بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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Tag: Muhammed

  • The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Strategy of Change

    The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Strategy of Change

    In the Quran, Allah SWT said, “It is He who sent His messenger with guidance and the religion of truth so that He makes it prevail over all religions even though the idolaters hate it.” (Qur’an 61:9)

    Arabia before Rasoolullah (peace be upon him)

    Consider Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) life and how he transformed not only Arabian society, but the world as well. Before Muhammad (peace be upon him), Arabs were of little or no significance. With no central protective laws, Bedouin tribes were forced to protect and to safeguard their members themselves. If a member was killed, revenge was inevitable. As such, the tribes were in a near constant state of conflict with one another. If tribes did seek to form an alliance, it was often to support one group against another. This resulted in decades-long wars between tribes such as Bakr and Taghlib, ‘Abs and Zhubyaan, Aus and Khazraj and more.

    Arabia’s prevailing lawlessness led to more havoc, including unprovoked attacks on caravans and weak settlements, further perpetuating its cycle of violence.

    During this time, other empires like the Byzantine, Roman, and Persian surpassed the Arabs’ civilization and political and economic stability. In short, before Rasoolullah (peace be upon him), no practical bond united Arabia’s tribes.

    A unique generation

    This changed under Rasoolullah (peace be upon him), who revolutionized Arabia, and it became unique, prevailing and ruling over a large part of the world for centuries. By Allah’s (SWT) will, Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) transformed Arabia into a fierce and faithful nation, one that abandoned its idols and whose people believed in the divine oneness of Allah (SWT). During the 23 years of Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) mission, Islam became the way of life for most of Arabia.

    Allah SWT reminded the Arabs: “Hold firmly, all of you together, to the rope of Allah (Qur’an) and do not be divided. Remember the favor of Allah on you, when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together, and you became brothers (unified) by His favor. You were on the brink of (entering) a pit of Fire, and He rescued you from it. This is how Allah makes His verses clear to you so that you may be guided.” (Qur’an 3:103)

    When reflecting on this achievement, we might ask how an entire society, initially hostile to Islam and Muhammad (peace be upon him), not only embraced Islam but then defended it with their lives and wealth. How did they transform from enemies of the faith to its torchbearers?

    Allah (SWT) recognized Arabia’s shift: “You are the best community brought out from humanity. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and you believe in Allah.” (Qur’an 3:110)

    Methods of change
    1. Firm Islamic policies
      Through Islamically inspired policies, Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) elevated independent tribes, and they emerged anew within the Islamic ummah framework. Indeed, this faith-based band was and is a stronger, more enduring bond than tribalism, nationalism, or ethnicity.

      Allah (SWT) said: “Do they wish to be judged according to (practices) at the time of ignorance (before Allah’s guidance)? Who could be better than Allah in judgment for a people with unshakable faith?” (Qur’an 5:50)

      When Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) passed away, his mission was complete. He established a social system far superior to the tribal one Arabs previously lived under, and they were united, creating cohesive religious unity where it had not been before.

    1. Shari’ah in harmony with imaan
      When an individual’s behavior revolves around the intention to please Allah (SWT), changes occur. There are worldly benefits in doing good, but the ultimate aim of righteousness is for Allah (SWT). Sharia’ah, both the Islamic law and the code of conduct, is of divine authority, which regulates religious matters as well as worldly affairs. However, all deeds ultimately return to Allah (SWT), who said, “And as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards and grant Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) prepared his companions for leadership, most remarkably the Khulafa’ee Rashideen, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali (may Allah SWT be pleased them extra from His bounty.” (Qur’an 4:173)
    1. Preparing leaders
      Indeed, by the end of the Khulafa’ee Rashideen period, Islam had reached Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Damascus, Jerusalem, Cairo, Alexandria, Iraq, Persia, North Africa, Cypress, Europe, and China. This achievement happened by the will of Allah (SWT) who blessed Rassoolullah (peace be upon him) with selfless dedication, commitment, and excellent leadership. Unfortunately, today we often find that those in leadership positions fail to produce leaders who will succeed them, leaving a huge void and chaos when they die.

      By contrast, Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) was selfless and wished for all his companions to experience the same zeal he had to propagate the deen. As a result, the sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them) understood they also should prepare the next generation for leadership in the prophetic way.

    1. Demonstrating moral character
      Muhammad (peace be upon him) redefined and refined society’s morals. He softened people’s hearts and nature, preparing them for progress and advancement. For example, he banned the practice of burying baby girls alive, making him one of society’s greatest reformers.

      Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known for his forgiving nature and noble character traits of kindness, gentleness, compassion, patience, humility, and good dealings with people. He lived peacefully among people for 40 years, his relatives loved him dearly, and people of his city greatly respected his upright principles, honor, and integrity. He emphasized fairness and treated people equally regardless of social status, race, or background. He promoted rights of the poor, women, and marginalized groups, reshaping societal norms around justice. Allah (SWT) described him: “(O Muhammad PBUH), it is by Allah’s Mercy that you are gentle with them. Had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have turned away from you. Therefore, pardon them, pray for their forgiveness, and consult them in public affairs. Once you have taken a decision, then put your trust in Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who put their trust in Him.” (Quran 3:159)

      His integrity and honesty encouraged people to practice empathy, forgive others, and to avoid revenge, fostering a more harmonious and peaceful society. He instilled in people a sense of personal responsibility, accountability, and ethics by encouraging them to fulfill their duties, be truthful, and uphold moral standards.

