Prophet MOHAMMAD.
MUHAMMAD
THE GREATEST
(By Ahmad
Deedat)
(All
Holy Quran References are in Blue)
Chapter 1
"And most
certainly, thou (O Muhammad) are of most sublime and exalted character."
(The Holy Qur’ân, 68:4)
How the
Topic Arose
About ten years ago, a distant cousin of mine - Mr.
Mohamed Mehtar Farooki gave me a typed quotation by the French
historian, Lamartine. The quotation [A detailed exposition of the
quotation will be found on page 38] purported to prove that Muhammad
(Peace Be Upon Him, short pbuh), the prophet of Islam, was the greatest
man that ever lived. Mr. Mehtar was in the habit of passing information
on to me, believing that I might put the same to some good use at the
proper time and place. Before this he had presented me with "The Call of
the Minaret," an expensive book written by (Bishop Kenneth Cragg). By
analysing this book I discovered the masterful deceit of the Christian
Orientalists. Lamartine's tribute to our prophet inspired me and I had
a great desire to share his thoughts about our Nabee with my Muslim
brethren. The opportunity to do so was not long in coming.
I received a phone call from the Muslim community in
Dannhauser, a small town in Northern Natal,, who were organising a
birthday celebration of the Holy Prophet. They invited me to give a
lecture on that auspicious occasion. So I deemed it an honour and a
privilege, I readily agreed. When they inquired, in view of their
advertising needs, as to the subject of my lecture, I suggested on the
inspiration from Lamartine, "Muhammad (pbuh) the Greatest."
REPEATED LET-DOWNS
On my arrival in Dannhauser, I noticed a lot of posters
advertising the meeting which in essence said that Deedat would be
lecturing on the subject "MUHAMMAD THE GREAT." I was somewhat
disheartened and, on inquiring was told that the change in the title was
due to a printer's error.
Some two months later, I got another, similar invitation.
This time from the Muslim community of Pretoria the administrative
capital of South Africa. The subject I had mooted was the same - "Muhammad
(pbuh) the Greatest." To my dismay the topic was again changed to
"MUHAMMAD THE GREAT." Identical reasons and excuses were given. Both
these incidences happened in South Africa, my own country. But, let me
give you one more example of our inferiority complex - so much part of
the sickness of the Ummah.
USA NO DIFFERENT
On my lecture tour of the mighty United States in 1977, 1
discovered that our soldiers in the New World also had feet of clay.
Out of the many sad experiences I have had, I think that this one will
suffice to prove the point. The Muslims of Indianapolis were advised to
organize a lecture for me on the subject "What the Bible says about
Muhammad (pbuh)" T'hey agreed to advertise just that, but their timidity
did not permit them to do so. They thought the topic was too
provocative, so they, in their wisdom (?), toned it down to "A PROPHET
IN THE BIBLE." A lifeless, insipid title you will no doubt agree. Which
Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Jew would be intrigued to attend? What
does "A PROPHET" mean? To most A PROPHET means ANY PROPHET, and who
would be interested in attending a meeting where just any prophet in the
Bible was debated? Job, Joel, Jonah, Ezra, Elisha, Ezekiel are just a
few of the many mentioned in the Bible. As was to be expected the
attendance left much to be desired.
INFERIORITY
COMPLEX
What is the cause of this sickness? This inferiority
complex? "Yes!" We are an emasculated people. Dynamism has been
wringed out of us, not only by our enemies but by our own spiritless
friends. We even dare not repeat Allah's Own testimony regarding his
beloved –
”And Most
Certainly, Thou (O Muhammad) Are of most sublime And Exalted
Character”
(Al-Qalm 68:4)
THE MOST
INFLUENTIAL
Normally, it is quite, natural for anyone to love,
praise, idolize or hero-worship ones leader, be it a guru, saint or
prophet: and very often we do.
However, if I were to reproduce here what
great Muslims have said or written about our illustrious prophet, it
could be played down as exaggeration, fancy or idolization by the
sceptics and the opponents of Islam. Therefore, allow me to quote
unbiased historians, friendly critics and even avowed enemies of that
mighty Messenger of God - Muhammad (pbuh). If the tributes of the
non-Muslims do not touch your hearts, then you are in the wrong faith.
Opt out of Islam! There is already too much deadwood on the "ship" of
Islam.
In recent times, a book has been published in America
titled "The 100," or the Top One hundred, or the Greatest
Hundred in History. A certain Michael H. Hart, described as a
historian, mathematician and astronomer has written this novel book. He
has searched history, seeking for men who had the greatest influence on
mankind. In this book he gives us The hundred most influential men,
including Asoka, Aristotle, Buddha, Confucius, Hitler, Plato, and
Zoroaster. He does not give us a mere chart of the topmost "one
hundred" from the point of view of their influence on people, but
he evaluates the degree of their influence and rates them in order of
their excellence from No. 1, through to No. 100. He gives us his
reasons for the placing of his candidates. We are not asked to agree
with him, but we cannot help admire the man's research and honesty.
The most amazing thing about his selection is that he
has put our Nabee-e-Kareem, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as No. 1,
the first of his "100!" Thus confirming, unknowingly, God's Own
testimony in His Final Revelation to the World:
Most
certainly, you have in the messenger of Allah an excellent pattern (of
behaviour)….”
(Al-Ahzab 33: 21)
JESUS (PBUH)
No. 3!
Hart placing the Prophet of Islam as No. 1, has naturally
pleased the Muslims. But his choice as shocked the Non-Muslims, more
specially the Jews and the Christians, who consider this as an affront.
What? Jesus (pbuh) No. 3 and Moses (pbuh) No. 40! This is for them very
difficult to stomach, but what says Hart? Let us hear his arguments –
SINCE THERE ARE ROUGHLY TWICE [The latest
estimate is that there are one thousand million Muslims in the world and
one thousand two hundred million Christians] AS MANY CHRISTIANS IN THE
WORLD, IT MAY INITIALLY SEEM STRANGE THAT MUHAMMAD HAS BEEN RANKED
HIGHER THAN JESUS. THERE ARE TWO PRINCIPAL REASONS FOR THAT DECISION.
FIRST:
MUHAMMAD PLAYED A FAR MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAM
THAN JESUS DID IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. ALTHOUGH JESUS WAS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAIN ETHICAL AND MORAL PRECEPTS OF CHRISTIANITY
(INSOFAR AS THESE DIFFERED FROM JUDAISM), ST. PAUL WAS THE MAIN
DEVELOPER OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY, ITS PRINCIPAL PROSELYTIZER, AND THE
AUTHOR OF A LARGE PORTION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
MUHAMMAD, HOWEVER, WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH THE THEOLOGY
OF ISLAM AND ITS MAIN ETHICAL AND MORAL PRINCIPLES. IN ADDITION, HE
PLAYED THE KEY ROLE IN PROSELYTIZING THE NEW FAITH, AND IN ESTABLISHING
THE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF ISLAM.
Michael H. Hart in his book - "THE 100"-pages 38/39
PAUL THE
FOUNDER OF CHRISTIANITY
According to Hart, the honor for founding Christianity is
to be shared between Jesus (pbuh) and St. Paul. The latter he believes
to be the real founder of Christianity.
I cannot help agreeing with Hart. Out of the total of
27 Books of the New Testament, more than half is authored by Paul. As
opposed to Paul, the Master has not written a single word of the
twenty-seven books. If you can lay your hands on what is called "'A Red
Letter Bible," you will find every word alleged to have been uttered by
Jesus (pbuh) - in red ink and the rest in normal black ink. Don't be
shocked to find that in this so called "Injeel," the Gospel of Jesus,
over ninety percent of the 27 Books of the New Testament is printed in
black ink!
This is the candid Christian confession on what they
call the "Injeel." In actual any confrontation with Christian
missionaries, you will find them quoting one hundred percent from Paul.
NO ONE
FOLLOWS JESUS (PBUH)
Jesus (pbuh) said, "If you love me, keep my
commandments."
(John 14:15)
He said further, Whosoever therefore shall break one
of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he
shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven . . ."
(Matthew 5:19)
Every Christian controversialist you question, "Do you
keep the laws and the commandments?" will answer, "No!" If you ask
further, "Why don't you?" He will if he is a Bible-thumper, invariably
reply, "The law is nailed to the cross!" Meaning the law is done away
with. "We are now living under grace!"
Every time you prod him with what his Lord and Master (pbuh)
had said, he will confront you with something from Corinthians,
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, etc. If you ask, "Who are they?" You
will hear, 'Paul, Paul, Paul!" "Who is your master?" you question, and
he will say, "Jesus!" But he will ever and anon contradict his own Jesus
(pbuh) by his Paul!
No learned Christian will ever dispute the fact that the
real founder of Christianity is St. Paul. Therefore, Michael H. Hart to
be fair, had to place Jesus (pbuh), in slot number three. WHY PROVOKE
YOUR CUSTOMER? This placing of Christ in the number three spot by
Michael H. Hart poses a very serious question for us. Why would an
American publish a book of 572 pages in America and selling in America
for $15 each, go out of his way to provoke his potential readers? Who
will buy his books? Surely, not the Pakistanis and the Bangladeshis,
neither the Arabs nor the Turks! Except for a few copies here and there,
the overwhelming number of his customers will be from the 250 million
Christians and the 6 million Jews of America. Then why did he provoke
his customers? Did he not hear the dictum - "the customer is
always right!" Of course he did. Then why his daring choice. But
before I close this episode of Hart, I will allow him to make his one
last apology for his "temerity."
"MY CHOICE OF MUHAMMAD TO LEAD THE LIST OF THE WORLD'S
MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS MAY SURPRISE SOME READERS AND MAY BE QUESTIONED
BY OTHERS, BUT HE WAS THE ONLY MAN IN HISTORY WHO WAS SUPREMELY
SUCCESSFUL ON BOTH THE RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR LEVEL." Michael H. Hart "The
100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History",
New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, p.33.
WHO WERE
HISTORY'S GREAT LEADERS
TIME, JULY 15, 1974
The world famous "Time" carried the above rubic on its
front cover. Inside the magazine were numerous essays as to 'What
makes a great leader?' 'Throughout history, who qualifies?'
TIME asked a variety of historians, writers, military men, businessmen
and others for their selections. Each gave his candidate according to
his "light" as objectively as is humanly possible, depending on one's
own awareness and prejudice.
WHO KNOWS
DR. SALAZAR?
It is my habit and pleasurable duty to take non-Muslims
on a guided tour of the largest mosque in the Southern
Hemisphere - "The Jumma Masjid" Durban.
