Prophet Muhammad

Exploring the Character of Prophet Muhammad

By Yahya Abdulrahman

Da`iyah — Canada

Farward By : http://www.shariqkhan.page.tl/

Birth Place of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

Allah says:

[Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for those who hope in Allah and the latter day and remember Allah much](Al-Ahzab 33:21)

We will try to explore some unique aspects of the character and biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In doing so, let's sincerely pray that many of us will start a process of change to acquire many of these traits of our beloved Prophet and apply them, in sha` Allah.

In 610 CE, Prophet Muhammad, the last and the seal of all Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them all), began receiving the revelation.

Almighty Allah says:

[Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets, and Allah is Ever-Aware of all things.] (Al-Ahzab 33:40)

Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) provided a model of how people should live as individuals and as members of the society. The truths revealed to and taught by him stress that this world did not spring up by itself but was created by One God (Allah), Who continues to watch over it. All human beings are Allah's servants and are accountable before Him for their actions. Death is not the end of humans' life; rather it is the beginning of another eternal world, where the righteous will enjoy the bliss ofParadise and the wicked will dwell in raging Hellfire.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) changed the tide of the human history and captured the imagination of the world by Allah's will. He taught a religion that is based on:
1- Worshipping One Immortal God (Almighty Allah)
2- Believing in reality, not superstition
3- Teaching the humans to utilize nature (instead of worshipping it), thus paving the way for the scientific era
4- Giving political power to the people and not hereditarily keeping it in the hands of one monarch or chieftain
5- Showing the people all over the world — through the example of the Prophet — how to live, cooperate, and work in an atmosphere of justice and peace, not cruelty and oppression
6- Teaching that if one always fears to displease Almighty Allah, then there shouldn't be anything else that one should fear
7- Teaching that if one rises above negative impulses and pessimism, one can overcome all enemies, and if one sacrifices this world for the next, one will eventually have the best of both worlds

His Mission
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was entrusted, for more than 23 years, with propagating Allah's words and message to the humanity. It was this role that brought him to a collision with his people. He was inflicted with all forms of adversity, from the pain of hunger to the trepidation of battle. Yet, throughout the 23 years of his mission, the Prophet always remained just and steadfast in his actions. His conduct was governed by a fear of displeasing Allah. During this mission, he changed the history of Arabia and laid the foundations of a permanent change in the world's history.

Within 100 years, this religious revolution caused the decline and then defeat of the Persian, Sassanid, and Byzantine Empires. Islam swept through:

1- Iraq and Iran to Bukhara, Uzbekistan, in the east
2- Syria and Palestine to Egypt and then North Africa in the west
Contrary to the claims we hear today, the divinely revealed message of Islam came with the objective of reviving and confirming Allah's religions of Islam, which were revealed to Abraham and his offspring, Ishmael and Isaac, and their descendents, including Moses (Judaism) and Jesus (Christianity).

This noble religion, whose book is surely preserved by Almighty Allah Himself for eternity, has opened new, unexplored opportunities for the human race. It brought the age of democracy and freedom of speech to the world. It also helped make new discoveries in the world of science by encouraging the humans to use their most valuable gift — the mind or intellect. Islam encourages the human race to seek religious truth and to explore the scientific phenomena to raise the standard and quality of life.

A big question arises: How could the Prophet and his well-taught and faithful Companions spread Islam in a very few years and with very little human losses? Let's look at the Prophet's character so that we might all be able to learn from this good exemplar.

His Exemplary Conduct
Prophet Muhammad had a perfectly balanced personality. He was patient, truthful, and magnanimous. He presented the highest example of human nobility. He disciplined himself by staying aloof from quarrels and quibbles. He never engaged in foul utterances or abuse. Even before prophethood, he was called as-sadiq al-amin (the truthful and trustworthy).

