Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi - Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) -A Mercy of Mankind for the whole world

 

Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon him –

 A Mercy of Mankind for the whole world

Dr. Mozammel Haque

This is the month of Rabi al-Awwal; the 12^th day of this month Prophet Muhammad, the last and universal Prophet of Allah was born in Makkah al-Mukarramah. He was sent as a Mercy of Mankind for the whole world and for all times.

Followings are based on Friday Khutbah delivered by Imam Dr. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais at the Masjid al-Haram Makkah al-Mukarramah on 30 October, 2020 and the Friday Khutbah of Masjid al-Aqsa on 30 October 2020.

 

Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman al-Sudais said, “Dear Muslims, through all the difficulties of  this life and adversaries in the world there is something that continues to remain clear. It is the fact that the pristine and the brilliant teachings we have in Islam that aim to uplift people’s conduct and purify their souls. These words enable people to reach the pinnacle of having sentiment, holding firm belief, performing righteous deeds, worshipping Allah in the best way and dealing with Allah’s servant in a best manner. All of those things are always embodied in the statements and actions. All of those things were embodied in statements and actions by Allah’s Messenger Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam.

Introduction

Imam Dr Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, Head of the Presidency of the Haramain in his Friday Khutbah on 30 October 2020, said, “More than fourteen centuries have elapsed since our Messenger sent by Allah, yet his graceful qualities have still present in all regions, they are qualities that reflect the treasure of dignity, of sanctity, serenity, beauty and wisdom in words and actions. Allah blessed Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam by favouring him and endowing him with many many traits and virtues. No written or spoken words are fully accomplished these traits despite them continually mentioned in various sayings including from the Mimbers upon which sermons are delivered and the Minarets from which the call for prayers are made.”

He also mentioned, “All people hear about Messenger and his qualities; their hearts are enlightened just as grounds are after the rainfalls; his conducts were dignified, his virtues were of high standard and all his words examined were comprehensive and concise; all goodness were guided and moderation is sound.”

Physical Form

Mentioning about his physical form, Sheikh Al-Sudais, said, “Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was sound in physical form as well as his conduct. As for his physical form, his complexion was right and radius; his face was bright; his appearance was pleasant; his two eyes were quite dark; his eye laces were too long; his voice had a bit of grapiness; his neck was a bit long; his hair was very black; his silent appearance was all aspiring.”

He also mentioned, “When spoke he was enveloped by gracefulness; he was the most elegant of people when at distance and the finest and serious when close by. His words were sweet to listen to. It was as though his speech was a series of gems coming in sequence one after another.”

Physical Appearances

 

Mentioning about his physical appearances, Imam Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman al-Sudais said, “Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him had a thick beard, wide shoulders, wide arms and wide feet. He was neither extremely tall and not so short that part of his body was compacted together. His hair was not very straight, not very curly. When he spoke he appeared as though light emanated from his speech. Abu Ishaq narrated Al-Bara was asked may Allah be pleased with him, was the face of the Allah’s Messenger Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam was (as bright) like a sword; He said, “No. it was like a moon.” Abu Huraira further said he was a moderate high, had wide shoulders and his hair reaches his ear-lopes. It was collected by Sahih al-Bukhari.”

Sheikh al-Sudais also said, “Ali ibn Abi Talib described Allah’s Messenger Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam was saying he was not very tall or very short. He had right arms, his head was large. When he walked he did so firm unhurried steps as if descending on a slope. Neither before nor after did I see anyone like him.”

He also mentioned, “Hasan Ibn Tabbit said about the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam in a long poetry conveying the meaning – my eyes never saw anyone better than you and woman had never given birth anyone better look than you. You were created without blemish as though you were made just the way you wanted to be.”

Emulating his example

Genuine love for him

The Head of the Presidency of Haramain said, “You must observe Taqwa in addition to anything follows the example of Allah’s Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam, since doing that emulating his example is the true mark of having love for him. That genuine love for him is an adjective far greater in making display of emotions, holding commemorating gatherings for him, recounting stories of him or composing poetry and songs about him. If you ask what genuine loves for him means in the truest things can be that lies in adhering to his brilliant teachings; those outwardly and inwardly ascribing him embody his pure conducts.”

