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Muhammad, A Guidance to follow
Muhammad
as a man had already died, but as a Prophet he left behind
him a legacy in the form of the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
He stressed the urgent need to hold firmly to these two
sources during his Farewell speech in the valley of
Arafat. If people hold fast to them, they will never go
astray.
The teachings he left for us if put into practice in their
true spirit and proper way will bring a happy life in this
world and besides the indubitable rewards that will be
received by those who believed in them in the life after
death.
In
this sense, Islam is a worldly religion which cares first
for the worldly affairs of humanity. The hereafter is
merely a continuation of the worldly life. It is difficult
to portend that man can be saved in the hereafter without
being saved in this world. The safe way is to follow the
way shown to us by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
When his wife, ‘Aishah, was asked by a companion about
the Prophet’s daily conduct, ‘Aishah replied that the
conduct of the Prophet is the Qur’an which is the
guidance from Allah and Muhammad was given authority by
Allah to interpret it. That is why his conduct is
exemplary of human conduct. Islam as brought by the
Prophet Muhammad is very much misunderstood as a religion
of rituals only like prayers, fasting, almsgiving and
pilgrimage. Thanks to the new developments in the world,
Islam is now looked upon In a wider perspective than the
narrow-minded view.
The
increased interest in Islamic studies by Muslims and
non-Muslims supported by the advanced printing technology,
has begun to open the eyes of the world about the true
teaching and intrinsic values of Islam.
In
the field of economic development, the goal is not
material gain, but human welfare in general. Islam exhorts
that the balance between the material and physical
aspects, between the individual and societal needs, be
maintained in order to narrow the gap between two opposite
sides of human world. It is stated in the Qur’an:“Say,
who is there to forbid
the beauty which Allah has brought forth for His
creatures, and the good things from among the means of
sustenance. Say, they are for those who believe (in Allah)
In this worldly life, to be theirs alone in the Hereafter
on the Day of Resurrection …… Say, the only things my
Lord forbids are the shameful deeds, be they open or
secret, the sin, unjustified envy, the ascribing of
divinity to aught beside Allah, and the attributing unto
Allah of aught of which you have no knowledge”
So
everyone is free to conduct any business he likes outside
the harmful circle he has been warned not to indulge in.
If he does not listen to this warning, he will be in
trouble. Every good quality as precondition to a
successful business is encouraged by Islam.
The
Prophet himself was a businessman before he was appointed
as a Prophet. His ability to run business prudently, by
his fairness and truthful conduct in dealing with people
had won him the heart of his employer, Khadijah who later
offered him m&riage. He advocated Muslims to follow
the spirit of Prophet Daud (David) of hard work,
earned his living from his own labour. He also said that
faith of a Muslim is not complete If he is not good in his
profession. He said: “If you
leave matters to those
who are not professional, you are waiting for the
disaster”.
If
he works in the production line, his products must be
compatible with products of other companies or factories.
In order to be marketable, it must suit the taste of
buyers and their standards of living. In this regard,
Islam teaches not to cheat in offering the product to the
market. It must be shown as it is without any publicity it
does not deserve. In the life time of the Prophet, he
found many cases in market places where the merchants
tried to cheat the customers. The Prophet said to them: “Whoever
cheated are not from
amongst us (Muslims)”.
Islam
laid many regulations in the field of economy such as
trade, leasing, business transaction, contract and others
to prevent unfair dealing within the community and in the
world of business at large. What is also prevented by
Islam is a monopoly and exploitation -by one man or one
group at the expense of the others.
The
first thing in the religion brought by the Prophet
Muhammad is the care of cleanliness. The concept of
cleanliness in Islam covers physical and spiritual,
mundane and religious domains.
Before
performing any rituals, prescribed by Islam, one should
cleanse his body, and his dress, his place of worship and
his environment should be clean.
Before
performing his prayers or starting for pilgrimage, one has
to make his ablution (wudu’). If he or she is in a state
of unclean after having had a lawful Intimate intercourse
or post-natal period or other reasons, he or she has to
take a complete bath by pouring clean water over the whole
body.
In
the case of daily prayer, every Muslim has to clean
his/her private parts, face, hand, feet, mouth, nose and
ears at least five times every day for the five daily
prayers. This also reminds him/her to keep his/ her soul
clean from unlawful deeds.
