The Life of Prophet Muhammad - by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

Banu Thaqif had been long standing rivals of the Quraysh. They saw the Quraysh's defeated as an opportunity to attack and seize control of Mecca for themselves.

In response, Prophet Muhammad called all Muslims to battle and led an army of 12,000 against them. Banu Thaqif's side had over 20,000.

Banu Thaqif setup an ambush in the Valley of Hunain, making most Muslims flee. However, Prophet Muhammad was able to rally the troops and counter the assault.

During the battle, some tribes had begun killing women and children, and were later strongly rebuked for it by Prophet Muhammad, formalizing the prohibition against killing non-combatants and civilian rights.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=706.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpYmvk1JQSI&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

After the conquest of Mecca, hundreds of thousands of Arabs came to the prophet to convert and pledge their allegiance. This lecture covers why they joined now and reflects the verses of Surah An-Nasr which predicted this.

The Prophet also sent various small expiditions to the surrounding tribes to invite them to Islam.

The last of the pagan tribes decided to attack the Muslims in a final stand, setting the stage for the Battle of Hunayn.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=695.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QDkg3-SzFg&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Prophet Muhammad destroys all the idols in the Kaaba with Imam Ali's help and washes the images that had been drawn inside.

He then introduced Islam to the Meccans, discarding their ideas of nationalism and tribalism, and offered a general amnesty regardless of if they convert to Islam.

Prophet Muhammad told Bilal to climb on top of the Kaaba to give the Azaan. Ikrima bin Abu Jahl saw that and made disparraging remarks about it, with a couple other pagans agreeing. They were soon shokced when Prophet Muhammad came over and said "I know what you said about Bilal" and repeated their words verbatim, revealing his miraculous knowledge.

The Prophet stayed in Mecca for 19 more days and during that time many prominent Meccans who had initially resisted conversion would end up converting instead of fleeing, including Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl, Suhayl ibn Amr, and Safwan ibn Umayyah.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=691.

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Prophet Muhammad had promised safety to any Meccan who either remined in their own home during the invasion or went to Abu Sufyan's home.

After seeing the Muslim's strenght, Abu Sufyan saw the futility of struggle and urged the Meccans to surrender. Some Meccans remained defiant, notably his wife Hind and Ikrimah, the son of Abu Jahl.

After taking over Mecca, Prophet Muhammad granted general amnesty to all Meccans save for about a dozen who had been the most defiant.

The Prophet then went to the Ka'bah and destroyed all the idols there.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=687.

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Prophet Muhammad kept the attack on Mecca a closely guarded secret. However Hatib ibn Abi Balta'ah sent a letter to the Quraysh warning them of the attack. The Prophet was informed of this by revelation and he sent Ali and Zubayr to retrieve it.

The Muslim army eventually marched to Mecca, where they were instructed to spread out and display their numbers. Under the cover of night, Abu Sufyan and two other senior leaders of Quraysh were brought to the Prophet to surrender and were granted amnesty.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=678.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBYrR05Xgug&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The Treaty of Hudaybiyya had included a vow of there being no fighting between the Quraysh and the Muslims. However, when the tribe of Banu Bakr asked the leaders of Quraysh for help in a raid against their long time foe Banu Khuza'ah, a tribe with many Muslims and who were longtime allies of Prophet Muhammad, the Quraysh joined in.

The raiders killed 23 members of Banu Khuza'ah. The tribe went to Prophet Muhammad for help and the Prophet pledged to attack Mecca in resopnse.

Meanwhile Abu Sufyan learned about the raid and panicked realzing that it meant the Quraysh had violated the treaty. He went to Medina, to try to apologize. The same Abu Sufyan who used to be relentless in persecuting the Muslims was now begging for protection.

But the deaths and the violated treaty could not be taken back.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=673.

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The Campaign of Dhat Al-Salasil occurred soon after "defeat" at the Battle of Mu'tah, when various Ghassanid affiliated tribes sensed an opportunity to invade Medina. They thought the Muslims would be weak and demoralized.

A bedouin learned about the gathering army and informed Prophed Muhammad, who designated an army and commander to go fight them.

From here the Shia and Sunni narratives diverge sharply. Sheikh Azhar Nassers explains both the different views and shares ideas for why they may have ended up with such drastically different versions.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=669.

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The Roman army, with 10,000 soliders, outnumbered the Muslims 3:1 at the Battle of Mutah. Some of the Muslims feared the large army and wanted to retreat, but the senior companions bolstered their courage.

Prophet Muhammad had appointed a leader for the army, with two backup leaders in case the first one was martyred.

This was a hard battle. Jaffer ibn Abi Talib was the first leader, and he was martyred in the battle. Zayd ibn Haritha was the second leader, and he also became martyred. Abdullah ibn Rawaha was the final designated leader, and fell as well. Overall, about 11 Muslims were martyred in the battle, and the Muslims eventually ended up retreating.

Back in Medina, the prophet was witnessing the battle through his ilm ul ghayb (knowledge of the unseen) and narrated the battle in realtime, both the heroics and the shahadats.

