What did Prophet Muhammad do?


Almost
everyone on the earth today is discussing Prophet Muhammad, peace be
upon him. People want to know, "Who was he exactly?" "What did he
teach?" "Why was he loved so much by some and hated so much by others?"
"Did he live up to his claims?" "Was he a holy man? "Was he a prophet
of God?" "What is the truth about this man - Muhammad?"

How can we discover the truth and be totally honest in our judgment?


We
will begin with the very simple historical evidences, facts as narrated
by thousands of people, many of whom knew him personally. The following
is based on books, manuscripts, texts and actual eyewitness accounts,
too numerous list herein, yet all have been preserved in original form
throughout the centuries by both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Muhammad
ibn (son of) Abdullah ibn (son of) Abdul Mutalib, was born in the year
570 C.E. (Christian Era) in Makkah, Felix Arabia (today: Saudi Arabia)
and he died in 633 C.E. in Yathrib (today: Madinah, Saudi Arabia).


A.
His names: When he was born, his grandfather, Abdul Mutalib, gave him
the name Muhammad. And it means "praised one" or "praising one." He was
later called "As-Saddiq" (the Truthful) by all of those who knew of his
truthful and honest nature. He always said only the truth. He was also
called "Al - Alamin" (the Trustworthy) due to his integrity and always
upholding any trust given to him. When the tribes were battling against
each other, both sides would entrust him with their possessions during
the fighting, even if it might be against some of his own tribesmen,
because they knew he would always uphold any trust given to him. All of
his names indicated the very nature of a man who was praised for his
honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. He was also well known for
advocating the reconciliation of kinship and relationships. He ordered
his followers to always honor the "ties of the wombs" (siblings and
other close relatives).
This
fits right in with the prophecy mentioned in the Bible in the Book of
John in chapters 14 and 16, as the coming of a prophet known as the
"Spirit of Truth" or "Comforter" or "Advocate."

B.
Born as a descendent of Abraham, peace be upon him, through his first
born son, Ishmail (Ismail in Arabic), peace be upon him, to the noble
tribe of the Quraish who were the leaders of Makkah in those days.
Muhammad's blood line traces directly back to Abraham, peace be upon
him.
This
could certainly point to fulfillment of Old Testament (Torah)
prophecies in Deuteronomy (chapter 18:15) of a prophet, like unto Moses
from "their brethren."

C.
He kept the Commandments of Almighty God, just as his great
grandfathers and prophets of old had done in the past (peace be upon
them). Here is a statement from Muhammad, peace be upon him, while the
Quran was being revealed to him by the angel Gabriel;
"Come,
I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything
in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your PARENTS; do not kill
your children because of poverty - (Allah) provide sustenance for you
and for them; do not come near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal
sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and
kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause. This
He has commanded you that you may understand."
[Holy Qur’an 6:151]

D.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, lived in total commitment to his Belief in
One God, and as such, He was to be worshipped alone, without any other
"gods" beside Him. This is the very first commandment in the Old
Testament (Exodus chapter 20 and Deuteronomy, chapter 5) and in the New
Testament as well (Mark, chapter 12, verse 29).

E.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, ordered his followers to obey Allah
Almighty. He ordered following the Commandments as were revealed to him
by the angel Gabriel from Almighty Allah. Read below, one of many
similar statements from the Quran:
Surely,
Allah Commands absolute justice and steadfast commitment to performing
your duties to Almighty Allah, in total sincerity and giving help to
relatives: and He forbids evil, and disobedience and all that is
prohibited by Allah (such as; illegal sexual acts, disobedience of
PARENTS, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a
life without right, etc.), and (He Forbids) any evil (i.e. all that is
prohibited by God's
Law,
such as: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil
deeds, etc.), and all kinds of oppression, He admonishes you, that you
may take heed.
[Holy Quran 16:90]

F.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, never fell into the common practice of his
tribesmen to worship statues, idols or man-made "gods." He forbid his
followers to ever engage in worship outside of the One True God (Allah)
of Adam, Abraham, Moses and all the prophets, peace be upon them all.
And
the people of the Scripture Jews and Christians did not differed
amongst themselves until after there came to them clear evidence.
And
they were commanded only to worship Allah, and worship none but Him
Alone (no gods beside God), and perform prayers and give charity: and
that is the right religion.
[Holy Quran 98:4-5]
He
despised false worship to any man-made gods or images or anything in
creation as a god. He hated all of the complexities and degradation to
which it leads.
This is in direct obedience to the second commandment in the above mentioned verses, "Thou shalt not make any graven images."

G.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, always held the Name of God (Allah) in the
highest of reverence and never took God's Name in vain or for any
vainglorious purpose.
He forbid his followers for ever doing
anything like this and encouraged them to use names such as "Servant of
Almighty God" (Abdullah).

