Muhammed the Greatest Chap 3

Published on February 20, 2006 By we_one In Religion

pbuh) at the head of ten thousand "saints"1 (his companions).

"THE CITY WHICH HAD TREATED HIM SO CRUELLY, DRIVEN HIM AND HIS FAITHFUL BAND FOR REFUGE AMONGST STRANGERS, WHICH HAD SWORN HIS LIFE AND THE LIVES OF HIS DEVOTED DISCIPLES, LAY AT HIS FEET. HIS OLD PERSECUTERS RELENTLESS AND RUTHLESS, WHO HAD DISGRACED HUMANITY BY INFLICTING CRUEL OUTRAGES UPON INOFFENSIVE MEN AND WOMEN, AND EVEN UPON THE LIFELESS DEAD, WERE NOW COMPLETELY AT HIS MERCY. BUT IN THE HOUR OF HIS TRIUMPH EVERY EVIL SUFFERED WAS FORGOTTEN, EVERY INJURY INFLICTED WAS FORGIVEN, AND A GENERAL AMNESTY WAS EXTENDED TO THE POPULATION OF MAKKAH ..." Sayed Amir Ali in "The Spirit of Islam"

Calling before him the populace of the vanquished city, he addressed them with "What do you expect at my hands today?" His people had known him too well, even from his childhood so they replied, "Mercy, 0 generous brother and nephew!" Tears came into the eyes of the Prophet, and he said, "I will speak to you as Joseph spoke unto his brethren, I will not reproach you today: go you are free!"

And now a scene was enacted of which there is really no parallel in the history of the world. Hosts upon hosts came forward and adopted the religion of Islam. God Almighty testifies as to the lofty and exalted behaviour of His Messenger -

1. A fulfilment of another prophecy in Muhammad (pbuh). "...He came from mount Paran (that is in Arabia), and he came with ten thousand saints..." Deuteronomy 33:2.

Muhammad the Greatest

by Ahmad Deedat
page 33

Chapter 3
FASTEST GROWING RELIGION TODAY
THE SWORD OF THE INTELECT

The enemy, the sceptic, the missionary and their passive
camp followers will not stop bleating that "lslam was spread
at the point of the sword!" but they will not venture to
answer our question -- "WHO BRIBED CARLYLE!?" In 1840
when Carlyle defended Muhammad (pbuh) and refuted the
allegation about the sword, there was nobody around to
bribe. The whole Muslim world was in the gutters. The
countries of Islam were all under subjugation by the
Christians, except for a few like -Persia, Afghanistan and
Turkey who were only nominally independent. There were
no riches to flaunt and no petro-dollars to bribe with!

That was yesterday and many yesterdays ago, but what
about today, in modern times? It is claimed from the chart
on the next page{See Note 2 below} that "Islam is the fastest growing
religion in the world." The overall increase of all the sects and
denominations of Christianity was a staggering 138 per cent
with the incredible increase of Islam by 235 per cent in the
same period of time of half-a-century. It is further affirmed
that in Britain and the United States of America, Islam is the
fastest growing faith. It is said that in Britain "There are
more Muslims than Methodists in the country." You have
a right to ask, "What sword?" The answer is, "THE SWORD
INDEED!" {Thomas Carlyle}1 It is the sword of intellect?
It is the fulfillment of yet another prophecy; -
IT IS HE (God Almighty) WHO HAS
SENT HIS MESSENGER (Muhammad)
WITH GUIDANCE

AND THE RELIGION OF TRUTH (Islam)
THAT HE MAY MAKE IT PREVAIL
OVER ALL RELIGIONS,

AND ENOUGH IS GOD FOR A WITNESS. Holy Qur'an 48:28

The destiny of Islam is spelt out here in the clearest
terms. Islam is to master, overcome and supersede every
other faith -

That He (God Almighty) make it (Islam)
prevail over all religions ...

