communities. As they try to preserve their Islamic identity, they feel the need to read about Islam in their native, European languages. I sincerely hope that this book goes part of the way in meeting a definite need to have a reference work in English on the life of the Prophet elucidating the Islamic point of view.
There was a persistent thought in my mind as I wrote and reviewed successive drafts of this book. As readers will realize, there were events in which the Prophet took certain measures and adopted certain attitudes which are at variance with the standards of what we call ‘modern civilization’. Some of these were indeed criticized by the enemies of Islam at that time. We find that in many of these events, the Qur’ān defends or supports the Prophet’s action with absolute clarity. As is well known, the Qur’ān is God’s word, revealed part after part to the Prophet as and when God deemed fit. Its revelation took the whole of the 23 years from the time when Muhammad (peace be upon him) was told that God had chosen him as His Messenger to mankind to the time when he completed his mission and passed away to be in the companionship of his Lord. A clear statement of support to the Prophet in the Qur’ān means that God Himself gives him His backing. It is not difficult for anyone who wishes to criticize Islam, or the Prophet who conveyed its message to mankind, to pinpoint such events and then refer to the Qur’ānic support the Prophet received over them and insinuate that such support was particularly convenient to the Prophet, implying that he finds the idea of Divine revelation unconvincing. Such a view may be understandable if it can be shown that Qur’ānic revelations consistently supported the Prophet in all events and over all issues. The fact is that such support was given only when it was merited. There were other events and other measures adopted by the Prophet which earned criticism, disapproval or even censure in the Qur’ān. Some of these are not related in this history because they are rather personal in nature. Others, like the strong criticism of the Prophet’s policy over the captives at the Battle of Badr are explained in detail.
Moreover, we find that at times, Qur’ānic revelations demanded that the Prophet should do certain things which he found extremely difficult. His marriage to Zaynab bint Jaḥsh provides the clearest example. At times, we find the Prophet adopting attitudes in his personal and family life that are dictated by his faith. His own personal preferences do not appear to be a factor influencing his decisions. A clear example of these events is that which relates to his eldest daughter, Zaynab, and how she was allowed to stay with her non-Muslim husband after the Prophet and most Muslims had emigrated to Madinah. The events of her recall and subsequent protection of her husband should also be considered in this context. At other times, we find the Prophet doing what is dictated by his faith, regardless of its likely effects on him personally. A clear example is seen in the way the Prophet went about publicizing the events of his night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and subsequent ascension to heaven and then back to Makkah in the same night. Although he was aware of the abuse which was likely to be showered on him for such publicity, he went ahead with making his announcement, simply because he was required to do so.
It is universally accepted that justice requires that no verdict may be made in any case on the basis of partial information. It is necessary to consider every relevant issue before passing judgement. Hence we cannot accept criticism of the Qur’ānic support of actions taken by the Prophet without looking at the other aspects of the Qur’ānic comments on his other actions. We should also consider the Prophet’s attitude in fulfilling the tasks assigned to him, even though it was inevitable that he would be criticized for them.
Finally, I hope that this humble attempt to give an account of the life of the most noble soul that ever walked on the face of this planet shows a glimpse of his character. We should remember here that God has made it clear that in the Prophet we have an example to follow if we truly aim to please God and win the ultimate prize of admission into heaven in the life to come. When we study his character and his life, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) appears to us as a noble, dedicated, human leader who takes good care of his followers. But he is, above all, a model believer to whom we should always turn in order to determine what course to follow and what action to take. We should always remember his last reminder to us: “I have left with you what should provide you with sound guidance and immunity from error if you would only adhere to them: God’s Book and my example.”
| London | Adil Salahi |
| February 1995 |
WHEN EARLY PROPHETS are mentioned, one often thinks of Abraham – not because he was the first Prophet, for according to Islamic tradition he was not, but because God honoured him by placing prophethood in his seed. Yet when Abraham was advanced in years he was still childless and his wife Sarah, whom he loved and cherished, was beyond the age of childbearing. With unshakeable faith that God was always able to do what He willed, Abraham still hoped that one day he would have a child who would give him pleasure and happiness in his old age.
Sarah had a maid called Hagar whom she had brought from Egypt. She gave that bondswoman to Abraham and said: “I am now an old woman, well beyond the age of childbearing. I am giving you my bondswoman, Hagar, and hope that God may give you a child through her.” Before long Hagar was pregnant. She gave birth to a son, who was named Ishmael.
Abraham’s joy was great, and so was Hagar’s. She felt now that her position in the house was no longer that of a bondswoman. She was the mother of the only child of the family. As Sarah watched Hagar looking after her newborn son, her feeling of jealousy grew stronger every day, especially when she noticed that Abraham was now looking after Hagar and Ishmael, showing them great love and tenderness.
Yet Abraham was very eager to keep Sarah happy. After all, she was his wife with whom he had shared his life for many years. He felt that the only way to keep both women happy was to separate them. While pondering how to do that, he received Divine orders which settled matters for him. A perfect model of a believer who was always ready to carry out God’s orders, Abraham travelled with Hagar and Ishmael, along unfamiliar routes and deep inside the Arabian peninsula, until he arrived in the area where Makkah now stands. At that time the place was barren, with no vegetation or water. Nobody lived there. But Abraham was commanded by God to leave his son Ishmael with Hagar in that place. Since Abraham never disobeyed a command from God, he left his son there with his mother, giving them a sack of dates and whatever little water he had with him. He started on his way back to Palestine where he had left Sarah.
Hagar asked him how he could leave them in that barren valley. Abraham did not answer. He could not even look back, for he was so sorry to leave them there. It is easy to imagine that his eyes were full of tears as he moved away and left them alone. Desperate to be reassured, Hagar shouted to him: was he abandoning them there on God’s orders? When he answered in the affirmative, she said: “He who has ordered you to do that will not abandon us.”
Travelling back on his long, lonely journey, Abraham must have experienced all the feelings of an old father abandoning his only child, very young, alone with his young mother in the desert. As a firm believer in God’s wisdom, however, he felt that he could nevertheless entrust them to the care of God. He raised his hands and repeated this heartfelt prayer: “Our Lord, I have settled some of my offspring in a valley where there is no vegetation, close to Your sanctified House, so that, Our Lord, they might devote themselves to prayer. Cause You, therefore, people’s hearts to incline towards them and provide them with all sorts of fruit, so that they may have cause to be grateful.” (14: 37) With the feeling that God would not abandon those two helpless souls who were so dear to Him, Abraham continued his journey with a new sense of relief.
A Lonely Mother with Her Child
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