Almost everyone on the earth today is
discussing Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings 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).
A. 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-Amin" (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."
B. Born as a
descendent of Abraham, peace and blessings be upon him, through his
first born son, Ishmael (Ismail in Arabic), peace and blessings 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 and blessings 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."
C.
He kept 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 and blessings 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]
D.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, lived in total commitment to
his Belief in One God, and as such, he worshipped God 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).
E.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered his followers to obey
Allah Almighty. He ordered following the 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]
F.
Muhammad, peace and blessings 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."
G.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, always held the Name of God
(Allah) in the highest of reverence and never took God's Name in vain or
for any vainglorious purpose.
He forbid his followers for ever
doing anything like this and encouraged them to use names such as
"Servant of Almighty God" (Abdullah).
H. Muhammad, peace
and blessings be upon him, upheld the proper worship and ceremonies of
his grandfathers, Abraham and Ishmael, peace be upon them. Here is
something from the second chapter of the Quran. Read closely;
"Recall when Abraham's Lord (Allah) tested him with Commands, that he
fulfilled. Allah said, "Surely, I am going to make you a leader
(prophet) of mankind. (Abraham said) "And my offspring, too." (Allah)
said, "My Covenant (prophethood, etc.) does not include wrong-doers
(thalimun).
"And recall when (Allah) made the House (ka'bah in Bakkah, which later
was called "Makkah") a place of resort for mankind and a place of
safety. And it is your place of prayer, and (Allah) commanded Abraham
and Ishmael to purify (God's House at Makkah) for those who are circling
it, or staying there or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in
worship).
"And when Abraham said, 'My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of
security and provide its people with fruits, for them that believe in
Allah Almighty and the Last Day.' (Allah) answered, "As for him who
doesn't believe, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I
shall compel him to the torment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that
destination!"
"And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the
Sacred House (Ka'bah in Makkah), saying, 'Our Lord! Accept from us.
Certainly! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.'"
"Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a
nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies
of pilgrimage - Hajj and 'Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance.
Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.
"Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allah
answered by sending Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him ), who
shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this
Quran) and full knowledge of (Allah's) Laws and jurisprudence, and
sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
And who turns away from the religion of Abraham (Monotheism) except him
who fools himself? Truly, (Allah) chose him in this world and verily,
in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.
When his Lord said to him, "Submit ("Islam" means "submission")!" He
said, "I have submitted myself ("Muslim" means "one who submits") to the
Lord of all that exists."
And this (submission to Allah) was ordered by Abraham upon his sons and
by Jacob; saying, "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true)
religion; then die not except in the Faith of Submission (like those in
true submission to God's Will)."
[Holy Quran 2:124-132]
I.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, performed these same
ceremonies in worship to what we find the prophets doing before him,
bowing to toward the ground and prostrating (falling on the face) while
praying and worshipping. He would face Jerusalem for his devotionals and
commanded his followers to do the same (until Allah sent down the angel
Gabriel with revelation to change the direction (Qiblah) mentioned in
Quran).
J. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him,
advocated rights for all members of the family and especially ties to
the parents, both mother and father, also rights for infant girls,
orphaned girls and certainly for wives, as well.
It is known
from the Quran, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered his
followers to be kind and respectful to their parents. They were told not
to even say, "Ooh" to them while caring for them in their old age. Read
from the Quran:
And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you
be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old
age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at
them but address them in terms of honor.
[Holy Quran 17:23]
K.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was the defender of the
orphans and even the newborn children. He ordered the care of orphans
and feeding of the poor as the means to enter Paradise and if anyone
held back the rights of those who were destitute, they could forget
about ever seeing Paradise. He also forbade the killing of new born
girls, as was a custom of ignorance according to primitive Arab
traditions. This is referred to in the Quran; when, on the Day of
Judgment those who practiced the evil deed of terminating the life of
their own infant daughters, will have it exposed, the Quran says:
"And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to
do) is going to be asked; about what sin could she (as an infant) have
possibly committed."
[Holy Quran 81:8]
Those who spend their wealth (in Allah's Cause) by night and day, in
secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On
them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
[Holy Quran 2:274]
L.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered men not to "inherit
women against their will," and not to marry them accept by mutual
consent and never to touch their wealth or inheritance in order to
improve their own financial conditions.
