Prophet preached universal peace

Prophet preached universal peace
BY MJ MOHAMMED IQBAL

Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) mission transcends all barriers of tribe, race, nationality and installed brotherhood, a feature which did not feature in other religions. Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) made situation in such a way that a woman would travel from Sana (Yeman) to Madina with the fear of nobody else than Almighty. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) never intended to have war and he was forced to face the battlefield to protect their people and safeguard peace mission. Some of the people having wrong opinion that Islam was propagated by sword, and the answer is definitely no. With the truthful and kindest nature of dedication he was able to achieve such success.

Mahatma Gandhi's statement published in "Young India", 1924: "I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today, an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of millions of mankind. I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the right simplicity, the utter explanatory of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his assurance, his fearlessness, his absolute trust on God and in his mission. These, and not the sword, carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the second volume (of Prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read that great life."

Holy Prophet (PBUH) also was first personality to provide social equality, respect and equal status for women, and abolition of slavery system. Holy Prophet (PBUH) was also a wonderful reformer in economics and in the modern terms he was a great economist. Zakath, Sadaqah (alms giving) Sadaqatul-Fitr (Alms giving after Ramadan fasting before of Eid day) were the systems established to support poor, downtrodden masses. The laws of Zakaat made compulsory to enable the wealth to be distributed rather than to be accumulated in a few Land. Holy Prophet (PBUH) initiated the concept of national economy by introducing establishment of first public Treasures "Baitul Mal".

Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was always simple and easily accessible and available to the people. Dr Gustav Weil in his book History of Islamic Peoples says, "Mohammed was a shining example to his people. His character was pure and stainless. His house, his dress, his food - they were characterised by a rare simplicity. So unpretentious was he that he would receive from his companions no special mark of reverence, nor would he accept any service from his slave which he could do for himself. He was accessible to all at all times. He visited the sick and was full of sympathy for all. Unlimited was his benevolence and generosity as also was his anxious care for the welfare of the community."

Michael Hart in his "The 100, A Ranking of the most influential persons in History" (New York 1978) had ranked Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) as first (in-spite of lot of opposition for him from his own society etc.). The reason he narrated briefly as follows.


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An unparalleled personality

An unparalleled personality
BY MJ MOHAMMED IQBAL
HISTORY is witness to umpteen great personalities born in different ages, who have left their mark in different streams of life like science, technology, education, religion, law, Social service, literature etc., but it is difficult to find one person doing wonders in more than one field.
Prophets like Jacob, Isaac and Ismail were the witness to Almighty's majesty. Abraham, Buddah, Jesus, Thiruvalluvar were the heralds of gold tidings. Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, George Bernand Shaw etc. were the people who contributed to science, technology, and literature. People like Aristotle and Plato shed light on philosophy of life. But, neither of these great men were masters in many fields.
"If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Mohammed? Philosopher, orator, Apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of a cult without images, the founder of twenty terrestrial empire and of one spiritual empire, that is Mohammed (PBUH). As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?" Lamartine asks in his Lamartine Historic de la Tarqunie, Paris-1854.
The magnificent personality of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is the so complex that only a glimpse of it I can catch, professor KS Ramakrishna Rao said in his book Prophet of Islam said. He says, "what a dramatic succession of picturesque scenes! There is Mohammaed, the prophet. There is Mohammed, the businessman, Mohammed the statesman, Mohammed the orator, Mohammed the reformer, Mohammed the refuge of Orphans, Mohammed the Protector of Slaves, Mohammed the Emancipator of women, Mohammed the Judge, Mohammed the Saint."
Before the advent of Islam the whole society of Arabia was steeped in vice, superstition and barbarism, people were in the utmost depth of darkness. Slaves, women and female children were treated in the most inhuman way that words could not explain. Tribal warfare was going on usual business, carried on by generations after generations. The Arabs were never united as a nation and no empire could have an influence over them.
But, the Prophet's message of peace - Islam, united all the warring tribes for the first time and brought them under a single umbrella, bringing lasting peace.
The great Calipha Omer Bin Khatab during his great reign over the largest empire of the time, used to say about himself, "this Omer was the most cruel man before Islam. My parents were very much worried about my character and future. During the days of ignorance the treatment I meted out towards slaves and female children were worst, I shed tear. But my revered master Prophet (PBUH), Allah's Apostle transformed all my qualities and my proximity to him and his teachings made me as humble as to make me understand humanity and be able to deliver just ruling with the fear of Almighty. My parents very often used to say that I would not be fit even to take care of camels, now I am able to rule an empire as vast that includes Rome. All this because I am from the school of my master Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), I love him more than my soul, I implemented the teachings of the Noble Master."
Yes, Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) ruled the hearts of people completely changed it. During his mission he brought unity among all the Arab tribes. The constant conflict and unrest among them came to an end forever.

