‘The most exalted standard of moral excellence’

The Prophet Mohammad was faced with enormous opposition from the inception of his mission as a Messenger of Allah, the Almighty the Creator of all. He spent 13 years in Makkah, after receiving his first revelation of the Quran, until he was forced to migrate, with his followers, to another town later called Madinah. Throughout his prophetic life and mission he faced continual threats to himself and to the safety of his community, facing armies and fighting many battles. Indeed, the hostility expressed towards him, Islam and the Muslim community, never stopped during his lifetime.

Never, living as he did in this most hostile of environments, did even the most bitter of his enemies raise questions or doubts about his marriages, nor was he ever accused of being a paedophile. Today, however, there are many anti-Muslims who, without thought, have taken to the internet and other media, to air their biased views and attack the character of the Prophet Muhammad, because they happened to have read or heard, somewhere, false and malicious comments.

As was the case in the past, with prophets like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and all the others, Allah bestowed the responsibility of carrying out the mission of delivering His message only on those eminently and morally qualified to carry it out. All the prophets possessed the best of characters that exemplified them in the eyes and minds of their people. This huge responsibility, placed on all the prophets and Messengers of Allah, is something that all Muslims must defend regardless of consequence.

The picture, that is portrayed by the opponents of Islam today, about the Prophet Mohammad and his married life, is completely false and unjustified. He married Khadija, May Allah be pleased with her, when he was only 25 and she was a widow aged 40. She was a successful business woman, who proposed to him, and he never married again during her lifetime. He then married another widow, before marrying Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with all of them.

Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, is the wife that opponents of Islam accuse the prophet of marrying when she was still a child. Ayesha was the youngest daughter of the prophet’s closest friend and companion, who became the first caliph after him. What her age was at the time of her engagement with the Prophet is the subject of some debate, keeping in mind the following considerations:

1-                  Prophet Mohammad had a mission which was his priority. He would not jeopardise his mission of conveying the message of Allah and ruin his ministry, as some Christian friends put it, for a petty motivation. He was receiving his revelation and that was the primary task at hand for him.

2-                  Prophet Mohammad had a certain social status and was well known for his noble character among the people of Makkah. He abhorred indecency and vile acts and was never accused of any such acts, even by his most open and vociferous enemies, in his lifetime.   

3-                  Ayesha was married to Prophet Mohammad with the full consent of her father, family and relatives. Is it feasible that they would have consented to the marriage of an underage child to a man who was about 53 years old?  

4-                  Ayesha was previously engaged with a son of Mut`im ibn Adi, before she was engaged with the Prophet himself. This previous engagement was broken off when her father came to believe in the message of the Prophet Mohammad.

5-                  If there had been any issue relating to child exploitation, surely it would have been used as a subject of attack by non Muslims, who at the time, were engaged in bitterly fought wars against the Prophet. That such an accusation was never broached and never became an issue, must surely indicate that it was not a forced marriage with an adult.

6-                  Two adults at opposite extremes of their adult life have the right to get married, without being accused of anything by unrelated parties, as long as the marriage is socially legal and mutually acceptable.

7-                  In many places, even today, including some American states, the age of consent for girls is twelve.  Does anyone accuse them of paedophilia?

The life of the Prophet Mohammad was a beautiful example to be followed by other people. What he laid down as a foundation for us to follow cannot be wrong. The Quran says: ‘Surely there was a good example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for all those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much’. S33 V21

‘Surely the Quran guides to the way that is the straightest’. S17 V9

The Quran also confirms the good character of the Prophet by saying: ‘and you are certainly on the most exalted standard of moral excellence’. S68 V4

These are some of the Quranic teachings about the character of the Prophet Mohammad. He was well known, both to the believers in his Muslim community and to his opponents in the larger community.  Never, during his lifetime, was he the subject of the accusations and calumnies that are now so freely aired by people who give no honour or dignity to our Prophet.

The world is rapidly becoming a place full of sexual crimes against children, young men and women and of course no religion or decent social order can possibly approve of or condone them. Many of these disgusting crimes are committed by individuals of differing religious and non-religious identities and they should be punished in the most draconian manner. If Muslims commit sexual crimes the same punishment should be imposed on them, but it should not and must not have any adverse bearing on the character of the Prophet or the teachings of Islam. If it is allowed to do so it becomes tantamount to blaming a whole nation for the crime committed by only one of their citizens.

Islam allows a maximum of four marriages in particular circumstances and this is very clearly mentioned in the Quran. This is not a licence for the mistreatment of women. Indeed, a woman must be consulted and give her unequivocal consent before she is married, otherwise the marriage is invalid.