The final verdict on the battle is mixed. Some historians called it a defeat since the Muslims retreated, others call it a draw due to the insignificant numer of casualties, where neither side took over the other's land, and some historians called it a strategic victory since fighting a non-arab army put htem on the map on a global stage and gave them experience to fighting non-arab armies.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=665.

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The Battle of Mu'tah was triggered when a messenger Prophet Muhammad sent to Ghassani Shurahbil was murdered. This was a declaration of war.

While Prophte Muhammad himself didn't participate in this battle, thanks to the treaty of Hudaybiyya he was able to send 3000 Muslims to fight without compromising the securit of Medina.

As the army departed, the Prophet reminded them to maintain taqwa, keep to treaties kept, and to not attack women or children. He also insturcted them to offer the enemy three different surrender conditions

As they marched closer to the enemy, the Muslims realized that despite their large numbers, the opposing army outnumbered them more than 3 to 1.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=661.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foTI7fQ3ks8&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Prophet Muhammad led the Muslims on a second attempt at Umra, thet qazaa for the last one which they couldn't complete.

Rumor spread among the Mushrikeen that the Muslims were weakened, so the Prophet instructed his followers to show extra strength and bravado to dispel that notion.

During the Umra:
- Meccans removed their idols from the kaba for the Muslims
- Muslims stashed their weapons nearby, under guard, in case the Meccans tried to attack them
- The Prophet's Uncle Abbas, who had secretly converted to Islam and stayed in Medina, openly revealed his conversion
- Bilal, the ex-slave, was instructed to recite the Adhan on top of the kaba, which outraged the class conscious Meccans
- The prophet married Maymuna ibnt al-harith, most likely to establish a kinship with some of his fierce opponents

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=657.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdRc7uHHodo&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Prophet Muhammad had given the garden of Fadak to his daughter Fatima, but after his passing it snatched away from her by Abu Bakr and Umar.

This lecture explains:
- How Fadak became the Prophet's property
- Why he gifted it to Lady Fatima
- Fadak was a source of immense wealth, generating enough income to fund an army.
- How Umar adviced Abu Bakr to take Fadak away from her, since it would strip Imam Ali of his strength and make people less likely to follow him
- Abu Bakr's twisting of Fiqh laws to create an excuse to take Fadak away
- Fadak's history of being alternatively taken away from and being given back to the Ahlul Bayt, based on whether the ruler of the time needed to look like he supported the Ahlul Bayt, or if he needed to deprive them of their source of funding.

The lecture also describes:
- How the Prayer of Jafar al-Tayyar came to be, it being a special gift Prophet Muhammad gave to Jaffer ibn Abi Talib.
- During a severe drought, Prophet Muhammad sent gold nuggets from the spoils of Khaybar to the Meccans (who were still pagan) to be distributed among the poor

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=653.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUXztsqZ25w&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The victory at Khaybar changed the lives of the Muslim community and became a source of financial strength for them.
The lecture includes:
- The surrender treaty, where the Jews were allowed to remain on Khaybar in return for a share of the harvest
- How the prophet distributed the khums from the war
- The Muhajireen using their share of khums to return what the Ansaar had given them and become financially independent
- Prophet Muhammad's marriage to Safiyyah Bint Huyayy

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=643.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddKpkuawxHs.

The Muslims marched to the Fort of Khaybar, attack and defeat it's treacherous occupants.

Along the way, various miracles occur:
- An assassin attempts to kill Prophet Muhammad, but he miraciously is suddenly mentally handicapped.
- Imam Ali's unable to fight due to an illness in his eyes. Prophet Muhammad heals him and Imam Ali leads the Muslims to victory.
- Imam Ali single handedly moves the fallen gate of Khaybar, which was so heavy it normally take many men to open and close it.

In addition, while Imam Ali was sick, Prophet Muhammad also offered the army's standard (i.e. leadership) to Abu Bakr and Umar, giving them a chance to take on the fortress. Both returned unsuccessful, with them blaming their men, and their men blaming them.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=639.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkLiVO6T2Vc&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Khaybar was manned by Jewish tribes that had previously reacted treasonously against the Muslims and had been exiled from Medina in turn.
They had already attacked the Muslims once, by participating in the Battle of Khandak, and Prophet Muhammad received intel that those Jewish tribes were again planning to ally with another pagan tribes to attack Medina.
The Prophet again attempted a diplomatic outreach to the tribes in Khaybar, but it fell on deaf ears. Realizing that the Jews at Khaybar were determined to march against Mecca yet again, Prophet Muhammad prepared to strike against them first.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=635.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBqMqgP0ERk&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Prophet Muhammad continues his outreach to foreign leaders, sending messengrs to the Persian emperor Khosrow II and the Coptic ruler Muqawqis of Alexandria.
The outreach teaches us:
- Islam was always meant to be globalized, not just for the Arabs. We need to also think deeply about how to universalize the messaging
- The way people respond to the Prophet had an impact on their dunya and akhira
- The prophet addresses world leaders with their respective titles. This is part of the etiquette of dialogue.
- Even when people are tyranical rulers, it doesn't give us the right to be abusive (especially when we're unprovoked). Even Musa was instructed to speak gently to Feron
- Communicate using simple language and get to the point. The letters were short and succinct.
- Customize your communication to cater to your audience

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=628.

