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Name
Quadir
-
Profession
Question
Assalaam alaikum
Please suggest some good authentic reliable books on the Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
1) Were there leather shoes during Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) time? Did the early Muslims do masah over their leather shoes?
2) How were Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) parents- I mean, were they as blessed as the Prophet (PBUH)?
Answer
Salam Quadir,
Thank you for your question.
1) Indeed from the available records, we can see that there were leather shoes - not the modern sophisticated variety- in the Prophet's time. And as far as I know the wiping the leather shoes would be enough in order to complete the wudu, if one's feet inside the shoes are clean.
2) The Prophet's parents we may say, were blessed persons in the sense that they were the parents of the Last Prophet of Allah; but of course, they were not as blessed as the Prophet, peace be upon him.
As for the biographies of the Prophet, the following books are good ones:
1. "The Life of Muhammad" by Muhammad Husayn Haykal
2. "The Life of Muhammad" by Abdul Hameed Siddiqi
3. "Muhammad" by Martin Lings
Name
Abdul Jabbar
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Question
Asselamu alaykum Prof,
A Christian friend of mine said to me: “The fault of Muhammad was that he mixed up religion with politics” – What can you say in defence of Muhammad’s approach?
Answer
Salam Abdul Jabbar,
Thank you for your question.
Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, lived over fourteen centuries ago. The political, economical and social conditions existing in Arabia in those days were entirely different from ours. There was nothing anywhere near what we call human rights – no recognition of human equality, women’s rights, or freedom for the people to stand up for their rights etc. Indeed Arabia was one of the most backward regions in the world. There was nothing resembling a decent government – not even a primitive form of monarchy – existing in Arabia at that time. There was a sort of tribal system prevalent: In Makkah there were a number of tribes contending with one another for power at the time. Any biography of the Prophet would give you a picture of the socio-political turmoil that existed in the Hijaz region of Arabia (which includes both Makkah and Madinah) in the Prophet’s time.
And one can find that it was none other than Muhammad, peace be on him – who put in place a decent government in Hijaz region with Madinah as capital by the time he completed the preaching of Islam. Before that the whole of ‘their government machinery’ could have been transported on the back of a camel. But Muhammad, peace be on him, (an illiterate Arab of the desert himself) in the light of the revelations from Allah Almighty established what we can today call a State with all the necessary departments required at that time. So that even the powerful Roman and Persian Empires of the time had to reckon with an Islamic State, an entirely new phenomenon in history.
This extra-ordinary achievement on the part of the man Muhammad (pbbuh) is ridiculed by the Christian west, by saying that “Muhammad mixed religion and politics.. Look at our Jesus: he had nothing to do with politics: Didn’t he say that his kingdom was not of this world?”
What people often forget is: According to Christian belief, Jesus - who was Love and Mercy personified - was brutally crucified by the Romans , because the same people who saw his miracles demanded: “Crucify him, crucify him”! According to the gospels, all the twelve disciples forsook him and fled! Now compare this miserable picture of Jesus with Muhammad in a similar situation. When the enemies came to attack, Muhammad (pbbuh) was protected by his followers risking their own lives.
Modern people who view Muhammad as the “Founder of the Religion of Islam” knowingly or unknowingly black out the significance of the Magnificent Revolution he set in motion in Arabia. Islam as preached and practiced by Muhammad was not just the “personal religion” of some recluses, as it started a socio-political Revolution of far-reaching implications. A Revolution of such magnitude could not have been possible if Muhammad had not concentrated on the TOTAL change of the society. Even a casual study will convince us how thorough were the changes Islam made, not only in the life style of the people, but also in their very thought processes. Otherwise how could Muhammad raise a people who were at the lowest ebb, to the height of culture and civilization unmatched in human history?
Hope I have answered your question.
Name
Cyril
-
Profession
Question
The fact is that Muhammad was a desert Arab whose teachings had some appeal to the life and times of his people. How can we relate him to our times?
Answer
Salam Cyril,
Thank you for your question.
It is true that Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, belonged to the desert region of Arabia; and it is also true that his teachings had great relevance to the life and times of his people. But if you know history, you ought to know what his teachings did to the world: I quote two western authors:
1. Michael Hart, the author of "The 100, A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in the History," (New York, 1978) p. 33:
"… he (Muhammad) was the only man in the history who was supremely successful on both the secular and religious level. It is probable that the relative influence of Islam has been larger than the combined influence of Jesus Christ and St. Paul on Christianity. It is this unparalleled combination of the secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered to be the most influential single figure in human history."