He also said, “Even more programme and statement that our God, Our Lord, Allah says, [O Muhammad peace be upon him] if people truly love Allah, follow me; if you do so Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Allah is most forgiving and most merciful.”

Best of guidance

After mentioning two Hadiths narrated by Anas ibn Malik may Allah be pleased with him, of the humbleness of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam, the Head of the Presidency of the Haramain, Imam al-Sudais said, Preceding were some brief glimpses of the Hadiths first narrated about the Messenger who brought the best of guidance embodied the noblest phrase was addressed by Allah with most venerability and was granted the greatest of virtues. His guidance provides a precinct frame which quenches the thirst of anyone who seeks to attain salvation in this world and the hereafter. His guidance means a source of light of rays with brilliance. Even most of people were not able to see him with their eyes concentrating his guidance so provides comfort and solace. Emulating his example allows people to so company which he empowered it, although they did not get through his company in person. Emulating his example allows people in company.”

 

Strong connection between People

and Our Prophet Peace be upon him

There is a very strong connection and love which the people of our Ummah have for our Messenger right and straight.

Adopt True Conduct of Allah’s Messenger

Imam al-Sudais said, “From this perspective Mimber, one of its business is truth and peace, we extend sincere call to the entire world inviting them to adopt true conduct of Allah’s Messenger Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam, that conduct urges us all to maintain complete peace and mercy between people  who follow different sets of laws without any sort of confusion, repudiation, mockery or negative insinuation towards religious leaders, and at the head of them can be multiple prophets, all of them, may Allah send blessings and peace of Allah upon all of them.”

The Head of the Presidency of Haramain also said, “We accept all Allah’s Messengers Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam. Furthermore, we say in the name of 1.8 billion Muslims, the weakest of them and the strongest of them, any sort of discouragement directed towards Allah’s Prophets and Messengers - that is specially a sore in a case of Allah’s Prophet, the Mercy for Mankind, our leader, Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam.”

Inflammatory abuses

Imam al-Sudais said, “Abusing of drawings and inflammatory events are nothing besides a form of terrorism as well as extremism which feeds hatred bigotry. It is not freedom of expression; it aims to ridicule and mockery of peoples religious leaders which they hold sacred. On the contrary, such behaviour violates ethics and decency and it is not acceptable. It is not acceptable because it is a must for freedom of expression to give due consideration to human values which are based upon respecting the feelings of others. When expression goes beyond those values it becomes an affront to that freedom of expression. Such abuses give support to individual’s extremist ideas which foresee an atmosphere of hatred among the societies and decent human values.”

“Moreover, Islam is innocent of all those minor things and it is also innocent of being labelled to any type of terrorism. Islam is a religion of tolerance, mercy and harmony. Its teachings not contain terrorism, extremism, destruction, mockery, insults or rejection of any Messengers sent by Allah the Most Exalted,” said Imam al-Sudais.

Condemn any Criticism of Prophethood

“We extremely condemn any criticism of Prophethood and the sacred space of any religion especially the religion of Islam and even the religion of Christianity. Any unwarranted criticism, undignified criticism is a part of terror activities which is directed to specific community. It is below the level of dignity to disrespect other people, other culture and other sacred space and not respecting and hurting their feeling which is one of the ways of terrorising verbally or other methods,” said Imam Dr Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, Head of the Presidency of the Haramain in his Friday Khutbah on 30 October 2020.

This is the month of Rabi al-Awwal when Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was born in Makkah. Naturally this time the Khutbah at the Masjid al-Haram on 30 October 2020 delivered by Dr Sheikh Abdul Rahman al Sudais, Head of the Presidency of the Haramain, was on Prophet’s life and qualities.

Our Mission and Vision

Imam Dr. Sheikh Al-Sudais said, “Our mission and vision should be to follow the footsteps of Rasulullah Sallallahu Wa Sallam in our life in good time and in bad time. The mentioning of the Rasulullah Sallallahu Wa Sallam in his Sunnah following his Sunnah is not tied with any time and place; it is ever-lasting all the time we should remind ourselves God; the Sunnah, the footsteps of Rasulullah Sallallahu Wa Sallam. We should adopt all the good manners and dispel all our bad manners in the following the footsteps of Rasulullah Sallallahu Wa Sallam.”

