Sorry to say that I started to hate islam

IN contemporary times, people in general and Muslims in particular need to emulate Prophyet Muhammad s (peace be upon him) humane and practical approach to life. He showed that Islam is not a theoretical philosophy. He preached and practiced a code of life, its commandments and prohibitions, and rendered good actions and service to mankind in all spheres of human activity.

Within a short span of time, he had successfully ushered in an era of tolerance and liberalism and had revitalized a decadent social order. He was able to mold the character of his fellowmen, reform them and change their thoughts, put new ideals before them and elevate them to the higher plane of a better, harmonious life. Subsequently, the Muslim Ummah, not based on relations of blood, race, color or class, came into being through sheer adherence to permanent divine values.

He never compelled anyone to become a Muslim. Through his exemplary behavior people were drawn to him. He lived for 40 years among the people before inviting them to Islam. It was quite difficult for them to accept a human being like them as a nabi. He would plainly say that he was but a man like others and that he had no treasures, nor did he claim to know the secrets of the future. The Qur an testifies to this: Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) I am only a man like you . . . (18:110).

The Prophet (peace be upon him) always showed composure and balance while confronting the tribulations of life. The insistent demand of the people that he should work miracles to convince them made him despondent. He changed the attitudes and characters of people through his behavior. They were astonished to see his reaction toward the people of Taif who had been very unkind to him. He did not curse anyone, but prayed may Allah guide the people of Taif.

Following the setback at Uhud, the companions asked him to curse the people of Makkah. He said, I was not sent to curse people. I was sent as a caller to the truth and as a mercy to the people.

Edward Gibbon (Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) writes, Even at the zenith of his worldly power the good sense of Muhammad [peace be upon him] despised the pomp and royalty he submitted to the menial offices of the family, he kindled the fire, swept the floor, milked the ewes and mended with his own hands his shoes and his woolen garments. He observed the abstemious diet of an Arab and a soldier.

How many of us claiming to be his followers practice these? His life was very simple. He would put on whatever kind of cloth he could get. He would eat whatever was placed before him. He would sit wherever he could find room, whether on a mat, carpet or the floor. He was a model family man, very loving to the children.

As a role model we must remember that he taught us to obey Allah s commands, give alms, speak the truth, to give back safe and whole what is entrusted to us by others, to be affectionate to our neighbors, to shun wicked acts and to avoid bloody quarrels.

To the Christians of Najran and the adjoining areas he promised the security of God and his own pledge. No cross or image shall be destroyed, they shall not be oppressed, they shall not be required to furnish provisions for the troops were his standing orders.

Contrary to some modern-day notions, he disliked wars and when he migrated to Madina, he brought an end to the tribal wars which had been rampant for more than a century. He invited the followers of all faiths and advised them to unite and establish a city-state to forge a common defense and security against all adversaries. Surprisingly, his advice was readily accepted even by the tribes of Aws and Khazraj.

The Meethaq of Madinah (charter) is the first constitution of the world. Today, as the world s population is increasing and the number of people adhering to different faiths continues to grow, this document should be widely propagated. It abolishes all forms of priestly and clergy rule. Following this ideal, the Islamic commonwealth included within its fold Jews, Sabians, Christians and others as citizens like the Muslims. They were accorded religious, social and political rights through this charter.

One of his sayings shows his respect for all religions. When the bier of anyone passes by thee, Muslim or non-Muslim, rise to thy feet. As a result of his teachings which laid the foundation of human rights and values, Muslim communities all over the world, even as far as China, India, Japan, Africa and the West, show that Islam still has the power to reconcile apparently irreconcilable elements of race and tradition. If Muslims truly follow his teachings in all aspects of social life, the opposition between eastern and western societies can be replaced with cooperation.

Islam upholds the dignity of labor and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself worked along with others in the construction of the first mosque at Quba and in digging during the Battle of Trench. He emancipated slaves and women from bondage. The slaves were placed on an equal footing with their masters and they were elevated to the rank of generals and commanders. Bilal (Allah be pleased with him) was appointed the first muezzin of Islam and was respectfully addressed as Syedna (our master) Bilal. Women were given the right of divorce and inheritance in the property of their deceased husbands and fathers.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was successful in bringing into existence a new type of man self-respecting, self-reliant, conscious of his worth and desirous of enhancing it with the ambition to set up a better social order in the world. Jeffery Lang in his book Struggling to Surrender writes: To swear that Muhammad is the messenger of God is to accept his life as an example and to affirm that his actions set the standard for mankind s conduct regardless of time and place. If Muslims are to convince Western civilization that Islam provides a better way, then they would have to either soften their commitment to Mohammad s example or invest their time and effort to argue their case convincingly.

A model which can serve as a standard for every class of people under different circumstances and states of human emotions will be found in the life of Muhammad (peace be upon him). For the rich there is his example as a tradesman; for the poor is his example as an internee of Shiab Abi Talib and the emigre of Madina. For the vassal, there is the man who endured the hardships imposed by the Quraish of Makkah; for the conqueror there is the victor of Badr and Hunayn. In defeat, one can take a lesson from the discomfort at Uhud. As a teacher, one can learn from the holy mentor of the school of Suffah; as a student from the man who sat before Gabriel.

Whenever anyone came, he moved quickly to give him a seat. He was quick to smile and greet the person, and was never harsh or offensive, and rarely angry. He was generous in praise, averse to conflict or too much comfort. He always rose to the challenge of history.

Abdullah Ibn Ubaiyy withdrew one-third of the Muslim army in Uhud, but Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not seek vengeance. He said, We will have mercy and treat him kindly as long as he remains with us. Fadallah came with the intention of killing him and felt nervous when Muhammad (peace be upon him) met him with calm and a smiling face. Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised him kindly to seek God s forgiveness and Fadallah lived the rest of his life saying, I came to kill him and left with no man more beloved and dear to me.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) laid the greatest emphasis on human rights and tolerance. He made his followers realize the importance of observation and knowledge, and was able to divert man s attention to the vast and limitless universe and find the clue to God s greatness. He disclosed a concept of life compatible with nature. Through his lifetime of struggle and exemplary behavior he emphasized that the Qur an was not a collection of dogmas, but a code of life which regulated everything that involved human life. He never preached what he could not be practiced. His last words were not about property, dominance or kingdom, but the protection of the weak and downtrodden. Today Muslims all over the world are in a miserable situation. This is because they have failed to live up to the ideals set forth by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Dawn. Karachi 29 April 2005.