Bi'tha: Difference between revisions
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The term '''Bi' | The term '''Bi'tha''' (Arabic: {{ia|البعثة}}), refers to the moment when [[Muhammad b. Abd Allah]] (s) was divinely appointed as a Prophet, marking the birth of Islam and the beginning of a transformative chapter in human history. | ||
In the 40th year following the [[Year of the Elephant]] ([[‘Aam al-Fil]]), Prophet Muhammad (s) received the first divine revelation during his spiritual retreat in the Cave of Hira near Mecca. His prophethood was accompanied by extraordinary miracles, many of which had been prophesied in previous scriptures. At the time, Prophet Muhammad (s) was around 40 years old. | In the 40th year following the [[Year of the Elephant]] ([[‘Aam al-Fil]]), Prophet Muhammad (s) received the first divine revelation during his spiritual retreat in the Cave of Hira near Mecca. His prophethood was accompanied by extraordinary miracles, many of which had been prophesied in previous scriptures. At the time, Prophet Muhammad (s) was around 40 years old. | ||
Though there is some variation in traditions regarding the exact date of this event, Shia Muslims traditionally observe the 27th of Rajab as the day of his prophethood. At the same time, [[Ahl al-Sunnah]] places more significance on the 17th of [[Ramadhan]]. According to multiple narrations, the prophetic mission commenced with the revelation of the first five verses of [[Surah Al-'Alaq]]. Notably, the first to accept Islam were [[Lady Khadijah]] (a.s) and Imam Ali (a.s). | Though there is some variation in traditions regarding the exact date of this event, Shia Muslims traditionally observe the 27th of Rajab as the day of his prophethood. At the same time, [[Ahl al-Sunnah]] places more significance on the 17th of [[Ramadhan]]. According to multiple narrations, the prophetic mission commenced with the revelation of the first five verses of [[Surah Al-'Alaq]]. Notably, the first to accept Islam were [[Lady Khadijah]] (a.s) and Imam Ali (a.s). | ||
== '''The Etymology of Bi' | == '''The Etymology of Bi'tha (Prophethood)''' == | ||
The term | The term Bi'tha originates from the Arabic root letters "ب-ع-ث" (b-'a-th), <ref>Mufradat, Volume 1, p. 132, the term "Ba'atha / بعث"</ref>which carry the meanings of "to send forth," <ref>Al-‘Ayn, Volume 2, p. 112, the term "Ba’atha/ بعث"</ref>" to raise," <ref>Al-Tahqiq, Volume 1, p. 295, the term "Ba’atha"</ref> or "to dispatch." <ref>Mufradat, Volume 1, p. 133 | ||
</ref> This root encapsulates the dual notions of selection and mission, emphasizing the idea of appointing someone for a specific purpose. <ref>Al-Tahqiq, Volume 1, p. 295</ref> | </ref> This root encapsulates the dual notions of selection and mission, emphasizing the idea of appointing someone for a specific purpose. <ref>Al-Tahqiq, Volume 1, p. 295</ref> | ||
In Islamic theology, | In Islamic theology, Bi'tha specifically refers to God's divine appointment of prophets to guide humankind. <ref>Farhang-e Shi'a, p 159</ref> This concept is supported by several Quranic verses, such as verse 36 of Surah An-Nahl and verse 15 of Surah Al-Isra, where God speaks of sending prophets to deliver His message and the consequences faced by those who reject it. | ||
== '''The Verse of the Qur’an about Bi’itha''' == | == '''The Verse of the Qur’an about Bi’itha''' == | ||
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Around 40 years after the [[Year of the Elephant]], the Prophet Muhammad (s) was divinely appointed by God to lead humankind. <ref>Imta' al-Asma', vol. 1, p. 32; Tarikh al-Islam, vol. 1, p. 24; Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, vol. 2, p. 321.</ref> According to widely accepted reports, the initiation of his prophethood and the first revelation occurred when he was 40 years old, <ref>Tarikh al-Yaqoubi, vol. 2, p. 22.</ref> although some sources suggest it happened when he was 43. <ref>Sirat Ibn Ishaq, p. 114.</ref> | Around 40 years after the [[Year of the Elephant]], the Prophet Muhammad (s) was divinely appointed by God to lead humankind. <ref>Imta' al-Asma', vol. 1, p. 32; Tarikh al-Islam, vol. 1, p. 24; Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, vol. 2, p. 321.</ref> According to widely accepted reports, the initiation of his prophethood and the first revelation occurred when he was 40 years old, <ref>Tarikh al-Yaqoubi, vol. 2, p. 22.</ref> although some sources suggest it happened when he was 43. <ref>Sirat Ibn Ishaq, p. 114.</ref> | ||