Cleanliness
is not in the physical sense only. The body should be
purified as well from evil doings that might harm his
relationship with others and with God. He has to clean his
mind from bad intentions or committing unlawful acts. He
has to clean his heart from jealousy, hypocrisy and other
evil desires. He has to embody hope, truthfulness,
forgiveness, compassion, holiness, the sense of
brotherliness, neighbourliness and other noble qualities.
He
has to pay special attention to his diet against all
unhealthy food medically and religiously. He has to keep
his eyes, ears, tongue from evils. These are among the
noble characteristics as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.
To
clean the wealth, Islam instituted the zakat system (way
of purifying wealth). A person whose wealth has
reached a certain point is obligated to pay zakat (alms)
which is a duty enjoined by God and undertaken by
Muslims in the interest of society as a whole.
For
those able persons whose wealth does not reach the minimum
rate point, he can also give voluntary contribution to the
needy. This does not mean that the needy should always be
receiving help from the able.
Prophet
Muhammad said: "The upper hand
(giver) is better than the lower one (receiver of
help).”
If
the receiver of zakat can grasp the spirit of the
Prophet’s saying, he will try his best to be the giver
instead of the receiver by endeavouring to better his life
as encouraged by the teachings of Islam.
In
Islam the possession of more wealth does not raise a
man’s dignity, nor does poverty degrade him. It is true
that wealth is necessary for man to live on this earth,
but It is only a means, not the end. The end is happiness
in life by attaining the higher values and not losing
sight of in the pursuit of wealth.
Among
the great virtues of Islam is the command to do good and
the prohibition to do evil. The good should be preserved
and the evil should be discarded. In short, Islam is
actually composed of a series of commands and
prohibitions. All the commands and prohibitions are for
the good of humanity. Allah the Most Knowing, the Most
Merciful, did not decree any law and regulations but for
the good and benefit of his creatures.
The
prohibition was decreed because of its evil implications
to humanity. The evils were created to test the human
conscience and challenge their freewill in choosing
between right and wrong.
All
the commands and prohibitions from Allah as transmitted
through His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
was intended to purify the human soul in order to live a
pure and clean life adored by Allah and human genesis.
One
of the other teachings of Islam is about orderliness.
Discipline, regulation, management, planning and all other
terms relating to organisation are mostly. understood as
alien to Islam. On the contrary, Islam exhorts people to
live in orderliness and to put the right thing in the
right place. The foundation of Islamic order rests on two
main principles, the crucial -faith in one God (Allah) and
the oneness of humanity. All the frame works were laid
down in the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad applied
himself to working out the essential details of that
order.
One
of the great values taught by Islam in this regard is to
make use of the time left to humanity. The Qur'an and the
Sunnah (Traditions) mentioned about time, day,
week, month, year and century. People are lost if they did
not spend the time available to them during this life for
good things. It is a great loss if people have to waste
the valuable time they have at their disposal for useless
activities. It is true that life should be enjoyable but
not at the expense of human resources and values which are
essential for the continuation of their wellbeing.
Allah
the Most Knowing had created time and space suitable for
human activities for they can attain achievements in life.
There are times for work, study, recreation, resting and
even celebration. All are parts of activities in
worshipping Allah and serving His cause. The Qur'an says
that Allah had created day for earning and night for
resting and enjoyment. He created the sun, the moon and
all outer-space objects co that man on the earth can fix
the time and arraflge the calendar. By having a standard
time and standard calendar and the movements of
astronomical objects, people are able to regulate their
time table in choosing the right moment for them in doing
business and carrying out their activities.
Islam
prescribes certain times for the daily prayers, certain
month for the obligatory fasting and certain time during
life time for performing the haj pilgrimage which
indicates that the religion brought by Prophet Muhammad
places the life of Muslims in systematic order. For every
move and occasion made by Muslims there is a rule
governing it, be it in the form of advice, spiritual
guidance or practical directive. If all these directives
are followed and understood properly, people will have
high discipline and a well-managed life.
Islam
encourages people to think correctly before taking any
action. This means planning. There are many verses in the
Qur'an admonishing against doing things unthinkingly and
jumping to conclusions.
The
Prophet also showed good example in fulfilling promise and
staying true to treaty, agreement or contract made between
parties.
As
a man of honour he always remained true to the principles
agreed in the treaty, depicting his high discipline and
inclination of doing everything in proper order.
Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a warmhearted and
faithful friend. He loved his companions. He extended
greetings to those he knew and to those he did not know.
He treated all people around him with kindness and
affection.
He
was very courteous to all those who met him. He never
contradicted anybody who is not opposed to the teachings
of Islam. He treated equally the humble and the lofty. He
claimed no distinction and lived amongst his companions as
if he was not their leader.
He
regarded the neighbours as brothers and sisters because of
their closeness and living in the same vicinity. He once
smelt the aroma of the soup cooked by his wife. He told
her to give some of it to the neighbours who also smelt
it. He said it was not right for a Muslim to sleep with a
full stomach after having had a good meal but let his
neighbour starve. He laid the foundation for a friendly
relation and cooperation among neighbours exemplifying
that living as a neighbour one has one’s right and
responsibility.
In
regard to the rights of a neighbour, the Prophet said: “Help
him if he asks your help; give him relief if he seeks your
relief; show him concern if he is distressed and when he
is ill; attend his funeral if he dies; congratulate him If
he meets any good; sympathize with him if any calamity
befalls him; do not block his air by raising your building
without his permission and do not harass him.”
He
was a good exemplar to those who subscribe to a harmonious
society. Islam exhorts people not to violate the rights of
others and injure their interest, but should positively
cooperate with each other and establish a mutual
relationship and social cohesion.
To
safeguard the unity and solidarity of the nation and to
achieve the welfare and wellbeing of the community,
Muslims have been enjoined to avoid mutual hostility,
social dissension, backbiting one another, and hurting
others with their hand or tongue.
Islam
as brought by the Prophet Muhammad exhorts Muslims to
visit the sick, to help the needy and assist the weak.
Islam makes no discrimination on the basis of race, colour
or language. Its appeal Is to the entire humanity.
The
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) brought
changes for the betterment of women.
Woman
is recognised by Islam as a full and equal partner of man
in the procreation of humankind. He is the father, she is
the mother, and both are essential for life. Her role is
no less vital than his. By this partnership she has an
equal share in every aspect; she is entitled to equal
rights; she undertakes equal responsibilities, and in her
there are many qualities and so much humanity as there are
In her partner.
She
is equal to man in bearing personal and common
responsibilities and in receiving rewards for her deeds.
She
is equal to man in the pursuit of education and knowledge.
Islam
enjoined the seeking of knowledge upon Muslims, it makes
no distinction between man and woman.
She
is entitled to freedom of expression as much as man is.
Her sound opinions are taken into consideration and cannot
be disregarded just because she is a female.
Islam
grants woman equal fights to contract, to enterprise, to
earn and posses independently. Her life, her property, her
honour are as sacred as those of man.
Islam
has also given woman a share of inheritance. Before Islam,
she was not only deprived of that share, but was herself
considered as property to be inherited by man.
When
Prophet Muhammad arrived at Madinah, he initiated the
formation of an Islamic state. After establishing
political brotherhood and the authority of the state of
Madinah, he began negotiations with various tribes around
the dy and made treaties with them.
When
the Makkan unbelievers launched a series of attacks on
Madinah, Prophet Muhammad was able to confront them, and
when the Makkans were finally defeated in the battle of
the Trenches (Al-Khandaq), he was able to make truce with
them at Hudaibiyah for ten years. This treaty was a
masterpiece of practical statesmanship on the part of
Prophet Muhammad.
His
diplomacy in sending and receiving envoys to and from the
various chiefs of tribes and foreign rulers, his fairness
In conducting judiciary, and his general pardon at the
liberation of Makkah, was another proof of his lofty
statesmanship.
The
State he established in Madinah was not a matter of
chance. It was the very nature of his mission that he
would establish a state to enforce the way of Allah.
People might accept a new faith but it would take time to
change their habits, custom and way of life. And even If a
small group of people succeeded In changing their way of
life, there would be many others who would not let these
people practise their belief and try to stop them by
force. So the Islamic State became an urgent necessity to
protect the Islamic way of life.
The
State founded by Prophet Muhammad was invested with
physical force, as every State must necessarily be, to
fulfil its function of stopping aggression and oppression.
A
democratic system In Islam is expressed through the term
shura (council). The Qur'an says: “And
those who respond to their Lord and keep up prayer and
their affairs (of government) is by council among
themselves and who spend out of what we have given them.”.
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