On one occasion I was hosting a Portuguese couple, a
husband and wife team. At some stage during the discussion the
Portuguese gentleman said that "Dr. Salazar was the greatest
man in the world!" I did not debate the point with him as I
personally knew little about Dr. Salazar except that he was a one time
dictator of Portugal albeit to many a great benefactor to his nation.
My poor visitor was, however, speaking according to his own knowledge,
point of view and prejudice.
MUHAMMAD
(PBUH) CAN NOT BE IGNORED!
Among the contributors to the "Time," it seems
that none could ignore Muhammad (pbuh).
WILLIAM McNEILL,
a United States historian, of the University of Chicago, records:
"IF YOU MEASURE LEADERSHIP BY IMPACT, THEN YOU WOULD HAVE
TO NAME JESUS, BUDDHA, MOHAMMED, CONFUCIUS, THE GREAT PROPHETS OF THE
WORLD ..."
McNeill does not go into details, nor does he give us any
explanation as to why he placed Jesus (pbuh) first and Muhammad (pbuh)
number three. Perhaps it was by force of habit. It is very likely that
McNeill is a Christian. However, we will not argue with him. Then
comes -
JAMES GAVIN,
described as a United States army man, a retired lieutenant general. He
says - "AMONG LEADERS WHO HAVE MADE THE GREATEST IMPACT THROUGH AGES, I
WOULD CONSIDER MOHAMMED, JESUS CHRIST, MAYBE LENIN, POSSIBLY MAO. AS
FOR A LEADER WHOSE QUALITIES WE COULD MOST USE NOW, I WOULD CHOOSE JOHN
F. KENNEDY."
The General does not say much more, yet we have to salute
him. It calls for tremendous fortitude to pen the name Muhammad before
that of Christ (peace be upon them both). It surely, was no slip of the
pen.
JULES MASSERMAN,
United States psychoanalyst and professor of the Chicago University,
gives us, unlike the other contributors, the basis for making his
selection. He gives us his reason for choosing his greatest LEADER of
all times. He wants us to find out, what we are really looking for in
the man, the qualities that sets him apart. We may be looking for any
sets of qualities. As in the case of Michael H. Hart, he was looking
for a person wielding the MOST Influence.1
However, Masserman does not want us to depend on our
fancies or prejudices: he wants to establish objective standards for
judging, before we confer greatness upon anybody.
He says that "Leaders must fulfill three functions--"
No.1: THE LEADER MUST PROVIDE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE LEAD ...
The leader, whoever he is, must be interested in your
welfare. He must not be looking for milking cows for his own greed like
the Rev. Jim Jones of Jonestown, Guyana, of the "Suicide Cult" fame.
You will remember him as the man who committed suicide together with 910
of his followers, all at the same time EN MASSE!
The United States Government was on his trail and he was
on the verge of being caught for certain felonies. But before they
could apprehend him, he thought it wise to eliminate himself, together
with all his followers, so that no one would be left to testify against
him. He laced lemonade with cyanide and inspired his devotees to drink
it, and so they did and they all died in disgrace! In the meantime, it
was discovered that the Rev. Jim Jones had salted away fifteen million
dollars and stacked it in his own account in banks throughout the
world. All his victims were his milking cows and he was exploiting them
to satisfy his own lust and greed. Masserman's hero must be found to
benefit his sheep, his flock, and not himself
No. 2:
THE LEADER OR WOULD BE LEADER MUST PROVIDE A SOCIAL ORGANIZATION IN
WHICH PEOPLE FEEL RELATIVELY SECURE ...
Unlike the Marxist, the Fascist, the Nazi, the Neo-Nazi
the Ashkenazi, [The Jews from Germany, Central Europe and
Eastern Europe, mostly from Russia who are in unlawful occupation of
Palestine. There is something prophetic in the name itself - the Jews
are doing to the people of the occupied territories exactly what the
Nazis did to them. What an irony!] the Zionist, and their
fellow-travellers, Professor Masserman, in his brief essay in the TIME
magazine, did not spell this out. But his beliefs and feelings are
abundantly clear. He is in search of a Leader who will provide a social
order free of self, and greed and racism: for all these "isms" carry
within them the seeds of their own destruction.
There's still with us much sorrow and sin, Injustice,
Oppression, wrong and hate. Still does Arrogance deaden Conscience Rob
struggling souls of even the crumbs Of Pity, and make, of loathsome
flesh And crumbling dust, fair-seeming Idols for worship. Still does
Ignorance blow A mighty Horn and try to shame True Wisdom. Still do men
drive Slaves,
No. 3:
THAT THIS LEADER MUST PROVIDE HIS PEOPLE WITH ONE SET OF BELIEFS
It is easy to talk of the Fellowship of Faith and the
Brotherhood of Man, but in South Africa today, there are a thousand
different sects and denominations among the Whites (people of European
descent) and three thousand among the Blacks (of African descent). The
White Churches in my country are Spawning "Black" Bishops, fast, but in
the first three hundred years of European conquest, they did not produce
a single Black Bishop. Even now, the Black, the White, the Colored and
the Indian cannot pray together in most of the Dutch Reformed Churches.
The hatred between the Christian sects was aptly described by the
Christian Emperor Julian, who said: "NO WILD BEASTS ARE SO HOSTILE TO
MAN AS CHRISTIAN SECTS IN GENERAL ARE TO ONE ANOTHER." Sayed Amir Ali in
his "Spirit of Islam,"- page 1 ii.
With the foregoing three standards, Masserman searches
history and analyses Louis Pasteur, Salk, Gandhi, Confucius, Alexander
the Great, Caesar, Hitler, Buddha, Jesus and the rest;
finally coming to the conclusion that - PERHAPS THE GREATEST LEADER OF
ALL TIMES WAS MUHAMMED, WHO COMBINED ALL THREE FUNCTIONS. (and) TO A
LESSER DEGREE, MOSES DID THE SAME
We cannot help marveling at Masserman, that as a Jew he
condescends to scrutinize even Adolf Hitler, the arch-enemy of his
people. He considers Hitler to be a great leader. His race, the mighty
German nation of 90 million people, was ready to march to destiny or
destruction at his behest. Alas, he lead them to ruin. Hitler is not the
question. The question is why would Masserman, as an American Jew, a
paid servant of the Government proclaim to his countrymen of over two
hundred million Jews and Christians that not Jesus, not
Moses but Muhummed was "The greatest Leader of all times!"
ACCOUNT FOR THAT!
WHAT
SAY THE SCEPTICS?
Michael H. Hart put Muhammad No. 1 on his list and his
own Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (pbuh) No. 3. Why? -"He was bribed!"(?)
William McNeill considers Muhammad as worthy of honour in his list of
the first three names of his. Why? "He was bribed!" (?) James
Gavin puts Muhammad (pbuh) before Christ (pbuh). Why? "He was
bribed!" (?) James Masserman adjudges Muhammad (pbuh) No. 1 and his
own hero Moses (pbuh) a close second. Why? "He was bribed!" (?)
"ARE WE TO SUPPOSE THAT ALL THE GLOWING ADULATION OF MUHAMMAD (PBUH) WAS
A MISERABLE PIECE OF INTELLECTUAL LEGERDEMAIN, HOCUS POCUS . . . I, FOR
MY PART, CANNOT FORM ANY SUCH SUPPOSITION ... ONE WOULD BE ENTIRELY AT A
LOSS WHAT TO THINK OF MANKIND AT ALL IF QUACKERY SO GREW AND FLOURISHED
IN THE WORLD."1
Yet the scoffers bemoan anyone who has anything good to
say about Muhammad (pbuh) or Islam AS HAVING BEEN BRIBED by the Arabs!
They are giving too much credit to my brethren. I repeat: "It is
possible, but it is improbable!"
During the Second World War, Norway produced only one
"Quisling." He was tried for treason and executed. It is unlikely that
America and the Western world have just reached puberty to spawn a breed
of Quislings nurtured by hot petrodollars from the Middle East. Please
do not demean your honest, courageous men, who without fear or favour
are prepared to suffer obloquy for their convictions. We must all admire
them! We can now justifiably conclude that the God of Mercy, Who forever
recognizes the sincere efforts of His servants, is only fulfilling His
Promise to Muhammad (pbuh), His Chosen Messenger –
”And
have We not raised
high the esteem in which
thou (O Muhammad are
held?)”
(An Nashrah 94:4)
Alternative renderings:
(a)
Have We not exalted thy
fame?
(b)
And have We not raised
thy name for thee?
(c)
Have We not given you
high renown?
Friends and foes alike, as if by some secret compulsion
are made to pay unsolicited tributes to this mighty Messenger of God.
But the Almighty commanders even the devil into His service, as He had
done in the time of Jesus (pbuh), (Matthew 4:1 -11). Even the devil
sometimes speaks Gospel truths. Professor K. S. Ramakrishna Rao, a Hindu
philosopher in his book "MUHUMMED - The Prophet of Islam", quotes
the arch-devil himself, yes, Adolf Hitler, to prove the unique greatness
of Muhammad (pbuh). The Professor, like Jules Masserman who had
evaluated the Prophet of Islam on three grounds (see appendix "C" on
page 63) also saw in Hitler's "Mein Kamp!" a three faceted
jewel, a rare commodity which he found in our hero under discussion.
Quoting Hitler, he says:
"A GREAT THEORIST IS SELDOM A GREAT LEADER. AN AGITATOR
IS FAR MORE LIKELY TO POSSESS THESE QUALITIES. HE WILL ALWAYS BE A
BETTER LEADER. FOR, LEADERSHIP MEANS THE ABILITY TO MOVE MASSES OF
MEN. THE TALENT TO PRODUCE IDEAS HAS NOTHING IN COMMON WITH THE
CAPACITY FOR LEADERSHIP." HITLER CONTINUES, "THE UNION OF THE
THEORIST, ORGANISER, AND LEADER IN ONE MAN IS THE
RAREST PHENOMENON ON THIS EARTH; THEREIN CONSISTS GREATNESS." PROFESSOR
RAO CONCLUDES, IN HIS OWN WORDS, "IN THE PERSON OF THE PROPHET
OF ISLAM THE WORLD HAS SEEN THIS RAREST PHENOMENON ON EARTH,
WALKING IN FLESH AND BLOOD."
SHARE THE
ANGER
Before anyone assails the Professor of undue bias and
"bribery," let me give them a few more names of admirers of Muhammad (pbuh).
