Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Ernst Thalmann once said, "The highest goal of human endeavour is a moral character." (Thalmann). The spiritual character and benevolent attitude of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is interpreted in this quote. Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 A.D. He became an orphan soon after his birth and was raised by his uncle Abu Talib. Under Abu Talib's guidance, Muhammad started to earn a living as a businessman and a trader. During that time, people of Arab were misguided; robbery, theft, hijacking, drinking became a common practice- which is known as "the age of ignorance" in Islam. Even after living in such a situation, Muhammad was always devoted to God and wanted peace. At the age of 40, he got his "prophetic call" and started preaching Islam as a religion in Mecca. Overcoming all obstacles, he became one of the most influential figures in history with an ideal character.  Muhammad possessed a kind and forgiving attitude towards everybody that turned his foes into friends. Besides, he was an excellent leader which helped him to lead a major world religion and spread it throughout the world.  Apart from being a Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh) was a man with remarkable attributes; he was a true hero because of his exemplary love for mankind, charismatic leadership qualities and strong moral character.

Muhammad's kindness and love for everybody reflects that he was born for the enlightenment and well-being of the mankind. According to a tradition recorded in the Sahih of Imam Muslim, when the Prophet's opponents greatly increased their persecution, his companions asked him to curse them. At this, the Prophet replied, "I have not been sent to lay a curse upon men but to be a blessing to them." (Cordoby).  Muhammad's heart was filled with intense affection and forgiveness for everyone irrespective of caste, creed and color. People of his own tribe became his enemies when he started preaching Islam. He had to face humiliation, injustice and cruelty from his opponents, but he never hated them for it. He never cursed them nor he blamed them, rather, he always prayed for his foes and forgave their misdeeds. Kindness and mercy comes from the submission and devotion to God and Islam promotes mercy and kindness to all living beings on earth. We all tend to take revenge but Muhammad taught us that real peace lies in forgiving others. Once while teaching his companions, Muhammad said, "Feed the hungry and visit a sick person, and free the captive, if he be unjustly confined. Assist any person oppressed, whether Muslim or non-Muslim" (Muhammad). Muhammad was compassionate to the poor and always tried to help them with all he had. After he became the administrator of Mecca, he worked hard to abolish poverty and human slavery from Arab. He taught his followers to help the poor, feed the hungry and to free their slaves even if they were non-muslims. Muhammad considered himself as a servant of God, so he never treated his own servants differently. He gave the same respect and dignity to the slaves and workers as he gave to his administrators. He used to have food with them, ate what they used to eat and slept where they used to sleep. Through his profound love and respect for people, Muhammad proves that indeed he is a blessing for mankind.

Muhammad was unanimously recognized and reputed to have the best moral character of his time. In his last sermon in Mecca, Muhammad mentioned, "All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action." ("Prophet Muhammad's Last Sermon"). Muhammad never treated people differently because of their color or race nor he neglected them in anyway. Muhammad believed that everyone is equal and deserves mutual respect and dignity. Race, color or caste can make no difference when a person is loyal, honest and does good deeds. He taught us that no one is superior to anyone else rather everyone is submitted to God and is under his control. Muhammad was known for his truthfulness and honesty from childhood. "Since his parents died too early, he had started trading with his uncle and during this business everyone was impressed by the truthfulness and honesty of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). People gave him the title of Sadiq (the truthful) and Al-Amin (the faithful)." (Farooq). Muhammad proved by his life examples that his truthfulness and trustworthiness were beyond comparison. Muhammad hated lying and always told the truth even when it might hurt someone's feelings. He pointed out the liars as " hypocrites " and taught his followers not to lie under any circumstances. Furthermore, people in his neighbourhood, workplaces including his enemies trusted him blindly. When he was entrusted with someone's deposit, he took so much care of the thing, as if it was his own. His faithfulness and honesty amazed everybody and people started to call him "Al-Amin" (the faithful). Muhammad's ethics and strong moral values make him an ideal person for all.

Muhammad was a born charismatic leader who, with his unique leadership qualities attracted a large number of people to follow him diehard and thus turned his preaching into a major-world religion in a very short spell of time. It is highlighted in the Islamic history that, "In 624 the Muslims won their first major military victory at Badr. The opposition had been accustomed to attack and assembled an army of approximately 1,000 men. Muḥammad with a force of only about 300 ambushed the army and greatly elevated Islamic morale and his own position in the eyes of the enemy and neutral forces" ("Muhammad"). Battle of Badr is a very important event in the Islamic history. During this battle, the Quraish army (opponents) had all kinds of weapons, war animals and large number of soldiers. On the other hand, the Muslims were small in number, didn't have sufficient weapons and were lacking in food for the soldiers.  With such a small number of men yet with proper leadership, Muhammad and his followers had a flawless victory against the Quraish. He had to face all kinds of obstacles in his way but he always protected his companions and overcoming all barriers he spread Islam throughout the world. It is mentioned in the Quran,  "..Whether it be against rich or poor.follow not the lust of your hearts, lest you swerve from doing justice." (Qur'an, 4:135)" (Cordoby).  Being just and fair is the foremost quality of a worthy leader.  After Muhammad conquered his motherland , he freed his enemies and abolished slavery in Arab. As a leader in wartime and as a leader in peacetime, Muhammad always followed the rules of the Quran to lead his country and became a worthy leader for the people of Arab. He believed that a group of people can never be led in the right way without justice. It is said that perhaps the people of Arab had a golden time during the regime of Muhammad. Muhammad's great leadership and hard working attitude helped him to become one of the most influential figures in history.

Muhammad was not just a Prophet but also he was a man with extraordinary qualities as a humanitarian, ideal character and a very influential leader of Islam. Life of Muhammad is a big chapter in the Islamic history. He was raised by his uncle after his parents' death and used to earn a living as a trader and businessman. He was always devoted to God and wanted peace in Arab. Muhammad's life took a big turn after he attained his "prophethood." He started preaching Islam but he had to face various hardships and obstacles. His forgiving attitude, moral values and great leadership traits helped him surmount all barriers and establish Islam as a religion in the world. I believe that a hero should be strong as well as altruistic. Generosity, kindness, integrity, moral values and humbleness are what makes someone a "true hero." Muhammad was first an optimal human and then a prophet. He strongly possessed all these qualities and advised others to practice them. Alphonse de Lamartine once said, "If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great man in history with Muhammad?" (Lamartine)