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With the repreieve provided by the Treaty of Hudaybiyya, Prophet Muhammad can focus on spreading Islam by doing dawah to surrounding leaders. This lecture covers encounters with two prominent leaders:

1. The Abysinnian king Najashi, who converted to Islam
2. The Roman emperor Heraclius, who questioned Abu Sufyan and acertained Prophet Muhammad's legitimacy, but did not openly convert

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=624.

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The many of the Muslims had seen the Treaty of Hudaybiyya as a humiliating loss, yet Prophet Muhammad knew the treaty paved the way for their ultimate success.
This lecture discusses the various ways this treaty helped the Muslims, along with how Allah sent Surah Al-Fath right afterwards to bolden the Muslims and help them understand the victory which had just been won.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=620.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysbzCY4_cdc&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The Quraysh sent Suhayl ibn Amr to negotiate the Treaty of Hudaybiyya with Prophet Muhammad. Suhayl had a vested interest in the outcome since two of his sons had converted to Islam, one of whom he was keeping captive.
The Muslim masses were surprised by the treaty though, which they saw as an insult. Umar ibn Al-Khattab was particularly outraged, later saying that on that day he "doubted the Prophet's prophethood like [he] had never doubted it before"
While on the surface the treaty looked like a setback, it set the stage for the Muslims' eventual victory over Quraysh.

Lessons include:
- The importance of writing down agreements
- Importane of making concessions for the greater good (when they don't violate Islamic values)

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=616.

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While camped outside Mecca at Hudaybiyya, the Prophet Muhammad sends an emissary into the city. The Quraysh kill his camel, and he's barely allowed to leave.
The Prophet then tries to send Umar ibn Al-Khattab, but he refuses out of fear. Uthman, who had strong tribal ties with people in the city, is sent instead. However, he's prevented from leaving for three days, and Muslims fear the worst
Given the shakiness of the Muslims, the Prophet is inspired to renew their pledge to him in The Pledge of Ridhwan, and many verse of the Quran are revealed in praise of those who would stick with that pledge

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=612.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaDUZ8PRumQ&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Prophet Muhammad saw a dream of the Muslims entering the Ka'bah to worship, and he instructs his followers to begin preparations to go to Mecca. They would go in peace, without arms.
The call to go for this pilgrimage turns into an opportunity to expose more of the Munafiqeen as they make excuses to avoid the seemingly dangerous journey.
When the Quraysh get word of the Muslims arriving, they panic, fearing that allowing their enemies into the city would make the Meccans appear weak. While they negotiate with the Muslims, the friendly local tribe of Khuza'ah helps the Muslims settle in Hudaybiyyah and even advocates for them to teh Quraysh, reminding them of their oath to allow all pilgrims to the holy Kaba

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=608.

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The tribe of Bani Mustaliq were planning to launch a surprise  attack against the Muslims, and rumor of it reached Prophet Muhammad. He sent a companion named Buraydah ibn al-Husayb to investigate. The rumor was confirmed.

This lecture covers:
- The attack Prophet Muhammad led in response
- The secret hypocrites who joined this battle
- The battle's outcome
- The Prophet's political marriage to Juwayriyya bint al-Harith, the daughter of Bani Mustaliq's chief
- Prophet Muhammad's response to munafiq Abdullah ibn Ubayy criticizing the Muhajireen during the return trip to Medina
- Allah revealing Surah Munafiqun to expose ibn Ubayy, and an explanation of the verses

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=602.

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Sa'd was a very high ranking companion and a shaheed. Prophet Muhammad took much more care during his burial than he normally would, yet he still chided someone who said that he would go straight to heaven.
Lesson: If you have bad akhlaq, even the prophet cannot help you against the consequences
Later, Prophet Muhammad proposed Zaynab bint Jahash marry his adopted son and ex-slave Zayd ibn Haritha. When the couple was unable to get along and got a divorce, the Prophet married Zaynab instead.
This broke multiple societal taboos:
1) Making marriage between the upper class and lower class seem acceptable and
2) Showing that the rules between father/son relations do not apply to adopted sons.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=598.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xWV9lPelWs&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

After Bani Qurayzah surrendered, the punishment for their betrayal had to be decided.
This lecture covers:
- The penalty set by Bani Qurayzah's pre-Islamic ally, Sa'd ibn Mu'adh, and Prophet Muhammad's reaction to it
- Why the punishment was so harsh
- How even Bani Qurayzah's tribal custom at the time was to treat treachery with a similar punishment
- Rebutting claims that the punishment was driven by anti-semitism

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=594.

