Muhammad: The Seal of the Prophets A mercy to mankind

Towards Understanding Islam & Muslims Muhammad: The Seal of the ProphetsA mercy to mankind Compiled by Amgad Saleh afsultan@yahoo.om 2003-2004 AhmadSultan.com

A-Salamu Alaikom Peace be unto you Wa Alaikom A-Salam and unto you be peace Greetings of Islam

Outline • The Last Messenger to Mankind • Muhammad’s Message • Muhammad’s Character • Muhammad’s Approach (selective aspects) • Conclusions

The Last Messenger to Mankind Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to all mankind by the one God who sent Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all prophets • “We have not sent you but as a universal messenger to all people, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most people do not understand” (Our’an 34:28) • “And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! I’m the messenger of Allah (God) sent to you confirming the law which came before me (Torah) and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad (Muhammad)” (Our’an 61:6) • “My example and the prophets who came before me is like a man built a very nice house with one brick missing, so people would say except if this brick is there. So I’m the missing brick and I’m the Seal of the prophets” (Sahih Bukhari)

The Prophets Muhammad • All Prophets and their followers throughout history is one nation under one God • Muslims make no difference between one and another of the prophets ~ 600 Years Jesus John Zechariah Elisah Elijah Solomon Jonah Naturalized Arabs David Aaron Moses Shuaib Tribes Ezekiel Joseph Job Jacob Isaac Ishmael Abraham Lot Saleh Non-Arabian side of the Semites Original Arabs Hud Extinct Arabs Sam Arabian side of the Semites (Original, Extinct, and Naturalized) Yapheth Noah Ham The Flood Idris Other Prophets mentioned in Qur’an Adam

Muhammad’s MessageSubmission • “Say: Verily, my Lord has guided me to a way that is straight – A religion of right – The path (trod) by Abraham, the true in faith and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah” (Our’an 6:161)

Muhammad’s MessageA way of Life based on Contemplation and Understanding • “Didn’t you see that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of different colors. And the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of color, and black intense in hue. And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors. Those truly fear Allah among his servants, who have knowledge. For Allah is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving” (Our’an 35:27-28) • “The followers of the prophets have accepted their messages as they witnessed the miracles they have shown. In my case, I was given a revelation to be recited (read, thought and understood)” (Sahih Bukhari)

Muhammad’s CharacterA testimony by the Creator Exemplary Character • “And you stand on an exalted standard of character”(Our’an 68:4) • “Now has come unto you a messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that you should perish: Ardently anxious is he over you: to the believers is he most kind and merciful”(Our’an 9:128) • “It is part of the mercy of Allah (God) that you did deal gently with them. Were you severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from around you. So pass over (their faults), and ask for Allah’s forgiveness for them, and consult with them in affairs of the moment. Then when you has taken a decision, put your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in Him”(Our’an 3:159)

Muhammad’s Character (2)A testimony by the Creator Combined the best in all prophets’ characters • “Those were the (prophets) who received Allah’s Guidance : Copy the guidance they received”(Our’an 6:90) • Piety and Youth (Joseph) | • Firmness and Strength (Mosis) | • Patience and Mercy (Abraham) }  Muhammad • Nobleness and Peace (Jesus) | • Patience and Taking account in God (Job) |

Muhammad: The Great LeaderTestimonies by Notable Non-Muslims • Michael H. Hart (1978) “My Choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the World's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level" The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History", New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, p.33. • George Bernard Shaw(1935) “"I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving the problems in a way that would bring the much needed peace and happiness. Europe is beginning to be enamored of the creed of Muhammad. In the next century it may go further in recognizing the utility of that creed in solving its problems"

Muhammad: The Great Leader (2) Testimonies by Notable Non-Muslims • Lamartine (1855) “If greatness of purpose, smallness of means and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could claim to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?" • Gandhi(1922) “I become more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers and his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle"