O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their
will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take
away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open
illegal sexual intercourse. And live with them honorably. If you dislike
them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a
great deal of good.
[Holy Quran 4:19]
We also
notice from this verse, He forbid the common practice of wife-beating
and abuse, (his own wife said he never once hit her).
He never
once engaged in sex outside of marriage, nor did he ever approve of it,
even though it was very common at the time. His only relationships with
women were in legitimate, contractual marriages with proper witnesses
according to law. His relationship to Ayesha was only that of marriage.
He did not marry her the first time her father offered her hand to him
in marriage. He married her only after she reached the age of puberty
and could decide for herself. Their relationship is described in every
detail by Ayesha herself in the most loving and respectful manner as a
match truly made in heaven. Ayesha is considered as one of the highest
scholars of Islam and lived out her entire life only having been married
to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. She never desired any
other man, nor did she ever utter a single negative statement against
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
M. Muhammad,
peace and blessings 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
illconduct, 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]
N.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited killing of
children for fear of poverty and also forbade killing any innocent
people.
Say (O Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him): "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; kill not your children
because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them; come
not 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 (according to Law). This He
has commanded you that you may understand.
[Holy Quran 6:151]
O.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, never committed adultery,
and he required his followers to engage only in lawful marriage
relationships with women, and forbid sex outside of Almighty God's
Ordinance.
Satan (the devil) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit
Fahsha (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.); whereas
Allah promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is
All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.
[Holy Quran 2:268]
Say (O Muhammad SAW): "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed
forbidden are AlFawahish (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful
sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of
all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with
Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah
of which you have no knowledge."
[Holy Quran 7:33]
And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a
Fahishah [i.e. anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and
an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him).
[Holy Quran 17:32]
The adulterer marries not but an adulteress or a Mushrikah and the
adulteress none marries her except an adulterer or a Muskrik [and that
means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a
Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute, then
surely he is either an adulterer, or a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or
idolater, etc.) And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual
relation with) a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater) or an
adulterer, then she is either a prostitute or a Mushrikah (female
polytheist, pagan, or idolatress, etc.)]. Such a thing is forbidden to
the believers (of Islamic Monotheism).
[Holy Quran 24:3]
Verily, those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse
should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful
torment in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you know
not.
[Holy Quran 24:19]
O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the pledge,
that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they
will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse,
that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter
slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal
children belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey
you in any Ma'ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all that which Islam ordains)
then accept their Bai'a (pledge), and ask Allah to forgive them, Verily,
Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Holy Quran 60:12]
People committed fornication and adultery in most places around the
word in Muhammad's time, yet he never once did so, and he forbade all of
his followers from this evil practice.
P. Muhammad,
peace and blessings be upon him, forbade usury and interest on money
lending, as Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, had done centuries
before him. It can be easily shown how usury eats away at wealth and
destroys the economic systems throughout history. Yet, just as in the
teachings of the prophets of old, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon
him, held that such practices were most evil and must be avoided in
order to be at peace with the Creator (Allah).
Those who eat usury (deal in interest) will not stand (on the Day of
Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Satan
leading him to insanity. That is because they say: "Trading is only
like usury," whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden usury.
So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating usury
shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allah (to judge);
but whoever returns to dealing in usury, such are the dwellers of the
Fire - they will abide therein.
Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for charity, alms, etc. And Allah likes not the disbelievers, sinners.
Truly those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and perform
Salat, and give Zakat, they will have their reward with their Lord. On
them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
You who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from usury, if you are believers.
And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allah and His
Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not
unjustly, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.
[Holy Quran 2:275-279]
Q.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, never gambled and did not
allow it. Like usury, gambling takes away wealth but at an even faster
pace.
"People ask you (Muhammad) about alcohol and gambling. Say, 'There is
great sin in both of them and (some benefit) for humans, but the sin is
greater than any benefit from them.' And they ask you what they should
spend (for charity, etc.). Say, 'Whatever is above your basic needs.'
So, Allah makes it clear to you His Laws in order for you to give
thought."
