With about a billion followers, Islam forms one of the major religions in the world. Islamic teachings, as handed down by Allah through Prophet Muhammad, have influenced societies beyond the Islamic world and continue to influence events to the present day. The success of Islam stems from the exemplary qualities of Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet was a visionary merchant, an ascetic, a saint, and an adept political figure, qualities that have left a lasting legacy on the Islamic faith and are responsible for Islam’s rise to its present status.
Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in the Arabian city of Mecca in 570 CE. The followers of Islam consider Prophet Muhammad to be Islam’s last Prophet and the bearer of God’s divine message delivered through Islam’s holy book, the Quran. Muhammad was born to the Banu Hashim clan, a noble family in the Quraysh tribe. The Quraysh tribe distinguished itself as the guardians of the holiest site in Islam, the Kaaba. Muhammad’s father, Abdullah, passed away before Muhammad’s birth, while his mother, Amina, died when he was only six years old. Following these unfortunate events, Muhammad was forced to live with Abdul-Muttalib, his grandfather, before living with an uncle named Abu Talib.
Muhammad spent his formative years in Mecca, a renowned center of commerce and trade at the time. Here, he honed his skills as a merchant and became well-known for his trustworthiness, integrity, and honesty, hence earning himself the nickname Al-Amin, meaning the trustworthy one. Despite his high status in the Meccan society, he was dissatisfied and detested their obsession with material possessions. It became habitual for Muhammad to retreat to a cave in Mount Hira for reflection and meditation on life’s real purpose. Aged 40 in 610 CE, Muhammad experienced his first spiritual encounter through the Angel Gabriel, who presented him with God’s first revelation. The revelation, in the form of Quranic verses, marked the start of his prophetic journey. Initially, he shared the message with close friends and relatives. However, with time, more people received his message favorably, which prompted him to start public preaching.
Muhammad distinguished himself first as an ascetic. He was a self-disciplined man who disapproved of all forms of indulgence. These qualities made him an influential religious leader, enabling him to inspire followership from family, friends, and other Meccans. Although Muhammad’s message was starkly different from that of the traditional religious beliefs of the Meccans, his ascetic life drew the attention of many people. His message inclined toward monotheism, dictating the worship of just one God and the denunciation of idolatry. This new message was met with opposition by the elites of Mecca, who feared it would upset the flourishing trade and commerce in the city. Consequently, the early followers of Muhammad became the targets of harassment, oppression, and persecution. In the face of intensified oppression, Muhammad and his followers moved to the oasis city of Medina in 622 CE. This journey, or Hijra, became the first major event in Islam. Once in Medina, Muhammad founded the first Muslim community comprising locals and migrants from Mecca. In addition, he introduced a constitution that emphasized justice and pluralism for people from all religious backgrounds. Despite the many challenges faced by the first Muslims, his aptitude as a religious leader ensured that their faith and numbers kept growing.
Muhammad’s role in the new settlement went beyond religious leadership to political leadership. He became a trusted mediator in conflicts between families, clans, and tribes. He distinguished himself in resolving disputes and building alliances. As a political leader, he led war expeditions against Mecca, which continued to threaten the Muslim community in Medina. As a political leader during Islam’s nascent years, he ensured the safety and survival of the community against enormous odds. His political savvy resulted from his ability to transform his followers into loyal and devoted subjects.
Muhammad was also a visionary merchant. Although he led a successful as a trader, he did not shy from pursuing spiritual inquest. He felt that the purpose of life went beyond the comfort of material possessions. His experiences in the merchant world equipped him with valuable insights into the dynamics and workings of the Meccan society, both social and commercial. These skills would become invaluable in his role as a negotiator and mediator between conflicting factions and tribes in Medina and, later, in Mecca after its conquest. In 630 CE, Muhammad concluded the peace Treaty of Hudaybiyyah with Mecca, which saw the return of his followers to the city and its eventual conquest. The surrender of Mecca was met with forgiveness as Islam became the main religion in the city.
During his lifetime, Muhammad was known for his humility, piety, and exceptional character, qualities associated with saints. It could be argued that these attributes transformed him into a social activist as he distinguished himself in fighting for the rights of the downtrodden. He cared exceptionally for the needy and poor and advocated for their rights. He championed social justice, with his teaching accentuating the need to treat every human with dignity and respect. Muhammad advocated for education and learning in society. Unlike the common practice of the day, Muhammad cared for women and advocated for their rights, giving them more economical and social freedom under Islam. His exceptional character and piety elevated his status among his followers to that of a saint. He was known to be virtuous, humble, and compassionate, encouraging followers to strive for the same ideals. His advocacy for equality and social justice continues to inspire society today.
Prophet Muhammad’s life is marked by various events that led to the creation of Islam and its growth into a major world religion. His journey began with the revelation by Angel Gabriel of God’s message that saw him take on the mission of preaching Islam. Muhammad played the role of a religious, social, and political leader. His experiences as a merchant, spirituality, political savvy, and outstanding character were key contributing factors to his success as a religious, social, and political leader. Thus, we can conclude that he was a visionary merchant, an ascetic, an adept political figure, and a saint. His teachings continue to influence the lives of millions to this day.
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