Basic History. Basic Islamic History for Muslims مجع يةالعلماء )كواز ول ونتال ) Ta limi Board (KZN)

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1 Basic History Basic Islamic History for Muslims مجع يةالعلماء )كواز ول ونتال ) Ta limi Board (KZN) Tel.: Fax.: P.O. Box Isipingo Beach info@talimiboardkzn.org Website:

2 Title: Basic History Published by: Ta limi Board (KZN) 4 Third Avenue P.O.Box Isipingo Beach 4115 South Africa Tel: Fax: info@talimiboardkzn.org Website: First edition: Shabaan 1432 / July 2011 For the esaale sawaab of the entire Ummah of Nabi b. Open permission is granted for reprinting of this booklet provided it is without any alterations. A humble appeal is directed to readers to offer suggestions and corrections to improve the quality of this publication in the future. May Allah reward you for this. The author, translators, editors, sponsors and typesetters humbly request your duas for them, their parents, families, Mashaaikh and Asaatiza.

3 Contents Introduction... 9 Part One The Ambiyaa (The Prophets of Allah Ta ala) Hadhrat Aadam Creation of Hadhrat Aadam Iblees (shaytaan) and the command to make sajdah Marriage Thrown out of Jannah Children of Aadam Lessons learnt from this incident Hadhrat Nuh After Adam Hadhrat Nuh is chosen as a prophet Hadhrat Nuh and his people Only the lowly class follow you!... 20

4 Hadhrat Nuh s call Hadhrat Nuh s dua The Ark (ship) The flood Hadhrat Nuh s son After the flood Lessons learnt from this incident Hadhrat Ibraahim Aazar's son Hadhrat Ibraahim's advice Hadhrat Ibraahim breaks the idols Who did this? A cool fire Who is my lord? My Lord is Allah Ta ala In front of the King Calling his father to Allah Ta ala To Makkah The well of Zam Zam... 33

5 Hadhrat Ibraahim 's dream Hadhrat Ibraahim takes Ismaaeel with him to sacrifice The Ka'bah Jerusalem Lessons learnt from this incident Part Two Hadhrat Musa Bani Israaeel in Egypt Firaun Killing the children The birth of Hadhrat Musa In the Nile Firaun s palace Who will suckle the child? In the arms of his mother Return to Firaun s palace The fatal blow The secret is disclosed In Madyan... 45

6 Marriage To Egypt Go to Firaun, he has transgressed the limits Return to Firaun, inviting him to Allah Ta ala To the arena Between truth and falsehood Firaun s threat Firaun s wife Famine Five signs The departure Firaun s drowning The Torah Lessons learnt from this incident Hadhrat Isa The birth of Isa Prophethood Miracles of Isa Hatred of the Jews... 60

7 Call to the Oneness of Allah Ta ala Plan of the Jews The plan of Allah Ta ala Coming of Isa before Qiyaamah Lessons learnt from this incident Hadhrat Muhammad b Birth of Nabi Muhammad b Family of Nabi Muhammad b With Hadhrat Halimah First journey to Syria Second journey to Syria and marriage Introduction to Nubuwwat First people to accept Islam Calling people to worship Allah Ta ala To Taa if Migration to Abyssinia Boycott in the Valley of Abu Taalib Mi raaj (Journey to the heavens) Migration to Madinah First Masjid is built and entrance into Madinah... 73

8 Plot to destroy Islam Farewell Haj Demise of Nabi Muhammad b Some Features of Nabi b The Sahaabah Brief Summary of the life of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Brief Summary of the life of Hadhrat U mar Brief Summary of the life of Hadhrat U smaan Brief Summary of the life of Hadhrat Ali... 83

9 Introduction The Qur-aan Shareef discusses the incidents of the Ambiyaa (alayhimus salaam) in great detail. The incidents of approximately 25 Ambiyaa (alayhimus salaam) are discussed. These incidents are mentioned for us to take lessons from the nations of the past. To stay away from those things that brought ruin to them as well as implement and apply those aspects that made them successful. In this small booklet titled Basic History, the Ulul Azm Ambiyaa (those Ambiyaa that enjoy the highest rank) are discussed. Most of it has been taken from Qasasun Nabiyyeen written by the late Hadhrat Moulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (RA). It is kept on a very simple level aimed especially for children. It is hoped that this book can educate the children of the ummat on the lives of the great Ambiyaa (alayhimus salaam) as well as learn about the life of our beloved Master Sayyiduna Muhammadur Rasulullah b. May Allah Ta ala accept this work and make it a means of imbibing the love of Rasulullah b and the Ambiyaa into our hearts. Aameen. Ta limi Board (KZN) Rajab 1433

10 Part One

11 Basic History Page 11 The Ambiyaa (The Prophets of Allah Ta ala) The Ambiyaa (alayhimus salaam) are those selected servants of Allah Ta ala whom He chooses and sends to this world to guide mankind. All the Prophets of Allah Ta ala are human beings and have human needs and feelings. They eat, drink, sleep and get married like all other humans. No Prophet of Allah Ta ala committed any sin. All of them were pious servants of Allah Ta ala. No person can become a Prophet on his own. Only Allah Ta ala chooses a Prophet. Allah Ta ala sent the Prophets to this world to guide man to the right path and to explain to them who Allah Ta ala is. It is necessary for us to believe in all the Ambiyaa (prophets). A person who rejects even one Prophet cannot be a Muslim. The Arabic word for Prophet is Nabi or Rasool. Nabi is singular and Ambiyaa is plural. Allah Ta ala sent approximately Prophets to this world. Hadhrat Aadam was the first Prophet and Hadhrat Muhammad b was the last and final Prophet of Allah Ta ala. Our Prophet Muhammad b has the highest position amongst all the Ambiyaa. It is necessary for us to believe in all the Prophets of Allah Ta ala (those we know and those we don t know). In the following pages we will Insha Allah mention some of their stories in brief.

