The Prophet

"An assignment that was done by me"

God’s messenger of Islam, Mohammad Ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAbd Al-Muṭṭalib Ibn Hashim. The last prophet sent by God, the political and the military leader. He was born in Makkah in the year 570 CE. Mohammad (pbuh) was orphaned from his early age, before his birth, his father died and at the age of 6 his mother passed away, to be then raised by his uncle Abu Talib. As he grew up, Mohammad (pbuh) was a sincere, honest, generous and truthful person in which they called him by the “Trustworthy”. At the age of 40, Gabriel was sent to him with the first revelation from God, which continued until the age of 63. 

After three years from his first revelation, the prophet Mohammad (pbuh) began preaching what he revealed to the public. That made him gain few followers who believed in him and in the message, God sent by him and in contrast it had been rejected by most of the makkans. The prophet and his followers suffered so fierce persecution in the year 622 CE then a command was given from God, telling him to emigrate he and his followers to Madina. This immigration called Hijra and was marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar. During his mission, the prophet and his Muslim followers fought many battles .In some they won and others they loosed all that in the aim of spreading Islam and justice all over the universe. Before the death of Mohammad (pbuh) at the age of 63, his message of God was completed, and Islam covered most of the Arabian Peninsula. After his death, Islam kept spreading and reached the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Antarctica.

     The Quran, God’s words revealed to his messenger Mohammad (pbuh) through his angel Gabriel, is Muslim’s holly book that they refer to in everything. The Quran is considered the first and the strongest source of information. Although the name Mohammad was directly mentioned only four times, but also there are verses interpreted to Mohammad’s life. To learn more about the Prophet Mohammad we must turn to other sources such as the Hadith and Sira. The Hadith are collections of deeds and sayings of Mohammad’s (pbuh), arranged by topic and collected after his death by his companions and followers. The Sira of Mohammad (pbuh) is the quotes and biographies of the prophet attributed to him.
       There are weaknesses and strengths in the sources mentioned. As for the Quran, it is distinct, as Muslim’s believe that it is the only book that is non-interpolated because of God’s protection although it is revealed centuries ago. Whereas for the Hadith, narrations weren’t rejected but judged by scholars according to the compatibility with the figures, events and history. In addition, scholars view the Hadith collections with caution because of the probability of having fabricated Hadith.

Back to the problems, that Mohammad (pbuh) faced at the beginning of building his reputation and spreading his message. In Makkah the place where the prophet was raised and where he was revealed the first surah of Quran, the prophet and his followers were hosteled and hated mostly from the elders of Quraish. Their reaction was because of Mohammad’s (pbuh) preach that said there is one and only God, and the idols they used to pray for should all be destroyed. All that made the leaders of Quraish threatened and started to close the circle on Mohammad and those who followed him and think of ways to stop him from spreading his messages to people and trying to bring him back to the idols. All their attempts failed, so they decided to kill him. God sent Gabriel who told him that the Makkah clans are planning to kill him, so Mohammad (pbuh) and Abu Bakr ” the prophet best friend” went to Madina at night and left Ali “the prophet’s cousin” sleeping in his bed, this trick gave the prophet time to reach Madina before the sun rise and before Quraish realize his absence. After moving to Madina the prophet completed his preaching, gradually his followers started to increase.

For Muslims, Mohammad (pbuh) is pictured as the most precious, religious and historical figure in the world. He took humanity from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge; he is the man who fought to have justice on earth by the name of Allah, to teach us mercy and good morals. Mohammad (pbuh) fought those who fought him and who oppress his followers. People from different religions would differ in believing in him as an Islamic messenger of Allah, but would never attempt of his morals, respecting and honesty. All that told and recorded in the Hadith books and proved by the Quran. 

In the other side, Mohammad (pbuh) had many enemies and haters. Non-Muslims, those who did not believe in Mohammad’s (pbuh) message, said that Mohammad is a war murderer who except bloodshed and has nothing to do with democracy. Mostly woman hated him because of his several marriages, in their thoughts they see this a crime, and Mohammad (pbuh) as an unfaithful man who deceived woman.  Moreover, these sayings have no evidence, mostly said by people who have impartial investigation to their religion. 

As a conclusion, God described his prophet: {We have sent you as a mercy for all the worlds.} (Al-Anbiya’ 21: 107) The prophet showed his mercy in many situations. The war prisoners were fairly treated in Mohammad (pbuh) Era. Clearly, Prophet Mohammad represented the highest moral, tolerant and ethical character in a human being ever lived.

References:

http://www.4truth.net/fourtruthpbworld.aspx?pageid=8589953043
http://www.ispi-usa.org/Mohammad/Mohammad16.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad
http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/about-Mohammad/458603-how-did-prophet-Mohammad-treat-non-muslims-part2.html

http://www.islam-guide.com/ch3-8.htm