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MUHAMMED (peace be upon him) – a Prophet of God Almighty.
Muslims believe that Muhammed (peace be upon him) was the Last Prophet of God Almighty.
He was declared the seal of Prophets and his message was declared the Universal Message. He was born in Arabia in the sixth century C.E. Up to the age of forty, the people of Makkah knew him only as a man of excellent character and cultured manners and called him AL-AMEEN (the Trustworthy one) as well as AS-SAADIQ (the Truthful one).
He also did not know that he was soon to be chosen by God Almighty as a Prophet and receiver of Divine Revelation. When he was bestowed the Mission by God Almighty, he called the idolaters of Makkah to worship the One and Only God and accept him (Muhammed) as His Prophet/ Messenger. The Divine Revelation that he received – the Holy Qur’aan – was instantly committed to memory by a countless number of his companions and was even preserved in his life time by being recorded on pieces of palm leaves, hides, etc.
Thus Muslims are of the firm belief that the Holy Qur’aan that is found today is the very same, in word and letter, that was revealed to Muhammed (peace be upon him), with not even a syllable of it being altered. It has withstood any attempt of adulteration as God Himself has guaranteed its preservation. Allah Almighty declares that this Qur’aan is the “Book of Guidance for the whole of humanity” for all times, and mentions Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last Prophet/Messenger of God Almighty.
Preaching unity through Brotherhood
A major part of the Prophet Muhammed’s (peace be upon him) mission was to bring peace to the world. One of the ways in which he strove towards this end was to attempt to convince people that all men and women, albeit inhabiting very different regions of the world, and different from one another in colour, culture and language, etc. were in fact brothers and sisters. His message was crucial, for a proper relationship of love and respect can be established only if that is how human beings regard one another. To inculcate such feelings, the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) would preach to his followers, “You are all Adam’s offspring and Adam was made of clay.” And in his prayers to his Creator, he said, “O Lord, all Your servants are brothers.”
Observance of genuine feelings
The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) would exhort his followers to live in peace with their fellow men, saying, “A true believer is one with whom others feel secure,” one who returns love for hatred. He used to teach the believers that anyone who would return love only when love was given belonged on a lower ethical plane. The true believer never reasons that only if people treat him well that he will treat them well in return. He is accustomed rather to doing good to those who mistreat him, and to refrain from harming those who do him injury. The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) himself set the example. All his recorded words and actions reveal him as a man of great gentleness, kindness, humility, good humor and excellent common sense, with a great love for all people and even for animals.
Display of humility
Despite his position as leader, the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) never believed himself to be greater or better than other people. He never made others feel small, unwanted or embarrassed. He urged his followers to behave kindly and humbly, releasing slaves whenever possible, and giving in charity — especially to very poor people, orphans and prisoners — without any thought of reward.
(to be continued…)
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]
