- Page 1 - In the Name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful THE PROPHET’S LIFE ALBUM Images from his Life Khurram J. Murad - Page 2 - - Page 3 - Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ---------------------------------------------------- 7 PREFACE ------------------------------------------------------------- 9 IMAGES ------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Everything Unique --------------------------------------------------- 11 In Love’s Eye and Ecstasy -------------------------------------------- 12 Calling to Allah ------------------------------------------------------ 14 Copyright © 2015 by Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) THE LONGING OF THE RESTLESS HEART Any Muslim not-for-profit institution or organization who wishes Image 1: Tearful Eyes ------------------------------------------------ 16 to re-print this book without any changes for free distribution or Image 2: The Tender, Tormented Heart ---------------------------- 20 for sale at a nominal price to cover the re-printing costs or use the Image 3: Mission Accomplished ------------------------------------ 24 proceeds for further re-printing may do so after getting a written permission from the Islamic Circle of North America [166-26, 89th Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432]. MERCY FOR MANKIND Image 4: The Wounded That Rained Flowers ----------------------- 28 Printed in the United States of America First Printing, 2015 EXPECTATIONS FEW, HOPES HIGH image 5: Life Conditional on Worship ----------------------------- 34 www.ICNA.org Image 6: Milestones -------------------------------------------------- 37 Image 7: Lovers Came and Went with Promises of Tomorrow ---- 40 LOVE CONQUERS ALL Image 8: Compassionate and Merciful ------------------------------ 44 Image 9: Overlooking Faults ---------------------------------------- 46 Image 10: Kind Teacher ---------------------------------------------- 48 Image 11: Solace of the Heart ---------------------------------------- 50 LIFESTYLE Image 12: Life Humble, not Lavish ---------------------------------- 52 DEORATE THE HEART Image His Pattern ---------------------------------------------------- 56 - Page 4 - - Page 5 - ABOUT AUTHOR: INTRODUCTION Khurram Murad (1932-1996) a greater scholar of our times ICNA Seerah Campaign presents Images from the Prophet’s occupies a place of distinction in the intellectual firmament of Life Album, one of the most popular writings of Khurram Murad. contemporary Islam. A thinker and a prolific writer, he has been In this small yet great booklet he adopts a unique style of character one of the architects of current Islamic resurgence. While his da’wah sketching. Keeping the reader engaged in his beautiful description activities began in Pakistan, he has been involved in the promotion of the most important aspects of Prophet Muhammad’s life (peace of the Islamic movement in Asia, Europe and Africa. As a teacher be upon him), Brother Khurram gracefully fulfills the duty of calling and a da’iyah his speeches and thoughtful orations have inspired us to submit our lives to the will of Allah and bear witness to Allah’s thousands of young men and women all over the world. truth. Khurram Murad served as Naib Amir (Vice-President) Jamaat- In a very moving manner, the author presents the fascinating e-Islami Pakistan, a Trustee and a former Director General of the images formed through a lifetime study of the seerah (the Prophet’s Islamic Foundation in Leicester, UK, and editor of Tarjumanal biography). May Allah bless Khurram Murad’s soul and give him a Qur’an, Lahore, Pakistan (an epoch making journal founded by place in Jannah (Paradise) near the Prophet. the renowned Islamic scholar, Abul Ala Maududi in 1932), and the quarterly Muslim World Book Review, Leicester, UK. He was born Khurram Murad always wanted to see the Da’wah literature in Bhopal India, and after graduating cum laude, he took his Master’s produced in the best possible form, pleasing to the eye and yet degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. From inexpensive. He always thought it should be published widely and 1975-1976, he was involved in the extension project of Masjid al made easily available. Da’wah is the act of inviting others to Islam Haram in Makkah. through any form of communication and good conduct, which is a central focus in this booklet. An author of over thirty-five works in Urdu and English, his thoughts have influenced two generations of Muslims all the world We thank Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman for his diligent editing and over. Inter-Personal Relations in an Islamic Movement (Urdu), Way efforts. We also thank Tayyeb Gulzar Khan for his initial translation to the Qur’an, Islamic Movement in the West: Reflections on Some without which this revision would not be possible. May Allah (SWT) Issues, Lam’at-e-Zandan (Urdu), Shari’ah: The Way to God and bless everyone involved with this project. Ameen. Shari’ah: The Way to Justice, Key to al-Baqarah, Quranic Treasures, Gifts