THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (H) whose gains were transitory, and soon disappeared, Islām's Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion ability to conquer hearts and minds has led to its permanency. to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his —HIS LIFE Muhammad lived in the full light of history; his followers took absolute trust in God and his own mission. These and not the Muhammad (H) was born around 570CE in Makkah; great care to preserve his teachings. They are preserved till sword, carried everything before them and surmounted every he was orphaned at a young age so he was brought up by his this day and are known as the ‘Hadeeth’ and are the source of obstacle" (Mahatma Gandhi, Young India) uncle. He worked as a trader, married at the age of 25 and Islāmic Law along with the Qur'ān. Muhammad explained, lived a modest and relatively uneventful life. He was however implemented and lived the teachings of the Qur'ān as did the —MUHAMMAD (H) IN THE BIBLE well-respected and noted for his honesty and integrity, and society he established around him. To Muslims, Muhammad In the Qur'ān it states Muhammad was prophesised in as such was given the title, "the trustworthy one". He used to (H) is the supreme example for all people; he was the other scriptures. This is backed by the fact that many of the spend long hours contemplating in a cave in Makkah. At the exemplary prophet, statesman, military leader, ruler, teacher, early Muslims were learned Christians and Jews, who were age of forty, he began to receive revelation from Almighty neighbour, husband, father and friend. Almighty God states expecting a prophet in Arabia. When we analyse the scriptures, God. He started preaching to his people, to direct their lives in the Quran: “Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger we find in the Bible in Deuteronomy 18:18 that God tells Moses, and worship purely to Almighty God alone, and to forsake from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should "I will raise up for them (the Jews) a prophet like you from among all forms of idolatry (i.e. the worship of other than Almighty receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you, full their brethren". Christians believe this prophesy refers to Jesus. God). He forbade the people from worshipping him and any of pity, kind and merciful.” (9:128). His statements, actions However it is clear this Prophet, will be like Moses and from other prophet before him –he always referred to himself as the and tacit approvals form the basis of how Muslims should the brethren of the Jews. The Jews are descended from Isaac Servant and Messenger of God and never ascribed divinity to live their lives. Unfortunately, many Muslims throughout the and the Arabs descended from Ishmael. Ishmael and Isaac himself. He and his early followers were persecuted for their ages have been bad examples and opposed the true teachings were brothers, the sons of Abraham. Thus the brethren of monotheistic belief of the worship of God alone. However, of Muhammad (H). Likewise, there have been a great the Jews are the Arabs (Descendants of Ishmael). Moses and that persecution did not prevent more and more people from many good examples who follow the Messenger Muhammad Muhammad were far more similar to one another in this embracing Islām. As the oppression became severe, he and to whom God said: “And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an respect than Jesus. Both had natural births, both married, his followers were commanded to migrate to another city, exalted standard of character.” (68:4). So Muslims are obliged both had children, both were initially rejected by their people, Madinah, which is to the north of Makkah. In Madinah, the to follow him and emulate his noble character. and both finally accepted and led their people, both had to flee people accepted his message, turning to him for guidance. their homeland, both overcame their enemies, both brought From this position he was able to spread Islām far and wide. —WHAT HISTORIANS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT MUHAMMAD forth new religious Laws (established God's law) and both The enemies of Muhammad sent armies to wipe out the small Although Muhammad (H) was one of the world's had natural deaths; even though as Muslims we believe just Muslim community, however, although being significantly greatest personalities, little is known about him in the West as Muhammad (H) said: “The Prophets are brothers, outnumbered they were able to overcome or repel the and much misinformation is spread regarding him. However, their mothers are different but their Religion is one.” It is aggressors. Within a few years he was able to conquer Makkah many historians have studied and written about him. "He important to note that the Jews were waiting for this prophet without a battle. In victory, Muhammad (H) was very was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without the Pope's at the time of Jesus. they felt this prophet, the one like Moses, merciful, and many of his former enemies, including the pretensions, he was Caesar without the legions of Caesar, without was different from the Christ. In John 1:19-25, they asked John leaders of Makkah and many Christians and Jews became a bodyguard, without a palace and without a fixed revenue. If the Baptist whether he was the Christ, or "The Prophet". Thus Muslim. By his death, at the age of 63, Muhammad had spread ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by divine right it showing that they were waiting for two great Prophets, the Islām to most of the Arabian Peninsula and his followers was Muhammad, for he had all the power without its instruments Christ and "The Prophet". Muslims believe Jesus was the Christ spread the religion to most of the world. Prior to Muhammad and without its supports." (Reverend Bosworth, Mohammad and Muhammad was "The Prophet". (H), the Arabs had been irrelevant in history. and Mohammadism) Note, as Muslims we say he was neither Muhammad united them and changed them from paganism a Caesar nor a Pope, rather a Prophet of Almighty God. "If —WAS MUHAMMAD (H) A FAKE? and idolatry to worship of the one Almighty God; from tribal greatness of purpose, smallness of means and astounding results It is clear on analysis of Muhammad's (H) life that he quarrels and wars to national solidarity and cohesion; from are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare really was a Prophet, and that God was helping and guiding drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety; from any great man in modern history with Muhammad?" (Lamartine, him. The incredible success that he had reinforces this. Some lawlessness and anarchy to disciplined living. He changed Historie de la Turquie) “Orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, opponents of Islām claim