Muhammad (PBUH) The Prophet

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Seal of Prophet Muhammad (SAS) This is an original copy existing in Istanbul, Turkey at the Topkapi Palace

In the desert of Arabia was Mohammad born, according to Muslim historians, on April 20, 571. The name means highly praised. He is to me the greatest mind among all the sons of Arabia. He means so much more than all the poets and kings that preceded him in that impenetrable desert of red sand.

When he appeared Arabia was a desert -- a nothing. Out of nothing a new world was fashioned by the mighty spirit of Mohammad -- a new life, a new culture, a new civilization, a new kingdom which extended from Morocco to Indies and influenced the thought and life of three continents -- Asia, Africa and Europe.

When I thought of writing on Mohammad the prophet, I was a bit hesitant because it was to write about a religion I do not profess and it is a delicate matter to do so for there are many persons professing various religions and belonging to diverse school of thought and denominations even in same religion. Though it is sometimes, claimed that religion is entirely personal yet it can not be gain-said that it has a tendency to envelop the whole universe seen as well unseen. It somehow permeates something or other our hearts, our souls, our minds their conscious as well as subconscious and unconscious levels too. The problem assumes overwhelming importance when there is a deep conviction that our past, present and future all hang by the soft delicate, tender silk cord. If we further happen to be highly sensitive, the center of gravity is very likely to be always in a state of extreme tension. Looked at from this point of view, the less said about other religion the better. Let our religions be deeply hidden and embedded in the resistance of our innermost hearts fortified by unbroken seals on our lips.

But there is another aspect of this problem. Man lives in society. Our lives are bound with the lives of others willingly or unwillingly, directly or indirectly. We eat the food grown in the same soil, drink water, from the same the same spring and breathe the same air. Even while staunchly holding our own views, it would be helpful, if we try to adjust ourselves to our surroundings, if we also know to some extent, how the mind our neighbor moves and what the main springs of his actions are. From this angle of vision it is highly desirable that one should try to know all religions of the world, in the proper sprit, to promote mutual understanding and better appreciation of our neighborhood, immediate and remote.

Further, our thoughts are not scattered as appear to be on the surface. They have got themselves crystallized around a few nuclei in the form of great world religions and living faiths that guide and motivate the lives of millions that inhabit this earth of ours. It is our duty, in one sense if we have the ideal of ever becoming a citizen of the world before us, to make a little attempt to know the great religions and system of philosophy that have ruled mankind.

In spite of these preliminary remarks, the ground in these field of religion, where there is often a conflict between intellect and emotion is so slippery that one is constantly reminded of fools that rush in where angels fear to tread. It is also not so complex from another point of view. The subject of my writing is about the tenets of a religion which is historic and its prophet who is also a historic personality. Even a hostile critic like Sir William Muir speaking about the holy Quran says that. "There is probably in the world no other book which has remained twelve centuries with so pure text." I may also add Prophet Mohammad is also a historic personality, every event of whose life has been most carefully recorded and even the minutest details preserved intact for the posterity. His life and works are not wrapped in mystery.

My work today is further lightened because those days are fast disappearing when Islam was highly misrepresented by some of its critics for reasons political and otherwise. Prof. Bevan writes in Cambridge Medieval History, "Those account of Mohammad and Islam which were published in Europe before the beginning of 19th century are now to be regarded as literary curiosities." My problem is to write this monograph is easier because we are now generally not fed on this kind of history and much time need be spent on pointing out our misrepresentation of Islam.

The theory of Islam and Sword for instance is not heard now frequently in any quarter worth the name. The principle of Islam that there is no compulsion in religion is well known. Gibbon, a historian of world repute says, "A pernicious tenet has been imputed to Mohammadans, the duty of extirpating all the religions by sword." This charge based on ignorance and bigotry, says the eminent historian, is refuted by Quran, by history of Musalman conquerors and by their public and legal toleration of Christian worship. The great success of Mohammad's life had been effected by sheer moral force, without a stroke of sword.

But in pure self-defense, after repeated efforts of conciliation had utterly failed, circumstances dragged him into the battlefield. But the prophet of Islam changed the whole strategy of the battlefield. The total number of casualties in all the wars that took place during his lifetime when the whole Arabian Peninsula came under his banner, does not exceed a few hundreds in all. But even on the battlefield he taught the Arab barbarians to pray, to pray not individually, but in congregation to God the Almighty. During the dust and storm of warfare whenever the time for prayer came, and it comes five times a every day, the congregation prayer had not to be postponed even on the battlefield. A party had to be engaged in bowing their heads before God while other was engaged with the enemy. After finishing the prayers, the two parties had to exchange their positions. To the Arabs, who would fight for forty years on the slight provocation that a camel belonging to the guest of one tribe had strayed into the grazing land belonging to other tribe and both sides had fought till they lost 70,000 lives in all; threatening the extinction of both the tribes to such furious Arabs, the Prophet of Islam taught self-control and discipline to the extent of praying even on the battlefield. In an aged of barbarism, the Battlefield itself was humanized and strict instructions were issued not to cheat, not to break trust, not to mutilate, not to kill a child or woman or an old man, not to hew down date palm nor burn it, not to cut a fruit tree, not to molest any person engaged in worship. His own treatment with his bitterest enemies is the noblest example for his followers. At the conquest of Mecca, he stood at the zenith of his power. The city which had refused to listen to his mission, which had tortured him and his followers, which had driven him and his people into exile and which had unrelentingly persecuted and boycotted him even when he had taken refuge in a place more than 200 miles away, that city now lay at his feet. By the laws of war he could have justly avenged all the cruelties inflicted on him and his people. But what treatment did he accord to them? Mohammad's heart flowed with affection and he declared, "This day, there is no REPROOF against you and you are all free." "This day" he proclaimed, "I trample under my feet all distinctions between man and man, all hatred between man and man."

This was one of the chief objects why he permitted war in self defense, that is to unite human beings. And when once this object was achieved, even his worst enemies were pardoned. Even those who killed his beloved uncle, Hamazah, mangled his body, ripped it open, even chewed a piece of his liver.

The principles of universal brotherhood and doctrine of the equality of mankind which he proclaimed represents one very great contribution of Mohammad to the social uplift of humanity. All great religions have preached the same doctrine but the prophet of Islam had put this theory into actual practice and its value will be fully recognized, perhaps centuries hence, when international consciousness being awakened, racial prejudices may disappear and greater brotherhood of humanity come into existence.

Miss. Sarojini Naidu speaking about this aspect of Islam says, "It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy; for in the mosque, when the minaret is sounded and the worshipers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and the king kneel side by side and proclaim, God alone is great." The great poetess of India continues, "I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes a man instinctively a brother. When you meet an Egyptian, an Algerian and Indian and a Turk in London, it matters not that Egypt is the motherland of one and India is the motherland of another."

Mahatma Gandhi, in his inimitable style, says "Some one has said that Europeans in South Africa dread the advent Islam -- Islam that civilized Spain, Islam that took the torch light to Morocco and preached to the world the Gospel of brotherhood. The Europeans of South Africa dread the Advent of Islam. They may claim equality with the white races. They may well dread it, if brotherhood is a sin. If it is equality of colored races then their dread is well founded."

Every year, during the Hajj, the world witnesses the wonderful spectacle of this international Exhibition of Islam in leveling all distinctions of race, color and rank. Not only the Europeans, the African, the Arabian, the Persian, the Indians, the Chinese all meet together in Makkah as members of one divine family, but they are clad in one dress every person in two simple pieces of white seamless cloth, one piece round the loin the other piece over the shoulders, bare head without pomp or ceremony, repeating "Here am I O God; at thy command; thou art one and alone; Here am I." Thus there remains nothing to differentiate the high from the low and every pilgrim carries home the impression of the international significance of Islam.

In the opinion of Prof. Hurgronje "the league of nations founded by prophet of Islam put the principle of international unity of human brotherhood on such Universal foundations as to show candle to other nations." In the words of same Professor "the fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islam has done the realization of the idea of the League of Nations."

The prophet of Islam brought the reign of democracy in its best form. The Caliph Caliph Ali and the son in-law of the prophet, the Caliph Mansur, Abbas, the son of Caliph Mamun and many other caliphs and kings had to appear before the judge as ordinary men in Islamic courts. Even today we all know how the black Negroes were treated by the civilized white races. Consider the state of BILAL, a Negro Slave, in the days of the prophet of Islam nearly 14 centuries ago. The office of calling Muslims to prayer was considered to be of status in the early days of Islam and it was offered to this Negro slave. After the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet ordered him to call for prayer and the Negro slave, with his black color and his thick lips, stood over the roof of the holy mosque at Mecca called the Ka'ba the most historic and the holiest mosque in the Islamic world, when some proud Arabs painfully cried loud, "Oh, this black Negro Slave, woe be to him. He stands on the roof of holy Ka'ba to call for prayer." At that moment, the prophet announced to the world, this verse of the holy QURAN for the first time.

"O mankind, surely we have created you, families and tribes, so you may know one another.
Surely, the most honorable of you with God is MOST RIGHTEOUS AMONG you.
Surely, God is Knowing, Aware."

And these words of the holy Quran created such a mighty transformation that the Caliph of Islam, the purest of Arabs by birth, offered their daughter in marriage to this Negro Slave, and whenever, the second Caliph of Islam, known to history as Umar the great, the commander of faithful, saw this Negro slave, he immediately stood in reverence and welcomed him by "Here come our master; Here come our lord." What a tremendous change was brought by Quran in the Arabs, the proudest people at that time on the earth. This is the reason why Goethe, the greatest of German poets, speaking about the Holy Quran declared that, "This book will go on exercising through all ages a most potent influence." This is also the reason why George Bernard Shaw says, "If any religion has a chance or ruling over England, say, Europe, within the next 100 years, it is Islam".

It is this same democratic spirit of Islam that emancipated women from the bondage of man. Sir Charles Edward Archibald Hamilton says "Islam teaches the inherent sinlessness of man. It teaches that man and woman and woman have come from the same essence, posses the same soul and have been equipped with equal capabilities for intellectual, spiritual and moral attainments."

The Arabs had a very strong tradition that one who can smite with the spear and can wield the sword would inherit. But Islam came as the defender of the weaker sex and entitled women to share the inheritance of their parents. It gave women, centuries ago right of owning property, yet it was only 12 centuries later , in 1881, that England, supposed to be the cradle of democracy adopted this institution of Islam and the act was called "the married woman act", but centuries earlier, the Prophet of Islam had proclaimed that "Woman are twin halves of men. The rights of women are sacred. See that women maintained rights granted to them."

Islam is not directly concerned with political and economic systems, but indirectly and in so far as political and economic affairs influence man's conduct, it does lay down some very important principles to govern economic life. According to Prof. Massignon, it maintains the balance between exaggerated opposites and has always in view the building of character which is the basis of civilization. This is secured by its law of inheritance, by an organized system of charity known as Zakat, and by regarding as illegal all anti-social practices in the economic field like monopoly, usury, securing of predetermined unearned income and increments, cornering markets, creating monopolies, creating an artificial scarcity of any commodity in order to force the prices to rise. Gambling is illegal. Contribution to schools, to places of worship, hospitals, digging of wells, opening of orphanages are highest acts of virtue. Orphanages have sprung for the first time, it is said, under the teaching of the prophet of Islam. The world owes its orphanages to this prophet born an orphan. "Good all this" says Carlyle about Mohammad. "The natural voice of humanity, of pity and equity, dwelling in the heart of this wild son of nature, speaks."

