“O Prophet! We have sent you as a witness, and a deliverer of good news,
and a warner, and a caller to the Way of Allah by His command, and a beacon of
light.” [Qur’an 33:45–46]
Today, about twenty percent of the world's population is Muslim and
Muhammad (peace be upon him) is their role model. According to Islam, the
Prophet is the last of the prophets, also known as the seal of prophets.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Mecca in 571. Morally, he was the
most exemplary person in his society. He was known as al-amin (the trusted
one). He was an example to all mankind, not only after he became a prophet, but
beforehand as well. When he was a young man, he founded the Hilf al-Fudul
(league of the virtuous) with his friends. He was among those who made their
voices heard about the injustices of his era.
When Muhammad (peace be upon him) was thirty-five years old, there was a
flood in Mecca, and as a result, the Kaaba was badly damaged and rebuilt on its
old foundations. During the course of these repairs, the time came to replace
the famous and sacred Hajar al-Aswad stone. At this point a dispute arose
between the tribes of Mecca. Abu Umayyah bin Mughirah, one of the elders of the
Qurayshi people, said, “Let's appoint as a judge the first person who enters
the Kaaba through the Bani Shaibah gate,”
and everyone accepted this idea. Everyone was very happy when Muhammad (peace
be upon him) entered through the gate, and expressed their consent to his
decision. After Muhammad (peace be upon him) was told about the incident, our
Prophet put Hajar Al-Aswad on a piece of cloth. All the tribal chiefs who were
there lifted the cloth together, and Muhammad then placed the stone with his
own hands. As a result, the problem was eliminated and peace was achieved
between the tribes.
In his speech inviting the people of Mecca to Islam, Muhammad (peace be
upon him) went up a hill and said to them, “Would you believe me if I said that
there is an enemy behind this mountain, and he will loot your belongings?” They
said without thinking, “Yes, we would believe. Because until now, we've always
found you to be right. We've never heard you lie.". In response to this
answer, the Prophet invited them to Islam with the following words:
"So I inform you that there is a day of severe punishment before you,
and those who do not believe in Allah will be subjected to a severe punishment.
I have been sent to warn you of the severe punishment."
His morals and his views were ahead of his time. He gave great importance
to his daughters in a society where girls are not valued. Even when racism was
normal, he said that the Arab had no superiority over the non-Arabs or vice
versa. He said the following words in his farewell sermon:
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a
non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; also a white
person has no superiority over a black person, nor does a black person have any
superiority over a white person except by piety (taqwa) and good action.”
“Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners
and committed helpers.”
In the Qur’an, Allah said:
“We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the worlds.”
[Qur’an 21:107]
