Muhammad (S), Master of Prophets

Prophet Muhammad (S) was the greatest of all prophets and with him prophethood came to an end. There will be no prophet after him. Prophet Muhammad (S) had the mercy and compassion of Prophet Jesus Christ (AS), the power and authority of Prophet Moses (AS), the patience of Prophet Noah (AS), and the Majesty of Prophet Abraham (AS). The prophecies of the previous prophets concerning Prophet Muhammad (S) and the life he led under divine inspiration, the miracles bestowed upon him and his exemplary conduct, establish his status as the prophet of God beyond any doubt. That is why the Holy Quran says: “Surely Allah and his angels send blessings to the prophet. O you who believe, call for (divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (worthy) salutation” (33:56)

Furthermore, it is one of the fundamental beliefs of all Muslims that Prophet Muhammad (S) is the last prophet and that Islam is the last and eternal religion. Anyone who denies it cannot be considered to be a Muslim. The Holy Quran declares the Prophet Muhammad (S) to be Khatam-un-Nabi-een that is the Seal of the prophets: “Muhammad (S) is not the father of any men of you but he is messenger of Allah and the seal of prophets…” (33:40).

Sunday March 15, 2009 (Rabi-ul-Awal 17, 1430 AH) marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (S), Ahmad, (meaning praiseworthy), Al-Mustafa (selected one), Farqalit and Parecletus, the Master of the Prophets.  On this auspicious occasion let us from depth of our hearts congratulate Hazrat Imam Mahdi(A.T.F.S), his grandson, all true Muslims throughout the world, all his true followers, all those awaiting the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (A.T.F.S) day and night.

His holiness was born on the 17th of Rabi-ul-Awal, about 53 years before the Hejrah (migration), the 25th of April 570 CE in the city of Mecca in the Arabian Peninsula (which is now Saudi Arabia). A few days before his birth, his father Abdullah died, and his grandfather Abdul Mutallib took charge of him. According to the prevailing custom, the child was entrusted to a Bedouin foster-mother, Halima, with whom he stayed for few years in the desert. Then Halima returned him to his own mother Amina. After some time his mother and grandfather died and Prophet Muhammad (S) came under the guardianship of his uncle Abu-Talib, the father of Imam Ali (AS). At the age of ten, he accompanied his uncle to Syria on a commercial trip, during which an enlightened Christian monk recognized in his features the prophetic signs and foretold a great future for him. By the time he was 25 Prophet Muhammad (S) had become well known in the city for his integrity and honesty.       

A rich lady named Khadija (SA) invited him to work for her commercial enterprises and charmed by his honest and righteous character, offered him her hand in marriage for their blessed union. She was the mother of all of the Prophet’s children except Ibrahim, whose mother was Maria Qabtia, originally a Byzantine lady from Egypt.

From his childhood, the Prophet (S) had differed from ordinary people, and spent most of his time in seclusion, sometimes in a cave a cave called Hira in Jabal un-Nur, a mountain near Mecca, meditating on the mysteries of creation. It was during one of his spiritual retreats in Hira that he felt a great spiritual charge taking place within him. He was forty years old when the first revelation of God descended upon him, in 609 CE. The angel Gabriel appeared before him and recited the well known verses of chapter Alaq:

“Proclaim! In the name of God Who created -- created man from a clot…” (96:1-2)

Thus the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) started his mission secretly, first preaching to his nearest ones, Ali (AS) and Khadijah (SA) were the first who responded to his call. The number of his followers increased gradually, but with his outright condemnation of idolatry and exploitation, the opposition also grew more intense and resulted in the physical torture of the Prophet (S) and his followers, who were then forced to migrate to Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia in northeast Africa). The Quraysh tribe imposed a social boycott on Prophet Muhammad (S) and offered him all kinds of bribes, but he refused to back down. After a few years, the boycott was lifted, but due to the hardship undergone his wife Khadija (SA) and his uncle Abu Talib passed away in 619 CE, the 10th year of his prophethood.

Almighty God arranged due consolation by enabling him to pass through a wonderful spiritual experience known as the Ascension (Meraj). He was taken to the highest Heaven and in a miraculous expansion of consciousness he saw all the prophets (AS), angels and spiritual realities. He received a new impetus continue his great mission. This great journey to the spiritual world gave him renewed vigor, but at the same time the hostilities of the Quraysh reached their climax, and the Prophet (S) was forced to migrate from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. 

Most important event occurred in the year 10 AH (632 CE), the Prophet Muhammad (S) went to Mecca and addressed thousands of his followers. In this historical address in Ghadir Khumm, the Holy Prophet (S) nominated and introduced Imam Ali (AS) as his successor and declared: “Whosoever I am his Master, Ali is his Master, too.”

On his return to Medina he fell ill and a few weeks later when he breathed his last, he had the satisfaction of accomplishing the divine mission he had been entrusted with God. His holy mission lasted 23 years and when at the age of 63, he died, the entire Arabian Peninsula had embraced Islam. Faith in Prophet Muhammad (S) as the last and final prophet is a cardinal tenet of Islam.