12 Page 12 Basic History These stories are mentioned so that we can take a lesson from the people of the past and do not repeat their mistakes. Hadhrat Aadam Creation of Hadhrat Aadam Long long ago, when there was no life on earth, Allah Ta ala asked the angels to go around the earth and collect sand from different parts of the world. They did as they were commanded and collected sand of different colours and textures. Allah Ta ala then shaped the sand into the form of a human being. One day, Allah Ta ala spoke to the angels and told them that He wants to create a new creation from sand, who will live on earth. The angels replied, O Allah! Make us in charge of the earth. We are always in your worship. We don t ever disobey You. If you make another creation, they will cause corruption on earth and will kill one another. Allah Ta ala told the angels that He knew better than them. Allah Ta ala then gave life to this human being. All of a sudden, this new creation started moving and life came into him. Thus Aadam came into existence. He is the first person to be created in human form and he is the first Prophet of Allah Ta ala on earth as well. After Allah Ta ala gave life to Aadam, he taught him the names of everything on earth (e.g. water, light, sand, tree, fruit, stone, etc.). One day, Allah Ta ala placed a few things in front of the angels and asked them the names of these things. They replied, Subhanallah! We have no knowledge except that which You have taught us, O Allah! You are the most Knowledgeable and the Wise.

13 Basic History Page 13 Then Allah Ta ala turned to Aadam and asked him to explain to the angels the names of those things. When he mentioned to them the names of those things, Allah Ta ala said to the angels, Didn t I tell you that I have knowledge of the skies and the earth and I know what you show and what you hide. Iblees (shaytaan) and the command to make sajdah Iblees (shaytaan) lived amongst the angels as a very pious creation. He was always busy in the worship of Allah Ta ala and was known as the teacher of the angels. His name at that time was Azaazeel. After creating Aadam, Allah Ta ala commanded everyone to make sajdah to Hadhrat Aadam. Every single angel made sajdah except for Iblees. He became arrogant and proud. He told Allah Ta ala, How can I make sajdah to Aadam? I am better than him. I am made of fire and he is made of clay. Iblees did not obey the command of Allah Ta ala, so Allah Ta ala threw him out of Jannah and he is cursed and doomed forever. He told Allah Ta ala that since he is going to Jahannam, he will try to take as many people from the children of Aadam with him to Jahannam. He said that he will teach them the wrong things and misguide them all. Allah Ta ala told him, Very well! You and those who follow you will go to Jahannam. But remember, if any person makes taubah (ask for forgiveness) and repents for his sins, then I will forgive him and send him to Jannah.

14 Page 14 Basic History Marriage Hadhrat Aadam lived in Jannah all alone. He started feeling lonely and needed a friend to talk to. So Allah Ta ala decided to create a wife for him. She was created from his left rib and her name was Hawwa. Hadhrat Aadam and Hawwa (Alayhimas salaam) lived very happily in Jannah. Allah Ta ala said to them, O Aadam! You and your wife may live in Jannah! Eat whatever you want and do whatever you wish. However, do not eat the fruit of this certain tree. Thrown out of Jannah One day, shaytaan came and told them that if they eat from that tree, they will live in Jannah forever. Shaytaan insisted that they should eat from the tree and promised that he is their friend. Hadhrat Aadam and his wife forgot about the command of Allah Ta ala and ate from that tree. All of a sudden the clothes of Jannah that they were wearing disappeared from their bodies. They began covering themselves with the leaves of Jannah. They now realised that they had done something wrong. Allah Ta ala became displeased with them and asked them for an explanation. Hadhrat Aadam did not argue like Iblees. He accepted his mistake and asked Allah Ta ala for forgiveness. Allah Ta ala removed them from Jannah and sent them to live on earth. Shaytaan was also sent to live on earth. For many days, Hadhrat Aadam and his wife Hadhrat Hawa (Radi Allahu anha) roamed around the earth crying to Allah Ta ala for their forgiveness. They were very sorry for not

15 Basic History Page 15 obeying Allah s command. They kept on reading the following dua; ر ب ر ر ا ر ر م ر اا ا ر ن ف ر ر اا ر ا ا م ر ر ا ر ا ر م ر م ر ا ر ر ف ن ر ب ر ا ا م ا ر م ا ن ا ب ر ر ا ا م ا ا ن ر O Allah! We have made a mistake and if you do not forgive us we will definitely be from those that are lost. Allah Ta ala forgave them both and accepted their taubah (repentance). Any person who commits any sin and makes taubah, will most certainly be forgiven by Allah Ta ala. Children of Aadam Hadhrat Aadam and Hadhrat Hawwa (radiyallahu anhaa) lived on Earth. They worshipped Allah Ta ala here and were blessed with many children. This is how life started on this earth. Their family grew and spread throughout the land. When Allah Ta ala blessed them with children, they would get twins, (a boy and a girl in each set). After two pairs of twins were born, in order for life to carry on, the brother of one set of twins had to marry to the sister of the other set of twins. So in one pair was a boy whose name was Haabil and his sister and in the other pair was Qaabil and his sister. Haabil had to marry Qaabil s sister and Qaabil had to marry Haabil s sister. The sister that Haabil had to marry was extremely beautiful and the sister that Qaabil had to marry was not so beautiful. Qaabil got very angry and jealous and argued with his brother. Hadhrat Aadam told them not to argue but to offer a sacrifice to Allah Ta ala and whoever s sacrifice is accepted will have the

16 Page 16 Basic History choice of marrying whom he wants. Thus they both offered a sacrifice. Haabil offered a fat healthy ram whilst Qaabil offered a thin piece of rejected dirty corn. In those days, a sign to show that a sacrifice will be accepted was that a fire would come down from the sky and eat up whatever was offered. It turned out that the sacrifice of Haabil was accepted. Qaabil could not control his anger and jealousy and killed his brother. This was the first murder that took place on earth. Eventually after many years, on a Friday, Hadhrat Aadam b passed away. The angels came down from the skies and enshrouded his body. He was then buried. Lessons learnt from this incident 1. We must always obey the commands of Allah Ta ala. 2. Don t let Shaytaan mislead you in any way. 3. Shaytaan is our enemy. We must always treat him like our enemy and not befriend him in any way. 4. Whenever we make a mistake or commit a sin we must always accept our wrongs and make taubah. 5. Allah Ta ala accepts the taubah of anyone who repents. 6. Muslims must never be jealous of one another as jealousy will destroy us.

