Without Miracle: The prophet accomplished the greatest miracle without demonstration of the miracle. People do not trust the religious leaders easily unless they demonstrate something unusual or work some wonder. The weakness of common people to be impressed by such demonstrations evoke their trust in the demonstrators.
In some religions, even belief in God is the result of this weakness.
In reality a man cannot move on the path of virtue and modesty with determination unless he believes that a righteous person would get a successful eternal life while a wicked person is fated to be an eternal loser. For the attainment of this objective and to imbibe this idea in people’s mind many supernatural ways and methods have been adopted in the Vedas, in the Puranas and in the New and the Old Testament.
The only great personality which kept itself away from such a method was that of Muhammad(PBUH). He lived in the sincerest and simplest manner. When he was asked to show a miracle he simply put forth the Quran. Keeping himself unconcerned with the demonstration of miracles, to influence people, the revolutionary figure of the last Prophet called upon the people towards knowledge and wisdom.
Look at his comprehensive personality. His life was not only that of a religious figure but he was the commander in the battlefields as well. He not only delivered sermons and acted as a warner to people but was also the thinker, ruler, and leader and judge. All these qualities were handsomely blended in him.
In all the battles, from Badr to Khaibar and Tabuk, he was in the forefront as a brave and intelligent general.
He was at the same time a religious leader and a military commander. Such a combination of qualities was found only in his personality. He was very much an expert in wars and weaponary. And by generating in his Companions an extraordinary courage and strength of virtuous character and conduct based on faith he left in history a glittering example.
Why did he fight? He fought neither with an expansionist motive nor to humiliate and humble his opponents. Victory and triumph of Truth was the only objective. That is why the battle was called ‘Jehad’, and the warriors laying down their lives in this ‘Jehad’ were called Shahees (martyrs). A Shaheed is one who becomes the witness of Truth by laying down his life for Truth. To run away form the battlefield and fear death leads to hell. That is what the Prophet taught about ‘Jehad’. The result of the teaching was that his Companions went fearlessly from Spain to China carrying with them the message of Islam.
Muslims faced defeat only when they deviated from the path shown by the Prophet. They never faced defeat till they followed his teachings. Rum and Iran were the super powers of the period, but could not stand before the fearlessness and unshakable faith instilled in his followers by Muhammad (PBUH).
Yes-Muhammad. The poor man born in the desert became the greatest leader and saviour of humanity. While the enemy was equipped with huge quantities of all types of weapons, and its army was far larger, arms on the side of Muslims were scanty. Even horses were not available to all. There was no comparison in arms and numerical strength. Still the Prophet and his Companions with strong faith and reliance on Allah fought and won every battle.
On the one side the Prophet’s life was simpler and more selfless than any ascetic, on the other he was a successful ruler of Arab and its surrounding areas. His life was simple and he lived in a modest house, scantily furnished. He never experienced affluence. He took a very simple diet, went on half belly-ful at times-even starved sometimes.
Tears fill our eyes when we think of it. This, in fact, is the contribution of Islam of which he was the preacher as well as the foremost follower. That is why I love Islam.
In earlier pages, I have pointed out the great revolutionary work of eradicating idol-worship done by the Prophet. But that was not all. Yet another great revolution in human history was brought by him.
The triangle of Father, Son and Holy Ghost is part of the basic faith of Christians. The Christians believe that for the salvation of the sinners Christ took on the punishment on their behalf and got himself crucified. On the third day of his death he resurrected and sat on the left of Father.
-Christ was son of God.
-He resurrected(after his death).
Those who do not accept the above two facts cannot be Christian. This Christian faith was prevalent at the time of Muhammad(PBUH). He repudiated both the beliefs. He told the people the fact that Christ was not the son of God but His Prophet. He was not crucified as Christians believe. When a group of people entered his room one among them resembled Christ and they crucified him, instead of Christ. The Quran says:
But they killed him not,
Nor crucified him,
But so it was made
To appear to them. (4:157)
We find in the Quran the name of Christ along with other prophets like Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Haroon, David, Solomon, Yunus, Elias and others. The Quran clearly declare that Christ was a Prophet and did not have elements of godliness in him.
This is not a suitable place to discuss the differences between Muslims and Christians but I want to highlight the fact that at a time when Christianity was world-power, Muhammad (PBUH) unhesitatingly challenged the wrong notions about Christ.
Christ was helped by the holy angel. Through him the Bible was bestowed upon Christ. The Quran clearly states these realities without the slightest disrespect. Likewise the Quran refutes other wrong beliefs but teaches to respect the religious personalities of other religions.
1. Refutation of falsehood.
2. Respect of all religious personalities.
Islam did not allow any mix-up in these two.
During Emergency when I was in detention under MISA I had the opportunity to go through the books of different religions, provided to me by my friends. And the book that influenced me most and which I liked the most was the Holy Quran.