1. "MUHUMMAD WAS THE SOUL OF KINDNESS, AND HIS INFLUENCE
WAS FELT AND NEVER FORGOTTEN BY THOSE AROUND HIM." A Hindu scholar -
Diwan Chand Sharma in his "The Prophets of the East," Calcutta
1935, p. 122.
2. "FOUR YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF JUSTINIAN, A.D. 569,
WAS BORN AT MAKKAH, IN ARABIA THE MAN WHO, OF ALL MEN EXERCISED THE
GREATEST INFLUENCE UPON THE HUMAN RACE ... MOHAMMED ..." John William
Draper, M.D., LLD., in his "A History of the Intellectual
Development of Europe",- London 1875.
3. "I DOUBT WHETHER ANY MAN WHOSE EXTERNAL CONDITIONS
CHANGED SO MUCH EVER CHANGED HIMSELF LESS TO MEET THEM." R. V. C. Bodley
in "The Messenger,"- London 1946, p.9.
4. "I HAVE STUDIED HIM - THE WONDERFUL MAN - AND IN MY
OPINION FAR FROM BEING AN ANTI-CHRIST, HE MUST BE CALLED THE SAVIOUR OF
HUMANITY." George Bernard Shaw, in "The Genuine Islam,- Vol. 1, No.
81936.
5. "BY A FORTUNE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE IN HISTORY, MOHAMMED
IS A THREEFOLD FOUNDER OF A NATION, OF AN EMPIRE, AND OF A RELIGION." R.
Bosworth-Smith in "Mohammed and Mohammedanism".- 1946.
6. "MOHAMMED WAS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL OF ALL RELIGIOUS
PERSONALITIES." Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th Edition
Chapter 2
FROM THE HISTORICAL PAST
It is not difficult to reproduce a further dozen or more
eulogies by the admirers and critics of Muhammad (pbuh). Despite all
their objectivity, jaundiced minds can always conjure up some
aspersions. Let me take my readers deep down in past history.
It was Friday the 8th of May, 1840, that is about a
hundred and fifty years ago, at a time when it was a sacrilege to say
anything good about Muhammad (pbuh), and the Christian West was rained
to hate the man Muhammad (pbuh) and his religion, the same way as dogs
were at one stage trained in my country to hate all black people. At
that time in history, Thomas Carlyle, one of the greatest thinkers of
the past century delivered a series of lectures under the theme - "Heroes
and Hero-worship."
DEVELOPED
SICKNESS
Carlyle exposed this blind prejudice of his people at the
beginning of his talk. He made reference to one of the literary giants
a Dutch scholar and statesman, by the name of Hugo Grotius,
[From
page 57 of the book - "On Heroes Hero-worship and the Heroic in History"
by Thomas Carlyle, London 1959]
who had written a bitter and abusive invective against the prophet of
Islam. He had falsely charged that the Holy Prophet had trained pigeons
to pick out peas from his ears, so that he could by this trick bluff his
people that the Holy Ghost in the shape of a dove was revealing God's
Revelation to him, which he then had them recorded in his Bible the
Qur’ân. Perhaps Grotius was inspired into this fairy-tale from his
reading of his own Holy Scriptures: 'Then, Jesus, when he had been
baptized (by John the Baptist in the Jordan River), came up immediately
from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw
the Spirit of God Descending Like A Dove and alighting upon him.
(Emphasis added) Matthew 3:16
WHERE'S
THE AUTHORITY
Pococke, another respected intellectual of the time, like
"doubting Thomas" (John 20:25), wanted proof about Muhammad (pbuh), the
pigeons, and the peas? Grotius answered "THAT THERE WAS NO PROOF!" He
just felt like inventing this story for his audience. To him and his
audience the "pigeons and peas" theory was more plausible than that of
the Archangel dictating to Muhammad (pbuh). These falsities wringed the
heart of Carlyle. He cried: "THE LIES, WHICH WELL-MEANING ZEAL HAS
HEAPED ROUND THIS MAN, ARE DISGRACEFUL TO OURSELVES ONLY." Thomas
Carlyle
THE HERO
PROPHET
Carlyle was a man of genius and God gifted him with the
art of articulation. In his own way, he wanted to put the records
straight. He planned to deliver a lecture and he chose a very
provocative topic "The hero as Prophet." and he chose this hero-prophet
to be the most maligned man of his time, "MUHAMMAD (PBUH)!" Not Moses,
david, Solomon, or Jesus but Muhammad! To placate his
overwhelming Anglican (belonging to the Church of England) fellow
countrymen, he apologised - "AS THERE IS NO DANGER OF OUR BECOMING, ANY
OF US, MAHOMETANS, I MEAN TO SAY ALL THE GOOD OF HIM I JUSTLY CAN."
In other words he, as well as his elite audience were
free from the fear of converting to Islam, and could take a chance in
paying some compliments to Muhammad (pbuh). If he had any fears
regarding the strength of their faith, he would not have taken that
chance. In an era of hatred and spite towards everything of Islamic and
to an audience full of scepticism and cynicism, Carlyle unfolded many a
glowing truth about his hero - Muhammad (pbuh). To the praise-worthy,"
indeed be praise. For that is what the very name Muhammad means - the
Praised One - the Praiseworthy. There are times when Carlyle uses words
and expressions, which might not be too pleasing to the believing
Muslim, but one has to forgive him as he was walking a cultural
tightrope, and he succeeded eminently. He Paid our hero many ardent and
enthusiastic tribute, and defended him from the false charges and
calumnies of his enemies, exactly as the Prophet had done in the case of
Jesus (pbuh) and his mother.
HIS
SINCERITY
l. a. "THE GREAT MAN'S SINCERITY IS OF THE KIND HE
CANNOT SPEAK OF: NAY, I SUPPOSE, HE IS CONSCIOUS RATHER OF INSINCERITY;
FOR WHAT MAN CAN WALK ACCURATELY BY THE LAW OF TRUTH FOR ONE DAY? NO,
THE GREAT MAN DOES NOT BOAST HIMSELF SINCERE, FAR FROM THAT; PERHAPS
DOES NOT ASK HIMSELF IF HE IS SO: I WOULD SAY RATHER, HIS SINCERITY DOES
NOT DEPEND ON HIMSELF: HE CANNOT HELP BEING SINCERE!" Heros and
Hero-Worship, p.59
b. "A SILENT GREAT SOUL, HE WAS ONE OF THOSE WHO CANNOT
BUT BE IN EARNEST, WHOM NATURE HERSELF HAS APPOINTED TO BE SINCERE.
WHILE OTHERS WALK IN FORMULAS AND HEARSAYS, CONTENTED ENOUGH TO DWELL
THERE, THIS MAN COULD NOT SCREEN HIMSELF IN FORMULAS; HE WAS ALONE WITH
HIS OWN SOUL AND THE REALITY OF THINGS . . . SUCH SINCERITY, AS WE NAMED
IT, HAS IN VERY TRUTH SOMETHING OF DIVINE. THE WORD OF SUCH A MAN IS A
VOICE DIRECT FROM NATURE'S OWN HEART. MEN DO AND MUST LISTEN TO THAT AS
TO NOTHING ELSE, - - - ALL ELSE IS WIND IN COMPARISON." Heros and
Hero-Worship, p.71
In his lengthy speech, Carlyle did not have the
opportunity to inform his audience about the sources of his inferences.
I may furnish just one incident from the life of the Prophet. An
incidence which reflects the highest degree of his sincerity in
recording a Revelation in the Holy Qur’ân even if it seems to reprove
him for some natural and human zeal.
ADMONITION AS REVEALED
It was in the early days of his mission in Makkah.
Muhammad (pbuh) was deeply engrossed in trying to wean the leaders of
the pagan Quraish to his teachings. Apparently one of them was giving
him an attentive hearing when a poor blind man by the name Of Abdullah
lbn Umm-Al- Maktum tried to barge in into the discussion and wanting to
draw attention to himself. The blessed Prophet said nothing, but a
thought went through his mind (why don't you have a little patience,
can't you see (sense) that because of your impatience I might lose these
customers). I believe that lesser men, sinners and saints, will not be
questioned for such lapses, but not so for Muhammad (pbuh). Did not God
choose him and honour him with that lofty status as recorded?
”And Most
Certainly, Thou (O Muhammad) Are of most sublime And Exalted
Character”
(Al-Qalm 68:4)
HE
FROWNED
Whilst in the midst of the conversation with his pagan
fellow tribesmen, God Almighty sends Gabriel, the Angel of Revelation,
with this admonition:
“(The
Prophet) frowned and turned away
(1)
Because there came to him the blind man
(interrupting)
(2)
But what could tell thee but that perchance he might grow (in spiritual
understanding)
(3)
Or that he might receive admonition, and that the
admonition might profit him?
(Abasa
80:1 - 4)
The holy Prophet (pbuh) had naturally disliked the
interruption. Perhaps the poor man's feelings were hurt. But he whose
gentle heart ever sympathised with the poor and the afflicted, got new
Light (Revelation) from his Lord, and without the least hesitation, he
immediately published it for all eternity! Subsequently, every time he
met this blind man, he received him graciously and thanked him that on
his account the Lord had remembered him. During Muhammad's (pbuh)
absences from Madinah, the blind man was made the Governor of the City
twice. Such was the sincerity and gratitude of Carlyle's Hero Prophet.
HIS
FIDELITY
2. "IT IS A BOUNDLESS FAVOUR. HE NEVER FORGOT THIS GOOD
KADIJAH. LONG AFTERWARDS, AYESHA HIS YOUNG FAVOURITE WIFE, A WOMAN WHO
INDEED DISTINGUISHED HERSELF AMONG THE MOSLEMS, BY ALL MANNER OF
QUALITIES, THROUGH HER WHOLE LONG LIFE; THIS YOUNG BRILLIANT AYESHA WAS,
ONE DAY, QUESTIONING HIM.'NOW AM NOT I BETTER THAN KADIJAH? SHE WAS A
WIDOW; OLD, AND HAD LOST HER LOOKS: YOU LOVE ME BETTER THAN YOU DID
HER?' 'NO, BY ALLAH!' ANSWERED MAHOMET: 'NO, BY ALLAH! SHE BELIEVED IN
ME WHEN NONE ELSE WOULD BELIEVE. IN THE WHOLE WORLD I HAD BUT ONE
FRIEND, AND SHE WAS THAT!... Heros and Hero-Worship, p. 76 It would
have been easier to repel the temptation of the devil than to succumb to
the ego of a young, loving, brilliant and beautiful wife like lady
Ayesha Siddiqa. Why not let her hear the soft soothing balm of
flattery-, it will not harm anyone. Even the soul of Bibi Khadija, the
mother of the Faithful, would look light-heartedly at the ruse. There
is no shamming, no innocent "white lies" with Muhammad (pbuh). Traits
of this kind show us the genuine man, brother of us all, brought visible
through fourteen centuries, - - - the veritable son of our common
mother.
