The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Prophet of Islam

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Friday, Apr 22, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Prophet of Islam

CHENNAI: Mecca is a place in the desert of Arabia like many others. An obscure child like a million others, who had a nondescript childhood like any other one, was born in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal in 570 A.D. Had it been known to humanity that this child would climb the ladder of spirituality and become the prophet of Islam, they would not have certainly given room for controversy about the date of his birth. It is the day on which Meelad-un-Nabi is celebrated by the Muslims the world over.

Prophet Mohammed (Sal) hailed from the lineal tree from which He brought forth other prophets and his descendants are the noblest. Allah had deputed him and distinguished him with His revelations. Allah in the Holy Quran has said, "We have indeed in the Apostle of God a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in God and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of God."(33:21)

The Holy Quran has captured the life and time of Prophet Mohammed (Sal) more succinctly than many fulsome tributes paid to him. Allah had sent the prophet at a time when the people had fallen into errors of action and ignorance, and were indulging in idolatry; Prophet Mohammed (Sal) preached that Allah is one and the Exalted; he prescribed fasting for a month during Ramazan and ordained performance of the Haj and enjoined payment of Zakath. Prophet Mohammed (Sal) has revealed to mankind a way of submission to the will of Allah.

Prophet Mohammed (Sal) led a frugal life, and he and Hazrath Khadija as a couple were a picture of perfection. If we try to capture images of the Prophet (Sal), there would be hundreds of them — supplicating to the Omnipotent to the extent that Allah in the Holy Quran has said. "Stand (to pray) by night. But not all night (73:1); that of preaching Islam, carrying the objects of his deep affection, the two grandsons Hasan and Hussain (AS) on his shoulders and so on.

It was unfortunate that the prophet (Sal) was snatched away at the age of 63 years on 28th Safar 11 A.H. when Allah wanted to ensure the availability of His representative among His creation for guidance by establishing the institution of Imamate.

Mir Mazher Hussain,
Chennai

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Prophet of Islam

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