He had every opportunity to live a comfortable life and even become the king of Arabia. But, he refused all this for the sake of establishing the new world order of Islam in pursuit of truth.
Time occupies an important place in the teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) were taught in the Prophetic school. They used to divide their time in the following way:
1- A portion for worshipping Almighty Allah
2- A portion for self-examination
3- A portion for reflection over the mysteries of creation
4- A portion for eating, drinking, and enjoying social life
Let's visit some stories from the biography of Prophet Muhammad, so as to get acquainted with some of his sublime manners.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) lived among others as an equal. No bitter criticism or provocation would make him lose his composure, and no praise could make him vain. He lived in such taqwa (piety and fear of Allah) that he was always an example of modesty and leniency. He spoke little. He walked in a way that suggested his reverence of and humbleness before Almighty Allah. Criticism never angered him. He would assert that he is Allah's servant and would act as befits a servant of Allah.

He was so keen to assert the difference between him as a human prophet and Almighty Allah as the Omnipotent Creator. Once, a Companion said, "If it is the will of Allah and the will of the Prophet." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) showed his disapproval of this and said:

"Are you trying to equate me with Allah? Rather, one should say, 'If Allah alone wills."(Ahmad)
Toward the end of the Prophet's life, his Egyptian wife, Mariyah Al-Qibtiyah, gave birth to a beautiful child, Ibrahim, around the end of the 8th year of Hijrah. Ibrahim died in the 10th year of Hijrah (632 CE) when he was still one year and a half. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wept the death of his son. In his deepest grief, he uttered these words:

"Allah knows, Ibrahim, how far we feel sorrowful for your departure. The eyes tear and the heart grieves, but we will say nothing except what pleases Allah."(Al-Bukhari)

The death of Ibrahim coincided with a solar eclipse. People from ancient times believed that solar and lunar eclipses might be caused by the death of some important person. The people of Madinah began attributing the eclipse to the death of the Prophet's son, Ibrahim. Greatly displeased by this, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gathered the people and addressed them, saying:

"Eclipses of the sun and the moon are not caused by the death of any human being; they are two of Allah's signs. When you see the eclipse, you should show gratefulness to Almighty Allah and offer prayer to Him."(Al-Bukhari)

On one of the journeys of the Prophet, the group of travelers embarked on roasting a goat. One volunteered to slaughter the animal, another to skin it, and another to cook it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that he would collect the firewood. Although his Companions were quite ready to do all the work, the Prophet wanted to help and participate in the teamwork. He never assumed superiority over his Companions.

Three years after the Hijrah to Madinah, the Makkan opponents mounted an assault against the newly emerging Muslim community, and the battle of Uhud took place. The Muslims initially had the upper hand till some mistakes were committed in the battlefield that caused the Makkans to attack the Muslims from the rear. The Prophet was left alone, encircled by the armed forces of the enemy; they advanced toward him, and the Prophet started calling out his Companions.

Once a disbeliever from the Makkans, threw a stone at the Prophet and injured his face. This caused the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to bleed profusely and to fall down. When the Companions found him in this state, he said, "How can those who tinged the face of their Prophet (i.e. wounded him in the face), who calls them to their Lord, ever succeed (in the hereafter)?" (Ibn `Asakir)

Even with this light objection,Jibreel (Angel Gabriel) was ordered by Almighty Allah to descend down with the following Qur'anic verse:

[It is no concern at all of you (Muhammad) whether He (Allah) relent toward them or punish them, for they are evildoers.](Aal `Imran 3:128)

Acting upon this verse, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), as related by `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud, would say the following supplication: "My Lord, forgive my people, for they know not what they do." (Ibn Hisham)

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* This article is based on a khutbah (sermon) delivered at the Islamic Center of South California on November 24, 2006.
The text has been abridged and adapted by the editor.
Yahya Abdulrahman or Shawn Smith is from New Brunswick, Canada. He was formerly a Christian assistant pastor before reverting to Islam afterwards in 1993. He studied political science and sociology at the University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada.