2. George Bernard Shaw once stated:
"If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it would be Islam."
We know that all the advancement in the fields of knowledge or science has not helped humanity to live in peace with one another. It is the same instincts that ruled the savages of the past, that have in thrall even the self-styled “civilized nations”. Against this background, Islam proclaims the oneness of humanity based on the oneness of God.
Islam as taught by Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has demonstrated a practical way of establishing Peace, the core of which is the concept of the Human Brotherhood as depicted in Makkah once in every year at Hajj. The white and the black, the brown and the yellow – indeed people of all color and temperament hailing from all corners of the planet meet and mingle together as One Humanity, forgetting all their differences to worship the One God. And what is more, Muslims all over the world turn to Makkah for “salah” five times a day, standing shoulder to shoulder ‘like a solid wall’ and pray to the One True God. Not only salah and hajj, but also zakah (= obligatory charity) and sawm (= fasting during the month of Ramadan) give out to the world the same message of human brotherhood and oneness. We read in the Qur'an:
"O humankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things." (Al-Hujurat 49:13)
The Peace of Islam is not a philosophical idea, but a practical one that is realized in space and time. Islam understands that peace is impossible in a society, where oppression and exploitation of the weak is the norm: Justice is the key to peace in society. The Holy Qur'an teaches:
"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as just witnesses; and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just, that is nearer to Taqwa; and have Taqwa of Allah. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do." (Al-Ma'idah 5:8)
We know that in spite of all the conflicts that tend to tear the world apart, the world is rapidly shrinking and coming closer to become a Global Village. Therefore humans must necessarily learn to live close together with each other. In other words, they must become a true brotherhood, transcending tribal, national, racial and cultural barriers. Only Islam urges such a brotherhood.
It is the Holy Qur'an again that proclaims to the world:
"And hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah and be not divided; and remember the favor of Allah which He bestowed upon you when you were enemies and He united your hearts in love, so that by His grace you became as brothers; and you were on the brink of a pit of f re and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah explain to you His commandments that you may be guided." ('Al `Emran 3:104)
Islam makes all mankind one great brotherhood, and exhorts all of us to seek and win the pleasure of God through the righteousness and beneficence of our conduct towards each other.
Thus Islam bases itself upon a fundamental unity; unity of God, unity of the universe, unity of man and unity of life. The object of Islam is to establish a balance between all aspects of human activity and to bring about beneficent accord through adjustment.
How can any one in his senses allege that the above teachings of the Prophet among others, were relevant only to the life and times of seventh century Arabia?
Name
Mukhtar
-
Profession
Teacher
Question
Assalamu alikom
Raising up children and educating them is a difficult task. How did our dear Prophet present the model of a good father?
Thanks
Answer
Salam Mukhtar,
Thank you for your question.
The Prophet's manner of bringing up Fatima his daughter is the example before us. His other children died before they attained maturity. Indeed the Prophet's teachings about how parents should bring up children as good Muslims would suffice us to regard the Prophet as a good father too.
Even in modern times, those parents who disregard the Prophet's teachings in letting their children free to choose their life style imitating the decadent West, learn the bitter lesson a bit too late.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Sebastian
- United States
Profession
Question
Who was the ruler of Arabia - i.e. the Makkah region when Mohamed lived?
Answer
Salam Sebastian,
Thank you for your question.
It is interesting to note that at the time when Prophet Muhammad was born there was no King or Sultan ruling the Hijaz region, which included Makkah.
There was indeed a crude tribal system where the leaders of tribes contended with one another for supremacy. As a result, there used to be constant fights among them. It was to such a society that the Prophet brought a system of government comparable to a modern democratic system. And Madinah was the capital of the new "republic", we may say.
It is this contribution of Muhammad, peace be upon him, which is often overlooked by people who see him only as a "spiritual" leader. They tend to dismiss the dynamic socio-economic aspects of Islam, which make the Final Religion of Allah Almighty a perfect one.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Khateeb
-
Profession
Translator
Question
peace be with you
If you please mention few points that shed light on how The Messenger of Allah dealt with slaves and the problem of slavery.
JAK
Answer
Salam Khateeb,
Thank you for your question.