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After the enemy coalition gave up and retreated from Medina, the Muslims had to deal with the Banu Qurayzah's treachery during the seige.
This lecture covers:
- Events during the three weeks the Muslims beseiged Bani Qurayzah
- Options Bani Qurayzah considered in response
- Their attemps to find allies to support them during their surrender, who would be lenient despite their deadly betrayal

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=590.

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Multiple factors came together to demoralize the Qurayshi coalition and got them to retreat, ending the battle:
- Imam Ali's victory over Amr ibn al-Wadd - Shortage of food and fodder. They had prepared for quick battle, not a month-long seige - A violent storm that trashed the Qurayshi camp - Distrust sown between the kuffar and the jews by a secret convert - Some Arabs deciding they'd rather be ruled by Arab than by Jews, even of those Arabs are Muslims

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=586.

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The Qurayshi army arrive in Medina and are stumped by the trench, and persuade the Jewish tribe of Banu Quraydha in Medina and convince them to betray their oath of neutrality
The Muslims stand vigilant day and night to defend the trench, even missing their obligatory prayers.
Surah 33, Al Ahzaab captures the tension, covering the hypocrites who exposed themselves when they saw the pagan army, and the believers who saw the army as confirmation of what Prophet Muhammad had said to them.
Amr ibn al-Wadd, a feared warrior, crosses over the trench and calls for one on one combat. Imam Ali ibn Talib is the only one who's willing to answer and defeats him in combat.
Lessons: - Do not broadcast and sensationalize evil, even if it is true, unless there's a benefit in making it public - Trust Allah and know that there is something positive in every difficulty and hardship

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=582.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmsL_Ex8pxg&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Prophet Muhammad led by example, digging the trench harder than anyone else. When Fatima cooked some bread and brought it to him, she learned that it was the first thing the prophet had eaten in three days.
During the digging, Imam Ali also dug relentlessly and the Prophet praised him saying "May my father be ransomed for the one who digs", highlights Imam Ali's high position in his the eyes. Prophet Muhammad never said this about any other companion.
When some companions uncovered a large rock that no one could move, Prophet Muhammad hit it with three miraculous strikes, shattering it.
At the end, Jabir ibn Abdullah al Ansari invited Prophet Muhammad to dinner. The prophet extended the invitation to the rest of the exhausted companions. Jabir worried the food would run short, but when the Prophet arrived at Jabir's home he blessed the food and there ended up being enough to feed every guest.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=578.

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All the Muslim's enemies band together in a final attempt to defeat them.
In the year 5 AH, the two banished Jewish tribes ally with the Meccans to mobilizing the masses for the ultimate battle against the Muslims, in what would later be known as the Battle of the Azhab, aka Battle of Khandaq.
The Quraysh had been humbled by their constant failure to wipe out the Muslims, and now that Muslims were blocking their trade routs the Quraysh were feeling the pain in their wallets. Abu Sufyan, receptive to the invitation by the Jewish tribes, rallies the Meccans and other Pagan tribes to raise the largest army the Arab peninsula had ever seen so far and they begin marching against Medina.
The Muslims in Mecca learn of this, and with Salman Al-Farsi's advice, begin digging a tranch along the city's border.
The banished Jews reach out to the one Jewish tribe still remaining in Mecca and convince them to also break their truce with the Muslims (now that a huge army is coming towards the city). The tribe openly reveals that they'll break their covenant, and the Muslims realize they have to guard against enemies both outside and inside Medina.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=574.

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Sheikh Azhar Nasser explores additional Sunni counter arguments to the Shia claim that the Verse of Purification (Quran 33:33)

The discussion covers:
- Claims that the wives were already purified
- Claims that the actions of the wives had no impact on the prophetic household
- Claims that the Quran uses "ahl" to refer to wives in other places
- Questions about how the 12 imams were included in the verse of purity

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=567.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9nlv_zeIk4&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Sheikh Azhar Nasser explores Sunni counter arguments to the Shia claim that the Verse of Purification (Quran 33:33)

The discussion covers:
- Claims that the context of the verse being different
- Claims that the verses include all of Bani Hashim
- Claims that the verse doesn't prove infallibility

The Q&A also answers:

- Why the Imams sometimes gave their children the same names as prominent Sunni's like Aisha and Uthman
Ans: The names didn't necessarily imply endorsement back then, though Imam Ali specificlly said he named his son after a different Uthman)

- Why didn't the Quran explicitly state who the Ahlul Bayt were?
Ans: This was one of the ways Allah preserved the Quran without affecting free will. Otherwise the enemies of those people would have fought harder to change the Quran.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=560.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4J8QU_piqg&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Continuing the identification of who is meant by the holy Ahl al-Bayt, Sheikh Azhar Nasser uses hadiths from Sunni sources that are accepted by both Shias and Sunnis to compare Shia and Sunni viewpoints.