In Arabic the word is Deen1 (literally meaning "Way
of Life",), to supersede all, whether it be Hinduism, Bud-
dhism, Christianism,2 Judaism, Communism or any other
"ism." This is the destiny of Allah's Deen.

The same Qur'anic Verse is repeated in chapter 61 verse 9
which ends with this slight variation -

(Never mind) Though the unbelievers
might be averse to it (Islam).

TRIUMPH OF ISLAM

Islam will prevail. It is the promise of God, and His
Promise is true. But how? With the sword? Not even if we
had the laser gun! Could we use it? The Holy Qur'an forbids
us to use force as a means of converting! Yet the verse

1. Usually translated as Religion, which literally Islam is not.
2. In the time of Thomas Carlyle this was the team applied to Christianity.
prophesies that Islam would be the most dominant of
religions. The triumphs of its doctrines have already started
and is gaining hold over the religious ideology and doc-
trines of the various schools of thought in the world. Though
not in the name of Islam, but in the name of reformation
and amendments, the doctrines of Islam are being fastly
grafted into the various religious orders. Many things which
are exclusively Islamic and which were formerly unknown, or
which were being opposed before with tooth and nail by
the other creeds, are now part of their believes.

The Brotherhood of man
The abolition of the Caste system and
untouchability
The right of women to inherit
Opening the places of worship to all
Prohibition of all intoxicants
The true concept of the Unity of God etc.
etc.

Just one word on the last subject above, before we
proceed further. Ask any theist, polytheist,1 pantheist,2 or
trinitarian: how many Gods he believes in? He will shudder
to say anything other than ONE! This is the EFFECT of the
strict monotheism of Islam.

THE CREED OF MOHAMED IS FREE FROM THE
SUSPICIONS OF AMBIGUITY AND THE KORAN IS
A GLORIOUS TESTIMONY TO THE UNITY OF GOD.

Gibbon in his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.''

VERDICT OF NON-MUSLIM ORIENTALS

Almost all the defenders of Muhammad (phuh) who
spoke out against the false theory that he spread his religion

at the point of the sword, were Westerners. Let us now hear
what some non-Muslim Easterners have to say on the
subject:

8a. THE MORE I STUDY THE MORE I
DISCOVER THAT THE STRENGTH OF
ISLAM DOES NOT LIE IN THE SWORD.

Mahatma Gandhi - the father of modern India, in "Young India."

b. THEY {Muhammad's critics} SEE FIRE
INSTEAD OF LIGHT, UGLINESS INSTEAD
OF GOOD. THEY DISTORT AND PRESENT
EVERY GOOD QUALITY AS A GREAT
VICE. IT REFLECTS THEIR OWN
DEPRAVITY... THE CRITICS ARE BLIND.
THEY CANNOT SEE THAT THE ONLY
'SWORD' MUHAMMAD WIELDED WAS THE
SWORD OF MERCY, COMPASSION,
FRIENDSHIP AND FORGIVENESS - THE
SWORD THAT CONQUERS ENEMIES AND
PURIFIES THEIR HEARTS. HIS SWORD
WAS SHARPER THAN THE SWORD OF
STEEL.

Pandit Gyanandra Dev Sharma Shastri, at a meeting in Gorakhpur lndia). 1928

c. HE PREFERRED MIGRATION TO FIGHTING
HIS OWN PEOPLE, BUT WHEN
OPPRESSION WENT BEYOND THE PALE
OF TOLERANCE HE TOOK UP HIS SWORD
IN SELF-DEFENCE. THOSE WHO BELIEVE
RELIGION CAN BE SPREAD BY FORCE
ARE FOOLS WHO NEITHER KNOW THE
WAYS OF RELIGION NOR THE WAYS OF
THE WORLD. THEY ARE PROUD OF THIS
BELIEF BECAUSE THEY ARE A LONG,
LONG WAY AWAY FROM THE TRUTH.

A Sikh journalist in "Nawan Hindustan," Delhi, 17 November 1947.

