Messenger Of Peace - Article Contribution

This is my article contribution to the Sultan Qaboos Center For Islamic Studies, Diwan Of Royal Court, Oman in conjunction of Maulidur Rasul 2011.

MOHAMMED (pbuh) – MESSENGER OF PEACE                       

Historical personalities for any moment in time, always fade.  Power that we boast will fade.  Beauty in any condition will fade.  Even the love, lacking of tender care will eventually fade.  But today, after 1400 years, I still see a great innumerable interest of this great one.  The greatest persona at all times, Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), the Messenger of Peace, who stands out utterly miraculously in regard to his character, manners and messages.  Obviously, his character and behavior was a reflection and indication of the belief he held value to his heart.  He came to all people with a heavenly message.

Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) used to say, “The best of you are those who are best in manners”. 

Whether to believe it or not, the greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change the future by merely changing the attitude, behavior or manners.  Through this, we will certainly indulge the peace; not merely for ourselves but also to this world; not by the power that we possess and not by the wealth that we are proud of. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) had shown us that by only this simple thing, life could be so meaningful.  But then again, in our life can we abide by this simple yet quality of perfection?

Imagine.  When we always meet people with smiling faces, speak with good manners, never react to evil with evil, rather forgiveness and mercy, be humble, be kind towards the weak, be kind towards children, kind to women, good to neighbors and treat everyone as equal in our eyes; what will happen to this world? A peaceful world to live isn’t it!  Yes! This is only to name a few great qualities known about this great man.

An orphan at a young age and although he was brought up by his wealthy uncle, Abdul Muttalib, Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) never be dependent on him, to a certain extent, with the compassion bestowed to him, he made an effort to earn whatever little he could to alleviate his uncle’s responsibility.  He believed the best of living is that which a man earns for himself through his own effort.  This great man was a shepherd and today can you ever consider the wisdom gained?  The humble understanding in shepherd sheep is to give an actual and a direct experience in looking after and managing the people.  The company of sheep inspires and encourages in a man high degree of patience and tenderness towards his herd!  This had trained him to be thankful and to abide by patience.  Anyone wishing to follow him has to enhance himself with the same principles. 

Our Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) never spoke unless he felt it would be positive, was never angry for himself, nor wanted to retaliate for himself.  He wouldn’t be irate over a worldly matter.  He would not criticize others, would not cite a fault, and would not go over anyone’s unknown issues.  However, when Allah’s rights were disobeyed, his anger would not suppress until he retaliated. 

It really gives me great pleasure and easy to put across my feelings to this exceptional person that the world has witnessed.  A man who was a moral ideal, religious leader, a military chief, a political counselor, a leader who formed a nation and established a state with a dynamic society and still guide his people in an attitude of human deliberation, action and best manners.   There is no human in history that can develop into humanity a great deal in such various positions, as the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh).  After thousands of years passed by, his teachings and instances still followed by billions in this world.  Without a doubt, never in history a man influenced mankind, so profoundly and with determination as he had.  He brought light and peace to countless hearts and lives.

Even after his death, we still can feel his unmitigated love that will continue to nurture until the end of time.  The love that I will never ever be able to utter any words if he occurs to be here with me at this very moment.  The love that will transform me into a little girl who will run and hug her grandfather and tell him all the sorrows and heartaches in her life if he is in front of me now; and I know his love always brings peace into my life.  I wish I could hear his voice.

Given the opportunity to visit his home, Masjid Nabawi in Madinah Al Munawarrah, I could feel that he rejoined my salam to him.  I could feel that he was the imam in every of my shalat and I could feel that he amin my du’a.  This is the emotion that always offers the ingredients of happiness to me: peace, tranquility and joy.  I was taught all the way through his teachings that among the greatest of blessings are to have calm, unwavering and happy heart.  For in contentment the mind is free and this allows me to be a lively and creative human being.  There is no substitute for this kind of peace and affection.

He is the symbol for those who sought for serenity and contentment.    Blessed the people who had lived with our Prophet Mohammed (pbuh).  They had witnessed his endurance spreading Islam, witnessed the affection towards his people and someone great to turn to for direction, help and leadership. 

Day after day passed by and the world is now blocked up with loathing, greediness, crisis after crisis and not actually a wonderful place to live any longer.  Along with that it always triggers me to envisage what will be our beloved Prophet (pbuh) advice and guidance to us if he is still alive today. And with that, I came across of what George Bernard Shaw, the Nobel Prize Winner in 1925 said, “If Mohammed were alive today, he would succeed in solving all those problems which threaten to destroy human civilization in our times”.

Despite of our high regard for him, Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) did not agree on it that he be praised and glorified in a way that would disparage other prophets and he used to say, “Don’t say I am the best of the Prophets.  I am but a slave, so refer to me as, ‘Allah’s slave and His Messenger”.  His philosophy can truly transform our lives, our faith, our deeds and the entire humankind for the better.

He is truly a Blessing for Mankind. May Allah shower His blessings of him!