Hadith include:
- (Jame-ut-Tirmidi) Hadith al Kisa - the hadith of the cloak
- (Sahih Muslim) Zahid ibn Akram's explanation of why the wives are not part of the Ahlul Bayt
- (Al Mustadrak ala al-Sahihayn) The prophet going to Fatima's door every day for months after it was revealed, repeating the Verse of Purity saying "Oh Ahl al-Bayt..."
- (Sahih Muslim) Hadith of Mubahila, where the Christians of Najran rejected the Prophet's message and were challenged to a mubahalah. Here the term "Ahl al-Bayt" was used for the holy five exclusively
- (Sahih al-Tirmidhi) Hadith Al-Thaqalayn, where the prophet said "I'm leaving for you that which if you hold onto you shall never devate., one is greater than the other: The Book of God-an extended rope between the Heavens and the Earth; and my progeny, my Ahl al-Bayt"
- The fact that the wives never used the Verse of Purification to show their superiority (despite sometimes using other claims to show their superiority)

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=556.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3cSoTy0ZlU&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Who does the Quran refer to when it says Ahlul Bayt? Sheikh Azhar Nasser compares Sunni and Shia viewpoints based on hadit from Sunni sources.

The three main perspectives are:
- It includes the Prophet's wives, Bani Hashim, and the Holy Five (Ali, Fatima, Hassan, Hussain, and Prophet Muhammad)
- It includes just Bani Hashim and the Holy Five
- It includes just the Holy Five (shia perspective)

Sheikh Azhar discusses arguments for and against the verse of Purity (Quran 33:33) applying the wives as well as the Holy Five, looking at the verse in context with the surrounding verses.

The discussion covers:
- Why are wives referenced before and after this verse?
- Are wives actually being praised?
- Changes in pronouns
- Meaning of "warding off filth"
- Context changing from "Your houses" to "The house"

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=546.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUEGYtgQxOs&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Continuing the comparison of Shia and Sunni views on Aisha bint Abu Bakr, Sheikh Azhar compares Shia and Sunni perspectives on hadiths that cause each sect to have their varying opinions on Aisha.

Hadiths covered include:
- (Bukhari/Sahih Muslim) Prophet Muhammad apparently pointing to Aisha's house and saying "fitna is from here"
- (Bukhari) Prophet Muhammad saying Aisha is like "the female companion of Yusuf", i.e. Zulayqha
- (Bukhari/Muslim) Various hadith given by Aisha that include implications of the prophet listening to women singing and being bewitched and halucinating, thus damaging the prophet's dignity with their alleged stories. (Shias reject the validity of these hadith)

Key message: The above and the discussions from the last lecture give Shia scholars enough reservations about Aisha's narrations that they prefer to get their teachings from more reliable sources like Imam Ali and Lady Fatima

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=542.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQLj16n0-p4&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Comparing the Shia and Sunni views on Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr and third wife of Prophet Muhammad. Sheikh Azhar also explains why the two sects may have such divergent views of her.

The lecture dives into:
- Why Shia's believe Aisha was in her late teens when she married Prophet Muhammad (vs the Sunni narrative of being 9 years old)
- How Aisha gained an prominence above other wives of Propeht Muhammad
- Quranic verses establishing that the wives of Prophet Muhammad could choose to do either good or evil (Quran 33:30-31)
- Comparing views on whether the Verse of Purification applies to all wives of the prophet or only Imam Ali, Lady Fatima, and their children
- Quranic verses (Surah 66, verses 3-5) that accuse two wives of their deviation and threatens retribution. Sunnis and Shias both agree they refer to Aisha and Hafsa (another wife)
- Comparing Sunni/Shia views on whether there's enough evidence of Aisha's repentance after the above Quranic condemnation to depend on her as a reliable narrator of hadith
- Why Shias don't believe the Quranic title "The Mothers of the Believers" was intended to honor Prophet Muhammad's wives

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=536.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtYqU661YSs&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

At the end of the battle of Badr, Abu Sufyan had challenged the Muslims to a rematch a year later. This rematch was known as the Second Battle of Badr, and after seeing how much stronger the Muslims had gotten the Meccans were demoralized and decided to march back to Mecca. And so no battle never actually took place.

Around this time period many of the Prophet's multiple marriages took place. Reasons for those marriages included:
- Protecting vulnerable Muslim women
- Establishing peaceful ties with hostile tribes
- Teaching men to free their slave girls and marry them
- Promote the spirit of interfaith
- Demonstrating how to deal with marital conflict
- Testing the believers to see if they would believe the prophet or his wives

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=532.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK6rRnJFLQQ&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

This lecture covers:
- The gradual prohibition of Alcohol
- Passing of Fatima bint Asad (Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib's mother)
- Birth of Imam Husayn
- Prophet Muhammad's Marriage to Umm Salamah