'AL
AMEEN. THE FAITHFUL'
3. a. "A MAN OF TRUTH AND FIDELITY; TRUE IN WHAT HE DID,
IN WHAT HE SPAKE AND THOUGHT. THEY NOTED THAT HE ALWAYS MEANT
SOMETHING. A MAN RATHER TACITURN IN SPEECH; SILENT WHEN THERE WAS
NOTHING TO BE SAID; BUT PERTINENT WISE, SINCERE, WHEN HE DID SPEAK;
ALWAYS THROWING LIGHT ON THE MATTER. THIS IS THE ONLY SORT OF SPEECH
WORTH SPEAKING!" Heros and Hero-Worship, p. 69
b. "MAHOMET NATURALLY GAVE OFFENCE TO THE KOREISH,
KEEPERS OF THE KAABAH, SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE IDOLS. ONE OR TWO MEN OF
INFLUENCE HAD JOINED HIM:
1. “THE THING SPREAD SLOWLY, BUT IT WAS SPREADING,
NATURALLY HE GAVE OFFENCE TO EVERYBODY." [The Jews hated the Prophet:
the Christians hated the Prophet: the mushriks (the Polytheists)
hated the Prophet, and the Munafiqeen (the hypocrites) hated the
Prophet. It is the nature of Falsehood to hate the Truth. Light
dismisses Darkness, but darkness does not take kindly to light. ] Heros
and Hero-Worship, p. 77 c.
"NOT A MEALYMOUTHED MAN! A CANDID FEROCITY, IF THE CASE
CALLS FOR IT, IS IN HIM; HE DOES NOT MINCE MATRERS! THE WAR OF TABUC IS
A THING HE OFTEN SPEAKS OF:HIS MEN REFUSED, MANY OF THEM, TO MARCH ON
THAT OCCASION; PLEADED THE HEAT OF THE WEATHER, THE HARVEST, AND SO
FORTH; HE CAN NEVER FORGET THAT. YOUR HARVEST? IT LASTS FOR A DAY.
WHAT WILL BECOME OF YOUR HARVEST THROUGH ALL ETERNITY? HOT WEATHER?
YES, IT WAS HOT; 'BUT HELL WILL BE HOTER!' SOMETIMES A ROUGH SARCASM
TURNS UP: HE SAYS TO THE UNBELIEVERS, YE SHALL NOT HAVE SHORT WEIGHT!"
Heros and Hero-Worship, p. 95/6.
Remember, Thomas Carlyle uttered these words, and many
more to a shocked and bewildered Christian audience in England, a
hundred and fifty years ago. History did not record for us the lively
arguments and debates which his lecture must naturally have caused. He
kept to his promise: "I mean to say all the good of him (his Hero
Prophet) I justly can'" and he went on in his talk to I
defend Muhammad (pbuh) against the false charges, slander and calumnies
of his enemies:
CHARGE OF
FALSITY
4. a. "A FALSE MAN FOUND A RELIGION? WHY, A FALSE MAN
CANNOT BUILD A BRICK HOUSE! IF HE DOES NOT KNOW AND FOLLOW TRULY THE
PROPERTIES OF MORTAR, BURNT CLAY AND WHAT ELSE HE WORKS IN, IT IS NO
HOUSE THAT HE MAKES, BUT A RUBBISH HEAP. IT WILL NOT STAND FOR TWELVE
CENTURIES,[Now, fourteen centuries] TO LODGE A HUNDRED-AND EIGHTY
MILLIONS; [A thousand million today.] IT WILL FALL
STRAIGHTAWAY. SPECIOSITIES ARE SPECIOUS [Specious:
Having the ring of truth or plausibility but actually false.]. . . IT
IS LIKE A FORGED BANK NOTE; THEY GET IT PASSED OUT OF THEIR WORTHLESS
HANDS: OTHERS, NOT THEY, HAVE TO SMART FOR IT. NATURE BURSTS-UP IN
FIRE-FLAMES, FRENCH REVOLUTIONS AND SUCH-LIKE, PROCLAIMING WITH THE
TERRIBLE VERACITY THAT FORGED NOTES ARE FORGED." Heros and
Hero-Worship), p.58
b."IT GOES GREATLY AGAINST THE IMPOSTER THEORY, THE FACT
THAT HE LIVED IN THIS ENTIRELY UNEXCEPTIONABLE, ENTIRELY QUIET AND
COMMON PLACE WAY, TILL THE HEAT OF HIS YEARS WAS DONE. HE WAS FORTY
BEFORE HE TALKED OF ANY MISSION FROM HEAVEN . . ALL HIS 'AMBITION,'
SEEMINGLY, HAD BEEN, HITHERTO, TO LIVE AN HONEST LIFE; HIS 'FAME,' THE
MERE GOOD OPINION OF NEIGHBOURS THAT KNEW HIM..." Heros and
Hero-Worship, p. 70
"AMBITION? WHAT COULD ALL ARABIA DO FOR THIS MAN; WITH
THE CROWN OF GREEK HERACLIUS, OF PERSIAN CHOSROES, AND ALL THE CROWNS IN
EARTH; - WHAT COULD THEY ALL DO FOR HIM? IT WAS NOT OF THE HEAVEN ABOVE
AND OF THE HELL BENEATH. ALL CROWNS AND SOVEREIGNTIES WHAT- SOEVER,
WHERE WOULD THEY IN A FEW BRIEF YEARS BE? TO BE SHEIK OF MAKKAH OR
ARABIA, AND HAVE A BIT OF GILT WOOD PUT INTO YOUR HAND, - - - WILL THAT
BE ONES SALVATION? I DECIDEDLY THINK, NOT, WE WILL LEAVE IT ALTOGETHER,
THIS IMPOSTER HYPOTHESIS, AS NOT CREDIT- ABLE: NOT VERY TOLERABLE EVEN,
WORTHY CHIEFLY OF DISMISSAL BY US." Heros and Hero-Worship, p. 72/3
CHARGE
OF SINNING
5. "FAULTS? THE GREATEST OF FAULTS, I SHOULD SAY, IS TO
BE CONSCIOUS OF NONE. READERS OF THE BIBLE ABOVE ALL, ONE WOULD THINK,
MIGHT KNOW BETTER. WHO IS CALLED THERE 'THE MAN ACCORDING TO GOD'S OWN
HEART'? DAVID, THE HEBREW KING HAD FALLEN INTO SINS ENOUGH; BLACKEST
CRIMES; THERE WAS NO WANT OF SINS. [This is the Jewish and Christian
concept of God's prophets. They charge their prophets with incest,
adultery and even murder. They impure horrendous crimes to them on the
authority of the Holy Bible.] AND THEREUPON THE UNBELIEVERS SNEER AND
ASK, IS THIS YOUR MAN ACCORDING TO GOD'S HEART? THE SNEER, I MUST SAY,
SEEMS TO ME BUT A SHALLOW ONE. WHAT ARE FAULTS, WHAT ARE THE OUTWARD
DETAILS OF A LIFE; IF THE INNER SECRET OF IT, THE REMORSE, TEMPTATIONS,
TRUE, OFTEN-BAFFLED, NEVER ENDED STRUGGLE OF IT BE FORGOTTEN? 'IT IS NOT
IN MAN THAT WALKETH TO DIRECT HIS STEPS.' OF ALL ACTS, IS NOT, FOR A
MAN, REPENTANCE THE MOST DIVINE? THE DEADLIEST SIN, I SAY, WERE THE SAME
SUPERCILIOUS CONSCIOUSNESS OF NO SIN; THAT IS DEATH; THE HEART SO
CONSCIOUS IS DIVORCED FROM SINCERITY, HUMILITY, AND FACT; IS DEAD: IT
IS 'PURE' AS DEAD DRY SAND IS PURE." Heros and Hero-Worship. p. 61
CHARGE OF
"THE SWORD"
The greatest crime, the greatest "sin" of Muhammad (pbuh}
in the eyes of the Christian West is that he did not allow himself to be
slaughtered, to be "crucified" by his enemies. He ably defended himself,
his family and his followers; and finally vanquished his enemies.
Muhammad's (pbuh} success is the Christians' gall of disappointment: he
did not believe in any vicarious sacrifice for the sins of others. He
believed and behaved naturally. IN THE STATE OF NATURE, EVERY ONE HAS A
RIGHT TO DEFEND HIS PERSON AND POSSESSIONS, AND EXTEND HIS HOSTILITIES
TO A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF SATISFACTION AND RETALIATION," says Gibbon,
the master historian in his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." His
struggle and victory over the forces of unbelief and evil made the
editors of the Encyclopedia Britannica to exclaim, Muhammad (pbuh} to be
- - - "THE MOST SUCCESSFUL OF ALL RELIGIOUS PERSONALITIES."
How can the enemies of Islam account for Muhammad's phenomenal
achievements except to decry that he spread his religion at the point of
the sword? He forced Islam down peoples' throats!?
6. a. "HISTORY MAKES IT CLEAR HOWEVER, THAT THE LEGEND OF FANATICAL
MUSLIMS SWEEPING THROUGH THE WORLD AND FORCING ISLAM AT THE POINT OF THE
SWORD UPON CONQUERED RACES IS ONE OF THE MOST FANTASTICALLY ABSURD
MYTHS THAT HISTORIANS HAVE EVER REPEATED." De Lacy O'Leary in "Islam at
the Crossroads'' London, 1923, p.8 You do not have to be a historian
like O'Leary to know that the Muslims ruled Spain for 736 years. The
longest the Christians ever ruled over Muslims was 500 years in
Mozambique, a territory captured from an Arab governor by the name of
Musa-bin-baique, a name they could not properly pronounce, hence the
name Mozambique. Even today, after five centuries of Christian
overlordship the country is still 60 percent Muslim.