A historian once said a great man should be judged by three tests: Was he found to be of true metal by his contemporaries ? Was he great enough to raise above the standards of his age ? Did he leave anything as permanent legacy to the world at large ? This list may be further extended but all these three tests of greatness are eminently satisfied to the highest degree in case of prophet Mohammad. Some illustrations of the last two have already been mentioned.

The first is: Was the Prophet of Islam found to be of true metal by his contemporaries?

Historical records show that all the contemporaries of Mohammad both friends foes, acknowledged the sterling qualities, the spotless honesty, the noble virtues, the absolute sincerity and every trustworthiness of the apostle of Islam in all walks of life and in every sphere of human activity. Even the Jews and those who did not believe in his message, adopted him as the arbiter in their personal disputes by virtue of his perfect impartiality. Even those who did not believe in his message were forced to say "O Mohammad, we do not call you a liar, but we deny him who has given you a book and inspired you with a message." They thought he was one possessed. They tried violence to cure him. But the best of them saw that a new light had dawned on him and they hastened him to seek the enlightenment. It is a notable feature in the history of prophet of Islam that his nearest relation, his beloved cousin and his bosom friends, who know him most intimately, were not thoroughly imbued with the truth of his mission and were convinced of the genuineness of his divine inspiration. If these men and women, noble, intelligent, educated and intimately acquainted with his private life had perceived the slightest signs of deception, fraud, earthliness, or lack of faith in him, Mohammad's moral hope of regeneration, spiritual awakening, and social reform would all have been foredoomed to a failure and whole edifice would have crumbled to pieces in a moment. On the contrary, we find that devotion of his followers was such that he was voluntarily acknowledged as dictator of their lives. They braved for him persecutions and danger; they trusted, obeyed and honored him even in the most excruciating torture and severest mental agony caused by excommunication even unto death. Would this have been so, had they noticed the slightest backsliding in their master?

Read the history of the early converts to Islam, and every heart would melt at the sight of the brutal treatment of innocent Muslim men and women.

Sumayya, an innocent women, is cruelly torn into pieces with spears. An example is made of "Yassir whose legs are tied to two camels and the beast were are driven in opposite directions", Khabbab bin Arth is made lie down on the bed of burning coal with the brutal legs of their merciless tyrant on his breast so that he may not move and this makes even the fat beneath his skin melt. "Khabban bin Adi is put to death in a cruel manner by mutilation and cutting off his flesh piece-meal." In the midst of his tortures, being asked weather he did not wish Mohammad in his place while he was in his house with his family, the sufferer cried out that he was gladly prepared to sacrifice himself his family and children and why was it that these sons and daughters of Islam not only surrendered to their prophet their allegiance but also made a gift of their hearts and souls to their master? Is not the intense faith and conviction on part of immediate followers of Mohammad, the noblest testimony to his sincerity and to his utter self-absorption in his appointed task?

And these men were not of low station or inferior mental caliber. Around him in quite early days, gathered what was best and noblest in Mecca, its flower and cream, men of position, rank, wealth and culture, and from his own kith and kin, those who knew all about his life. All the first four Caliphs, with their towering personalities, were converts of this period.

The Encyclopedia Brittanica says that "Mohammad is the most successful of all Prophets and religious personalities".

But the success was not the result of mere accident. It was not a hit of fortune. It was a recognition of fact that he was found to be true metal by his contemporaries. It was the result of his admirable and all compelling personality.

The personality of Mohammad! It is most difficult to get into the truth of it. Only a glimpse of it I can catch. What a dramatic succession of picturesque scenes. There is Mohammad the Prophet, there is Mohammad the General; Mohammad the King; Mohammad the Warrior; Mohammad the Businessman; Mohammad the Preacher; Mohammad the Philosopher; Mohammad the Statesman; Mohammad the Orator; Mohammad the reformer; Mohammad the Refuge of orphans; Mohammad the Protector of slaves; Mohammad the Emancipator of women; Mohammad the Law-giver; Mohammad the Judge; Mohammad the Saint.

And in all these magnificent roles, in all these departments of human activities, he is like, a hero..

Orphanhood is extreme of helplessness and his life upon this earth began with it; Kingship is the height of the material power and it ended with it. From an orphan boy to a persecuted refugee and then to an overlord, spiritual as well as temporal, of a whole nation and Arbiter of its destinies, with all its trials and temptations, with all its vicissitudes and changes, its lights and shades, its up and downs, its terror and splendor, he has stood the fire of the world and came out unscathed to serve as a model in every face of life. His achievements are not limited to one aspect of life, but cover the whole field of human conditions.

If for instance, greatness consist in the purification of a nation, steeped in barbarism and immersed in absolute moral darkness, that dynamic personality who has transformed, refined and uplifted an entire nation, sunk low as the Arabs were, and made them the torch-bearer of civilization and learning, has every claim to greatness. If greatness lies in unifying the discordant elements of society by ties of brotherhood and charity, the prophet of the desert has got every title to this distinction. If greatness consists in reforming those warped in degrading and blind superstition and pernicious practices of every kind, the prophet of Islam has wiped out superstitions and irrational fear from the hearts of millions. If it lies in displaying high morals, Mohammad has been admitted by friend and foe as Al Amin, or the faithful. If a conqueror is a great man, here is a person who rose from helpless orphan and an humble creature to be the ruler of Arabia, the equal to Chosroes and Caesars, one who founded great empire that has survived all these 14 centuries. If the devotion that a leader commands is the criterion of greatness, the prophet's name even today exerts a magic charm over millions of souls, spread all over the world.

He had not studied philosophy in the school of Athens of Rome, Persia, India, or China. Yet, He could proclaim the highest truths of eternal value to mankind. Illiterate himself, he could yet speak with an eloquence and fervor which moved men to tears, to tears of ecstasy. Born an orphan blessed with no worldly goods, he was loved by all. He had studied at no military academy; yet he could organize his forces against tremendous odds and gained victories through the moral forces which he marshaled. Gifted men with genius for preaching are rare. Descartes included the perfect preacher among the rarest kind in the world. Hitler in his Mein Kamp has expressed a similar view. He says "A great theorist is seldom a great leader. An Agitator is more likely to posses these qualities. He will always be a great leader. For leadership means ability to move masses of men. The talents to produce ideas has nothing in common with capacity for leadership." "But", he says, "The Union of theorists, organizer and leader in one man, is the rarest phenomenon on this earth; Therein consists greatness."

In the person of the Prophet of Islam the world has seen this rarest phenomenon walking on the earth, walking in flesh and blood.

And more wonderful still is what the reverend Bosworth Smith remarks, "Head of the state as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one; but, he was pope without the pope's claims, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar, without an standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue. If ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by a right divine It was Mohammad, for he had all the power without instruments and without its support. He cared not for dressing of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life."

After the fall of Mecca, more than one million square miles of land lay at his feet, Lord of Arabia, he mended his own shoes and coarse woolen garments, milked the goats, swept the hearth, kindled the fire and attended the other menial offices of the family. The entire town of Medina where he lived grew wealthy in the later days of his life. Everywhere there was gold and silver in plenty and yet in those days of prosperity many weeks would elapse without a fire being kindled in the hearth of the king of Arabia, His food being dates and water. His family would go hungry many nights successively because they could not get anything to eat in the evening. He slept on no soften bed but on a palm mat, after a long busy day to spend most of his night in prayer, often bursting with tears before his creator to grant him strength to discharge his duties. As the reports go, his voice would get choked with weeping and it would appear as if a cooking pot was on fire and boiling had commenced. On the very day of his death his only assets were few coins a part of which went to satisfy a debt and rest was given to a needy person who came to his house for charity. The clothes in which he breathed his last had many patches. The house from where light had spread to the world was in darkness because there was no oil in the lamp.

Circumstances changed, but the prophet of God did not. In victory or in defeat, in power or in adversity, in affluence or in indigence, he is the same man, disclosed the same character. Like all the ways and laws of God, Prophets of God are unchangeable.

An honest man, as the saying goes, is the noblest work of God, Mohammad was more than honest. He was human to the marrow of his bones. Human sympathy, human love was the music of his soul. To serve man, to elevate man, to purify man, to educate man, in a word to humanize man-this was the object of his mission, the be-all and end all of his life. In thought, in word, in action he had the good of humanity as his sole inspiration, his sole guiding principle.

He was most unostentatious and selfless to the core. What were the titles he assumed? Only true servant of God and His Messenger. Servant first, and then a messenger. A Messenger and prophet like many other prophets in every part of the world, some known to you, many not known you. If one does not believe in any of these truths one ceases to be a Muslim. It is an article of faith.

"Looking at the circumstances of the time and unbounded reverence of his followers" says a western writer "the most miraculous thing about Mohammad is, that he never claimed the power of working miracles." Miracles were performed but not to propagate his faith and were attributed entirely to God and his inscrutable ways. He would plainly say that he was a man like others. He had no treasures of earth or heaven. Nor did he claim to know the secrets of that lie in womb of future. All this was in an age when miracles were supposed to be ordinary occurrences, at the back and call of the commonest saint, when the whole atmosphere was surcharged with supernaturalism in Arabia and outside Arabia.

He turned the attention of his followers towards the study of nature and its laws, to understand them and appreciate the Glory of God. The Quran says,

"God did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in play. He did not create them all but with the truth. But most men do not know."

The world is not illusion, nor without purpose. It has been created with the truth. The number of verses inviting close observation of nature are several times more than those that relate to prayer, fasting, pilgrimage etc. all put together. The Muslim under its influence began to observe nature closely and this give birth to the scientific spirit of the observation and experiment which was unknown to the Greeks. While the Muslim Botanist Ibn Baitar wrote on Botany after collecting plants from all parts of the world, described by Myer in his Gesch. der Botanikaa-s, a monument of industry, while Al Byruni traveled for forty years to collect mineralogical specimens, and Muslim Astronomers made some observations extending even over twelve years. Aristotle wrote on Physics without performing a single experiment, wrote on natural history, carelessly stating without taking the trouble to ascertain the most verifiable fact that men have more teeth than animal. Galen, the greatest authority on classical anatomy informed that the lower jaw consists of two bones, a statement which is accepted unchallenged for centuries till Abdul Lateef takes the trouble to examine a human skeleton. After enumerating several such instances, Robert Briffault concludes in his well known book The making of humanity, "The debt of our science to the Arabs does not consist in starting discovers or revolutionary theories. Science owes a great more to Arabs culture; it owes is existence." The same writer says "The Greeks systematized, generalized and theorized but patient ways of investigation, the accumulation of positive knowledge, the minute methods of science, detailed and prolonged observation, experimental inquiry, were altogether alien to Greek temperament. What we call science arose in Europe as result of new methods of investigation, of the method of experiment, observation, measurement, of the development of Mathematics in form unknown to the Greeks. That spirit and these methods, concludes the same author, were introduced into the European world by Arabs."

