1. Muhammad: The Seal of the Prophets A mercy to mankind
Towards Understanding Islam and Muslims
12/06/2001
Towards Understanding Islam & Muslims
Muhammad: The Seal of the Prophets A mercy to mankind
Compiled by
Amgad Saleh
AhmadSultan.com

2. Towards Understanding Islam and Muslims
12/06/2001
Greetings of Islam
A-Salamu Alaikom
Peace be unto you
Wa Alaikom A-Salam
and unto you be peace
The universal greeting of Muslims all over the world is …
It is used in place of Hello and Goodbye
It symbolizes the essence of Islam; propagating love, peace, brotherhood, and the universality of the message
It means that you, your family, and belongings are safe with me.

3. Towards Understanding Islam and Muslims
12/06/2001
Outline
The Last Messenger to Mankind
Muhammad’s Message
Muhammad’s Character
Muhammad’s Approach (selective aspects)
Conclusions

4. The Last Messenger to Mankind Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to all mankind by the one God who sent Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all prophets
“We have not sent you but as a universal messenger to all people, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most people do not understand” (Our’an 34:28)
“And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! I’m the messenger of Allah (God) sent to you confirming the law which came before me (Torah) and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad (Muhammad)” (Our’an 61:6)
“My example and the prophets who came before me is like a man built a very nice house with one brick missing, so people would say except if this brick is there. So I’m the missing brick and I’m the Seal of the prophets” (Sahih Bukhari)

5. Towards Understanding Islam and Muslims
12/06/2001
The Prophets
Muhammad
Jesus
~ 600 Years
John
Zechariah
Elijah
Elisah
Jonah
Solomon
David
Naturalized Arabs
Aaron
Moses
Shuaib
Islam teaches that the same message was asserted by the prophets of old and especially by Abraham, the father of monotheism. Islam reveres all of these prophets may peace and blessings be upon them. It also teaches that Muhammad is the last of this long line of prophets, and the message is universal until the Day of Judgment.
Muslims believe that Islam is the final expression of the Abrahamic tradition. One should in fact properly speak of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition, for Islam shares with the other Abrahamic religions their history, the basic ethical teachings contained in the Ten Commandments and above all, belief in the One God. And it renews and repeats the true beliefs of Jews and Christians whose scriptures are mentioned as divinely revealed books in Islam's own sacred book, the Qur'an.
Below are the names of the 25 Messengers and/or Prophets of Allah mentioned in Qur’an:
Adam, Idris, Nuh (Noah), Hud, Saleh, Ibrahim (Abraham), Lut (Lot), Ismail (Ishmael), Ishak (Isaac), Ya'kub (Jacob), Yousuf (Joseph), Shuaib, Harun (Aaron), Musa (Moses), Dawood (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ayub (Job), Zulkifl (Ezekiel), Yunus (Jonah), Elyas (Elijah), Al-Yasa' (Elisah), Zakariyah (Zechariah), Yahya (John), `Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Them)
WHAT DO MUSLIMS THINK ABOUT JESUS?
Muslims respect and revere Jesus, and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's Messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as 'Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon him be peace'. The Qur'an confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Qur'an is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation.
Jesus was born miraculously through the same power which had brought Adam into being without a father:
During his prophetic mission Jesus performed many miracles. The Qur'an tells us that he said:
I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave. (3:49)
Neither Muhammad nor Jesus came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in One God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it.
The Prophet Muhammad said:
Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. (Hadith from Bukhari)
Tribes
Ezekiel
Job
Joseph
Jacob
Isaac
Ishmael
Abraham
Lot
Saleh
Non-Arabian side of the Semites
Original Arabs
Hud
Extinct Arabs
All Prophets and their followers throughout history is one nation under one God
Muslims make no difference between one and another of the prophets
Sam
Yapheth
Arabian side of the Semites
(Original, Extinct, and Naturalized)
Noah
Ham
The Flood
Idris
Other Prophets mentioned in Qur’an
Adam

6. Muhammad’s Message Submission
“Say: Verily, my Lord has guided me to a way that is straight – A religion of right – The path (trod) by Abraham, the true in faith and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah”
(Our’an 6:161)

7. Muhammad’s Message A way of Life based on Contemplation and Understanding
“Didn’t you see that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of different colors. And the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of color, and black intense in hue. And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors. Those truly fear Allah among his servants, who have knowledge. For Allah is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving” (Our’an 35:27-28)
“The followers of the prophets have accepted their messages as they witnessed the miracles they have shown. In my case, I was given a revelation to be recited (read, thought and understood)” (Sahih Bukhari)

8. Muhammad’s Character A testimony by the Creator
Exemplary Character
“And you stand on an exalted standard of character” (Our’an 68:4)
“Now has come unto you a messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that you should perish: Ardently anxious is he over you: to the believers is he most kind and merciful” (Our’an 9:128)
“It is part of the mercy of Allah (God) that you did deal gently with them. Were you severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from around you. So pass over (their faults), and ask for Allah’s forgiveness for them, and consult with them in affairs of the moment. Then when you has taken a decision, put your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in Him” (Our’an 3:159)