17 Basic History Page 17 Questions 1. Who was the first human being that Allah Ta ala created? 2. Why did shaytaan not make sajdah to Hadhrat Aadam? 3. What did shaytaan say to Allah Ta ala? 4. Who did Hadhrat Aadam get married to? 5. Why were Hadhrat Aadam and Hawwa taken out of Jannah? 6. Why was Qaabil unhappy? 7. What made Qaabil kill Haabil?

18 Page 18 Basic History After Adam Hadhrat Nuh After Hadhrat Aadam passed away, shaytaan began misleading the people. He made them worship idols and statues of people. Allah Ta ala got very angry with them as they were now gone astray. They were not following what Hadhrat Aadam taught them. Therefore, Allah Ta ala decided to send another Prophet to guide them onto the right path. As human beings, we cannot see Allah Ta ala. Only when we die we will be able to meet Allah Ta ala. In this world, Allah Ta ala does not speak to His servants directly, but rather He chooses a Prophet to advise people to do good and stay away from evil. Hadhrat Nuh is chosen as a prophet Allah Ta ala chose Hadhrat Nuh to be His Prophet and to guide the people to the straight path. Hadhrat Nuh was a pious and generous man. He was intelligent, kind and sincere. He was truthful and trustworthy and was known for giving good advice. Allah Ta ala revealed to Hadhrat Nuh, Warn your people (to stay away from sins) before a painful punishment comes to them. So Hadhrat Nuh stood up and told them, I am a faithful messenger from Allah Ta ala to you.

19 Basic History Page 19 When Hadhrat Nuh began to say to his people, I am a faithful messenger to you, some of them replied, When did this man become a Prophet? Yesterday he was one of us and today he says that he is a Prophet. The friends of Hadhrat Nuh s began saying, This man used to play with us when we were young and he sat with us every day. When did he become a Prophet? Was it during the day or during the night? The rich and proud people mocked at him saying, Could Allah Ta ala not find anyone else to make a Prophet? Has everyone else died? Was there only this poor man from all the people to be His Prophet? The ignorant ones said to each other, He is only a man like yourselves. If Allah Ta ala wanted to really send someone to guide us, He would have sent down angels. We have never heard of something like this before. Some of the people said that Hadhrat Nuh only wanted to become a leader, a man of power and position amongst them by saying that he was the messenger of Allah Ta ala. Hadhrat Nuh and his people People were used to thinking that worshipping idols was the correct and sensible thing to do. They thought that anyone who did not worship idols was foolish. They would say, Our fathers worshipped idols, so why shouldn t we worship them? Hadhrat Nuh knew that their fathers were wrong and unwise and that Hadhrat Aadam, who was the father of all their fathers, did not worship idols. He worshipped Allah Ta ala

20 Page 20 Basic History alone. Hadhrat Nuh knew that the people were foolish when they worshipped stones and did not worship Allah Ta ala who created them. Hadhrat Nuh stood up one day and announced at the top of his voice, O my people! Worship Allah Ta ala! There is no God besides Him. Truly, I fear for you the punishment of a dreadful day. O my people, there is no error in me. I am a messenger from Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. I convey to you the message of Allah Ta ala and I give you good advice, for I know from Allah Ta ala what you do not know. Only the lowly class follow you! Hadhrat Nuh tried very hard to make his people worship Allah Ta ala alone and leave out worshipping idols made of stone. But only a few poor people believed in him. The rich were too proud to believe him. Their pride kept them away from listening to Hadhrat Nuh. Their property and wealth distracted them from thinking about the hereafter. They would say, We are the noble ones and these people who follow you are lowly. When Nuh called them to Allah Ta ala, they answered, How should we believe you when only the low class follow you? They asked Hadhrat Nuh to chase his poor followers away. Hadhrat Nuh refused and said, I cannot chase away the believers. My door is not the door of a King. I am only a clear Warner!

21 Basic History Page 21 Hadhrat Nuh knew that the poor people were sincere believers and that he could not chase them away. Hadhrat Nuh s call Hadhrat Nuh continued calling his people and tried to advise them saying, O my people! I am a clear warner to you, Worship Allah Ta ala and Fear Him so that He may forgive your sins. These people continued in their sinful ways. They carried on worshipping their idols and refused to worship Allah Ta ala. Eventually, Allah Ta ala became angry with them and held back the rains. Hadhrat Nuh advised them saying, O! My people! If only you believe in what I say, Allah Ta ala will be pleased with you and remove your punishment. Hadhrat Nuh made dua to Allah Ta ala to send rain. Allah Ta ala sent the rain and blessed their crops. Hadhrat Nuh called his people and said to them, Can t you now recognise Allah Ta ala? These are the clear signs of Allah Ta ala all around you. Can t you see them? Can t you see the heavens and the earth? Can t you see the sun and the moon? Who created the heavens? Who placed the moon in the sky as a light and made the sun a lamp? He created you and laid out the earth as a carpet for you. But the people of Hadhrat Nuh would not understand and did not want to believe in Allah Ta ala. When Hadhrat Nuh advised them, they put their fingers in their ears and ignored him.

