ISLAM: Preaching unity through Brotherhood

15 Feb, 2015 - 00:02 0 Views
ISLAM: Preaching unity through  Brotherhood Worship in Islam

The Sunday Mail

A major part of the Prophet Muhammed’s (Peace Be Upon Him) mission was to bring peace to the world.

One of the ways in which he strove towards this end was to attempt to convince people of the stark reality that all men and women, though different from one another in colour, culture and language, etc are in fact brothers and sisters.

His message was crucial, for indeed a proper relationship of love and respect can be established only if that is how human beings regard one another. To inculcate such feelings, the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) would preach to his followers, “You are all Adam’s offspring and Adam was made of clay.”

Observance of genuine feelings

The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) would exhort his followers to live in peace with fellow men, saying, “A true Believer is one with whom others feel secure,” one who returns love for hatred.

He used to teach the Believers that anyone who would return love only when love was given belonged on a lower ethical plane.

The true Believer never reasons that only if people treat him well then he will treat them well in return.

The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) himself set the example.

All his recorded words and actions reveal him as a man of great gentleness, kindness, humility, good humour and excellent common sense, with a great love for all people and even for animals, birds, etc.

Display of humility

Despite his position as leader, the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) never believed himself to be greater or better than others.

He never made others feel small, unwanted or embarrassed.

He urged his followers to behave kindly and humbly, releasing slaves whenever possible, and giving in charity — especially to the needy, poor, orphans and prisoners — without any thought of recompense from them but purely for the sake of The Almighty.

Setting the personal example

He told the people that “Whilst every religion has some special characteristic, that of Islam being modesty”.

In the absence of such a virtue, no community can have lasting peace.

The Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) own modesty, coupled with great strength of character, is depicted in a well-known story of an old Makkan woman who hated the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).

Every morning when the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) passed by her house, she would empty a basket of rubbish on his head from the upper story of her house.

He never once remonstrated with her about this.

One day, when the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) passed through this area, no rubbish fell on his head. Thinking that the old woman must be ill, he went upstairs to inquire how she was, and found her ill in bed.

When she discovered that the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) had come to see her, she began to weep: “I ill-treated you, and now you come to inquire after my health!”

Ultimately, she became one of his followers.

What strength of character, what patience and tolerance the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) exercised in refusing to be provoked, preferring rather to show kindness and magnanimity to one who had wished him ill!

 

For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:

Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars

Publications Department

PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare

Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003

e-mail: [email protected]

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