It is the same practical character of the teaching of Prophet Mohammad that gave birth to the scientific spirit, that has also sanctified the daily labors and the so called mundane affairs. The Quran says that God has created man to worship him but the word worship has a connotation of its own. Gods worship is not confined to prayer alone, but every act that is done with the purpose of winning approval of God and is for the benefit of the humanity comes under its purview. Islam sanctifies life and all its pursuits provided they are performed with honesty, justice and pure intents. It obliterates the age-long distinction between the sacred and profane. The Quran says if you eat clean things and thank God for it, it is an act of worship. It is saying of the prophet of Islam that Morsel of food that one places in the mouth of his wife is an act of virtue to be rewarded by God. Another tradition of the Prophet says "He who is satisfying the desire of his heart will be rewarded by God provided the methods adopted are permissible." A person was listening to him exclaimed 'O Prophet of God, he is answering the calls of passions, is only satisfying the craving of his heart. Forthwith came the reply, "Had he adopted an awful method for the satisfaction of his urge, he would have been punished; then why should he not be rewarded for following the right course."

This new conception of religion that it should also devote itself to the betterment of this life rather than concern itself exclusively with super mundane affairs, has led to a new orientation of moral values. Its abiding influence on the common relations of mankind in the affairs of every day life, its deep power over the masses, its regulation of their conception of rights and duty, its suitability and adaptability to the ignorant savage and the wise philosopher are characteristic features of the teaching of the Prophet of Islam.

But it should be most carefully born in mind this stress on good actions is not the sacrifice correctness of faith. While there are various school of thought, one praising faith at the expense of deeds, another exhausting various acts to the detriment of correct belief, Islam is based on correct faith and righteous actions. Means are important as the end and ends are as important as the means. It is an organic Unity. Together they live and thrive. Separate them and both decay and die. In Islam faith can not be divorced from the action. Right knowledge should be transferred into right action to produce the right results. How often the words came in Quran -- Those who believe and do good thing, they alone shall enter paradise. Again and again, not less than fifty times these words are repeated as if too much stress can not be laid on them. Contemplation is encouraged but mere contemplation is not the goal. Those who believe and do nothing can not exist in Islam. These who believe and do wrong are inconceivable. Divine law is the law of effort and not of ideals. It chalks out for the men the path of eternal progress from knowledge to action and from action to satisfaction.

But what is the correct faith from which right action spontaneously proceeds resulting in complete satisfaction. Here the central doctrine of Islam is the Unity of God. There is no God but God is the pivot from which hangs the whole teaching and practice of Islam. He is unique not only as regards his divine being but also as regards his divine attributes.

As regards the attributes of God, Islam adopts here as in other things too, the law of golden mean. It avoids on the one hand, the view of God which divests the divine being of every attribute and rejects, on the other, the view which likens him to things material. The Quran says, On the one hand, there is nothing which is like him, on the other , it affirms that he is Seeing, Hearing, Knowing. He is the King who is without a stain of fault or deficiency, the mighty ship of His power floats upon the ocean of justice and equity. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. He is the Guardian over all. Islam does not stop with this positive statement. It adds further which is its most special characteristic, the negative aspects of problem. There is also no one else who is guardian over everything. He is the meander of every breakage, and no one else is the meander of any breakage. He is the restorer of every loss and no one else is the restorer of any loss what-so-over. There is no God but one God, above any need, the maker of bodies, creator of souls, the Lord of the day of judgment, and in short, in the words of Quran, to him belong all excellent qualities.

Regarding the position of man in relation to the Universe, the Quran says:

"God has made subservient to you whatever is on the earth or in universe. You are destined to rule over the Universe."

But in relation to God, the Quran says:

"O man God has bestowed on you excellent faculties and has created life and death to put you to test in order to see whose actions are good and who has deviated from the right path."

In spite of free will which he enjoys, to some extent, every man is born under certain circumstances and continues to live under certain circumstances beyond his control. With regard to this God says, according to Islam, it is my will to create any man under condition that seem best to me. cosmic plans finite mortals can not fully comprehend. But I will certainly test you in prosperity as well in adversity, in health as well as in sickness, in heights as well as in depths. My ways of testing differ from man to man, from hour to hour. In adversity do not despair and do resort to unlawful means. It is but a passing phase. In prosperity do not forget God. God-gifts are given only as trusts. You are always on trial, every moment on test. In this sphere of life there is not to reason why, there is but to do and die. If you live in accordance with God; and if you die, die in the path of God. You may call it fatalism. but this type of fatalism is a condition of vigorous increasing effort, keeping you ever on the alert. Do not consider this temporal life on earth as the end of human existence. There is a life after death and it is eternal. Life after death is only a connection link, a door that opens up hidden reality of life. Every action in life however insignificant, produces a lasting effect. It is correctly recorded somehow. Some of the ways of God are known to you, but many of his ways are hidden from you. What is hidden in you and from you in this world will be unrolled and laid open before you in the next. the virtuous will enjoy the blessing of God which the eye has not seen, nor has the ear heard, nor has it entered into the hearts of men to conceive of they will march onward reaching higher and higher stages of evolution. Those who have wasted opportunity in this life shall under the inevitable law, which makes every man taste of what he has done, be subjugated to a course of treatment of the spiritual diseases which they have brought about with their own hands. Beware, it is terrible ordeal. Bodily pain is torture, you can bear somehow. Spiritual pain is hell, you will find it almost unbearable. Fight in this life itself the tendencies of the spirit prone to evil, tempting to lead you into iniquities ways. Reach the next stage when the self-accusing sprit in your conscience is awakened and the soul is anxious to attain moral excellence and revolt against disobedience. This will lead you to the final stage of the soul at rest, contented with God, finding its happiness and delight in him alone. The soul no more stumbles. The stage of struggle passes away. Truth is victorious and falsehood lays down its arms. All complexes will then be resolved. Your house will not be divided against itself. Your personality will get integrated round the central core of submission to the will of God and complete surrender to his divine purpose. All hidden energies will then be released. The soul then will have peace. God will then address you:

"O thou soul that art at rest, and restest fully contented with thy Lord return to thy Lord. He pleased with thee and thou pleased with him; So enter among my servants and enter into my paradise."

This is the final goal for man; to become, on the, one hand, the master of the universe and on the other, to see that his soul finds rest in his Lord, that not only his Lord will be pleased with him but that he is also pleased with his Lord. Contentment, complete contentment, satisfaction, complete satisfaction, peace, complete peace. The love of God is his food at this stage and he drinks deep at the fountain of life. Sorrow and defeat do not overwhelm him and success does not find him in vain and exulting.

The western nations are only trying to become the master of the Universe. But their souls have not found peace and rest.

Thomas Carlyle, struck by this philosophy of life writes "and then also Islam-that we must submit to God; that our whole strength lies in resigned submission to Him, whatsoever he does to us, the thing he sends to us, even if death and worse than death, shall be good, shall be best; we resign ourselves to God." The same author continues "If this be Islam, says Goethe, do we not all live in Islam?" Carlyle himself answers this question of Goethe and says "Yes, all of us that have any moral life, we all live so. This is yet the highest wisdom that heaven has revealed to our earth."

Re-printed from "Islam and Modern age", Hydrabad, March 1978.

Prof. K. S. Ramakrishna Rao, is the Head of the Department of Philosophy, Government College for Women University of Mysore, India


  Category: Faith & Spirituality, Featured
  Topics: Prophet Muhammad (S)
Views: 91024

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Older Comments:
JOE MOALES FROM USA said:

ohammad was a great leader but not a wholly man. Middle easter people,exept jews, never had a religious leader and there it it comes mohammad the first the shows up and there everyone falls on their knees. Come on guys wake up. You must question this guy. Unless you have not a better one. You try to tell that you can do not better than jesus. then you are doom.
2012-05-14

SUHARTO FROM PHILIPPINES said:
This article is very inspirational, especially when the writer described how simple is the life of prophet Muammad(saw).Prophet Muhammad (saw) shows how simple islam is yet complete.
2011-09-18

ABDUL SWAMAT FROM MYANMAR said:
i'm very glad of i was born in Islamic(Muslim)...
and then i very love of My Allah... and My Prophet (Muhaarmad)
it's real....
[email protected]
salam.
Rgds..
2009-10-03

HAJJAH ALAISA MUKASA FROM UGANDA said:
Assalaam aleikum. May Allah Bless Prof. K S Ramakrishna Rao and all those he loves for this beautiful article about His most beloved Prophet, Muhammad(S.A.W) I have goose bumps, i am even trembling slightly from reading this article and i am a Muslim. It just reminds us of the beauty and awesomeness of total submission to the will of God. I thank the Almighty God for allowing me to discover IslamiCity.com where i get to read such articles that continue to uplift and strengthen my faith, my belief in Islam; the true way of life. Allahumma swali ala saidna Muhammad wa'ala ali wa swahbeh wa ssallam. Alhamdulillahi rabil ul Al'Ameen.

May Allah Guide us to the straight path, the path of those who He has favored until the day we depart from this World and reward us with the best of Paradise in the Hereafter. Ameen
2009-03-04

NHNH FROM AUSTRALIA said:
i am not muslim but this is the way we should look at all religions


with respect
2008-11-11

ALI FROM US said:
Asak: First of all I thank islamicity for posting this article which is so important for this present world , for adults and for youth and kids , to know the truth about beloved prophet Mohammad sallaialwasallam and Islam. I really appreciate and thank Dr. Rao for writing this aricle and letting the world know the truth about Islam and beloved prophet Mohammad sallaialwasallam. Thank you brother for this effort Allah may reward you for this.I will send this article to all my muslim and non-muslim friends.
2008-03-29

RAIHAN FROM US said:
Contd. for Martel,
Muslims are allowed to invite non-Muslims and entertain them in their homes, while Christian Bible, as it exists today, does not allow a Christian to let a non-believer in their house. This is besides the point, but I thought I would mention that.
As continuation of my last comment, Muslims can only fight those who fight them; Muslims can only fight to establish justice in a community unlike popular belief propagated by the hate mongers that
Islam tells us to kill anyone who does not agree with us.
We all should educate ourselves. Otherwise, we will unwittingly deprive ourselves from the truth that can free us, or we will end up creating more hatred and violence.
It is unjust to take verses of the Holy Quran out of their context or to misquote them.
May Allah guide us all!
Allah knows best!
Take care.
2008-03-28