However, after eight centuries in Spain the Muslims were
totally eliminated from that country so that not even one man was left
to give the Azan {the Muslim call to prayer}. If the Muslims had used
force, military or economic there would not have been any Christian left
in Spain to have kicked the Muslims out. One can blame the Muslims for
exploitation if you like but one cannot charge them with using the sword
to convert Spaniards to the Islamic religion. Today, Islam is still
spreading all over the world and Muslims have NO sword!! The Muslims
were also the masters of India for a thousand years, but eventually when
the sub-continent received independence in 1947, the Hindus obtained
three quarters of the country and the Muslims the balance of the
one-quarter. Why? Because the Muslims did not force Islam down the
Hindus' throats! In Spain and in India, the Muslims were no paragons of
virtue, yet they obeyed the Qur'anic injunction to the letter :
"Let there
be no compulsion in Religion: truth stands out clear from error…."
(Al-Baqarah 2:256)
The Muslim conquerors understood from this command that
"compulsion" was incompatible with true religion: because
(a) Religion depends on
faith and will, and these would be meaningless if induced by force.
Force can conquer but cannot convert.
(b) Truth and Error
have been so clearly shown up by the Mercy of God that there should be
no doubt in the minds of any person of goodwill as to the fundamentals
of faith.
(c) God's protection is
continuous and His Plan is always to lead us from the depths of
darkness into the clearest light. [(a), (b} and (c) are Yusuf Ali's
comments on verse 256. Obtain his translation with over 6000 explanatory
footnotes from the IPCI.] Except for some eccentrics here and there, the
Muslims as a whole adhered to the commandment of God in the lands over
which they held sway. But what can the enemy say about countries where
no single Muslim soldier had set foot?
(i) INDONESIA: It is
a fact that over a hundred million Indonesians are Muslim, yet no
conquering Muslim army ever landed on any of its over two thousand
islands.
(ii) MALAYSIA: The
overwhelming number of its people in this country are Muslims yet no
Muslim soldier had landed there either.
(iii) AFRICA: The
majority of the people on the East coast of Africa as far down as
Mozambique, as well as the bulk of the inhabitants on the West coast of
the continent are Muslims, but history does not record any invading
hoards of Muslims from anywhere. What sword? Where was the sword? The
Muslim trader did the job. His good conduct and moral rectitude achieved
the miracle of conversion. "All what you say seems incontrovertible, Mr.
Deedat," says the Christian controversialist, "but we are talking about
Islam at its very beginning, the way in which your prophet converted the
pagans to his faith! How did he do it if not with the sword?"
ONE AGAINST ALL?
We can do no better than to allow Thomas Carlyle himself
to defend his Hero Prophet against this false charge;
7. "THE SWORD INDEED: BUT WHERE WILL YOU GET YOUR SWORD!
EVERY NEW OPINION, AT ITS STARTING, IS PRECISELY IN A MINORITY OF ONE.
IN ONE MAN'S HEAD ALONE, THERE IT DWELLS AS YET. ONE MAN ALONE OF THE
WHOLE WORLD BELIEVES IT; THERE IS ONE MAN AGAINST ALL MEN. THAT HE TAKE
A SWORD, AND TRY TO PROPAGATE WITH THAT, WILL DO LITTLE FOR HIM. YOU
MUST FIRST GET YOUR SWORD! ON THE WHOLE, A THING WILL PROPAGATE ITSELF
AS IT CAN. WE DO NOT FIND, OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION EITHER, THAT IT
ALWAYS DISDAINED THE SWORD, WHEN ONCE IT HAD GOT ONE. CHARLEMAGNE'S
CONVERSION OF THE SAXONS WAS NOT BY PREACHING." Heroes and Hero-Worship.
p. 80
At the age of forty when Muhammad {pbuh} declared his
mission from heaven, there was no political party, or royalty, and
certainly no family or tribe to back him up. His people - the Arabs,
immersed in idol-worship and fetishism were not by any means a docile
people, they were no easy meat. They were a very volatile people, given
to internecine and fratricidal wars: subject to "all kinds of fierce
sincerities - " {Carlyle}. One man, single-handed, to wean such a people
required nothing short of a miracle. A miracle did happen. God alone
could have made Islam and Muhammad {pbuh} to triumph through with
flimsy, gossamer support. God fulfilling His promise:
”And have
We not raised
high the esteem in which
thou O Muhammad are
held?”
(An Nashrah 94:4)
Chapter 3
FASTEST
GROWING RELIGION TODAY
THE SWORD
OF THE INTELECT
The enemy, the sceptic, the missionary and their passive
camp followers will not stop bleating that "Islam was spread at the
point of the sword!" but they will not venture to answer our question --
"WHO BRIBED CARLYLE!?" In 1840 when Carlyle defended Muhammad (pbuh)
and refuted the allegation about the sword, there was nobody around to
bribe. The whole Muslim world was in the gutters. The countries of Islam
were all under subjugation by the Christians, except for a few like
Persia, Afghanistan and Turkey who were only nominally independent.
There were no riches to flaunt and no petro-dollars to bribe with!
That was yesterday and many yesterdays ago, but what
about today, in modern times? It is claimed that "Islam is the fastest
growing religion in the world." The overall increase of all the sects
and denominations of Christianity was a staggering 138 per cent with the
incredible increase of Islam by 235 per cent in the same period of time
of half-a-century. It is further affirmed that in Britain and the United
States of America, Islam is the fastest growing faith. It is said that
in Britain "There are more Muslims than Methodists in the country." You
have a right to ask, "What sword?" The answer is, "THE SWORD INDEED!"
{Thomas Carlyle}1
It is the sword of intellect? It is the fulfillment of yet another
prophecy:
“It is he
(God almighty) who has sent his messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and
the religion of truth (Islam) that he may make it prevail over all
religions, and enough is god for a witness”.
(Al-Fath 48:28)
The destiny of Islam is spelt out here in the clearest
terms. Islam is to master, overcome and supersede every other faith -
That He (God Almighty) make it (Islam) prevail over all religions … In
Arabic the word is Deen [Usually translated as
Religion, which literally Islam is not.] (literally meaning "Way of
Life",), to supersede all, whether it be Hinduism, Buddhism,
Christianism, [In the time of Thomas Carlyle this was the
term applied to Christianity.] Judaism, Communism or any other "ism."
This is the destiny of Allah's Deen. The same Qur'anic Verse is
repeated in chapter 61 verse 9 which ends with this slight variation -
(Never mind) Though the unbelievers might be averse to it (Islam).
TRIUMPH OF ISLAM
Islam will prevail. It is the promise of God, and His
Promise is true. But how? With the sword? Not even if we had the laser
gun! Could we use it? The Holy Qur'an forbids us to use force as a means
of converting! Yet the verse prophesies that Islam would be the most
dominant of religions. The triumphs of its doctrines have already
started and is gaining hold over the religious ideology and doctrines of
the various schools of thought in the world. Though not in the name of
Islam, but in the name of reformation and amendments, the doctrines of
Islam are being fastly grafted into the various religious orders. Many
things which are exclusively Islamic and which were formerly unknown, or
which were being opposed before with tooth and nail by the other creeds,
are now part of their believes. The Brotherhood of man, The abolition of
the Caste system and untouchability The right of women to inherit,
opening the places of worship to all. Prohibition of all intoxicants,
The true concept of the Unity of God etc. etc.
Just one word on the last subject above, before we
proceed further. Ask any theist, polytheist, [.Polytheist:
One who believes in many gods] pantheist, [Pantheist: The one
who believes that everything is god. Of course the "Trinitarian,'' you
already know] or Trinitarian: how many Gods he believes in? He will
shudder to say anything other than ONE! This is the EFFECT of the strict
monotheism of Islam.
THE CREED OF MOHAMED IS FREE FROM THE SUSPICIONS OF
AMBIGUITY AND THE KORAN IS A GLORIOUS TESTIMONY TO THE UNITY OF GOD.
(Gibbon in his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.'')
VERDICT
OF NON-MUSLIM ORIENTALS
Almost all the defenders of Muhammad (phuh) who spoke out
against the false theory that he spread his religion at the point of the
sword, were Westerners. Let us now hear what some non-Muslim Easterners
have to say on the subject:
8. a. THE MORE I STUDY THE MORE I DISCOVER THAT THE STRENGTH OF ISLAM
DOES NOT LIE IN THE SWORD. (Mahatma Gandhi - the father of modern
India, in "Young India.")
b. THEY {Muhammad's critics} SEE FIRE INSTEAD OF LIGHT,
UGLINESS INSTEAD OF GOOD. THEY DISTORT AND PRESENT EVERY GOOD QUALITY AS
A GREAT VICE. IT REFLECTS THEIR OWN DEPRAVITY... THE CRITICS ARE BLIND.
THEY CANNOT SEE THAT THE ONLY ‘SWORD' MUHAMMAD WIELDED WAS THE SWORD OF
MERCY, COMPASSION, FRIENDSHIP AND FORGIVENESS - THE SWORD THAT CONQUERS
ENEMIES AND PURIFIES THEIR HEARTS. HIS SWORD WAS SHARPER THAN THE SWORD
OF STEEL. (Pandit Gyanandra Dev Sharma Shastri, at a meeting in
Gorakhpur lndia. 1928)
c. HE PREFERRED MIGRATION TO FIGHTING HIS OWN PEOPLE, BUT
WHEN OPPRESSION WENT BEYOND THE PALE OF TOLERANCE HE TOOK UP HIS SWORD
IN SELF-DEFENCE. THOSE WHO BELIEVE RELIGION CAN BE SPREAD BY FORCE ARE
FOOLS WHO NEITHER KNOW THE WAYS OF RELIGION NOR THE WAYS OF THE WORLD.
THEY ARE PROUD OF THIS BELIEF BECAUSE THEY ARE A LONG, LONG WAY AWAY
FROM THE TRUTH. (A Sikh journalist in "Nawan Hindustan," Delhi, 17
November 1947).
It was Rudyard Kipling who said, "East is East and West
Is West, never the twain shall meet!" He was wrong! In the defence of
Muhammad {pbuh}, all, who are not blinded by prejudice will converge.