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=528.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPm9rojYaHQ&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Prophet Muhammad approached the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadhir to help the Muslims make peace between themselves and another Jewish tribe, only to discover at the last minute that Banu Nadhir was planning to assassinate him.
Why? The Banu Nadir couldn't accept a gentile as the final messenger of God. They considered it degrading to be subservient to a non-Jew.
Faced with this treachery, Prophet Muhammad commanded them to take their belongings and leave Medina in ten days.
The Banu Nadhir initially refuse, preparing for war, but surrender once the Muslims besieged their fortress. Despite their willingness to fight the Prophet still allowed the tribe to depart, but orders them to leave their weapons behind this time. Banu Nadhir reloate to the Fortress of Khaybar
Surah Al Hashr (#59) verses 1-16 describe this encounter.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=524.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NrT1ojUbJE&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

After the Battle of Uhud:
- Quraysh mutilate the bodies of Muslims
- Prophet Muhammad sends a reconnissance mission to see if the Quraysh will invade Medina or return to Mecca
- Various verses of the Quran are revealed to console the Muslims and instruct them on how to recover from the losses
- The Meccans decide to come back to finish off the Muslims, but their army is scared away
- Nomadic tribes, emboldened by the Muslim's defeat at Uhud, try to raid the Muslims

Key lessons from the Battle of Uhud:
- Do not be naive and assume anyone who claims to be a Muslim is a believer at heart. Uhud exposed the munafiqeen
- God's help is guaranteed when Muslims are united and obey the Prophet
- Being Muslim doesn't guarantee victory. Believers must struggle and endure hardships to achieve success
- Beware of succumbing to material temptations. Love of the world can blind even those fighting alongside the prophet

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=501.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDjeZ57V3VM&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

As the Quraysh fled, the archers watching the army's back rushed to gather the spoils of war.

The enemy noticed this and launched a cavalry counter attack from the unprotected rear, changing the tide of the war.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=497.

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With archers defending their backs, Ali ibn Abi Talib starts the skirmish with one on one battles, defeating nine opponents in a row.

Quickly, the Qurayshi army becomes demoralized and starts fleeing.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=493.

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- The Muslims marched towards the invaders with an army of 1000 men.
- Munafiqs revealed: Abdullah ibn Ubayy deserted the army and left with 300 of the men, the munafiqs.
- Battle tactics used by Prophet Muhammad
- Fortications abandoned: The prophet gave the archerers unambiguous instructions to maintain a defensive position, yet they were ignored to try and obtain some spoils of war, giving the enemy a critical advantage

In many ways, this event was a precursor to Imam Ali's succession being ignored years down the road:
- If 300 men were blatantly hypocritical when the population was just 2000, then how many must have been munafiqs when there were 100,000 Muslims when the Prophet Muhammad passed away?
- The prophet gave clear, unambiguous instructions to the archers, yet they were ignored for some spoils of war. What instructions might such people ignore to gain the caliphate?

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=486.

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Both sides prepare for the Battle of Uhud soon after Imam Hasan's birth:
- The battle was instigated by the Meccan's desire for revenge, the insult they felt from Islam, and the economic strain they had landed under
- Abu Sufyan's attempts at raising an army
- Hind's support of the army
- Prophet Muhammad's investigation when an undercover Muslim informs him of Abu Sufyan's army
- How Prophet Muhammad held his war council and respected his follower's wishes

Practical lessons:
- Importance of consultative leadership
- Appreciating the wisdom of elders
- Youth tend to be overzealous
- Certain Islamic rulings only apply to the Prophet
- No shaming: Those who gave poor advice were not blamed even though going out to meet Quraysh was a sub-optimal option

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=482.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl87UnuBTw4&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The events that occurred after the Battle of Badr, which led to the Battle of Uhud:
- The Expedition of Qarqarat Al-Kudr, where nomadic tribes started hostilities against the Muslims
- The Expedition of Sawiq, where Abu Sufyan led an assault against Medina
- The Qaradah Raid, where the Muslims raided a Meccan caravan
- The death of Uthman ibn Madh'un, one of the highest companions
- The death of Ruqayyah
- The assassination of Ka'b ibn Ashraf, a member of the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadhir, for treason (inciting Meccans to war against the Muslims)

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=478.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNR6pPMAOrk&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

While most Muslima and Jewish tribes in Medina were agriculture based, the Jewish tribe of Banu Qaynuqa consisted mainly of craftsmen and blacksmiths, making them highly militarized. The tax-free marketplace, along with the Muslim's conflict with the Meccans (one of Banu Qaynuqa's main customer base) threatened Banu Qaynuqa's financial interests.

This led to Banu Qaynuqa violating the peace treaty they had agreed to in the Medinan Charter and secretly start colluding with the Meccans to incite hostilities against the Muslims.

Once Banu Qaynuqa began openly violating the peace treaty and began abetting the Muslim's enemies, there was a stand off between them and the Muslims, which led to Banu Qaynuqa's defeat and banishment.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=474.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uJvnpFZu0s&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

How and why the qiblah was changed from Jersalem to the Kaaba:
- The Jewish tribes had been mocking Muslims for worshipping towards Jerusalem
- Quranic verses in Surah Baqarah explain why the Qiblah was changed
- Quran's criticism of the people who had enmity in their hearts against Muslims.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=470.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X3EWPhweE8&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The immediate aftermath of the Battle of Badr, including:
- How the prisoners of war were treated after the battle
- Revelation of Surat al-Anfal, which included verses on warfare
- How the spoils were divided

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=466.