Attacks on the person of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, only serve to show the ignorance of the persons indulging in them. Islamic teachings work through a set of guidelines and ingrained principles within the parameters of Quranic revelations. Anyone is entitled to engage in debate about Islamic beliefs, its ways, its solutions to human problems and its statements of morality and ethical perspective. However, abuse, false allegations, name calling and continually displaying animosity towards Muslims, coupled with a total lack of understanding of Islamic values, will never deliver mutual trust and peaceful and harmonious relations.

Humility: a loving human trait in the Sight of Allah

Islam, necessarily, teaches us humility, as we are all subject to Allah’s eternal Will. The Quran says: ‘Indeed Allah does not love those who are arrogant’. All that we have today remains in our hands only for our short remaining time on earth and will inevitably be passed on to someone else. Why, then, do we display arrogance or walk in arrogance in this world?

The arrogance, haughtiness and pride that man exhibits towards others, are in direct contrast to humility. We may look down on others less fortunate than ourselves or join the many clubs filled with those who are part of an increasingly arrogant society.

Islam tells us that Allah, the Almighty and Creator of all things, will test all men, both with goodness and by hardship (evil), thereby ascertaining who is grateful and who is ungrateful to Him. The results of these tests separate those who are deserving and will enter Paradise, from those who are undeserving and reside in the Fire for all eternity.  In a hadith the prophet Mohammad, Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘shall I not inform you of the people of Paradise? They are every weak and weakened people who if they swear by Allah, He would fulfil their oath. Then the Prophet said: ‘shall I not tell you of the people of the Fire? They are every harsh natured, suppressive and arrogant people’.

Islam shows us the path towards mercy and blessings for mankind. Whoever deviates from the path, retreats from the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Only the Creator deserves to show arrogance as no other is comparable to Him. This is the reason in a Hadith qudsi, Allah SWT says: ‘Arrogance is My robe and greatness is My wrapper. Whoever tries to take it away from Me, either of them, I would throw them in the Fire’.

There are many ways by which Allah reminds people how to be humble. Humility benefits others and makes all our lives easier and more merciful. The following are some of the ways people can arrive at the realisation of their humility and powerlessness:-

1-           Belief in the Creator and His power over all things. We have very short life in this world, and this becomes even shorter if we consider it in terms of possessing power and ownership. Surely it is not sensible to jeopardise a blissful life in the Hereafter for an even shorter term of life in this world? Believing in the Almighty Allah, humbling oneself in front of Him and following His teachings, shows us the path to humility and to salvation.

2-           A clear conscience and an awareness and healthy fear of the Creator, Allah, will make a person mindful of their actions and deeds, leading us to practise obedience, humility and ultimately to incur the pleasure of Allah. This is called ‘Taqwa’. The ‘Taqwa’ (awe) of Allah by a person always leads him to the path of humility and away from arrogance.

3-           Gratefulness to Allah: this makes a person realise that all the blessings that he has received were from Allah and not from himself. Being grateful makes a person show humility and deserve more blessings.

4-           Seeking forgiveness for our own shortcomings, 'istigfaar', is another conscientious act by which people can mend the error of their ways and find the path of humility in the Sight of Allah. An arrogant person does not see the error of his ways, neither does he believe that he is capable of making mistakes or recognise that his mistakes should not be followed by others, as they are contrary to the guidance of Allah, their Creator.

The Quran mentions two incidents which demonstrate fully the futility of disobedience to God's commands, and they are narrated in several different Surahs of the Quran.

The first incident is the example of ‘Iblis', who, when he was commanded by Allah to prostrate to Adam alongside the angels, rejected His command.  Surah Al-Aaraf tells us: ‘We initiated your creation then We gave you each a shape and then We said to the angels: ‘prostrate yourselves before Adam. ‘They all prostrated themselves except Iblis, he was not one of those who fell prostrate’. 

Allah said: ‘What prevented you from prostrating yourself when I commanded you to do so?’ he said: ‘I am better than he. You created me from fire and him you created from clay’.  Allah said: ‘then get you down from here. It does not behove you to be arrogant here. So be gone. You will be among the humiliated’.

This shows us that arrogance constrains a person from recognising and admitting his mistakes until it is too late to make amends.  One error can lead to further errors and finally our hearts become sealed and our thinking faculties so impaired that we can never regain the path of wisdom.

The second incident mentioned in the Quran is the story of ‘Qarun’ (Korah), to whom Allah granted the wealth of this world in abundance. The story goes like this in the Quran:- ‘Surely, Qarun was one of the Moses’ people then he transgressed against them. We had bestowed on him such treasure that their very keys would have been raised with difficulty by a whole group of strong people. Once when his people said to him: ‘do not exult, for Allah does not love those who exult.’

‘Seek by means of the wealth that Allah has granted you the abode of the Hereafter, but forget not your share in this world and do good as Allah has been good to you and do not strive to create mischief in the land, for Allah loves not those who create mischief.’

Qarun replied: ‘All this has been given to me on account of a certain knowledge that I have'.

