For example, most of the idols at the Kaaba toppled over, the palace of the Sassanid Emperor shook and cracked, its 14 pinnacles collapsed; the small lake of Sawa in Persia sank into the earth, and the fire, which was worshipped by the Magicians at Istakhrabad and had been lit continually for a thousand years, was extinguished.
Many people saw that he was different, displaying meaningful signs of undertaking a great mission in future.
Even during his formative years, Mohammed opposed injustices in the community and joined organisations such as the ‘Hilf Al- Fudul, established to defend the helpless and restore usurped rights to people.
Modest living
Although of good economic means, Mohammed grew up as an orphan under the protection of first his grandfather and then his uncle.
He spent all his earnings to support orphans, widows and the poor.
Despite the moral corruption in his community, he led an extraordinarily chaste and perfectly disciplined life, without falling into dissipated ways.
During his childhood, he intended to attend wedding ceremonies only twice, but on both occasions, sleep overpowered him halfway.
When he was 25 years old, he married Khadija, a respected widow 15 years older to him, and never married again until her death 25 years later.
Those who knew Mohammed said that he was as shy as a young girl was when asked about marriage.
Best attributes
Besides his other laudable characteristics, everyone agreed that truthfulness and trustworthiness were among his best attributes. He never uttered lies, cheated or broke his word.
He was the custodian of other people’s wealth and their families, whenever required.
“If you go on a journey and need someone to safeguard your family and belongings, you could entrust them with Mohammed,” people said.
The Quraysh tribe restored the Kaaba, which was partly ruined by rain and floods.
When the moment came to restore the Black Stone to its place, people sought the advice of Mohammed. He asked them to fetch a piece of cloth, which he spread on the ground. Putting the Black Stone on it, he told the chiefs of the tribes to hold the corners to raise the stone to its appropriate place.
His wisdom averted the danger of a tribal war.
God’s Messenger
Mohammed was not influenced by the written culture of the time.
During his 40th year, he used to retreat to the cave of Hira.
“This unlettered man came out of the cave with a new, wholly authentic message to heal all the wounds of humanity and challenged all the literary geniuses. This alone is enough to show that he is a Prophet sent by God to guide humanity to truth.”
No one dared to accuse him of lying or cheating but many tried to prevent the spread of his Message, and hence called him a poet, sorcerer or magician.
Some people even called him an insane man.
There were times when, in order not to accept his Message, they put forward false pretexts, saying: ‘This Quran could have been sent down to one of the great men of the two cities, names Mecca and Taif.”
Prophet Mohammed was a great statesman and a military genius. He was a legislator and a teacher of morals. He was a spiritual luminary as well as a religious guide.
New culture
His vision penetrates every aspect of life and there is nothing, which he touches and does not adorn. His orders and commandments range from international relations to everyday life including eating, drinking, sleeping and cleanliness of the body.
On the foundations of his teaching, he established a civilisation and a culture and produced a fine, sensitive and perfect equilibrium to balance the conflicting aspects of life.
He did not ask his followers to earmark anything for him or his descendants.
Although his family was the poorest in the community, he restrained them from receiving the benefit of zakat.
Mohammed was merciful towards all the creatures of God.
In Mecca, people inflicted on him every kind of suffering, eventually forcing him to emigrate to Madina and then waged wars on him for five years.
However, when he conquered Mecca without bloodshed 21 years after he was declared the Prophet, he forgave all his enemies.
His mercy even encompassed hypocrites and unbelievers.
Although he recognised the hypocrites of his time, he never disclosed them so that they could enjoy the rights of full citizenship to which their outward confession of faith and practice entitled them.
Compassionate leader
The Prophet was particularly compassionate towards children.
Whenever he saw a child crying, he would sit beside him or her and shared his or her feelings.
He felt the pain of a mother for her child more than the mother herself did.
Once he said, “I stand in prayer and wish to prolong it. However, I hear the cry of a child and cut the prayer short for the anxiety felt by the mother praying in the congregation.”
He took children in his arms, hugged them and sometimes bore them on his shoulders.
Generosity personified
The Prophet was a generous man, who liked to distribute everything that was in his possession. His wealthy wife Khadija spent everything they had in the way of God.
According to the Prophet, the world is like a tree under which people sit to be shaded during a long journey.
No one can live forever in the world, so people must make in the world the necessary preparation for the second part of the journey, which will end in either Paradise or Hell. The mission of God’s Messenger was to guide people to truth, so he would spend his life and possessions to this end.
Once Umar saw him lying on a rough mat and wept, saying, “O Messenger of God! While kings sleep in soft feather beds, you are lying on a rough mat. You are the Messenger of God and therefore deserve more than any other people an easy life.”
The Prophet replied, “Do you not agree that the luxuries of the world be theirs but those of the Hereafter ours?”
Austere life
Islam does not approve of monastic life.
It came to secure justice and the well-being of mankind but warns people against over-indulgence.
It is for this reason that many Muslims have chosen an ascetic life.
Although Muslims generally became rich after the death of the Messenger, some like the Caliphs Abu Bakr, Umar and Ali preferred an austere life.
This was partly because they felt to live as the poorest of their people and partly because they chose to strictly follow the Prophet’s example.
Ibrar Sheik is the President of the South Auckland Muslim Association, which owns and manages Majid Al Mustafa. Another article written by him appears elsewhere in this Special Report.
