Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
Man needs guidance to be truly successful in pursuing the right course of life. For him to achieve a healthy state of mind, body, heart and soul, he should choose the right course of life. He should be physically fit, economically self-sufficient, politically stable, socially desirable, and above all morally and spiritually upright. This means a well-balanced personality, which should enable him to be happy here and in the hereafter. Man should, therefore, seek Divine Guidance throughout his life.
Great words of wisdom, emanating from Allâh I and His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad r constitute true and comprehensive guidance to mankind. Allâh I in His infinite mercy has blessed the world with His Holy Book and the Sunnah (Tradition) as well as Ahâdîth (Teachings) of His Messenger r. Both the Qur’an and the Sunnah serve as Allah’s mercy and guidance to the whole mankind. Allâh the Almighty says:
“For We had certainly sent unto them a Book based on knowledge, which We explained in detail a guide and a Mercy to all who believe.” (Qur’ân 7:52)
“... Yet you (O Muhammad) were sent as a Mercy from your Rabb to give warning to a people to whom no Warner had come before you in order that they may receive admonition.” (Qur’ân 28:46)
The Holy Qur’ân , being the Divine Revelation from the Rabb of the Worlds (See Qur’ân 56:80), speaks for itself. It is the only book available to all mankind that is holy. Allâh I Himself stresses that the Qur’ân is kept pure and holy (80:14). The Qur’ân exists today just as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad r fourteen centuries ago. No one has added or substituted any verse or any single letter to it. Its authenticity will forever benefit humanity. As Allâh I says, He will assuredly protect it (15:9). This we should believe, because His Word is the Truth (6:73) and He fulfills His promise (4:122). The Holy Qur’ân , by virtue of Allâh ’s power to protect it from human manipulations, has retained its original form up to the present day.
In the Holy Qur’ân we read that Muhammad r is no more than a Messenger (3:144), the unlettered Prophet who believes in Allâh I and His Words (7:158). Allâh I sent him as a universal Messenger to humanity, giving glad tidings, and warning them against sin (34:28). The Prophet r stands on an exalted standard of character (68:4) and a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for anyone whose hope is in Allâh and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allâh I (33:21). He is the Seal of the Prophets (33: 40).
Allâh I chose Muhammad r, the seal of all the prophets, to convey to the whole world the universal message of the Qur’ân — the Divine Word so full of wisdom, truth and guidance. Moreover, Allâh blessed His Messenger r with wisdom to further elucidate and confirm His Word to mankind. Such wisdom is evident in the Sunnah and Ahâdîth (traditions and teachings) of the Prophet Muhammad r. With the Qur’ân and Ahâdîth , which the Prophet r had left to humanity, Allâh I has perfected Islâm as a universal religion and a complete system of life. The last Qur’ân ic verse that Allâh revealed to Prophet Muhammad r pertains to the perfection of Islâm . Allâh I says:
“. . . This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.”(5:3)
Islâm means the complete and peaceful submission to the Will of Allâh I and obedience to His Law. It is the Religion of Truth which Allâh I sent to Muhammad r to make it prevail over all religion. It is the religion which our Creator wants us to follow. Allâh I says:
“It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth that He make it prevail over all religion. Even though the Pagans may detest (it).”(61:9)
“Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allâh . . .” (4:125)
Allâh I endowed his Messenger with exalted standard of character (64:4), a beautiful pattern of conduct (33:21) for us to follow. He inspired him to bring the divine Message to all men that our God is one Allâh I and He has no partner (18:110). For our guidance, it is a must for us to believe and obey Allâh ’s Messenger r. Allâh the Almighty commands:
“Say: “If ye do love Allâh , follow me: Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins: for Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Say: “Obey Allâh and His Messenger”: But if they turn back, Allâh loves not those who reject Faith.” (3:31-32)
“O mankind! The Messenger has come to you in truth from Allâh : believe in him: it is best for you. But if you reject Faith, to Allâh belong all things in the heavens and on earth: and Allâh is All-knowing, All Wise. (4:170)
“O you who believe! Obey Allâh , and obey the Messenger, and make not vain your deeds!”(47:33)
“O you who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a grievous Chastisement? That you believe in Allâh and His Messenger, and that ye strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allâh , with your wealth and your persons: that will be best for you, if you but knew! (61:10-11)
The Messenger r died but his service to humanity still goes on through the Holy Qur’ân and his Sunnah. If we hold on to them we will never go astray. The Messenger r said in his last farewell sermon on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H.:
“O People! No Prophet or Messenger will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur’ân and my example the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.” (Muslim)
For our own guidance and salvation, we should take the said farewell message from the Messenger of Allâh. We have to bear in mind that obedience to the Prophet r is tantamount to obedience to Allâh I. Allâh the Exalted says:
“He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allâh . . .” (4:80)
Many learned scholars and reputable leaders, including non-Muslims in the West, recognize Muhammad r’s outstanding qualities over other great men. In fact, Michael H. Hart (an American Historian, Researcher and Mathematician) in his published book, entitled “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History”, puts Muhammad r on top of the list—even more influential than Jesus Christ who is only third in rank. Hart gives the following brief but very concise reason why he chose Muhammad r as the “Number One” most influential man in history:
“... He was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels. Of humble origins, Muhammad founded and promulgated one of the world’s great religions, and became an immensely effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death, his influence is still powerful and pervasive.” (Hart, 1978 p. 33)
Hart’s finding and conclusion establish the indisputable fact that Muhammad r was the only great man in history who successfully guided mankind on the whats, whys, and hows of attaining a balanced system of life. Corollary to this, Borsworth Smith (another noted western scholar) describes Muhammad r as:
“Without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue, if ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by the Right Divine, it was Muhammad, for he had all the power without its instruments and without its supports.” (Smith, 1874, cited by Rahman, 1981, p. 183)
A scholar from Europe, Lamartine strongly believes that Muhammad rpossesses almost all the qualities of great men combined. Lamartine raises the question r as to whether there is any man greater than Muhammad r:
“Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?” (Lamartine, Vol. II, 1854, p. 277. Quoted in WAMY Series in Islâm No. 4, “What They Say About Muhammad?”)
