:01:21.549 --> 00:01:23.549 Thus, because the mind of Jahiliyyah 00:01:23.549 --> 00:01:26.549 was trapped within that dark abyss, 00:01:26.549 --> 00:01:30.549 it was unable to reach the radiant horizons 00:01:30.549 --> 00:01:34.549 that would illuminate the various aspects of life. 00:01:34.549 --> 00:01:38.549 It remained submerged in deep gloom and layers of darkness, 00:01:38.549 --> 00:01:42.549 until Allah permitted those heavy veils to be lifted 00:01:42.549 --> 00:01:46.549 and those narrow, captive minds to be liberated 00:01:46.549 --> 00:01:52.870 through the sending of Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). 00:01:52.870 --> 00:01:55.870 Prior to the occurrence of that momentous event, 00:01:55.870 --> 00:01:59.870 Allah specially prepared His noble servant: 00:01:59.870 --> 00:02:03.870 the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to seek refuge in the Cave of Hira, 00:02:03.870 --> 00:02:06.870 away from the murky atmosphere of Mecca. 00:02:06.870 --> 00:02:08.870 In that remote solitude, he found 00:02:08.870 --> 00:02:12.870 an environment characterized by mental clarity 00:02:12.870 --> 00:02:15.870 and enveloped in spiritual loftiness. 00:02:15.870 --> 00:02:19.870 These frequent retreats 00:02:19.870 --> 00:02:21.870 to that distant sanctuary, 00:02:21.870 --> 00:02:24.870 far removed from the clamor of city life and human dwellings, allowed him 00:02:24.870 --> 00:02:26.870 to let his fertile mind wander freely 00:02:26.870 --> 00:02:28.870 throughout this vast universe. 00:02:28.870 --> 00:02:31.870 He would contemplate the magnificent creation of Allah Almighty 00:02:31.870 --> 00:02:35.870 and read, upon the mournful face of life, 00:02:35.870 --> 00:02:38.870 its desperate need to be illuminated by the light of Truth. 00:02:38.870 --> 00:02:42.219 From that elevated spot, 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:45.219 the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:49.219 looked down upon Mecca and the entirety of existence, 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:53.219 witnessing misguidance spreading its tent ropes in every direction. 00:02:53.219 --> 00:02:57.219 He yearned for an era of guidance 00:02:57.219 --> 00:03:00.219 that would erase those manifestations that diverged 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:03.219 from the path of truth and justice. 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:05.349 It was in the Cave of Hira 00:03:05.349 --> 00:03:08.349 that the psychological and spiritual preparation took place 00:03:08.349 --> 00:03:10.349 for the Prophet of the End Times. 00:03:10.349 --> 00:03:13.349 Thus, the heart of Muhammad, who was a prophet before 00:03:13.349 --> 00:03:15.349 and a messenger after, became 00:03:15.349 --> 00:03:18.349 fit to receive heavenly revelation, 00:03:18.349 --> 00:03:22.349 connect with the highest angelic realm, 00:03:22.349 --> 00:03:25.349 and bear that immense responsibility 00:03:25.349 --> 00:03:29.349 with which he would confront the diverse forces of misguidance 00:03:29.349 --> 00:03:33.349 arrayed against his straight path 00:03:33.349 --> 00:03:35.539 wherever he turned. 00:03:35.539 --> 00:03:38.539 While he was in his safe haven, 00:03:38.539 --> 00:03:41.539 his pure thoughts contemplating all that surrounded him, 00:03:41.539 --> 00:03:44.539 the Angel Gabriel (peace be upon him) 00:03:44.539 --> 00:03:47.539 came to him without any prior warning 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:49.539 to put him at ease; 00:03:49.539 --> 00:03:52.539 he startled him by arriving at night 00:03:52.539 --> 00:03:56.539 in a deserted place, with no companion or confidant. 00:03:56.539 --> 00:03:59.539 He demanded that he read, 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:01.539 and immediately following this event, 00:04:01.539 --> 00:04:05.830 he set forth to mankind and jinn as a Prophet and Messenger. 00:04:05.830 --> 00:04:07.830 Let us now turn to Umm 'Abdullah, 00:04:07.830 --> 00:04:11.830 As-Siddiqah, daughter of As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with her), 00:04:11.830 --> 00:04:14.830 to relate to us this monumental event— 00:04:14.830 --> 00:04:17.829 from the cave to the house, 00:04:17.829 --> 00:04:21.829 and from the house to Waraqah ibn Nawfal (may Allah have mercy on him). 00:04:21.829 --> 00:04:25.959 On the authority of 'A'ishah, Mother of the Believers, who said: 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:29.959 "The very first form of revelation to come to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:04:29.959 --> 00:04:31.959 was divine revelation in the form of 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:33.959 true, righteous dreams during sleep. 00:04:33.959 --> 00:04:37.019 He would not see a dream 00:04:37.019 --> 00:04:40.089 except that it came to pass clearly like the break of dawn. 00:04:40.089 --> 00:04:43.089 Then, seclusion was made dear to him. 00:04:43.089 --> 00:04:45.089 He used to go to the Cave of Hira 00:04:45.089 --> 00:04:47.089 to practice *tahanuth* therein— 00:04:47.089 --> 00:04:48.089 she said: 00:04:48.089 --> 00:04:51.089 and *tahanuth* means worship— 00:04:51.089 --> 00:04:54.089 for a number of nights, 00:04:54.089 --> 00:04:58.089 before returning to his family and provisioning himself for another stay. 00:04:58.089 --> 00:05:00.089 He would then return to Khadijah 00:05:00.089 --> 00:05:02.089 and provision himself for a similar period, 00:05:02.089 --> 00:05:04.089 until the Truth suddenly came upon him 00:05:04.089 --> 00:05:06.089 while he was in the Cave of Hira. 00:05:06.089 --> 00:05:08.279 The Angel came to him 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:09.279 and said: 00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:10.279 'Read!' 00:05:10.279 --> 00:05:14.279 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:16.279 'I am not one who reads.' 