22 Page 22 Basic History Hadhrat Nuh s dua Hadhrat Nuh stayed with his people for nine hundred and fifty years, calling them to Allah Ta ala, but his people still did not believe in Allah. They would not stop worshipping idols. They refused to worship one Allah Ta ala. How long could Hadhrat Nuh wait for? How long could he watch the earth and its people being ruined? How long could he tolerate his people worshipping stones? How long could he watch them eat the food provided by Allah Ta ala and worship something else besides Allah Ta ala? Hadhrat Nuh did not get angry. He was more patient than anyone else could have ever been. Calling his people to Allah Ta ala for nine hundred and fifty years! Subhaanallah! Then Allah Ta ala revealed to Hadhrat Nuh, O Nuh! From now on, none of your people will bring Imaan (believe in Allah Ta ala) except those who have already brought Imaan. When Hadhrat Nuh called his people again, they said, O Nuh! You have been threatening us for a long time. If you are really truthful, then bring upon us the punishment that you have promised us. Hadhrat Nuh lost all hope in his people. He made dua, O Allah Ta ala, destroy all these unbelievers. Do not leave even one of them on the face of this earth!

23 Basic History Page 23 The Ark (ship) Allah Ta ala answered Nuh s dua and He decided to punish them with a great flood. Allah Ta ala wanted to save Hadhrat Nuh and the believers so He commanded Hadhrat Nuh to build a big ship called the Ark. Hadhrat Nuh began building the ship immediately. The unbelievers saw him busy working and mocked him saying, What is this? Since when have you become a carpenter? Didn t we tell you not to sit with the carpenters and ironsmiths and now you have really become a carpenter! O Nuh! Where is this ship going to? Everything about you is strange! Is it going to sail on the sand or climb up the mountains? The sea is a long way from here. Will the jinn carry it or will oxen pull it? Hadhrat Nuh heard all these statements and continued with his work quietly and patiently. The flood The promise of Allah Ta ala came. It rained and rained until the sky was like a sieve which could not hold the water. Water poured down from the sky and gushed up from the earth and flowed until it surrounded the people on every side. Then Allah Ta ala commanded Hadhrat Nuh, Take with you those of your people and family who believe. Allah Ta ala also commanded him to take onboard a pair of every animal and bird, a male and a female, because the flood would cover the

24 Page 24 Basic History entire earth. Neither man nor animals would be saved from it. Hadhrat Nuh did as he was instructed. With him in the Ark were only those who believed in Allah Ta ala and a pair of every bird and animal. The Ark sailed with them on waves like mountains. The people outside the Ark climbed onto every high place and every hill, running away from the punishment of Allah Ta ala. But no one could save them besides Allah Ta ala. Hadhrat Nuh s son Hadhrat Nuh had a son who was with the unbelievers. Hadhrat Nuh saw his son in the flood and said to him, O my son! Board the ship and do not be with the unbelievers. You will be saved if you come with me. He replied, I will climb the highest mountain and I will be protected from the flood water. Hadhrat Nuh said to him, Today no one will be saved except the one to whom Allah Ta ala shows mercy. The waves came between Hadhrat Nuh and his son and his son drowned immediately. After the flood When all the unbelievers all drowned, the rain stopped and the water subsided. The Ark settled on Mount Judi and Hadhrat Nuh, and his people got off the ship. Allah Ta ala blessed the children of Hadhrat Nuh and they spread out in the land and

25 Basic History Page 25 filled the earth. There were communities among them and there were Prophets and kings among them. May Allah Ta ala shower His Peace upon Hadhrat Nuh! Lessons learnt from this incident 1. Don t ever mock at a Nabi or pious person. They are the friends of Allah Ta ala. If Allah Ta ala gets angry with you, you will be destroyed. 2. Always make dua for the Mercy of Allah Ta ala because only those whom Allah Ta ala shows mercy to will be saved from His punishment. 3. Stay in the company of the poor. Nabi b used to also encourage living with the poor because they are naturally humble people. 4. We are totally dependent on Allah s Mercy. No one can be saved even if you are the son of a Nabi.

26 Page 26 Basic History Questions 1. Who did the people of Hadhrat Nuh worship? 2. What did Hadhrat Nuh advise them to do? 3. For how long did Hadhrat Nuh call his people? 4. What did Allah Ta ala ask Hadhrat Nuh to build? 5. How did Allah Ta ala punish the people of Hadhrat Nuh? 6. Where did the Ark of Hadhrat Nuh settle?

27 Basic History Page 27 Hadhrat Ibraahim Long, long ago, there lived a man whose name was Aazar. He was famous because he used to make and sell idols. The people kept many of their idols in a huge temple in the middle of the city and prayed to them. Aazar would also pray before these idols and worship them. Aazar's son Aazar had a very intelligent son named Ibraahim. Ibraahim would see the people bowing down to the idols. He knew that the idols were made of stone and could neither speak nor hear. He knew that the idols could neither help nor harm anyone. He saw flies sitting on them and they could not even chase them away. Many mice would come and eat the food which was left for the idols. The idols could not protect themselves, how were they going to protect anyone else? Ibraahim would always ask himself, 'Why do people worship these idols? Why do they ask the idols for their needs when they cannot even help themselves? Hadhrat Ibraahim's advice Hadhrat Ibraahim would say to his father, O my Father, why do you worship these idols? Why do you bow down to them? 'Father, why do you ask these idols for your needs when they can neither speak nor hear? They cannot help anyone nor harm anything. Why do you put food and drink before them when they cannot eat or drink?

