Lessons from the Seerah 5 – the birth and family of Prophet Muhammad
In the previous sessions, we made some introductions about the society in which he lived: the people, the leadership, the different tribes and alliances, their habits, beliefs and practices. All of this was to paint a picture of the world into which Rasulullah ﷺ was born.
We are sitting here in the 21st century, in London, looking back more than 1,400 years. Even if you visit Makkah and Madinah today, the environment is completely different. Apart from the Ka’bah, which remains at the heart of Makkah, almost everything around it has changed.
This is why these introductions are important. They take us back into that world and help us visualise the seerah. When we talk about the Prophet’s ﷺ tribe, his city, the trade routes, the caravans or the safety of travellers, we need to understand what those things actually meant at the time. It was very different from the world we know today.
Understanding that background also helps us appreciate the challenges Rasulullah ﷺ faced. His mission was not a smooth ride. Delivering the message was not an easy task.
Very early in the revelation, Allah prepared him for the weight of what was coming:
إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا
“Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.” (Surat al-Muzzammil, 73:5)
Talk delivered to the Al Manaar Convert Club on 29th September 2026.
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