H.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, upheld the proper worship and ceremonies
of his grandfathers, Abraham and Ishmail, peace be upon them. Here is
something from the second chapter of the Quran. Read closely;
"Recall
when Abraham's Lord (Allah) tested him with Commands, that he
fulfilled. Allah said, "Surely, I am going to make you a leader
(prophet) of mankind. (Abraham said) "And my offspring, too." (Allah)
said, "My Covenant (prophethood, etc.) does not include wrong-doers
(thalimun).
"And
recall when (Allah) made the House (ka'bah in Bakkah, which later was
called "Makkah") a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety.
And it is your place of prayer, and (Allah) commanded Abraham and
Ishmail to purify (God's House at Makkah) for those who are circling
it, or staying there or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in
worship).
"And
when Abraham said, 'My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of
security and provide its people with fruits, for them that believe in
Allah Almighty and the Last Day.' (Allah) answered, "As for him who
doesn't believe, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I
shall compel him t the torment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that
destination!"

"And
when Abraham and Ishmail were raising the foundations of the Sacred
House (Ka'bah in Makkah), saying, 'Our Lord! Accept from us. Certainly!
You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.'"

"Our
Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation
submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of
pilgrimage - Hajj and 'Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly,
You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful

"Our
Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allah
answered by sending Muhammad Peace be upon him ), who shall recite unto
them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur'an) and full
knowledge of (Allah's) Laws and jurisprudence, and sanctify them.
Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."

And
who turns away from the religion of Abraham (Monotheism) except him who
fools himself? Truly, (Allah) chose him in this world and verily, in
the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.

When
his Lord said to him, "Submit ("Islam" means "submission")!" He said,
"I have submitted myself ("Muslim" means "one who submits") to the Lord
of all that exists."

And
this (submission to Allah) was ordered by Abraham upon his sons and by
Jacob; saying, "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true)
religion; then die not except in the Faith of Submission (like those in
true submission to God's Will).”
[Holy Qur’an 2:124-132]

I.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, performed these same ceremonies in worship
to what we find the prophets doing before him, bowing to toward the
ground and prostrating (falling on the face) while praying and
worshipping. He would face Jerusalem for his devotionals and commanded
his followers to do the same (until Allah sent down the angel Gabriel
with revelation to change the direction (qibal) mentioned in Qur’an).

J.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, advocated rights for all members of the
family and especially ties to the parents, both mother and father, also
rights for infant girls, orphaned girls and certainly for wives, as
well.
It
is known from the Qur’an, Muhammad, peace be upon him, ordered his
followers to be kind and respectful to their parents. They were told
not to even say, "Ooh" to them while caring for them in their old age.
Read from the Qur’an:
And
your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be
dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age
in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them
but address them in terms of honor.
[Holy Qur’an 17:23]

K.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, was the defender of the orphans and even
the newborn children. He ordered the care of orphans and feeding of the
poor as the means to enter Paradise and if anyone held back the rights
of those who were destitute, they could
forget about ever seeing Paradise. He also forbid the killing of new born girls, as was a
custom
of ignorance according to primitive Arab traditions. This is referred
to in the Qur’an; when, on the Day of Judgment those who practiced the
evil deed of terminating the life of their own infant daughters, will
have it exposed, the Qur’an says:
And
when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do)
is going to be asked; about what sin could she (as an infant) have
possibly committed."
[Holy Qur’an 81:8]
Those
who spend their wealth (in Allah's Cause) by night and day, in secret
and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them
shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
[Holy Qur’an 2:274]

L.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, ordered men not to "inherit women against
their will," and not to marry them accept by mutual consent and never
to touch their wealth or inheritance in order to improve their own
financial conditions.
O
you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will,
and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away
part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open illegal
sexual intercourse. And live with them honorably. If you dislike them,
it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great
deal of good.

[Holy Qur’an 4:19]

We also notice from this verse, He forbid the common practice of
wife-beating and abuse, (his own wife said he never once hit her).

He never once engaged in sex outside of marriage, nor did he ever
approve of it, even though it was very common at the time. His only
relationships with women were in legitimate, contractual marriages with
proper witnesses according to law. His relationship to Ayesha was only
that of marriage. He did not marry her the first time her father
offered her hand to him in marriage. He married her only after she
reached the age of puberty and could decide for herself. Their
relationship is described in every detail by Ayesha herself in the most
loving and respectful manner as a match truly made in heaven. Ayesha is
considered as one of the highest scholars of Islam and lived out her
entire life only having been married to Muhammad, peace be upon him.
She never desired any other man, nor did she ever utter a single
negative statement against Muhammad, peace be upon him.

