Muhammad by Martin Lings

My book is coming today inshallah! Can't wait to get this going!

I ordered my book! iA I'll have it in a few days.

I have the book

Salaam everybody.

Aa a reminder, the first meeting for this book is tonight at 8pm at my home. Please send me a private message if you do not have my address. We will be discussing the length and content of the book, discuss the author, and come up with a schedule and vote on the amount of reading required every week. All points discussed will be posted on this thread.

Thank you!

Zohaib.

Schedule for Readings, also added to the first thread so this info is easy to find!

Due Date - Pages - Chapters

10/5/15 - Intro, P.1-30 - Ch.1-10
10/12/15 - P.31-59 - Ch.11-19
10/19/15 - P.60-89 - Ch.20-28
10/26/15 - P.90-120 - Ch.29-36
11/2/15 - P.121-156 - Ch.37-43
11/9/15 - P.157-184 - Ch.44-51
11/16/15 - P.185-211 - Ch.52-57
11/23/15 - P.212-244 - Ch.58-62
11/30/15 - P.245-278 - Ch.63-69
12/7/15 - P.279-309 - Ch.70-74
12/14/15 - P.310-340 - Ch.75-80
12/21/15 - P.341-362, Lings Bio - Ch.80-85

With this schedule, we should finish before winter break, and then we will take a vote on the next book - and start the next book by 1/11/16 insha'Allah.

UPDATE: DATES HAVE BEEN CHANGED, PLEASE SEE THE FIRST POST.

Salaam Everyone,

After deciding in the chat that Thursdays is a better day for meetings, I have updated the dates above to reflect those changes.

Our first meeting for the reading of this book was held on 10/8/15. We discussed portions of the book that really stuck out to us, below is a chapter by chapter summary of some key points discussed. Please feel free to add anything that I may have missed, and if you weren't at the meeting, please share your thoughts as well!

Participants:

Myself
Amna
Arsii
Anam
Julie

Chapter Summaries:
Note: Blessings to the Prophets is implied verbally but not typed for the sake of clarity.

Ch.1: A brief history about Abraham, the news given to him of a child by God, and Hagar's ordeal with Ishmael in the Valley of Becca. Noteworthy references are made to the Old Testament.

Ch.2: The Kabah has been established, and generations have passed by. There are now idols being bought in, and the Jews have abandoned worship there to avoid association with idolatry. The Jurhumites are a people present at the Kabah that are expelled for committing injustices, and are driven out. As they leave, they bury the well of Zamzam, and the Khuzaties that take over don't bother finding Zamzam, but instead dig up other wells, and their chieftain sets up Hubal as the chief idol of the Kabah.

Ch.3: The Quraysh are know the caretakers of the Kabah. The chapter goes into extreme detail about the Quraysh, and their inter-connectivity with family members in Yathrib (which will later be knows as Medina).

Ch.4: Abd al-Muttalib, grandfather of the Prophet SAW recieves a message to relocate and dig Zamzam. He digs along with his son Harith. Although he was digging through a Quraysh holy site, he was not physically removed, and continued on. He finds a treasure that the Jurhumites had buried and divides it among the Kabah, himself and the people clamoring for it. Despite the presence and prevalence of the idols, it is important to remember that Abd al-Muttalib prayed to God at every turn.

Ch.5: Abd al-Muttalib prays to God for more sons, promising to sacrifice one in the way of God in the tradition to Abraham. Gathering his sons, he tells them of his promise, and casts lots to see who would be sacrifice. It was Abd Allah (Father of Muhammad SAW), that was chosen, and he prepared to take him to the shrine of Hubal for the sacrifice. Abd Allah's mother Fatimah belonged to the powerful tribe of the Mukhzum, and when they discovered what was happening, the chief of the Mukhzum, Mughira, instead suggests that an equivalent animal sacrifice be made. He consults a wise woman from Yathrib, who was living in Khaybar, about this. She tells him to cast an arrow between Abd Allah and 10 camels. If the arrow lands on Alb Allah, add 10 more camels to the lot, and continue adding until the arrows land on the animals. At 100 camels, the arrow landed on the animals, but Abd al-Muttalib was not satisfied. The arrow was again thrown multiple times, landing on the animals every time. He felt satisfied that his sacrifice was accepted, and proceeded with the act.