I. Message of peace and mercy for all

No doubt those defensive battles fought by Muslims where not to kill but to heal and resembled surgical operations as a necessary remedy to remove the cancers of the savage and barbarous life of the Arab tribes. The total casualties on both sides in the war during the Prophets (S) time are authentically received as not exceeding a little more than one thousand. Prejudiced historian expanded on those battles to excessive lengths trying to undermine the compassionate face of Islam, forgetting that Muslims never initiated any offense and killed only when necessary to protect the lives of their own tiny force against the pagan armies. The whole divine approach of Islam is similar to the care and sympathy provided by a doctor to cure the ills of self destructing patients in the disease-ridden society of the time. The meager casualties, including those of the Muslims, were an insignificant price for a great revolutionary upheaval which offered the noblest ideology now cherished by over two billion Muslims. The mission of the Master of the Prophets, Muhammad (S) was one of love, mercy and tolerance not of war, force or arms. When the Holy Prophet (S) conquered Mecca, the central point of opposition, he forgave his enemies and offered them security in their lives. That moment changed everything. Such gentleness moved the hearts of the opposing leaders.

Eventually, the compassionate face of Islam appealed to their souls. The majority of the former foes became friends. At long last, having realized the folly of their heretic actions, the fanatic partisans of idolatry broke the idols they used to worship in their houses and embraced Islam.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) thus taught and proved that Islam is not a religion of aggression seeking to capture power or a piece of land but centralizes its forces to reform and groom high human qualities, to attract people, rather than to repel them. That was the divine approach which motivated the former polytheists to willingly submit to God and proclaim themselves Muslims.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) was given popular recognition even while he was alive and living among people, and not simply after his death in such away that mythology and fiction could be interwoven with facts. Islam began with a single person but became a religion with billions follower. Even the mighty rulers of the Roman and Persian empires were invited to embrace Islam and people were embracing Islam in the thousands.

Islam is not a religion of the sword but a religion of peace and the Prophet’s mission is one of mercy, love, and happiness.

He fought to heal, not to kill. His book is the Holy Quran, in which occurs 114 times the following verse, which begins 113 of its 114 chapters:

“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.”

II. The Prophet’s characters

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) not only was a great commander and soldier on the battleground, but he also had a personality marked by piety, kindness, magnanimity, spirituality, humanity and grace, to such an extent that could be expected from a chosen messenger of God. His humbleness was not the result of any weakness, while his power never resulted in pride or injustice. He was always seen visiting the sick and consoling the unfortunate as long as he lived. He took advantage of every opportunity to raise the intellectual and spiritual level of the people. His holiness was found of simplicity and led a modest austere life. His lodging, clothing and food were extremely simple. Throughout his life he lived in moderation. History of walking was graceful with no show of arrogance. He was always the first offer greetings when he encountered people. His speech was marked by soft sentences loaded with a world of meaning: simple, informal and clear. His logic was in tune with the natural impulses of men, and he appealed directly to minds and hearts. He hated dealing with people harshly and deplored seeing any Muslim do so. His eyes were piercing and charming but full of modesty and grace.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) treated the followers of other religions with respect, except when they attacked as armed enemies. He spent most of his time with the unfortunate, the weak and the poor and disapproved aristocratic practices. Neither the power of the mighty, nor the wealth of the rich, nor the fear of tyrants overwhelmed him in any way whatsoever.

The Master of the Prophets (S) always treated the rich and the poor, the famous and the unknown without any discrimination. He sat among the people to ensure equality and avoid distinction between the people. He was freely available to all, though he ruled a vast land. People had easy access to him for consultations and assistance and the Holy Prophet (S) never sought the services of armed guards for protection. Sometimes, young and old people alike would detain him for hours, either pouring out the secrets of their hearts or sharing their moments of joy and sorrow with him. No one could ever found him confused or acting in contradictory manner. In sum, he was the best example for all in practice.

III. Maxims of the Master of the Prophets

Out of thousands of His glorious words, followings are selected.

Master of the Prophets (S) said:

1. “Worship is of seven parts, the best of which is seeking legal earnings.”

2. “I prefer the merits of knowledge to those of worship. Compassion is the best of your religion.”

3. “Courtesy with people is half of the faith and leniency with them is half of the livelihood.”

4. “Misbehavior is evil omen.”

5. “The most faithful of you are the most well-mannered.”

6. “The proper fulfillment of the pledges is a part of faith.”

7. “Regard your relatives even by means of mere greeting.”

8. “The morals of us -- the family of the prophet -- are pardoning those who wronged us and giving to those who deprived us.”

10. “Expecting the Relief (the reappearance of Imam Mahdi {AS}) is the best Jihad of my nation.”

In the end, let us raise our hands, not only praying for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS) but also to present our salutation to his holiness the Master of the Prophets, Muhammad (S). May almighty Allah keep us among the companions of his grandson Imam Mahdi (AS):

“Peace be on you, oh Messenger of Allah,

Peace be on you oh Prophet of Allah,

Peace be on you, oh Muhammad, son of Abdullah.

Peace be on you oh last of the prophets.

I bear witness that surely you delivered the message and performed prayers, and paid the poor-rate and ordered people to do good and forbade them from committing sinful actions and worshiped Allah with sincerity till your last breath.

Hence, may Allah bless you and your holly family.” (Ziarat of Holy Prophet {S})

Compiled by A.R. Ghavidel