Salaam
Below is an article I have written in the latest issue of The Revival Magazine. The articles is primarily aimed at non Muslims since the cartoon affair but also aimed at young Muslims. The responce so far has been good, alhamdulilah, but at the same time some people- not exactly youth- have found it insulting and state it is disrespectful.
Please do have a read and share your views.
wasalaam
[b]AN IDIOTS GUIDE TO PROPHET MUHAMMAD[/b]
[b]
“Mohammed is the guy Muslims worship innit?” [/b]
No. Muslims do not worship Muhammad (peace be upon him) or any other prophets. Muslims believe in all prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Moses and Jesus. Muslims believe that Muhammad(pbuh) was the last of the prophets. They believe that God alone is to be worshipped, not any human being.
[b]
“So then... who was he?”[/b]
In brief, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Mecca in Arabia in the year 570 AD. His ancestry goes back to Prophet Ishmael, son of Prophet Abraham.. His father died before his birth and his mother died when he was six. He was raised first by a nurse as it was the custom in those days, and then by his grandfather and uncle.
As a young man, he was known as a righteous person who used to meditate in a cave. At the age of 40 he was given the first revelation, when the angel Gabriel appeared in the cave. Subsequently, the revelations came over 23 years and were eventually compiled in the form of a book called the Quran.
[b]
“Didn't Mohammed write the Quran?”[/b]
No. The Quran was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) through the Angel Gabriel. It is the record of the exact words revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The revelations were memorised by the Prophet (pbuh) and then dictated to his companions. The Quran has been preserved, unchanged, in its original form and confirms the truth in the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel. The Quran is also proven scientifically because it contains hundreds of scientific facts and statements which have only been discovered in the last 100 years or so. This clearly proves that the Quran is work of NO man!
[b]“Why do Muslims always bang on about Mohammed?”[/b]
The prophet (pbuh) is the most important figure in the lives of Muslims. Muslims respect him and follow the example he left behind. The prophet (pbuh) is the person who brought to us the religion we follow. He taught us the purpose of life, how to live our lives, and how to treat ourselves and others. He is our role model and we follow his example, known as “Sunnah”, which is documented in books of “Hadith”.
[b]“Sunnah? Hadith? Is that the latest fashion man or what, like Gucci and Armani?'”[/b]
No, it's not. 'Sunnah' is what the Prophet (pbuh) did, said or approved of. Hadith are recorded traditions relating to the sayings and doings of the Prophet(pbuh) which are available today in book form in almost every language.
[b]
“But what’s so special about him? What did he do that was so special?”[/b]
You see, the Prophet (pbuh) liberated the slaves and protected the weak. He gave equal rights to women and gave the world the concept of the equality of mankind. The Prophet (pbuh) was the first human in history to give universal suffrage (votes to every adult). He gave the first written constitution to mankind, consisting of 60 articles. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the first person in history to give rights to prisoners of wars (PoWs). These were revolutionary and historical actions, which gave rights to each person in every society for all time.
You know why he's so special? Coz he wasn’t only a teacher, preacher and propagator of moral values but he practised them in his own life as well. He provided us with moral values, moral behaviour, human values and etiquette which are practised world-wide to this day. He was a Prophet, a political leader, a military leader, a judge, a religious and spiritual leader, a teacher and a perfect personality for all to follow.
[b]“Ain't the teachings of Mohammed out of date? Come on man, 1400 years is ancient!”[/b]
When you study his life you get practical guidance and an ideal role model on how to act as a husband, father, brother, neighbour, teacher, ruler, reformer, judge and as a human being... I would say very up to date! Anybody and everybody can get light from following the lifestyle of the holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
The Prophet (pbuh) gives clear teachings to resolve modern day problems such as racism, tribalism, sectarianism, hunger, homelessness, poverty, teenage pregnancies, single parent families, rape. child abuse, drugs and alcohol abuse, world peace, environmental health and many more. So NO, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) are definitely relevant today and most certainly NOT out of date.
“Didn't Mohammed hate non Muslims?”
