Sardar Ziauddin - Introducing Islam: a graphic guide

WARNING! Islamic tradition forbids the portrayal of Prophet Muhammad or any of his Companions. DECLARATION! We agree and comply the authors.The Kaaba in Makkah

The Pledge

ne day, a trader from Yemen was cheated of his goods by a group of Makkans. When the trader asked for help, no one came to his support. So he wrote a satirical poem and recited it aloud for all to hear. When Zubair, one of Muhammads uncles, heard the poem he felt great remorse. He called a meeting of citys elders and established an order of chivalry with the declared aim of protecting the oppressed of the city, local inhabitants or foreign visitors. Young Muhammad became an enthusiastic member of this organization which was called Hilf al-fudul. Later he would say: I am not prepared to give up the privilege (of being a member) even against a herd of camels; if somebody should appeal to me even today, by virtue of that pledge, I shall hurry to his help.

Muhammads Wisdom

uhammad often helped the inhabitants of Makkah to settle their disputes. Once, the Kaaba caught fire and was burnt to the ground. When it was rebuilt, all the tribes of Makkah took part in its construction. But when it came to fixing the sacred Black Stone in the wall, a quarrel arose amongst the Makkan leaders all wanted to have the honour of fixing the stone. Finally, they agreed to select a judge from amongst them and abide by his ruling. The judge was Muhammad; and his solution to the problem saved the honour of all concerned. He spread a white sheet on the ground, placed the Black Stone in the middle, and asked the tribal leaders of Makkah to hold the sheet and carry the stone to its site. Muhammad than fixed the stone in its place. It was his integrity, honesty and wisdom that earned Muhammad the title of Al Amin the trustworthy.

Four tribal leaders of makkah

Marriage

ne day, when Muhammad was 25, his uncle Abu Talib said to him: I am, as you know, a man of scanty means, and truly the times are hard. Now there is a caravan of your own tribe about to start for Syria, and Khadijah, daughter of Khuwaylid, is in need of the services of men of our tribe to take care of her merchandise. If you offer yourself for the enterprise, she would readily accept it. Muhammad replied: Be it as you say.

Muhammads courtesy, honesty and devotion to his work, earned the admiration of the widowed Khadija. So impressed was she with the young Muhammad that she proposed marriage. Muhammad accepted. At 40, she was 15 years older than him.

To bring about a just reconciliation between two contestants is charity, helping a person mount his animal or to load his baggage onto it is charity, a good word is charity, to remove obstacles in the street is charity, smiling upon the face of your brother is charitysexual relations with your spouses is charity.