28 Page 28 Basic History Aazar became very angry and did not understand what all these questions meant. Ibraahim tried to give his people the same advice, but they also became angry and did not understand what he was trying to say. One day, the young Ibraahim said to himself, I will smash these idols when the people are gone away. Maybe then they will understand what I am saying. Hadhrat Ibraahim breaks the idols When the day of their great festival came, everyone was happy and came out to celebrate taking their children along with them. Ibraahim's father asked him, Why don't you come with us?' Ibraahim replied: 'No, I am not feeling well.' When everyone had gone, Hadhrat Ibraahim went to the huge temple where the idols were kept and spoke to the idols. He said: 'Why don't you speak? Why don't you hear? There is food and drink here. Why don't you eat? Why don't you drink?' The idols remained silent because they were made of stones which of course cannot speak. Ibraahim said, 'What is stopping you from speaking? When the idols didn t say anything, Ibraahim grabbed an axe and smashed all the idols with the axe except one. He left the biggest idol standing there and hung the axe around its neck. Who did this? After the festival was over, the people returned. Because it was a day of celebration and happiness, they hurriedly went to their temple to bow down before their idols. They were shocked and angry at what they saw. 'Who has done this to our gods!' they

29 Basic History Page 29 cried. Some of them said, We heard a young boy called Ibraahim talking about them. When Ibraahim was brought before them, they asked him, 'Are you the one who did this to our gods?' Ibraahim, pointing to the biggest idol, answered calmly: 'Their chief has done it. Ask him if he is able to speak.' The people knew that the idols were made of stone and that stones cannot hear or speak. They knew that the biggest idol was also made of stone and that it could not move, so it could not have broken the other idols. They said to Ibraahim, 'You know that the idols cannot speak. So he asked them, 'Then how can you worship idols when they can neither help nor harm anything? Don't you understand? The people were as silent as the idols, and felt ashamed of themselves. A cool fire The people got together and planned, 'What shall we do? Ibraahim has broken our idols and disgraced our gods. How should we punish him for what he has done?' The answer was 'Burn him and take revenge for your idols. That was exactly what they did. They lit a huge fire and threw Ibraahim into it. Allah Ta ala helped Ibraahim and said to the fire, 'O fire, become cool for Ibraahim. Immediately, the fire became cool and a place of comfort for Ibraahim. The people were even more surprised and confused when they saw that the fire did not burn Hadhrat Ibraahim.

30 Page 30 Basic History Who is my lord? That night Ibraahim saw a star and he said, 'This is my Lord, When the star set, Ibraahim exclaimed, 'No! This is not my Lord!' Ibraahim then saw the moon and he said, 'This is my Lord.' When the moon set, Ibraahim exclaimed, 'No! This is not my Lord!' Then the sun rose and Hadhrat Ibraahim said, 'This is my Lord. This is greater. When the sun set, Ibraahim exclaimed, No! This is not my Lord! Allah is my Lord, He is always living and does not die. The light of Allah always shines and never sets. Allah is All-Mighty. Nothing can overpower Him. The light of the stars is weak, morning overcomes it. The light of the moon is weak, the sun overcomes it. The light of the sun is weak, night overcomes it. The stars cannot help me because they are weak. The moon cannot help me because it is weak. The sun cannot help me because it is weak. Allah Ta ala alone can help me because He is the Most Powerful. My Lord is Allah Ta ala Ibraahim knew that Allah Ta ala was his Lord, for Allah Ta ala is ever living and does not die. His light always shines and never dims or sets. Allah Ta ala is All-Mighty, nothing can overpower Him. Ibraahim knew that Allah Ta ala is the Lord of the stars, the Lord of the moon, the Lord of the sun and the Lord of all the worlds. Thus Allah Ta ala guided Ibraahim and made him a Prophet and His close friend. Allah Ta ala commanded Ibraahim to call his people towards Allah Ta ala and tell them not to worship

31 Basic History Page 31 idols. Ibraahim carried out the command of his Lord. He asked his people: 'What do you worship?' 'We worship the idols,' they said. Ibraahim asked them: 'Do they hear you when you call, or help or harm you?' They said, 'We found our fathers doing that. Ibraahim said, 'I do not worship these idols. Rather, I am the enemy of these idols. I worship the Lord of all the worlds, the One who created me and who guides me, the One who gives me food and drink, the One who heals me when I am sick, and the One who gives me death and will bring me back to life. Idols cannot create anything and cannot guide. They cannot give anyone food or drink. When someone is sick, they cannot cure him. They cannot give death or bring anyone back to life.' In front of the King A very cruel and evil king by the name of Namrood ruled the city. He forced the people to bow down to him and believe in him. When the King heard that Ibraahim only bows down before Allah Ta ala and would not bow down before anyone else, he became angry and sent for him. Hadhrat Ibraahim came as he did not fear anyone except Allah Ta ala. The King asked him: 'Who is your Lord, O Ibraahim?' Ibraahim replied: 'My Lord is Allah Ta ala.' The King asked: 'Who is Allah?' Hadhrat Ibraahim replied: 'The One who gives life and death.' The King said, I can also give life and death." He then called for two prisoners to be brought before him. The King had one of them killed and he let the other one live. After that, very proudly, he said, 'You see! I also give life and death. I killed one man and let the other man live.' The King was very silly.

32 Page 32 Basic History Hadhrat Ibraahim wanted to make the King understand. He wanted to make all his people understand. He said to the King, 'Allah Ta ala brings the sun from the east, now you bring it from the west!' The King was confused and silent. He was ashamed and could not think of anything to say. Calling his father to Allah Ta ala Hadhrat Ibraahim also called his father to Allah Ta ala. He said to him: '0 my father, why do you worship something that does not hear or see? Why do you worship something that cannot help or harm anyone? O my father, do not worship shaytaan! Worship the Merciful Allah Ta ala!' Ibraahim's father became angry and said, 'Now I will hit you. Leave me alone. Do not talk to me.' Ibraahim was patient. He said to his father, 'Peace be upon you. I will leave this place and worship my Allah.' Ibraahim was very sad. He wanted to go to another country so that he could worship Allah Ta ala and call the people to Allah Ta ala peacefully. To Makkah The King became angry. The people had also become angry. Even Ibraahim's father was angry. So Ibraahim decided to go to another place where he could worship Allah Ta ala and call the people to Allah Ta ala peacefully. He bid farewell to his father and left that place. Ibraahim intended to go to Makkah with his wife Hajar (radiyallahu anha). There were no plants or trees in Makkah, no well or river, and no animals or people. Hadhrat Ibraahim reached Makkah and stayed there.

