21 March 2008

THE Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) name has yet again been in the media as
of late due to the republication of the offense Danish cartoon
caricatures that continue to be used to taunt Muslims and tarnish the
good name of the final messenger (pbuh).

As I watched the recent protests unfold on live television from
Muslims around the world in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other nations, I
became increasingly irritated with the broadcaster's commentary. She
kept referring to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the 'founder' of
Islam. And even her interviewees responded in a similar fashion by
also referring to him as the 'founder' of Islam.

To imply that Muhammad (pbuh) founded Islam or created it is a gross
and reprehensible lie that quite often is used by the enemies of Islam
to water-down the impact that Muhammad's (pbuh) prophethood had on the
entire world. This world has never seen a greater man, prophet,
father, statesman, politician, orator, warrior, commander, friend,
teacher or confidant than Muhammad (pbuh).

The simple fact remains that centuries after Muhammad's (pbuh) death,
Islam runs strong with people converting every single day because the
message of Allah in the Holy Quran rings true and is enticing to the
seekers of all that is good in this world. The founder of Islam is
actually Allah Almighty. Allah chose Muhammad (pbuh) to be the final
Prophet sent to this world to give both a warning and glad tidings.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

"Allah knows best with whom to place His Message." (6:124)

Anyone who reads a biography of Muhammad's (pbuh) life can see that
his prophethood was crystal clear from the time when he was in his
mother's womb until he received his mission at the age of 40.

Muhammad's (pbuh) mother Amina became a widow before he was even born
as her husband died in a trade caravan. Even before his birth, Amina
noted that her belly often emitted a light and she knew that her baby
would somehow be special. Muhammad's (pbuh) mother would die when he
was six-years old and he would be sent to live with his grandfather
until he died and then his uncle Abu Talib. The only thing Muhammad
(pbuh) knew was loss as he was made an orphan thrice before he even
reached puberty. The signs of Muhammad's (pbuh) prophethood were
always there. Once on a journey with his uncle to a monastery, a
Christian monk witnessed a strange event. As Muhammad (pbuh) walked
the sun never touched him. He was walking under a shade of which there
was no viable source and the monk likened the shape of the shade to
the wings of an angel. On the same trip, the monk noticed a mark
centered perfectly between Muhammad's (pbuh) shoulder blades and he
told Abu Talib that past prophet's had the same mark. To know Muhammad
(pbuh) was to love him. He was honest, kind and trustworthy. His
profession was as a Shepard tending to his uncle's flock however
Muhammad (pbuh) had a knack as a merchant. He began doing trade work
for a wealthy widow named Khadijah. She was so pleased with his
success that she asked for his hand in marriage even though she was
much older than Muhammad (pbuh), about 15 years. Muhammad (pbuh) was
25 years old and accepted her proposal. He could have most assuredly
kicked his feet up and lived off of his wife's wealth. But that was
not his nature. Muhammad (pbuh) often spent days on end in a cave
called Hira pondering upon this world and the creation of it. Muhammad
(pbuh) did not believe the idols that his clansman worshipped had any
power but he knew there was a creator somewhere. Then one night Allah
sent the angel Jibreel to tell Muhammad (pbuh) that he was the final
messenger (pbuh). Muhammad (pbuh) was so scared at seeing the vision
of the angel and feeling his iron-tight embrace as he commanded this:

"READ! In the name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists),
has created man from a clot of congealed blood. READ! And your Lord is
the most Generous..." (96:1-3)

But soon after the fear subsided, Muhammad (pbuh) stood tall and began
delivering Allah's message to any heart that would openly hear it.
Overnight, Muhammad (pbuh) went from a man that was living in the lap
of luxury to someone who was abused, beaten, spat upon, ridiculed,
humiliated and scorned. Even in death, Muhammad (pbuh) still suffers.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: "And when they see you (O
Muhammad), they treat you only in mockery (saying) 'Is this the one
whom Allah has sent as a Messenger?' " (25:41)

Countless plots to assassinate Muhammad (pbuh) were undertaken and
anyone who followed his mission were either tortured or killed.

But through it all, Muhammad (pbuh) remained steady in delivering the
word of Allah to the people and he had Allah with him all along the
way. The message of Allah in the Holy Quran and Sunnah of Muhammad
(pbuh) cannot be distorted or thwarted in anyway no matter how many
cartoons are drawn or lies against Muhammad (pbuh) concocted.

However, the message will continue to grow and attract the
intelligence of people who seek the truth with their eyes wide open
instead of a mouth open so wide that it swallows whatever is 'sold' on
TV.

Sumayyah Meehan is a Kuwait-based American writer . She can be reached
at  abid...@msn.com