Prophet Muhammad [SAW] question...?

[xAllahKnowsBestx]

Assalamu Alaikum everyone!

I have a question about Prophet Muhammad SAW. This might sound a little dumb, but I'm trying to learn more about Islam since I've never been exposed too much about Islam even though I'm a born Muslim, I still learn all by myself using the internet.

So here's the question:
What did Prophet Muhammad follow before the revelation of the Quran? I know he believed in Allah and everything but what did he follow? Because the Bible was also Allah's word at that time [I'm assuming it hadn't been changed at the prophet's time], did he follow the Bible? What did he really follow? And how did he pray to Allah then?
I'd appreciate it if anyone would take the time to answer my question. :blackhijab:

Peace!

 

[Azizati]

wa alikoum salam wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh

Assalamu Alaikum everyone!

I have a question about Prophet Muhammad SAW. This might sound a little dumb, but I'm trying to learn more about Islam since I've never been exposed too much about Islam even though I'm a born Muslim, I still learn all by myself using the internet.

So here's the question:
What did Prophet Muhammad follow before the revelation of the Quran? I know he believed in Allah and everything but what did he follow? Because the Bible was also Allah's word at that time [I'm assuming it hadn't been changed at the prophet's time], did he follow the Bible? What did he really follow? And how did he pray to Allah then?
I'd appreciate it if anyone would take the time to answer my question. :blackhijab:

Peace!

if you can read arabic then go to the following link you will find the answer, if not then I'll do my best to translate.
sorry but I'm not good in english
salam alikoum

 

[ahmed_indian]

,

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) did not follow any particular religion before Islam.

he did not follow bible. also bible was already corrupted by his time.

 

[xAllahKnowsBestx]

if you can read arabic then go to the following link you will find the answer, if not then I'll do my best to translate.
sorry but I'm not good in english
salam alikoum

I can't understand Arabic. =[

 

[xAllahKnowsBestx]

,

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) did not follow any particular religion before Islam.

he did not follow bible. also bible was already corrupted by his time.

Right, so even though the Bible was corrupted at that time, did he believe in Jesus Christ PBUH, Moses PBUH, and all the other prophets? Or did he not believe in anything else before the revelation?

Thank you. :blackhijab:

 

[ahmed_indian]

Right, so even though the Bible was corrupted at that time, did he believe in Jesus Christ PBUH, Moses PBUH, and all the other prophets? Or did he not believe in anything else before the revelation?

Thank you. :blackhijab:

:salam2:,

prophet belonged to Quraish which was pagan in nature. they were polytheists.

Allah kept prophet illiterate and he did not know about previous prophets and religions.

one more thing, had He made him educated, people would have said that he copied from other religions but as he was not educated, people have to believe that Quran is Word of Allah.

 

[xAllahKnowsBestx]

:salam2:,

prophet belonged to Quraish which was pagan in nature. they were polytheists.

Allah kept prophet illiterate and he did not know about previous prophets and religions.

one more thing, had He made him educated, people would have said that he copied from other religions but as he was not educated, people have to believe that Quran is Word of Allah.

Oh!! That makes a lot of sense.
Thank you! :blackhijab:

 

[ahmed_indian]

Oh!! That makes a lot of sense.
Thank you! :blackhijab:

:salam2:,

alhamdulillah, the info benefited you. also if you have more questions, as you said you are new to learning Islam, dont hesitate to post them here.

we'll help you out sister inshallah.

 

[xAllahKnowsBestx]

:salam2:,

alhamdulillah, the info benefited you. also if you have more questions, as you said you are new to learning Islam, dont hesitate to post them here.

we'll help you out sister inshallah.

I will, inshallah.

 

[saif]

:salam2:

This is not true, that he did not follow any religion. He was on the religion brough by Ibrahim (AS). Even though the most quraishis were polytheists but there was and there had always been a minority among arabs, which was monotheistic. Abu Bakar was also another example of such monotheistic arabs.

The proof, that he was on Ibrahim's religion is the historical record of his hajj. Even before getting the first revelation, his hajj was free of all innovations of his time.

 

[xAllahKnowsBestx]

:salam2:

This is not true, that he did not follow any religion. He was on the religion brough by Ibrahim (AS). Even though the most quraishis were polytheists but there was and there had always been a minority among arabs, which was monotheistic. Abu Bakar was also another example of such monotheistic arabs.

The proof, that he was on Ibrahim's religion is the historical record of his hajj. Even before getting the first revelation, his hajj was free of all innovations of his time.