‘Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him those who were stronger in might than he and were more numerous in multitude? The wicked are not asked about their acts of sin.’

Further verses show how the arrogant attitude of Qarun destroyed him and his treasure and everything that he owned.

Surely these examples demonstrate that no one has more power than Allah. Humility is a human virtue that makes people do good, be kinder and accountable for their actions and avoid the path of error. Humility is a grace granted to people by God and it should be actively sought out by everyone. 

Islam teaches us that humbling ourselves to the greatness of Allah makes us more honourable. The Quran says: ‘verily the noblest of you in the Sight of Allah is the most God-fearing of you’. S49 V13

Practising humility can reform our characters, reduce prejudice, arrogance, hatred and war, injustice and human misery. Allah is great, but human greatness can only be measured by our practice of humility towards Him.

Fairness and justice: Islam’s path.

Justice and fairness are among the most important facets of human behaviour and Islam places great emphasis on them in its teachings. In Surah Al-Nisa and verse 135, Allah guides in the Quran saying: ‘ O believers! Be upholders of justice and bearers of witness to truth for the sake of Allah, even though it may be against yourselves or against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor, for Allah is more concerned with their wellbeing than you are. Do not, then, follow your own desires lest you keep away from justice. If you twist or turn away from (the truth), know that Allah is well aware of all that you do’.

This verse is perhaps the most comprehensive, concise and definitive guidance that may keep mankind on the paths of justice and fairness throughout their lives. All people are required to be just, be they believers in Allah or not. It not only enhances the welfare of humanity but also brings happiness to all those who are just in their dealings.  As a result hearts are satisfied, burdens are lifted and life prospers.

Islam and Islamic teachings can never condone any unfair attitudes or injustice in people’s conduct. No degree of religiousness or righteousness can ever be achieved by resorting to unfair or dishonest dealings with others. Muslim or non-Muslim, all of mankind will always be accountable for their own actions. In another Quranic verse, Allah, SWT, says: ‘Believers! Be upright bearers of witness for Allah, and do not let the enmity of any people move you to deviate from justice. Act justly, that is nearer to God-fearing. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is well aware of what you do.’ S5 V8

Where people unjustly differentiate between Muslims and non-Muslims, they follow an un-Islamic path and those committing such an offence will be accountable to their Creator in the afterlife. They will surely be dealt with for this and all the other injustices they have committed in this world. It is the very worst of crimes as it concerns both people’s rights and their freedom.

The Islamic concept of human rights is the most comprehensive ever produced. However, it is not, seemingly, practised by most of us and stands as a root cause of many of the problems that we now face. Justice is the most basic of human rights and brings happiness into the hearts and blessings into the lives of those people who practise and receive it.  Those of us who fail to accept their responsibility towards others in this area also fail to recognise their accountability to Allah and continue to live, oblivious of their guilt, until it becomes too late to rectify the injustice.

Justice, when practiced correctly, can be beautiful. It is a very comprehensive concept in Islam covering every aspect of our lives. From an Islamic perspective a little clear thought will indicate to us that fairness begins with the sense of justice present in our belief in God the almighty and the Creator, in recognising Him and dedicating ourselves to him. By recognising Him, surely, we must also recognise the favour and goodness He bestows upon us to make life as pleasurable as possible.

Just as surely we cannot fail to understand and accept that everything we see and receive from Him has been beautifully designed by Him.  We have been given the gift of life by the originator of the heavens and the earth and it is only a matter of fairness and justice that we show our gratitude to our Creator, without associating anything with Him.

So, if our sense of justice and fairness starts when we recognise God our Creator,  surely it should then also have a domino effect on our attitudes and all other aspects of our lives, and ultimately create a sense of realisation and appreciation for all He has  bestowed upon us.

Being fair and delivering justice are blessings from Allah. Justice or injustice do not apply solely to our actions. Words we utter unthinkingly can be very unfair and deliver injustice as well. We sometimes falsely judge people and say things that adversely affect them and their lives, indeed, the spoken word can and has destroyed the lives of many people. We must all, therefore, be responsible and accountable for our words, and it is in this sense the Quran says: ‘when you speak, be just, even though it concerns a near of kin and fulfil the covenant of Allah’. S6 V152  

  

Straightforward speech and truth, is required of all people. Every spoken word is either a blessing and salvation for us and others or it contains a miserable outcome for others. If it is the latter and if we have a conscience, we would live for ever with the guilt. People slander, lay accusations and try to destroy lives of others, by spreading lies and misinformation. This should not be taken lightly as it is a matter of grave injustice, often prompted by personal greed and false ambition. Nothing is ignored in the justice of Allah until it is put right.

