The Role of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Islam

His farewell sermon sums up the mission he struggled for throughout his life and outlines the agenda of a righteous, inclusive, just and egalitarian society

Fourteen hundred years ago, a man was born in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, who changed the course of the world’s history. To around one and a half billion people, He is the final and the last in the long line of prophets who brought the word of God to humanity . Ancient scriptures and sociological traditions reaching erudite scholars are unanimous that all the revered founders of religion and honorable guides in the way to righteousness have no example to show that in a short span of twenty-three years, the most ignorant and barbaric people became the teachers, most civilized, and well-mannered people on the earth. The world can’t present any other example of this miraculous success . Muhammad (PBUH) founded Islam, a religion that shaped the lives of millions of Muslims around the world and inspired one of the world’s greatest civilizations.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was admired by everyone in society because of his noble qualities, and he was a perfect example of an honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful, and brave human being who showered peace and mercy upon all creatures who live on the face of the earth. The love and compassion of Allah’s messenger for all kinds of creations were not of this kind as claimed by today’s humanists. He was sincere and balanced in his love and compassion. He was a prophet raised by Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all human beings, for the guidance and happiness of conscious beings, mankind, and jinn, and for the harmony of existence. Therefore, he lived not for himself but for others; he is a mercy for all the worlds . His qualities of being peace-loving, kind and merciful, generous, pleasant and modest, and his concern for orphans and children, his respect for the people of other religions and religious leaders, touched everyone’s heart, no matter the race, colour, gender, religion, or faith. That is why a well-known winner and Nobel Prize winner, Sir Bernard Shaw admitted in his book “Genuine Islam”, ” I have studied Prophet Muhammad and in my opinion, he must be called the Saviour of humanity.”

Prophet Muhammad’s simple lifestyle is a good example for the whole of mankind. He taught equality, humanity, and the rights of women. He was an exemplar who showed his followers the value of humility in social life and simplicity in family life. His family and social life were shaped around Islamic principles ensuring peace and happiness. When teaching the rights of women, he taught his followers saying, “The best among you are those who behave best towards their wives. The best among you is the one who is the kindest to his wife, and the worst among you is the one who treats his wife badly.” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself was a perfect family man for all time. He raised four daughters, educated them, and married them to pious husbands. Being a respectful husband and a loving father to his children and grandchildren, he showed a good example to his followers about the way of peaceful family life in the way of Islamic teachings.

As a businessman , successful reformist, strategic leader, and brilliant administrator, he was an extraordinary individual in his social life. As a businessman, he used to give needy people whatever he earned. He was extremely generous and sociable. He encouraged his followers to help people in need. One of his companions once asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which act in Islam is the best, and Prophet Muhammad replied, “To feed the poor and needy people, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, and greet the people you know and those you do not, regardless of religion or race.” Prophet Muhammad’s charisma in leadership attracted people at all levels, including Sir Bernard Shaw and British scholar John Adair , who described the leadership qualities possessed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Sir Bernard Shaw revealed in his book, Genuine Islam , that if a man like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were to assume the powerful leadership of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring much-needed peace and happiness.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) set up principles based on the holy Qur’an to create order in social life. A few of these principles include the brotherhood of all Muslims helping one another , solidarity among people, as well as speaking up against injustice. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was himself a role model and encouraged all Muslims to treat people with respect, regardless of colour, religion, faith, gender, or tribe. His farewell sermon sums up the mission he struggled for throughout his life and outlines the agenda of a righteous, inclusive, just, and egalitarian society. In his farewell, he left us with the most important lesson that we are all equal. No one has any superiority over any other on any basis except by piety and righteousness. A universal message that is as relevant today as it was during the 7th century AD. That is the true legacy of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). All these qualities prompted Michael Hart to admit, “No individual influences the world as much as Prophet Muhammad of Islam. He is the only person who was supremely successful on both religious and secular fronts.”