33 Basic History Page 33 After some time, Allah Ta ala commanded Hadhrat Ibraaheem to leave Makkah and go to another land. Allah Ta ala commanded him to leave his wife and child in Makkah and go alone. Thus Hadhrat Ibraahim left his wife Hajar (Radhiyallahu anhaa) and his son Ismaaeel in Makkah. As he was about to leave, his wife asked, 'Where are you going O my husband? Are you going to leave us here in a place when there is no food or water? Ibraahim remained silent. He did not know what to say. His wife then asked him, Has Allah Ta ala commanded you to do this? Hadhrat Ibraahim replied, Yes. Allah has commanded me to go. Hadhrat Hajar (radiyallahu anha) then spoke up, Then Allah Ta ala will not let us die here. You may go. He will take care of us. The well of Zam Zam lsmaaeel became very thirsty in the desert and his mother began looking for water to drink. But was there any water there? There was no well in Makkah! There was no river in Makkah! Hajar (Radhiyallahu anhaa) ran from the mountain of Safa to the mountain of Marwa and from Marwa to Safa looking for water. Allah Ta ala helped Hajar (Radhiyallahu anhaa) and lsmaaeel. He created sweet water for them to drink. Water sprung out of the ground and Ismaaeel and Hajar (Radhiyallahu anhaa) drank from it. The water remained there and became known as the well of Zam Zam. Allah Ta ala has blessed the water of Zam Zam. This is the well from which people drink when they travel

34 Page 34 Basic History to Makkah for Haj or Umrah. They take the Zam Zam water back to their countries and share it with their families and friends. Have you drunk Zam Zam water? Hadhrat Ibraahim 's dream Sometime later, Hadhrat Ibraahim returned to Makkah and rejoined Ismaaeel and Hajar (Radhiyallahu anhaa). Ibraahim was very happy and loved his young son lsmaaeel. Ismaaeel ran and played about and went everywhere with his father. One night Ibraahim dreamt that he was sacrificing his son Ismaaeel. Ibraahim was a truthful Prophet. His dream was a true dream. Ibraahim was a close friend of Allah Ta ala and he decided to do what Allah Ta ala had commanded him to do in the dream. He told his son Ismaaeel, 'I have seen in a dream that I was sacrificing you. What do you think? Ismaaeel replied, 'My father, do what you have been commanded to do. Allah Ta ala willing, you will find me to be patient. Hadhrat Ibraahim takes Ismaaeel with him to sacrifice When Ibraahim reached Mina, he got ready to slaughter Ismaaeel. He laid Ismaaeel down on the ground and put the knife on Ismaaeel's throat. Allah Ta ala wanted to see if His friend would do what he was commanded to do. Did he love Allah Ta ala more or did he love his son more? When Ibraahim had passed the test, Allah Ta ala sent Jibraeel with a ram from the Jannah. He said, 'Sacrifice this

35 Basic History Page 35 ram. Do not sacrifice Ismaaeel. Allah Ta ala loved what Ibraahim had done. So He commanded the Muslims to make a sacrifice in remembrance of this great incident on Eid ul- Adhaa. May Allah Ta ala bless Ibraahim and grant him peace. The Ka'bah Hadhrat Ibraahim left Makkah a second time and thereafter returned. He decided to build a house for worshipping Allah Ta ala. There were many houses, but there was no house where Allah Ta ala alone was worshipped. Hadhrat lsmaaeel wanted to help his father build this house for Allah Ta ala. Father and son both worked, carrying stones from the mountains around Makkah, and built the Ka'bah with their own hands. Hadhrat Ibraahim would always remember Allah Ta ala and make dua to Him. He would say, 'Our Allah Ta ala, accept this from us! You are the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing!' Allah Ta ala accepted it from Ibraahim and Ismaaeel and blessed the Ka'bah. All the Muslims around the world face the Ka'bah in every salaah. We travel to the Ka'bah during the Haj, and make tawaaf around it. Jerusalem Hadhrat Ibraahim had another wife whose name was Saarah. From Saarah, Ibraahim had a son whose name was Ishaaq. Saarah and Ishaaq lived in Palestine. Ishaaq built a house for worshipping Allah Ta ala in Palestine just as

36 Page 36 Basic History his father and brother had built a house for Allah Ta ala in Makkah. This masjid which Ishaaq built in Palestine is the Al-Aqsa Masjid. Allah Ta ala had blessed the land around it. Allah Ta ala blessed Ishaaq and his children. There were many Prophets and Kings in his family. Lessons learnt from this incident 1. Stay far away from kufr and shirk. Don t even go near idols, temples, churches, crosses, etc. If you ever see anything of kufr or shirk read the 5 th kalimah loudly. 2. Always obey Allah Ta ala even if your parents tell you not to. 3. Take a lesson from how Hadhrat Ibraaheem and Hadhrat Ismaaeel obeyed Allah Ta ala even though it meant that a life must be sacrificed. Allah Ta ala has not commanded us to slaughter our children but we must still obey his command by sacrificing an animal. 4. Help in doing good actions. Ismaaeel helped his father build the ka bah. We should also be helpful in doing good deeds that will secure many rewards for us in the hereafter.