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The night of power

The night of power
BY MJ MOHAMMED IQBAL
RAMADAN is the best month of the year. For as believers struggle in their hectic pace of life to live in harmony with Allah's Guidance in everything they do, Ramadan continues to provide them with the best opportunity to achieve this goal.
Most believers have experienced that giving up food, drink, and sexual relations, while avoiding lies, dishonesty, backbiting and evil, helps them establish a stronger connection with their Lord, Allah.
Because most of us worship more and do more good deeds while continuing normal activities during Ramadan, it helps us to better realise our potential, and we feel better and do better in all things. We realise that by spending more time in the worship of Allah, we can accomplish more in this life. Ramadan teaches us that "life of this world is nothing but illusion." This is a great help in our daily life. No matter how bad a situation, once we have done our best, we can move on and trust in Allah's will. In essence, Ramadan puts the worldly life in perspective, becoming a better human leads to a happier life.
All nights of Ramadan are holy nights but Lailat-ul-Qadr (the night of power) is the holiest night of this Holy month. It is also the holiest night among all other holy nights. About this night Almighty the Glorious and Exalted said:
"Indeed we sent it [the Holy Quran] down on the Night of Power. What will convey to you what the Night of Power is like! Better is the Night of Power than a thousand months in that Night the angels and the Spirit descend by the permission of their Lord for every affair. Peace it is, till the break of dawn." (Holy Qur'an)
According to learnt Scholars Night of Power is a very strange translation for "Lailat-ul-Qadr" but it attributes to it a good meaning: whoever may attain the blessings of this holy night should attain perfect power in his spiritual life. One can attain perfect power by means of this night because its value is more than one thousand months of worshipping. Every worship performed increases the spiritual power of people and in this night any worship is going to be valued as one thousand months of worshipping on any other night. It is condensed power. God, the Almighty, makes it a mighty night by placing in it such incredible power, making it a much mightier night than other nights. Almighty Allah says it is much more valuable than one thousand months of worshipping. That means Almighty granted such huge power to that night.
He has concealed the exact date of the Night of Power so that we would double our efforts in the whole month of Ramadan, or at least the last ten days. He has concealed it also to test the sincere and the non-sincere. The seriously interested person will search for the night late and in the early hours until he or she attains it, regardless of the hardship.
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months, indicates that acts of worship such as prayer, charity, and recitation done on this night are better in reward than the same act done on other nights. The rewards are being multiplied manifold.
In the Holy Month, especially in the most special night, May Allah forgive us because we are sinners. For his honour, may God forgive us and take away our bad deeds.


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Quran, embodiment of knowledge

Quran, embodiment of knowledge
BY MJ MOHAMMED IQBAL
Ibn Masud said: "If one wish to acquire knowledge, select the (Holy) Quran as it is embodiment of the knowledge."
The Holy Quran is a relief and answer to every thing for human beings from cradle to grave in all respects. The Almighty said: "And remember, when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am creating a mortal out of potter's clay of black mud altered. So, when I have made him and have created into him of My spirit ..." (15:28-29)
The Quranic verse mentioned above reveals in a very condensed form the entire spiritual relationship between God and His human creation. He says He made the human being out of the elements and then breathed life into the body. The Quranic words used here are significant. Allah uses the word "nafas" (soul) for His own breath, and He uses the word "ruh" for His own soul. These same words are used to mean the human breath and human soul -- confirming the fact that we are, that mankind is originally from Allah, of Allah, for Allah, and in the end will return to Allah.
Of all of the physical realities that have a bearing upon health, that which is least often considered in medicine and healing is the breath. The breath has the following important relations with health.
According to Islamic scholars, breath is the agent upon which the divine permission is borne; breath is responsible for conveying the divine attributes from the heart to the various centres of the mind, body, and soul; breath creates equilibrium and harmony of the temperaments of the body; breath carries life-supporting elements from the exterior of the body to the interior physiological functions; and breath is the life force to survive and is the regulator of joy, sadness, delight, anger, jealousy, and other emotions. Both the quantity and quality of breath have a definite and direct effect upon human health.
Recite Book
The Holy Quran, in addition to all else that it may be, is a set of breathing practices, which has immense benefits if applied properly. In fact, the very first command of the Almighty was to recite the Holy Quran. The first verses that were revealed by Gabriel to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) were as follows:
"Recite! In the name of Thy Lord, who createth man from a drop of sensitised blood. Recite! And thy Lord is most bounteous, who teaches by the pen, teacheth man that which he knew not."
The command
The Arabic word "iqra" is rendered here as "recite" because it means to read from some book, from actual letters. Now, the Prophet (PBUH) was an ummi (an unlettered one who could not read or write), so the command seemed puzzling, even terrifying, to him at the time. But the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was able to memorise each of the verses as it came to him, and thus could "read" it from his memory, although actual physical written copies were produced during the lifetime of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