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:17.339 He said: 00:05:18.339 --> 00:05:22.339 'So he took hold of me and pressed me tightly until I was utterly exhausted. 00:05:22.339 --> 00:05:25.339 Then he released me and said: 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:26.379 "Read!" 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:27.379 I replied: 00:05:27.379 --> 00:05:29.379 "I am not one who reads." 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:32.379 So he took hold of me and pressed me a second time 00:05:32.379 --> 00:05:35.379 until I was utterly exhausted. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:37.379 Then he released me and said: 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:39.439 "Read!" 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:40.439 I replied: 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:42.439 "I am not one who reads." 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:45.439 So he took hold of me and pressed me a third time 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:47.439 until I was utterly exhausted. 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:50.279 Then he released me and said: 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:53.680 “Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth,” (96:1) 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:57.160 “Createth man from a clot.” (96:2) 00:05:57.920 --> 00:05:59.920 ﴿Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:02.600 Who taught by the pen...﴾' 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:06.600 “Teacheth man that which he knew not.” (96:5) 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:12.600 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) returned with those verses, his heart trembling violently, 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:17.740 until he entered upon Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her) 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:22.100 and said: 'Cover me! Cover me!' 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:25.540 So they covered him until his fear had subsided. 00:06:26.180 --> 00:06:29.220 He then spoke to Khadijah and informed her of what had happened, saying: 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:31.939 'I truly feared for myself.' 00:06:32.699 --> 00:06:35.100 Khadijah replied: 'Never! 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:38.379 By Allah, Allah will never humiliate you! 00:06:39.019 --> 00:06:41.019 For you maintain family ties, 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:43.259 bear the burdens of the weary, 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:45.259 provide for the destitute, 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:47.259 honor the guest, 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:49.259 and assist those afflicted by calamity in the cause of truth.' 00:06:50.680 --> 00:06:52.680 Khadijah then set out with him 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:57.639 until she brought him to Waraqah ibn Nawfal ibn Asad ibn 'Abd al-'Uzza, 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:00.149 the cousin of Khadijah. 00:07:00.389 --> 00:07:03.110 He was a man who had embraced Christianity during the period of Jahiliyyah 00:07:03.829 --> 00:07:06.389 and used to write in Hebrew script; 00:07:07.189 --> 00:07:12.069 he would write from the Gospel in Hebrew whatever Allah willed that he write. 00:07:12.870 --> 00:07:15.589 He was an advanced elderly man who had lost his sight. 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:18.500 Khadijah said to him: 00:07:18.500 --> 00:07:19.860 'O cousin, 00:07:19.860 --> 00:07:21.860 listen to the son of your brother.' 00:07:22.329 --> 00:07:24.329 Waraqah said to him: 00:07:24.329 --> 00:07:26.889 'O son of my brother, what do you see?' 00:07:27.769 --> 00:07:30.970 So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) informed him 00:07:30.970 --> 00:07:32.970 of what he had seen. 00:07:33.449 --> 00:07:35.449 Waraqah said to him: 00:07:35.449 --> 00:07:39.610 'This is the Archangel Namus whom Allah sent down upon Moses! 00:07:40.329 --> 00:07:42.329 Oh, how I wish I were a young man during your mission! 00:07:43.209 --> 00:07:46.810 How I wish I were alive when your people expel you!' 00:07:47.610 --> 00:07:50.970 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked: 00:07:51.610 --> 00:07:53.610 'Will they really expel me?' 00:07:53.610 --> 00:07:55.129 He replied: 'Yes. 00:07:55.129 --> 00:07:58.649 Never has a man brought the likes of what you have brought 00:07:58.649 --> 00:08:00.649 except that he was met with hostility and enmity. 00:08:00.649 --> 00:08:02.649 And if your day should reach me, 00:08:02.649 --> 00:08:05.370 I will support you with a mighty victory.' 