RAIHAN FROM US said:
Martel,
First of all, my comments are in no way attempts to justify Allah's laws. I would never dare do so!
You have mentioned several verses from the Quran to prove that it is full of contradictions. Well, the contradiction is in your mind, not in the Quran. I do not doubt you read the Quran. I, however, doubt you read it understanding the context in which the verses were revealed. The other possibility is (I hope I am wrong), you read simply to find fault with it. Otherwise you would have mentioned other verses of the Quran, like the one that orders us to be nice to those non-Muslims who do not persecute us. This verse alone proves your theory wrong, and tells us that all those other verses that forbids us to be friends with non-believers do not apply to those that did not persecute us.
Muslim experience, since the beginning, has been a bitter one; it was full of betrayal and persecution by those that we trusted or made treaties with. While Muslims religiously honored their part of the treaty, the other party frequently quashed it at their whim. A simple example is the incidence when 60 unarmed Muslim scholars were killed by a tribe that Muslims had a non-aggression treaty with. If you read the whole article, you would have known how Muslims had to suffer inhuman torture at the hands of those who did not believe the message. After 14 years or so of injustice and persecution, it was clear that either Muslims will stand up and fight or will forever be plunged into the depth of oblivion. And finally, the permission to fight was given to us by Allah. And the verses that you mentioned were revealed.
Muslim experience proved time and again that most of those who do not believe our ways are not our friends. Then why should we be their friends? Allah speaks the truth!
And the verse that tells us to "kill them wherever you find them" applies to those who betrayed us and proved to be completely untrustworthy. Their only objective was to destroy
2008-03-28

RAIHAN FROM US said:
Salam Br. Halim,
I am so angry akhe, I am so angry! I did not know the verdict of the Indian court. How they flare up and publicize with a megaphone if they think they got something against Islam and the Muslims! But they are quiet as a mouse when it is proved that they are wrong! Instead of apologizing, they quietly sweep it under their rug! Oh the hypocrisy of this civilized world!
Those responsible, may they get the severest of punishments in this world and the hereafter unless they repent and acknowledge the truth. So many innocent Muslim lives perished! How strong their hatred is for us!
This so-called civilized world let the Serbians kill Bosnian Muslims day in, day out! Furthermore, Bosnians were not even allowed to defend themselves by bearing arms! What a world we live in! What a beautiful organization the UN is! And the agony of my Palestinian brothers and sisters are ignored by this world everyday.
But I know we have to be just and control our anger so that we don't unwittingly commit the same injustice that they are committing.
May Allah guide us and make us victorious over all that is false, over all that is immoral!
2008-03-28

RAIHAN FROM US said:
Katie,
It is difficult to answer your questions within the limits set by user comments section. There are so much to say!
This article itself actually answers some of the questions that you are asking. And brother Asghar has answered some of them also.
We view Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) as a messenger of God. He was also a servant of God as other Muslims. He never claimed divinity.
As far as our views of Allah goes - He is the Omnipotent; there is no one equal to Him; He is the creator and the sustainer of this Universe; He does not beget; He was not begotten; He is most merciful and loves to show mercy; He is most forgiving and loves to forgive.
There are so much more, but none of us has the ability to fully describe Him.
And why Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) was the last Prophet can't be answered either. It was Allah's decision to perfect the Message through this Prophet(pbuh).
I would suggest doing some research. A good place to find books and articles is this website. You can start here:)
Take care! I pray that you find the truth:)
2008-03-27

ROBERT KOLAKOWSKI FROM USA said:
As-Salaam Alleykhum:

I have hated all parties involved (not just actively pursuing) every research that has been run on me for the last 7--seven year. I cannot even begin to imagine coming to a Masjid (mosque, or even any other house of prayer such as my wife's Kingdom Hall) and wishing that Allah would bless them with peace when so often I would pray so that Allah would bring a disaster upon Human Researchers (of whom some are Muslims) so sever that they would not be able to continue research on me.
I cannot imagine that day; but only if I could get directed to a masjid free of my enemies: the human researchers and their helpers.
I would like to thank you for your help in advance.
I have turned to you Sir knowing that You are a moderate man, and because of my recent service in the US Army (if you got in touch with somebody else, I could have gotten under the microscope of the CID - a military counterpart of FBI).

Robert Kolakowksi son of Stanisalw son of Jozef
born 28 DEC 73
Elizabeth, New Jersey, 07202
As-Salaam Alleykhum

908-764-2878
908-351-5869
2007-05-24

SHAFIQUE FROM CANADA said:
Dear Dear Mr. Rao I dont have the right word to express my
feeling after going through your beautiful, wonderfully
presented the facts about Mohammad(PBH) and Islam.
Immediately after reading the article I went to the Mosque and
said two rakat prayer to Allah to bless you and your family with
all his blessing and wisdom.
Having said that if I had the power and authority I would have
included this article in all Muslim Countries school text book for
young generation to know this brilliant personality and Islam the
way you have presented. I simply love it. Once again may god
bless you and please continue to write the truth and be guided
by Him.
2007-04-03

HALIM FROM MALAYSIA said:
Law of nature(science) work the same and happened everywhere. If Muslims are careless, then gas stove may explode and many will become victims. The same amongst Hindus pilgrims. Few people were burnt alived and they charged Muslim started the mishap, after more than a thousand Muslim were killed by Hindu mobs, then they realised the fire was started in the train accidently by Hindus themselves, this was the verdict of Indian court of justic.No apologised was offered.Many non-practice Muslims were slaughtered in the Balkan becoz they claimed they were Muslims.They lost everything? no, as a Muslims we believed as long we are Muslims Allah SWT accept us in good term, how else non-practicing Muslims to be accepted other than they professed they believed in Allah SWT even their life at stake. Allah SWT created us and Allah SWT will recreate us after this (is the second creation more difficult than the first?). As for non-Muslims nothing in the world to change your heart, non-Muslims are free to find your own god. For us Muslims, we loved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)because he brought us new life, new hope and new destiny.Only Allah SWT can our heart for good if we are lucky.
2007-04-01

JAWAD R. SHAKIR FROM USA said:
May Allah's most choice blessing be with Professor Rao and his family for his vivid and brilliant presentation of Islam and the life of our beloved Prophet Mohammed(saw). His article revealed that truth and righteousness will prevail.
2007-04-01

MOHAMMAD JAVED FROM USA said:
as salaa alai kum rahmathullahi brakatha hu,

I would like to read what is concept of celebrating the concept of Milad, why some people do celebrate and why some of them do not. I am confused and I am unable to expalin them. pls give me some suggestions.
2006-04-07

C. MARTEL said:
It was stated by the author "The principle of Islam that there is no compulsion in religion is well known." What is also well known is that it is full of contradictions, allowin Imans to use quotes as they wish and to defend any point of view.

For example in contradiction to this statement check the Koran verses; 3:28, 4:89, 4:101, 4:144, 5:51, 9:12-9:14, 9:29, 9:5, 9:123, 60:1.

Let me quote verse 4:101 (Picktall)
"AND WHEN you go forth [to war] on earth, you will incur no sin by shortening your prayers if you have reason to fear that those who are bent on denying the truth might suddenly fall upon you: for, verily, those who deny the truth are your open foes. ."
2006-04-07

TAOUFIK FROM NETHERLANDS said:
Dear people,

this article contains the essence of Islam. I think that this article contributed a lot to my Islamic awareness. Islam is the religion of thruth and peace to the human soul and physical world. Everybody who claims to be fully rational must reflect upon the sayings of our beloved prophet (pbuh) and the revelation of the Quran. Know that when you die it is like you lived for a day or less. People don't forget our destination. This world is not our destination but just a transmission path which is a crucial one. It determines the eternal relationship with our Lord ALLAH THE GREATEST OF ALL. Paradise and all other things we get are just the crystalization of this relationship.
2006-04-03

HASSAN FROM SAUDI ARABIA said:
13. O Mankind! we created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and Tribes, that ye may know Each other (Not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the Most honoured of you In the sight of Allah is (He who is) the Most righteous of you. and Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (With all things).
(Quraan 49:13)
Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam teaches, 'there is no difference between an Arab or Non-Arab, or a black or white; the most honorable of you with Allah is most righteous amoung you.'
(Saheeh Bukhari & Muslim)
2006-04-03

EROL FROM TURKEY said:
Mr. Stephen Hood,
Brother Khaamer Ahdout has answered your question very very well. Given Khaamer's answer, there is really nothing more necessary to add regarding your question. However, I'd like to say something EXTRA. That is, any attempt to draw Prophet Mohammed's pic is like someone today trying to draw prophet Noah's pic !!! Becuz nobody today knows or have any idea on the face of prophet Noah as much as Prophet Mohammed's face. People might know the shape or color of Mohammed's(saas) face but nobody today seen his true face and any image of his true face. During Mohammed's (saas) lifetime, it was totally forbidden to draw his pic and nobody drew his pic. Centuries after the death of the prophet, some folks in Persia drew his picture even though they never saw the prophet and any image of the prophet's true face. As a result, all those pictures by different Persian painters turned out too different ! Not a single painter found his paintings of the prophet any similar to other painter's pic. My point is, since no image of Mohammed's true face exist today, if someone today try to draw his pic, that pic would be something very different to Mohammed's real face and this would be a great injustice to the prophet.
2006-02-14

KHAMER AHDOUT FROM IRAN said:
Dear Stephen Hood,
Creating any form of image of God's creatures(that posses life) for example humen,trees, animals, angels, jinns etc ... is forbidden in Islam. This was also forbidden by prophet Moses(peace be upon him) as well. So its not only just prophets picture, any of God creature's picture is forbidden and it is not only just pictures but any form of image is forbidden, for instance watching television would be forbidden too if it shows creatures. However, both Prophet Moses and the last Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon them) did not explain to their followers the exact reason for this. So there are opinions by jewish and muslim scholars on this but the real reason for this is unknown to both muslims and jews. Some would say that people might commit idolotry is the reason but I think that is not the reason becuz those who would commit idolotry, they dont need pictures to do it, they can do it in many ways. Also, one of the devout followres of the prophet said - "The prophet didnt mention to us the exact real reason but we understood that if someone's home has images of creatures such as pictures statues etc, angels (except angel Kiraman and angel Katibeen) dont enter that house". This shows that idolotry is not the reason but there must be something else something bad in creating images of creatures, only God and angels know the reason. Now of course, not to mention, many muslims has many kinds of pic and what not.... they dont follow it ... but at least they dare not have pictures of any prophets becuz its a direct offence to prophets.
2006-02-13

AHMED FROM SOMALIA said:
Masha Allah, this an excellent article.
Well written, Pinpointing the great mile stones of some of the achievements of prophet, Muhammad, may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon him.
2006-02-13

STEPHEN HOOD FROM UK said:
Could someone please explain why Muslims don't permit pictures of the Prophet Muhammad even if they are respectfully drawn or painted.
2006-02-12

DR ZIA UMRUDDIN FROM USA said:
Dear Prof Roa,

It was a pleasure to read your article " Mohamed The Prophet". It
was enlightening even to me as a Muslim. It is very unfortunate
that we as muslims have been unable to convey this great
message of Islam to the world.

I am truly grateful to you for not only understanding the true
spirit of Islam but also taking the initiative for conveying this to
the world.

Your effort is sincerly appreciated and I pray Allah to shower all
his blessings on you and your family.

Dr Umruddin
2006-02-12

HASSAN FROM SAUDI ARABIA said:
To kinnu kumar
Allah Says in the Quraan:
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). (2:155)
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return." (2:156)
They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. blessings, etc.) (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones. (2:157)

Please try to read and understand Quraan and History of our Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him). He is the last Prophet, sent be Allah, (not only to some people) to the whole man kind on this earth, till end of this world. We have to undertand him and try to live on the strait path, and not to the losers of the Hearafter.