He acted with mercy and compassion even to those who came to attack him. Many attempts were made to kill the Prophet (pbuh). His followers and supporters were tortured and killed. He and his supporters had sanctions put on them and were boycotted by the rest of Mecca. He had animal excrement thrown on him whilst in prayer. He was stoned by children in Mecca and was badly injured. He went through many periods of bitter starvation. He had to leave his homeland and migrate to Medina to escape the persecutions in Mecca. The Prophet was called a madman and ridiculed. BUT HE NEVER INSULTED ANYONE. HE NEVER SHOWED HATE TOWARDS ANY OF HIS ENEMIES. HE SIMPLY FORGAVE THEM AND HE OFFERED THEM LOVE AND COMPASSION.
[b]“Didn't Mohammed hate Christians and Jews?”[/b]
Again, he taught the exact opposite. Islam tells us that Jews and Christians are "people of the Book". By the book it means those that also received divine scriptures. Muslims are told to treat them with respect and justice and not to fight with them. Let's look at the classic example from the life of the Prophet (pbuh):
Once a group of Christian priests were in Medina. They needed a place to stay so they went to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He said you can stay at my house. He cooked them dinner and made them welcome. Soon it was the time for the Christians to pray, the Prophet (pbuh) took them to the Mosque of the Prophet and said you can do your worship here.
[b]
“Didn't Mohammed teach violence and terrorism?”[/b]
Now that's a joke. He taught the absolute opposite of this. Just listen to some of his teachings:
"The faithful is he in whom people place their confidence about their property and life'. (Tirmizi)
"A perfect Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands mankind is safe.'
'It is unworthy of a Muslim to injure people's reputations: and it is unworthy to curse any one: and it is unworthy to abuse any one: and it is unworthy of a Muslim to talk arrogantly.'
Faith is a restraint against all violence, let no Muslim commit violence.'
The Prophet Muhammad was asked; 'what actions are most excellent in Islam?' He replied: 'To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the wrongs of the injured.'
Some people asked Allah's messenger : 'who is a very good Muslim?' He replied: ' one who avoids harming the people with his tongue and hands.' 'A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as he doesn't kill another person illegally.'
Now does that sound like a man of violence and terrorism or a great man of peace? Terrorism goes against every principle in Islam. If a Muslim engages in terrorism he is not following Islam and is contradicting the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). They may be using the name of Islam for political or financial gain.
[b]
“I ain't heard no big non-Muslim 'big up' Mohammed?”[/b]
[b]Michael H Hart.[/b]
'The 100: A Ranking of the most influential Persons in History'. New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc. 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.'
[b]Lamartine[/b]
A French historian writes in his book, History of Turkey, p. 276:
'…Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational beliefs, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he'?
[b]Mahatma Ghandi[/b]
When I closed the second volume (of the Prophets biography) I was sorry that there was not more for me to read of a great life.'
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity."
[b]
“If Mohammed was really a top Prophet and that... then why don't Christians, Jews and others mention him in their books?”[/b]
Well.... actually they do. The Prophet (pbuh) is mentioned in Hindu scriptures, Buddhist scriptures, Torah and the Bible.(See The Revival website for further details)
[b]
“Did Prophet Mohammed perform miracles like Prophet Jesus did?”[/b]
Yes he did. He performed hundreds of miracles which was one of the proofs that he was a true Prophet of God. (See The Revival website for further details)
[b]
“Why did Muslims make a big deal of some stupid cartoons?”[/b]
Muslims see the Prophet (pbuh) as a role model and follow his every teaching. The cartoons insulted the prophet and portrayed him as a terrorist. So obviously Muslims were upset and angry. But it should be crystal clear that those Muslims who protested with violence, shooting, killing, hijacking and threatening to kill others have totally contradicted the exact teachings of the prophet they were protesting for.
I personally found the article educational but guess some [i]older[/i] people would find it disrespectful.
but why?
The Lover is ever drunk with love;
He is free, he is mad,
He dances with ecstasy and delight.
Caught by our own thoughts,
We worry about every little thing,
But once we get drunk on that love,
Whatever will be, will be.
