The Merits of Islam Encyclopedia (1) Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah The best way to introduce the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad may Allah's Prayer and Peace be upon him (PBUH), is through his own sayings The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and Rights; The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and Values and Ethics; The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and Warning against Interdictions; The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and Addressing Issues of Modern World. By Prof. Dr. Ahmed Bin Uthman Al Mazyad Professor of Islamic Studies King Saud University Muhammad (PBUH), the Messenger of Allah 2 3 Introduction Introduction All praise be to Allah, and may His Prayer and Peace be upon His Messenger, his family, companions and followers. Today, humanity is in a dire need to identify the great figures of history who provided the whole world with the best services, works and ethics. Undoubtedly, the greatest of these figures ever, are the messengers and prophets of Allah1 by Whom they were elected and assigned divine messages to deliver, and top among them are the so-called "the Messengers of Strong will"; i.e., Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, may Allah's Prayer and Peace be upon them all. We, the Muslims, are required to introduce the 2 Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH) , and his noble contributions thereto to the peoples of this world as these have contributed largely to streamlining such peoples' course, moving them to the right path and straightforward 1- A concept referring to God in Islam. 2- This is particularly important these days considering actions by apparently few Muslims which distorted the image of Islam because of their hostile practices and terrorist aggressions, explosions, kidnapping and hijacking against people and property on religious grounds, while Islam is entirely against such horrible acts. Muhammad (PBUH), the Messenger of Allah 4 disposition, and making comprehensive change on religious, economic, political and social levels which came to be assured later on by key Western authors and historians. Consequently, the best way to introduce our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is through his own sayings, actions and stances, and their impact thereof on the whole world since these are truly the components of his biography, character and message for 'actions speak louder than words'. Accordingly, this is what I intend to offer in this 1 book as I have collected some of the Prophet's (PBUH) sayings on many issues the modern world is crying out for a solution, so the reader would figure out the extent to which humanity is in a dire need to act upon such sayings for the benefit they yield for the individual, community, states and humanity at large; i.e., a course of action much promoted by all prophets and messengers. Through my academic participations to promote the dignity of all prophets and introduce the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH) to the peoples, in Britain, 1-The book is being translated into key languages spoken worldwide, including English, French, German and Spanish 5 Introduction Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and elsewhere, I have come to author this book; an effort that took me three years. With this being the case, I have been keen on initiating such a blessed Encyclopedia, "The Merits of Islam", with this book; a locus designed to demonstrate the greatness, characteristics, merits, beauties and overall objectives of Islam and its blessed Messenger, Muhammad (PBUH). My tools thereto are highlighting key values of the Ever- Glorious Qur'an, the Prophetic Tradition (Hadith) and the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as manifested in his sayings, actions, judgments, wisdom, guidance, manners and stances through which the plainly noble image of Islam, its Messenger and the country of the Two Holy Mosques, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where Macca, the homeland of revelation and prayer destination (Qiblah), is, as well as the Madinah, where the final resting of the Prophet and his Mosque are, can be well displayed. Nowadays, humanity is in a dire need to recognize the merits of Islam and its Messenger and acting upon them for there lay the elixir of happiness in this world and the Hereafter, and the principles of welfare and remedies for all problems. Muhammad (PBUH), the Messenger of Allah 6 Form my point of view, publicizing such merits via all media available; audio, video, written, etc. and delivering them to the human race in key spoken languages worldwide is the best way of addressing defamations fired by some persons at Islam, its Messenger and the Country of the Two Holy Mosques. For a start, I have stressed that respect and reverence for all prophets, (May the Prayer and Peace of Allah be upon them all) is an integral part of every Muslim's faith, i.e., a Muslim would never be considered a true Muslim unless s/he believes in all prophets and messengers of Allah. Further, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), has clarified that prophets are but brethren holding the same doctrine of monotheism, yet with different laws. In addition, respect for the Prophets and Messengers of Allah constitutes an urgent need for humanity nowadays to boost common grounds between peoples all over the world. Hence, enacting laws of anti-defamation (of all messengers of Allah) is now a requirement that should be fulfilled by international, rights and civil organizations to ensure those messengers and prophets their well-deserved 7 Introduction position, and enhance international order thereby. For all of the abovementioned, I have divided this book into an introduction and four following chapters: Chapter 1: A recount of rights as understood and enshrined by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), along with quotations by the Prophet on: Rights of woman, child, parent, those with special needs, the elderly, maids and servants, bondspersons, guests, orphans, neighbors, etc. Chapter 2: A recount of some sayings by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), on values, ethics and good manners, including justice, mercy, clemency, honesty, courage, modesty, devotion, safety, moderateness, balancing, taking responsibility, self-control, respect for human beings, good manners, friendship, love, volunteering, injustice and struggling thereagainst, sense of humor, etc. Chapter 3: A recount of some sayings by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), on warning against bad manners and acts, including manslaughter, perfidy, anger, terrorism, treason, instigation, espionage, mistrust, bribery, arrogance, laziness, injustice, aggression, etc. Chapter 4: A recount of many Prophetic sayings on addressing modern issues, including terrorism, family Muhammad (PBUH), the Messenger of Allah 8 violence, spiritual vacuum, anxiety, depression, intoxicants, copulation, drugs, poverty, eco-problems, etc. In total, the book contains more than 72 topics and 400 sayings by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH). My methodology herein has been as follows: 1. I have chosen the most important topics needed in today's world, and divided them to the aforesaid Chapters. 2. I have recounted sound sayings by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), in all topics along with brief comments thereto. The intent of this book will only fulfilled if we go for a concerted effort to find about, act upon and promote the biography of our Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) and his traditions with a view to leading such effort by example. This is the best leverage to introduce the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), and to duly advocate him as this is a duty on every Muslim. For us, the Saudi nationals, we should assume the most part of such effort considering the distinctive peculiarities of our country among the Muslim world as it 9 Introduction is home to Macca, the unique and only Qiblah for all Muslims, and Madinah, the final resting of our Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) and his blessed Mosque. Moreover, our beloved country is visited annually by millions of non-Muslims. Meanwhile, almost an equal number of Saudis do travel to non-Muslim countries for purposes of tourism, trade or study. How fruitful it is for non-Muslims to witness practical application by and among us, the Muslims, of the Prophet's sayings and religious and ethical practices. Thus, every Saudi can be an exquisite ambassador of the country of Islam which is also the homeland of revelation. Thus, we will be the best representatives of our country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both locally and abroad. I also seize this opportunity to present this book, as well as other contemporary books on the Messenger (PBUH), to visitors of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as pilgrims and lesser pilgrims particularly those living as Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries since they are partners in the role of introducing the Prophet, not to speak about their duty to advocate him. Additionally, they are usually capable of reaching out for countries and communities we might fail to. So, using those minorities Muhammad (PBUH), the Messenger of Allah 10 would accomplish aims yet a lower cost in terms of efforts and time. I hope honorable readers would read my present book and find therein knowledge about the biography of the Prophet (PBUH) as many of Western (non-Muslim) scholars have done with the biography of him (PBUH). Such scholars had their own comments thereafter on the Prophet (PBUH), which held him in a high esteem, admired his character and fancied his manners and community-based efforts. Scholars referred to are, inter alia, George Bernard Shaw, the English author, who said, "he (Muhammad) must be called the Savior of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the leadership of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness." [The Genuine Islam, Vol. 1] Goethe, the German writer, said, "I searched in history for the loftiest example for man to follow, and I found it in the Prophet Muhammad." [West-östlicher Diwan (West-Eastern Divan)] Will Durant, the American historian, once said, "If we rated greatness by the influence of the great on people, we