Life and Teachings of The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (3)

2023-03-30

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In this part of the article titled “Life and Teachings of The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)”, we shall continue on the life of the Holy Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a).

In the year 632 A.D. after fulfilling his mission which was entrusted to him by Allah, the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, passed away. This in a nutshell is a brief sketch of the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. We will now turn our attention to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and as time may permit, only a few salient features may be attempted. In dealing with his teachings, it may well be summarized in the historic answer which his wife Ayesha gave in response to a question about the morals and character of the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace. She said: “His morals and character are an embodiment of the Holy Quran”.

Thus in dealing with the teachings of the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, we necessarily speak on the Teachings of the Holy Quran, since to him was revealed the Holy Quran by God Almighty. Thus, his teachings are contained in the very Word of God and not of his manufacture. If one were to discuss the teachings contained in the Holy Quran. then it would require hours on end and still one would not be able to exhaust all the beautiful teachings which it holds out for humanity. It is therefore advised, that in order to be able to understand the teachings of the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace. Then one should study the Holy Quran in order to be able to gain an insight into his teachings. We pray that the audience may explore the Holy Quran and thus derive the benefit of the knowledge of the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and enshrine them in their lives.

The Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, received his first. divine revelation in the year 610 C.E. and it continued up till a few days before his death. Thus the Holy Quran was revealed piece-meal to the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, during those years, sometimes after the interval of months and sometimes in great rapidity; sometimes in short sentences and sometimes in long chapters; sometimes with a new law and sometimes confirming an existing law; sometimes repealing an impractical custom and sometimes giving a new direction. This is in conformity with a prophecy in the Bible which runs as follows: “Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line; here a little and there a little: for with stammering lips, and another tongue will he speak to his people.” (1)

It may be noted that in this prophecy it is mentioned that the people will be spoken to in another tongue and how true was this fulfilled with the revelation of the Holy Quran in the Arabic language, to an Arab in the land of Paran where the greatest manifestation of the Lord was scheduled to occur.(2) It may here be pointed out that Ishmael, the son of Abraham, who is the forefather of our Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, dwelt in Paran vide Gen. 21:21 and the descendants of Ishmael lived in the Arabian Peninsula and the neighboring territories.(3)

The Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, was a Law-giver and he was the object of the prophecy of Moses.(4) The greatest teaching which he gave forth to the world is that there is but one God Who has no partner, Who was no begotten and Who neither begets. A short chapter in the Holy Quran is devoted to this theme. It runs as follows:” “Say, ‘He is Allah, the One: Allah, the Independent and besought of all. He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him”.(5) It has been erroneously stated by others that the followers of the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, are known as Mohammadians and their religion is Mohammadanism. This is a totally wrong statement. We, the followers of the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, are Muslims and the name of our religion is Islam. These names were given by God Almighty vide the Holy Quran(6) in conformity with which says in part: “And thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. (7)

The declaration of faith of a Muslim is such, that it cannot lend itself to associate the Holy Prophet on whom be Peace in partnership with God. The declaration runs as follows: “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger” The teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, as contained in the Holy Quran, is a treasure-house of unlimited knowledge and wisdom in every field of endeavor. By following the teachings contained in it and by applying them for the benefit and welfare of humanity tremendous progress is the virtual outcome. By virtue of the teachings contained in the Holy Quran, the Muslims scaled the heights of scientific achievement and progress. A famous prayer taught in the Holy Quran is: “O my Lord increase me in knowledge”.(8)

The seeking of knowledge was enhanced by the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, who enjoined his followers to seek it. even if they have to travel to China in quest of it. The Holy Quran has placed great emphasis on the acquisition of the mastery of nature, through scientific knowledge. as much as on the creation of knowledge. It says: Allah it is Who has subjected the sea to you that ships may sail thereon by His command, and that you seek of His bounty, and that you may be grateful. And he has subjected to you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; all this is from Him, in that surely there are signs for a people who reflect.(9)

In respect to technology, the example of David is set forth as ”And We made iron soft for him, Saying. ‘Make thou full-length coats of mail, and make the rings of a proper measure”.(10) Precision is here emphasized and it is a fact that the Muslims have developed many sciences with the utmost of precision. Also emphasized in the Holy Quran are the harnessing of wind power,(11) modern means of transportation to the degree of going beyond the confines of the heavens and the earth,(12) astronomical discoveries of great magnitude,(13) harnessing of water-power,(14) etc. When scientists shall discover that there are worlds other than our own, then the truth of the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, shall become more manifest. It was revealed to him by God Almighty that Allah is: Lord of all the worlds.(15)

The manifestation of this truth is slowly being unraveled by science and the day seems not far off when the world will be startled with the discovery and then mankind will fully realize the truth of the revelation which was granted to the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace. There are so many aspects in which one can dilate about the teachings of the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, but time being a determining factor, we shall look briefly into a few.

Great emphasis has been placed by him on the performance of prayers. In this regard, he was commanded by God to institute the five daily prayers which every good Muslim performs. Next to prayers comes a tax known as Zakaat which is levied for the uplift of the poorer members of the society and for community affairs. After this is Fasting for a whole lunar month and then comes Pilgrimage to Mecca which may be performed at least once in a lifetime by the able-bodied. These four along with the Declaration of Faith forms the five pillars of the religion of Islam.

Continue in the next article: ( Life and Teachings of The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (4) )