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Warfare during Battle of Badr and the Muslim's victory:
- The story of Umayr ibn Al-Humam, who longed for a martyrdom
- The two youth who killed Abu Jahl, and how they attacked him
- Abu Jahl's arrogance even with his dying breaths
- Umayyah ibn Khalaf's attempt to seek refuge once defeat was imminent
- Lessons taught after the battle

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=462.

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The Battle of Badr begins:
- Prophet Muhammad tried to avoid hostilities, and some of the Quraysh wanted to avoid fighting as well. But Abu Jahl instigated the conflict forwards.
- Fighting began with three one on one skirmishes
- The miracle of the prophet throwing pebbles towards the Quraysh and blinding them

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=458.

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The Quraysh set out with a huge army, intending to intimidate not just the Muslims but the rest of the Arabs as well.

This lecture includes:
- Quraysh leaders who were afraid of going to war
- Military tactics leveraged by the Propeht Muhammad before the battle
- Attributes needed to be a leader
- A miracle Allah sent to give the Muslims an advantage the night before the battle

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=454.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPprgQ2qGjg&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The Meccans wanted to bolster their military situation, not okay with the Prophet Muhammad simply relocating to Medina. The Meccans had invested heavily in a caravan led by Abu Sufyan which would let them build up their military.

Prophet Muhammad intended to intercept this caravan on it's way back from Syria. However, Abu Sufyan discoveres this plan and devises a scheme to rile up the Meccans and push them to all out war against the Muslims.

This lecture includes:
- How Imam Ali got the kunya of Abu Turab
- Gabriel informing Prophet Muhammad of Abu Sufyan's plan and how the Prophet tested the Muslims' resolve
- The prophet's aunt in Mecca having a vision of a calamity affecting the Meccans

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=450.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-iBIU2c3Ms&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

Imam Ali and Lady Fatima got married in the 2nd year AH. This lecture covers:
- Lady Fatima's age at marriage (Shia vs Sunni views)
- The people who unsuccessfully proposed to Fatima (and their reactions to the rejection)
- Imam Ali's bridal gift for Lady Fatima
- Their valima (the wedding feast)

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=446.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg1x0xfwiK8&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

This lecture covers how the prophet changed Yathrib's name to Medina, the rise of hypocrisy in Medina as political expediency caused people to convert without having any Islamic conviction, the first time Muslims were given permission to fight and why it was granted, and the first five military expeditions of the Muslims.

Practical Lessons:
 1. No victory comes with ease. Even prophets must sacrifice, face challenges, and fail before attaining victory.
 2. God isn't biased towards Muslims. When Muslims violated the sanctity of the sacred months, they were condemned.
 3. Lead by example
 4. Stick with your pledges.

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=440.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmX5uGS4ihs&list=PLpkB0iwLgfTat-Pgh4W3WFmupPamiC9UT.

The Prophet Muhammad had been invited to Medina to quell tensions in the city. With a few months of arriving, he created a social contract between the different tribes in they city, specifying the behaviors expected from each group: Ansar, Muhajireen, Jews, and Polythiests

Practical Lessons:
1. The importance of writing down contracts. This was an unprecedented move by the Prophet since Arabia was mostly an oral culture and agreements were usually oral. But to avoid any confusion and disagreements he insisted on putting this in writing
2. The great respect Islam has for monotheistic traditions. Prophet granted the Jews a great deal of autonomy and independence provided that they didn't betray the Muslims
3. All people were accountable before the law, regardless of if you're Muslim or not. Being Muslim doesn't get you off the hook
4. The Prophet accepted the legal norms and customs (urf) of every tribe, as long as they didn't conflict with the laws of the sharia. Just because we want to follow Islam, it doesn't mean cultural norms and practices should be abolished provided they don't violate Islamic laws.

Lecture notes available at http:///why-quran.org/blog/tag/life-of-prophet-muhammad.

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After Prophet Muhammad settled in Abu Ayyub al-Ansari's home in Medina, he purchased the lot next to it and started building a masjid there. This became known as Al Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque) and Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque). Azan was legislated soon after, and within half a year after hijra the Second Pact of Brotherhood was made between the Muhajireen and Ansaar.

