who is the prophet Muhammad part 1&2

Who is the Holy Prophet Muhammad? (PBUH). Part 1 Dr RIFAI (NALEEMI) UK In this series I shall try to introduce the biography of the prophet Muhammad to our Non-Muslim readership. Most of the Non-Muslim people have got wrong perceptions about the life and accomplishment of the prophet Muhammad. In some cases we can not blame for this misperception because they have come to know the biographical account of the prophet Muhammad through the writing of some bias writers toward Islam and Muslims; today, misperception about Islam and its prophet is wide spread in all it all formats: Since Prophet Muhammad received his prophethood from Almighty Allah in the cave Hira in Meccan the antagonism and accusation toward his message began. It is not a new social phenomenon that Islam and Muslims encounter problems and challenges when Muslims reach out with the message of Islam to any Non- Muslim community today, yet, it is importance to know how to face some of these challenges and problems and how to repulse some of these accusations. Since the time of crusades the prophet of Islam was subjected to bias criticism by the crusaders. The crusaders spread hatred about Islam and its prophet since the first crusade between Islam and Christianity. A large numbers of books were written by these anti-Muslim religious scholars and academic about Islam and its prophet: Historically speaking this antagonism toward Islam and Muslim continued since the crusade time until modern time: Much has been written about Prophet Muhammad by European scholars, Christian theologians and western journalists in different European languages . Through out crusade time, Prophet Mohammed was depicted a man of anti-Christ. Christian theologians declared wars against the teaching of Prophet Muhammad. Antagonism and resettlement against the teaching of Islam and its prophet continued until modern times. In the medieval Christian literature Prophet Muhammad was portrayed as anti-Christ, an impostor, a charlatan and he was depicted as “Mahound” as a name of devil in medieval Christian literature. Still today we notice that some Non-Muslims consider the prophet Muhammad as an invader and coloniser. Some people think that His teaching oppresses human freedom and human rights and some others think that His teaching oppresses women folks. Some others accused of the prophet of Islam as sexy and lusty person who married more than one wife. These anti-prophet perceptions are created by some bias academics and readers who read the historical account of the prophet from subjective perspective: These people have read the biography of the prophet from secularist and materialistic perspectives, They have failed to read his biography as a final of Prophet of God and consequently they have come to some wrong conclusions about this great prophet of Islam: When we appraise the success of any person in this world we do so by evaluating the achievement and accomplishment of such person. We know that humanity has seen many revolutionists in the world and yet, we have seen many great inventors and contributors to the world civilizations. Yet, the contribution and accomplishment of the prophet Muhammad to the humanity is distinctive in characters and manners: to understand that distinctive contributions one needs to know the significance of Prophet Muhammad in human history. What type of a human revolution did Prophet Muhammad make with very little human and material resources? How did He manage to do this miraculous social revolution with the very little man power and material resources from scorching desert of Arabia? What are the achievements and accomplishments of Prophet Muhammad in His life time? Where did Prophet Muhammad get his commandments to accomplish his legacy? What is the secret of His success in His mission and vision? What are the qualities of this Prophet? How did He manage to mobilise his man power in this scorching Arabian Desert? How did Prophet Muhammad differ from all other human revolutionists in human history? What was his mission on this Earth and for what He called the humanity? Where did He begin his mission from? Why he was so successful in His mission and what do modern historians and scholars say about His noble personality? Away from this insulations and biased accusations we examine these questions objectively with historical and logical evidence. Whoever tries to get some objective clarification for these questions with any prejudice will certainly come to a firm conclusion that Prophet Muhammad was an extra-ordinary and Exceptionally Perfect Human Being and yet, he was divinely inspired. Almighty Allah blessed him with His final revelation that made him different from all other human beings: It was this divine help and guidance that made him the most successful person on this earth. The divine revelation was the secret of His legacy and achievement. Yet, blind people do not want to open their hearts and minds to this noble final divine revelation: Arabian Peninsula in pre-Islamic age: To appreciate and gauge the enormous success of prophet Muhammad we should read the biographical account of the Prophet in a historical and social context so that we could understand the greatness of His social revolution: geographically speaking Arabic peninsula is situated in the centre of world map and people of this region in pre-Islamic time were not influenced by external cultural and civilization influences. They had their own way of life away from external social and cultural influence. During pre-Islamic time two major civilization dominated world. Roman