ɐɥɐɥ
overall ok-ish but some deception involved aswell.
Ya ALLAH Madad.
Haq Chaar Yaar
what's wrong with that article :?:
Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
please elaborate....
In my opinion some of the above is not painting an accurate picture.
Ya ALLAH Madad.
Haq Chaar Yaar
so in your view the Prophet
did hate non muslims, did hate jews and christians, and did promote violence and terrorism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well what i have written is the Islam that I follow.... you are entitled to disagree...
1. Al walaa wal baraa is a basic and essential principle of deen.
It is the millah of Sayyidina Ibraheem alayhis salaam it is the way of our Nabi salallahu alayhi wa sallam. Love and hate for the sake of ALLAH Ta'ala is essential. Personal enmity is not.
2. Promote violence and terrorism?
Terrorism means different things to different people - please clarifiy.
Violence - fighting in battles is violence is it not? Making dua for martyrdom is promotion or inclination to violence? What about the offensive battles after the Battle of the Trench? The muslims could have sat in Madinah Munawwarah but instead the Sahaabah Karaam alayhim ridhwaan were sent out on the offensive. Things need to be told in full - partial detail is partial lies.
Ya ALLAH Madad.
Haq Chaar Yaar
Yeah take offence and be condescending where he was trying to be positive. Way to go 'Ed.
He may not agree but that does not mean he does not have any justification to agree.
What we have in the article is a condensation of facts and opinions. There are some shortcuts. In its essence the article is correct. But that does not mean issues have not been overlooked. (I can remember myself saying at the time saying do not tackele evry single issue briefly, but a few big ones properly...)
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Think of that as one term. 'terrorism & violence'. basically a longer way to just say terrorism.
We left terrorism undefined. Its a big issue. and violence is not promoted in Islam. Islam accepts it is needed. we are not pacifists. But that does not mean you have to actually like violence.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Again terrorism would have to be defined before you can comment. As the saying goes - ones mans freedom fighter is anothers terrorist innit.
Im not so sure Islam does not like violence. . . **a lil confused**
Sure Islaam does not wish mindless violence on any1, or violence jsut for the sake of it but we cant ignore the vast ahadeeth which glorify martyrdom. We cant just ignore the numeours incidents of the Sahaabah Karaam and their yearning for martyrdom - Sayyidina Ali mentioned in a hadeeth three things that he loves - one being that the sword is his and the neck is the enemy of ALLAH's; or the yearning that Sayyidina Khalid had at dawn before the battle is about to commence, or Sayyidatuna Umm Hani's yearning to join the first jihadi sea expedition. Violence for the sake of ALLAH - isnt that what qital is in the Quran?
That doesnt mean kill innocents - but isnt violence a major part of our religion - why are the martyrs soo honoured?
Ya ALLAH Madad.
Haq Chaar Yaar
salaam
Violence IS NOT PART OF THE RELIGION- its a a last resort. Jihad on the battlefield is only considered when no other option is available....
Islam is not a violent deen.... taking part in jihad doesnt make it violent... that is defeding your land when Islam is attacked.
hope that makes sense.
But what about the offensive battles? How did Islaam reach Sindh and Spain?
My brother is Jihad part of the religion? Yes
My brother is Jihad violence? Yes
My brother is violence a part of the religion? Yes
You spoke about defensive jihaad but what about offensive. In the Islaam that you follow do you acknowledge offensive fighting or not? (genuine qsn)
Ya ALLAH Madad.
Haq Chaar Yaar
There are rules there aswell.
You see if the rulers of the region allowed people to accept Islam freely, and had no bother with the muslim lands, then Sindh would not have been 'conquered'.
Oh and after the khulafaa rashida (during which period I think SIndh was conquered... so is not at issue here) the rulers were not exactly 'Islamic'. That period of history was pretty brutal.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
you dont understand.... jihad is an act where fighting takes place, due to circumstances, that does make Islam a violent religion.