He also mentioned, “Our policy and Sunnah of Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam is very clear. We respect all the religions and we interact with all of them with respect and dignity and we demand in return respect and dignity.”

Dr. Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais also reminded, “Last thousand and one and a half millennium Muslims have dealt with all other communities and religions with utmost respect and never allowed any verbal terrorism against any communities or any religion in the world. Unwarranted criticism or derogate the sacred space and sacred personalities of any religion does not renegade or lower the status of any one except of those who indulge in that type of activities.”

“Muslims all over the world remember, commemorate and mention all the good qualities of our Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam,” mentioned Dr Sheikh al-Sudais and added, “Even if others do not understand and recognise the deep love which Muslims hold for the holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam. Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam. So the love of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam is central to this belief system and the Muslims are the most understanding but others who are not believers they failed to recognise and understand this.”

Imam Dr Sheikh al-Sudais also mentioned, “We accept all Allah’s Messengers may peace and blessings be upon all of them. Furthermore, we say in the name of 1.8 billion Muslims, the weakest of them and the strongest of them, any sort of discouragement directed towards Allah’s Prophets and Messengers - that is specially a sore in a case of Allah’s Prophet, the Mercy for Mankind, our leader, Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam.

Call to people to control their feelings,

resist provocations and restrain from being harassed

The Head of the Presidency of Haramain said, “We also extend further call to people to control their feelings, resist provocations, restrain from being harassed and avoiding prudent actions and unrestrained reactions. Insults aimed at Allah’s Prophets and Messengers do not cause them any harm since Allah grants them sufficient protections against those who mocked them. Allah speaking well of His Prophets is far greater than any of them. Allah Himself had already given His support; Allah grants His Messengers sufficient protection against those who ridiculed. Allah always brings about what He has decreed; most people do not realize.”

The Imam Dr. Al-Sudais said, “Allah speaking well of His Prophet is far greater than any of them. We know and understand that Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala reassures Muslims that if you do not help Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam Allah is Sufficient to those people who mocked Prophet.”

He also mentioned, “Allah Himself had already given His support; Allah grants His Messenger sufficient protection against those who ridiculed. Allah always brings about what He has decreed; most people do not realize.”

Allah said in the Qur’an in Surat-ul-Hijr - Inna Kafaina

 

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais mentioned, “Allah has said in the Holy Qur’an in Surat-ul-Hijr - Inna Kafaina – “Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the Mockers.” On 6^th of November, 2020 Friday, the Imam of the Masjid al-Aqsa delivered Jumah Khutbah on mockery. He said, mockery was mentioned in the Qur’an more than 50 times. He also mentioned that Allah has said in the Holy Qur’an in Surat-ul-Hijr - Inna Kafaina – “Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the Mockers.”

The imam of the Masjid al-Aqsa said, “Allah speaks to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and He says to him, to the nearest meaning, and they have mocked other prophets before you and the one who mocked the prophets they were punished.”

The imam of the Masjid al-Aqsa mentioned, “The mocking is something that happened to all the prophets and Allah says defending His Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him in Surat-ul-Hijr, to the nearest meaning, We will protect you from the ones who mocked you.”

The Mercy of Mankind

The Imam spoke about Rahmatullil Alameen, The Mercy of Mankind, “How can they mock our Prophet when Allah, the Lord has said about him, We have only sent you as a Mercy of Mankind and in another verse, Allah said We have sent you to all Mankind to warn them. He, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. He is a mercy; he is a gift to all mankind, in and mankind alike.”

The Imam of Masjid al-Aqsa narrated the story of Taif. “The people of Taif, they mocked him, they threw rocks at him, they chased him, they laughed at him until his blessed feet was bleeding. And what did he say – O Allah, guide my people as they do not know. He said, may be, may be from them people will come that believing in the Oneness of Allah. He is the Prophet of Mercy. And Allah described him and said you are of great characters and manners. What did the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said when he conquered Makkah to the people that had killed his people and tortured them? He said Go you are free. This is what he said to his enemies, the ones who had tortured him, who have fought against him, who had killed his people. He did not burn a tree; he did not kill them; he did not cause even destruction in their lands, He said: Go you are free.”

This is the Seerah, the story of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and there are many other stories and other stories of his mercy upon Muslims and non-Muslims. We ask everyone to learn and read about the Seerah, the stories of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and understand his footsteps, understand what he did and follow his footsteps.