00:08:05.850 --> 00:08:09.129 Shortly thereafter, Waraqah passed away, 00:08:09.129 --> 00:08:12.180 and the divine revelation temporarily ceased." 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:15.699 In this narrative, we observe several key lessons: 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:17.220 First: 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:21.220 The profound impact of a wise wife who reassures her husband, 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:23.220 calms his fears, 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:27.699 and fortifies his resolve with comforting and reassuring words 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:29.699 in moments of terror and alarm. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:34.820 In this lies a tremendous virtue of Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her). 00:08:35.179 --> 00:08:37.179 Ibn Ishaq stated: 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:41.340 "Khadijah was the first to believe in Allah and His Messenger 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:43.820 and to affirm the truth of what he brought. 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:49.450 Through her, Allah lightened the burden of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him); 00:08:49.450 --> 00:08:56.730 whenever he heard something distressing—such as rejection or denial—that grieved him, 00:08:56.730 --> 00:09:01.289 Allah would grant him relief through her when he returned to her. 00:09:01.370 --> 00:09:05.529 She would steadfastly support him, lighten his burden, affirm his truthfulness, 00:09:05.529 --> 00:09:10.539 and make the hostility of the people seem easy to bear—may Allah have mercy on her." 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:11.980 Second: 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:14.539 Drawing optimism from a bright past 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:17.340 to illuminate the horizons of the future 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:21.100 whenever they are clouded by the dark realities of the present. 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:22.379 Third: 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:27.179 The importance of turning to elders renowned for knowledge, wisdom, and experience 00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:30.679 during times of severe calamity and complex trials. 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:32.200 Fourth: 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:36.120 The news of the Prophet's commission and its related signs 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:41.720 were passed down among generations acquainted with previous prophecies, 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:47.000 who longed to belong to his era and be among his supporters. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:51.940 Such was the condition of Waraqah ibn Nawfal and those like him. 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:53.610 Fifth: 00:09:53.610 --> 00:09:57.690 With these wholesome words, sincere feelings, 00:09:57.690 --> 00:10:00.730 and prior authentic faith, 00:10:00.730 --> 00:10:06.250 Waraqah ibn Nawfal believed in the prophethood of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:10:06.250 --> 00:10:10.570 even before the Messenger turned outward to call the people. 00:10:10.570 --> 00:10:16.649 Al-Hakim reported in his *Mustadrak* on the authority of 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: 00:10:16.649 --> 00:10:20.490 "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 00:10:20.490 --> 00:10:23.769 'Do not revile Waraqah ibn Nawfal, 00:10:23.769 --> 00:10:29.669 for I have indeed seen that he possesses one or two gardens in Paradise.'" 00:10:29.669 --> 00:10:32.820 The Date of the Prophetic Event: 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:38.500 Scholars unanimously agree that the commission of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:40.580 occurred on a Monday, 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:45.460 based on the hadith of Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:47.940 "He was asked about fasting on Mondays, 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:56.019 and he replied: 'That is the day on which I was born, and the day on which I was commissioned as a Prophet—or on which revelation was sent down to me.'" 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:58.019 As for the month of his commission, 00:10:58.019 --> 00:11:00.980 some scholars have differed regarding it. 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:02.820 Ibn al-Qayyim said: 00:11:02.820 --> 00:11:08.899 "There is no disagreement that his commissioning, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, took place on a Monday, 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:12.259 but there is disagreement regarding the month of his commissioning. It was said 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:15.620 that it was on the eighth of Rabi' al-Awwal, 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:19.139 in the forty-first year from the Year of the Elephant, 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:21.620 which is the view of the majority. 