This is a simple, concise and authentic account of the life of the Prophet Muhammad by S. M. Hasan Al-Banna. Many a book has been written on this subject but this unique book is characterized by the following.

- ideal for teenagers, introducing them to the Seerah of the Final Prophet

- usage of Arabic terminology ie. Ibadah, Dawah, Shirk, Ukhuwwah

- focuses on the Prophets mission and methodology in establishing Islam

- comprehensive coverage of all major events

- simplicity of language and expression


Book Extract - Mission and The Movement

The analysis of the above ayahs (verses), provided the Prophet Muhammad three stages for the cause in which he was to strive for:

1. Personal reform, so that one worships Allah alone in totality and avoids all forms of wrong doings and disobedience (Al Islahul Fardi).

2. Impressing on others the reality of their existence and final destiny; that they are Allah's servants and will return to Him after death (DaÆwah and Inzaar); hence establishing the rule of Islam in society (Iqamat ud Deen).

3. Remaining steadfast in the face of difficulties and opposition which afflicts oneself when attempting to reform both oneself and society (As Sabr wal Istiqamah).

The verses proved to be a turning point in the life of Prophet Muhammad. He would no longer retreat into continual solitary confinement; rather he was now entrusted with the duty of conveying the message of Islam to mankind (Da'wah) and initiating a movement for the dominance of Islam over all other ways of life (Al Harakatul Islamiyyah). He was not to change society partially; as it is futile to implement partial good in some aspects of life. Partial good can be seen in every mission and even in bad systems there is a random good.

Thus the message of Islam was not to be a negative protest against the existing order but a comprehensive ideal and a system of life (Nizam un Shamil) for a collective transformation of society. The mission was total reform of life; social upliftment, the establishment of the rule of Allah in order to be His slave.

The Prophet realised from the outset that his mission would be difficult to accomplish. For a period, revelation ceased and the Prophet began to worry, thinking that Allah had forsaken him. However Angel Jibrail came with the following verses:

By the forenoon; And by the night when it is still; Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor hated you. And indeed the hereafter is better for you than the present. And verily your Lord will give you so that you may be pleased. Did He not find you an orphan and gave you a refuge. And He found you unaware and guided you. And He found you poor and made you rich. Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression and repulse not the beggar. And proclaim the grace of your Lord. (Ad-Duha 93 : v 1-11)

About Author:

Imam Hasan al-Banna born in Egypt (1906-1949). He is the founder of al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun (The Muslim Brotherhood) - the largest Islamic Movement of our time. He studied Hadith, Fiqh and other Islamic Sciences under his father Shaykh Abdur Rahman al-Banna and under many other notable scholars. He graduated from Darul Ulum, Cairo and worked for many years as a teacher. Due to his dawah and revival efforts Imama al-Banna is considered by many Muslim scholars and thinkers as the mujaddid (reviver) of the 20th Century. He was assassinated and martyred in 1949.