THREE
OTHER STANDARDS
Fourteen years after Thomas Carlyle had delivered his
lecture on his Hero Prophet, a Frenchman by the name of Lamartine wrote
the history of the Turks. Incidentally, the Turks being Muslims,
Lamartine touched on some aspects of Islam and its founder. Like our
Jules Wasserman (see page 10) of current times, who had conceived three
objective standards for discovering greatness of leadership; Lamartine
had over 2 century ago thought of three other objective standards for
conferring GREATNESS. We must give credit to the Westemer for this type
of insight. Lamartine opines:
9. IF GREATNESS OF PURPOSE, SMALLNESS OF MEANS AND
ASTOUNDING RESULTS [The full quotation from Lamartine's book
will be found in appendix''B" page 61] ARE THE THREE CRITERIA OF HUMAN
GENIUS, WHO COULD DARE TO COMPARE ANY GREAT MAN IN MODERN HISTORY WITH
MUHUMMED? {Lamartine ends his lengthy segment of literary masterpiece
with the words): . . . PHILOSOPHER, ORATOR, APOSTLE, LEGISLATOR,
WARRIOR, CONQUEROR OF IDEAS, RESTORER OF RATIONAL BELIEFS, OF A CULT
WITHOUT IMAGES: THE FOUNDER OF TWENTY TERRESTRIAL EMPIRES AND OF ONE
SPIRITUAL EMPIRE, THAT IS MUHUMMED. AS REGARDS ALL STANDARDS BY WHICH
HUMAN GREATNESS MAY BE MEASURED, WE MAY WELL ASK, IS THERE ANY MAN
GREATER THEN HE? Lamartine, "Historie de la Turquie," Paris 1854
The answer to his question, "Is there any man greater
than he?" is reposed in the question itself. By implication he is saying
. . . "there is no man greater than Muhammad. Muhammad is the greatest
man that ever lived!
”And
have We not raised
high the esteem in which
thou (O Muhammad are
held?)”
(An Nashrah 94:4)
MOST
CERTAINLY THOU HAST, O MY LORD! Holy Quran 94:4
Before we absolve Lamartine of any favouritism,
partiality, or of the charge of being bribed, we will scrutinize his
three standards, and whether they can be justified in the case of
Muhammad {pbuh).
1.
GREATNESS OF PURPOSE
History of the time will tell you that it was the darkest
period in the history of mankind when Muhammad {pbuh} was commanded to
declare his mission. The need was for the raising of prophets in every
corner of the world, or the sending of one Master Messenger for the
whole of mankind, to deliver them from falsehood, superstition,
selfishness, polytheism, wrong and oppression. It was to be the
reclamation of the whole of humanity. And God Almighty in His wisdom
chose His prophet from the backwaters of Arabia as His universal
Messenger. Thus He records in His Noble Book
“And we
sent thee not {o Mubammad}, but as a mercy unto {all} the worlds”.
(Al-Anbiya 21:107)
"There is no question now of race or nation, of a "chosen
people" or the "seed of Abraham," or the "seed of David": or of Hindu
Arya varta; of Jew or Gentile. Arab or 'Ajam {Persian), Turk or Tajik,
European or Asiatic, White or Coloured; Aryan, Semitic, Mongolian, or
African: or American, Australian, or Polynesian. To all men and
creatures who have any spiritual responsibility, the principles
universally apply."
Abdullah Yusut Ali [Get your copy now of Yusuf
Ali's English translation and commentary, with over 6000 annotations.
Obtain a copy for your non-Muslim friend, also.]
JESUS (PBUH)
DlSCRIMINATES
Muhammad's (pbuh) immediate predecessor advised his
disciples, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs" (meaning
non-Jews}, "Neither cast ye your pearls before swine" (meaning non-Jews,
Matthew 7:6). The Gospel writers are unanimous in recording that Christ
lived by the precepts which he preached. In his lifetime he did not
preach to a single non-Jew. In fact he spurned a gentile woman who
sought his spiritual blessings {"the woman was a Greek'' Mark 7:26).
Then during the "Passover" season in Jerusalem when the master with his
disciples had congregated for the occasion, certain Greeks hearing of
his reputation sought an audience with him for spiritual enlightenment,
but Jesus {pbuh} gave them the "cold shoulder'' [Means a deliberately
unkind or unfriendly treatment; a slight; a snub.] as narrated by St.
John:
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to
worship at the feast:
The same came therefore to Philip . . . and desired him saying, Sir, we
would see Jesus.
Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and
Philip tell Jesus.
John 12:20-22
SELF
GLORIFICATION
The verses that follow do not even record the courtesy
of "Yea, yea;" or "Nay, nay;" (Yes, yes or no, no of Matthew 5:37).
They continue with his own praise
And Jesus answered them (Andrew and Philip), saying, “The
hour is come, that the son of man (referring to himself} should be
glorified”. John 12:23
HIGHEST
STANDARDS
Muhammad (pbuh) could never afford any such latitudes.
Remember, how the Almighty reminded him of the highest etiquette
required from him. Even he thought of being ruffled by the untimely
intrusion of a blind man, was not accepted from him {see "He
frowned…
' (Abasa 80:1 - 4)}. As a universal Messenger, God set for him the most
lofty standards:
"And most
certainly, thou (O Muhammad) are of most sublime and exalted character."
(Al-Qalm 68:4)
And his diocese, his field of mission? The whole of
mankind!
“And we
sent thee not {o Mubammad}, but as a mercy unto {all} the worlds”.
(Al-Anbiya 21:107)
UNIVERSAL
MESSENGER
These are not mere platitudes; beautiful sentiments
bereft of action. Muhammad (pbuh) practiced what he preached. Among
his first Sahabas (companions) and converts, beside the Arabs can be
counted Bilal the Abyssinian, Salman the Persian and Abdullah Bin-Salaam
the Jew. The sceptics may say that his outreach was simply incidental
but what can they say about the historical fact that before his demise,
he sent out five epistles, one to each of the five surrounding
countries, inviting them to accept the religion of Islam.
1.
The Emperor of Persia
2.
The King of Egypt
3.
The Negus of Abyssinia
4.
The Emperor Hiraclius at
Constantinople, and
5.
The King of Yemen
Thus he set the example for the fulfillment of his
impelling mission, his "greatness of purpose," the reclamation of the
whole of humanity into the Master's fold. Is there another example of
such universality in another religion? Muhammad (pbuh) was not out to
set or to break any records, he was simply carrying out the trust that
was reposed in him by the Lord of Creation!
1.
SMALLNESS OF MEANS
Muhammad (pbuh) was born with no silver spoon in his
mouth. His life begins with infinitesimal support. His father had died
before he was born. His mother dies by the time he was six years old.
He was doubly-orphaned at this tender age, his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib
takes charge of the child, but within three years he also died. As soon
as he was able, he began to look after his uncle Abu Talib's sheep and
goats for his keep. Contrast this poor, double-orphaned Arab child with
some of the great religious personalities that preceded him, and you
must marvel at what Destiny had in store for him!
Abraham (pbuh) the spiritual father of Moses, Jesus and
Muhammad (May the peace of God be upon them all), was the son of a very
successful businessman of his time. Moses (pbuh) was reared in the
house of Pharoah. Jesus (pbuh) though described as "a carpenter and
the son of a carpenter," was well endowed with learning as well as
material means. Peter, Philip, Andrew, etc. all downed tools and
followed him to be at his beck and call, not because he had any halo
[Halo.- An imaginary luminous ring or disc surrounding the head of
saintly men and women in religious paintings.] on his head; there was no
such thing, but because of his affluent attire and princely bearing. He
could command mansions in Jerusalem for himself and his disciples even
during the height of the festive season; and have sumptuous suppers
arranged; and you could hear him reproach the materialistic Jews -
And when they found him (Jesus) on the other side of the
sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"
Jesus answered them and said, "most assuredly, I say to
you, you seek me, not because you saw the signs, [The
veracity of the Messiah's message and his mission.] but because you ate
of the loaves and were filled. John 6:25-26
NOTHING
TO OFFER
Muhammad (pbuh) had no bread nor meat to offer, no
sugar-plums of any kind, in this world or the next! The only thing he
could offer his bedraggled, poor shepherd people was trial and
tribulations and the strait-jacketing of their lives here on earth and
the good pleasures of God in the Hereafter. The life of the Prophet was
an open book before them. He had shown them as to what he was; the
nobility of his character, his integrity of purpose, his earnestness and
fiery enthusiasm for the truth he had come to preach revealed the hero;
and they followed him. Mr. Stanley Lane Poole's estimate of our hero is
so beautiful and yet so truthful that I cannot resist the temptation of
quoting it here:
HE WAS AN ENTHUSIAST IN THAT NOBLEST SENSE WHEN
ENTHUSIASM BECOMES THE SALT OF THE EARTH, THE ONE THING THAT KEEPS MEN
FROM ROTTING WHILST THEY LIVE.
ENTHUSIASM IS OFTEN USED DESPITEFULLY, BECAUSE IT IS
JOINED TO AN UNWORTHY CAUSE, OR FALLS UPON BARREN GROUND AND BEARS NO
FRUIT. SO WAS IT NOT WITH MOHAMMED. HE WAS AN ENTHUSIAST WHEN
ENTHUSIASM WAS THE ONE THING NEEDED TO SET THE WORLD AFLAME, AND HIS
ENTHUSIASM WAS NOBLE FOR A NOBLE CAUSE. HE WAS ONE OF THOSE HAPPY FEW
WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE SUPREME JOY OF MAKING ONE GREAT TRUTH THEIR VERY
LIFE-SPRING.
HE WAS THE MESSENGER OF THE ONE GOD, AND NEVER TO HIS
LIFE'S END DID HE FORGET WHO HE WAS, OR THE MESSAGE WHICH WAS THE MARROW
OF HIS BEING. HE BROUGHT HIS TIDINGS TO HIS PEOPLE WITH A GRAND DIGNITY
SPRUNG FROM THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF HIS HIGH OFFICE, TOGETHER WITH A MOST
SWEET HUMILITY, WHOSE ROOTS LAY IN THE KNOW-LEDGE OF HIS OWN WEAKNESS."
It may easily be conceded that Muhammad (pbuh) was
blessed with the flimsiest of human resources. In fact the odds were
loaded against him. But what about his fortune towards the end of his
earthly sojourn? He was the overlord of the whole of Arabia! What
about the endless means at his disposal then? We will allow a Christian
missionary to answer that -
HE WAS CAESAR AND POPE IN ONE, BUT HE WAS POPE WITHOUT
THE POPE'S PRETENTIONS, AND CAESAR WITHOUT THE LEGIONS OF CAESAR:
WITHOUT A STANDING ARMY, WITHOUT A BODYGUARD, WITHOUT A PALACE, WITHOUT
A FIXED REVENUE; IF EVER ANY MAN HAD THE RIGHT TO SAY THAT HE RULED BY
THE RIGHT DIVINE, IT WAS MOHAMMAD, FOR HE HAD ALL THE POWERS WITHOUT ITS
INSTRUMENTS AND WITHOUT ITS SUPPORTS." R. Bosworth Smith -Mohammad and
Mohammadanism", London 1874, p. 92
HIS
HANDICAPS
His "weakness" was his strength. The very fact that he
had no material means of support made him to put his entire trust in
God, and God the Merciful did not forsake him. His success was all the
more staggering. May not the Muslims justly say, the entire work was
the work of God? And Muhammad (pbuh) his Instrument?