It was Rudyard Kipling who said, "East is East and
West Is West, never the twain shall meet!" He was
wrong! In the defence of Muhammad {pbuh}, all, who are
not blinded by prejudice will converge.

THREE OTHER STANDARDS

Fourteen years after Thomas Carlyle had delivered his
lecture on his Hero Prophet, a Frenchman by the name of
Lamartine wrote the history of the Turks. Incidentally, the
Turks being Muslims, Lamartine touched on some aspects of
Islam and its founder. Like our Jules Wasserman (see page
10) of current times, who had conceived three objective
standards for discovering greatness of leadership; Lamartine
had over 2 century ago thought of three other objective
standards for conferring GREATNESS. We must give credit to
the Westemer for this type of insight. Lamartine opines:

9. IF GREATNESS OF PURPOSE, SMALLNESS OF
MEANS AND ASTOUNDING RESULTS1 ARE
THE THREE CRITERIA OF HUMAN GENIUS, WHO
COULD DARE TO COMPARE ANY GREAT MAN
IN MODERN HISTORY WITH MUHUMMED?
{Lamartine ends his lengthy segment of literary
masterpiece with the words): . . . PHILO-
SOPHER, ORATOR, APOSTLE, LEGISLATOR, WAR-
RIOR, CONQUEROR OF IDEAS, RESTORER OF
RATIONAL BELIEFS, OF A CULT WITHOUT
IMAGES: THE FOUNDER OF TWENTY TERRES-
TRIAL EMPIRES AND OF ONE SPIRITUAL EMPIRE,
THAT IS MUHUMMED. AS REGARDS ALL
STANDARDS BY WHICH HUMAN GREATNESS
MAY BE MEASURED, WE MAY WELL ASK, IS
THERE ANY MAN GREATER THEN HE?
Lamartine, "Historie de la Turquie," Paris 1854

1. The full quotation from Lamartine's book will be found in appendix''B" page 61.

The answer to his question, "Is there any man greater
than he?" is reposed in the question itself. By implication he
is saying . . . "there is no man greater than Muhammad.
Muhammad is the greatest man that ever lived!"
And have We not raised high
the esteem (in which) thou
(O Muhammad are held)?
Holy Quran 94:4

MOST CERTAINLY THOU HAST, O MY LORD!

Before we absolve Lamartine of any favouritism, par-
tiality, or of the charge of being bribed, we will scrutinize
his three standards, and whether they can be justified in the
case of Muhammad {pbuh).

1. GREATNESS OF PURPOSE

History of the time will tell you that it was the darkest
period in the history of mankind when Muhammad {pbuh}
was commanded to declare his mission. The need was for
the raising of prophets in every corner of the world, or the
sending of one Master Messenger for the whole of mankind,
to deliver them from falsehood, superstition, selfishness,
polytheism, wrong and oppression. It was to be the recla-
mation of the whole of humanity. And God Almighty in His
wisdom chose His prophet from the backwaters of Arabia as
His universal Messenger. Thus He records in His Noble
Book -

AND WE SENT THEE NOT {O Mubammad},
BUT AS A MERCY
UNTO {all} THE WORLDS.
Holy Quran 21:107
"There is no question now of race or nation, of a
"chosen people" or the "seed of Abraham," or
the "seed of David": or of Hindu Arya varta; of
Jew or Gentile. Arab or 'Ajam {Persian), Turk or
Tajik, European or Asiatic, White or Coloured;
Aryan, Semitic, Mongolian, or African: or Ame-
rican, Australian, or Polynesian. To all men and
creatures who have any spiritual responsibility,
the principles universally apply."
Abdulbh Yusut Ali1

JESUS {PBUH) DlSCRIMINATES

Muhammad's (pbuh) immediate predecessor advised his
disciples, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs"
(meaning non-Jews}, "Neither cast ye your pearls before
swine" (meaning non-Jews, Matthew 7:6). The Gospel writers
are unanimous in recording that Christ lived by the precepts
which he preached. In his lifetime he did not preach to a
single non-Jew. In fact he spurned a gentile woman who
sought his spiritual blessings {"the woman was a Greek''
Mark 7:26). Then during the "Passover" season in Jerusalem
when the master with his disciples had congregated for the
occasion, certain Greeks hearing of his reputation sought an
audience with him for spiritual enlightenment, but Jesus
{pbuh} gave them the "cold shoulder''2 as narrated by St.
John:

And there were certain Greeks
among them that came up to
worship at the feast:

The same came therefore to Philip
. . . and desired him saying, Sir, we
would see Jesus.