he was either a liar or someone who them into a nation that would take their religion to most of the conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a culture was deluded. Let's take each hypothesis at a time: world within a hundred years of his death. He led them upon without images, founder of twenty terrestrial empires and one knowledge from the darkness of idolatry, oppression and spiritual empire. That is Muhammad. As regards all standards —1. WAS HE A LIAR? evil traditions to the light of worship of the one true Creator. by which human greatness maybe measured, we may well ask, There are many stories from the Prophet's life that go against History has not seen such a startling change or the speed ‘Is there any man greater than he?’” (Lamartine, Historie De La the fact that he was a liar or seeking fame. For example, an by which a new religion would grow. Unlike other empires Turquie) "It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the eclipse of the sun occurred after the death of the Prophet's son Ibrāhīm. The people thought it was a sign from God, now are extremely remote! Again in the Qur'ān, Almighty God like a condolence. If the Prophet was truly seeking fame, one (Allāh) informs Muhammad that He will protect him from the THE PROPHET would have expected him to seize the opportunity to support harm of Mankind. How could Muhammad know that he would his claims of Prophethood. However he criticised them and have a natural death? This prophesy is all the more amazing MUHAMMAD said the eclipse had nothing to do with the death of his son. when you look at the persecution, attempts on his life, and As more people became Muslims, the Makkans, offered to numerous battles Muhammad participated in for his faith. Abu make him their leader and give him wealth and women if he Lahab was one of the fiercest early opponents of Islām and of compromised some of his teachings. Even though the Muslims the Prophet. His life story supports Muhammad's authenticity H were few in number and being severely persecuted, he refused. as a Prophet. Several years before he died, a verse was revealed Again a fraud or a seeker of fame would have been expected to in the Qur'ān which stated that he would remain in the Hellfire seize the opportunity to gain wealth and power. If Muhammad forever, i.e. that he would never become a Muslim, and he was a false Messenger, why did he after gaining leadership, would remain an enemy of Islām till the last. All Abu Lahab still live so simply? Surely he would have tried to gain as much needed to do to discredit Islām, was to say he had become a With over 1.5 from the worldly life as possible, rather than repeatedly stating Muslim, even if it was just outwardly. that his reward was in the Hereafter. He slept on mats that billion Muslims left deep marks on his body, and stood in prayer through the —3. THE MIRACLE OF THE QUR'ĀN night. Yet before the revelation descended upon him, he was a There is also the issue of the Qur'ān, the main miracle of in the world, wealthy and well-respected member of the community. Why Islām. At the time the Qur'ān was revealed, the Arabs prided you owe it to should he jeopardise all this unless he was upon the truth. Also themselves on their eloquence, poetry, literary and oratory a liar would not castigate himself, yet God corrected him in skills. The Qur'ān however was something else. The eloquence, yourself to the Qur’ān. A fraudster would often praise himself, yet in the the rhetoric, the unique structure and internal arrangement, Qur’ān we find the name of Jesus mentioned more often than mesmerised the people. Men were moved to tears on hearing know about Muhammad. And Mary, the mother of Jesus being described its words, and amazingly some of the staunchest opponents of this man as being “chosen above the women of all nations”, a title that maybe Islām became Muslims. Throughout the Qur'ān God challenges he would prefer for his own mother if he was a liar! mankind to produce anything like it, but although people have tried, no one has been able to replicate the Qur'ān. How —2. WAS HE A MADMAN? could Muhammad (H), who was known to be illiterate, Was Muhammad (H) deluded? Some opponents of produce the most outstanding work in terms of literary merit? “I have studied him, that Islām suggest that rather than being a liar he was a madman. The truth is that the Qur’ān is the Word of God revealed to wonderful man, and in my However this causes many problems also. How could Muhammad (H). God said: "And if you are in doubt opinion, far from being an Anti- Muhammad keep on getting things right!? He spoke about as to what we have revealed to our servant then produce a Christ, he must be called the matters which were not common knowledge in his time. The chapter like it and call your witnesses or helpers besides saviour of humanity.” George Qur'ān refers to many modern-day scientific facts. In all of God if you are truthful. But if you cannot, and of a surety you these facts there are no mistakes, even though most of these cannot, then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones which Bernard Shaw, The Genuine Islam facts were only proven to be true in the last few decades. is prepared for those who reject faith" (Qur'ān 2:22-3) Maurice Bucaille, the French scientist and physician states, "In “It is impossible for anyone a century, where for many, scientific truth has dealt a deathblow —CONCLUSION who studies the life and to religious belief, it is precisely the discoveries of science that in an There is no doubt that Muhammad was one of history's great character of the great Prophet objective examination of the Islamic revelation have heightened individuals, so whatever you believe in, wherever you are from of Arabia, who knows how he T w the supernatural nature of certain aspects of the revelation." There we ask you to find out more about this incredible man. taught and how he lived, to it are many prophesies made by Muhammad (H) as well te feel anything but reverence r as in the Qur'ān. Again, we find that there are no mistakes. —For more information please visit: @ for that mighty Prophet —one For example, the prophesy that the Qur'ān would be preserved SalafiSounds.com | Shariah.ws | Salaf.com S of the great messengers of a in its original form for all times. How could Muhammad JesusIslam.ws | SalafiBookstore.com | SalafiPublications.com SalafiBookstore.Com l a (H) know that the book would remain unaltered for —Your donations are welcome to aid with further publications. 472 Ctohveen tSryu Rpoarde me (Lord).” Annie fi Birmingham P over a thousand years? If we wrote a book today, the chances ©Salafi Publications, Birmingham, UK. Tel: 0121-773-0033 UnitBede Ksinagndotm, T Bh10e 0 ULGife And Teaching Of u of it being preserved in its original form a thousand years from Email: [email protected] Tel. 0M12u17h7a30m033m ad bs Twitter: @SalafiPubs