OUTSTANDING RESULTS
In the words of Thomas Carlyle - "One man against all
men," [See full quotation by Thomas Carlyle on page 31.] to a
hundred and twenty four thousand at the Farewell pilgrimage alone. How
many were left behind of men, women and children, believers all?
On the 12th of RABI I., in the 11 th year after the Hijra,
[Hijra literally means Migration.] approximating to the 8th of
June 632 of the Christian Era, whilst praying earnestly in whisper, the
spirit of the great Prophet took flight to the "blessed companion-ship
on high" (Ibn Hisham).
Hazrat Omar (May Allah be pleased with him), on receiving
the sad news of the demise of the Holy Prophet, lost his bearings. He
was so shocked that he blurted out
"if anyone
says that Muhammad is dead, I will chop off his head!"
Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq presently verified that the Master had indeed
departed from this world; and coming out from the Prophet's apartment
announced to the gathering throng outside, that,
"Muhammad (pbuh)
had indeed passed away. Those that worshipped Muhammad," he said, "'Let
them know that Muhammad is dead, but those who worship Allah, let them
know that Allah lives for ever!"
This brought Omar al-Farooq (R.A.) back to his senses.
Could this man who was to become the second great Khaleefah of Islam at
this moment imagine that fourteen hundred years later there would be a
thousand million followers of Muhammad (pbuh) at one time? Could he
have visualized that the religion of the Prophet would be the fastest
growing religion in the world?1
Christianity had a 600-year start on Islam. Numerically
the Christians claim to outnumber the followers of any other faith; this
is true but let us look at the picture in its true perspective -
THERE ARE MORE PROFESSING CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD
THAN PROFESSING MUSLIMS, BUT THERE ARE MORE PRACTISING
MUSLIMS IN THE WORLD THAN PRACTISING CHRISTIANS. (Emphasis added)
R.V.C. Bodley (the American) in "The Messenger: The Life of Mohammed."
U.S.A. 1969
I understand from the above that Mr. Bodley is trying to
tell us that there are people in the world who, when filling their
census forms, will tick off the term Christian under "Religion." It is
not necessarily that they believe in the dogmas of Christianity. They
could actually be atheists or bush-Baptists, [Bush-Baptist:
There are forty different Baptist Churches in the United States of
America. But bush-Baptists are people with strong religious feelings
yet will not go to any Church; and will not affiliate with any sect or
denomination.] as opposed to being a Jew or Hindu or Muslim; coming from
a Christian background they would for the purpose of convenience label
themselves "Christian." From that point of view, and from the point of
view that a person who practices what he believes, there would be more
Muslims in the world than Christians. Chronologically, Islam is six
hundred years behind Christianity, but amazingly it is at least a very
close second, and is catching up fast - the fastest growing religion in
the world today (see chart on page 34). "One Billion!" The figure is
outstanding and the sincerity and practice of the Believers astonishing!
Taking into account his own three objective standards:
(a) "greatness of purpose;" (b) "smallness of means;" and (c)
"outstanding results;" does Lamartine dare to produce another candidate
greater than Muhammad (pbuh)? He further awes his readers with the
multifarious roles of Muhammad (pbuh) in which he excelled,
i.e. Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator, Warrior, Conqueror of
Ideas, the Restorer of Rational Beliefs, of a Cult without Images, the
Founder of twenty Terrestrial Empires and of one Spiritual Empire, that
Is Muhammad. As regards ALL standards (I repeat "ALL") by which Human
Greatness may be measured, we may well ask, "IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER
THAN HE?" (Emphasis added).
No! Muhammad (pbuh) was the greatest man that ever lived!
According to Lamartine the French historian. And God Almighty questions
:
”And
have We not raised
high the esteem in which
thou (O Muhammad are
held?)”
(An Nashrah 94:4)
MOST ASSUREDLY THOU HAST, O MY LORD!
THE
QUALITY OF MERCY
The Christian propagandists make the wild boast that
there is nothing in the history of mankind to compare with the merciful
and forgiving cry of Jesus (pbuh) on the cross ... "Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
Amazing as it may sound, of the four writers of the
Canonical Gospels, only St. Luke was inspired by the Holy ghost (?) to
pen these words. The other three - Matthew, Mark and John never heard
these words or they felt them to be too insipid or not important enough
for recording. St. Luke was not even one of the twelve disciples
selected by Jesus (pbuh). According to the revisers of the Revised
Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible, these words are not in the most
ancient manuscripts which by implication means that they are an
interpolation.
In "The New King James Version," (Copyrighted by the
Thomas Nelson Publishers in 1984), we are told that these words are "not
in the original text" of the Greek manuscripts of St. Luke. In other
words they have been fabricated by some pious gentleman. Although the
quotation is unauthentic, we will still entertain it because it
demonstrates great piety of loving one's enemies and of unsurpassed
forgiveness as preached by the Master himself.
For forgiveness to be of any worth, the forgiver must be
in a position to forgive. If the victim of injustice is still in the
clutches of his enemies; in that helpless position and he would cry out,
"I FORGIVE YOU!" it would be meaningless. But if the aggrieved party
had turned the tables on his enemies and was in a position of taking
revenge or exact retribution, and yet say "I forgive you!", only then
would it mean something!
MUHAMMAD'S (PBUH) CLEMENCY
Contrast the alleged forgiveness from the "cross" with
the historical bloodless conquest of Makkah by Muhammad (pbuh) at the
head of ten thousand "saints" [A fulfilment of another
prophecy in Muhammad (pbuh). "...He came from mount Paran (that is in
Arabia), and he came with ten thousand saints..." Deuteronomy 33:2.]
(his companions).
"THE CITY WHICH HAD TREATED HIM SO CRUELLY, DRIVEN HIM
AND HIS FAITHFUL BAND FOR REFUGE AMONGST STRANGERS, WHICH HAD SWORN HIS
LIFE AND THE LIVES OF HIS DEVOTED DISCIPLES, LAY AT HIS FEET. HIS OLD
PERSECUTERS RELENTLESS AND RUTHLESS, WHO HAD DISGRACED HUMANITY BY
INFLICTING CRUEL OUTRAGES UPON INOFFENSIVE MEN AND WOMEN, AND EVEN UPON
THE LIFELESS DEAD, WERE NOW COMPLETELY AT HIS MERCY. BUT IN THE HOUR OF
HIS TRIUMPH EVERY EVIL SUFFERED WAS FORGOTTEN, EVERY INJURY INFLICTED
WAS FORGIVEN, AND A GENERAL AMNESTY WAS EXTENDED TO THE POPULATION OF
MAKKAH ..." Sayed Amir Ali in "The Spirit of Islam"
Calling before him the populace of the vanquished city,
he addressed them with
"What do you
expect at my hands today?"
His people had known him too well, even from his childhood so they
replied,
"Mercy, O generous brother and nephew!" Tears came into
the eyes of the Prophet, and he said, "I will speak to you as Joseph
spoke unto his brethren, I will not reproach you today: go you are
free!"
And now a scene was enacted of which there is really no
parallel in the history of the world. Hosts upon hosts came forward and
adopted the religion of Islam. God Almighty testifies as to the lofty
and exalted behaviour of His Messenger –
“Ye have
indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct)….”
(Al-Ahzab 33: 21)
How well has Lamartine1
unknowingly echoed these sentiments -
"AS REGARDS ALL STANDARDS BY WHICH HUMAN GREATNESS MAY BE
MEASURED, WE MAY WELL ASK, IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN HE?"
In reply, we too can say once more, "No! there is no man
greater than Muhammad (pbuh). Muhammad (pbuh) was the greatest man that
ever lived!"
So far, our hero has earned the unsolicited and
ungrudging tributes from many non-Muslims of different religious
persuasions and from varying intellectual fields of endeavor. But all
this still remains incomplete without the Master's verdict; Muhammad's (pbuh)
predecessor - Jesus Christ, (pbuh). We will now apply his own standard
for evaluating greatness.
JOHN
THE BAPTIST
1. John
the Baptist, ["JOHN- not to be confused with John the
disciple of Jesus (pbuh). A very common name among the Jews and Arabs,
even today, like Tarik Aziz the former Iraqi Minister of Foreign
Affairs. Real name Tarik Hanna Aziz; Hanna short for Yuhanna meaning
John. No one in the non-Arab Muslim world knowing that our friend is a
Christian Marxist.] Known throughout the Muslim world as Hazrat Yahya
Alaihis-salaam (Peace be upon him) was a contemporary prophet of the
Messiah. They were also cousins. Here is what the Master has to say of
him:
2. Full
quotation of Larmartine will be found in Appendix "B" on page 61.
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women
there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: Matthew 11:11
Every son of man is "born of women." By this very fact
John the Baptist is greater than Moses, David, Solomon, Abraham or
Isaiah; none of the Israelite prophets excluded. What gives John this
ascendancy over every other prophet? It could not be any miracle,
because the Bible records none to his credit. It could not be his
teachings, because he brought no new laws or regulations. Then what
makes him the greatest? Simply because he was the heralder, a
pre-cursor, a harbinger of the happy news of the coming of the Messiah.
This is what made John the greatest, but Jesus (pbuh) claims that he
himself was even greater than the greatest (ie. John). Why?
But I have greater witness than that of John (the
Baptist): For The Works which the Father hath given me to finish:
(Emphasis added) John 5:36
It is the "witness," the commission which God Almighty
had entrusted him with, which makes Jesus (pbuh) greater than even
John. Applying these very standards as enunciated by the Master, we
find that :
1. John the Baptist was the greatest of all the Israelite
prophets, because he heralded the mighty Messiah (Jesus pbuh). Similarly
Jesus (pbuh) would be greater than even John because he heralded "The
Spirit of Truth, the Comforter," who was to guide mankind into all Truth
(of the Gospel of St. John, chapter 16). [For a detailed
explanation about this prophecy, obtain today your FREE copy of the
book -MUHUMMED (pbuh) the Natural Successor to CHRIST (pbuh) from the
IPCI.]