{ The works posted on this page reflect solely the opinions of the authors and are their own property }
Muhammed Shariq Khan Lucknow, INDIA
m.shariq_khan@yahoo.ca k.shariq@rediffmail.com k.shariq@hotmail.com

What Women Want ?

What Women Want ?

The Prophet and Women in Islam

By Prof. Shahul Hameed

Farward By : http://www.shariqkhan.page.tl/

While some men may treat women like children, Islam as Prophet Muhammad taught it, takes a different view.

Muhammad the Feminist

I wonder how many men and women nowadays can digest the idea of calling Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) a "feminist".

That is, a feminist in the sense of one who always stood for the rights of women. In fact, he was just that, though the term applied to the Prophet could sound a bit quaint or anachronistic.

In a cultural milieu where baby girls were buried alive and wives were treated no better than chattel, the Prophet courageously liberated them and raised their status to equal that of men.

Muslims see Muhammad as living up to his God-appointed mission as the final messenger of God, standing up like a titan towering above the barbaric influences of the time to become the spiritual leader of the whole Muslim nation in Arabia as well as everywhere else Islam reached.

"The most valuable thing in the world is a virtuous woman."- Prophet Muhammad

Literally, he rose to the high standards of leadership set by his own tradition: He was humble enough to listen to the complaints of his people and always hastened to meet their needs.

To the weakest among the people, he was compassionate, and considering the condition of women in those days, he was very responsive to their thoughts, feelings, and needs. He was particularly gentle, kind, and considerate toward them.

In this respect, he was very much unlike some of his Companions.

Umar ibn Al-Khattab once said:
One day I went to the Prophet and saw him smiling. "May God make you smile forever, O Messenger of God," I said and asked why he was smiling. "I smile at those women. They were chatting in front of me before you came. When they heard your voice, they all vanished," he answered, still smiling. On hearing this answer, I raised my voice and told them, "O enemies of your own selves, you are scared of me, but you are not scared of the Messenger of God, and you do not show respect to him." On hearing that, the women said, "You [Umar] are hard-hearted and strict." (Al-Bukhari )

Twin Halves of Men

The Prophet always listened to women with consideration and compassion as he valued their views and opinions not only about affairs that specifically concerned them, but also about matters of wider significance.

It was because the Prophet gave such encouragement to women that there were well-known instances in early Muslim history of some of them freely speaking out for their rights.

Following the injunctions in the Qur'an, the Prophet gave women the right to education and freedom in matters related to marriage, divorce, and property rights.

"Women are your mothers, daughters, aunts."- Prophet Muhammad

The Prophet described women as "the twin halves of men," which emphasized the idea that their role in society is complementary to that of men. He declared that "the most valuable thing in the world is a virtuous woman."

He taught his followers that it is God's commandment to treat women with gentleness and affection because, he said, "they are your mothers, daughters, aunts."

Women Are Not the Devil

One typical Western criticism of the Prophet is about his marriages. Compared to the Christian conception of Jesus as the "Son of God", Muhammad (peace be upon him) appears so down-to-earth and human.

If Christianity celebrates celibacy, Islam definitely celebrates marriage. And the final prophet, like the Old Testament prophets such as Abraham, Moses, and David, has proved through his own example that women do not defile men.

Indeed, Islamic spirituality is not weakened by the body, as it transcends far above the demands of the body. Also Islam, unlike Christianity, does not view the woman as the cause of the fall of man.

Respecting Mothers

The respect given to women as mothers is another aspect of "the Prophetic vision, in which kindness and loyalty to the mother, a rahmah (= mercy) to reciprocate the rahmah they themselves dispensed, is seen as an almost sacramental act" (Murad).

The Prophet said, "Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers" (Ahmad).

