Umm Muhammad | Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 129 | Size: 1 MB
The Global Messenger: At the outset, a brief explanation of some basic terms can facilitate understanding of this book as well as other material related to Islam. This preface is limited to essential background information relevant to the book, while many other concepts, such as those of worship and jihad should become clear within the content of the book.
FOREWORD
Advocates of secularism frequently blame religion for the unfortunate condition of our contemporary world with the claim that it breeds fanaticism. Undoubtedly, violent acts committed by aggressive and irresponsible members of all major religions have increased substantially in recent years. Some of them are sanctioned internationally regardless of the issues at stake because misplaced sympathies and worldly interests so demand. Our statement that Islam is a religion of peace and civilization might well be met with skepticism because this religion in particular has been the victim of its adherents as well as its enemies. Muslims long deprived of justice under the present world order are committing large scale criminal acts, erroneously assuming that the prolonged suffering of their peoples has earned them the right to take matters into their own hands. But in so doing they not only alienate public opinion but violate the most basic principles of their religion.
Another cause for bleak impressions of Islam is an increasingly biased media portrayal that targets the religion rather than its errant followers. In addition to the promotion of sensational misinformation, Islam’s opponents have now perfected the art of provocation, aware that there is no shortage of Muslims whose frustration and anger will lead them to forget religious ethics and react impulsively. All that remains after that is for the media to capitalize on the regrettable errors committed. More recently, provocation has taken the form of deliberate slander and hostile attacks on the Prophet of Islam, enraging Muslims throughout the world to a degree that is difficult for an outsider to comprehend. The positive side, however, is that Muslims have been belatedly prompted to correct the negative impressions and to share their noble Prophet with the world, something they should have been doing all along in view of the fact that he was sent with a global message for all mankind. The solution to ignorance and misunderstanding is education. Now, more than ever, Muslims need to answer to such questions as: "Who was Muhammad?" "Why is he loved so much by some and hated so much by others?" "Was he really a prophet of God?" "What did he teach?" "Did he live up to his claims?" "Did he encourage war and terrorism?" "What is the truth about this man?"
Non-Muslims, on the other hand, need to ask themselves honestly, "Does the religion itself encourage violence?" "Was this the teaching of Muhammad?" "Is everything we have been hearing lately the truth?" Then, they must seek answers with an open mind - from knowledgeable Muslims rather than biased western sources.
Religious conflicts are indeed a part of human history, but can strife be attributed to religion or to Islam in particular? Every prophet of God taught peaceful solutions through dialogue, appeal to reason and opposition even to the worst tyranny
with the least bloodshed possible. Enemies of those prophets, fearing loss of power and influence, perpetrated violence against them and their followers because they had no logical argument with which to save face and silence the opposition. And they, too, accused the advocates of religion of sedition and treason.
The purpose of this small book is not to answer ignorant or hostile critics, nor is it to recount praises of our Prophet as countless Muslim authors have done so eloquently over the centuries. Rather, it is to present facts that are based on historically verified sources and then leave the reader to make his own decision, or if he desires, to investigate the matter further.
The book is divided mainly into two sections, although the topics covered in both are interrelated and complimentary. The first acquaints the reader with information about the life of Prophet Muhammad and his global mission, while the second is concerned more with his teachings and way of life. All statements have been taken from the authentic Arabic sources which are widely available for reference and study. But serious scholarship cannot rely on translations or compilations, such as this one, in languages other than the original. A work of this sort can be no more than an outline, and is meant merely as an introduction to the Messenger of God and the message he was ordered to convey.
Another cause for bleak impressions of Islam is an increasingly biased media portrayal that targets the religion rather than its errant followers. In addition to the promotion of sensational misinformation, Islam’s opponents have now perfected the art of provocation, aware that there is no shortage of Muslims whose frustration and anger will lead them to forget religious ethics and react impulsively. All that remains after that is for the media to capitalize on the regrettable errors committed. More recently, provocation has taken the form of deliberate slander and hostile attacks on the Prophet of Islam, enraging Muslims throughout the world to a degree that is difficult for an outsider to comprehend. The positive side, however, is that Muslims have been belatedly prompted to correct the negative impressions and to share their noble Prophet with the world, something they should have been doing all along in view of the fact that he was sent with a global message for all mankind. The solution to ignorance and misunderstanding is education. Now, more than ever, Muslims need to answer to such questions as: "Who was Muhammad?" "Why is he loved so much by some and hated so much by others?" "Was he really a prophet of God?" "What did he teach?" "Did he live up to his claims?" "Did he encourage war and terrorism?" "What is the truth about this man?"
Non-Muslims, on the other hand, need to ask themselves honestly, "Does the religion itself encourage violence?" "Was this the teaching of Muhammad?" "Is everything we have been hearing lately the truth?" Then, they must seek answers with an open mind - from knowledgeable Muslims rather than biased western sources.
Religious conflicts are indeed a part of human history, but can strife be attributed to religion or to Islam in particular? Every prophet of God taught peaceful solutions through dialogue, appeal to reason and opposition even to the worst tyranny
with the least bloodshed possible. Enemies of those prophets, fearing loss of power and influence, perpetrated violence against them and their followers because they had no logical argument with which to save face and silence the opposition. And they, too, accused the advocates of religion of sedition and treason.
The purpose of this small book is not to answer ignorant or hostile critics, nor is it to recount praises of our Prophet as countless Muslim authors have done so eloquently over the centuries. Rather, it is to present facts that are based on historically verified sources and then leave the reader to make his own decision, or if he desires, to investigate the matter further.
The book is divided mainly into two sections, although the topics covered in both are interrelated and complimentary. The first acquaints the reader with information about the life of Prophet Muhammad and his global mission, while the second is concerned more with his teachings and way of life. All statements have been taken from the authentic Arabic sources which are widely available for reference and study. But serious scholarship cannot rely on translations or compilations, such as this one, in languages other than the original. A work of this sort can be no more than an outline, and is meant merely as an introduction to the Messenger of God and the message he was ordered to convey.
Contents:
Foreword
Part One
General Introduction
Allah
Islam
Prophethood
Qur’an
Muhammad and the Qur’an
Hadith
Biography
Transparent Personality
Summary of Events
Before Prophethood
The Makkan Period
The Madinan Period
Part Two
Aspects of the Prophet’s Sunnah
In the Realm of Belief
Regarding Manners and Character
Regarding Deeds and Worship
The Prophet’s Supplication
Conclusion
References
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