Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri (氐賮蹖 丕賱乇丨賲賳 賲亘丕乇讴倬賵乇蹖; 6 June 1942 鈥� 1 December 2006) was an Indian writer. Mubarakpuri was born in Husainabad, a village one mile deep to the north side of Mubarakpur, Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Mubarakpuri began his studies at home with the Quran under the tutelage of his grandfather and uncle. He then began studies in Arabic and Persian after being admitted to Madrasa Arabia Dar-ut-Taleem. He later moved on to Madrasah Ihyaaul Uloom in Mubarakpur after being admitted there in 1954. Two years after that he joined Madrasa Faiz-e-Aam Maunath Bhanjan (Mau district) for further studies. Upon completion of his seven years of studies, he acquired the Fadilat degree and passed multiple exams to receive the Maulvi and Alim Certification. Mubarakpuri then went on to teach for the next 28 years in various universities, madrasas, and schools in India until he was offered a position at the Islamic University of Al Madinah al-Munawarah. He served several years at the Islamic University of Madinah.
This is among few books which leave an impact to me. I encountered this while performing Hajj - mine was an old edition, with black cover, no adornments on the cover, just gold lettering on black cover. It costs me SR 30. My friend, Nusayba recommended this book through her blog years back.
This book gives a detailed overview with regards to the Prophet Muhammad SAW's life from his birth to death. I was sceptical at first, since the book started off explaining the lineage of Muhammad SAW and the Arab tribes. It gets interesting when it delves into Prophet SAW's birth & childhood. I particularly like Halimah's narration of Prophet Muhammad SAW during his childhood.
Then, I read on, and I read. Amazingly I finished this at a much faster pace. The battles in the Islamic history during Prophet's lifetime were described in details. The description made me feel as if I'm standing within them, fighting their enemies! I particularly love the description of Uhud battle, particularly when there was one of the Companions mentioned that they'd never seen Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. wept as much as when he buried his uncle, Hamzah Abdul Mutalib r.a. and the descriptions of some of Prophet Muhammad SAW's companions such as Suhaib, who migrated to Madinah leaving all his possessions to the musyrikins, when they pestered him when he decided to leave Makkah and told Suhaib to repay their kindness, which the Prophet SAW told other Companions that "Suhaib is the real winner"
I smiled when Rasulullah SAW smile. I cried when Rasulullah SAW cried, I cried when the Companions cried. I could actually feel their anguish and sorrow. And particularly when the Ansar were furious with the Prophet Muhammad SAW during Hunain, Prophet SAW comforted them and told them that if the Ansars went to another unfamiliar valley, he'll follow suit. Had there be no migration (hijrah), the Prophet Muhammad SAW sincerely believes that he'll be placed with the Ansar people.
"But by All芒h, you might have answered and answered truly, for I would have testified to its truth myself: 鈥榊ou came to us belied and rejected and we accepted you; you came to us as helpless and we helped you; a fugitive, and we took you in; poor and we comforted you鈥�.
You Helpers, do you feel anxious for the things of this world, wherewith I have sought to incline these people unto the Faith in which you are already established?
Are you not satisfied, O group of Helpers that the people go with ewes and camels while you go along with the Messenger of All芒h ([pbuh:]) to your dwellings. By Him in Whose Hand is my life, had there been no migration, I would have been one of the Helpers. If the people would go through a valley and passage, and the Helpers go through another valley and passage, I would go through the valley and passage of the Helpers. All芒h! Have mercy on the Helpers, their children and their children鈥檚 children."
The Ansars actually wept hearing those words.
The Prophet's death certainly was one of the saddest moment which is described in the book. Umar r.a. didn't believe that the Prophet SAW is dead until Abu Bakar r.a. read the following verse from the Qur'an to him & the audience, until everyone recited the verse till there was no one left who didn't recite the verse:
"Muhammad is no more than an Apostle: many were the Apostles that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will you then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude."
I'm glad I read this book and I sincerely hope that others would read this book as well since the book can actually increase our knowledge regarding our Prophet's life, gave insights and appreciate our Prophet s.a.w. much much more
I was told that this was the most authentic biography on the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH). I started reading it and in these past 2-3 years I must have read this book at least a dozen times. It is such an enlightening read. The way of writing and describing events clearly refrains from extra dramatic effects addition or any thing that might corrupt the original essence of the Prophets pure life. The events are narrated with extreme simplicity yet in an authentic tone that definitely doesnt fail to cast an impression on the reader. The book contained many details which are generally absent in the other books of this type. Those details were not only necessary but only allowed glances into parts of the Prophets life that had been left untouched. Another vital aspect that this book had was the way lessons and rules were easily extracted and presented to the reader from the experiences and activities of Holy Prophet. The book charmed me and it definitely goes to my favourite. Without doubt a 5-star!
Wonderfully detailed and thorough biography of the prophet PBUH. It touches on every aspect of his life and every move, battle, and mentions all the companion (rA) and how they converted to Islam .