Please try to contact Niche of truth (www.nicheoftruth.org), they are giving free correspondence course, for non-Muslims.
2006-02-12

KHAMER AHDOUT FROM ARYANGARDEN said:
Very inspiring article for both lost muslims and steadfast believers. It is fascinating how many non-muslims in non-muslim lands like professor Rao recognise real Islam and appreciate the beauty and power of the simple untouched faith Islam while some muslims born and raised in Islamic countries dont understand real Islam and they abandone Islam !! Adam is the best of Allah's creations(seen and unseen) and certainly Mohammad(saas) is the best of children of Adam, the best of humanity. The birth of last Prophet Mohammed(saas) is the first sign of the last days. Islam is the religion of 'The Day of Judgement' and Mohammed(saas) is the prophet & Messenger of the last dayz. Islam the religion of day of judgement, meaning, God has chosen only Islam the last messege to be untouched till 'the day of judgement', the true faiths revealed to all previous prophets dont exist anymore, only the twisted corrupted false version of some previous revealations would exist today or the last dayz. But for 1400 years Islam remains intact untouched and by God's promise it will remain untouched till 'The HOUR'. Nobody, no superpower, nothing in the world can touch/change/corrupt the faith from the Master of 'The Hour'. When 'Hour' comes, Islam is the only true faith remaining. Mohammed the prophet and messenger of the last dayz, meaning, in last days information on Mohammed the last prophet will be most available and He will be the most talked or discussed Prophet and the name of Islam will be heard by all people on earth. Indeed, muslims non-muslims athiest agnostic idolators historians etc today have muchmore information history knowledge on Mohammed(saas) than any other prophets. Islam is the only untouched unchanged truth remaining in the last dayz. Therefore, to us - all people of the last dayz, I recommand you that on the 'day of judgement' our creator will not ask us about former true faiths that disappeared before our birth...but God will only ask us about Islam; embrace Islam.
2006-02-12

SLAVE FROM IEARTH said:
The world is not illusion : Mohammad PBUH Teaching is the Truth
2006-02-11

AYOBAMI LAWAL FROM NIGERIA said:
Peace of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammed, Muhammed Abeeblah, Rusululah, Murithada, Waliyulaha, Nabiyulah (SAW). This is the most wonderful life style of prophet which all muslims should emulate. Love this message about universal leader
2006-02-11

ANONYMOUS said:
and one more mr kinnu kumar

in ramadan it is said that the doors of jahannam(hell) is closed.so its clear that the good ones are promised to be entered in jannah(heaven) which is great, losing temperory world or gaining the ever lasting, eternal paradise?

Allah Almighty will never do anything that causes loss to His true believers!!
2006-02-11

ANONYMOUS said:
dear kinnu kumar
your question is genuine...the same been asked by many like you..

in islam it says...we people cross their limits or goes on do something wrong , finally allah will punish tem...just to informn remind the people that He is there and sees everything..

muslims believes in a life after death..it is said that if an innocent person or a good one is a victim of his 'punishment', the most Merciful Allah will reward him in his life hereafter..so you might ask wat if the person was a non muslim?

then...he will be saved from his punishment in his grave and other till the Day of Judgement.

hope your doubt is cleared to some extend..

rest Allah Ta'ala knows best..
2006-02-11

H.A. FROM YATHRIB said:
It is time for Kinnu Kumar to abandon freedom fries and spend some time learning about world religions and observe his own measuring, the measuring of his surroundings, and the measuring of the one who uplifted the heaven withtout any pillars.

It is really hard to reflect about one's place or one's measuring in the universe and about one's existence (meaning why one is here) and why things happen around one WHEN freedom fries and booze compete with each other in one's stomach for passing from stomach to duodenum in the name of high spirit, modernity, and self-expression. This is exactly what happening to sir kinnu kumar internally. Hence, external situations appearing very blurry . It's time for sir Kinnu Kumar to abandon the "high-spirit" stuffs and READ THE GITA and ask why things happen why they happen. You don't have to read the QURAN.

And while trying to think if nothing happens, JUST SAY... WHY ASK WHY! TRY BUD DRY! and go back to your infinite cycle (the cycle w/o any feedback inhibitors) of darkness and infidelity, all in the NAME OF FUN AND GOOD TIME...
2006-02-11

FALIKU FROM USA said:
What a wonderful historical masterpiece written by someone who is truly a Muslim at heart even though he does not profess Islam. Even though it is reprinted from a book that was written some twenty eight years ago, this article still has the same effect on any believer who reads it. I just could not stop myself from sobbing at the narration of such selflessness, such humility, and such magnanimity of the Messenger of Almighty Allah (S.W.T.). Many thanks, Prof. Rao, for the reminder. It is really not that people are not aware of these historical facts about the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), they have simply chosen to ignore them and thereby reject historical realities. But, of course, Truth crushed to the ground will forever rise. The most reasonable explanation of why Muslims are opposed to the depiction of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) is because the Prophet (S.A.W.) did not want to be worshiped in any form or fashion. And what could be a better object of worship than an image of him? He saw people doing that in his days and he did not want to be subject to similar treatment whether he was alive or not. He was definitely aware of the devotion of his companions and followers and the love these people had for him. His companions were so devoted to him that one of them flatly refused to accept the fact that the Prophet (S.A.W.) had died. It took a reminder from the Holy Qur'an by a fellow companion to convince him that indeed the Messenger of Allah had died. That devotion to, that love for Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) is still in the heart of every Muslim; and it is simply unquenchable. It is a natural feeling; so playful people will do well if they just left this great personage, in the history of mankind, out of their frivolities. Assalam Alaikoom!
2006-02-11

KINNU KUMAR FROM INDIA said:
if islam is a true religion n its made by alla,then why did alla killed muslims in pakistan & Kashmir,even a childrens in so called holy month?alla also killed many of his worshipers in his own house(mecca).
2005-11-04

SHAHNAZ FROM UAE said:
MAY ALLAH REWARD YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL ARTICLE.
AND MR RAMAN,MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN LIVING IN INDIA IN PEACE,AND WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE SO,IF ONLY YOUR HEARTS COULD OPEN UP ,PLZ TRY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW U HATE ISLAM,AND YOU WILL ONLY END UP KNOWING ONLY WHY,IT IS THE MOST PEACEFUL RELIGION,WITH ONLY PERFECT SENSE,WHICH TEACHES YOU TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE ONE TRUE GOD .HOPE YOU INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ISLAM AND MAY YOU TOO BE GUIDED.
2005-06-12

KUNIGAL KHANUM FROM USA said:
Thanks for making me realize how fortunate I am to be a muslim, a follower of the great religion. Salute to the writer who has reminded us who we are.
2005-05-25

MOHD AAMIR KHAN FROM INDIA said:
Thnx for making tears roll down my eyes after a long time. i dont have words to appreciate what and how you have written.
2005-05-10

AHMED ASGHER FROM BAHRAIN said:
dear katie

i'm not sure if you will read this since this article now is in the archives but i will attempt to reply to your questions:
1) what ethics do we follow. islam is a simple religion but it is also the most complex since it delves into the soul of man. yet outwardly islam has one beautiful thing and that is "to enjoin that which is good and denounce that which is bad." this means looking at every action that eminates from us and those who have high status in society. thus apathy is out. invlovement is in but this must be balances by non intervention in matter that do not concern us yet keeping watch so that our right are not usurped whilst being kind to all God's creation. our role model is prophet mohammad's life and the words of quran which over-rides anything written about the porphet but conflicts with quran. 3) he is the last of the prophets coz he unifies the three main religions: judasim, christianity and islam under one God who confirms all the previous holy books but also acknoledges that people have tampered with the words. the quran promises to be a pure text and thus far it has withstood the test of time. also mankind thro these 3 faiths have been given adequate warners from God, so no one has any excuse now that they did not know about the Creator. between those 3 religions and the various cultures they represent on earth every tribe has now access to their own scripture and they shud seek One God. We all have a brain to guide us. 3) the greates teaching of Islam is in its "tawheed' the doctrine of One God and it s quest to unify humanity. Daily prayer, helping the poor, and many other pious acts under islam has become a daily compulsory practice. One brotherhood of man under One God. A doctorine if put into practice can assuredly save mankind from wars, conflict and fear. Furthermore it will glorify God - there is no other religion that i know of, preaches this doctorine of unity of God and mankind.
2005-05-05

BELLO OZIGI FROM NIGERIA said:
this is an eye opner for the seeker of truth.
2005-05-04

KATIE FROM USA said:
I read your article and i have decided to write my world religions paper on Islam. I have a few questions if anyone can answer. To begin with: what ethics do you follow and how do you view Mohammed? If you blessing be upon him- why is he the last and the best messenger of God for the Muslim? What was his greatest teaching about Allah? Thank you to whom ever is answer my questions.
2005-05-02

SHAHNAZ FROM US said:
true&excellent allahoakbar
2005-04-30

SAEED KHAN FROM USA said:
What else is there to say about our Blessed Nabi?
This article made me cry.I now truly believe that Islam and Muslims were created for the benefit of all mankind but only if we follow the right tenets.Let us all try to emulate our Rasullilah to the best of our abilities and watch this world change for the better.May Allah grant Professor Rao a great reward for his writings.
2005-04-25

NUMAN FROM USA said:
I am a new Muslim. Though Prophet Mohammed (peace be on him) was a great man, a man who epitomized every desirable characteristic of every thing good, virtuous, holy, loving and kind, yet as a new Muslim one thing struck me most about him was that he was after all just a man, and Muslims are careful not to worship him like Christians worship Jesus instead of God. At his passing Companion Umer brandishing his sword stated through his tears that.." if any of you worshipped Mohammed know that he is dead, but if you worshipped Allah, know that he is Eternal". To me what that re-emphasizes is that we must be very very very careful that in our passion and love for the Prophet (peace on him), we do not begin loosing focus and start worshipping him instead of Allah the Eternal the Creator the Benevolent, the Merciful, the Giver of life and death and He to whom all will return.
2005-04-24

NABEEL FROM USA said:
What an excellent article to read. Professor Rao thank you for shedding a positive light on our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This is one of most brilliant article I have read to date. May ALLAH reward you and your family for your hard work and guide you in every walk of life in this world and in the Hereafter. To conclude, I would recommend you faxing this article to FOXNEWS so that they aware there are non Muslims like yourself who understand ISLAM and are conscious to GoD Almighty. Please continue to write more articles about ISLAM in order to bridge the gap about this great religion brought by western media. Once again thank you and keep up the great work.
2005-04-24

CARMEN FROM ROMANIA said:
Salam Alaykum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatu! This was one of the best articles they I have ever read on the life of the Prophet (pbuh). After the first page I was crying, and I felt I need to mend my life, and become better. Every day we need to strive to become better humans and therefore worship God! I am thinking about translating this article for my parents so that they can see that I have not converted to the Islam portrayed in the media, but rather to the "submission to God" religion.