1. Get your copy now of Yusuf Ali's English translation and cornrnentary, with over 6000 annotations. Obtain a copy for your non-Muslim friend, also.

2. Means a deliberately unkind or unfriendly treatment; a slight; a snub.

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew:
and again Andrew and Philip tell
Jesus.

John 12:20-22

SELF GLORIFICATION

The verses that follow do not even record the courtesy
of "Yea,yea;" or "Nay, nay;" (Yes, yes or no, no of
Matthew 5:37). They continue with his own praise -

And Jesus answered them (Andrew and
Philip), saying, The hour is come, that
the son of man (referring to himself}
should be glorified.

John 12:23

HIGHEST STANDARDS

Muhammad (pbuh) could never afford any such lati-
tudes. Remember, how the Almighty reminded him of the
highest etiquette required from him. Even the thought of
being ruffled by the untimely intrusion of a blind man, was
not accepted from him {see page 22 "He frowned']. As a
universal Messenger, God set for him the most lofty
standards:

And Most Certainly,
Thou (O Muhammad)
Are of most sublime
And Exalted Character.

Holy Quran 68:4

And his diocese, his field of mission? The whole of mankind!

And We sent thee not (O Muhammad), but as a mercy unto (all) the worlds. Holy Quran 21:107

UNIVERSAL MESSENGER

These are not mere platitudes; beautiful sentiments bereft of action. Muhammad (pbuh) practised what he preached. Among his first Sahabas (companions) and converts, beside the Arabs can be counted Bilal the Abyssinian, Salman the Persian and Abdullah Bin-Salaam the Jew. The sceptics may say that his outreach was simply incidental but what can they say about the historical fact that before his demise, he sent out five epistles, one to each of the five surrounding countries, inviting them to accept the religion of Islam.

1. The Emperor of Persia
2. The King of Egypt
3. The Negus of Abyssinia
4. The Emperor Hiraclius at Constantinople, and
5. The King of Yemen

Thus he set the example for the fulfilment of his impelling mission, his "greatness of purpose," the reclamation of the whole of humanity into the Master's fold. Is there another example of such universality in another religion? Muhammad (pbuh) was not out to set or to break any records, he was simply carrying out the trust that was reposed in him by the Lord of Creation!

2. SMALLNESS OF MEANS
Muhammad (pbuh) was born with no silver spoon in his mouth.
His life begins with infinitesimal support. His father

had died before he was bom. His mother dies by the time he was six years old. He was doubly-orphaned at this tender age, his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib takes charge of the child, but within three years he also died. As soon as he was able, he began to look after his uncle Abu Talib's sheep and goats for his keep. Contrast this poor, double-orphaned Arab child with some of the great religious personalities that preceded him, and you must marvel at what Destiny had in store for him!

Abraham (pbuh) the spiritual father of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (May the peace of God be upon them all), was the son of a very successful businessman of his time. Moses (pbuh) was reared in the house of Pharoah. Jesus (pbuh) though described as "a carpenter and the son of a carpenter," was well endowed with learning as well as material means. Peter, Philip, Andrew, etc. all downed tools and followed him to be at his beck and call, not because he had any halo1 on his head; there was no such thing, but because of his affluent attire and princely bearing. He could command mansions in Jerusalem for himself and his disciples even during the height of the festive season; and have sumptuous suppers arranged; and you could hear him reproach the materialistic Jews -

And when they found him (Jesus)
on the other side of the sea, they
said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"

Jesus answered them and said, "most
assuredly, I say to you, you seek me

had died before he was bom. His mother dies by the time he was six years old. He was doubly-orphaned at this tender age, his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib takes charge of the child, but within three years he also died. As soon as he was able, he began to look after his uncle Abu Talib's sheep and goats for his keep. Contrast this poor, double-orphaned Arab child with some of the great religious personalities that preceded him, and you must marvel at what Destiny had in store for him!