"He always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes, and sweep the floor."- Lady Aishah

Once a man came to Prophet Muhammad and asked, "O Messenger of God, which person of all the people is best entitled to kind treatment and good companionship from me?" He answered, "Your mother." The man asked, "And then?" He said, "Your mother."The man asked again, "And after her?" He said, "Your mother." The man asked for a fourth time, "And after her?" The Prophet said, "Your father" (Al-Bukhari).

The Perfect Husband

The Prophet was a perfect model for humankind in every aspect of our life. He was the kindest husband and the most loving and caring partner to his wives.

"The best among you is the one who is best toward his wife" - Prophet Muhammad

According to Aishah, the Prophet used to help his wives with domestic chores: "He always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes, and sweep the floor. He would milk, tether, and feed his animals and do the household shopping."

He taught his followers: "The best among you is the one who is best toward his wife" (At-Tirmidhi).
We should remember that those were the days when women were treated like slaves and were punished for the silliest mistakes. The Prophet stopped all that and gave women the rights equal to those of men.
For instance, Islam gave a wife the right to acquire and possess wealth and keep it for herself, and she had no responsibility to share the family expenses with her husband. And the husband had no legal right to any of her belongings.

The Plight of Women

In ancient times when a man died, his widow was often denied all rights to his property and she was subjected to terrible humiliation and maltreatment.

Islam believes that the one who works for widows and orphans is like one who strives in the way of God.

In certain societies, there was a tradition of immolation of the widow on the funeral pyre of her husband. Even if she was permitted to live, she was denied the right to remarry and lead a normal life.

But the Prophet himself set the example of marrying widows and divorcees; his first wife was Khadijah, a widow 15 years senior to him. And after her death, he married only widows and divorcees with the exception of Aishah.

Islam believes that the one who works for widows and orphans is like one who strives in the way of God. And we must remember that in those primitive times, a woman who did not have the support of a man was lost and ruined.

The Prophet's mercy toward women was not surprising, because Almighty God had appointed him as a mercy for the whole of creation.

A Revolutionary Man

In the Madinah society after the emigration of Muslims from Makkah established by the Prophet, women were guaranteed personal respect, the right to education, the right to enter into legal contracts, and the political right to express their views concerning public affairs.

They were also given the right to choose a husband of their liking and to reject a marriage they did not like. At the time of marriage, a woman is entitled to a suitable present (in Arabic: mahr) from her bridegroom, and she is declared free of all domestic financial responsibilities, which are the responsibility of the husband.

The husband is not to keep his wife in a state of suspense, whether at home or abroad, for a long period of time except with her consent.

It is the duty of the husband to provide his wife and children with food, clothes, a home, and medical treatment according to his financial position and income. Muslim scholars have said that if a man does not support his wife financially, then she is entitled to get a divorce.

The Prophet said that the best charity (in Arabic: sadaqah) is that spent on one's wife: forgiveness in the case of disagreement, good manners, sweet words, a smiling face, a pleasing playfulness, and an amusing mien are but some facets of this "charity."

The Prophet said, "The world is delightful, and its greatest treasure is a good woman" (Muslim).

The husband is not to stay away from his wife or keep his wife in a state of suspense, whether at home or abroad, for a long period of time except with her consent. Unreasonably long separation on the part of the husband without prior arrangement with the wife is sufficient grounds for her to obtain divorce through a judge.

Indeed, the Prophet allowed women to engage in suitable work for earning an income like men, so long as such jobs did not infringe on their dignity. He permitted them even to participate in battles: specifically to nurse the wounded soldiers and to fight alongside men.

All this was indeed revolutionary, considering the prevailing socio-cultural paradigms defining the Arabs of the time. So it was not surprising that so soon after the Prophet's time, the vestiges of the pre-Islamic era, traditions from pre-Islamic Arabia slowly returned and gained somewhat of a foothold among Muslims.

Consequently something of the misogyny that previously existed returned, which reminds us of the need for reaffirming the noble example of the Prophet, whose compassion to his wives, daughters, and women companions cannot be forgotten.