1. My brother no1 denies there are rules!!
2. Sindh was not conquered because of the Hindu Rajputs not allowing people to convert - it was conquered because they mistreated stranded muslims on the way back to Al Jazeerah from south india/ceylon.
3. Hadrat Muhammad ibn Qasim ath-Thaqafi is respected by muslims throughout ALL ages and throughout all lands for opening up Hind to Islaam. Sultan Mahmood Ghaznawi also is respected by the history and he lea no fewer than 17 incursions into India - smashing the backs of the mushrikeen.
Ya ALLAH Madad.
Haq Chaar Yaar
got my history muddled up there. :oops:
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
allahmdulliah the article is good, im sure it was useful to those hu had misconceptions about hu the prophet of allah was. Well Done
i second that Noor it is a good article.
The Prophet
entrusted a Christian King of Ethiopia- Negus Armah to protect Muslim escaping persecution from Meccan's. This is beyond friendship
"respect" is relative
what someone may see as OK may be seen as being disrespectful to another
for e.g most of my cousins frm back home think we're disrespectful to our dad-only cos we sumtimes treat him like a mate-yet for us this is natural behaviour
i heard some people were up in arms regarding this article :twisted:
do you know why that is?
i mean 15, 000 copies distributed across the UK...many emails received with good feedback, NOT ONE SINGLE BAD EMAIL ABOUT THIS ARTICLE...
on this forum no one has a problem with it, rather the opposite...Med has a couple of issues but that is acceptable as it is different interpretation and stance on a particular issue, even he doesnt find it 'insulting'.
so that means that 'the few' people in London.... have either misunderstood the article or over reacted wouldnt you say?
I cant speak on behalf of others
God knows whats going on in their mind
the people who had issues with it are well respected-very knowldegable ppl
it cud have been a misunderstanding-over reaction- or there could have been truth in their concern
God knows best
truth is ur mag IS rude-but thats why it works for ur target audience
obvioulsy not everyone wud be OK with ur style
RUDE???????????
HOW IS IT RUDE?
WHERE IS IT RUDE?
Not rude, but taboo.
We discuss things older people would rather ignore.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Just putting the articles online, and noticed the name of the book 'Ed keeps banging on about. Lamartin'es book. 'History of Turkey'
(PS do not put any of these articles on the main site, I have a plan for that...)
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
This is a more detailed answer by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari : [url]http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=9334&CATE=15[/url]
If you think about it, Holy Prophet
is perfect, so for one to even draw him 
in a good light is not possible, as any mere human making the drawing would not be able to make the Holy Prophet 
as he 
is which is perfection. The drawing is likely to have some sort of imperfection hence it's a disrespectful thing towards the status of the Holy Prophet (saw).
The thing I found disrespectful in this article was this:
“Mohammed is the guy Muslims worship innit?”
I know you're talkin from the p.o.v of a non-Muslim but still referring to Holy Prophet
as a "guy" is not a respectful term.
but that is from a non muslim, thats how non muslims speak, they will not refer to the prophet as 'the holy prophet'. the questions are in speech mark... and are actual questions i have been asked...
i dont see anything disrespectful about it....
My brother Najashi became a muslim later.
It was unknown what end the Sahaabah would reach in Ethiopia and it is to the Najashi's credit that he treated them well.
But we are forbidden to take any save the believers as our close friends. Nabi salallahu alayhi wa sallam ordered for all kuffaar to be removed from the peninsula - we treat them as per the orders of shari'ah and the over-riding order is that we love and hate for the sake of ALLAH -
this is the millah of Ibraheem alayhis salaam and this is the Seerah of Sayyidina Nabi salallahu alayhi wa sallam.
In the Holy Quran those who are with the Messenger of ALLAH salallahu alayhi wa sallam are described. And the first two descriptions are - THEY ARE HARSH TO THE DISBLEIEVERS AND MERCIFUL AMONGST THEMSELVES. This is not the ta'reef of some arabic book of language or some mufti or faqeeh - this is the ta'reef ALLAH Himself gives of the Believers with the NABI salallahu alayhi wa sallam.
Ya ALLAH Madad.
Haq Chaar Yaar
Pages