1400 years ago, in the midst of turmoil, in the scorching desert of Mecca, the last Prophet, Muhammad allallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam was born. His birth marked an important era in history. For the one and a half billion Muslims in the world today, he is the last and greatest of the long line of descendants of the previous prophets who brought God’s message to mankind.
Prophet Muhammad allallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam spent his life relentlessly fighting injustice, selfishness and greed. Nonetheless, Prophet Muhammad allallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam is the one most often misunderstood by religious leaders in the history of mankind. The Orientalist W. Montgomery Watt wrote:
‘Of all the great people in the world, none is so maligned as Muhammad.’
Over the centuries, the West has adopted a legacy of berating and portraying it in a harsh and aggressive manner. This long history of Islamophobia has its roots in the Crusades, and events such as the September 11 WTC attacks, as well as the London bombings on July 7 have strained relations between Islam and the West.
The view of Western critics that the Prophet of Islam Muhammad allallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam was intolerant of other religions and that Islam was ‘spread by the sword’, contradicts what is in the Koran, in the Koran explaining that there is no compulsion in religion. Prophet Muhammad hated arrogance and aggression that fueled violence, not only in his time, perhaps even today what he taught is seen in some of our leaders.
The legacy of the prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is unprecedented, because his life and teachings form the basis of the Islamic religion. He is praised, exalted, and glorified by more than one billion Muslims in the world. The important things in his life are known; After the Quran, the word of Allah, its teachings shape and guide the lives of Muslims. For Muslims, he was a supreme source of inspiration and a major role model, his life and teachings still resonate in the lives of many Muslims today. Muslims should follow the behavior of the prophet Muhammad such as selflessness, tolerance, and concern for the welfare of others.
Despite being an Arab, he was sent by God to all of humanity – his message is something universal.
There are many examples that explain his quest for peace and reconciliation. An example of this momentous event comes from what is known as the ‘Conquest of Mecca.’ It was the first formal peace and reconciliation process to be enacted at the state and continental level more than 1400 years ago. The Prophet allallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the early Muslim community experienced years of persecution, imprisonment, torture, boycott, murder and persecution.
After this period, the Muslims finally won and gained dominion over the torturers and oppressors, Returning Mecca to their land and birthplace. We can only imagine what happened and how the fate of the torturers was, because the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam came with 10,000 others to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.
However, the Messenger of Allah showed deep morality and generosity, forbade all forms of aggression and forgave all the inhabitants of Mecca. Therefore, it is a form of non-violent conquest. The Prophet Muhammad not only avoided murder and bloodshed, but also united a previously disparate and war-torn nation under the banner of equality, justice and brotherhood. He forgave all enemies and those who inflicted personal harm upon Him and members of his family.
When life became so difficult for him, due to the relentless torture and mistreatment of the Makkan elite, he went to the neighboring town of Taif to seek help. The Taif leader mocked and insulted him. They also called for children and slaves to stone him. Years later he remembered it as the worst day of his life. Along with this terrible event, it is recorded in the Muslim tradition that God sent an angel who was ready to destroy the city and all its inhabitants, but the prophet Muhammad refused, He said:
‘Forgive my ummah because they do not know what they are doing and maybe from them people will come to worship God.
‘Prophet Muhammad allallāhu’ alayhi wa sallam did not take revenge. He seeks reconciliation. He doesn’t spread violence. Again, he advocated peace.
Prophet Muhammad allallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam was a pioneer of human rights, freedom of religion and freedom of conscience. When he allallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam migrated to Medina in 622 AD, Madina society is a pluralistic society. Muhammad allallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam established a peace treaty known as the ‘Constitution of Medina’. This extraordinary political constitutional document is the first human rights charter to describe a multi-religious society. It is the oldest written national constitution predating the English feudal rights statute or the Magna Carta in 1215, nearly six centuries, and was drafted about 1,000 years before the United States Constitution. This treaty is not only significant in the sense that it is the first written constitution, but it is also contemporary in that it grants equal rights to every citizen.
There is no doubt that the Messenger of Allah always applied the principles of honesty and justice to all people, even those who did not believe. He was a spiritual leader and a statesman. Practical examples of forgiveness, social justice and reconciliation can serve as role models for both Muslims and non-Muslims in times of geo-political conflicts as is often the case nowadays.
Unfortunately, the West has a different portrayal of the prophet Muhammad and for centuries has failed to understand the universal principles he stood for.
For Muslims, this is a period of great trials and tribulations, and Muslims should use this difficult time to explain the compassion and deep spiritual lessons of what the prophet Muhammad taught the world today.
Calling for a loving and peaceful Islam must be echoed even louder so that together we are able to build a community that is harmonious, respectful, and full of love so that equality is formed for anyone, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
credits: Sajda Khan