Empire in the West and Persian Empire in the East dominated the world during the pre-Islamic age. Yet, Arabian Peninsula was untouched with the influence of these two major civilisations of that age. Of course, Chinese and Indian civilization dominated in some parts of the world during the pre-Islamic time and yet, the influence of these two civilizations was limited in their own enclaves in china and Indian regions. Some Historians records that during the Persian Empire times they had some social habits and norms that are at acceptable at all in our modern time. They used to marry within one family member and fathers married their own daughters and sisters and close blood relatives. They used to worship fire, sun, moon and trees and they had some superficial faiths and belief systems. As far as Roman Empire was concerned it had exploited people through taxing and financial injustice: they engaged in constant wars with neighboured countries for military domination: People in Chinese and Indian civilizations had their own forms of Buddhist and Hindu religious rituals of worshiping cows, trees and statues with different cast systems among themselves. Muslim and Non-Muslim historians tell us that Arabian Peninsula was not at all influenced by this different cultural, religious and social influence. Due to its climate and geographical position neither Roman nor no Persian Empire invaded it and remained as unpolluted with cultural onslaught. Though people of Arabian Peninsula were not influence by these cultural influences they too had some social structure and way of life. This way of life was so rudimental before the time of the Prophet Muhammad: People of Arabian Peninsula were very much uncultured and barbaric in Pre-Islamic age. They used to wage wars for trivial things some times for years and decades: They used to bury new born girls alive in disgrace. They had no remorse in burring them alive: gambling and piracy had been their way of earnings; they had a primitive and tribal way of life that made them physically rough and strong people. Most of them were illiterate in a sense they could not read or write and yet they were intelligent people and famous for their oration and linguistic skills: they had some noble qualities and manners: they always kept their promise; they had good qualities hospitability to look after their guests, and they had some good qualities of courage and self determination to fight their enemies: This was the historical and social back ground of Pre-Islamic period in nutshell. It was during this time Almighty Allah for His Divine Wisdom that chose to send His final Messenger among these Arab People: Among these illiterate people of Arab peninsula Allah sent an illiterate Messenger with final divine revelation in Arabic Language. What is the wisdom in this divine choice/ why final Prophet was not sent in another part of world or Why this final divine message was not given in any other language other than Arabic language? We shall continue to discuss these questions in our next writing. Muslim and Non-Muslim historians are puzzled at the rapid expansion of Muslim empire at the hands of Prophet Muhammad and his followers since 7 century. How did this illiterate prophet get power and influence to mobilise his followers so rapidly and so speedily from that the scorching desert of Arabia. He succeeded in this great human revolution with very little human and material resources in a short span of time. No human revolution is equal to this revolution in human history. La martin- A famous French philosopher and poet notes that Prophet Muhammad was one of the greatest successful personalities of this world: He argues that three dimensions of prophetic mission illustrate its success: namely greatness of purpose in mission, smallest of means in his mission and yet outstanding result at the end. He says that “if we take three aspects into consideration, none other can equal Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W): his lack of equipment, his speed in success, and the greatness in his aim. A man emerges and presents an invitation, while equipped with the least power and support, not even from his close friends and family who in fact turn against him as his enemies. He emerges alone, without a companion or colleague, and begins his mission from self, until others gradually come to accept the message. They joined him while bearing difficult prosecutions and troubles”. Let us now examine these three aspects. Let us examine the material means of this prophet who accomplish this great revolution. What was the economic background of this Great Prophet? What was the family background of this prophet? Prophet Muhammad was born as an orphan. While his natural mother Amina was around two month of her pregnancy his father Abdulla died. While he was just 6 years old his mother died. It was Grandfather Abul Mutalib who cared for the child and looked after him. Prophet Muhammad was breast fed by a lady called Halima. It was reported that the child stayed with Halima’s fostering care until he became 6 years old. This was done in accordance with Arab traditions and customs. What was the wisdom with such traditions? The main reason for such fostering practice was to provide the children with healthy physical and intellectual development during the early childhood period. It is believed that Bedouin fostering bring many health benefits for the children and protect them from lethal diseases. Whatever wisdom behind this practice, it was recorded in Islamic history that Prophet Muhammad had a privilege of having healthy childhood in a foster