The First Three Sunnahs of Nabi Muhammad (epbuh) Were Arguably: 1. Read; 2. Read; and 3. Read

Bismi Allahi Al Rahmani Al Raheemi
ASA WR WB to believing Muslim friends
Allahumma Salli Ala Wa Barak Ala Sayyidi Nabi Muhammad

Through my observation of this Hadith it appears arguably that the first 3 Sunnahs of Nabi Muhammad (saws) were to:

1. Read (Iqra)
2. Read (Iqra)
3. Read (Iqra)
4. Prayer and Meditation upon the Words of Allah [because prior to the Arch Angel (epbuh) bringing the Nabi (epbuh) these 3 Commandments, the Nabi (saws) had been long in the habit of praying and meditating in the cave in this way.]

It is easy to observe that Iqra was repeated by the ArchAngel Gabriel (as) because Nabi Muhammad (saws) kept responding that "I do not know how to read." But in terms of our interpretations of his Sunnahs (much like the Hadith in which the reply was "Your Mother." thrice) it seems that the first 3 rules or Sunnahs of the Nabi (saws) are: Read, Read and Read.

Abu Huraira (ra) reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, “Who is most deserving of my good company?” The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The man asked, “Then who?” The Prophet said “Your mother.” The man asked again, “Then who?” The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The man asked again, “Then who?” The Prophet said, “Your father.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5626, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2548

(The Book of Revelation)

No. 3- Narrated 'Aisha (ra) (the mother of the faithful believers): The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food likewise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, "I do not know how to read.

The Prophet added, "The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it anymore. He then released me and again asked me to read, and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it anymore. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, 'I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?' Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, 'Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous." (96.1, 96.2, 96.3) Then Allah's Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones."

Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the PreIslamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari while talking about the period of pause in revelation reporting the speech of the Prophet "While I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw the same angel who had visited me at the cave of Hira' sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, 'Wrap me (in blankets).' And then Allah revealed the following Holy Verses (of Quran):

'O you (i.e. Muhammad)! wrapped up in garments!' Arise and warn (the people against Allah's Punishment) up to 'and desert the idols.' (74.1-5) After this the revelation started coming strongly, frequently and regularly."

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3

The Virtues of Reading and/or Proclaiming in the Holy Books

[As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh to Believing Muslim Friends. This is a very Sacred Chapter of Notes of mine that I will share with Believing Muslim Friends.]

Not everyone that is trying to give testimony about Allah (swt) or Al-Islam is necessarily trying to control or lead people. They might just be trying to function as in a Shura or Forum. I don't remember Allah (or read/proclaim) to lead others, but seek help from Allah for myself, or to be within the function of forum contribution (Shura). My blog post on why I remember, proclaim, testify, or give testimony about Allah, His Names, and His Verses. Nabi Muhammad (saws) is the leader.
Many people are accustomed to the concept of one person being a leader, and not a Consultation (Forum) or Shura. If the leader has a lot of questions then they will ask the advice of advisors or consuls. But, if the person is deemed incompetent it would seem fair that the Shura or Consuls should lead. I love how Islam opens ourselves into understanding the Wisdom in using a group or Shura as opposed to only using one person. Many people (each of whom have obtained expertise in a particular field of study) is Superior to one person trying to learn and know many different fields of study. Just like in the construction trades on a construction site. Technically the General Contractor does know how to do everything on a construction site. But, if he (or she) did it all himself it would take a long time. So sub-contractors are brought in as experts in areas of construction, often in teams. Electrical. Plumbing. Carpentry. But while the GC is knowledgeable in all things construction and could literally do it himself, he might have no knowledge of Medicine, Law, Textiles, Food Science, Culinary Arts, etc. So, you get my point that a community is of many minds working together to make our experience in the community a healthy and peaceful one. Shura does need to have a place in our lives.

What are the advantages of dhikring Allah; or giving testimony about Allah's Ayats? The main ones I have highlighted in red.

Surahtul Jumuah
[62:10]
And when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah’s bounty, and remember Allah much, that ye may be successful.