May God bless all of you! Fi aman Allah!
2005-04-22

AHMED ASGHER FROM BAHRAIN said:
Prof Ramakrishna Rao: you have secured God's love with such fine wisdom. Brother, I hope you keep this love till you die and then you shall meet those loving spirits you talk about, just as God has promised, and HE assuredly keeps His promise. Glory be to HIM, the Most Powerful, The Merciful and The Forgiving.
2005-04-22

ABDWASII FROM NIGERIA said:
I'm speechless & astonished, what a write up on Rasululah. And this is coming from someone who is not a muslim. It means the sterling quality of our Prophet can not go unoticed. The writer has really done a wonderful job. We muslims & our leaders sh'd now take a cue from our Prophet to better the life of others and be sincere & trustworthy.
2005-04-22

AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Ya Abal Qasim!
Ya Habibi ya Muhammad (sawaws)
Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad (sawaws)
Ya Rasuli ya Muhammad (sawaws)
Ya Bashiri ya Muhammad (sawaws)
Ya Nadhiri ya Muhammad (sawaws)
Ishqu Qalbi ya Muhammad (sawaws)
Nuru 'Ayni ya Muhammad (sawaws)
Ya Habibi ya Muhammad (sawaws)
Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad... (sawaws)
Khayru Khalqillahi Muhammad... (sawaws)
Ya Mustafa Ya Imamal Mursalina,
Ya Mustafa ya Shafi'al 'Alamina
Muhammad!
Sal' Allahu Alaiyhi wa Aalihi wa Sallam........
2005-04-22

DALIA FROM EGYPT said:
there never was ,isn't, and will never be a person like mohamed(pbuh).I'M SPEACHLESS
2004-12-28

EMAAN FROM U.S.A. said:
i just wondered why this thiching was not avaleble to bible blevires it was an eye opening to me as i read mouhammed in the bible i thank god for his truth and his gudeins to me to the right path.salm
2004-10-17

AYAZ AHMAD FROM CANADA said:
It is amazing that these words of truth have come from the pen of a person who does not profess Islam (in his own words-"...it was to write about a religion I do not profess"...). I doubt if any of our present day Muslim scholars would have been able to write in better words than the author did. May Allah be pleased with the author and reward him with true guidance.
2004-05-08

A.R FROM U.K said:
Annabi Assadiq Al-amin.
The Prophet the Truthful the Trustworthy.
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) the last and final Massenger of Allah. Even before he received the divine order to declare his Prophethood, he was called 'Muhammad al-amin' (the trustworthy) 'Muhammad as-sadiq'(the truthful) by the same people those who opposed him for the message of Allah (swt) 'Thre is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His Massenger.

Allah says in Qur'an about Muhammad(peace be upon him):-
Nor does He (Muhammad) say(aught) of (His own) desire. It is no less than, inspiration sent down to him(Muhammad). He was taught by one mighty in power. (Qur'an 53: 3-5)

Prof.K.S.Ramakrshna Rao, being a non muslim, with the wisdom that Allah has bestowed him did not lift up a thing sky high that is hard to belive nor he degraded our beloved prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as there is nothing to degrade him. Those who can look into it with the wisdom, all they need is a pious heart and a pious mind.
Yahdikumullah. May Allah guide you. And the mankind is made to say in this world, as there is no any other chance hereafter. O' Allah,
Guide us the straight way_
The way of those whom you have favourd
Not of those who deserve your anger
Nor of those who go astray.
O'Muhammad the Messenger of Allah,O Muhammad the blessings to mankind from Allah. Ala's there were eyes those who saw you but did not belive the message of Allah and have to see jahannam (hellfire).
Alhamdulillah we are muslim.
Allahumma sallay a'la Muhammad wa a'la aalihi wa ashabihi wasallim.




2004-05-04

ABDIFATAH FARAH MOHAMUD FROM TORONTO, CANADA said:
I BEAR WITNESS THAT THERE IS NO OTHER GOD BUT GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, THE MERCIFUL, THE GIVER AND TAKER, THE ONE WHO OUR LIFE RESTS IN HIS MIGHTY AND SUBLIME HANDS. I BEAR WITNESS THAT MUHAMMAD IBN ABDULLAH(MAY PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE UPON HIM) OF MAKKAH IS ALLAH'S SERVANT AND FINAL MESSENGER SENT TO MANKIND AS A MERCY AND GUIDANCE. ISN'T APPARENT THAT TODAY IN 2004 WE HAVE BUT ALMOST FORGOTTEN THE MESSAGE OF MUHAMMAD IBN ABDULLAH. BEFORE WE EVEN ADDRESS THE REST OF THE WORLD, WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE FOLLOWERS OF THE MISSION OF MUHAMMAD. IF THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE STRICT CONDUCT OF MUHAMMAD, WHY IS THE WORLD IN TURMOIL. WHY ARE THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF MAN BEING CRUSHED. WHY ARE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD CRYING FOR PEACE AND HUMANITY. WHY ARE THE POOR GETTING POORER, AND THE RICH GETTING RICHER. WHY HASN'T THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD NOT CHANGING THE WORLD TODAY. SIMPLE, BECAUSE THE TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD THE SERVANT OF ALLAH AND TEACHER OF MANKIND ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED. IF THEY WERE BEING FOLLOWED IT WOULD BRING ABOUT THE SAME TRANSFORMATION OF PEOPLE AND THE WORLD AS HAS TAKEN PLACE ALREADY AS A PROVE TO THE POWER AND REALITY OF THE MESSENGER OF GOD'S MESSAGE.
2004-05-01

LULU-UK FROM UK said:
Oh blessed prophet of humanity peace be upon you,
Allah has sent you as Mercy to mankind
Mercy that heals wounded hearts
Wounded hearts whose pain only God can witness
You are the voice of the poor
Whose needs no one can fulfil
In the midst of politics, greed and self righteous

Oh beloved prophet of humanity
You've moved the hearts of the 21st century educators
He/she who does not reflect on this
Is like of a fish in water which is still thirsty

Oh prophet of humanity
History has opened a chapter for you
Only those with hearts of gold will treasure you in their hearts
No matter what background they come from
For you were sent as Mercy to Mankind

Oh prophet of Humanity
You did not seek to change the hearts of kings
But you fought justice for the poor
Justice for mankind regardless of their colour and status
Justice for women

Oh prophet of Humanity
You explained to us by example what love means
Love for humanity, for mankind, for animals
Love for our planet
You have taught us that Love comes from the heart
We've learnt that what comes from the heart also reaches the heart

Oh Prophet of Humanity
Today is as challenging as the day you completed your last ceremony;
We are all here from all different backgrounds, race and colour;
The challenges in your message are still ahead of us;
Where great women and men will uphold your message no matter what background they come from;

Oh Prophet of Humanity
We will meet you the day of Reckoning
A day that neither man nor woman will have the power to change destiny;
A day when our records will be closed just like a computer file;
A day when Angels will witness all that we did on this earth;
On such day all humans will be a witness to one another;
Oh Prophet of Humanity such day humanity will witness that we are one race the human race
2004-05-01

AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Assalaamu'Alaiykum,

The Prophet's birthday falls on May 1st, 2004 this year and of course is the 12th day of Rabi Awwal on the hijri calendar. So, I will remember our greatest King, Leader, Role Model, Guide, and Champion of humanity - Rasool-Allah, Muhammad Mustafa, Sal'Allahu Alaiyhi Wasalam.

Wassalaamu'Alaiykum
2004-05-01

JAMIL FROM USA said:
this is a greaT story based on facts
and i love reading about the truth.
2004-01-04

ZEESHAN FROM PAKISTAN said:
assalamalakum
I am muslim....i related hanfi maslak...i want this question answer...is rafadaan necssary in nimaz (prayer) plz send this question answer
thanks
2003-11-24

MUTEE' FROM U.S. said:
As Salaam Alaikum!

Praise be to Allah for the insight, the inspiration of this article. May Allah continue to bless you in the use of the pen and in other activities.
2003-09-04

HAMRILL FROM SINGAPORE said:
Outstanding article! Well said and written.
2003-08-05

MARYAM FROM AUSTRALIA said:
After the first page I was crying. A very moving article.
2003-05-17

NK FROM USA said:
How true and how beautifully written! I hope that more readers, Muslims and non-Muslims, get an opportunity to read your writing. It is simply beautiful!!
2003-05-16

SARA.MOGHADAM FROM CA said:
This is a long and facinating tory of the prophet.I can tell that you put alot of effort into it.You were wonderful.May Allah bless you all and your famillies.A 9 year old girl with a hijab and is a hardworking muslim.
2003-05-15

WALID S. FROM EGYPT said:
very beautiful article, that proves the greatness of the prophet (pbuh)..
2003-05-13

MOHAMMAD SESTH BIN ABD RAHMAN FROM SINGAPORE said:
I bear witness that there is no god but only Allah and that Mohammad is his Messenger.
I thank the writer for his contribution.
2003-05-13

ABDULLAH FROM US OF A said:
To Sree Raman;

There is indeed such a "thing" as Islam, it means submission to the Will of God, peacefully. To bad you wont believe it even if we drill it in your head. And, I dont blame you since you have so much hate for muslims inside of you. The Holy Prophet only fought for the folowing reasons:
1-Self defense 2-To protect the rights of people.
But he always tried peaceful means first! Now, let me ask you, Would you fight in self defense or let someone just kill you. Would you not protect the weak and the old if they were being persecuted. From what you said, I don't think you would. Mr. Raman you are just a wannabe "peace-wanter". Your comments proved how hatefull you truly are.
And the reason why many people follow Islam and embrace it, is because IT MAKES SENSE! and is truly the right path, you are most welcomed to believe otherwise, as a true muslim never forces his beliefs on others. And besides why dont you talk about the Hindu terrorists, LTTE. The only reason you dont have more Hindu terrorists like the LTTE is because Hinduism is mainly concentrated in India. And the muslims would live peacefully with others if they were treated the same way. Everyday in India some "Hindutva" leader curses at Islam and the muslims. If ordinary people wont get angry by hearing all this nonsense about their faith then what do you expect? If you want others to co-exist with you YOU should respect them and WANT t co-exist with them too. Not just curse at them everyday and treat them like second class citizens and expect them to want to co-exist with you peacefully. Think about it...

Peace,
Abdullah
2003-05-13

MOHAMMED ZUBAIR AHMED FROM GERMANY said:
Assalamualykum As one of the comments rightly suggests "Finest piece of Informational". I agree and add to it that it is not only finest but a real eyeopener. I am thankful to Allah(Subahantala) that I found and had time to read such a nicely and intellectually written work. May Allah give us the strength to stand on the rightous path shown Prophet Mohammed(SAS), the path to Allah. Aameen.
2003-05-13

YAZID FROM USA said:
Salaam-

Excellent Article!

Islam is THE BEST RELIGION!!!
Muslims are the WORST PEOPLE!
2003-05-12

LULU FROM UK said:
To Sree Raman, I am a muslim mother and I can tell you that there is no room for terrorism in Islam. I will never wish any hardship on anyone on this planet let alone the suffering of a human being. I can also say that I have friends from India who are not muslims.As of our prophet(SAS) he is a messenger chosen by Allah to lead the whole of mankind that is our believe. You and me are just like the hands of a clock we can neither change the time nor the destiny of mankind. That is how power less we are.