When people commit injustices, the term used to described the act is  ‘Dhulm’ or ‘Zulm’, and  it is regarded as the most heinous crime that one can commit. It is a curse and the Quran, with no ambiguity, says: ‘behold! Allah’s curse be upon the wrongdoers (those who commit Dhulm)’. S11 V18

Why do people commit the crimes of injustice and unfair dealing? A hadith of our Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, explains: ‘keep away from Dhulm (oppression and injustice), because a dhulm would be darkness on the Day of recompense. And keep away from greed as greed has destroyed people before you. It made them to shed their blood and violate their rights’. Narrated by Muslim

This is a very stark warning. Those of you, whose actions or words have adversely affected other people’s lives, would do well to heed these words of the Prophet.

Islam's code of justice is paramount in this life and if we are to experience the justice, mercy and rewards from Allah in the next, we must follow it, no matter what trial He imposes on us.  Being blessed with the mercy of Allah and His forgiveness or being made to suffer the consequence of our actions in our next life depends upon it.

No one can escape from the consequences of the injustices they have committed, neither in this world nor in the Hereafter. We all need to be continually mindful of this basic cornerstone of our belief.  

The fear of God

Fear is not something that many of us would wish to experience, but our innate fear of nearly everything affects, and sometimes rules, most aspects of our lives. Indeed we base many life changing decisions on our fear of illness, physical disability, death and loss. More understandably, we also fear for our family and friends, and that we may experience failure or bad luck and become unsuccessful. Some of us even fear the darkness and unexpected appearances, becoming easily spooked by 'ghosts' and unfamiliar creatures. But, for all of us, our greatest fear should be our fear of God.

What is the meaning of fear in Islam? Who should we fear? Why should we fear?

Islam, by the very nature of its beliefs, means our complete submission to Allah’s Will and as  true believers we should never succumb to fear. Fear can destroy lives and become the founding cause for the creation of false beliefs in an attempt to ward off the ‘imagined consequences’ of these natural but unfounded fears. Fear also hinders the natural development of people or restricts their abilities. Fear, in many cases, creates negativity and can reduce our quality of life. The fear of Allah always produces positive outcomes and this is why:

The ultimate will in our creation or existence is the Will of the originator of the creation. No other will can ever overwrite that will or alter it. Allah (God) is the Creator and Maker of everything and, therefore, is also the One who has designed the course that everyone's life will take and has provided for them. He is the One who grants in abundance or restricts our opportunities and places people in competition with each other. 

Fear is real and no one is exempted from it. I am not, however, talking about the ordinary, and mostly unfounded fears that we all build around ourselves. If we had a complete knowledge of everything in our lives and had control over our future there wouldn’t be any fear or fright. Our knowledge, particularly about our future, is, however, severely limited, as all such knowledge rests where it should: with the Creator, the ‘All Knowing’.

This lack of knowledge and our apprehension as to what may happen in the future places us in a situation of ignorance and this is when we are susceptible to false beliefs and myths, as fear takes over.

Islamic teachings tell us that God has created the universe and all that it contains and indeed its final resting place. The destiny of all things, and the future paths for all things, mankind included, is already decided.  However, People can, and should, continue to strive to better their circumstances and follow the path of goodness. The Quran says: ‘Verily We have created man into toil and hardship’. S90 V4

Further, in a world so obviously created to test people's predilection for good or bad deeds, a man can still influence his situation in this life and enhance his prospects for the afterlife.

Of paramount importance, in all this, is that we fully understand that God has decreed mankind's destiny and that we are all, without exception, subject to it. Islamic teachings also tell us that no one can intercede with God except whom He permits.

When people submit to their Creator, Allah, and have faith and Imaan in His decreed provisions for them and their destiny, they may experience a different course of life than that which they desired and they should then realise that it was the Creator’s Will that has led to a different plan for them.

People should fear only God. This is the greatest wisdom we will receive in this life, saving us from false beliefs that may restrict the course of our success or diverting us from the path of our Creator. Any indulgence in polytheism, ‘Shirk’, intercession with the dead, or belief in hidden powers is futile: the only power in creation belongs to its Creator, Allah.

A fear of God restrains men in both their plans and desires and guides them to do the right thing, making them happier in this world and reaping rewards in the afterlife.

The Quran says: ‘But he who feared to stand before his Lord, restrained himself from evil desires, most surely his abode shall be Paradise’. S79 V40/41

Those who fear God don’t need to fear anything else:

Firstly; because they would never knowingly do anything wrong and will be extremely careful in what they do, thereby ensuring no bad consequences and offering up possible benefits for others in the community. 

Secondly; if we have a strong belief in Allah’s providence for man’s destiny, any time we fail we would not regard it necessarily as a failure, but a different course of life and the beginning of something possibly better and more beneficial.

The wisdom derived from a fear of God will make us more contented and happier and the waiting to see what God has in store for us will be exciting. It will also make us believers and we will be rewarded both in this world and in the hereafter. God provides for us all. Fear only fear itself– and God.