Why Quran

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.

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com

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.

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com

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

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com

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

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com

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

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com

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

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com

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

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com

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)

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com

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.

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com

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.

Podcast version: podcast.lifeofprophetmuhammad.com