The Holy Prophet Muhammad: A Shining Example To Follow
18 December 2016
By Khaled Almaeena
Some of the fears being expressed in the wake of the upset victory of Donald
Trump in the US presidential election may be exaggerated. But there is enough
reason to worry over the rise of the far or hard right in the US and across
Europe. A crude sort of nationalism to which US President Barack Obama made
reference in his address to the Greek people on his final foreign trip on Nov.
15 is the main component of the far right's philosophy. Another, equally
worrying, is the opposition to immigrants that in some cases is Islamophobia
in disguise. All of this has given a new dimension to the campaign of
vilification against Islam and its Prophet (peace be upon him) that has been
going on for some time now in the West. There are also oblique references to
Samuel Huntington's discredited theory about the ''clash of civilizations.''
The real problem, as I see it, is not a clash of civilizations but our
ignorance of or indifference to civilizations other than our own. We, Muslims,
are not entirely blameless on this score. We have not made serious or
sustained efforts to explain to others what Islam and its Prophet (pbuh) stand
for. Not many non-Muslims know how the Prophet (pbuh) welded warring Arabian
tribes into a well-knit nation. He had no weapon other than a message of peace
and brotherhood. How this was accomplished by a man of humble origins will
continue to be one of the most fascinating episodes in human history.
Yes, he was born in a modest house in Makkah. The birth took place on Rabiul
Awwal 12, on a Monday in the Year of the Elephant, which corresponds to 571
CE. Both his father, Abdullah Bin Abdul Muttalib, and mother, Amina Bint Wahab,
were well-known people. The Prophet (pbuh) never knew his father, who had died
in the months before his birth. It was left to his grandfather to name him
Muhammad.
While we complain that non-Muslims do not know anything about Islam and its
Prophet (pbuh), we have to ask whether enough Muslims know enough about Islam.
Going by some of the things some of us do in the name of Islam, the answer,
unfortunately, is in the negative.
So Muslims should make a serious effort to learn the teachings of the Prophet
(pbuh) and abide by the Holy Qur'an, which was revealed to him. They should
emulate his behavior and realize the importance of tawhid (monotheism) with
which he began his message, as shown in Allah's direction in the Holy Qur'an:
''Say (Muhammad), I pray unto Allah only, and I ascribe to Him no partner.'' (Surah
Al-Jinn 72:20).
Most important, we should take Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as our role model. We
should follow his guidance in all things, large and small. Almighty Allah has
blessed this Ummah by preserving the Sunnah and Sirah of His messenger.
Despite the passage of time, both remain with us, unchanged. They provide a
living example of the life of the Prophet (pbuh). They also instill love and
respect for him in the hearts of Muslims. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:
''Indeed in the Messenger of Allah, you have a good example to follow.'' (Surah
Al-Ahzab: 33:21).
I began this article with a reference to the lurch toward the hard right and a
nationalism narrowly defined by color, race, religion or culture in the West.
This is happening when the world is passing through a very dangerous period.
Wars, famine, hunger and disease are ravaging parts of the globe. Even in
so-called advanced societies, life is far from trouble-free. We find violence
in schools and on the streets, depression, poverty, dysfunctional families and
a host of other problems that appear to be proliferating instead of showing
any signs of abating.
To make matters worse, there is a crisis of identity in the Muslim world.
While social problems are few thanks to our strong family values, there is a
growing indifference to other challenges that confront us. Bigotry and
intolerance are not confined to some parts of the world or to any particular
sect. The same is true of extremism and obscurantism.
We are in the habit of blaming others for our ills and problems. As a people,
we are not given to soul-searching or introspection. We have failed to
question why we remain divided at home and despised abroad. We overlook the
causes that have prompted our young to join the forces of evil. We gave power
to self-appointed guardians of religion. We did not challenge them.
What have we done to alleviate our own suffering? We grovel in mortification
and wallow in self-pity, unable to muster the courage to call a spade a spade
and find solutions to our problems. We don't have to follow others. The life
of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is before us — a guidance that, if only we
follow it, will lift the veil of darkness engulfing us and lead us to safety.
Those of us who are in prominent positions in society should lead by example,
for it would be disastrous if we ourselves lacked true awareness and piety.
If we love the Prophet (pbuh) and believe in his message, we have to follow
him in everything we do and refrain from doing anything that would bring
discredit to a great religion.
We must leave behind anything that is abominable — all that is indecent,
whether in speech or in action. If an injustice is done to you, respond with a
kind act by forgiving the one who wronged you. Do not take revenge; vengeance
is the province of Allah. Free yourself by forgiving others and working to
strengthen your relationships.
The Prophet (pbuh) has taught us how we should treat the less privileged among
us. He never tired of urging us to help the weak, the needy and women. Work
hard and share with other workers, even if your work is digging in the ground
or removing rubble, and be happy in carrying out the tasks you are performing
in order to show your humility.
Do not use abusive or rude language, even in jest. Do not direct evil deeds at
any of your brothers or sisters. Let politeness and propriety in speech be
your way of life. Be merciful to people and to animals. Be unafraid to speak
the truth, even if it is against you.
This is what the Prophet (pbuh) taught us. Of all the prophets, there is none
whose life has been as open to scrutiny as that of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
We owe it to ourselves to learn everything about him. Can there be a more
ennobling experience than to follow the example of a man who was sent by God
as an example for all of humanity?
There are enough sane people in the West to fight the forces of xenophobia and
populism that are raising their ugly heads there. But we should make things
easier for them by fighting such dangerous elements in our midst. Here again
we have the example set by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
— The writer is Editor-at-Large. He can be reached at kalmaeena@saudigazette.com.sa
and followed on Twitter: @KhaledAlmaeena