Further readings of the life and works of Prophet Muhammad r reveal that he was also known for his being an honest business man; an ideal family man; psychologist; wise counselor; defender of the weak and the oppressed; advocator of peace, justice, unity, cooperation and equality among nations. Likewise, he is a lover of knowledge - science, wisdom and truth - and, no doubt, the greatest educator of mankind. These qualities, in addition to his being the seal of all the prophets, make the greatness of Muhammad r beyond comparison with any of the other great men in history. R.W.J. Austin writes:
... Muhammad, as the last or seal of the prophets, draws together in his humanity all truth about man in his various modes. He is the whole true man in whom all human virtues and aspects are in perfect balance.... Muhammad as a man is the pure slave of Allâh , representative of creation in its dependence upon and its aspirations towards Allâh ’s light. He is at the same time the chosen anointed regent of Allâh : His representative in His ordering and governance of the Cosmos. (Gauhar, ed. 1978, pp. 69,79 and 80)
As a prophet, Muhammad r conveyed peacefully Allâh’s universal message to mankind. The prophet’s words of wisdom reflect his real love for mankind. His peaceful approach clothed with rational insights and truth won the hearts of those who understood the importance of right guidance and truth. People in the past accepted him not because of forceful means like those Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte and the other influential military leaders in history had used in conquering many parts of the world. Mahatma Ghandi, one of those who showed strong admiration for the Prophet’s peaceful and rational approach was quoted as saying:
“... I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today indisputable sway over the hearts of millions of mankind. I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islâm in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the prophet, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in Allâh and his own mission. Those and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle.” (Quoted in Rahman, op. cit., p. 186)
Scholars who read carefully, analyze with critical insights and comprehend objectively Muhammad’s teachings would agree that, indeed, he was Allâh ’s chosen messenger, gifted with great words of wisdom. T. Andras for instance, says:
“We might call him a poet or a prophet, for we feel that the words which he speaks are not the words of an ordinary man. They have their immediate source in the reality of things, since he lives in constant fellows with reality.” (Quoted in Rahman, ibid., p. 183)
Moreover, Thomas Carlyle, very much impressed with the Prophet Muhammad r as a man of truth, affirms that behind him was Allâh I. Along this line, he suggests that people should learn the Prophet’s words of wisdom. Carlyle writes:
“ A man of truth and fidelity, true in what he did, in what he spoke and taught. They noted that he always meant something. A man rather taciturn in speech; silent when there was nothing to be said; but pertinent, wise, sincere, when he did speak; always throwing light on the matter... The word of such a man is a voice direct from Nature’s own heart. Men do and must listen to that as nothing else...” (Quoted in Islâm the Religion of all Prophets, 1982, p. 33)
An objective analysis of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad r indicates that, indeed, “every word the Prophet uttered was inspired by Providence divulging some hidden truths of human life and laying down some rules for its guidance on earth.” (Azizullah, 1972, p. ii) “His words display dazzling light of wisdom and truth.” (Abdalati, 1975, p. 198) The same truthful remarks affirm Allâh’s Revelation in the universal mission of the Prophet Muhammad I, and therefore the Divine wisdom and knowledge endowed upon him. Allâh I says in the Holy Qur’ân:
“. . . In that We have sent among you a Messenger of your own, rehearsing to Our Signs, and purifying you, and instructing you in Scripture and Wisdom and in new Knowledge.” (2:151)
The Prophet’s great words of wisdom guide every rational man who seeks for truth. An American poet, critic and author, Col. Donald S. Rockwell, for example, explains in vivid terms one of his reasons for embracing Islâm:
... The mellow concept of life — fruit of the Prophet’s combined course of action and contemplation — the wise counsel, the admonitions to charity and mercy, the broad humanitarianism, the pioneered declaration of women’s property rights - these and other factors of the teachings of the man of Mecca were to me among the most obvious evidence of a practical religion so tersely and so aptly epitomized in the cryptic words of Muhammad, “Trust in Allâh and tie your camel.” He gave us a religious system of normal action, not blind faith in the protection of unseen force in spite of our neglect, but confidence that in our ability, we may trust in what comes as the Will of Allâh .” (Islâm Our Choice, p. 11)
Numerous books were written about Muhammad r describing his exemplary qualities. His great words of wisdom also reveal his excellent character. Why? Because history showed that he lived in accordance with what he taught. His honesty, integrity and truthfulness were never questioned by those who believed in truth. Above all, no less than Allâh I who testifies to the exalted personality of His Messenger r. Allâh I says in the Holy Qur’ân:
“Now has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that ye should suffer: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful.” (9:128)
“Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allâh an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allâh and in the Final Day, and who remember Allâh much.” (33:21)
“And surely you (Muhammad) has sublime morals.” (68:4)
For excellent guidance, no other man but Prophet Muhammad r is worth emulating. This becomes imperative because Allâh I commands mankind to believe and obey Muhammad r, His Messenger to the whole humanity. The Prophet’s words of wisdom, in addition to the Qur’ân ic teachings, therefore, serve as excellent guidance for success.
(A Revised Version of the Introduction of the Author’s Book, “Great Words of Wisdom: Guides for Successful Life”, published by the Wisdom Enrichment Foundation (WEFOUND), Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines in 1988.)
source: wefound