2. The diocese, the mission of Jesus (pbuh), or "the
works which God had given him to accomplish," was limited to the Lost
sheep of the House of Israel (Matthew 15:24), whereas the mission of
Muhammad (pbuh) was universal. He had been told -
“And we
have sent thee not (O Muhammad), but as a Mercy unto (all) the worlds”
(Al-Ambiya 21:107)
In keeping with his grand commission, Muhammad (pbuh)
consistently delivered his Message to one and all who would hear,
irrespective of race, class or creed, He welcomed them all in the
religion of God, without any discrimination. He had no thought of
dividing the creatures of God into "dogs and pigs" (Matthew 7:6) or into
"sheep and goats" (Matthew 25:32). He was the Messenger of the One True
God, who was sent as a Mercy unto all mankind, nay, unto the whole
universe (21:107 above). And, he never forgot this mission even right
up to his dying day.
Towards the end of his earthly sojourn, when he could
look back to a hectic and dangerous past, now crowned with success; he
now feels that he could sit back and enjoy the fruits of his toil; he
dreams of a life free from turmoil and full of satisfaction and
relaxation. Not for him! There is no time to rest or relax. There is
work still to be done. God Almighty reminds him :
“We have
not sent thee (o Muhammad) but to the whole of mankind as a giver of
glad tidings and as a warner, but most of mankind still do not know”
(Saba 34:28) [This is your last chance to memorize the text
and the translation of this verse. It you are lackadaisical, we can
only mourn your loss.]
How was he to respond to this new challenge in his
ripening old age? There were no electronic gadgets of modern
communication methods at his disposal; there were no telex and fax
machines which he could exploit. What could he do? Being an ummi
(unlettered), he called the scribes and dictated five letters, one each
to the Emperor at Constantinople, the King of Egypt, the Negus of
Abyssinia, the King of Yemen and to the Emperor in Persia. He called
forth five Sahaaba (his holy companions) with five Arab steeds and set
them out in five different directions inviting the nations of the world
to the universal religion of God.
I had the good fortune of seeing one of those holy
epistles in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul (old Constantinople) Turkey.
That letter is collecting dust! Materially the Turks have preserved the
parchment. But the Message is collecting dust, as I have said.
The letter begins,
"From Muhammad the
Messenger of God, to Heraclius the Emperor at Constantinople:
“Accept Islam and be benefited." followed by this
exhortation from the Book of God - -
Say: "O’
People of the Book! ["People
of the Book," stands for the Jews and the Christians. You will never
have it so good for learning Allah's Kalaam. Don't ignore this
opportunity. Memorize the verses as they occur.]
Come to
common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but God; that
we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among
ourselves, lords and patrons other than God."
If then
they turn back, say ye: "bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims
(bowing to god's will)
(Aale-
Imraan 3:64)
After the above Quranic insertion in the letter, it is
concluded with felicitation in the Prophet's own words, ending with a
seal on which is inscribed –
"There is no other
object of worship but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger."
The letter in Turkey arouses our curiosity; and interest
with regards to its preservation, but the preservation itself is lost
upon the sightseer. The same Quranic Message is in almost every Muslim
home; being read and re-read a thousand times over without the reader
being moved to deliver its Message to the addressees!
Glance once more at the above verse. It is addressed to
the "Ahle-Kitaab," - the People of the Book, the Jews and the
Christians. But, for over a thousand years we have utterly ignored that
great directive at our own peril. We are sitting on that Message like a
cobra on a pile of wealth, keeping the rightful heirs at bay. This
utter neglect will continue to inflict untold suffering to the Ummah for
generations to come.
After over fourteen hundred years of our reading, and
chanting the Quran in every rhythmic style, we still hear this poignant
cry:
“ …. But
Most of mankind still do not know”
(Saba 34:28)
This is the concluding phrase of the verse revealed
fourteen hundred years ago. It was the factual situation of the then
religious world. The question which must be asked is, if it is any
different today? Not at all! There are today more Mushriks in
the world than there are believers in the One True God.
Is there any hope of changing this situation? Allah
commanded His Prophet then as He is commanding us now through the first
seven verses of Sura Muddaththir (chapter 74).
“O’ thou
wrapped up (in a mantle)!"
(Al-Muddaththir 74:1)
As
usual, there is these wonderful early mystical verses (including the
ones that follow), a triple thread of thought:
(a)
A particular occasion
or person is referred to
(b) A general spiritual
lesson is taught, and
(c) A more profound
mystical reverie is suggested.
As to (a), the Prophet was now past the stage of personal
contemplation. Wearing his mantle; he was now to go forth and boldly
deliver his Message and publicly proclaim Allah The One True God. His
heart had always been purified, but now all his outward doings must be
dedicated to God, and conventional respect for ancestral customs or
worship must be thrown aside. The work of his Messengership was the
most generous that could flow from his personality, but no reward or
appreciation was to be expected from his people, but quite the contrary,
there would be much call on his patience, but his contentment would
arise from the good pleasure of God.
As to (b), similar stages arise in a minor degree in the
life of every good man, for which the Prophet's life is to be a
universal pattern.
As to (c), the Sufis understand, by the mantle and
outward wrappings, the circumstances of our phenomenal existence, which
are necessary to our physical comfort up to a certain stage; but we soon
outgrow them, and our inner nature should then boldly proclaim itself,
not that it brings any credit or reward with men; the very hope of
expectation of such would be inconsistent with our higher nature, which
should bear all checks and rejoice in the favour of God."
“Arise and
deliver thy warming!
(2)
And thy lord do thou magnify!
(3)
And thy
garments keep free from stain!
(4)
And all abomination shun!
(Al-Muddath thir 74:2-5)
"(a) Rujz or Rijz means abomination and is usually
understood to mean idolatry. It is even possible that there was an idol
called RUJZ. But these days it has a wider significance as including a
mental state opposed to true worship, a state of doubt or indecision."
“Nor
expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)!”
(Al-Muddath thir 74:6)
"(b) The legal and commercial formula is that you give in
order to receive what is worth to you a little more than you give, but
expect nothing from the receiver. You serve God and God's creatures."
“But, for
thy lord's (cause) be patient and constant!”(Al-Muddath
thir 74:7)
"(c) Our zeal for God's Cause itself requires that we
should not be impatient, and that we should show constancy in our
efforts for His Cause. For we have faith, and we know that He is
All-Good, All-Wise, and All-Powerful, and everything will ultimately be
right."
To the Arabs in general and to our Holy Prophet in
particular "a mantle" was the protective covering used for protection
against the sun, wind and sand. He was so to say girding himself,
rolling up his sleeves, to accomplish his task. Although most of the
Muslims in the world do not cover themselves with shawls (mantles), in
their day to day living, they carry a host of mantles in the way of
inferiority complexes.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE GOD'S LIGHT SHINE FORTH THROUGH
THE DARKNESS AROUND US?
WE MUST FIRST LET IT SHINE IN OUR OWN TRUE SELVES WITH
THAT LIGHT IN THE NICHE OF OUR INMOST HEARTS WE CAN WALK WITH STEPS BOTH
FIRM AND SURE: WE CAN HUMBLY VISIT THE COMFORTLESS AND GUIDE THEIR
STEPS. NOT WE, BUT THE LIGHT WILL GUIDE! BUT OH! THE JOY OF BEING FOUND
WORTHY TO BEAR THE TORCH, AND TO SAY TO OUR BRETHREN- "I TOO WAS IN
DARKNESS, COMFORTLESS, AND BEHOLD, I HAVE FOUND COMFORT AND JOY IN THE
GRACE DIVINE!"
THUS SHOULD WE PAY THE DUES OF BROTHERHOOD, - - BY
WALKING HUMBLY SIDE BY SIDE, IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD, WITH MUTUAL AID
AND COMFORT, AND HEART FELT PRAYER, BACKED BY ACTION, THAT GOD'S GOOD
PURPOSE MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED, IN US ALL TOGETHER!
“ …. But
Most of mankind still do not know”
(Saba 34:28)
Thus speak, inspired our Holy prophet, Muhammad (pbuh) on
whom we invoke God's blessings for ever and ever - AAMEEN!
APPENDIX "A"
He attained the height
of eminence by his perfection;
He dispelled the
darkness (of the world) by his grace;
Excellent were all his
qualities,
Pray for blessings on
him and his descendants.
Shaikh Sa'di Sheeraazi (RA)
APPENDIX "B"
"If greatness of purpose, smallness of means and
astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could
dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?
The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only.
They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which
often crumbled away before their eyes. This man Muhammed moved not only
armies, legislations, empires, peoples and dynasties, but millions of
men; and more than that the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas,
the beliefs and the souls. On the basis of a Book, every letter of which
has become law, he created a spiritual nationality which blended
together peoples of every tongue and of every race ... The idea of the
unity of God, proclaimed amidst the exhaustion of fabulous theologies,
was in itself such a miracle that upon its utterance from his lips it
destroyed all the ancient superstitions ... His endless prayers, his
mystic conversations with God, his death and his triumph after death:
all these attest not to an imposture but to a firm conviction which gave
him the power to restore a dogma. This dogma was twofold, the unity of
God and the Immateriality of God; the former telling what God is, the
latter telling what God is not ...
... "PHILOSOPHER, ORATOR, APOSTLE, LEGISLATOR, WARRIOR,
CONQUEROR OF IDEAS, RESTORER OF RATIONAL BELIEFS, of a cult without
images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual
empire, that is Muhammed. AS REGARDS ALL STANDARDS BY WHICH HUMAN
GREATNESS MAY BE MEASURED, WE MAY WELL ASK, IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER
THAN HE?"
(Lamartine, Historie de la Turquie, Paris 1854, Vol II
pp.276-277).
APPENDIX "C"
JULES MASSERMAN, U.S. psychoanalyst
TIME, JULY 15, 1974
Leaders must fulfill three functions - - - provide for
the well-being of the led, provide a social organization in which people
feel relatively secure, and provide them with one set of beliefs.
People like Pasteur and Salk are leaders in the first sense.
People like Gandhi and Confucius, on one hand, and
Alexander, Caesar and Hitler on the other, are leaders in the second and
perhaps the third sense. Jesus and Buddha belong in the third category
alone. PERHAPS THE GREATEST LEADER OF ALL TIMES WAS MOHAMMED, WHO
COMBINED ALL THREE FUNCTIONS. To a lesser degree Moses did the
same. (Emphasis added)
APPENDIX "D"
Fidelity is said to be a human attribute,
Which makes the modern gentleman distinguished from the
brute,
But that supreme fidelity, inborn in every hound, Which
is the mark of man's best friend, In man, it's rarely found! (A South
African Poet.)
Note: Edited little changes in text
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