Circle of Friends — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 1
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Circle of Friends.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: V-A Glance at the Early Life
Pages: Book pp. 160–161 (PDF pp. 184–185)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Illiteracy of the Holy Prophet (sa)] | Next: [The Prophet’s (sa) Religion Prior to his Commission] »
Historical Account
Prior to his prophethood, the circle of friendly relations of the Holy Prophetsa seems to be quite limited. This is because the Holy Prophetsa was one to prefer seclusion from the beginning and never intermingled with the common society of Makkah during any part of his life. However, there were a few individuals with whom the Prophetsa possessed a relationship of friendship. The most distinct among them was Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra, also known as, ‘Abdullāh bin Abī Quḥāfah, who belonged to a noble family of the Quraish. On account of his nobility and aptitude, his people looked upon him with great reverence. Next to him was Ḥakīm bin Ḥizāmra who was the nephew of Ḥaḍrat Khadījahra. He was a man of exceptionally decent nature. In the beginning, he did not accept Islām, yet he held feelings of sincerity and love for the Holy Prophetsa. Ultimately, his natural propensity drew him to Islām. The Holy Prophetsa also had relations with Zaid bin ‘Amr. He was a near relative of Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra and was among those who had abandoned polytheism even in the time of the Jāhiliyyah. He attributed himself to the Abrahamic Religion, but passed away prior to the advent of Islām.
The Prophet’ssa Religion Prior to his Commission
Since Islām with its detailed injunctions was revealed later, no one can claim or has ever asserted that the Holy Prophetsa was a follower of Islāmic injunctions prior to its revelation. However, it is evidently proven from history that the Holy Prophetsa in conformity to his pure nature, always refrained from the filthy rituals of the Arab society and never practised idolatry. Therefore, during the time of his prophethood, the Holy Prophetsa used to say to Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishahra, “I have never eaten from the sacrificial offerings made to idols”. Ḥaḍrat ‘Alīra relates in a narration that once someone said to the Holy Prophetsa, “O Messenger of Allāh, have you ever worshiped idols?” The Prophetsa replied, “No.” Then the people inquired, “Have you ever consumed alcohol?” The Prophetsa responded, “No.” Then he said, “I have always detested these things, but prior to Islām, I had no knowledge of religious law or faith”.
[As-Sīratul-Ḥalbiyyah, By ‘Allāmah Abul-Farj Nūr-ud-Dīn ‘Alī bin Ibrāhīm, Volume 1, p. 180, Bābu Mā Ḥafiẓahullāhu Ta‘ālā bihī fī Ṣigharihīsa min Amril-Jāhiliyyah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, First Edition (2002)]
[As-Sīratul-Ḥalbiyyah, By ‘Allāmah Abul-Faraj Nūr-ud-Dīn ‘Alī bin Ibrāhīm, Volume 1, p. 182, Bābu Mā Ḥafiẓahullāhu Ta‘ālā bihī fī Ṣigharihīsa min Amril-Jāhiliyyah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, First Edition (2002)]
The Prophet’ssa Virtues and Manners
It has already been mentioned that prior to his advent, the Prophetsa was renowned by the title of Al-Amīn among the Quraish. This is conclusive evidence of his trustworthiness, honesty and high morals. Such was the level of his honesty in speech as even a bitter enemy the likes of Abū Jahl, once during the time of prophethood, addressed the Holy Prophetsa saying:
ٖاِنَّا لَا نُكَ ذِّبُكَ وَلٰكِ نْ نُكَ ذِّبُ بِمَ ا جِ ئْتَ بِه
“O Muḥammadsa! We do not consider you to be a liar but we consider that which you have brought to be a lie.”
[Sunan At-Tirmidhī, Kitābut-Tafsīr, Bābu wa minal-An‘āmi, Ḥadīth No. 3064]
Abū Sufyān was presented before Heraclius, King of Rome. Heraclius questioned him about the Holy Prophetsa:
ھَ لْ كُ نْتُمْ تَتَّھِ مُ وْنَهٗ بِالْكَ ذِبِ قَبْلَ اَنْ یَقُ وْلَ مَ ا قَالَ؟
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Section: V-A Glance at the Early Life | Navigation: « Previous: [Illiteracy of the Holy Prophet (sa)] | Next: [The Prophet’s (sa) Religion Prior to his Commission] »