Rationale, Lenient, Not-violent Muhammad’s Approach • Patience when dealing with people • Rationale in actions • Changing people’s mind by persuasion • The same idols worshipers are the one who destroyed them

Love To People and Their GuidanceMuhammad’s Approach • After the battle of “Uhud” where he was injured and lots of Muslims were killed, he prayed for the Maccan guidance: “Oh Allah (God): give guidance to my people, they lack knowledge”

Recognizing people’s shortcomingsMuhammad’s Approach • A man came to him admitting being drunk requesting to be punished • Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked the man to wait after the prayer • After the prayer the man re-requested to be punished. The prophet recognized his repentance and answered “Did you not pray with us?” and sent him away.

Balanced EmotionsMuhammad’s Approach • Softness: • Asking a young boy about his sick little bird “Abul-omair (the boy’s name): how did Al-Noghair (the bird) do” • Seriousness and Toughness • “If Fatima the daughter of Muhammad did steel, Muhammad would apply the the law of God on her” (Sahih Bukhari)

InsightfulMuhammad’s Approach • Peace agreement with Maccan (Al-Hudaibiah Treaty) by showing the Muslims’ intension to perform “Umrah” (subset of Pilgrimage) • Avoid fighting during the conquest of Macca by recognizing a prominent Maccan leader social status • “Whoever enters his house is safe, whoever enters the Kabbah is safe, and whoever enters Abu-Sufian’s house is safe”

ForbearingMuhammad’s Approach • Listening to people and restraining himself when subject to harsh words and accusations from others: • “Oh Muhammad give me (money) from what God has given you, it is not yours nor your father’s”

Humbleness and PolitenessMuhammad’s Approach • Towards God: • When asked why you stand all night praying while God has forgiven your sins, he answered: “Should not I be a thankful servant” • Towards People: • Going out with his companions, he would choose the most un-desirable task to perform by the group such as finding and collecting wood that can be used to lit the fire for cooking

Communication and InformationMuhammad’s Approach • Dealing with Misinformation: • He worked very hard to communicate and educate the misinformed communities about his message

Team Building and ConsultationMuhammad’s Approach • He always consulted his companions and made decisions based on consensus: • “During the battle of the Ditch, he followed the consensus of his companions to continue in the battle and not to make any compromise in order to relief them”

Non - ConfrontationalMuhammad’s Approach • He avoided confronting individuals who came to him and foolishly tried to confront him: • “Oh Muhammad give me (money) from what God has given you, it is not yours nor your father’s”

Scope and PrioritiesMuhammad’s Approach • In Macca (immoral society): • Explaining the right and wrong • Addressing keys to the highest level of human manners • In Madina (new Muslim society): • Emphasizing the importance of family relations and values • Strengthen social ties • Stressing on unity and diversity • Building economy • Building relationship with other communities (Treaties)

Integrating a diverse SocietyMuhammad’s Approach • Integrating and establishing unity in a society (Madina) that was diverse in both conviction and traditions • Unity between the “Aws” and “Khazraj” two long time rival tribes in Madina • Building relations with the Jewish tribes • Establishing political and economical systems in Madina • Establishing relations and treaties with the surrounding communities

Conclusion • Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to all mankind by the one God who sent Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all prophets • An exalted standard of character that combined the best in all prophets’ characters

Conclusion (2) • Rationale approach that is lenient, not violent, and yet firm that demonstrated an exemplary leadership and human quality through: • Love To People and Recognizing theirs shortcomings • Balanced emotions • Forbearing and being Insightful • Communication and Information • Humbleness and Politeness • Team Building and Consultation • Scope, Priorities, and Integrating a diverse society

References • “The Nobel Qur’an”, Translations of the meanings by Yousef Ali, Picthal, and Shaker. • http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/ • “Sahih Bukhari”, Prophet Muhammad Sayings. • http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/ • Fiqh-U-Seerah: Understanding the Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), by Muhammad Al-Ghazali • The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History", New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, by Michael Hart

Muhammad: The Seal of the Prophets A mercy to mankind