Ch.6: The Christian, Jews and Hunafa (peoples that followed a purely Abrahamic form of worship) were all aware that a prophet would come among them soon. The Jews believed that this Messiah would come from Isaac's lineage, while the Christians and Arabs believed it could be from any of Abraham's descendants. Waraqah was a Christian that was certain of this, and was expecting it to happen within his lifetime. In the meantime, Abd al-Muttalib quests to find a wife for his son Abd Allah, and picks Aminah. This happens right before the Year of the Elephant.

Ch.7: An Abyssinian named Abrahah builds a temple in Sanaa to rival the Kabah, and vows to detract the Arabs and pilgrims from the latter. The Arab tribes are offended greatly by this, and a man from the tribe of Kinanah takes a trip and defecates in the temple. This starts a campaign by Abrahah to destroy the Kabah. In the process of his conquest, Abrahah takes a herd of camels belonging to Abd al-Muttalib, who later approaches Abrahah to take them back. Upon this request, Abrahah asks why he doesn't plea to save the Kabah, to which Abd al-Muttalib replies that it is God's house and that he will protect is. As Abrahah marches with his Elephants to the Kabah, the sky goes black, and a flock of birds start to drop pebbles on the army. The pebbles fall with so much force that they pierce the armors of the army, and many are killed. The stones are also infected with a disease that rots the skin of those it strikes. The army retreats, and most pass away from their injuries, including Abrahah. This event is described in Surah 105. Meanwhile, Abd Allah dies while out on a journey leaving behind his pregnant wife, and some time right after this event that Aminah gives birth to a son whom she names Muhammad (SAW).

Ch.8: It was customary in Arab culture to give their infants to Bedouins outside the cities to raise. Not only was it healthier than the confines of the city, the desert environments would give the kids physical strength to endure hardships. Muhammad SAW's family was not wealthy, and most of the caretakers ignored the child as they knew they would not receive recompense. Halimah saw the child and decided to take him under her care, as there may be barakah in it. Upon taking Muhammad SAW, she saw milk increase in herself and her livestock, along with other smaller miracles, and he grew up healthy. It is during this time that his breast was spit open by Angels, and his heart was cleaned.

Ch.9: Halimah goes back to Makkah to return Muhammad SAW to Aminah after these events traumatize her. Aminah decides to take Muhammad SAW back in her care, and wished Halimah well. On a trip to Yathrib, Aminah becomes very ill, and passes away during the journey. Muhammad SAW is now without any parents, and this is when Abd al-Mutallib decides to take the orphan under his care. He takes the child to Makkah where he treats him as his own son, and allows him to roam the Kabah freely. After two years of care, Abd al-Muttalib also passes away, and care of Muhammad SAW is transferred to his uncle, Abu Talib.

Ch.10: Muhammad SAW feels obliged to earn his own living while under care of Abu Talib. He tends to the flocks and one day accompanies a caravan during an expedition. During the journey, a Christian monk named Bahira notices some peculiarities about the caravan, and requests them to stop at his residence for a meal. Upon meeting Muhammad SAW after much effort, he notices signs of prophethood on him. He warns Abu Talib to protect him, especially from the Jews, who will plan harm to him since he is a prophet but not from them.

Personal Notes:

What I found most interesting is the history of the Kabah. It was acknowledged historically as an Abrahamic holy site, and the Jews only left it once it became synonymous with idolatry. And despite the well of Zamzam being lost for generations, it was with with will of Allah that it was still found and given to the family of the Prophet SAW.

Regarding the splitting of the chest, a more detailed description states that when the heard was removed, it was placed in a metal bowl full of ice. Not only would ice be a rarity in the Arabian desert, but the placing of an organ on ice is a relatively new practice which started with modern medicine. Ice slows down the metabolic rate, and then Zamzam which was poured over it, which was knows to be historically a salty (Maalih) water would also be high in electrolytes, similar to Saline. Not only that, the action of splitting open the sternum to access the heart, and stitching the opening back up with no scarring (some narrations talk about a scar, others don't, Allahu Alam) is knowledge that a person living 1400+ years would not have. This all to me is undeniably divine.

why dont i see what i posted yesterday? it was alot of work!!