9. Muhammad’s Character (2) A testimony by the Creator
Combined the best in all prophets’ characters
“Those were the (prophets) who received Allah’s Guidance : Copy the guidance they received” (Our’an 6:90)
Piety and Youth (Joseph) |
Firmness and Strength (Mosis) |
Patience and Mercy (Abraham) }  Muhammad
Nobleness and Peace (Jesus) |
Patience and Taking account in God (Job) |

10. Muhammad: The Great Leader Testimonies by Notable Non-Muslims
Michael H. Hart (1978)
“My Choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the World's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level"
The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History", New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, p.33.
George Bernard Shaw(1935)
“"I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving the problems in a way that would bring the much needed peace and happiness. Europe is beginning to be enamored of the creed of Muhammad. In the next century it may go further in recognizing the utility of that creed in solving its problems"

11. Muhammad: The Great Leader (2) Testimonies by Notable Non-Muslims
Lamartine (1855)
“If greatness of purpose, smallness of means and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could claim to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?"
Gandhi(1922)
“I become more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers and his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle"

12. Rationale, Lenient, Not-violent Muhammad’s Approach
Patience when dealing with people
Rationale in actions
Changing people’s mind by persuasion
The same idols worshipers are the one who destroyed them

13. Love To People and Their Guidance Muhammad’s Approach
After the battle of “Uhud” where he was injured and lots of Muslims were killed, he prayed for the Maccan guidance:
“Oh Allah (God): give guidance to my people, they lack knowledge”

14. Recognizing people’s shortcomings Muhammad’s Approach
A man came to him admitting being drunk requesting to be punished
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked the man to wait after the prayer
After the prayer the man re-requested to be punished. The prophet recognized his repentance and answered “Did you not pray with us?” and sent him away.

15. Balanced Emotions Muhammad’s Approach
Softness:
Asking a young boy about his sick little bird “Abul-omair (the boy’s name): how did Al-Noghair (the bird) do”
Seriousness and Toughness
“If Fatima the daughter of Muhammad did steel, Muhammad would apply the the law of God on her” (Sahih Bukhari)

16. Insightful Muhammad’s Approach
Peace agreement with Maccan (Al-Hudaibiah Treaty) by showing the Muslims’ intension to perform “Umrah” (subset of Pilgrimage)
Avoid fighting during the conquest of Macca by recognizing a prominent Maccan leader social status
“Whoever enters his house is safe, whoever enters the Kabbah is safe, and whoever enters Abu-Sufian’s house is safe”

17. Forbearing Muhammad’s Approach
Listening to people and restraining himself when subject to harsh words and accusations from others:
“Oh Muhammad give me (money) from what God has given you, it is not yours nor your father’s”

18. Humbleness and Politeness Muhammad’s Approach
Towards God:
When asked why you stand all night praying while God has forgiven your sins, he answered: “Should not I be a thankful servant”
Towards People:
Going out with his companions, he would choose the most un-desirable task to perform by the group such as finding and collecting wood that can be used to lit the fire for cooking

19. Communication and Information Muhammad’s Approach
Dealing with Misinformation:
He worked very hard to communicate and educate the misinformed communities about his message

20. Team Building and Consultation Muhammad’s Approach
He always consulted his companions and made decisions based on consensus:
“During the battle of the Ditch, he followed the consensus of his companions to continue in the battle and not to make any compromise in order to relief them”

21. Non - Confrontational Muhammad’s Approach
He avoided confronting individuals who came to him and foolishly tried to confront him:
“Oh Muhammad give me (money) from what God has given you, it is not yours nor your father’s”

22. Scope and Priorities Muhammad’s Approach
In Macca (immoral society):
Explaining the right and wrong
Addressing keys to the highest level of human manners
In Madina (new Muslim society):
Emphasizing the importance of family relations and values
Strengthen social ties
Stressing on unity and diversity
Building economy
Building relationship with other communities (Treaties)

23. Integrating a diverse Society Muhammad’s Approach
Integrating and establishing unity in a society (Madina) that was diverse in both conviction and traditions
Unity between the “Aws” and “Khazraj” two long time rival tribes in Madina
Building relations with the Jewish tribes
Establishing political and economical systems in Madina
Establishing relations and treaties with the surrounding communities

24. Towards Understanding Islam and Muslims
12/06/2001
Conclusion
Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to all mankind by the one God who sent Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all prophets
An exalted standard of character that combined the best in all prophets’ characters

25. Towards Understanding Islam and Muslims
12/06/2001
Conclusion (2)
Rationale approach that is lenient, not violent, and yet firm that demonstrated an exemplary leadership and human quality through:
Love To People and Recognizing theirs shortcomings
Balanced emotions
Forbearing and being Insightful
Communication and Information
Humbleness and Politeness
Team Building and Consultation
Scope, Priorities, and Integrating a diverse society

26. References
“The Nobel Qur’an”, Translations of the meanings by Yousef Ali, Picthal, and Shaker.
“Sahih Bukhari”, Prophet Muhammad Sayings.
Fiqh-U-Seerah: Understanding the Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), by Muhammad Al-Ghazali
The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History", New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, by Michael Hart