Gems from the Seerah

Hazrat Zaid bin Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates:
During the era of ignorance (the period prior to Islam), when the disbelievers would perform tawaaf of the Ka‘bah, they would pass their hands over the idols Isaaf and Naa’ilah.

Once, I accompanied Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in performing tawaaf of the Baytullah. As we passed these idols, I passed my hand over them. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) forbade me from doing this. I thought to myself, “I will touch them again to see what Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will say.” Hence, I passed my hand over them again. Seeing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said with sternness, “Did I not prohibit you?”

By Allah! From that day on, I never touched a single idol until the time when Allah Ta‘ala honored Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) with prophethood and revealed His divine speech upon him (i.e. I never touched an idol until the end of my life).”

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/118)

Names and Appellation of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam):

The name Muhammad originates from the root letters of “Hamd”. The word “Hamd” actually refers to extolling the praiseworthy character, excellent attributes and true virtues of a person, with love and honor.
اللّٰهُمَّ صل على محمد وعلى آله وصحبه و بارك وسلم

“O Allah! Shower Your special mercies upon Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his family and companions, accompanied by blessings and peace.”

According to some people, Muhammad means, ‘that being in whom praiseworthy qualities and commendable attributes are found to the highest level of perfection’.

Abu Taalib would often recite the following stanza:
وَشَقَّ لَهُ مِنِ اسْمِهِ لِيُجِلَّهْ فَذُو الْعَرْشِ مَحْمُوْدُ وَهَذَا مُحَمَّدُ

“Allah has taken his (Muhammad’s) name from His own name so that he may honor and exalt him. So the Being of the throne is Mahmood whilst this is Muhammad.”

Ahmad:

This means the most praiseworthy person. Indisputably, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the most praiseworthy in the entire creation. Nobody is more praiseworthy than him and nobody will ever be. It can also refer to the one who praises and glorifies Allah Ta‘ala the most.

Appellation (Kunyat):

The most well known appellation of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was Abul Qaasim (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), kept after his eldest son, Hazrat Qaasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

The second appellation of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was Abu Ebrahim (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) relates that when Hazrat Ebrahim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was born to Hazrat Maariyah Qibtiyyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), Hazrat Jibraa’eel (‘alaihis salaam) appeared before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressing him thus, “May peace be upon you, O Abu Ebrahim (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!”

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/63-67)

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was breastfed by his respected mother for approximately three or four days after he was born. Thereafter, he was suckled by Hazrat Suwaibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the freed slave of his uncle, Abu Lahab.

When Hazrat Suwaibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) gave the glad tidings of Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) birth to his uncle, Abu Lahab, then he was so overjoyed that he immediately set her free.

Prior to feeding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Suwaibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) also suckled his uncle, Hazrat Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). In this manner, apart from being his uncle (father’s brother), Hazrat Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is also Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) milk brother. After feeding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Suwaibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) also breastfed Hazrat Abu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

Hazrat Umme Habibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) relates, “I once asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), ‘I heard that you intend marrying Hazrat Abu Salamah’s (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) daughter, Hazrat Durrah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was surprised and replied, ‘Hazrat Umme Salamah’s (radhiyallahu ‘anha) daughter, Hazrat Durrah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), who is in my guardianship, even if she was not my Rabibah (foster daughter), then too she would not be Halaal for me because she is my milk niece. Her father, Hazrat Abu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and I were breastfed by the same person, Hazrat Suwaibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).’”

Hazrat ibn ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was requested to marry the daughter of Hazrat Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). However, he declined saying, “She is my milk niece.”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would honour Hazrat Suwaibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and treat her with kindness and respect. After his marriage to Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), Hazrat Suwaibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) would frequently visit Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Even after his Hijrah to Madinah Munawwarah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would send gifts to her in Makkah Mukarramah.

Upon the conquest of Makkah Mukarramah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made enquiries as to the whereabouts of Hazrat Suwaibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and her son, Masrooh. When informed that both of them had passed on, he made further enquiries to locate any of her living relatives so that he may show them kindness. However, he was informed that none of her relatives or kinsfolk were alive.
After Abu Lahab died, someone saw him in a dream in a dreadful condition. He asked him how he was faring. Abu Lahab replied, “After I died, I have not found any comfort (on account of the punishment that I am undergoing). However, because I freed Hazrat Suwaibah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), I am provided with a fingertip of water.” In other words, in Jahannum, Abu Lahab is provided with water equivalent to a finger on account of him indicating to her with his finger that she was free when she gave him the glad tiding of the birth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/68-69)