Courtsey@Haramain Info And @Islam Channel

First Published  in November 2020

Say [O Messenger]: If You Love God, Follow me: God will love you." - Al-Qur'an

 

“Say [O Messenger]: If you love God, follow me:

God will love you.” – Al-Qur’an*

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Messenger taught his Companions to love God, and the Qur’an taught them in return: “Say [O Messenger]: If you love God, follow me: God will love you and forgive you your sins.” (Al-Qur’an; 3:31)

 This is the month of Rabi al-Awwal, when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last and final Prophet of Almighty Allah, was born in Makkah. The Holy Qur’an, the Final Revealed Book, was revealed to him through Angel Gabriel. I was reading a book: The Messenger: The Meanings of the Life of Muhammad, (peace be upon him by Tariq Ramadan and I am presenting some of his thoughts and ideas through this column. “He (The Prophet) received and transmitted the last revealed book, the Qur’an, which repeatedly insists on the eminent and singular position of the Messenger of God, all at once a prophet, a bearer of news, a model, and a guide. He was but a man, yet he acted to transform the world in the light of Revelation and inspirations he received from God, but also fully accepted his own humanity in what makes Muhammad an example and a guide for the Muslim faithful.” (page ix)

 Intimate relationship of trust and love

While pointing out the intimate relationship of love and trust, Professor Ramadan wrote: The essence of the Islamic message is wholly expressed in this intimate relationship of trust and love with the Most High, establishing a direct link between the individual and his or her Creator, Who has chosen to demonstrate exemplary behaviour through a messenger, a human being, whom He has set as a model. Three verses were later to synthesize the exact substance of this teaching: “When My servants as you concerning Me; I am indeed close [to them]: I respond to the prayer of every supplicant when he or she calls on Me.” (Al-Qur’an; 2:186)

 The Prophet (peace be upon him), at the heart of this intimate relationship, opens the way: Allah the Almighty said: “Say: If you love God, follow me: God will love you and forgive you your sins.” (Al-Qur’an; 3:31)

 The Prophet is the epitome of the human being aspiring to the divine beyond the finitude of life: Al-Qur’an says: “You have indeed in the Messenger of God an excellent example for the person who hopes in [aspires to get close to] God and the final Day and who remembers God intensely.” (Al-Qur’an; 33:21)

 Not to compromise principles for wealth and power

In the early years in Makkah when the situation was getting increasingly difficult for Muslims, when insults, rejection, and ill-treatment became the rule, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) began looking for a solution to alleviate the trials and suffering endured by the first Muslims. He was thought of approaching Walid, the chief of the Makhzum clan. Professor Ramadan wrote the story thus: “While he was setting forth his arguments and trying to win Walid’s support, the Prophet was interrupted by a blind man, poor and old, who had already converted to Islam and was asking him to recite some surahs from the Qur’an for him. Muhammad first turned aside calmly, but he soon became irritated by the insistence of this old man, who was preventing him from presenting his case to Walid. The chief, full of contempt, eventually refused even to hear the matter. A surah was to be revealed as a result of this incident, requiring Muslims to draw a lesson from it for eternity:

 “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. He (the Prophet] frowned and turned away, because the blind man came to him. But what could you tell but that perhaps he might grow in purity? Or that he might receive admonition, and the reminder might profit him? As to one who regards himself as self-sufficient, you attend to him, though it is no blame to you if he does not grow in purity. But as to he who came to you striving earnestly, and with fear [in his heart], of him you were unmindful. By no means [should it be so]! For it is indeed a message of remembrance. Therefore let who will, keep it in remembrance.” (Al-Qur’an; 80:1-12)

 “The Prophet, moved by his desire to protect his community, is here reproached by his Educator, who teaches him never to turn away from a human being, regardless of whatever difficult circumstances the Prophet might be facing, even though the person might be poor, old and blind. Seeking the protection of a person of distinction, socially and politically useful, Muhammad (peace be upon him) had neglected a poor man, apparently of no significance to his cause, who was asking for spiritual solace; this mistake, this moral slip, is recorded in the Qur’an, which through this story teaches Muslims never to neglect a human being, never to turn away from the poor and needy, but rather to serve and love them. The Prophet was never to forget this teaching, and he repeatedly invoked God, saying: “O God, we implore You to grant us piety, dignity, [spiritual], wealth, and love of the poor.”