First of all, it should be realized that slavery was prevalent throughout the world as an acknowledged fact of socio-economic existence, before Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, came. In fact the economy of many regions during that period depended on a system where slavery played an integral part. It would have been impractical to eradicate slavery with a command to stop it altogether. So the method adopted by the Prophet was to prohibit it in a gradual manner, because its abolition required a period of time far longer than the life of the Holy Prophet. This was the reason why there was no categorical ban of slavery during the time of the Prophet.
In the matter of slavery, the Prophet strongly advocated freeing slaves voluntarily.
It is noteworthy that Islam was the first to initiate the emancipation movement which took the world some seven centuries to adopt and enforce.
Under the Islamic system initiated by the Prophet we see slaves exalted to the position of military commanders and leaders. When the Holy Prophet sent out an army which consisted of the closest of the Companions - Emigrants and the Helpers, the acknowledged leaders of the Arabs- he entrusted Zaid, a former slave, with the generalship of the army. After the death of Zaid the Prophet appointed his son, Osama as the commander of the army consisting of such illustrious men as Abu Bakr and Omar, his two principal Companions. Thus slaves were given not only a status equal and similar to others but were at the same time raised to the exalted positions of leading the armies of free men. In this regard the Prophet commanded the believers: “You should listen to and obey your ruler even if he was a black African slave whose head looks like a raisin.” (Bukhari).
Islamic legislation subjected slave-owners to a set of precise obligations, first among which was the slave's right to life, which in other cultures was of no significance. Above all, we should not lose sight of the fact that it was Islam that first declared the equality of all human beings, including slaves; equality in origin, in values and in destiny. Thus it was in the Islamic Ummah under the Prophet that for the first time ever, slaves became brothers and sisters of their masters. The Prophet said: "Your servants and your slaves are your brothers. Anyone who has slaves should give them from what he eats and wears. He should not charge them with work beyond their capabilities. If you must set them to hard work, in any case, I advise you to help them." (Bukhari).
And Allah knows best.
Name
Abo Amr
-
Profession
Egypt
Question
What should Muslims do to introduce their Prophet (pbbuh) to the world in a good and true image?
Answer
Salam Abo Amr,
Thank you for your question.
Indeed we can have a sort of brainstorm session regarding the best tactics we may adopt for introducing the Prophet in a good way...
One point I wish to state in this regard is that we need to convey to the world the point that Muhammad (pbuh) was human. This is because, the Christian world in particular compares Muhmmad to Jesus, who according to them is God Himself! We need to impress upon them the Qur'anic idea that only a human prophet can be a good model to humans; and Muhammad was hundred per cent human, unlike their concept of "the Son of God".
Another point is to convey the idea that Islam is not a 'spiritual' religion, but a way of life to be adopted by humans who live here below. So all aspects of human life come into the purview of Religion and the Prophet is an exemplar in all aspects of life. So the Prophet was a merchant, a military commander, a judge, a ruler etc.
He also had a family and taught us how to handle the domestic affairs in the proper manner and so on..
We need to publish booklets highlighting the above aspects of his life. We can make use of all the modern media in an effective manner, insha Allah.
Hope the above answers your question.
Name
Montaqa
-
Profession
Question
How was the life of the Prophet before the Divine revelation?
Answer
Salam Montaqa,
Thank you for your question.
The Seerah of the Prophet clearly tells us that before he became a prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, which earned him the title of Al-Amin, the trustworthy one.
The fact that Muhammad was frequently called upon to arbitrate disputes and counsel his fellow Makkans, shows his standing among the Makkans.
Muhammad was of a contemplative nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. Thus it was that it became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira' near Makkah.
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the Archangel Gabriel. This revelation finally led him step by step to the completion of Islam as the Final Prophet of Allah Almighty.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Brother
-
Profession
Question
Assalaam alaikum
How did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) pray before he attained Prophethood? What were his characteristics as a youngster?
Did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) say anything about how one knows if he loves his brother for sake of Allah?
Jazak'Allah Khairan
Answer
Salam Brother,
Thank you for your question.
The Seerah gives clear evidences to show that the Prophet avoided pagan practices before he received his first revelation. He used to meditate a great deal about the Power behind the universe and his mind used to rise towards that Power in mystic ways, we must understand.
His character as a youngster is clearly described by his biographers. [You may read my answer to a similar question above.]
And Allah knows best.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank our guest for speaking to Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