Abraham (pbuh) the spiritual father of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (May the peace of God be upon them all), was the son of a very successful businessman of his time. Moses (pbuh) was reared in the house of Pharoah. Jesus (pbuh) though described as "a carpenter and the son of a carpenter," was well endowed with learning as well as material means. Peter, Philip, Andrew, etc. all downed tools and followed him to be at his beck and call, not because he had any halo1 on his head; there was no such thing, but because of his affluent attire and princely bearing. He could command mansions in Jerusalem for himself and his disciples even during the height of the festive season; and have sumptuous suppers arranged; and you could hear him reproach the materialistic Jews -

And when they found him (Jesus)
on the other side of the sea, they
said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"

Jesus answered them and said, "most
assuredly, I say to you, you seek me

had died before he was bom. His mother dies by the time he was six years old. He was doubly-orphaned at this tender age, his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib takes charge of the child, but within three years he also died. As soon as he was able, he began to look after his uncle Abu Talib's sheep and goats for his keep. Contrast this poor, double-orphaned Arab child with some of the great religious personalities that preceded him, and you must marvel at what Destiny had in store for him!

Abraham (pbuh) the spiritual father of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (May the peace of God be upon them all), was the son of a very successful businessman of his time. Moses (pbuh) was reared in the house of Pharoah. Jesus (pbuh) though described as "a carpenter and the son of a carpenter," was well endowed with learning as well as material means. Peter, Philip, Andrew, etc. all downed tools and followed him to be at his beck and call, not because he had any halo1 on his head; there was no such thing, but because of his affluent attire and princely bearing. He could command mansions in Jerusalem for himself and his disciples even during the height of the festive season; and have sumptuous suppers arranged; and you could hear him reproach the materialistic Jews -

And when they found him (Jesus)
on the other side of the sea, they
said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"

Jesus answered them and said, "most
assuredly, I say to you, you seek me
HE WAS ONE OF THOSE HAPPY FEW WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE SUPREME JOY OF MAKING ONE GREAT TRUTH THEIR VERY LIFE-SPRING.

HE WAS THE MESSENGER OF THE ONE GOD, AND NEVER TO HIS LIFE'S END DID HE FORGET WHO HE WAS, OR THE MESSAGE WHICH WAS THE MARROW OF HIS BEING. HE BROUGHT HIS TIDINGS TO HIS PEOPLE WITH A GRAND DIGNITY SPRUNG FROM THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF HIS HIGH OFFICE, TOGETHER WITH A MOST SWEET HUMILITY, WHOSE ROOTS LAY IN THE KNOW-LEDGE OF HIS OWN WEAKNESS."

It may easliy be conceded that Muhammad (pbuh) was blessed with the flimsiest of human resources. In fact the odds were loaded against him. But what about his fortune towards the end of his earthly sojourn? He was the overlord of the whole of Arabia! What about the endless means at
his disposal then? We will allow a Christian missionary to answer that -

HE WAS CAESAR AND POPE IN ONE, BUT HE WAS POPE WITHOUT THE POPE'S PRETENTIONS, AND CAESAR WITHOUT THE LEGIONS OF CAESAR: 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 MOHAMMAD, FOR HE HAD ALL THE POWERS WITHOUT ITS INSTRUMENTS AND WITHOUT ITS SUPPORTS." R. Bosworth Smith -Mohammad and Mohammadanism", London 1874, p. 92

HIS HANDICAPS

His "weakness" was his strength. The very fact that he had no material means of support made him to put his entire trust in God, and God the Merciful did not forsake him. His success was all the more staggering. May not the Muslims justly say, the entire work was the work of God?
And Muhammad (pbuh) his Instrument?