References
Anjum, Darakhshan. "Apostle of Peace and Mercy for Women." Radianceviews Weekly. 15 April 2007. Accessed 5 Nov. 2007.
Murad, Abdal Hakim. "Boys Will Be Boys: Gender Identity Issues." Accessed 5 Nov. 2007.
Murad, Abdal Hakim. "Islam, Irigaray, and the Retrieval of Gender." Masud.April 1999. Accessed 5 Nov. 2007.
Pickthall, Marmaduke. "Social Degradation of Women a Crime and a Libel on Islam: The Un-Islamic Indian-Style Purdah System." Accessed 5 Nov. 2007.
Syed, Ibrahim B. "Women in Islam: Hijab." Islamic Research Foundation International. Accessed 5 Nov. 2007.
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Professor Shahul Hameed is a consultant to the Reading Islam Website. He also held the position of the President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India. He is the author of three books on Islam published in the Malayalam language. His books are on comparative religion, the status of women, and science and human values.

{ The works posted on this page reflect solely the opinions of the authors and are their own property }

Muhammed Shariq Khan Lucknow, INDIA

m.shariq_khan@yahoo.ca k.shariq@rediffmail.com k.shariq@hotmail.com

Norouz in Tehran

Norouz in Tehran

By Aisha R. Masterton

Freelance Writer - Tehran

Farward By : http://www.shariqkhan.page.tl/

Persepolis all nations staircase depicting people from across Persia bringing Norouz gifts for the king.While certain Western powers may be busily engaged in manufacturing consent for an attack on Iran, Iranians themselves, whom I have found gentle and courteous by nature, are busily engaged in buying goldfish for Norouz, or New Year's Day. In Mansuri Street, Nejatollah Street, and Resalat Square in Northeast Tehran, glass tanks, plastic bowls, and even bathtubs full of orange fish have appeared in market places and outside shops. In addition, there are water snakes and turtles. On sale are also painted eggs, young shoots and herbs growing on dishes and a variety of colored candles.

(Persepolis all nations staircase depicting people from across Persia bringing Norouz gifts for the king.)

Norouz, which marks the beginning of the spring equinox, falls every year on March 21 (or Farvardin 1 in the Persian calendar). Its exact time is calculated according to astronomical methods used in 1725 BCE by Zarathustra, who established a solar calendar in Iran. This year, Norouz began in Tehran at 3:27 a.m. Norouz is celebrated in countries that were previously part of the Persian Empire, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Central Asian states. Zoroastrians and Parsis in India and Kurds also observe it. For Kurds in Turkey, it has become a symbol of national identity. How It All Began Some sources say that the Norouz traditions go back 3000 years; others say 5000 years, and still others say 15,000 years, before the last Ice Age, to a time when Indo-Iranians began the transition from a nomadic way of life based upon seasonal migrations accompanied by cattle, to a more settled existence. The Iranian king, Jamshid (King Yima of Eastern Iran, now Afghanistan) is supposed to have introduced the tradition of marking the spring equinox in approximately 5000 CE. Centuries later, Norouz became the day when the Iranian kings were to be greeted by their subjects, bearing gifts. Images of dignitaries approaching the throne of the king can be seen engraved on the walls at Persepolis (Pasargard).

Some historians say that the Norouz festivities were borrowed from ancient Babylonians, after Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and his son, Cambyses, became king in 538 CE, bringing the tradition back to Iran. Even Alexander the Great celebrated Norouz after conquering Persia, when he had to participate in a ritual battle against a demon and defeat it, a symbol of the forces of light conquering the forces of darkness. He was then considered to be Ahura Mazda's ("God" in Zoroastrian tradition) vicegerent on earth. Finally, according to one source, there are records of the first four Caliphs taking part in Norouz celebrations, and the Abbassids declared it a national holiday (BookRags).

