The Holy Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhi wa alih, was born to one of the families of Meccah. His father was 'Abdullah and his mother was Aminah.
            Muhammad's Father died before he was born. After he was born his mother entrusted him to a wet-nurse. The name of Muhammad's wet-nurs was Halimah took Muhammad to the hilly country for him to brought up in the clean air.
            When Muhammad was four, he wanted to go out one day with the shepherds to the hill sides, where they used to pasture their flocks. Halimah combed his hair, dressed him in new cloths, and then put a necklace of green beads around his neck.
            "What's this necklace for?" enquirred Muhammad.
            It's to save you from danger on the mountainside," said Halimah.
            Muhammad took it off his neck and gave it back to her, and said:
            "There is Someone Who saves me from all kinds of danger, while these green beads can't do anything."
            "Who is that?" asked Halimah. "Who saves you from all kinds of danger?"
            "Allah," said Muhammad, "our Creator."

            The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A) was very kind to children and loved them very much. One day, he placed his two grandchildren, Hasan and Husayn, on his lap and began kissing and cuddling them. A man who was passing by saw what the Prophet (S.A) was doing, and became very surprised. "I have not kissed even one of them."
            The Prophet (S.A) heard what this hard-hearted man said and became very annoyed. "I do not think this man will attain Paradise," he said.
            Our Holy Prophet loved children. He used to carry them on his shoulders. The children would become very happy and laugh. The Prophet, too, would become happy at the pure happiness and laughter of the children and a smile would appear on his face.
            "I give my salam to children and respect them, and Muslims should follow my behaviour and always be warm and loving with children."
            The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A)used to speak about children- boys and girls-and Say:
            "O Muslims, O fathers and mothers, O my followers, be kind and compassionate towards children, for someone who is not kind to children has no place amongst the Muslims." * Our Holy Prophet was kind to children and became happy at their pure and innocent laughter.*

            The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A) used to tell the people. "I have brought for you all the good of this world and the Hereafter, and Allah has commanded me to call all the people of the world to Islam."

What is Islam

            All the instructions that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A) brought from Allah are called "the religion of Islam". Islam is the best and most perfect of all religions.

Who is Muslim?

            A Muslim is a person who strives to follow all the instructions that the Prophet Muhammad (S.A)brougt from Allah.

What is the name of our Holy Book?

            The name of our Holy Book is "The Quran". The Quran is a programme of life that Allah has sent for us.
            We Muslims respect the Quran, and this means we follow its instructions.
            *The Quran is the Last Heavenly Book.*

            The owners of the orchard were sitting, talking amongst themselves. "Tomorrow early in the morning, "they said, "We will go to the orchard to pick all the fruits, and we'll give none of the fruit to the poor."
            One of them, who was better than the others, said, "Friends, don't forget Allah's instructions; let us give some to the needy."
            The others became angry. "Why are you interfering?" they said. "The orchard and its fruit are ours, why should we give any to the poor?"
            Night fell. It was very dark and they were all asleep. By Allah's command a thunderstorm occured; and the fruits and trees of the orchard were struck by lightning and the whole orchard burnt to a cinder.
            Morning dawned. The owners of the orchard woke up. "Quikly, let's go and pick the fruit, "they said. "Don't make any noise, we don't want the poor to find out."
            Quietly they set out until they reached the orchard. They saw a strange sight.
            "No....." said one of them in a very strained voice. "This is not our orchard. We've come the wrong way."
            "Of course it is," said another. "This is our orchard, but it's been burnt."
            "Freinds," said the good man, "I told you not to forget Allah. I told you to obey His commands. Didn't I tell you to help the poor? This is your punishment in the world, while the chastisement of the Hereafter is more severe and painful. This is the reward of those who don't help the poor."

The Punishment in the Hereafter is more severe and painful.*

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