3. OUTSTANDING RESULTS

In the words of Thomas Carlyle - "One man against
all men,"1 to a hundred and twenty four thousand at the Farewell pilgrimage alone. How many
were left behind of men, women and children, believers all?

On the 12th of RABI I., in the 11 th year after the
Hijra,2 approximating to the 8th of June 632 of the Christian Era, whilst praying earnestly in whisper, the spirit of the great Prophet took flight to the "blessed companion-ship on high" (Ibn Hisham).

Hazrat Omar (May Allah be pleased with him), on receiving the sad news of the demise of the Holy Prophet, lost his bearings. He was so shocked that he blurted out "if anyone says that Muhammad is dead, I will chop off his head!" Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq presently verified that the Master had indeed departed from this world; and coming out from the Prophet's apartment announced to the gathering throng outside, that, "Muhammad (pbuh) had indeed passed away. Those that worshipped Muhammad," he said, "'Let them know that Muhammad is dead, but those who worship Allah, let them know that Allah lives for ever!"

This brought Omar al-Farooq (R.A.) back to his senses. Could this man who was to become the second great Khaleefah of Islam at this moment imagine that fourteen hundred years later there would be a thousand million followers of Muhammad (pbuh) at one time? Could he have visualized that the religion of the Prophet would be the fastest growing religion in the world?1

Christianity had a 600-year start on Islam. Numerically the Christians claim to outnumber the followers of any other faith; this is true but let us look at the picture in its true perspective -

THERE ARE MORE PROFESSING CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD THAN PROFESSING MUSLIMS, BUT THERE ARE MORE PRACTISING MUSLIMS IN THE WORLD THAN PRACTISING CHRISTIANS.
(Emphasis added) R.V.C. Bodley (the American) in "The Messenger: The Life of Mohammed." U.S.A. 1969

1 understand from the above that Mr. Bodley is trying to tell us that there are people in the world who, when filling their census forms, will tick off the term Christian under "Religion." It is not necessarily that they believe in the dogmas of Christianity. They could actually be atheists or bush-Baptists,2 as opposed to being a Jew or Hindu or Muslim; coming from a Christian background they would for the purpose of convenience label themselves "Christian." From that point of view, and from the point of view that a person who practises what he believes, there would be more Muslims in the world than Christians.

1. See chart on page 34
2. Bush-Baptist: There are forty different Baptist Churches in the United States of America. But bush-Baptists are people with strong religious feelings yet will not go to any Church; and will not affiliate with any sect or denomination.

Chronologically, Islam is six hundred years behind Christianity, but amazingly it is at least a very close second, and is catching up fast - the fastest growing religion in the world today (see chart on page 34). "One Billion!" The figure is outstanding and the sincerity and practise of the Believers astonishing!

Taking into account his own three objective standards:
(a) "greatness of purpose;" (

"smallness of means;"
and (c) "outstanding results;" does Lamartine dare to produce another candidate greater than Muhammad (pbuh)? He further awes his readers with the multifarious roles of Muhammad (pbuh) in which he excelled, ie. Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator, Warrior, Conqueror of Ideas, the Restorer of Rational Beliefs, of a Cult without Images, the Founder of twenty Terrestrial Empires and of one Spiritual Empire, that Is Muhammad. As regards ALL standards (I repeat "ALL") by which Human Greatness may be measured, we may well ask, "IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN HE?" (Emphasis added).

No! Muhammad (pbuh) was the greatest man that ever lived! According to Lamartine the French historian. And God Almighty questions -

And Have We not raised high
the esteem (in which) thou
(O Muhammad) are held?

Holy Quran 94:4

MOST ASSUREDLY THOU HAST, O MY LORD!