M.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, ordered men to "provide and protect"
women, whether it was their own mother, sister, wife or daughter or
even those of others, whether they were Muslims or not.
"Men
are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one
of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support the
women) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly
obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's
absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their
husband's property, etc.).
As to those women on whose part you see
ill­conduct, admonish them, refuse to share their beds, startle them
(set forth a clear example or parable for them, to make clear the point
of what is going on before divorcing them) so if they return to proper
obedience (to Allah and their husbands), do not annoy them any further.
Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great."
[Holy Qur’an 4:34]

N. Muhammad, peace be upon him, prohibited killing of children for fear of poverty and also forbade killing any innocent people.
Say
(O Muhammad SAW): "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited
you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to
your parents; kill not your children because of poverty - We provide
sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful
sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or
secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a
just cause (according to Law). This He has commanded you that you may
understand.
[Holy Qur’an 6:151]

O.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, never committed adultery, and he required
his followers to engage only in lawful marriage relationships with
women, and forbid sex outside of Almighty God's Ordinance.
Satan
(the devil) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha
(evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.); whereas Allah
promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is
All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.
[Holy Qur’an 2:268]
Say
(O Muhammad SAW): "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden
are Al­Fawahish (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual
intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all
kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with
Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about
Allah of which you have no knowledge."
[Holy Qur’an 7:33]
And
come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a
Fahishah [i.e. anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)],
and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him).
[Holy Quran 17:32]
The
adulterer marries not but an adulteress or a Mushrikah and the
adulteress none marries her except an adulterer or a Muskrik [and that
means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a
Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute,
then surely he is either an adulterer, or a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan
or idolater, etc.) And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual
relation with) a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater) or an
adulterer, then she is either a prostitute or a Mushrikah (female
polytheist, pagan, or idolatress, etc.)]. Such a thing is forbidden to
the believers (of Islamic Monotheism).
[Holy Qur’an 24:3]
Verily,
those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse should be
propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in
this world and in the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you know not.
[Holy Qur’an 24:19]
O
Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the pledge, that
they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will
not steal, that they will not
commit
illegal sexual intercourse, that they will not kill their children,
that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e.
by making illegal children belonging to their husbands), and that they
will not disobey you in any Ma'ruf (Islamic
Monotheism
and all that which Islam ordains) then accept their Bai'a (pledge), and
ask Allah to forgive them, Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.
[Holy Qur’an 60:12]
People
committed fornication and adultery in most places around the word in
Muhammad's time, yet he never once did so, and he forbade all of his
followers from this evil practice.

P.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, forbade usury and interest on money
lending, as Jesus, peace be upon him, had done centuries before him. It
can be easily shown how usury eats away at wealth and destroys the
economic systems throughout history. Yet, just as in the teachings of
the prophets of old, Muhammad, peace be upon him, held that such
practices were most evil and must be avoided in order to be at peace
with the Creator (Allah).
Those
who eat usury (deal in interest) will not stand (on the Day of
Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Satan
leading him to insanity. That is because they say: "Trading is only
like usury," whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden usury.
So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating
usury shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allah (to
judge); but whoever returns to dealing in usury, such are the dwellers
of the Fire - they will abide therein. Truly
those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and perform Salat,
and give Zakat, they will have their reward with their Lord. On them
shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from usury, if you are believers. And
if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allah and His
Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not
unjustly, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.
[Holy Qur’an 2:275-279]

Q.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, never gambled and did not allow it. Like
usury, gambling takes away wealth but at an even faster pace.
“People
ask you (Muhammad) about alcohol and gambling. Say, 'There is great sin
in both of them and (some benefit) for humans, but the sin is greater
than any benefit from them.' And they ask you what they should spend
(for charity, etc.). Say, 'Whatever is above your basic needs.' So,
Allah makes it clear to you His Laws in order for you to give thought.”
[Holy Qur’an 2:219]
Gambling
had not been viewed as so evil until the time of Muhammad, peace be
upon. Today, it is well established the damage gambling causes to
families and even mental health. The idea of getting something for
nothing is not the proper way of life prescribed by the teachings of
Muhammad, peace be upon him.
R.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, never drank alcohol or strong drink, even
though it was a very normal thing for people of his time and place.
"O
you believers! Intoxicating drinks, gambling, fortune telling, etc. is
the hated work of the devil. So stay away from all of that horrible
stuff, that you will be successful.”