care under Halima. The rearing of this child not only graces the Hamila and her family but the entire BANI SA’D valley was blessed and graced with the arrival of this child. It was reported that barren lands became fertile lands because of this child’s presence at this valley. Divine grace and blessing abundantly descended on this part of Arabian Peninsula with the presence of this child among this tribe. For some divine wisdom that Almighty Allah knows, Allah made Prophet Muhammad as an orphan in his childhood. He is described as a “Matchless Orphan Pearl” in humanity by some historians. This fact has been very clearly demonstrated in the Holy Quran: (Your Load shall give you, and you shall be satisfied. Did He not find you an orphan and shelter you? Did He not find you needy and suffice you? As for the orphan, do not oppress him, and as for the beggar, scold him not) (93: 5-6, 8-10) Why prophet was not born into a big family of Arabia or was not hailed from a rich and affluent family of Arabia? Why not he comes from ruling elites of Arabia at that time? So that he could have accomplished his mission with support and help of his people with power vested on him. Yet, prophet was born as an orphan. What is the wisdom and philosophy behind this orphan hood of this child? Why Almighty made him an orphan and what is the logic and rationale behind such divine plan? Some scholars have shed light on the orphanage-hood o f beloved prophet. Some argue that this was not an accidental incident rather that Allah made him orphan for some divine wisdom. They argue that Prophet Muhammad was brought up with a special divine care. A Turkish Islamic scholar M. Fethullah Gulen argues that it is divine wisdom that Allah wanted to firmly implant seeds of unshakable faith in the heart of Prophet Muhammad in his childhood and for that he made him an orphan. For that matter from his childhood he would be solely reliant on Almighty Allah for every thing in his life. Gulen says that “ His father ‘Abd Allah died before he was born, which meant that he had to put all his trust in God and submit completely to Him. He visited his father’s tomb in Medina years later, cried his heart out, and on his return said: “ I wept for my father and entreated God to forgive him”. With the death of his father, God deprived him of all human support and directed him to the realization that there is no deity but God, who has no partners. His grandfather and uncle protected him to some extent, but he came to perceive that his real guardian was God. Behind every phenomenon and every cause and effect, he could discern the hands of the Single Creator of the universe and of causes. The Oneness of God would be manifested to him in the light of Divine Unity. That is, he would be tested in this world of wisdom, where material causes and means have a part in every attainment, and so would have to use necessary material causes and means and take all necessary measures to attain anything. He would have to depend wholly on his Lord and ask Him for any help, thereby demonstrating that only God creates the result and give success.” (M. F. Gulen: P.6) However, some other scholars such as sheikh M. al-Ghazali and S.R.Al-Buyooti note that it was divine wisdom that Prophet Muhammad was made an orphan. That divine wisdom might be that this “matchless orphan pearl” should not have any parental influence in his prophet hood and mission. Had his father been alive he would have influenced his son’s thought and attitudes with his materialistic ambitions. Moreover, his grandfather Abdul Muttalib hailed from a respected tribe. He had a prominent status in his society. He was entrusted with the custodianship of the scared places in Mecca. These worldly influences should not permeate the personality and mission of the prophet and for that reason he may have been an orphan. Allah made him an orphan so that no parental or tribal influence permeates Prophet Muhammad at any stage of his life from his childhood. It was divine care and guardianship that protected him from any materialistic, political or leadership ambition otherwise people may have claimed that Prophet had these materialistic ambitions in his claim to be prophet hood. Thus, So that sacredness and purity of prophet hood could be preserved and sealed from any twist with some of these worldly ambitions: Rather it is Almighty Allah choose whoever he wants for the sacred position of prophet hood. It was a divine choice that Almighty Allah made him the seal of prophet hood and sent him as Mercy to Humanity and nothing else elevated this orphan into this most sacred and high position on earth. (M.Ghazali. P.62, S.R.al-Buyooti. PP 61-62) He was a matchless orphan Pearl that changed the density of humanity in the 6 century in this scorching sand of Arabia. The birth of this matchless orphan pearl changed the destination and direction of humanity from being most barbaric and uncivilized community into most pious and most God fearing people. He did this not through mighty military power of F15 military jets or by the support of a huge army rather by the help of divine guidance with little bit of human resources in that barren land of Arabia. In this part of the series we shall examine the life of Prophet Muhammad PBUP before he attained his prophethood. This should shed some light on the personal traits and personalities of our beloved prophet that distinguish him from all other people. Historical accounts tell us that every minute aspects of our beloved prophet were meticulously recorded and preserved by his companions. According to some historians the biography of