Meeting Oct 21, 2015
Zohaib
Amna
Rownak
Noori
Nahid
Christina
Arsalan
Annam

Ch 20 Abu Jahl and Hamza
Quresh slandered the Prophet at the Kaba. After 3 times he said "... I bring u slaughter." They let him go and were overawed by him. but that moment passed and after that they vowed that they would make amends for their momentary weakness.
Abu Jahl (father of ignorance) was one of the worst enemies of Islam. Real name Abu'lHakam. He always insulted the Prophet.One day Hamzah aka Abu Umarah, came over with his bow and struck it on the back of AJ.He dared him to strike him blow for blow. Some of his clansmen got up to fight,but AJ said.. let him be,"I reviled his brothers son with a right ugly reviling."

Ch21 Quresh make offers and demands
Utbah of the Quresh makes offers, wealth, power, health so that the Prophet will stop , but instead the Prophet recited verses about signs in the heavens and protection of the believers by angels. Utbah was impressed. He told the people of Quresh to leave him alone. The sent for him again,and Muhammad thought that they would listen to him, but again they started making offers. He told them that he was sent as a messenger, that a book was revealed and he was sent with good tidings and as a warner.If you accept..thats good..if not.. he will await G-d's judgement. They continued to ask for signs to prove he was a messenger of G-d, but Muhammad said that he cannot do that "I am not one to ask of his Lord the like of such things..." only to warn and give good tidings. They then went to another point. The word 'RaHman' was unknown to them. They thought this was the name of a person that was dictating these verses. More hatred and asking for signs.
Abu Salamah had a rich cousin named Arqam. He converted and place his large house at the foot of Mt.Safa. After that the believers had a place where they could meet and pray together without being disturbed.

TBC

Ch22 Leaders of Quresh
Most of the new followers were slaves, freed slaves or marginalized people. People of high status didnt convert bc they were part of the community and would lose influence if they did. The Prophet tried to talk to AJ's uncle Walid, but while he was doing so, a blind man came and asked the Prophet to recite some verses to him. He was asked to be patient and wait for a better time, but when he did not, The Prophet frowned at him and turned away bc the opportunity had been lost to talk to Walid. Almost immediately the verses 80:5-10 were revealed (Some sources say that it was not the Prophet the frowned, rather one of his companions, bc the Prophet would not do such a thing- the verses do not mention Muhammad by name) Walid and AJ were indignant. Why should the Prophet receive revelation and not them!! They had status and wealth! As for Utbah, he wasnt opposed bc he thought having a Prophet in the family would be a good thing. Muhammad admonished him. "Thou wast not vexed for the sake of G=d for for thine own sake." The fortunes of the various Quresh clans varied with the times. Abu Sufyan was married to Utbah's daughter Hind. ( more complicated than a soap opera) He was successful in politics and trade. Success depended on having allies and being in demand as an ally and protector. Walid was very complacent. Verse 29:64.

Ch 23 Wonderment and Hope
Many verses were revealed about Paradise and true believers are defined as "they who set their hopes on meeting US"and disbelievers as "they who set not their hopes on meetins Us and are satisfied with this lower life..." As we know, the leaders of Quresh had asked for numerous celestial and other worldly signs, and one night on a full moon,above Mt Hira, a group of disbelievers asked Muhammad to split it in two, and it was done. Those who disbelieved attributed it to magic,saying that he had cast a spell over them.(so what else is new? ie Moses and the staff) Meanwhile, the believers rejoiced and some people entered the religion. The chapter also discusses Al-Fatihah and S.Ikhlaas, revealed when an idolator aske the Prophet to describe his Lord

Ch 24 Family Divisions
Abu Talib’s 2 older son’s Talib and Aqil did not convert but remained tolerant. Abu Lahab was openly hostile. His wife was the sister of Abu Sufyan. Ruqayyah married Uthman ibn Affan. The Prophet’s Aunt Arwa entered Islam. She rebuked her brother Abu Lahab for his treatment of their nephew. Khadijah’s half brother Nawfal became one of the worst and most violent enemies, but his son ASWAD converted. Khadijah’s favorite nephew Abu l’As did not enter Islam, but his wife Zaynab did.People pressured him to divorce her, but he did not. Another of Khadijah’s nephews, Hakim, did not enter Islam, but his brother Khalid, did. 28:56 G-d guides who he wills. A rift developed between the Prophet and Abu Sufyan, his foster-brother cousin and one time friend which increased perhaps through the influence of Abu Lahab. *is this the same Abu Sufyan mentioned earlier?? Abu Bakr and his wife Umm Ruman converted along with his children Abd Allah and Asma. Aisha had just been born and along with Zayd’s son Usamah was one of the first children born into Islam. Abu Bakr however, was unable to convert his oldest son Abd al-Ka’bah *Moses’ own son’s Gershom and Eliezer were not deemed competent to succeed him as leaders, so sometimes, no matter how good we are as parents, our children will follow their own path!* The chapter continues with many other family relations and events.