from Muhammad are some of his major works. ICNA Seerah Campaign June 2015 Khurram Murad was involved in Islamic da’wah and inter-faith dialogue in the West for the last twenty years. In this connection, he addressed dozens of conferences and seminars. His contributions in initiating and promoting strategic thinking on da’wah issues in Muslim countries as well as in countries where Muslims are in a minority have been immense. - Page 6 - - Page 7 - PREFACE I hope this booklet — Images from the Prophet’s Life Album — will be helpful to the reader. I also hope it will be accepted in Allah’s presence and prove instrumental in me receiving a good reward in the hereafter. Da’wah is the responsibility to inform others about the truth of Islam. The growth of the Muslim nation depends upon Da’wah being presented in a manner that reflects key images from the Prophet’s life. The life and example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an embodiment of Da’wah. If this booklet succeeds in inspiring hearts and creates a desire for such values in the youth, women, children, and the elderly, I would consider myself to be very fortunate. - Khurram J. Murad - Page 8 - - Page 9 - IMAGES Everything Unique I have an album that showcases the beautiful example of Prophet This album of mine is unique. It does not have embellished pages Muhammad (peace be upon him). The pictures in my album are or a decorative binding. It is neither static nor lifeless. It is lively, images of spiritual beauty, and I have been collecting many such vibrant, and constantly moving. pictures for a long time. I have handpicked 12 key images from my album to serve as the central focus of this booklet. One might wonder why this album is so unique. Perhaps these wonderful images will fascinate you. Perhaps My album is unique because it consists of beautiful images that you will be inspired by them. Perhaps you will keep these images highlight the great example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon permanently ingrained in your heart. Perhaps you will reshape your him) and the excellent character he embodied. life so that you live in accordance with these images. Let us now move from the uniqueness of this beauty to the If you develop an attachment to these images, they are yours singularity of these images. The pictures that I am going to show you forever. Please embrace these images and keep them in your heart. date to the days when cameras did not exist. In those days, images were sketched by hand on stone or paper. In our modern times, we Unlike pictures taken with a camera, these spiritual pictures do have access to cameras and video cameras, but those mechanical not involve physical equipment. All you need are the lenses of your devices do not inspire me. The moving and talking figures in a eyes, the film of your mind, and the album of your heart. Such is the motion picture seem like puppets to me. Images of the mechanical nature of the 12 images we will reflect upon. variety lack the warmth of life and emotion. The pictures in my album, however, are made of words — the truthful words of Allah and the truthful words of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) — and these verbal pictures in my album bring peace of mind and contentment to the heart. - Page 10 - - Page 11 - In Love’s Eye and Ecstasy physical sense, but the narrations on his excellent life example are very much within our grasp. The Prophet’s uswa-tun-hasana — his One of the Prophet’s companions, Abdullah bin Masud, tells us good example — has been preserved with care. If we focus on the about a person who came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) with charming traits of his character and try to emulate them, there is a question of concern: no reason why we should be losers in the hereafter. Although we cannot sit at the Prophet’s feet today, we can hear the echo of his The man came to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and said, footsteps. If Allah wills, we shall have the pleasure of seeing Prophet “O Allah’s Messenger! What do you say about a man who loves some Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the hereafter and sitting in his people but cannot catch up with their good deeds?” Allah’s Messenger blessed company in the gardens of Paradise. (peace be upon him) said, “Everyone will be with those whom he loves” — Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6169; Sahih Muslim 2640 a. Moreover, these pictures not only generate ripples of joy but also emotions of sorrow. Pains shoot up from my heart whenever The Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke the truth. You may fall I compare my own life with these images. In comparing my lowly in love with someone in this world and see how the differences of self with the Prophet’s great example, I find obvious differences and time and space vanish as you become deeply attached and committed contradictions. This comparison is always depressing. I wonder if I to the object of your affection. The same is true for the hereafter.