Surahtul Anfali
[8:45]
O ye who believe! When ye meet a force, be firm, and call God in remembrance much (and often); that ye may prosper:
[In this ayah the force could be circumstances, natural occurrences such as rain, snow, etc., competition in business, equipment failure, equipment loss, animals, insects, etc. but may not always constitute a battle situation.]

Surahtul Shura - Shura - Consultation; Forum; Consuls; Advisors; Consultation with one another; Group which shares information between themselves.

Surahtul Iqra
[96:3]
Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-

Surahtul Asr
[103:1]
By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),
[103:2]
Verily Man is in loss,
[103:3]
Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.

Surahtul Qalam
[68:1]
Nun. By the Pen and the (Record) which (men) write,-
[68:2]
Thou art not, by the Grace of thy Lord, mad or possessed.
[68:3]
Nay, verily for thee is a Reward unfailing:
[68:4]
And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.
[68:5]
Soon wilt thou see, and they will see,
[68:6]
Which of you is afflicted with madness.

Surahtul Maidah Ayat 66-69
[5:66]
If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil.
[5:67]
O Messenger. proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith.
[5:68]
Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith.
[5:69]
Those who believe (in the Qur’an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

Surahtul Nisa Ayat 85 and Power of Suggestions
[4:85]
Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein: And whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares in its burden: And God hath power over all things.

Gospel (or Injeel) of the Messiah related by Matthew
Matthew 13:52 NLT
52 Then he added, "Every teacher of religious law who has become a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a person who brings out of the storehouse the new teachings as well as the old."

Matthew 13:12 NLT
12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.

HQ 2:140
Or do ye say that Abraham, Ismail Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know better than God. Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from God. but God is not unmindful of what ye do!

HQ 2:159
Those who conceal the clear (Signs) We have sent down, and the Guidance, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book,-on them shall be God’s curse, and the curse of those entitled to curse,-

HQ 2:160
Except those who repent and make amends and openly declare (the Truth): To them I turn; for I am Oft-returning, Most Merciful.



Malachi 2
1 “Listen, you priests—this command is for you! 2 Listen to me and take it to heart. "Honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “or I will bring a terrible curse against you. I will curse even the blessings you receive. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you have not taken my warning seriously. 3 I will rebuke your descendants and splatter your faces with the manure from your festival sacrifices, and I will throw you in the manure pile. 4 Then at last you will know it was I who sent you this warning so that my covenant with the Levites can continue,” says the Lord Almighty. 
5 “The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This called for reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6 They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin. 7 “The priest’s lips should guard knowledge of God, and people should go to him for instruction, for the priests are messengers of the Lord Almighty. 8 But you priests have left God’s paths. Your instructions have caused many to stumble into sin. You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites,” says the Lord Almighty. 9 “So I have made you despised and humiliated in the eyes of all the people. For you have not obeyed me but have shown partiality in your interpretation of the laws.” 
10 Are we not all children of the same Father (Adam)? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors? 

[Although, I, and many of us, don't claim to be Priests or Imams (if I have led it is because of Allah (swt) and Nabi Muhammed (saws)), but, reading and/or testimony about Allah (swt) is still a powerful means by which the worshiper can effect powerful change in their lives (by the Grace and Favor of Allah). This blog post is for the purpose of pointing out those powerful virtues for reading and/or giving testimony about Allah. From Bounties; to Time; to Release from Madness and Possession; to Reward Unfailing and an Exalted Standard of Character; to Happiness from Every Side; to Defense by Allah (swt) against those that mean you mischief and evil; to Having Solid Ground to Stand Upon; to Release from Fears and Grievances; to Sharing in the Good Cause of Faith in Allah (swt); and more virtues were listed here for you to give more in depth reflection. Also Allah (swt) mentions in the graphic below that the dhikr (remembrance, reminders) is a summons to Him (swt) to move a force that might be obstructing you in the day. It does not necessarily have to be a military expedition. It could be unseen forces; bad fortunes; bad luck; something eclipsing productivity; something eclipsing happiness; or freedom; etc. It is through serving and regarding Allah (swt) that treasure can be stored in the Heavens as Provisions Promised by Him (swt). Also, because testification is a Pillar of Faith.]

If any of these graphics are illegible, then please click them to enlarge. Jazakum Allahu Khayran.