The
high tributes paid to his personality in the Quran and the Sunnah or Islamic practices remind
us of his exalted stature. Five times in a day, the adhan, the call to prayer,
reminds Muslims that Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah. In addition, the namaz
recited by Muslims also emphasises the unity of Allah and the messengership of the Prophet in the
same breath, thereby underscoring the significance of his persona.
Islam teaches us that Allah introduced Himself in His own words. For the guidance of humankind, Allah sent 124,000 prophets, the first of them being Adam and the last being Mohammed. It was the Holy Prophet of Islam upon whom Allah chose to reveal His final message and complete the chain of prophethood and messengership. The Quran says: "This day, I have perfected the religion (Islam) for you; completed My proof upon you and am satisfied with Islam as a religion". Again, we find that Allah emphasises the finality of prophethood and messengership of the Prophet with the words, "Mohammed is not the father of any of the men among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets."
At one place, the Holy Prophet is called "Uswatul Hasanah" - the ideal model to emulate, while at another place, he is called the "bearer of good news" (paradise) and a "One who warns" for divine chastisement and retribution.
The period before the arrival of the Holy Prophet in Arabia was one of ignorance. Wars were fought for petty matters, superstitions were rife and respect for women at its lowest. The social fabric of the Arabs veered more towards vice and debauchery than religion. Principles like justice and shame, which we take for granted in our lives, were thrown to the winds. It was in such difficult circumstances that the Holy Prophet announced his message – one that would change the face and social fabric of the Arabs, and perhaps the world forever. Within a period of 23 years, surely, but surely; with extreme patience; with the odds of success staked against him, the Prophet attracted people towards Allah's message. Enmity was replaced by brotherhood and superstitions traded with firm beliefs and reliance upon Allah.
Islam teaches us that Allah introduced Himself in His own words. For the guidance of humankind, Allah sent 124,000 prophets, the first of them being Adam and the last being Mohammed. It was the Holy Prophet of Islam upon whom Allah chose to reveal His final message and complete the chain of prophethood and messengership. The Quran says: "This day, I have perfected the religion (Islam) for you; completed My proof upon you and am satisfied with Islam as a religion". Again, we find that Allah emphasises the finality of prophethood and messengership of the Prophet with the words, "Mohammed is not the father of any of the men among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets."
At one place, the Holy Prophet is called "Uswatul Hasanah" - the ideal model to emulate, while at another place, he is called the "bearer of good news" (paradise) and a "One who warns" for divine chastisement and retribution.
The period before the arrival of the Holy Prophet in Arabia was one of ignorance. Wars were fought for petty matters, superstitions were rife and respect for women at its lowest. The social fabric of the Arabs veered more towards vice and debauchery than religion. Principles like justice and shame, which we take for granted in our lives, were thrown to the winds. It was in such difficult circumstances that the Holy Prophet announced his message – one that would change the face and social fabric of the Arabs, and perhaps the world forever. Within a period of 23 years, surely, but surely; with extreme patience; with the odds of success staked against him, the Prophet attracted people towards Allah's message. Enmity was replaced by brotherhood and superstitions traded with firm beliefs and reliance upon Allah.
A single verse from the Quran abolished unspeakable practices that discriminated against the girl child. Through the love showered upon his only daughter, Fatemah, the Prophet reiterated his commitment to the respect and uplift of women.
The path adopted by the Prophet to spread the message and attract more and more people to his message was his excellent character and morals. So whether it was dealing with his family members, his friends or his enemies, he set the highest standards of ethics. It is for this reason that despite the passage of 1,400 years since his birth, he lives amongst us through his teachings. Muslims need to adopt this mode themselves in their lives and through their behaviour and actions, illustrate to the world that they are adherents of a Prophet who was respected for his morals and values.
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