 Commenting on this Professor Ramadan wrote: “No one must ever let power or social, economic, or political interests turn him or her away from other human beings, from the attention they deserve and the respect they are entitled to. Nothing must ever lead a person to compromise this principle of faith in favour of a political strategy aimed at saving or protecting a community from some peril. The freely offered, sincere heart of a poor, powerless individual is worth a thousand times more in the sight of God than the assiduously courted, self-interested heart of a rich one.” (page 48-49).

“History, with its many examples of how the thirst for power and wealth has led individuals to compromise their principles, has since taught us how true this intuition was. In this respect, another of the Prophet’s warnings echoes in our minds, addressing his spiritual community for the centuries to come: “For every [spiritual] community there is an object of discord, tension, and disorder [fitnah], and for my community, this object is money.”, quoted by Professor Ramadan (page 49).

 Begin every act invoking the Name

of Allah the Almighty

While writing the biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Professor Ramadan mentioned another incident. The Quraysh were at a loss about how to prevent the Prophet’s message from spreading further. They decided to send a delegation to Yathrib to ask Jewish dignitaries. The Rabbis suggested the people of Makkah should ask him three key questions. Back in Makkah, they went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked him the three questions. The Prophet replied almost instantly: “I shall answer your questions tomorrow!” (page 57)

 But the next day, the Angel Gabriel did not appear. There was no Revelation. Nor did the Angel come the day after. Professor Ramadan said, “Two weeks later, he received a Revelation and an explanation: “Never say of anything, “I shall do that tomorrow,” except: “If God so wills,” and remember your Lord [Rabb, “Educator”] when you forget, and say: “I hope that my Lord will guide me ever closer than this to the right course.” (Al-Qur’an; 18:23-24)

 “This Revelation once again involved and a teaching: it reminded the Prophet that his status, his knowledge, and his fate depended on his Rabb, on the One and Sovereign God, and that he must never forget it. This is how one should understand the meaning of the phrase Insha Allah, “if God so wills”: it expresses the awareness of limits, the feeling of humility of one who acts while knowing that beyond what he or she can do or say, God alone has the power to make things happen. This is by no means a fatalistic message: it implies not that one should not act but, on the contrary, that one should never stop acting while always being aware in one’s mind and heart of the real limits of human power. For the second time, the Prophet was called to account by the Transcendent. Whatever adversity one faces, one’s strength and freedom on earth consist in remaining constantly aware of one’s dependence on the Creator.” (page 57)

 “Only later was the Prophet to receive the answers to the three questions he had been asked. The delay was paradoxically to strengthen the believers’ conviction and to baffle the Prophet’s interlocutors: his initial inability to answer and then the belated communication of Revelation proved that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not the author of the Book that was being constituted and that he did actually depend on his Rabb’s will,” wrote Professor Ramadan (Page 58).

 Remember God’s Infinite Power and never

pronounce final judgement on anybody

While narrating the story of Umar’s conversion, Professor Ramadan wrote: Umar had gone out of his home determined to kill the Prophet, blinded by his absolute negation of the One God; there he was, a few hours later, changed, transformed, as the result of a conversion induced by a text and the meaning of God. He was to become one of the most faithful Companions of the man he had wished dead.”

Commenting on Umar’s conversion, Professor Ramadan wrote: “This heart’s revolution was a sign, and it carried a twofold teaching: that nothing is impossible for God, and that one should not pronounce final judgements on anything or anybody. This was a reminder of the need of humility in all circumstances: for a human being, remembering God’s infinite power should mean healthy self-doubt as to oneself and suspending one’s judgement as to others. Thus, the more he moved forward with God, every day becoming more of a model for his Companions and for eternity, the more the Prophet was attaining humility and modesty as expressed in being, knowledge, and judgement.” (Page 65).

