The THREE Major Phases of Prophet's Day
Ordinary men generally retire to their private residence for rest and
pleasure, but Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) never knew the leisure
of that sort. His work did not end with his coming home-- only a new
order of engagements and activities commenced which filled most of his
private time. The jurists generally refer to THREE phases of his private
life as follows:
(1)- The Family Phase,
where he received his wives and fulfilled his duties as husband, father,
father-in-law. Every day, he received all his wives in private audience,
in the late afternoon, though of course he spent the night and some
part of the day with one of them, by rotation.
(2)- A Personal Phase,
which he took for himself. But it was during this time that he received
an endless flow of guests and visitors-- some attracted no doubt, by
the grace of his noble company, others seeking religious and moral guidance,
still others with needs, demands, problems and disputes. Thus the Prophet
had to fulfil a variety of highly diversified roles, ranging from that
of gracious host, munificent giver, teacher, arbiter, governor and judge,
as well as friend and companion.
(3)- The Spiritual Phase,
normally placed towards the last third of the night, was perhaps the
most important of his private life. Ever since he received his initial
revelation at (Cave) Hira, Allah commanded him to observe and perform
Qiyaam al-Layl (night vigil in prayer). Qiyaam al-Layl was prescribed
as the method of self-preparation for the projected role of the Messenger
of God, which the Prophet was destined to fulfil in the remaining portion
of his life. No description of the private life of the Prophet can be
adequate without taking into consideration all three of these phases
of his day.
Compiled From:
"Sunshine at Madinah" – Zakaria Bashier, pp. 141-142