:salam2: brother.

for answering. Your answer does make sense as well but I'm really confused now, lol. I would really appreciate it if anyone would provide more proof/information [maybe hadith? S:] on this. :blackhijab:

 

[ahmed_indian]

:salam2:

This is not true, that he did not follow any religion. He was on the religion brough by Ibrahim (AS). Even though the most quraishis were polytheists but there was and there had always been a minority among arabs, which was monotheistic. Abu Bakar was also another example of such monotheistic arabs.

The proof, that he was on Ibrahim's religion is the historical record of his hajj. Even before getting the first revelation, his hajj was free of all innovations of his time.

,

brother, if you say that prophet was on the religion of Ibrahim (as), you have to bring proof that he did all the rites and rituals of Ibrahim (as) religion. but the message and books of Ibrahim (as) was long lost.

if you mean being a monotheist, then you can say that.

and Allah knows best.

 

[weakslave]

:salam2:

This is not true, that he did not follow any religion. He was on the religion brough by Ibrahim (AS). Even though the most quraishis were polytheists but there was and there had always been a minority among arabs, which was monotheistic. Abu Bakar was also another example of such monotheistic arabs.

The proof, that he was on Ibrahim's religion is the historical record of his hajj. Even before getting the first revelation, his hajj was free of all innovations of his time.

Prophet knew there was something more than idol worshipping. Idol worshipping didn't make sense to him, at the same time he did not follow any person, any book, or any ideology until Allaah azza wajal sent down the wahi to him. The Prophet maintained his fitrah, that pure heart inside every infant who knows and testifies to the existance of one God above all else. That is why he was constantly looking up at the sky, he was looking for something.

 

[Men of Allah]

Allah always guide a prophet Muhammad by revelation through the angel Jibril , so he's exactly like a god inspired revelation delivered to him..

 

[saif]

:salam2: brother.

for answering. Your answer does make sense as well but I'm really confused now, lol. I would really appreciate it if anyone would provide more proof/information [maybe hadith? S:] on this. :blackhijab:

:salam2:

Yes I do have a Hadith from Al-Bukhari to support my claim. Let me first provide you with some background of the hadith I am going to quote. Before Islam, the arab pagans used to perform salah, fasting, zakah and hajj with a lot of innovations they had added to the original deen of Ibrahim (AS). One such innovation in Hajj was, that the Quraish used to stay in Muzdalfah, when the other arabs went to arafat. This was because they thought of themselves as the keepers of haram and the boundaries of haram ended at muzdalfah. This was a bid'ah, which they had invented for themselves. Now the following hadith relates, that the Prophet (SAW) did not only perform hajj but he was always aware of this bid'ah and depite being from Quraish he went to Arafat. Here is the hadith:

Volume 2, Book 26, Number 725:

Narrated Muhammad bin Jubair bin Mut'im:

My father said, "(Before Islam) I was looking for my camel .." The same narration is told by a different sub-narrator. Jubair bin Mut'im said, "My camel was lost and I went out in search of it on the day of 'Arafat, and I saw the Prophet standing in 'Arafat. I said to myself: By Allah he is from the Hums (literally: strictly religious, Quraish were called so, as they used to say, 'We are the people of Allah we shall not go out of the sanctuary). What has brought him here?"

That means, he was wondering, why he is not in Muzdalfah. the second hadith explains in more detail this bid'ah of Quraish:

Volume 2, Book 26, Number 726:

Narrated 'Urwa:

During the pre-lslamic period of Ignorance, the people used to perform Tawaf of the Ka'ba naked except the Hums; and the Hums were Quraish and their offspring. The Hums used to give clothes to the men who would perform the Tawaf wearing them; and women (of the Hums) used to give clothes to the women who would perform the Tawaf wearing them. Those to whom the Hums did not give clothes would perform Tawaf round the Ka'ba naked. Most of the people used to go away (disperse) directly from 'Arafat but they (Hums) used to depart after staying at Al-Muzdalifa. 'Urwa added, "My father narrated that 'Aisha had said, 'The following verses were revealed about the Hums: Then depart from the place whence all the people depart--(2.199) 'Urwa added, "They (the Hums) used to stay at Al-Muzdalifa and used to depart from there (to Mina) and so they were sent to 'Arafat (by Allah's order)."