Ch25 The Hour
The people continue to ask for an Angel to appear to them as proof. 17:95 The chapter discusses Laylat al-Qadr the night when Gabriel came to Muhammad in the cave on Mount Hira. 97:3-4 “The night of Worth is better than 1000 months.” The Quran declared itself The Furqan; The Criterion. The Quran also tells how Noah complained to G-d that his message only served to widen the gap between himself and the majority of his people and to lead them further astray.

Ch26 Three Questions
The people of Quresh consulted some Jewish Rabbis (a redundant term) in Yathrib. They said, ask him 3 questions and if he answers them correctly then he is indeed the Prophet we have been waiting for.
1)Ask about some young men who left their families long ago and what happened to them?
2) Ask about a traveler who reached the ends of the Earth in the East and the West?
3) Ask him of the Spirit; what it is?
The envoys went to the Prophet in Mecca and asked him, and he said he would tell them tomorrow. But he did not say “insha’Allah” and so the answers didn’t come to him.  Gabriel brought him a revelation 18:23-4, don’t say anything I shall do tomorrow without saying “if G-d wills.” In some ways, the delay corroborated his claim that the revelation came from Heaven and not from him. (if it were indeed from him, he could’ve made up an answer instead of embarrassing himself) He had no part of it and no control over it. After 15 nights, he received the answers to the questions, which were actually MORE detailed than what was originally known. In the end, the Quraysh did not take the advice of the Rabbis, nor did the Rabbis accept him as a Prophet, but his answers converted others.
Umayyah, the chief of Jumah had an African slave named Bilal who was a believer.He took him ouside and had him pinned to the ground with a large rock waiting for him to renounce the religion or die. Abu Bakr bought him from Umayyah and six other slaves and set them free. AJ was among the most relentless of the persecutors.
Ch 27 Abyssinia
About 80 people emigrated to Abyssina. (a historical nation in present day Eritrea and Northern Ethiopia) The Quresh sent 2 men there with gifts with which to bribe the Negus, the Christian ruler. They told him that there were some people there who had invented a religion and wanted him to give them up. The Negus said he would not do that. The Negus assembled them and asked them what their religion was. They told him how they used to worship idols and do other terrible things but now they had been send a messenger from G-d and had renounced all those horrible things. They recited Surat Maryam.19:16-21 Upon hearing this the Negus wept and realized it had come from the same source. The Negus told the 2 envoys from Quresh that he would not betray the Muslims. The people of the Kingdom became distressed bc they thought that the Negus had converted, but the Negus convinced them that all was well, while at the same time, touching a parchment under his clothing in which was written the Shahada and also that Jesus son of Mary was his slave and messenger His Spirit and His Word which he cast unto Mary.
Ch 28 Umar
The 2 envoys returned to Mecca. Umar was the nephew of AJ and one of the most violent and unrestrained in carrying out his orders. He was 26 yrs old. He was pious and respected the Kaba. He became very angry and took his sword and met up with Nu’aym, one of his clansmen who had converted but kept it a secret. Umar told him that he was going to kill Muhammad. Trying to delay him, he betrayed a secret and told him first to go to his own people, BIL Sa’eed and sister Fatimah who had converted. There was a man named Khabbab who would come there to recite Quran with some written pages of Surah Ta-Ha. Umar heard it from outside. Khabbab hid, and Fatimah hid the parchment under her gown. Then Umar started fighting with Saeed, Fatimah came to his defense and Umar struck her and drew blood. When Umar saw the blood he was sorry for what he had done. He asked to read the script and was overcome by the words and converted. Umar could not keep it a secret. He went to AJ and told him! AJ cursed him and slammed the door in his face.

BTW,I forgot to list myself as one of the attendees.