To say that our prophet(SAS) led wars and was responsible for killing so many people I think is not right. You need to study Islam in more depth and see how Islam first started and what Islam is about and what others say about our prophet(SAS).

One thing I would like you to look into is when people of knowledge come together and you would like to discuss a big issue like this , first you must do your research before you start labelling the whole nation's religion as terrorist.

Personally, I believe that when politics and power mix there is no room for knowledge and logic. Also one must look at the roots of division when it comes to how boundaries of nations are divided as a result of colonisation. A human being is a human being and each one of us have one heart, one soul. There is no division in us. My roots are from a nation in Africa a noble nation that has stood the test of time. We suffered also a result of world politics but only now we are raising our heads with pride and dignity and put war behind us. Much of our problems stem from the fact that we are not seeking solutions from our souls and hearts.

God willing muslims of India and everywhere will co-exist. We should all pray for mankind wherever they are to live in peace.

What the muslim scholars say about terrosism:
http://www.islamdenouncesterrorism.com/

The Prophet Muhammad Described in Hindu Scripture

http://www.islamic-paths.org/Home/English/Muhammad/Other/Hindu_Sc
2003-05-12

SUFYAAN FROM UK said:
Sallam

If all muslims throughout the try to emulate the basic ettiquettes shown by our beloved prophet (PBUH) then the world would see the true being of Islam. This article is one of many articles I have read by non-muslim writers, and I pray to Almighty that many more educated and unbiased articles are written to present Islam for what it is! Ameen.
2003-05-12

DR FM QURESHI FROM INDIA said:
One of the finest piece of information to all
2003-05-12

FARRUKH HASSAN FROM PAKISTAN said:
First of all, I appritiate Prof. Rao for his efforts towards exploring, explaining appritiating the life of our Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The Prophet is indeed sent as mercey to all mankind, with the devine book, The Holy Quran. In his life we have the best example of Quran.

One point of correction I want to make. It was said that: 'Islam is not directly concerned with the political and economic systems...'
I disagree.
Islam is a way of life, not just 'religion' focusing around individual prayers and matters. Instead, Islam gives a complete socio-politico-economic system. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the 23years of his Prohethood shown this by example, as establishing a model Islamic state, dealing with all the concerns of individual, society and at the state. And this complete Islamic system continued with the 4 Khalifas of Islam after the wisaal (death) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), where Islam spreaded in the three continents of the globe.
2003-05-12

NAVITH FROM SINGAPORE said:
Mr.Rao,

I sincerely invite you to the fold of Islam. Having done a great work on the Prophet you should not be away from this noble religion.

May Allah guide you towards Hidayah.

2003-05-12

SHAHID KHAN FROM USA said:
I commend and thank this great author for such an honest and unbiased marvel of literature.
2003-04-30

SHAHID KHAN FROM USA said:
I commend and thank this great author for such an honest and unbiased marvel of literature on the life of our beloved Prophet(PBUH).
2003-04-30

MARYAM FROM ENGLAND said:
Assalamalakum.thank you true insperation to any muslim and non muslim.your pages on our most beloved prophet brought tears to my eyes.my friend who is a none muslim even cried.may.Allah grant you good in this life and in the hearafter.may Allah grant you peace and reward.as a convert to islam this past nine years these pages have been so insperational,that my heart feels lighter.As before i found your web site and when funds allow i would like to join your web site.ASSALAMALAKUM JAZAKULA HIR.Your thankfully sister maryam khan.
2003-04-26

SADIYA FROM INDIA said:
Muhammad The Prophet is too good. I am very much inspired by your web side.
2003-04-17

AHMED FROM U said:
I think that it was very interesting and touching it struck my heart and I totally agree!
2003-03-27

RUKAYAH SULAIMAN FROM NIGERIA said:
You have a wonderful and educatve site. Even though i have read so much about the holy Prophet, i would never let any opportunity to hear more about him pass me by. Thanks for posting that article and don't relent in your effort in the continous enlightenment of both muslims and non-muslims alike. Alhamdulillahi for Islam. Jazakallah-khaira
2003-03-21

R.H FROM CANADA said:
Assalaam Aleikum
I just want to say that I enjoyed reading this article very much and to say Jazakallah.

R.H
2002-10-15

LOAY RAGHEB FROM CANADA said:
I am thankfull for your article .. you have summarized for me a prolonged reading that i have been conducting starting by the seerah of the prophit in great details, to his ahadeeth, and the lives and way of his nobelest of followers .. you will be rewarded by allah i assure you but guarantee it not .. for he is the judge and he is the king .. But a thank you is in place for such a great analysis that is clearly reflected in the seerah of the servant of allah his prophit mohammed ..
2002-10-12

YAHYA BERGUM FROM USA said:
Ashadu anna Muhammad ur-Rasool'Allah (Jazak Allah, Brother Ali)
2002-10-12

MUHAMMAD KH. VIRK FROM CANADA said:
The writer tried his best to understand and describe The Holy Prophet 's Holy life. One thing he misses is The Holy Prophet. If someone tries to understand and describe the actions shown through the prophethood either he finds them mysterious or false. To understand this, one must know the prophethood itself first then it would be very easy to understand. Same thing happened to many of the muslim scholars too and they have gone into dozens of sects.
2002-10-09

ANEESA ESSOP FROM SOUTH AFRICA said:
As someone who is now totally fed up with anti Islamic bias I am impressed by the eloquence the author has displayed in this article about Islam. As for this Sree person, I think that he is so prejudiced that he is unable to face the fact that the views he holds against Islam is bound by ignorance and hate.
2002-10-09

EMILY NAVARRETE FROM UNITED STATES said:
If only other non-muslims could grasp the beauty of Islam and its prophet, peace be upon him, in the same way that the writer did in this gracious article. As a revert to Islam, I cannot imagine anyone looking as deeply into Islam as he did without feeling the strong pull of its truth. It is unfortunate that people like Sree (who commented previously on the article)and all those others who have been given chances to see the beauty of Islam have such hardened, dark hearts...so much so that they are content in living with ignorance, blindness, and unjust intolerance. How come more people cannot have the wisdom to judge Islam by seeking true knowledge about the perfect religion? Any other judgment without this sincere search for the correct information is severly flawed and will only land the individual on a dangerous path.
2002-10-09

HENA FROM TRONTO said:
SLAAM
MY NAME IS HENA AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT UR WEB SITE. I FIND IT REALLY KOOL AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF U HAVE PIC OF WORDZ THAT SAY GOD LIKE ALLHA ON THAT CZ I WANT TO SAVE THAT STUFF AND SEND IT SOME TO MY FRIENDZ AND I WILL TELL THEM THE WEB SITE TO SO THEY CAN LEARN AND UNDERSTAND SOME STUFF ABOUT US MUSLIM PLZZ E-MAIL ME BACK
2002-10-09

DENNY MENDES AFRICAN CAPEVERDIAN FROM UNITED STATES AMERICA said:
im a believer in jesus and god, however i am very pleased to learn the proper form of islAM.there are many religous zealots out there who also kill in the name og jesus and christianity.i live in the greatest country ever created and would die for my country.however america doese kill in the name of christianity.remember john ashcrofts speach at BOB JONES UNIVERSITY??I DO.true islam doese promote peace, and cares for the poor and feed the hungry.if people would not be so ignorant and prejudice than every human would be able to live in peace.we as christian society kill more people or should i say our own citezens we need worry about our own back yard.may god bless all people no matter the color or religion
2002-10-09

MAUTAZ ANSOUR FROM U.S.A said:
may Allah Guide Him,this man has done and said what alot of Muslims have failed to do and say.
This piece is just outstanding, maybe we need to learn some respect to the prophet from non- muslims now!!(i.e. People preaching secularism).

Keep up the good work Islamicity...
Jazakum Allahu Khairan
2002-10-08

SREE RAMAN FROM REPUBLIC OF INDIA said:
This article speaks soo much about Mohammed, a man who led wars and was responsible for killing soo many people! How could anyone not see that? Islam is a flawed religion which promotes terrorism, which legalises it and whats worse, guides you towards total destruction.
If only the muslims of india and the rest of the world would learn to co-exist with everyone else, the would would be such a better place! We would not have to equate a muslim to a terrorist! Its such a pity that such a religion still exists and has soo many followers who fail to follow the right things (if at all there is such a thing in Islam).
2002-10-08

ALI FROM USA said:
Ashadu ana muhommad urrasool Allah
2002-10-08

AQSA FROM USA said:
This is one of the best articles that I have read recently.The thing that is most striking is the fact that it is written by a non-muslim.He has really done justice to the topic...I'm extremely impressed.
2002-09-06

KHALID ABDUS SHAHID (KEITH PRESLEY) FROM UNITED STATES OF AMERICA said:
the manner in which this is written will definitely make sense of the religion of islam to one who has not heard its message. it is written like a true literary master and precise as well as easy to understand. so many of my fellow humans have lost the look on life as a whole, that when a message such as this one makes clear what we live for it touches the heart in the greatest of ways ( through truth). I only hope and pray that mankind as a whole will one day live as brothers and sisters in the true spirit of the message sent to humanity by Muhammad the prophet of Islam.. (pbuh)
2002-08-31

AHMED ZAFER FROM CANADA/BANGLADESH said:
It is a privilege to read an article about our beloved Prophet by a distinguished author like Professor Ramakrishna Rao. The article describes the life and works of the Prophet of Islam in a way that is easy to understand. People like me, who are not very literate need to have access to information about our religion that is easy to understand. I believe that people around the world, muslims and non-muslims should be well-informed of the life and works of our Prophet. I have myself tried to understand some of the other religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and the Jewish Faith. By doing this, not only did my respect for these religions increase, it also reinforced my faith in my own religion. Thank you Professor Rao for sharing your knowledge and insights with many others.
2002-08-25

ABDUL RAZAK FROM UK said:
i HAVE READ PARTS OF IT AND ALL WHAT I CAN SAY IS ,KEEP ON GIVING US MORE ABOUT MOHAMMED AND ISLAM BECAUSE WE NEED TO KNOW MORE AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU INSHA ALLAH.
2002-08-20

ABDIKARIM FROM NORWAY said:

Indeed, well done. however, i confused some comments in the article.
2002-08-20

HASSAN SALAD FROM AUSTRALIA said:
I red the piece and a lot I realy liked it.
2002-08-19

AMJED DANA FROM USA said:
Asalauilikum
I believe that this article written by a non-muslim was not a good idea because it seemed secular. Please have articles written by muslims, which is more apealing.
2002-08-17

DAPO SALAU FROM NIGERIA said:
pls.ineed the adith of the holy quran.
i want to leAN MORE ABOUT the holy quran becos i am learning how to read from the holy quran and i want you to help me if possible you can send me holy quran.
iwill be very grateful if you can help me pls.i want you to send me any neccesary information about what is going on the islamic country.
2002-08-16

ROBINA FROM CANADA said:
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND EXPLAINED. MY LOVE FOR ISLAM AND PROPHET MOHAMMAD JUST OVERFLOWS BY READING THIS ARTICLE.
2002-08-13

SAIMA IQBAL FROM ENGLAND said:
Brilliant. Well informed, interesting with a plethora of previously unread facts by myself. After all the recent bad publicity a non-propogandist intellectual article such as this is exactly what we require to redress the recently disturbed balance. I would like to thank you for enlightening me on new facts within my religion and commend anyone outside of the Muslim faith who writes with such empathy on the Quran and its teachings. Brilliant.
2002-08-13

NAZMUL ISLAM FROM USA said:
Question to the auther?

