MUHAMMAD: A ROLE MODEL

The name Muhammadsa has different meanings and connotations to different people differently. To some, it signifies somebody worthy of praise, commendation, laudation, extolment, encomium, et cetera. Yet to others, God forbid, it stands for blood shed, terrorism, hatred, violence and so on. So much that the latter group had taken crude and offensive publications of caricature and cartoons in books and newspapers and staging of yet more offensive films as their recourse to show what the name Muhammadsa means to them. Still more, and worrisome indeed, are some of the former group who claim to hold the name Muhammadsa in high esteem but have been greatly misrepresenting him. They have ‘committed enormous and monstrous crimes’ against both God and humanity in the beautiful name they claim stands for praise and eulogy! What an irony!

It is our responsibility in this piece to reiterate how the Holy Prophet was a Role Model in the establishment of peace in the world.

Stages and or arenas in which human beings display their beingness are many. They cut across domestic, social, economic, political, national, international and religious. The Prophetsa of Islam indeed and in truth did launched and established peace in all these spheres of man’s life through the beautiful teachings of the Holy Qur’an. Sit back and take yourself through the following about the activities of Muhmmad in the establishment of peace and order.

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MUHAMMADsa AS A ROLE MODEL IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DOMESTIC PEACE

First of all, it should be established that Muhammadsa was a human being like all of us. Allah the Almighty instructed him to inform all peoples that:

Say, ‘I am only a man like yourselves; but I have received the revelation that your God is only One God. So let him who hopes to meet his Lord do good deeds, and let him join no one in the worship of his Lord.’ [18:111]

The Prophetsa confirmed this instruction with his own pious tongue in an hadith which reads:

وعن أم سلمة رضي الله عنها : أنَّ رَسُول الله قَالَ : « إنَّمَا أنا بَشَرٌ

Umm Salamah relates that the Holy Prophetsa said: I am but a man.

Being a human being, the Prophetsa, was also bound to have family of his own which would be full of many challenges. Being a pious man, however, did not exonerate him from such domestic challenges. Many examples abound in the teachings and life episodes of Holy Prophetsa on how he handled the challenges successfully. These he did to practically establish domestic peace for those of us to know and emulate.

Hadhrat Anas reports: one of the wives of the Prophetsa sent him a vessel in which was some thareed (a dish of sopped bread, meat and broth), when he was in the house of one of his other wives who struck the vessel and broke it. The Prophetsa started to pick up the threed and put it back into the broken vessel, saying [to the servant who brought the food], ‘eat, your mother is jealous. [Sunan ad-Darimi, Kitab al-Buyoo’, Bab man Kasara Shaey’an fa’alayhi mithluhu]

In another report: the Prophetsa picked up the pieces and put them together, then he gathered up the food that had been in the vessel and said, ‘Your mother is jealous’. Then he asked the servant to wait and gave him a whole vessel belonging to the wife in whose house he was, and kept the broken vessel in the house of one who had broken it.

The above scenario illustrates how the Prophetsa managed what could have degenerated to serious crisis; which might even go beyond control. But he silently put it on hold. The report does not inform us of any comment made to the wives involved. The whole matter was laid to rest.

MUHAMMAD AS A ROLE MODEL IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIAL PEACE

The model of Muhammadsa in the establishment of social peace and harmony is worthy of attention and emulation. In the eras before the advent of the Prophetsa of God, darkness has taken over the entire surface of the entire social aspect of life. Respect and honour due to the rights of everyone have gone into oblivion. But with his advent, infanticide was totally driven to a halt. [Qur'an 81:9;]. Inheritance which often caused homicides now peacefully and justly includes everyone that directly benefits from the deceased; [Qur'an 4:12-13]. Institution of marriage which includes divorce and widowhood which used to deny women of their civil rights were regulated. Each of them now has a say in any matter that concerns her. [Q. 222-243].