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:22.899 And it was said, 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:25.620 rather, that it took place in Ramadan." 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:29.139 Those who held this view cited as evidence the words of Allah Almighty: 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:34.019 “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.” (2:185) 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:35.299 He said: 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:39.139 "The very first way Allah Almighty honored him with his prophethood 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:42.039 was that He revealed the Qur'an to him." 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:44.919 A group of scholars inclined toward this view as well, 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:47.000 among them Yahya al-Sarsari, 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:49.799 who says in his nuniyyah ode: 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:53.240 "And when forty years came upon him, there shone forth 00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:57.450 the sun of prophethood from him in Ramadan." 00:11:57.450 --> 00:12:00.649 What appears to be the most sound view, and Allah knows best, 00:12:00.649 --> 00:12:03.450 is that the time of the revelation of the Qur'an to him 00:12:03.450 --> 00:12:07.289 was the very time of his prophethood and his commissioning to mankind; 00:12:07.289 --> 00:12:11.769 and it was previously mentioned that the stronger view is that this was in Ramadan. 00:12:11.769 --> 00:12:15.190 Some scholars have explicitly stated this as well. 00:12:15.190 --> 00:12:17.029 Ibn Hisham said: 00:12:17.029 --> 00:12:20.950 "Until, when the month arrived in which Allah Almighty willed 00:12:20.950 --> 00:12:23.509 to bestow upon him the honor He intended for him, 00:12:23.509 --> 00:12:27.350 in the year in which Allah Almighty commissioned him— 00:12:27.350 --> 00:12:30.470 that month being the month of Ramadan— 00:12:30.470 --> 00:12:34.870 the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, went out to Hira', 00:12:34.870 --> 00:12:37.669 just as he used to go out for his devotional retreat. 00:12:37.669 --> 00:12:43.029 Until, when the night arrived in which Allah honored him with His message 00:12:43.029 --> 00:12:45.190 and showed mercy to the servants through it, 00:12:45.190 --> 00:12:50.649 Gabriel, peace be upon him, came to him by the command of Allah Almighty." 00:12:50.649 --> 00:12:53.610 And 'Atiyyah Muhammad Salim said: 00:12:53.610 --> 00:12:57.850 "It has become widely known among people that he was made a prophet with 'Iqra'', 00:12:57.850 --> 00:13:00.169 and was sent as a messenger with 'al-Muddaththir'. 00:13:00.169 --> 00:13:04.169 Yet the very meaning of messengership is already present in this surah, 00:13:04.169 --> 00:13:08.250 because, as we previously explained, reciting in the name of your Lord 00:13:08.250 --> 00:13:13.610 signifies that he was sent by his Lord to those to whom he recites. 00:13:13.610 --> 00:13:19.029 Thus, it contains the affirmation of messengership from the very beginning of the revelation." 00:13:19.029 --> 00:13:22.409 Lessons from the event of the advent of prophethood: 00:13:22.570 --> 00:13:23.929 First: 00:13:23.929 --> 00:13:29.129 Prophethood is a manifestation of the mercy of Allah Almighty toward His servants, 00:13:29.129 --> 00:13:33.909 for He loves that they be guided to the path of truth; 00:13:33.909 --> 00:13:37.429 therefore, He sent to them His noble messengers 00:13:37.429 --> 00:13:40.070 as bearers of glad tidings and warners. 00:13:40.070 --> 00:13:42.309 It is thus a blessing, 00:13:42.309 --> 00:13:44.470 and being grateful to Allah for it 00:13:44.470 --> 00:13:49.299 is accomplished by following the one who brought it, peace and blessings be upon him. 00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:50.809 Second: 00:13:50.809 --> 00:13:57.289 Monumental tasks require immense psychological and physical preparation, 00:13:57.289 --> 00:14:03.419 just as arduous work requires prior training. 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:05.019 Third: 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:08.460 Natural fear of terrifying things 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:12.200 does not breach the fortress of Tawhid and faith. 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:13.639 Fourth: 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:17.000 A righteous spouse and a righteous friend 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:20.279 are the finest aid in soothing terror 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:24.759 and assisting in carrying out great undertakings. 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:26.279 Fifth: 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:28.360 Teaching and instruction 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:31.240 may require repetition and firmness, 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:33.879 so that knowledge becomes firmly rooted 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:39.240 and the learner is trained in endurance, patience, and bearing hardships.