No doubt it is a wonderful article because the subject matter is excellent. I like to ask you intellectually that what else are needed to convice you mind in order to believe about what you have written. Those who believe it, they also practice it. That is one of the difference between arrogance and non arrogance who denies the truth.

Trouth is there. It is open to everyone to look as a rational being. Islam never address to the people who are intellectually blind. We should speak the truth and trouth will set us free. Idea is universal and it will grow with out any help.

Your effort to seek the truth which will motivate you first before it motivates to others. What kind of work is that which still does not motivate your heart but you want others to take your written article as a honest approach towards the truth. I hope this is not an another trap for the believers.
This is my personal view. To tell you the truth we also act like others who read it but neither practice it nor believe it. Many of us read The Koran to satisfy our soul but not to make it real by heart and soul. Above all that is the missing part for this sleeping Ummah.

May I therefore request you that please look at the message and revisit it again and again in order to see intellectually with open mind.It may motivates your heart so that you can believe and practice it to save yourself and be a witness to the truth that you already know. Key is to motivate yourself what you believe and practice before it tells to others. May Allah soften your heart to receive the truth.

kind regards

Nazmul
2002-08-13

QAZI NURUL ISLAM FROM UNITED STATES said:
I am very much happy to read this article. I came to know more and more about our beloved prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Thank you so much professor Ramkrishna Rao for your so nice writing. I have forwarded this article to my friends and they are also pleased to read it. We need to read this article again and again and try to follow our prophet to make us happy in this world and here after. It is a great lesson for the humanity.
2002-08-12

HAJI SAIFUL AZMI BIN HAJI YA'ACOB FROM SINGAPORE said:
Assalamualaikum

Dear Sir,

I read the short article by Prof. K S Ramakrishna Rao and find it to be one of the best written article on the attributes of Prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him).

I am a publisher for a Muslim charity organisation here in Singapore that publishes a quarterly magazine on Islamic issues called Salik or the Sojourner. The charity organisation is a non profit organisation that helps our Muslim brothers and sisters in times of needs. It is called The Islamic Theological Association of Singapore or "Pertapis".

I would like to know how i can use the same articles to be printed in our magazine without infringing the copywright law to Prof Rao's publication.

Your assistance in this matter would indeed be greatful to spread further the teachings of Islam and highlight the true greatness of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Thanking you for your kind attention and assistance in this matter.

Wassalam

Haji Saiful Azmi
Editor & Publisher - Salik "The Sojourner"
for the Islamic Theological Association of Singapore.
2002-08-11

JAFAR Y FROM UNITED STATES said:
Allhu Akbar
All praise and glory is due to ALLAH;bleesd is his name and exalted is his Majesty;and there is none worthy of worship besides ALLAH.
May ALLAH bless the prophet Muhammad(pbuh) and also all of his Prophets and Messenges(peace be upon them all )

I really enjoyed reading your article on the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). May ALLAH bless you ,we need alot more articles like this, especially here in the united states where majority people now talk about Islam but have no idea what Islam is about Or know Islamic history . Reading your article has realy uplifted me .
Thank you,and once again may ALLAH bless you .
Wassalaam-u-alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh...
2002-08-11

MOHAMMED KASEM FROM CANADA said:
This is one of the good article I ever read on Islam . Thanks Prof. K. S. Ramakrishna Rao. I like to read more from Prof. K. S. Ramakrishna Rao. Again thanks.
2002-08-10

KHAIR BEGUM FROM USA said:
i absolutely loved it. may Allah (swt) reward u to the best for writing this.(ilahiaameen)
2002-08-09

HURRIYYAH SHYEMAA' FROM CANADA said:
Assalaam-u-Alaikum
Masha Allah..its such an amazing article..brought me close to tears..Subhan Allah..we need each other to remind ourselves of the beauty of islaam..its a way of life..not a culture..not a 'religion'..its a beautiful way of life..its so beautifeul, that if we fully comprehend it, we, like the sahaabah (ra) and the tabi'een etc, will never want to replace it with anything else..
Wassalaam-u-alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh..
2002-08-09

JAMSHED FROM AUSTRALIA said:
This was a beautiful article which brought me to tears!!!! May ALLAH (swt) always keep us on the right path....

jazakallah khair
2002-08-09

ROOHI FROM PAKISTAN said:
please this articale display urdu because very difficulty this site please language is urdu.
2002-08-08

A. FASIHUDDIN FROM USA said:
Excellent excellent analysis of the Prophet of Islam
2002-08-06

UROOSA FROM INDIA said:
hello its truth and plz send more.. allah hafiz allah bless you.
2002-08-06

VUSAL FROM AZERBAIJAN said:
Islam is the best religion in the world
2002-08-06

F. K. YOOSUFANI FROM USA said:
Allah SWT has sent every prophet with the Message of Truth. Men & women who believe in this Message
of Truth and practice it(i.e.Obey Allah SWT & His Messengers) will, InshaAllah, achieve salvation
in the next life. Some main points are missing.
1.Rememberance of Allah SWT is the great thing in
this life.Rememberance includes Salat 5 times/day,
reciting Holy Quran with contemplation of meaning
and acting upon It as well as Zikr with tongue
as much as possible(i.e. glorifying Allah,thanking
him and supplicating to Him SWT- the One Who Hears
and Sees everything. Prophets achieve what they
achieve because Allah SWT supports them fully.
Prophet Mohammed Sallalahu alaihe wa sallam (SAW)
received tremendous help from Allah SWT through
his Salat & through his supplication. He (SAW) is
the last of the prophets and his message is Uni-
versal. He (SAW) is the leader of all prophets &
will be the only prophet who will intercede for
the believers with the permission of Allah SWT.
Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran:"Say,(O Mohammad)
If you should love Allah, then follow me,(so)Allah
will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah
is Forgiving and Merciful.-Say,Obey Allah and the
Messenger.But if they turn away, then indeed Allah
does not like the disbelievers."(2:31,32)
Also another verse from Noble Quran-"If you could but see when the criminals are hanging their heads
before their Lord (saying)'Our lord we have seen and heard, so return us(to the world);we will work
righteousness. Indeed, we are (now) certain.'"
Giving up other false gods, and turning toward
Allah SWT is best for all mankind.



2002-08-02

K. A. YOOSUFANI FROM USA said:
Prof. Ramakrishna Rao, it appears has a good amount of knowledge in the Islamic history. He is
also aware of verses of Holy Quran and comprehends
the mission of Islam on this earth. There may be
few errors.
I would like to bring to attention highlights of
Islamic faith which need emphasis.
1. FAITH IN UNSEEN: consists of believing in Allah
SWT, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the
Day of Judgment and the Divine Decree.
2. TAQWA(Fear of Displeasing Allah SWT): This
quality of Taqwa is the root of all good in man.
The Noble Quran emphasises that It is Guidance
for those who have this quality of Taqwa. The
famous story of a teacher in Islam who gave his
students chickens-one to each. He said to them
cut the chickens in a place where no one sees you.
Only one student came with uncut chicken saying he could not find a place where no one saw him- implying that wherever he went hiding, Allah SWT was watching him. A mustard seed hidden inside a rock on a dark night is seen by Allah SWT. Not
only that but the secrets of heart and the evil-
intentions of an eye are known to Him SWT-- Who
does not sleep, does not forget and Knows & Sees
everything and has Power over everything. No one
is like Him. Allah SWT has no equal, no opponent,
no adviser, no helper, and He SWT has no beginning
nor an end. He has no need of anything but every-
thing and everybody needs Him. No vision can comp-
rehend Him but His Vision Comprehends everything.
Such is the Lord of the Worlds. Believing in Him
SWT is the 1st and best good deed of a person. All other good deeds are done to seek His Pleasure
3.Belief in the Day of Judgment to the degree of certainty. Allah SWT says in Holy Quran:"Indeed,
those who do not expect the meeting with Us and are satisfied with the life of this world and feel
secure therein and those who are heedless of Our signs(verses)-for those their refuge will be Fire
because of what they used to earn".(10
2002-08-02

UMAR MAHMUOD ALIYU FROM NIGERIA said:
This is a great piece of work. It shows that Muhammad (S.A.W) is really the Perfect man.
2002-08-02

SYED MOHAMMED TALHA NAZIM FROM INDIA said:
assalam-o-alaikumi really enjoyed the article. i would be very grateful if you coupld supply me with more information on the prophet and hadith but not the ones written by bigots like william muir.
thanking you
khuda hafiz
talha
2002-08-02

ALEM SAHLU FROM MARRYLAND said:
In the name of Allah.
I appreciate all what you did.It is agood lesson.
Please keep on your teaching.
Allah be with you.
2002-08-02

S. MALIK FROM U.S.A said:
VERY GOOD ARTICLE, DEFINTLY NEED MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS...
2002-08-01

SAEED AHMAD KHAN FROM USA said:
May Almighty Allah reward Professor Rao for his work. Here again brothers and sisters is more proof that Allah will protect his religion and raise it above all others.To read the words of Professor Rao concerning our Beloved Mohammad (PBUH} made me cry tears of joy that I am a Muslim.
Saeed Ahmad Khan
2002-08-01

FIROZALI S. MALIK FROM U.S.A. said:
Very nice article. I want to see more articles like this so that non-muslims can get a chance to learn about Islam and the followers of Islam. Non-muslim should know who we are, what we are.
Thank you.
2002-08-01

JENNIFER FROM USA said:
Very interesting, very long, poor spelling, great points, great references... A little bit with the same old, This-is-why-Islam-is good,-and- here's-how-others-are-bad stuff... It would be nice to see an article on Islam that professes its strengths without criticizing the other religions or cultures, I really don't think I've seen one, and I keep looking. But overall, it's still interesting to read about religious, historical figures.
2002-08-01

ABDUL QAYYUM FROM PAKISTAN said:
The article was well written and inspiring. Somehow, at two points the impression confused me.
In the para
"Every year, during the Haj, the world witnesses the wonderful spectacle of this international Exhibition of Islam in leveling all distinctions of race, color and rank. Not only the Europeans, the African, the Arabian, the Persian, the Indians, the Chinese all meet together in Medina as members of one divine family, ....."
the city should have been "Mecca" instead of "Medina".

In para
"In spite of free will which he enjoys, to some extent, every man is born under certain circumstances and continues to live under certain circumstances beyond his control. With regard to this God says, according to Islam, it is my will to create ....."
I took the impression that in the life hereafter, there might not be bodily life and it will be a spirit only and no body. If it be the intention of the author, this is not according to Islam I believe. This may please be improved.

Thank you and may Allah help you in your efforts to present Islam before the world as TRUTH.

Wassalaam u Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.
2002-08-01