[Holy Quran 2:219]
Gambling had not
been viewed as so evil until the time of Muhammad, peace be upon. Today,
it is well established the damage gambling causes to families and even
mental health. The idea of getting something for nothing is not the
proper way of life prescribed by the teachings of Muhammad, peace and
blessings be upon him.
R. Muhammad, peace and blessings
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 and blessings 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.
S.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, did not engage in gossip or
backbiting and he always turned away from hearing anything related to
it.
O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a
news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you
become regretful to what you have done.
[Holy Quran 49:6]
O you who believe! Do not allow one group scoff at another group, it
may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women
scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the
former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How
bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith? And whosoever
does not repent, then such are indeed wrong-doers.
O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are
sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like
to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate
backbiting) . And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts
repentance, Most Merciful.
[Holy Quran 49:11-12]
Certainly, these teachings would be well appreciated in today's world
where we find almost everyone engaging in the worst of gossiping and
insulting of others, even the closest of relatives and loved ones.
T.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was most generous and
encouraged others to be the same way in their dealings with others. He
even asked them to forgive the debts of others with hope of receiving a
better reward with their Lord (Allah).
And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time
till it is easy for him to repay, but if you remit it by way of
charity, that is better for you if you did but know.
And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then
every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt
with unjustly.
[Holy Quran 2:280-281]
S.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded the payment of
charity to the poor and he was the defender and protector of widows,
orphans and the wayfarers.
"Therefore, do not oppress the orphan, nor repulse the beggar."
[Holy Quran 93:9-10]
Charity is for the poor, who in Allah's Cause are restricted (from
travel), and cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one
who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty.
You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. And
whatever you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well.
[Holy Quran 2:273]
U.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught people how to deal
with the most extreme difficulties and tests that occur to us throughout
our lives. He held that only through patience and a humble attitude
would we find true resolution and understanding of life's complications
and disappointments. He the most patient of all and was exemplary in his
own humbleness. All who knew him had to admit to these virtues.
O you who believe! Seek help in patience and the prayer. Truly! Allah is with the patient ones.
[Holy Quran 2:153]
He explained this life was a test from Allah:
And certainly, Allah shall test you with something of fear, hunger,
loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient
ones.
[Holy Quran 2:155]
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."
[Holy Quran 2:156]
V.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, fasted for days at a time to
be closer to Almighty God and away from the narrowness of worldly
attractions.
O you who believe! Observing the fasting is prescribed for you as it
was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious.
[Holy Quran 2:183]
W.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, called for an end to racism
and tribalism from the beginning to the end of his mission. He was truly
the peacemaker for all times and all people.
O mankind! (Allah) has created you from a male and a female, and made
you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the
most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who is one of the
pious. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware
[Holy Quran 49:13]
And in another verse of the Quran:
O mankind! Have piety and be most dutiful to your Lord, Who created you
from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife
(Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah
through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the
relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an AllWatcher
over you.
[Holy Quran 4:1]
X. Regarding keeping up good relationships and bringing people back together after a falling out, the Quran says:
And if two parties or groups among the believers fall to fighting, then
make peace between them both, but if one of them rebels against the
other, then fight you (all) against the one that which rebels till it
complies with the Command of Allah; then if it complies, then make
reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allah
loves those who are equitable.
The believers are nothing else than brothers to each other. So make
reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may
receive mercy.
[Holy Quran 49:9-10]
Y.
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught that Jesus, peace and
blessings be upon him, was the immaculate conception and miracle birth
of Mary, and that she was the best creation of Almighty God. He insisted
even to the Jews of Madinah, that Jesus, peace and blessings be upon
him, was the Messiah, the Christ, the one predicted to come in their
Torah (Old Testament). He also taught that Jesus, peace and blessings be
upon him, did many miracles by the permission of Almighty God, curing
the lepers, restoring sight to the blind and even bringing a dead man
back to life, and he was not dead, rather Almighty God had raised him
up. He also predicted Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, is going
to return again in the Last Days to lead the true believers in a victory
over the evil and unrighteous people, and he will destroy the
Anti-Christ.
Z. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon
him, forbade any killing, even when his followers were being killed,
until the orders for retaliation came from Allah. Even then the limits
were clearly spelled out and only those engaged in active combat against
the Muslims or Islam were to be fought in combat. And even then, only
according to very strict rules from Allah.