Let us now look at how the Prophetsa practically handed down his teachings on equality among species of man to us and on how he wants our society to be peaceful. He declared:

O men, lend me an attentive ear. For I know not whether I will stand before you again in this valley and address you as I address you now. Your lives and your possessions have been made immune by God to attacks by one another until the Day of Judgement. God has appointed for everyone a share in the inheritance. No 'will' shall now be admitted which is prejudicial to the interests of a rightful heir. A child born in any house will be regarded as the child of the father in that house. Whoever contests the parentage of this child will be liable to punishment under the Law of Islam. Anyone who attributes his birth to someone else's father, or falsely claims someone to be his master, God, His angels and the whole of mankind will curse him. O men, you have some rights against your wives, but your wives also have some rights against you. Your right against them is that they should live chaste lives, and not adopt ways which may bring disgrace to the husband in the sight of his people. If your wives do not live up to this, then you have the right to punish them. You can punish them after due inquiry has been made by a competent authority, and your right to punish has been established. Even so, punishment in such a case must not be very severe. But if your wives do no such thing, and their behaviour is not such as would bring disgrace to their husbands, then your duty is to provide for them food and garments and shelter, according to your own standard of living. Remember you must always treat your wives well. God has charged you with the duty of looking after them. Woman is weak and cannot protect her own rights. When you married, God appointed you the trustees of those rights. You brought your wives to your homes under the Law of God. You must not, therefore, insult the trust which God has placed in your hands… O men, what I say to you, you must hear and remember. All Muslims are as brethren to one another. All of you are equal. All men, whatever nation or tribe they may belong to, and whatever station in life they may hold, are equal. Even as the fingers of the two hands are equal, so are human beings equal to one another. No one has any right, any superiority to claim over another.... Even as this month [of Dhul Hijja] is sacred, this land [of Makka] inviolate, and this day [of Arafat] holy, so has God made the lives, property and honour of every man sacred. To take any man's life or his property, or attack his honour, is as unjust and wrong as to violate the sacredness of this day, this month, and this territory. What I command you today is not meant only for today. It is meant for all time. You are expected to remember it and to act upon it until you leave this world and go to the next to meet your Maker. What I have said to you, you should communicate to the ends of the earth. Maybe those who have not heard me may benefit by it more than those who have heard. [Life of Muhammad , Mirza Bashiruddeen Mahmud Ahmad, pg 279-281]

That was the last sermon of the Prophetsa during the last pilgrimage. It was well documented by his biographers, historians and authors of Books of Traditions. It is the last testament issued by him to all and sundry; especially the Muslim Ummah. It is the lasting declaration of human right which requires no amendment due to its flawlessness. It ‘is an eternal Charter of Peace for all mankind’

TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD sa  ON ECONOMIC PEACE

‘Peace depends on justice, and economic progress depends on peace.’ This was a statement made by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Imam and Worldwide Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on 7th March 2009 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

To establish justice which is requisite for economic peace, the Prophetsa of God abolished usury and interest and he established mutual trade and institution of Zakat. While the usury and interest tend to increase the wealth of the already haves in the society, Zakat establishes the rights and dues of the have nots to be given compulsorily from the wealth of the haves. It also attracts blessings of God on the owner and the property on which zakat is paid.

Trade and commerce which also promote economic growth of both individual and the state must also be based on mutual love, justice and kindness; the prophetsa taught. From the teachings of Prophet Shuaibas, Allah passes message of fair dealings in business transactions through the Holy Qur’an that:

‘ … O my people, give full measure and full weight with equity, and defraud not people of their things and commit not iniquity in the earth, causing disorder.’ [11:86]

These instructions lay it emphatically that lack of kindness, justice and fair play in business transactions do and can continuously lead to economic chaos in any given society. And to call the attention of the business class to the fact; and not to tickle the edges of the matter, Allah declares unequivocally in the Holy Qur’an:

Woe unto those who give short measure; those who, when they take by measure from other people, [they] take it full; But when they give by measure to others or weigh to them, they give them less. Do not such people know that they will be raised again; unto a terrible day, the day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds?  Nay! the record of the wicked is in Sijjin. And what should make thee know what Sijjin is? It is a Book written comprehensively. Woe, on that day, unto those who reject, Who deny the Day of Judgment.  And none denies it save every sinful transgressor. [83:2-13]

In view of the above, the Prophetsa of God has the following to say in the establishment of peace and harmony in business transaction:

رَحِمَ اللهُ رَجُلاً سَمْحاً إِذَا بَاعَ ، وَإِذَا اشْتَرَى ، وَإِذَا اقْتَضَى

May Allah show mercy to a man who adopts a kind attitude when he sells, buys and demands for the repayment of loans [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Hadhrat Imam An-Nawawi adds in his commentary of this hadith:

[A man who] adopts a kind attitude when he sells, buys, and demands for the repayment of loans" means that the buyer purchases in such a manner that the seller does not suffer any loss, and the seller sells his goods in such a way that the buyer does not feel any irritation. This also means that he feels so liberal that if the buyer wants to return what he has purchased he should accept it. Another meaning of this is that while making a purchase the customer pays more than the due price and the seller gives more goods than are due against the price that he receives. Moreover, if one has to get his claim from someone, he should do it in a polite manner. In no case should one cross the limits of civility. [Riyadh Saliheen]

From the foregoing teachings, the Prophetsa of Islam was able to establish peaceful dealings within the business class of all categories and as such establish a lasting economic peace in the world.

ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL POLITICAL PEACE

The life of the Holy Prophetsa was an ocean of examples on how to establish political harmony. He did not subscribe to persons choosing or asserting themselves as leaders on their people without their people appointing them.  A tradition records that:

عن أَبي موسى الأشعريِّ قَالَ : دَخَلْتُ عَلَى النَّبيِّ أنَا وَرَجُلانِ مِنْ بَنِي عَمِّي ، فَقَالَ أحَدُهُمَا : يَا رسول الله ، أمِّرْنَا عَلَى بَعْض مَا ولاكَ اللهُ ، وقال الآخَرُ مِثلَ ذَلِكَ ، فَقَالَ : « إنَّا وَاللهِ لا نُوَلِّي هَذَا العَمَلَ أحَداً سَألَهُ ، أَوْ أحَداً حَرَصَ عَلَيْهِ » .

متفقٌ عَلَيْهِ .

Abu Musa Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I called on the Prophet  (PBUH) with two of my cousins. One of them said to him: "O Messenger of Allah (PBUH), appoint me governor of some land over which Allah has given you authority." The other also requested for something of the same nature. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "By Allah we do not appoint someone to this post who seeks it or someone who contends for it." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Every student of world politics will agree with us that if the world takes lessons and follow the teaching of the Prophetsa enshrined in the above hadith, the world would definitely know political peace. It is the people that are required to appoint their own leaders. This although has been part of many traditional societies; but many modern societies, especially in Africa and Mid-East are characterized by political imbroglio through which self appointed political leaders assert themselves over their own people. Many a time as well, they would hold on to power while their people suffer the pains of political cheating and disorder. It is the teaching of Muhammad on the vantage of the Holy Quran that it is the right and requirement of the people to determine and choose from among themselves people of integrity to be their leaders for the sake of establishment of national political peace and harmony which always propel justice and equity.

The Holy Qur'an declares:

Verily, Allah commands you to make over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice. And surely excellent is that with which Allah admonishes you! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. [4:59]

After the right leaders might have been appointed by the people, the rights to be obeyed and supported by the followers are then reserved by God for such leaders. Allah continues in the next verse:

O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey His Messenger and those who are in authority over you. And if you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you are believers in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most commendable in the end. [4:60]

Books of traditions of the Prophetsa have recorded the following on the subject at hand:

وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما ، عن النبي قَالَ : « عَلَى المَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ السَّمْعُ والطَّاعَةُ فِيمَا أحَبَّ وكَرِهَ ، إلا أنْ يُؤْمَرَ بِمَعْصِيةٍ ، فَإنْ أُمِرَ بِمَعْصِيةٍ فَلا سَمْعَ وَلا طَاعَةَ »

متفقٌ عَلَيْه

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet  (PBUH) said, "It is obligatory upon a Muslim to listen (to the ruler) and obey whether he likes it or not, except when he is ordered to do a sinful thing; in such case, there is no obligation to listen or to obey." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعنه قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ رسول الله ، يقول : « مَنْ خَلَعَ يَداً مِنْ طَاعَةٍ لَقِيَ اللهَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلا حُجَّةَ لَهُ ،. رواه مسلم . .

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "One who withdraws his hand from obedience (to the leader) will find no argument (in his defense) when he stands before Allah on the Day of Resurrection.

وعن أنسٍ قَالَ : قَالَ رسولُ الله : « اسْمَعُوا وأطِيعُوا ، وَإنِ استُعْمِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ عَبْدٌ حَبَشيٌّ ، كأنَّ رأْسَهُ زَبيبةٌ » .

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Hear and obey even if an Abyssinian slave whose head is like a raisin is placed in authority over you." [Al-Bukhari].

وعن أَبي هريرة قَالَ : قَالَ رسول الله : « عَلَيْكَ السَّمْعُ وَالطَّاعَةُ في عُسْرِكَ وَيُسْرِكَ ، وَمَنْشَطِكَ وَمَكْرَهِكَ ، وَأثَرَةٍ عَلَيْكَ » .

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "It is obligatory upon you to listen and obey the orders of the ruler in prosperity and adversity, whether you are willing or unwilling, or when someone is given undue preference to you."

ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE

Today, the world has become a global hamlet. Countries and regions that were hitherto far removed and remote from each other are today as close as two fingers of same hand. Appreciation on this however is due but to the boom in the global Transportation, Information and Telecommunication industries. Of course, this is not at all strange in the eyes of the scholars because it has been prophesied in the words of Allah the Almighty. Coming together of the countries of the World however would not be without challenges due to many factors. Paramount among the factors is the difference in languages, cultures and traditions of people of the different nations. Apart from the above, presence and tendency of one nation arrogating power of watch-dog to herself above others is also another challenge of the global village. Hence, many regional and global crises result in the world. When such situation arises, the teaching of the Holy Prophetsa is contained in the following verse:

And if two parties of believers fight against each other make peace between them; then if after that one of them transgresses against the other, fight the party that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah. Then if it returns, make peace between them with equity, and act justly. Verily, Allah loves the just. [49:10]

That is when two or more of the United Nations are in tangle among themselves; others who are not involved in the struggle should join hands to settle the crisis amicably without fear, favour or prejudice. This is a perfect code of conduct and guiding ethics for the United Nations of today. Following these instructions of God the Holy Prophetsa himself founded national political institutions that were rooted in peace and harmony. History of how Muhammad, peace be on him, governed Madinah is a living witness to our assertion.

RELIGIOUS HARMONY

Within the circle of Muslims who are apparently adherents of same religion- Islam, the Prophetsa of God teaches that no one has meter to measure the piety of others. He categorically says, piety lies in the heart and it is only God that can measure it. Hence, no temporal punishment is prescribed anywhere, either in the Holy Qur'an on authentic sayings of the Prophet on any religious issues that unambiguously concern man and God.   

Peaceful co-existence between Muslims and other adherents of several other religions is also very well established by the Prophetsa. The teachings of the Holy Qur’an, declares openly in the following words:

And revile not those whom they call upon beside Allah, lest they, out of spite, revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus unto every people have We caused their doing to seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return; and He will inform them of what they used to do. [6:109]

The Holy Qur’an also says:                

There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right has become distinct from wrong; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress, and believes in Allah, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. [2:257]

To cap the efforts of the Prophetsa on the establishment of peace in the world, his Charter of Freedom which he granted to St. Catherine’s Monastry in Mount Sinai in 628A.D which was equivalence of 6th Hijirah comes handy here. This monumental document is unprecedented in the history of mankind. It reads:

This is the document which Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, God’s Prophet, Warner and Bearer of glad tidings has caused to be written so that there should remain no excuse for those coming after. I have caused this document to be written for the Christians of the East and West, for those who live near, and for those of the distant lands, for the Christians living at present and for those who will come after, for those Christians who are known to us and for those as well whom we do not know. Any Muslim violating or distorting what has been ordained will be considered to be violating God’s Covenant and will be transgressing against His Promise and by doing so, will incur God’s wrath, be he a monarch or an ordinary subject. I promise that any monk or wayfarer who will seek my help on the mountains, in forests, deserts or habitations, or places of worship, I will repel his enemies with my friends and helpers, with all my relatives and with all those who profess to follow me and will defend them, because they are my covenant. And I will defend the covenanted against the persecution, injury and embarrassment of their enemies in lieu of the poll tax they have promised to pay. If they prefer to defend their properties and persons themselves, they will be allowed to do so and will not be put to any inconvenience on that account. No bishop will be expelled from his bishopric, no monk from his monastery, no priest from his place of worship, and no pilgrim will be detained in his pilgrimage. None of their churches or other places of worship will be desolated or destroyed or demolished. No material of their churches will be used to build mosques or houses for the Muslims; any Muslim doing so will be regarded as recalcitrant to God and His Prophet. Monks and Bishops will be subject to no poll tax or indemnity whether they live in forests or on rivers, in the East or in the West, in the North or in the South. I give them my word of honour. They are on my promise and covenant and will enjoy perfect immunity from all sorts of inconveniences. Every help shall be given to them in the repair of their churches. They shall be absolved of wearing arms. They shall be protected by the Muslims. Let this document not be disobeyed till Judgement Day.

(Signed: Muhammad, the Messenger of God. ([Letters of the Messenger])

These were how the Holy Prophetsa established peace in all facets of human endeavor and stages of life. We hope and pray the above will also be added to several others to open the eyes of non-liberal critics of the Last Prince of Peace. It is also our prayer that the Muslim Ummah should be able to represent him well anywhere and in any situation they find themselves.