the Prophet Muhammad was recorded by two methods: It was verbally recoded and transmitted in accordance with the oral traditions of transmitting information in Arabic societies. Secondly the biography of prophet was documented in written format in the books of Sira of the prophet by succeeding generations. Most historians and Islamic scholars argue that Prophet Muhammad is a special human being among humanity. Some argue that since his birth Prophet Muhammad was brought up in divine sight and care. By examining some of incidents, occurrences and supernatural events one could understand how our prophet is distinguishable from others in humanity and in what ways he was identical with others and in what ways he was different from others in his childhood. Moreover, we should examine some of his noble characters and gracious qualities to appreciate this difference in human qualities and perfection. A respected Non-Muslim scholar notes that Prophet Muhammad was “a man who had been marked out from his early youth, even from before his birth, by supernatural signs and qualities” (Watt. P2.). Yet, some segments of dry legal and literal schools of thought argue that Prophet Muhammad was an ordinary man like other human beings before his prophet hood. They argue that it would be wrong to give the prophet Muhammad any special status or social or religious calibre before his prophethood. Their contention is that Prophet Muhammad was an ordinary human being like all others prior to his divine designation for prophet hood. Some simple says that Prophet Muhammad was simple ordinary man like me and you prior to his prophet hood and hence it would be wrong to attribute any special status or supernatural signs or qualities to Prophet Mohammed prior to his prophethood. It was reported in some narrations that certain super natural things occurred during the birth of Prophet Muhammad. It is true that some scholars have questioned the validity and authenticity of some these supper natural occurrences and more importantly about the authenticities of these narrations. I shall quote some of these predictions and supernatural occurrences that occurred in the formative period of prophet’s life. It was reported by Ibn Ishaq and other historians that Abu Talib took his nephew to Syria in a trade mission on a caravan when he was approximately 12 years old. According to some accounts this caravan was carrying Arabian frankincense, Indian spices and skills and other luxury goods of that time and they had sold them or bartered these in the markets in Damascus. While they were returning home they stopped on the way for resting. Abu Talib left his nephew with the caravan to watch it. It was reported that Bahira a Christian monk from a nearby monastery was on the lookout for passing by caravans. He was expecting and predicting the arrival of the Last prophet and for that reason he monitored and observed passing by caravans. It was reported that a cloud followed this caravan hovering over it. Based on his expectation and prediction he thought that “This is a special characteristic of the Prophets. The expected Prophet must be in that caravan”. It was reported that Bahira invited the members of caravan for a meal and asked Abu Talia if someone had been left behind with caravan. Abu Talib replied that they left behind a young boy to keep an eye on camels and the loads. . The monk asked them to fetch him and when the young boy came in and the monk asked Abu Talib about his relationship with the boy. Abu Talib relied that “He is my son” but Bahira disputed this replied that he can not be your son and said according to our books, his father must have died before his birth” It was reported that the monk looked the boy’s back and saw a mark between his shoulders which he recognised as the seal of prophethood. Moreover, the monk advised him to take care of this boy and added “ Go back home with your nephew, and keep an eye on him, if the Jews see him and get to know what I know about him they will certainly do him harm , for he is going o be a very big man.” It was reported that Prophet Muhammad made second journey when he was 25 years old on trade caravan of Khadija. On this journey the prophet encountered the Bahira once again and the monk was pleased with this meeting and told him” you will be a prophet, the last prophet. I wish the God would allow me to live to see you raised as a Prophet. I would follow you, carry your shoes and protect you against your enemies.” These narrations are reported by many Islamic historians and scholars and yet some question the authenticity of these reports and some argue these are legends and fairy tales and have nothing to do with Prophet Muhammad’s life and his mission. They argued that before his prophet hood prophet Muhammad was an ordinary man like me and you and he gained all special status only after he got his prophet hood when he was 40 years old. ( al-ghazali 68, al-Buyooti,65,watt, 2,) Yet, the final message of the Prophet Muhammad is nothing but the culmination of divine message of all prophetic messages of previous prophets. There is no doubt that Jews and Christian people of that time should have some expectation and predication about the arrival of last prophet and it was reported that Old Testament and News Testament predicated that the last prophet would come among Arab people. Hence, it would not be entirely wrong to recognising some truth in Bahira’s predictions and expectations. His prediction was based on his reading of previous divine texts and for that matter his prediction should have some merits on it, To be continued next… PAGE 9