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Itikaaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan

Itikaaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan
BY MJ MOHAMMED IQBAL
I'tikaaf, a form of religious worship, is observed in the last ten days of Ramadan by the pious believers of Muslim world. What is I'tikaff ? It means staying in the mosque for the purpose of worship of Almighty, thinking of His universe, creatures, more on reading Holy Qur'an towards achieving knowledge and wisdom.
Technically it signifies total seclusion from the duties of the materialistic world and staying in the mosque for the whole time towards Divine service during the last ten days of Ramadan. A person who secludes himself for devotion and prayer, gives up his all comforts and recreations to seek the pleasure of Almighty. It is certainly an act of service with excellent rewards. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to retire into the Mosque for total seclusion during the last ten days of Ramadan.
One of the companions Ibn Abbas reported that regarding a person in seclusion, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: "He who isolates himself from sins, good deeds bring reward for him like those who perform all the good deeds".
Further he reported, "Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was the most generous of men with regard to wealth and he was as generous as possible in Ramadan. Gabriel used to meet him every night in Ramadan and the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) would recite the Holy Qur'an to him. When Gabriel met him he was more generous than the wind which blows freely."
Just as fasting is a shield which protects the heart from the influences of physical distractions such as excessive indulgence in food, drink and sex, so I'tikaaf offers an immense hidden benefit, which is protection from the effects of excessive socialising. For people may take socialising to extremes, until it has a similar effect on a person to the effects of over-eating, as the poet said: "Your enemy was once your friend, so do not have too many companions" I'tikaaf also offers protection from the evil consequences of talking too much, because a person usually does I'tikaaf on his own, turning to Allaah by praying Qiyaam al-Layl (Night Prayers), reading Quran, making Dhikr, reciting du'aa', and so on.
It also offers protection from sleeping too much, because when a person makes I'tikaaf in the mosque, he devotes his time to drawing closer to Allaah by doing different kinds of acts of worship; he does not stay in the mosque to sleep.
Other benefits
The person in I'tikaaf has committed himself to staying in the mosque for a specific time period. Human nature may not readily accept such restrictions at the beginning of the I'tikaaf, but usually this attitude quickly disappears because of the peace of mind that the soul develops from staying in the House of Almighty.

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Major religions foretold Prophet's arrival

