By IRNA,
Tehran : Today is the 17th of the lunar month of Rabiulawal, marking the birth anniversary of the holy prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him and His Progeny) and of his sixth rightful successor Imam Jaafar Sadeq (AS).
Millions of Iranians Sunday paid tribute to the memory of prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Imam Jaafar Sadeq (AS), the sixth Imam and rightful successor of the Prophet’s (AS) household on their birth anniversaries.
Mosques and holy shrines throughout the country are reportedly festooned with electric bulbs and other decorative ornaments today.
Meanwhile, many bride and bridegrooms are united in holy matrimony at special ceremonies.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was born in Mecca in the year 569 CE.
His early life is characterized by loss of his beloved ones.
The Prophet’s (PBUH) father died before he was born, and as an orphan he was left to the care of his mother, Amina (SA), and his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib (AS).
At the age of six, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) suffered a terrible loss, the death of his mother.
Amina’s death left Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the care of his elderly grandfather.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) became a favorite of Abdul-Muttalib, even more than his own children, one of whom, Hamzah, was of similar age to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
However, this guardianship was not to be long lasting, for Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) grandfather died two years later, leaving an eight-year-old Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) alone in the world.
Luckily, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) had an uncle willing to assume the role of guardian, and for the next 40 years of Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) life he had a protector and supporter in Abu-Talib.
This support would become invaluable once Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) set out in preaching the word of Allah.
He earned his living as a trader and was known by his people as al-Amin (the trustworthy one).
When Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) reached the age of 40, the angel Gabriel came to him with revelations that established his prophethood.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was first ordered to instruct his immediate family on Islam, including his beloved wife Khadija (SA), but eventually it was revealed to him that he should begin delivering the message to all of mankind.
In the next 20 years of his life, he communicated the message of Allah to his people and set an example of how each human being should lead her or his life.
This is especially valuable since Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is the last prophet of Allah.
In the year 632, the year of his death, the Prophet delivered his famous last sermon.
After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet (PBUH) said, “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again.
“Therefore listen to what I am saying very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
“O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners.
“Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.
”Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is ours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.
”Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn `Abd’al Muttalib [the Prophet’s uncle] be waived.
“All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people.”
The Last Prophet of Allah died at the age of 63 in Madinah.
While, Imam Ja’far ibn Mohammad, i.e. Imam Jaafar Sadeq (AS), was born on Monday, the 17th of Rabiulawal, 63 A.H. in Madinah.
He was martyred in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, 15th Rajab, 148 A.H. at the age of 65.
He was poisoned to martyrdom by the then tyrant of his age, Mansur Dawaneeqi, the `Abbasside caliph’, and was buried in Jannatul-Baqi in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Congratulations on behalf of IRNA management and staff to the faithful on the two happy occasions of birth anniversaries of the holy Prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) and of the sixth Imam of Shiites, Hazrat Jaafar Sadeq (AS).
Online Biography of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH):- http://prophetmuhammadforall.org/webfiles/index_1.php