37 Basic History Page 37 Questions 1. Who was the father of Hadhrat Ibraaheem and what did he do? 2. What advice did Hadhrat Ibraaheem give his father? 3. What did Hadhrat Ibraaheem do to the idols? 4. Where did Hadhrat Ibraaheem go to after leaving his father? 5. What was Hadhrat Hajar s son s name? 6. Explain the dream that Hadhrat Ibraaheem had seen? 7. What did Hadhrat Ibraaheem and his son build? 8. Who built Masjidul Aqsaa?

38 Part Two

39 Basic History Page 39 Hadhrat Musa Bani Israaeel in Egypt The Bani Israaeel were a respected clan of people and honoured by all the Egyptians. Great Prophets like Hadhrat Ya qub and Hadhrat Yusuf were from them. After the Prophets passed away, the ways and manners of the Bani Israaeel became corrupted and they stopped obeying Allah Ta ala. The Egyptians also changed their behaviour towards them. The Egyptians felt that the land of Egypt belonged to them. Some of them felt that Hadhrat Yusuf was a foreigner and that it was not correct for an outsider to rule Egypt. They forgot the virtue, generosity and kindness of Hadhrat Yusuf. Firaun Firaun, an evil and oppressive man then became the king of Egypt. He hated the Bani Israaeel. He did not care that the Bani Israaeel were the children of the Ambiyaa, nor that they were from the house of Yusuf, who was the noblest King of Egypt. He treated them very harshly without any mercy and justice. He felt that the Egyptians were a nation of Kings, created to rule and the Bani Israaeel were a nation of slaves, created to serve. Firaun treated them like animals and used to serve the Egyptians. This King was arrogant and believed that no-one was higher than him. He did not believe in Allah Ta ala. He used to say to the people, I am your Lord Most High. Worship me and bow down to me. He became angry if he heard of anyone being

40 Page 40 Basic History higher than him. He commanded the people to worship him and bow down before him. The Bani Israaeel refused to obey him because they believed in Allah Ta ala and His Messengers. Firaun therefore became very angry with them. Killing the children A priest once told Firaun that a male child will be born from the Bani Israaeel who will take over his Kingdom. Firaun became very angry. He ordered his guards to kill every new-born boy of the Bani Israaeel. Firaun felt that he was the people s lord and master. He could kill whoever he wished, and let live whoever he wished. The guards went to every home. Whenever they heard that a male child was born among the Bani Israaeel, they killed him. Thousands of children were killed in front of their mothers and fathers. The day a male child was born to the Bani Israaeel was a day of great sorrow and grief. The birth of Hadhrat Musa Firaun could not stop the plan of Allah Ta ala even after murdering so many children. The child that Allah Ta ala had destined to destroy the kingdom of Firaun was born. In spite of Firaun and his armies trying to kill every child, Hadhrat Musa was born and survived. He was destined to bring people out of darkness into light, out of idol worship and into the worship of One Allah Ta ala.

41 Basic History Page 41 In the Nile Hadhrat Musa s mother was afraid for the safety of her beautiful son. How could she help it when the army of Firaun was searching for him everywhere? She had seen the soldiers drag dozens of children from their mothers laps and kill them. What could she do? Where could she hide her beautiful child when the soldiers had eyes of hawks? Allah Ta ala helped Musa s mother and inspired her with the idea of putting him in a box and letting it float down the Nile River. Glory be to Allah Ta ala! How could a soft hearted mother put her child into a box and then throw it into the river? Who would feed the child in the box? How would the child breathe? Musa s mother did what Allah Ta ala had inspired her to do. She put her beautiful child into a box and pushed it into the Nile River. Initially she was worried, but then became calm because of her trust in Allah Ta ala. Firaun s palace One day, Firaun and his wife noticed a box floating on the water. My lord, do you see that box? How can there be a box in the Nile? exclaimed the wife of Firaun. As the box came nearer the people saw it shouted out, Yes, it is a box! The King commanded one of his servants to fetch the box. The servant brought the box to the King and when he opened it, he found a beautiful, smiling baby inside. Everyone was amazed. They all wanted to hold him and look at him. Even Firaun was amazed and stared at this young beautiful boy. One of the servants said: Look, it is an Israelite child. The King must kill

42 Page 42 Basic History him immediately. When the Queen saw the child, love for him filled her heart. She pleaded with the King not to kill him but rather to adopt him as their son as they had no children. Musa survived in spite of Firaun and his guards wishing to kill him. Allah Ta ala wanted Firaun to bring up that same child who was going to destroy his kingdom. Who will suckle the child? The child became the new toy of the palace. Everyone came to look at him. They hugged him and kissed him. How could the ladies of the palace not love him? How could the servants of the palace not love him? The Queen looked for a woman to nurse and feed the child. The nurses came one after the other, but the child refused to drink their milk. How astonishing! Why did the child refuse to drink? The nurses tried hard to feed the child but Allah Ta ala had some other plan for him. In the arms of his mother In the meantime, the mother of Hadhrat Musa s was worried about her son. She asked her daughter to go and see if her brother is alive. She knew that he would be safe as Allah Ta ala promised her that her child would be returned to her and that He would protect him. Musa s sister went to look for her brother. She heard people talking about a beautiful child in the King s palace. She went to the palace and listened to the women talking. Musa s sister heard that the child was not drinking milk from any of the woman. She then said in a polite and friendly way, I know a woman in the town from whom the child will definitely accept milk.