Narratives about the first revelation differ among various companions, leading to some inconsistencies in the details. Nonetheless, a consistent element across these reports is that the first divine revelation began with the descent of several verses of the Holy Qur'an while the Prophet was in seclusion in the [[Cave of Hira]] for worship and reflection. <ref>Al-Sira al-Nabawiyya, by Ibn Hisham, vol. 1, p. 154; Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, vol. 2, pp. 48-49.</ref> <ref>Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, vol. 2, p. 47.</ref> <ref>Ansāb al-Ashrāf, vol. 1, pp. 104-105.</ref> Additionally, some accounts describe the initial phase of this divine communication as the Prophet receiving truthful dreams prior to his formal appointment as a prophet. <ref>Sahīh al-Bukhārī, vol. 1, p. 3.</ref> | Narratives about the first revelation differ among various companions, leading to some inconsistencies in the details. Nonetheless, a consistent element across these reports is that the first divine revelation began with the descent of several verses of the Holy Qur'an while the Prophet was in seclusion in the [[Cave of Hira]] for worship and reflection. <ref>Al-Sira al-Nabawiyya, by Ibn Hisham, vol. 1, p. 154; Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, vol. 2, pp. 48-49.</ref> <ref>Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, vol. 2, p. 47.</ref> <ref>Ansāb al-Ashrāf, vol. 1, pp. 104-105.</ref> Additionally, some accounts describe the initial phase of this divine communication as the Prophet receiving truthful dreams prior to his formal appointment as a prophet. <ref>Sahīh al-Bukhārī, vol. 1, p. 3.</ref> | ||
== The Day of Bi' | == The Day of Bi'tha == | ||
For most Shia Muslims, the 27th of Rajab is observed as the Day of Bi' | For most Shia Muslims, the 27th of Rajab is observed as the Day of Bi'tha, <ref>Bihār al-Anwār, j. 18, p. 190; al-Ṣaḥīḥ min Sīrat al-Nabī, j. 2, p. 64-65.</ref> while Sunni Muslims commemorate it on the 17th of [[Ramadhan]]. <ref>Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hishām, j. 1, p. 158; al-Ṭabaqāt, j. 1, p. 193-194.</ref> This day marks the initiation of the prophetic mission of Prophet Muhammad (S), a pivotal and crucial event in the history of Islam. It is reported that [[Umar ibn al-Khattab]] once suggested that the [[bi'thah]] should serve as the starting point of the Islamic calendar. However, this proposal was not accepted. Instead, on the recommendation of [[Ali (a.s)]], the Prophet’s migration ([[Hijrah]]) was chosen as the defining moment to begin the [[Islamic calendar]]. <ref>Tārīkh Yaʿqūbī, j. 2, p. 145.</ref> | ||
== The First Revealed Verses == | == The First Revealed Verses == | ||
It is widely narrated that the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq were the initial revelations to Prophet Muhammad (S). <ref>Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hishām, j. 1, p. 155; Tafsīr Qummī, j. 2, p. 428.</ref> However, some sources suggest that the first revealed verses originated from Surah Al-Muddaththir, <ref>Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, j. 6, p. 74; al-Awāʾil, p. 43.</ref> while others contend that Surah Al-Fatiha was the first revelation. <ref>Al-Kashāf, j. 4, p. 270; Majmaʿ al-Bayān, j. 10, p. 398; al-Ittqān, j. 1, p. 77.</ref> | It is widely narrated that the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq were the initial revelations to Prophet Muhammad (S). <ref>Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hishām, j. 1, p. 155; Tafsīr Qummī, j. 2, p. 428.</ref> However, some sources suggest that the first revealed verses originated from Surah Al-Muddaththir, <ref>Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, j. 6, p. 74; al-Awāʾil, p. 43.</ref> while others contend that Surah Al-Fatiha was the first revelation. <ref>Al-Kashāf, j. 4, p. 270; Majmaʿ al-Bayān, j. 10, p. 398; al-Ittqān, j. 1, p. 77.</ref> | ||