Abu Sufyan added:

“Heraclius then asked for the letter of the messenger of God and it was read, its contents were the following:

‘I begin with the name of God, the most Beneficent, the most merciful (this letter is) from Muhammad, the slave of God, and His messenger, to Heraclius, the ruler of the Byzantine, peace be upon the followers of guidance. I invite you to Islam (i.e. surrender to God). Accept Islam and you will be safe; accept Islam and God will bestow on you a double reward. But if you reject this invitation of Islam, you shall be responsible for misguiding the peasants (i.e. your nation).

(3:64)

Abu Sufyan added:

“When Heraclius had finished his speech, there was a great live and cry caused by the Byzantine dignitaries surrounding him, and there was so much noise that I did not understand what they said. So, we were ordered out of the court.” “When I went out with my companions and we were alone, I said to them, “verily, Ibn Abi Kabsha’s (i.e. the prophet’s) affair has gained power. This is the king of Romans fearing him.””

Abu Sufyan added:

“By God, I became surer and surer that his religion would be victorious till I ended up accepting Islam.” (Bukhari #2782)

Place of birth and childhood

The prophet (SAW) was born in the year 571 CE into the tribe of Quraish (held noble by Arabs) in Makkah, (the religious capital of the Arabian peninsula). The Arabs would perform pilgrimage to Makkah and circumambulate the Ka’bah which was built by prophet Abraham and his son, prophet Ishmael, may God praise them both.

The prophet (SAW) was an orphan. His father passed away before he was born, and his mother died when he was six years old. He was taken under the care of his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib and when he died, his uncle, Abu Talib took charge of him. his tribe, as well as others, worshipped idols made from stone, wood and even gold. Some of these idols were placed around the Ka’bah. People believed that those idols could ward off harm or extend benefit.

The prophet (SAW) was a trustworthy and honest person. He never behave treacherously, no did he lie or cheat; he was known amongst his people as ‘Al-Ameen’ or ‘the trustworthy’. People would entrust him with their valuables. When they wanted to travel. He was also known as ‘As-sadiq’ or ‘the truthful’ for he never told a lie. He was well-mannered, well-spoken, and he loved to help people. His people loved and revered him and he had beautiful manners. God, the Exalted says: “Indeed you are of a great moral character.” (68:4). the famous Scottish historian and writer, Thomas Carlyle (d 1885) wrote in his book: ‘Heroes, Hero-worship and the Heroic in history’.

But, from an early age, he had been remarked as a thoughtful man. His companion named him ‘Al Amin, the faithful.” A man of truth and fidelity; true in what he did, in what he spoke and thought. They noted that he always meant something. A man rather taciturn in speech; silent when there was nothing to be said; but pertinent, wise, sincere, when he did speak; always throwing light on the matter. This is the only sort of speech worth speaking!

Through life we find him to have been regarded as an altogether solid, brotherly, genuine man. A serious, sincere character; yet amiable, cordial, companionable, jocose even - a good laugh in him withal: there are men whose laugh is an untrue as anything about them: who cannot laugh. A spontaneous, passionate, yet just, of wild worth, all uncultured; working out his life – takes in the depth of the Desert there.

The prophet (SAW) liked to schedule himself in the cave of Hira before he was commissioned as a prophet. He would stay there many nights at a time. He (SAW) never partook in any falsehood; he never drank intoxicants, nor did he ever bow to a statue or idol, take an oath by them or offer to them an offering.

He was a shepherd over a flock of sheep which belonged to his people the prophet (SAW) said: “Every prophet commissioned by God was a shepherd over a flock of sheep”. His companions asked him: “Even you, O Messenger of God? He said: yes I would take care of a flock of sheep for the people of Makkah.” (Bukhari 2143) at the age of forty, the prophet (SAW) received divine revelation when at the cave of Hira. The mother of the believers, A’ishah said:

“The first thing that God’s messenger (SAW) received while in the cave of Hira in Makkah were good visions (dreams). Every time he had a dream, it would come true and clear like the split of the dawn. Later on, God’s messenger (SAW) began to love being along in meditation. He spent lengthy periods for days and nights to fulfill this purpose in the cave before returning back to his family. He would take a supply of food for his trip. When he came back to his wife Khadeejah he would get a fresh supply of food and go back to the same cave to continue his meditation.

The truth came to him while he was in the cave of Hira. The Angel Gabriel came to Muhammad (SAW) and commanded him to read. Muhammad (SAW) replied, “I cannot read!” Gabriel embraced Muhammad (SAW) until he could not breathe and then let him go saying, “O Muhammad! Read!”

Again, Muhammad (SAW) replied, “I cannot read!” Gabriel embraced Muhammad (SAW) for the second time. He then ordered him to read for the third time, when he did not he embraced him tightly until he could not breathe, and then released him saying, “O Muhammed! Recite with the name of your lord who was created (all that exists). He has created man out of a (mere) clot of congrealed blood: read! And your lord is the Most Generous.” (96: 1-3)

The messenger of God (SAW) returned home trembling. He entered his home and told Khadeejah: “cover me up, cover me up!” Khadeejah covered Muhammad (SAW) until he felt better. He then informed her about what happened to him in the cave of Hira. He said, “I was concerned about myself and my well-being”. Khadeejah assured Muhammed (SAW) saying:

“By God! You don’t have to worry! God, the Exalted, will never humiliate you! You are good to your kith and kin. You help the poor and needy. You are generous and hospitable to your gets. You help people who are in need.