Bi'tha: Difference between revisions

== '''The Verse of the Qur'an about Bi'itha''' ==

"'''وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ'''"

"And We have certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], 'Worship Allah and avoid Taghut."

== '''The Condition of the Hijaz Before Prophethood (Bi'itha)''' ==

In the [[Holy Quran]], the period before the advent of Prophethood is described using the term "manifest error". <ref>Surah Al-Jumua, Verse 2</ref> This era is referred to in Islamic sources as the "Jahiliyya" (جاهلية), or the Age of Ignorance. According to [[Imam Ali]] (a.s), religious beliefs during this time were highly diverse; some individuals equated God with physical objects, while others associated divine attributes and revered names with idols. <ref>Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 1</ref>

During this period, idol worship was prevalent among the Arabs, with a large number of idols present, reaching up to 360 within the [[Kaaba]]. Idols such as [[Manat]], <ref>Al-Asnam, p. 13</ref> [[Lāt]], <ref>Al-Asnam, p. 16</ref> [['Uzzā]], <ref>History of Pre-Islamic Arabia," p. 379</ref> and [[Hubal]] <ref>Al-Asnam, p. 27</ref> were particularly venerated among the polytheists. In addition to idol worship, religions such as [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]], and [[Zoroastrianism]] were also known among the Arabs during the era preceding the Prophethood.

== '''The Prophecies of Prophethood in Other Religions''' ==

According to Quranic verses, the attributes of the Islamic Prophet were foretold in the earlier scriptures, namely the Old Testament and the New Testament. <ref>Surah Saf, verse 6; Surah Baqarah, verse 142; Surah An'am, verse 20</ref> This made it crucial for the followers of these religions to recognize and witness the arrival of this divine Prophet. <ref>Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyya, Ibn Hisham, vol. 1, p. 117; It'haf Alwara, Vol. 1, p. 187-190.</ref> Additionally, Arab seers had also prophesied the coming of a prophet in the Hijaz. <ref>Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyya, Ibn Hisham, vol. 1, p. 123; Al-Sirah al-Nabiyyah, Ibn Kathir, vol. 1, p. 286.</ref>

There are several perspectives on the religious beliefs of Prophet Muhammad (s) before his prophetic mission began. Some scholars suggest that he did not follow any specific religious law during that period. <ref>Al-Mu'utamad fi Usul al-Fiqh, vol. 1, p. 276. Subulu Al-Hadi, Vol. 8, pp. 70-71. Al-Shifa, Bita'arifi Huquqi Al-Mustafa, vol. 2, p. 148.</ref> Others remain neutral on the issue, refraining from making a conclusive statement. <ref>Al-Shafa Bita'arifi Huquqi al-Mustafa's, vol. 2, p. 148; Al-Mankhul, p. 319; Al-Ahkam, vol. 4, p. 137; Al-Dhari'ah, vol. 2, p. 597; Al-Ibtihaj, vol. 2, p. 275.</ref> Another viewpoint holds that the Prophet may have followed the religious teachings of earlier prophets, such as [[Noah]], <ref>Al-Mankhul, p. 318</ref> [[Abraham]], <ref>Majma'u Al-Bayan, vol. 6, p. 209.</ref> Moses, <ref>Tafsir Qurtubi, vol. 16, p. 57; Al-Mustasfa, vol. 1, p. 165.</ref> Jesus, <ref>Tafsir Qurtubi, vol. 16, p. 57; Al-Mankhul, p. 319.</ref> or other figures, <ref>Ruh al-Ma'ani, vol. 7, p. 217.</ref> or that he adhered to a righteous but undefined spiritual path. <ref>Tafsir al-Qurtubi, vol. 16, p. 57.</ref>

It is also mentioned that even before his formal prophethood, [[Prophet Muhammad]] (s) had interactions with the Angel of Revelation. <ref>Haq al-Yaqeen, vol. 1, p. 179.</ref> By the age of forty, he had reached the status of prophethood, <ref>Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 26, p. 75; vol. 18, p. 278.</ref> receiving divine guidance and worshipping God according to the instructions given to him. <ref>Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 18, p. 278.</ref> However, it was only upon reaching the age of forty and encountering the Angel of Revelation that he was tasked with proclaiming the new religious law. <ref>Tarikh al-Khamis, vol. 1, p. 254.</ref>  

<ref>Objectives of Prophethood</ref>

The Holy Qur'an outlines several key objectives for the sending of prophets. One primary goal is to fulfill God's argument against humankind, ensuring that no one can claim ignorance of divine guidance. <ref>Surah An-Nisa, verse 165; Min Huda al-Qur'an, vol. 2, p. 257; Tafsir al-Noor, vol. 2, p. 213.</ref> The following objectives and purposes are also highlighted in various Qur'anic verses and narrations include:

# Education and Guidance: To impart knowledge and provide moral and spiritual instruction to the people. <ref>Surah Al-Jumu'ah, verse 2.</ref>

# Resolution of Disputes: To mediate and resolve conflicts among individuals and communities. <ref>Al-Mizan, vol. 2, pp. 131-132.</ref>

# Just Judgement: To deliver fair and impartial decisions in matters of justice. <ref>Al-Mizan, vol. 3, p. 198.</ref>

# Freedom from Oppression: To emancipate people from the tyranny and exploitation of oppressive rulers. <ref>Al-Kafi, vol. 8, p. 386; Al-Mizan, vol. 12, p. 243.</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>

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>

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>

With the revelation of the first divine verses, Prophet Muhammad (s) embarked on his prophetic mission. His wife, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid al-Asadi, was the first woman to accept Islam, a fact universally acknowledged by historians. <ref>Tārīkh Yaʿqūbī, j. 2, p. 23.</ref> According to the prevailing consensus among both [[Shia]] and [[Sunni]] scholars, <ref>Al-Sīrah al-Ḥalabiyyah, j. 1, p. 382.</ref> the first man to embrace Islam was [[Imam Ali]] (a.s). <ref>Al-Ghadīr, j. 3, s. 95; Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hishām, j. 1, s. 162.</ref>