Prophet knew there was something more than idol worshipping. Idol worshipping didn't make sense to him, at the same time he did not follow any person, any book, or any ideology until Allaah azza wajal sent down the wahi to him. The Prophet maintained his fitrah, that pure heart inside every infant who knows and testifies to the existance of one God above all else. That is why he was constantly looking up at the sky, he was looking for something.

Everything you said is correct about his following the fitrah and being in search of the truth because we know that from Quran. However, it does not negate, that the Prophet did use to follow the abrahmic religion for matters he found correct by his fitrah. Now, you can explain his being saadiq and ameen with the fitrah alone but performing hajj cannot be explained by it. So my conclusion is, that the Prophet was aware of Ibrahim (AS) being a true prophet even before his first revelation and he did use to follow abrahmic religion without innovations of arabs because he was on the correct fitrah.

And Allah knows best.

 

[weakslave]

Everything you said is correct about his following the fitrah and being in search of the truth because we know that from Quran. However, it does not negate, that the Prophet did use to follow the abrahmic religion for matters he found correct by his fitrah. Now, you can explain his being saadiq and ameen with the fitrah alone but performing hajj cannot be explained by it. So my conclusion is, that the Prophet was aware of Ibrahim (AS) being a true prophet even before his first revelation and he did use to follow abrahmic religion without innovations of arabs because he was on the correct fitrah.

And Allah knows best.

Arafat is an open place, anyone can be present there at any time. Maybe the Messenger was guided by Allaah to go and stand at arafat, or maybe was checking out the place, among other possibilities. But I still haven't seen or heard of evidence that he used to do hajj or any act of worship prior to the descending of the wahi.

 

[besmiralalbani]

I think this explains well the question of the brother

Did Islam exist before the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?
Was there a religion called Islam before the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came?.

Praise be to Allaah.
It should be noted that the word “Islam” may refer to two things: a general meaning and a specific meaning.

Islam in a general sense means submitting to Allaah alone, which implies worshipping Him alone and obeying Him alone.

Everyone who believes in Allaah alone and worships Him according to His laws that have not been abrogated is a Muslim.

Shaykh al-Islam said in al-Tadmuriyyah, p. 168-170:

This religion is the religion of Islam, besides which Allaah will accept no other religion, either from the earlier or the later generations. All the Prophets followed Islam. Allaah says of Nooh (interpretation of the meaning):

“And recite to them the news of Nooh (Noah). When he said to his people: ‘O my people, if my stay (with you), and my reminding (you) of the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allaah is hard on you, then I put my trust in Allaah. So devise your plot, you and your partners, and let not your plot be in doubt for you. Then pass your sentence on me and give me no respite.

72. ‘But if you turn away (from accepting my doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allaah), then no reward have I asked of you, my reward is only from Allaah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims (i.e. those who submit to Allaah’s Will)’”
[Yoonus 10:71-72]

And Allaah says of Ibraaheem (interpretation of the meaning):

“And who turns away from the religion of Ibraaheem (Abraham) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.

131. When his Lord said to him, ‘Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!’ He said, ‘I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).’

132. And this (submission to Allaah, Islam) was enjoined by Ibraaheem (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya’qoob (Jacob) (saying), ‘O my sons! Allaah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims — Islamic Monotheism)’”
[al-Baqarah 2:130-132]

And He says of Moosa (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Moosa (Moses) said: ‘O my people! If you have believed in Allaah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims (those who submit to Allaah’s Will)’”
[Yoonus 10:84]

And He says of the Messiah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And when I (Allaah) inspired Al‑Hawariyyoon (the disciples) [of ‘Eesa (Jesus)] to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said: ‘We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims’”
[al-Maa'idah 5:111]

And He says of the previous Prophets (interpretation of the meaning):

“…by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allaah’s Will …”
[al-Maa’idah 5:44]

And He tells us that Bilqeez said (interpretation of the meaning):

“My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit [in Islam, together with Sulaymaan (Solomon)] to Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen(mankind, jinn and all that exists)”
[al-Naml 27:44]

This is the religion of Islam, besides which Allaah does not accept any other. This means obeying Allaah at any given time by doing what He commanded at that time. So initially the command was to face towards the Rock [in Jerusalem] in prayer, then the command came to face towards the Ka’bah. Both actions come under the heading of the religion of Islam, because religion is obedience and worship in both cases, but the actions varied in some regards which was the direction faced in prayer. Similarly the religion of all the Messengers is one and the same, but their laws varied. End quote.

With this general meaning of the word “Islam” in mind, it is correct to say that there was a religion called Islam before the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was sent.