Practical Lessons:
- 1. The pact of brotherhood endured. The prophet would assign a brother/sister to a new convert throughout the Madani period. From this we can extrapolate the importance of looking after the needs of new converts.
- 2. A brotherhood based on faith is the strongest from of brotherhood. Quran 59:9 describes the ansaar's generosity, saying that when they give to the muhajireen they don't feel any attachment to what they're giving, and those who are protected from the stinginess of the soul will be successful
- 3. Brotherhood and unity isn't just rhetoric. The prophet turned it into action
- 4. Islamic laws were gradually introduced to the community. We need to do a similar thing with our communities and families today, so that it's done in a way that will be gradual and well received


Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/blog/31-building-the-prophets-mosque-masjid-al-haram/

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Prophet Muhammad's arrival in Quba, the building of the Quba Masjid, and how Prophet Muhammad let Allah guide him through his camel to find a place to stay at in Medina, with the camel stopping  at Abu Ayyub al Ansari's home. Lecture by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/blog/30-hijra-the-first-masjid/

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When Prophet Muhammad learned about the assassination plot against him, he choose his most trustworthy companion to be the decoy: Ali ibn Abi Talib. Why did Abu Bakr migrated with the Prophet? Sunni vs Shia views on the merits of the Quranic verse on Abu Bakr during this hijrat (Quran 9:40), and the first instance of enmity towards the prophet expressed by Abu Bakr. By Sheikh Azhar Nasser

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/blog/29-hirja-abu-bakr-ali-and-prophet-muhammad/.

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Medina (Yathrib) was ideally suited to be the new home to the Prophet's message. This lecture describes what it was that made Medina a good location, the gradual emigration of Muslims to Medina along with the challenges they faced, the first of the two brotherhood pacts made by the muslims, and the plot to assissinate the prophet. By Sheikh Azhar Nasser

Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/blog/28-hijra-to-medina-and-an-assassination-attempt

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Medina (Yathrib) was in the middle of the civil war, when one of the factions was introduced to the Prophet Muhammad. The encounter left two men captivated, and gradually more and more people became enamored by his message. All in strict secrecy. By Sheikh Azhar Nasser

Lecture notes available at why-quran.org/blog/tag/life-of-prophet-muhammad.

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Video recording of this lecture + Q&A available here. 

Before the Prophet Muhammad's hijra to Medina, he first tried migrating to other cities. Here's what happened.

By Sheikh Azhar Nasser

Lecture notes available at why-quran.org/blog/tag/life-of-prophet-muhammad.

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The Quraysh boycott Bani Hashim, demanding they hand over Prophet Muhammad. By Sheikh Azhar Nasser

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The Prophet Muhammad visits Bayt al-Ma'mur, the rivers Kawthar and Rahmah during meraj, and the lote tree Sidratul Muntaha, by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

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The Prophet Muhammad's journey during meraj, and what he witnessed as he traveled through the heavens, by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

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The Prophet Muhammad's journey during meraj, and what he witnessed as he traveled through the heavens, by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

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Isra, the miraculous night journey the Prophet Muhammad took at night, and Meraj, his ascention to heaven, by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

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How Umar converted and his impact on Islam, as well as the Abyssinian king Najashi's conversion to Islam, by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

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Why did the Muslims return from Abyssinia? Debunking myths and rumors, by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

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Stories of the first two hijras, which went to Abyssinia. Given by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

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Additional tactics the Quraysh used to attack Prophet Muhammad and his message.

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7 tactics the Quraysh used to attack Prophet Muhammad and his message.

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10 reasons why the Quraysh were opposed to Islam

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In the first 5 months of Quranic revelation 46 surahs were revealed, and they highlight the situation of the early Muslims. Sheikh Azhar also describes who the earliest converts were and what the evidence indicates about when Abu Bakr converted to Islam.

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Debunking the story of the Prophet being agitated when the first verse of the Quran was revealed to him. Sheikh Azhar Nasser describes when it happend, the tranquility the prophet felt, and explains how the alternative narrative took root.

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The angles Allah sent to guide the Prophet Muhammad's spiritual development

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The Prophet's adopted son Zaid bin Harithah, the birth of Imam Ali, and of Lady Fatima

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The Prophet's most beloved wife, Khadijah. How they met, got married, and the controversy around her age

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The divine guidance Prophet Muhammad received from childhood, the Sacrilegious wars, and the Fudul Pact made by the Quraysh to uphold justice.

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In his early years the prophet Muhammad was looked after by Halima, his mother Amina, his grandfather Abdul Mutalib, and his uncle Abu Talib. Sheikh Azhar talks describes each of them and the level to which they believed in his greatness even from childhood, comparing Sunnia and Shia views on them.

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Soon after his birth, the Prophet Muhammad went to live with the bedouins and his wet nurse Halima.

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This lecture covers:

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The political, economic, social, and religious climate of the Arabs during the 200 years of the age of ignorance, also known as the time of jahiliyya, described by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

Lecture notes can be downloaded here

A governor tries to destroy the Kaaba with his army of elephants, but Abdul Muttalib trusts Allah to protect his own house

The Prophet Muhammad's grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, rediscovers the well of Zamzam after it was lost for centuries

Were all of Prophet Muhammad's ancestors Muslims? Did any prophet have disbelieving parents? 

Sheikh Azhar Nasser explains the views of both Shia and Sunni scholars.

How was the biography of the Prophet compiled? Who collected the details and why are there conflicting accounts about his seerah? Sheikh Azhar investigates the differences between the sources.