 Key to Paradise

This year, 2013, during the month of Rabi al-Awwal, I was reading a book , Biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him) written by Shaikh Abdullah Ibn Al-Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab, translated by Sameh Strauch and published by Darussalam, in 2006.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Mu’az, “Oh, Mu’az! You are going to People of the Scripture and they will ask you regarding the keys to Paradise; tell them that the keys to Paradise are the words: “La Illaha Illallah” (None has the right to be worshipped except Allah). These words pass through everything until they reach Allah, and there is no barrier between Him and it. Whoever comes on the day of Resurrection with these words, sincerely, they will outweigh his sins.” (Vol. II, page 859)

 Equality before law

During the Conquest of Makkah, a woman from Banu Makhzoom stole something and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was informed of it and he ordered that her hand be cut off, as reported in the authentic Hadith. Her people hastened to Usamah Ibn Zaid Ibn Harithah to ask him to intercede for her with the Prophet (peace be upon him). When Usamah interceded for her with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the colour of the face of Allah’s Messenger changed and he said, ‘Do you intercede with me in a matter involving one of the legal punishments prescribed by Allah?”

 In the afternoon, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) got up and delivered a sermon to the people. He praised Allah as He deserves to be praised and then said; “Amma Badu

 (To proceed): The nations prior to you were destroyed because if a noble person amongst them stole, they used to excuse him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they .would inflict the legal punishment on him. By Him in Whose Hand is Muhammad’s soul, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand.” (Vol. II, page 689).

*First published in The Muslim Weekly, London in 2010 &

also in the monthly Magazine , The Muslim World, published 

by World Muslim League, Pakistan in March 2010.

 

Posted by Dr. Mozammel Haque at 00:22 

 

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) - Mercy for All the Creatures

 

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) –

Mercy for All the Creatures

                       Dr Mozammel Haque

 Four years after the death of Justinian (A.C. 569), a Great Man, preaching a great religion, Islam, was born at Makkah, in Arabia, which was in dense darkness of social dissolution and spiritual despair.

The famous writer, H.O. Armstrong, in his book Lord of Arabia, writes about the situation of Arabia and its people of that time thus: "Arabia remained isolated and unknown, for it was a brutal country and inhospitable, a land of cruelty and violence and its inhabitants, Arabs, were as brutal and cruel as their land. Both villagers and Beduins lived hard and dangerously.

They were pagans and savages, unclean, poverty-stricken, debased in their habits, idolators with cruel and brutal beliefs. They were bestial in sex, untamed and untamable; they were split up into small tribes which were continuously at war with each other and were savagely intolerant of any stranger or of any innovation".

 

Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent by Allah Almighty as a blessing to Mankind. Allah says in the Quran: “And We sent you (O Muhammad) not, but as a mercy for all creatures". (21:107) Islam united the Arabs, purified them and bound them into one people.

The Prophet filled them with a great faith. The historian Gibbon has truly discovered, “Through Islam, Muhammad banished from the Arab within ten years their hard-heartedness, spirit of revenge, anarchy, female infanticide degradation, rivalry, lawlessness, usury, drunkenness, infanticide, murderous quarrel and human sacrifice as well as stupid superstitions and fetishes". Within ten years he controlled All Arabia. He had created a new civilization to the world - a civilization which is not only rich in science but also contributed towards the moral, spiritual and human development.

Unlike other great religious teachers, there are no mythical elements surrounding him. Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is a historic man and his life was led in times that are regarded as historical. In the seventh century of the Christian era this man was born and lived out his life in lands the history of which is known. The Holy Prophet created a society more free from widespread cruelty and social oppression than any society had ever been in the world before. “Let it be fully understood that Islam protects all, whether a man be Muslim, Christian or anything else and persecution is forbidden in any shape or form. Complete toleration was the gift of Islam to the world and it is gradually permeating the strata of narrowness and hatred”, writes Dr Sheldrake about Islam and its founder.

The religion of Islam proclaimed the first real democracy ever conceived in the minds of men. Islam is essentially a religion which propagated democracy and social equality. All the believers are equal and this fundamental equality is not a fiction as is so common among Christianity. It is accepted and real. The Hungarian Professor Dr Germanus, a great scholar, writes, “It is the people who are addressed in the Quran and it is for the benefit of the people and their salvation that all the injunctions of the rituals and beliefs are imposed on the believers. It is not a class privilege by descent or esoteric love which can rule over the oppressed and cowed en masse, but every individual man and woman stand directly before God in worship, duty and right”.