“The
devil only wants to create hatred between you with intoxicants
(alcoholic drinks, etc.) and gambling and to keep you from the
remembrance of Allah and from your proper worship (prayers). So, why
won't you away from them?”
[Holy Qur’an 5:90-91]

The
Arabs, like most other cultures at his time, drank alcohol without
concern for their health or for their altered behavior while
intoxicated. Many of them were alcoholics.
In
today's world there is little need to present long discussions on the
evil and dangers of drinking alcohol. Besides causing diseases and
ruining a person's health, alcohol is often attributed to be the cause
of many traffic accidents resulting in property damage, injuries and
deaths. The first order was for the followers of Muhammad, peace be
upon him, to leave off drinking while engaged in worship, then came
stronger orders to leave drinking all together. Thus, offering a time
for the early Muslims to break off from their addiction to strong drink.
S.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, did not engage in gossip or backbiting and
he always turned away from hearing anything related to it.
O
you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news,
verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become
regretful to what you have done.
[Holy Qur’an 49:6]
O
you who believe! Do not allow one group scoff at another group, it may
be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women
scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the
former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames.
How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith. And
whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed wrong-doers.
O
you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are
sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like
to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate
backbiting) . And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts
repentance, Most Merciful.
[Holy Qur’an 49:11-12]
Certainly,
these teachings would be well appreciated in today's world where we
find almost everyone engaging in the worst of gossiping and insulting
of others, even the closest of relatives and loved ones.

T.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, was most generous and encouraged others to
be the same way in their dealings with others. He even asked them to
forgive the debts of others with hope of receiving a better reward with
their Lord (Allah).
And
if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time
till it is easy for him to repay, but if you remit it by way of
charity, that is better for you if you did but know.
And
be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then
every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt
with unjustly.
[Holy Qur’an 2:280-281]

S.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, commanded the payment of charity to the
poor and he was the defender and protector of widows, orphans and the
wayfarers.
"Therefore, do not oppress the orphan, nor repulse the beggar."
[Holy Qur’an 93:9-10]
Charity
is for the poor, who in Allah's Cause are restricted (from travel), and
cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one who knows
them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may
know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. And whatever
you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well
[Holy Qur’an 2:273]

U.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught people how to deal with the most
extreme difficulties and tests the occur to us throughout our lives. He
held that only through patience and a humble attitude would we find
true resolution and understanding of life's complications and
disappointments. He the most patient of all and was exemplary in his
own humbleness. All who knew him had to admit to these virtues.
O you who believe! Seek help in patience and the prayer. Truly! Allah is with the patient ones.
[Holy Qur’an 2:153]
He explained this life was a test from Allah:
And
certainly, Allah shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of
wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones.
[Holy Qur’an 2:155]
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."
[Holy Quran 2:156]

V.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, fasted for days at a time to be closer to
Almighty God and away from the narrowness of worldly attractions.
O
you who believe! Observing the fasting is prescribed for you as it was
prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious.
Holy Quran 2:183

W.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, called for an end to racism and tribalism
from the beginning to the end of his mission. He was truly the
peacemaker for all times and all
people.
O
mankind! (Allah) has created you from a male and a female, and made you
into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the
most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who is one of the
pious. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing,
All-Aware.
[Holy Qur’an 49:13]
And in another verse of the Qur’an:
“O
mankind! Have piety and be most dutiful to your Lord, Who created you
from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife
(Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah
through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the
relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an
All­-Watcher over you”
[Holy Qur’an 4:1]

X. Regarding keeping up good relationships and bringing people back together after a falling out, the Quran says:
And
if two parties or groups among the believers fall to fighting, then
make peace between them both, but if one of them rebels against the
other, then fight you (all) against the one that which rebels till it
complies with the Command of Allah; then if it complies, then make
reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allah
loves those who are equitable.
The
believers are nothing else than brothers to each other. So make
reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may
receive mercy.
[Holy Quran 49:9-10] .


Y.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught that Jesus, peace be upon him, was
the immaculate conception and miracle birth of Mary, and that she was
the best creation of Almighty God. He insisted even to the Jews of
Madinah, that Jesus, peace be upon him, was the Messiah, the Christ,
the one predicted to come in their Torah (Old Testament). He also
taught that Jesus, peace be upon him, did many miracles by the
permission of Almighty God, curing the lepers, restoring sight to the
blind and even bringing a dead man back to life, and he was not dead,
rather Almighty God had raised him up. He also predicted Jesus, peace
be upon him, is going to return again in the Last Days to lead the true
believers in a victory over the evil and unrighteous people, and he
will destroy the Anti-Christ.

Z. Muhammad,
peace be upon him, forbade any killing, even when his followers were
being killed, until the orders for retaliation came from Allah. Even
then the limits were clearly spelled out and only those engaged in
active combat against the Muslims or Islam were to be fought in combat.
And even then, only according to very strict rules from Allah.

What did Prophet Muhammad do?