Major religions foretold Prophet's arrival
BY MJ MOHAMMED IQBAL
Holy Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) arrival had been mentioned and foretold in many vedas and scriptures of major religions.
Hindu scriptures
"A foreign spiritual teacher will appear with his companions. His name will be Mohammed."
(Maharishi vyasa / bhavishya puran / prati sarg parv 111: 3,3, 5-8)
The Kuntap Sukt of Atharva Veda prophesied, among other things, the Prophet's name as Praiseworthy; his ten best companions; his 100 companions who migrated to Abyssinia; the 313 companions who fought The Battle of Badr that saved Islam; and the 10,000 companions who conquered Mecca with him. But one must know Mohammed's life story to understand the prophecies.
"The truthful, wise, powerful and generous Mamah (Mohammed) has favoured me with his words....possessing all good attributes, the mercy for the worlds has become famous with ten thousand (companions)." (Atharva veda)
Buddhist scriptures
"I am not the first Buddha who came upon the earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in the world, a holy one, a supremely enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths which I have taught you. He will preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at its climax, and glorious at the goal. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure, such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousand, while mine number many hundred. He will be known as Maitreya...".(The gospel of Buddha by Carus)
There are many claimants to this 'maitreya : among them Shankaracharya, Jesus, and Mohammed - each proposed by his followers or admirers. Shankaracharya is hardly known outside the Hindu world. Jesus did not have that many disciples, certainly not many thousands. Mohammed was an incomparable leader of man and had many thousands of companions and disciples. Among the meanings given to Maitreya are loving, kindness, benevolence, friendliness, compassionate, merciful, forgiveness, goodness, providence etc. - precisely the same meanings for Rahmat (Arabic) which, for simplicity, is translated as mercy in the Prophet's title of "Rahmatul-lil Alamin" : mercy for all the Worlds. So Gautama Buddha was indeed talking about Mohammed.
While mankind requires true guidance and these will be provided by Almighty through His Prophet.
And Mohammed was the last of Prophets and seal of Prophets whose arrival had been continuously foretold by the major vedas.
Holy Qur'an says: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Apostle of God, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He that giveth Both life and death. So believe in God and His Apostle, the unlettered Prophet, who believeth in God And His Words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided." [7:158]
Further says: "We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not." [34:28]
Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said, "I have been sent to perfect the generosities of morals" that is to define and demonstrate the highest form of morality. Truth, honesty, trustworthy, loyalty, Justice, sympathy, service, good fellowship, neighborhood, tolerance, harmony, co-operation in goodness and piety etc are the morals of generosities and those who attain such characters as taught by Holy Prophet (PBUH) can please man and serve in the path of Almighty.
Prophet's messages also destroyed all the differences and distinctions of race, colour and nationality as Almighty declared "O mankind! we created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (Not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)" [49:13]
Prophet in his prayer told "O God, Thou art peace and from thee is peace" and Prophet (PBUH) said "Indeed religion is well wishing" The fundamental as well as ultimate end of religion is to soothe the heart and bring peace and this is the bliss.
Peace is very essential one for the individual, society and world and it is missing somewhere nowadays. Certain people falsely think that Islam is the religion that would lead to the extinction of all other faiths.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had not brought the message to extinguish other faiths, he brought the message that enlightens every faith of others also with truth and universal values of life. Islam brought to light the concealed truths in every religion and Almighty made Islam as purified, chosen and peaceful one to all mankind.

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Scientific facts in Quran

Scientific facts in Quran

BY MJ MOHAMMED IQBAL

The smallest particles of matter, detected by the human beings so far, are called the fundamentals like electron, proton, neutron, etc., which form the atom of any matter. The electrons and protons carry equal but opposite kind of electrical charge and also occur in equal number to make the atom as a whole safe and neutral. Moreover, the atoms of all kinds of matter contain these particles having the power of producing flash of light on spark and differ only in number and nature of arrangement between them.

This common character of the atoms bears the stamp of the Unique Creator.

Gravitation

There exist gravitational force among all the infinite number of heavenly bodies, so that none of them deviates from the other at will nor they dash against each other to cause a state of chaos and confusion. A system of peace and tranquility prevails all through. The leaves of the trees fall by the law of gravitation. The imposer of the law knows thoroughly well where it is followed and where not. The Qur'an says:

"Lo: Allah graspeth the heavens and the earth that they deviate not, and if they were to deviate there is not one that could grasp them after Him". (35:41)

The force of gravitation of the earth works strongly on a substance falling from a distance above. Allah has utilised this force in fighting against Abraha, the Abyssinian ruler of AI-Yaman, who invaded Makkah to destroy the Ka'bah just fifty-five days before the birth of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). A swarm of flying creatures threw pieces of stones on the elephant and the soldiers of Abraha from above just to punish them.

Water

Water is the essential factor of life. It evaporates from the earth and is carried by the wind to form cloud which condenses as pure water to fall back. The earth absorbs it. The plants and trees live on it, as the animals do. The water vapour changes the composition of air in terms of hygrometry. Moreover, the water gives different kinds of taste due to its contents. The two seas of the salt and the sweet water do not mix with each other. The alluvial gravel and sand deposits at the bed of some rivers contain gold and platinum, pearl, coral stones, etc.

Mountains

As the earth does not rest on any support, there was necessity of its balance on all sides, so that it should function smoothly and should not fall on a side during eartquake. The mountains and hills are so placed on the northern hemisphere to balance thc oceans on the southern. The Qur'an says:

"And hath cast into the earth into mountains so that it quake not with you". (31:10)

"Set thereon (earth) mountains firm and immovable". (15:19)

"They will ask thee of the mountains. Say: My Lord will break them into scattered dust and leave it as an empty plain; wherein seest thou neither curve nor ruggedness". (20:105 - 107)

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