Almost everyone on the earth today is
discussing Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. People want to know,
“Who was he exactly?” “What did he teach?” “Why was he loved so much by
some and hated so much by others?” “Did he live up to his claims?” “Was
he a holy man? “Was he a prophet of God?” “What is the truth about this
man – Muhammad?”
How can we discover the truth and be totally honest in our judgment?
We will begin with the very simple historical evidences, facts as
narrated by thousands of people, many of whom knew him personally. The
following is based on books, manuscripts, texts and actual eyewitness
accounts, too numerous list herein, yet all have been preserved in
original form throughout the centuries by both Muslims and non-Muslims.
Muhammad ibn (son of) Abdullah ibn (son
of) Abdul Mutalib, was born in the year 570 C.E. (Christian Era) in
Makkah, Felix Arabia (today: Saudi Arabia) and he died in 633 C.E. in
Yathrib (today: Madinah, Saudi Arabia).
His names: When he was born, his
grandfather, Abdul Mutalib, gave him the name Muhammad. And it means
“praised one” or “praising one.” He was later called “As-Saddiq” (the
Truthful) by all of those who knew of his truthful and honest nature. He
always said only the truth. He was also called “Al – Alamin” (the
Trustworthy) due to his integrity and always upholding any trust given
to him. When the tribes were battling against each other, both sides
would entrust him with their possessions during the fighting, even if it
might be against some of his own tribesmen, because they knew he would
always uphold any trust given to him. All of his names indicated the
very nature of a man who was praised for his honesty, integrity and
trustworthiness. He was also well known for advocating the
reconciliation of kinship and relationships. He ordered his followers to
always honor the “ties of the wombs” (siblings and other close
relatives).
This fits right in with the prophecy
mentioned in the Bible in the Book of John in chapters 14 and 16, as the
coming of a prophet known as the “Spirit of Truth” or “Comforter” or
“Advocate.
Born as a descendent of Abraham, peace be
upon him, through his first born son, Ishmail (Ismail in Arabic), peace
be upon him, to the noble tribe of the Quraish who were the leaders of
Makkah in those days. Muhammad’s blood line traces directly back to
Abraham, peace be upon him.
This could certainly point to fulfillment
of Old Testament (Torah) prophecies in Deuteronomy (chapter 18:15) of a
prophet, like unto Moses from “their brethren.”
He insisted on keeping the Commandments
of Almighty God, just as his great grandfathers and prophets of old had
done in the past (peace be upon them). Here is a statement from
Muhammad, peace be upon him, while the Quran was being revealed to him
by the angel Gabriel;
“Come, I will recite what your Lord has
prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and
dutiful to your PARENTS; do not kill your children because of poverty –
(Allah) provide sustenance for you and for them; do not come near to
Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether
committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allah has
forbidden, except for a just cause. This He has commanded you that you
may understand.” [Holy Quran 6:151]
Muhammad, peace be upon him, lived in
total commitment to the belief that God (Allah in Arabic) was truly One
God, and as such, He was to be worshipped alone, without any other
“gods” beside Him. This is the very first commandment in the Old
Testament (Exodus chapter 20 and Deuteronomy, chapter 5) and in the New
Testament as well (Mark, chapter 12, verse 29).
Muhammad, peace be upon him, ordered his
followers to obey Allah Almighty, following the true Commandments as
were revealed to him by the angel Gabriel from Almighty Allah. Read
below, one of many similar statements from the Quran:
Surely, Allah Commands absolute justice
and steadfast commitment to performing your duties to Almighty Allah, in
total sincerity and giving help to relatives: and He forbids evil, and
disobedience and all that is prohibited by Allah (such as; illegal
sexual acts, disobedience of PARENTS, polytheism, to tell lies, to give
false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and (He Forbids) any
evil (i.e. all that is prohibited by God’s Law, such as: polytheism of
every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and all kinds
of oppression, He admonishes you, that you may take heed. [Holy Quran
16:90]
Muhammad, peace be upon him, never fell
into the common practice of his tribesmen to worship statues, idols or
man-made “gods.” He forbid his followers to ever engage in worship
outside of the One True God (Allah) of Adam, Abraham, Moses and all the
prophets, peace be upon them all.
And the people of the Scripture Jews and
Christians did not differed amongst themselves until after there came to
them clear evidence. And they were commanded only to worship Allah, and
worship none but Him Alone (no gods beside God), and perform prayers
and give charity: and that is the right religion. [Holy Quran 98:4-5]
He despised false worship to any man-made
gods or images or anything in creation as a god. He hated all of the
complexities and degradation to which it leads.
This is in direct obedience to the second commandment in the above mentioned verses, “Thou shalt not make any graven images.”
Muhammad, peace be upon him, ordered men
to “provide and protect” women, whether it was their own mother, sister,
wife or daughter or even those of others, whether they were Muslims or
not.
“Men are the protectors and maintainers
of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and
because they spend (to support the women) from their means. Therefore
the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their
husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to
guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband’s property, etc.). As to those
women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them, refuse to share
their beds, startle them (set forth a clear example or parable for
them, to make clear the point of what is going on before divorcing them)
so if they return to proper obedience (to Allah and their husbands), do
not annoy them any further. Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most
Great.” [Holy Quran 4:34]
Muhammad, peace be upon him, never drank
alcohol or strong drink, even though it was a very normal thing for
people of his time and place.
“O you believers! Intoxicating drinks,
gambling, fortune telling, etc. is the hated work of the devil. So stay
away from all of that horrible stuff, that you will be successful.”
“The devil only wants to create hatred between you with intoxicants
(alcoholic drinks, etc.) and gambling and to keep you from the
remembrance of Allah and from your proper worship (prayers). So, why
won’t you away from them?” [Holy Quran 5:90-91]
The Arabs, like most other cultures at
his time, drank alcohol without concern for their health or for their
altered behavior while intoxicated. Many of them were alcoholics.
In today’s world there is little need to
present long discussions on the evil and dangers of drinking alcohol.
Besides causing diseases and ruining a person’s health, alcohol is often
attributed to be the cause of many traffic accidents resulting in
property damage, injuries and deaths. The first order was for the
followers of Muhammad, peace be upon him, to leave off drinking while
engaged in worship, then came stronger orders to leave drinking all
together. Thus, offering a time for the early Muslims to break off from
their addiction to strong drink.
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