Islam imposes no restrictions on any individual enterprise towards amelioration of his status while it regulates the duties and rights towards his fellowmen. The respect and observance of Islamic social laws are a safety-valve against disruptive theories. These teachings are pillars of every sound society. They condemn selfish exploitation of the helpless and severely punish theft and robbery. No slogans or hatred but serious work and self-discipline all represented by the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet will pave the way towards the renaissance of the Islamic people.

No other society has such a record of success in uniting in an equality of status, of opportunity and of endeavour, so many and so various races of mankind. Islam has been more successful in mitigating race prejudice than other universal creeds. There is absolutely no colour bar for marriage. Islam has never known class-struggle and social hatred. It has banned human hatred and opened the way for human brotherhood and equality, whereas the western civilization is still unable to look beyond narrow horizons of racial and national antagonism.

When shall the modern nations place love of man above love of the world? There can be no democracy without love of man as a man. This democracy is the very essence of Islam. That faith makes Islam a Brotherhood, an International Brotherhood, a fellowship of many races and tribes.

One of the commonest sneers at Islam in the West is that it teaches that women have no souls. Servicer remarks, "Muhammad sought to make himself the champion of women whose position he tried to ameliorate. Before his reform women and children could not inherit what was worse, the nearest relation of the deceased took possession of the women and their property in the same way as he took over his slaves with their savings.

Muhammad gave the women the right to inherit; and often insisted in their favour. His last sermon at Makkah contained these memorable words: Treat your women well, they are your helpers. He well knew that if a woman is a slave by day, by night, she is a queen and her influence is at all times worthy of consideration".

Because of its democratic nature, freedom, equality, toleration and justice, Islam spread throughout the whole world. The expansion of Islam is the most miraculous of all miracles. Being inspired by the light of Islam, the medieval Arabs conquered most of the then civilized world in less than a century, whereas the Roman Empire of Augustus was won over a period of 700 years.

"Within a century after their rise these people became the masters of an empire extending from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the confines of China, an empire greater than that of Rome at its Zenith", wrote Philip K. Hitti in his well-known book History of the Arabs. Islam has been and still is a living force from Morocco to Indonesia and a way of life to more than a billion of the human race.

Holy Prophet Muhammad established a civilization wherein there was peace, harmony and co-operation. Arrogance, haughtiness and conceit were hated. Modesty, humbleness and simplicity were praised and appreciated. All forms of extremism, violence and aggression were prohibited. Islam is a message of peace and stands for freedom and equality which, as a matter of fact, had long been forgotten in all the lands of the degenerated ancient civilizations.

The people throughout the world welcomed this religion because of its message of peace. Finday in his book History of the Roman Empire, writes, "The inhabitants of Syria welcomed the followers of Muhammad; the Copts of Egypt contributed the place their country under the domination of the Arabs".

Islam establishes a brotherhood among all Muslims. It is a religion of peace and toleration. The dominant feature of Islam, as its very name implies, is the making of peace. A Muslim is one who has made peace with God and man; peace with God implies complete submission to His Will and obedience to the laws of creation. Peace with mankind implies the doing of good to one's fellow creatures.

The Holy Prophet of Islam was a very great man. His honesty and probity as a poor young man earned him the social title of Al-Amin: The Just. His immense contribution to civilization remains an outstanding and astounding fact of history.

Howsoever we may judge, the character of this man is a precious heritage for Humanism. He was always very abstemious in his habits and contented himself with simple food, clothes and lodging. He was entirely free from avarice. The Holy Prophet was an exemplar of patience and forbearance to the proud hot tempered Arab. His sweet patience was indeed his great virtue. His boundless charity and generosity to all flowed from his unworldly heart like a fountain in the Arabian desert.

Bernard Shaw wrote in his book the Genius of Islam, "He (Muhammad) is a Saviour of Humanity". Shaw asserts in the same book and says, "I believe that if a man like him to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness." Bernard Shaw has truly acknowledged, "Muhammad was a saviour of Humanity, the Mercy for all men, a blessing for men and an exemplar in every age."

We must send blessings to Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the Qur’an says, "Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Holy Prophet: O you who believe! Send your blessings on him, and salute him with all respect". (33:56).

 * First published in Muslim World, the English Weekly of Rabita al-Alam al-Islami on 8th of April, 2006