43 Basic History Page 43 The news reached the Queen and she called the girl and said: Go and bring this woman. Musa s mother was brought. The child clung to her and began to drink milk from her as if he had been with her since birth. The Queen and the people of the palace were amazed. Firaun who was uneasy said: Why did the child accept this woman? Is she his real mother? Musa s mother replied, I am a woman with a good smell, the smell of milk which I have is accepted by every child. Firaun was satisfied with her reply and paid her a wage. Musa s mother was overjoyed. She returned home with her baby in her arms according to the promise of Allah Ta ala. She was also being paid to take care of the child. Return to Firaun s palace After Musa grew up and no longer needed his mother s milk, she returned him to the palace. Musa grew up in the King s palace as a prince. He saw with his own eyes the luxury that Firaun and his family enjoyed and how the Bani Israaeel were being oppressed. He saw how the Bani Israaeel went hungry so that Firaun s animals could eat. He saw how the Bani Israaeel were made to work worse than animals. Musa saw these things every day and remained silent. It angered him to see his people living like this. What wrong had the Bani Israaeel done to deserve treatment like this? The fatal blow Hadhrat Musa became a strong young man, and Allah Ta ala gave him wisdom and knowledge. He hated injustice and always assisted the weak. Every Nabi has these qualities. One day Musa

44 Page 44 Basic History entered the city and found two men fighting, one from the Bani Israaeel and the other from the Egyptians. The Israelite shouted to Musa for help. Musa, trying to stop the two men fighting, punched the Egyptian. The Egyptian fell down dead. Musa was filled with regret. He turned to Allah Ta ala in repentance. Allah Ta ala forgave him because he did not mean to kill the Egyptian. Musa praised Allah Ta ala and said: Allah Ta ala has blessed me and forgiven me. I will never help wrongdoers. The dead Egyptian was one of Firaun s special servants, and the guards were searching all over for his murderer. Musa was afraid and on the lookout, not knowing when Firaun s guards would come for him. He feared being caught and taken before the King. The dead man became the talk of the town. No-one knew who killed him. Only Musa and the young Israelite knew who had done it. Firaun was furious about the death of his servant and told his guards that they must find the man responsible for his murder. The secret is disclosed The next day, Musa again saw the same Israelite in a fight with another Egyptian. The Israelite again cried out for help. Musa said: You like to fight. Here you are, still fighting and quarrelling with people. Must I help you again? You are a quarrelsome person. Hadhrat Musa wanted to stop the fight and went towards them. However, the Israelite, seeing Musa s anger, was afraid that Musa would hit him as he had hit the Egyptian the previous day, so he shouted out: Musa, do you want to kill me like how you killed that Egyptian yesterday? Hearing this,

45 Basic History Page 45 the Egyptian ran away to tell the guards. When the news reached Firaun, he became angry. He said: Is this the boy who was our foster-child in the palace, the infant who was brought up by the Queen! Is this how he repays me for my favours onto him? Allah Ta ala wanted to rescue Musa from Firaun s evil. Firaun and his ministers held a meeting and decided to kill Musa. A man who heard this went to Musa and told him about the plan. He accepted his advice and ran away from the city. Allah Ta ala inspired Musa to go to Madyan, an Arab land, which Firaun did not control. Musa left Egypt in fear, watchful in case anyone followed him. But the guards did not know that he had left Egypt. He left in the name of Allah Ta ala, asking Allah Ta ala for help. In Madyan Hadhrat Musa reached Madyan where he did not know anyone. He was worried, but was certain that Allah Ta ala would not let him die. Musa came to a well where people were drawing out water for their animals. He found two girls there, holding their sheep and waiting for the shepherds to finish with their flocks so that they could have a turn to give water to their sheep. Musa asked them why they weren t getting water? They replied, We cannot take water until the other people have all finished. They are strong and we are weak. Our father is an old man and there is no one to help him.

46 Page 46 Basic History Hadhrat Musa drew out water for them very quickly and they left with their sheep. Where was Musa to go? Where would he find shelter for the night? He made dua to Allah Ta ala, O Allah, I am certainly in need of whatever good You will send down to me. The two girls returned home earlier than normal. Their father was surprised to see them so early and asked them the reason. They replied that Allah Ta ala had sent a noble man who took out the water for them. Their father realized that it must have been a stranger because no-one had ever been kind to his daughters before. He asked them to go and call this man. The old man said to them, A stranger has been good to you and he has no shelter in this land. Where will he sleep the night? We owe him the right of hospitality. One of you should go and call him. One of the girls came to him, walking modestly and said, My father is calling you. Musa realized that Allah Ta ala had answered his dua and therefore accepted the offer. He walked ahead of the girl so that he would not be looking at her. When they arrived, the old man asked him his name and from where he had come. When Musa had finished explaining his incident, the old man said, Do not fear. You are safe from the unjust people. This old man happened to be a great Nabi of Allah Ta ala, Hadhrat Shuaib. Marriage Hadhrat Musa stayed there as a guest and after some time the old man said to Musa, I would like you to marry one of

47 Basic History Page 47 my two daughters on condition that you work for me for eight years. Hadhrat Musa accepted the offer and got married to one of the daughters. To Egypt After ten years, Musa left with his family. The night was cold and dark and Musa did not have any fire or lamp with him. While they were travelling, he saw a fire. He said to his family, Stay here. I have seen a fire. I will bring some to you. Musa went towards the fire and when he came to it, he heard a voice saying, O Musa, I am your Lord, so remove your shoes. You are in the Sacred Valley of Tuwaa. It was here that Allah Ta ala spoke to Musa and made him His Prophet. Hadhrat Musa had a stick with him which he used for various purposes. Allah Ta ala asked: What is in your right hand, O Musa? Musa replied This is my stick. Then Musa began to list the uses of this stick because he wanted to speak to Allah Ta ala for a longer time. He said: I lean upon it and I use it to drop the leaves of the trees to feed my sheep and I also have other uses for it. Allah Ta ala said: Throw it down, O Musa! He threw it down and it became a slithering snake. Then Allah Ta ala said: Pick it up and do not fear! We will return it to its original form. Allah Ta ala gave Musa a second sign: Place your hand under your arm-pit and it will come out bright without any defect. This is another sign.