    How can we change?

    The transformation Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) inspired happened without mass media, technology, or high-tech communications equipment. So, what prevents us from using his sunnah to bring about positive changes in a world filled with distress, grief, and trials? Imaam Malik (may Allah’s mercy be on him) said: “The latter generation of this ummah will never be rectified except by means of which rectified the earlier generation.”

    To realize change, we must approach it on individual and collective levels. As individuals, we must understand Rasoolullah’s (peace be upon him) mission; have firm faith and attachment to Allah (SWT); possess honorable personal character and embrace a proactive approach to our actions. Collectively, we must practice brotherhood and love for one another, we must employ shura, or mutual consultation, and leaders must encourage discipline within the jamaa’ah, or community.

    May Allah (SWT) help us make these changes, for ourselves and for our brothers and sisters.

  • Editorial: Clearing the Air and Knowing Muhammad (pbuh)

    Editorial: Clearing the Air and Knowing Muhammad (pbuh)

    “Perhaps the world was never in greater need of an accurate account of Prophet Muhammad’s life than it is now.” So states Adil Salahi, author of Muhammad: Man and Prophet. It’s true that after 9/11, for whatever reason(s), awareness of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) has increased considerably. Yet many people still do not really know who he was and what legacy he left behind. Sam Bacile’s infamous film, a French magazine’s cartoon caricatures, and hate-filled remarks made by right-wing propagandists are clear reminders that many people’s understanding of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is flawed and far from the facts.

    Such a lack of knowledge, however, is rather surprising; for unlike most other prophets or religious personalities whose life stories are full of myths or legends, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) lived in the full light of history. Almost every aspect of his life was recorded by those who lived with him and knew him intimately, and so we do not have to guess at what he said or did. When we read this vast body of literature, we can see that he was a man of exalted character and enlightened personality, one who was kind and just to all people, regardless of whether they treated him well or with antagonism. His distinctive benevolence extended even to animals and plants. The revolutionary message conveyed by Prophet Muhammad changed not only his own society, but the very course of history, a fact historians have unanimously noted. Today, some 1,400 years later, more than 1.3 billion people revere him and follow him as God’s last messenger.

    The veneration of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is not limited to his followers, however. Many great philosophers, thinkers, and reformers of other faith traditions have praised him and said that it would be to humanity’s great benefit to follow his teachings. Today, no matter how caustically Islamophobes taunt him or libel Islam, the fact is that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) never preached any doctrine that guided to other than peace, justice, and mercy. It’s simply mind-boggling that he would be made responsible for an individual Muslim’s misreading of his message and committing wrongdoing in the name of Islam. Contrary to the widely held notion in the West and some parts of the East, the very concept of “holy war” does not even exist in Islam. The Qur’an is categorical in denouncing all wars of aggression. “And fight in God’s cause against those who wage war against you, but do not commit transgression—for, verily, God does not love transgressors” (Al-Baqarah 2:190). The Qur’an also forbids Muslims from fighting, attacking, or harming anyone who allows others to live in peace. “Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them” (An-Nisaa’ 4:90).

    Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) preached peace, mercy, and respect toward all of humanity. His heart was filled with love for people irrespective of their social standing, color, race, or gender. He eliminated the roots of racism, termed it satanic, and advised his followers to regard all people as their brothers and sisters, with no man or woman higher in rank than any other except through virtue. He cautioned, “One who has even the least amount of pride in his or her heart won’t be able to enter into Heaven.” The Prophet never endorsed any impolite or indecent manner of behavior, let alone injustice done to anybody. He said, “Those who commit injustice upon people in this world will be the greatest losers in the Hereafter and will find their place in the Hellfire.” The Prophet thus taught people how to live among others in simple and modest grace, looking always to bring benefit, never offending, never causing harm or distress.

    The Prophet’s embodiment of this manner of living was testified to by every one of his companions, including Anas ibn Malik, who served the Prophet for ten years. He said that the Prophet never ever rebuked him. “When I did something, he never questioned my manner of doing it; and when I did not do something, he never questioned my failure to do it. He was the most good-natured of all men.” Indeed, the Prophet was an extremely kind-hearted person. “Repel evil with what is good” was his dictum and his practice. He was considerate to his family and friends. He was a loving father, a generous husband, and a caring neighbor. He treated equally, without bias or favoritism, friends and strangers, the powerful and the weak, the wealthy and the poor. And his compassion and generosity to those in need naturally endeared him to those who came to know him, and gained him respect, admiration, and love from both close companions in his lifetime and those who study his biography from the distance of time or place. He exemplified the best of human conduct in all situations and the Qur’an, fittingly, describes him as “uswatun hasana,” the best example to emulate (Al-Ahzab 33: 21).

    How can anyone mock and malign such a towering figure in the annals of history? This is a man who should be cherished by the whole of humanity because of his pure and noble soul. Surely, it’s either ignorance or prejudice that permits of belligerence toward him. Those who engage in such vilification, so decidedly unjustified, insult our collective human conscience and intelligence.

    Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the man, is the greatest testimony to the truth he preached. Let us know this man, explore his guidance, and embrace his example.