Strength Through Character: Why the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is Important to All of Mankind
By Osman Shaheen
prophet_characterMany of the problems
facing people in today’s world can be traced to a lack of adherence to
moral values. From murder to embezzlement, the number and size of
criminal activities have increased exponentially in the last five
decades. One needs only to turn on the local evening news to become
aware of the general anxiety and lack of peace in the world. More than
1400 years ago, however, a single man was able to not only cure the
Arabian Peninsula of its vices, but also instill in the people a sense
of compassion towards their fellow man. Today’s world and that of the
Prophet’s could not be more different, yet the problems and solutions
are somewhat the same. What causes seemingly content people to disobey
the unwritten rules of society? And what are some possible solutions
commensurate with the problem? This essay discusses the character of the
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh), and examines how the values
he held and practiced gave him the strength to influence the world
around him.
By 600 C.E., the Arabian Peninsula was a
hotbed of moral vices. As Sheikh Safiur-Rahman Al Mubarakpuri notes in
The Sealed Nectar, a biography of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), regarding
Pre-Islamic Arabia, “prostitution and indecency were rampant and in full
operation.” Men and women could openly commit acts of fornication and
adultery without fear of societal consequences. The only issue at the
time that was of perhaps greater concern was the fragility of tribal
relationships. These tribes were legendary throughout the Old World for
the manner in which they held generations-long grudges. Except during
prohibited months, fighting was common and much bloodshed occurred. In
less than a century, however, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) would reform
Arabian society and his message transformed entire populations from
Damascus to Ethiopia. [Read more: Muslims around the World]
Muhammad’s Honesty
The exact characteristics that allowed the Prophet (pbuh) to do this
are innumerable. Nonetheless, chief among his traits was his honesty.
The range of names attributed to him includes Al-Sadiq (the Truthful)
and Al-Amin (the Faithful).
Even his enemies, who were diametrically
opposed to everything he preached, still referred to him by these names.
In effect, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was defined through his honesty.
The first example of his honesty lies in his conditions of borrowing
and lending.
Most significantly, the Prophet (on the orders of God) eliminated
charging interest; no longer was the borrower forced to borrow money on
outrageous terms that had previously condemned him to a life of
servitude to the lender. A testament to the severity of not returning
borrowed possessions and trusts lies in the Prophet’s (pbuh) Farewell
Address. He reminds the people to be faithful and return whatever has
been entrusted to them to its rightful owner.
Muhammad’s Treatment of Women
The character of the Prophet (pbuh) was also seen in his treatment of
women. In Pre-Islamic Arabia, women were treated as mere commodities.
That is, they held no property rights, divorce rights lay in the hands
of men and they were responsible for all household duties. The Prophet
(pbuh), however, actively involved himself in household matters. He
would help his wife with chores like sweeping the floor. According to
author Fazl Ahmad in Muhammad: The Prophet of Islam, when one of his
children would fall ill, the Prophet (pbuh) would stay by their bedside
and actively take care of them. As ordered by God, the Prophet (pbuh)
gave women in Islam the right to initiate divorce and to own their own
property, among other liberties.
It is important to note here the critics’
point of view: that Islam, rather than giving women rights, demotes
them to a position of subservience to man. Notwithstanding, one needs
only to carefully study the Quran, the holy book of Islam, and prophetic
sayings to understand Islam’s treatment and emphasis on positive
relations with women. [Click here to find out about treatment of women
in Islam.]
The directives given were so different
from what had been the norm in Pre-Islamic Arabia that even many of the
Companions of the Prophet had reservations regarding taking their wives’
counsel for their affairs. Despite this initial reluctance, the belief
in God and the example set forth by the Prophet (pbuh) eventually
convinced the Companions to integrate this into their lifestyles. In
effect, Islam had elevated women to a position on par with men, and the
Prophet’s (pbuh) example reinforced Islam’s message of equality.
Muhammad’s Goodwill
The Prophet’s (pbuh) goodwill did not simply extend towards women or
fellow Muslims. It was inclusive towards people of other religions as
well, including the Jews and Christians of the time. An example of this
lies in his treatment of prisoners of war
during the battle of Badr. The prisoners
were kept in extremely good living conditions and even fed proper food.
Furthermore, they were given the option of freeing themselves by either
paying a ransom or by teaching ten Muslims how to read and write. This
environment stands in direct contrast to the appalling conditions most
prisoners of war dealt with in the past and continue to deal with in the
present, including physical torture and lack of proper facilities. Even
with all the right in the world, the Prophet (pbuh) restrained himself
and saw to it that his Companions treated their enemies with hospitality
and goodwill.
The situation in today’s world is at once
startling and discomforting because of the minimal value placed on
human life. At both the individual and nation levels, one group may
treat another group as disposable simply because their way of thinking
is different. The Prophet (pbuh) transcended all of these perceived
differences through his character. From the beginning to the end his
honesty, his treatment of women and minorities, and his behavior towards
non-Muslims set the standard that would inspire all of his followers.
This is why author Michael H. Hart recognized the Prophet (pbuh) as
number one in a ranking of the 100 most influential persons in history.
While many people at the time did not agree with the Prophet (pbuh) on
his principles or policy, even his bitterest enemy came to respect the
strength his infallible character gave him. As global citizens in the
21st century, it is important to see beyond differences and realize that
the human denominator among us is what is most important. We must all
seek examples like the Prophet’s (pbuh) and work to incorporate them
into our lives, in order to increase tranquility and make the world a
more peaceful place for future generations.
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