All the Prophets who were sent were Muslims, and their followers who adhered to their true religion, before it was distorted or abrogated, were Muslims.

Before the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came there were a few individuals who followed the true religion with which Allaah had sent ‘Eesa (peace be upon him). This is indicated by the report narrated by Muslim (2865) from ‘Iyaad ibn Himaar al-Mujaashi’i, that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said one day in his khutbah: “Allaah looked at the people of the earth and was angry with them all, Arabs and non-Arabs, except for the remainder of the People of the Book. And He said: ‘I have only sent you to test you and test others by you…’”

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Maqt (translated here as “angry”) means extreme anger. Looking refers to the time before the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was sent. What is meant by the remainder of the People of the Book is those who continued to adhere to their true religion without altering it. End quote.

With regard to Islam in a specific sense, this is the religion with which Allaah sent His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

In this specific sense, it is not correct to say that there was a religion called Islam before the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was sent.

Shaykh al-Islam said in al-Tadmuriyyah (p. 173-174):

People have disputed concerning those who came before them of the nations of Moosa and Ibraaheem – were they Muslims or not?

This is a semantic dispute, because Islam in the specific sense with which Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the law of the Qur’aan is not followed by anyone except the ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). This is what is meant by Islam nowadays. But with regard to Islam in a general sense, referring to every law with which Allaah sent one of His Prophets, this includes the Islam of every nation that followed one of the Prophets.

And Allaah knows best.

 

[saif]

Arafat is an open place, anyone can be present there at any time. Maybe the Messenger was guided by Allaah to go and stand at arafat, or maybe was checking out the place, among other possibilities. But I still haven't seen or heard of evidence that he used to do hajj or any act of worship prior to the descending of the wahi.

:salam2:

It is so easy to distinguish somebody doing hajj from those, who are not performing hajj. Yes, as it has already come to your mind: it's ihraam. If he was not in Ihraam, there was nothing to wonder about. And if, let us assume, he was not in ihraam, then what is the purpose of this hadith. You can see somebody anywhere, does that mean, you will transfer that information to your next generations to write it down? Imaam Bukhari has placed this hadith among other ahadith, which are providing information about that bid'a of Quraish, which I explained earlier.

Besides, even today Arafat is such a lonely place, that you can hardly find any other reason to go there, if it's not the day of Arafat and you are not performing hajj.

Actually I don't want to continue this discussion any more, because it has practically very little significance. For me, the whole purpose of the discussion was to show, that the Prophet (SAW) did not bring a new religion but actually revived the original Abrahmic religion. These are not my words. This is the understanding of Shah Wali Allah Muhaddith Dehlawi. If you have another understanding and want to keep it, it's your choice. I don't think, it makes a big difference on my or your faith.

 

[weakslave]

:salam2:

It is so easy to distinguish somebody doing hajj from those, who are not performing hajj. Yes, as it has already come to your mind: it's ihraam. If he was not in Ihraam, there was nothing to wonder about. And if, let us assume, he was not in ihraam, then what is the purpose of this hadith. You can see somebody anywhere, does that mean, you will transfer that information to your next generations to write it down? Imaam Bukhari has placed this hadith among other ahadith, which are providing information about that bid'a of Quraish, which I explained earlier.

Besides, even today Arafat is such a lonely place, that you can hardly find any other reason to go there, if it's not the day of Arafat and you are not performing hajj.

Actually I don't want to continue this discussion any more, because it has practically very little significance. For me, the whole purpose of the discussion was to show, that the Prophet (SAW) did not bring a new religion but actually revived the original Abrahmic religion. These are not my words. This is the understanding of Shah Wali Allah Muhaddith Dehlawi. If you have another understanding and want to keep it, it's your choice. I don't think, it makes a big difference on my or your faith.

I agree on ending discussion of this topic, but if you have any information supporting your claims from a reputable scholar I would like to read it for my own benefit.

 

[saif]

I agree on ending discussion of this topic, but if you have any information supporting your claims from a reputable scholar I would like to read it for my own benefit.

:salam2:

I thought Al-Bukhari was a reputable scholar

I don't have a source but I had heard or read somewhere, that the monotheistic and "looking for guidance" kind of arabs were called Haneef, and the Prophet (SAW) and Abu Bakar were among Haneef arabs. Unfortunately, I have no other source than wikipedia. Just look for "Hanif". However, that's just a side-discussion. My only evidence is that hadith and the Prophet's love for Ka'aba, which does not make sense, if he was not convinced of its origine from true and monotheistic prophets.