(A man celebrating Chaharshanbe Suri )

A Typical Norouz

A man celebrating Chaharshanbe SuriPreparations for Norouz begin two or three weeks earlier. As it is the time of rebirth and purification, the house is cleaned from top to bottom, although it is also said this originates from the belief that, five days before Norouz, the guardian angels come down to earth to visit those whom they protect, and houses are cleaned and food is cooked in order to welcome them (Massoume). The last Wednesday of the year, known as Chaharshanbe Suri, is a time when fires are lit in the streets, to celebrate light triumphing over darkness. People leap over them singing traditional songs, and fireworks are lit.

This year in Sayyed Khandan, massive explosions were detonated, which shook the windows and set off car alarms far across the city. I thought both of the poor little orange fish in their bathtubs, sheltering under their plastic sheeting for the night, and also what it might be like if the US decided to drop bombs on Tehran. One of the most important elements of Norouz is the arrangement of the Haft Sin (seven S's). These symbolic items can vary, but most include sabzi (green herbs, or lentil sprouts grown on a dish), sir (garlic), sib (apples), sekkeh (coins), sonbol (hyacinth), somaq (the red sumac herb), and samanu (wheat pudding). They are laid out on a table, along with a holy book, which for Zoroastrians is the Avesta and for Muslims who celebrate Norouz is the Qur'an. The lit candles are placed next to the Haft Sin, to symbolize enlightenment, along with the painted eggs, and a bowl with two fish in it, to symbolize life. Sometimes a bowl of water is placed on the table with an orange in it to symbolize the Earth in space. You can see the Haft Sin on display in people's homes, as well as in public buildings, such as the Reza Abbasi museum. One lady's cousin had made her display by hand, although now you can buy them ready-made.

(The traditional Haft Sin)

At the time of Norouz, there is a two-week holiday. Most shops are closed (which means you have to hunt further afield for your delicious subsidised sesame bread), there is little traffic, and people spend their time visiting family and friends, often taking journeys north to the Caspian Sea, or visiting the holy city of Mashhad Muqaddas. In Tehran, the air is cleaner and the snow-topped mountains can be clearly seen over the city skyline. On Norouz day, families wear new clothes and special dishes are eaten, such as sabzipolo mahi, rice with herbs and fish, and reshteh polo, rice with noodles. Boxes of cakes (shirini) are bought for visits, tied together with ribbon or string. The house is alive with the coming and going of guests and relatives.

Norouz festivities continue for 12 days, and on the 13th day (sizdah be-dar), which is considered inauspicious, families go out for picnics and eat ash (noodle soup). The sprouting seedlings, which are supposed to have absorbed all sickness and badness, are thrown into running water - such as that which flows down from the mountains in the narrow street canals - in order to get rid of the shayatin (devils or divs), and as for the fish, some are taken to nearby ponds or lakes, and some are put in private fishponds, or die after a few weeks, or are flushed away.

Norouz also has spiritual dimensions: It is a time for humankind to reconnect with nature, where everything comes to life after a long winter. Buds appear on the trees, japonica appears in the parks, the days are longer, and the air is fresh. Even in the shadow of the threat of war, it is a time for hope and regeneration.

References:
"Norouz" BookRags. Last accessed 26 March 2007.
Jafari, Dr. Ali A. " Norooz (New Day) ." Circle of Ancient-Iranian Studies. Last accessed 26 March 2007.
Massoume. " No Ruz Is a Celebration of Life." Payvand. March 1999. Last accessed 26 March 2007.
Shariarti, Dr. Ali. " Norouz: Declaration of Iranians' Livelihood, Eternity. " Last accessed 26 March 2007.

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Aisha R. Masterton holds a BA in Japanese language and literature and an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. She holds a PhD in Islamic mystical and philosophical influences in West African literature.

{ The works posted on this page reflect solely the opinions of the authors and are their own property }
Muhammed Shariq Khan Lucknow, INDIA
m.shariq_khan@yahoo.ca k.shariq@rediffmail.com k.shariq@hotmail.com