THE OUALITY OF MERCY

The Christian propagandists make the wild boast that there is nothing in the history of mankind to compare with the merciful and forgiving cry of Jesus (pbuh) on the cross ...

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Luke 23:34

Amazing as it may sound, of the four writers of the Canonical Gospels, only St. Luke was inspired by the Holy ghost (?) to pen these words. The other three - Matthew, Mark and John never heard these words or they felt them to be too insipid or not important enough for recording. St. Luke was not even one of the twelve disciples selected by Jesus (pbuh). According to the revisers of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible, these words are not in the most ancient manuscripts which by implication means that they are an interpolation.

In "The New King James Version," (Copyrighted by the Thomas Nelson Publishers inr 1984), we are told that these words are "not in the original text" of the Greek manuscripts of St. Luke. In other words they have been fabricated by some pious gentleman. Although the quotation is unauthentic, we will still entertain it because it demonstrates great piety of loving one's enemies and of unsurpassed forgiveness as preached by the Master himself.

For forgiveness to be of any worth, the forgiver must be in a position to forgive. If the victim of injustice is still in the clutches of his enemies; in that helpless position and he would cry out, "I FORGIVE YOU!" it would be meaningless. But if the aggrieved party had turned the tables on his enemies and was in a position of taking revenge or exact retribution, and yet say "I forgive you!", only then would it mean something!

MUHAMMAD'S (PBUH) CLEMENCY

Contrast the alleged forgiveness from the "cross" with the historical bloodless conquest of Makkah by Muhamrnad

pbuh) at the head of ten thousand "saints"1 (his companions).

"THE CITY WHICH HAD TREATED HIM SO CRUELLY, DRIVEN HIM AND HIS FAITHFUL BAND FOR REFUGE AMONGST STRANGERS, WHICH HAD SWORN HIS LIFE AND THE LIVES OF HIS DEVOTED DISCIPLES, LAY AT HIS FEET. HIS OLD PERSECUTERS RELENTLESS AND RUTHLESS, WHO HAD DISGRACED HUMANITY BY INFLICTING CRUEL OUTRAGES UPON INOFFENSIVE MEN AND WOMEN, AND EVEN UPON THE LIFELESS DEAD, WERE NOW COMPLETELY AT HIS MERCY. BUT IN THE HOUR OF HIS TRIUMPH EVERY EVIL SUFFERED WAS FORGOTTEN, EVERY INJURY INFLICTED WAS FORGIVEN, AND A GENERAL AMNESTY WAS EXTENDED TO THE POPULATION OF MAKKAH ..." Sayed Amir Ali in "The Spirit of Islam"

Calling before him the populace of the vanquished city, he addressed them with "What do you expect at my hands today?" His people had known him too well, even from his childhood so they replied, "Mercy, 0 generous brother and nephew!" Tears came into the eyes of the Prophet, and he said, "I will speak to you as Joseph spoke unto his brethren, I will not reproach you today: go you are free!"

And now a scene was enacted of which there is really no parallel in the history of the world. Hosts upon hosts came forward and adopted the religion of Islam. God Almighty testifies as to the lofty and exalted behaviour of His Messenger -

1. A fulfilment of another prophecy in Muhammad (pbuh). "...He came from mount Paran (that is in Arabia), and he came with ten thousand saints..." Deuteronomy 33:2.

Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct). Holy Quran 33:21

How well has Lamartine1 unknowingly echoed these sentiments -

"AS REGARDS ALL STANDARDS BY WHICH HUMAN GREATNESS MAY BE MEASURED, WE MAY WELL ASK, IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN HE?"

In reply, we too can say once more, "No! there is no man greater than Muhammad (pbuh). Muhammad (pbuh) was the greatest man that ever lived!"

So far, our hero has earned the unsolicited and ungrudging tributes from many non-Muslims of different religious persuasions and from varying intellectual fields of endeavour. But all this still remains incomplete without the Master's verdict; Muhammad's (pbuh) predecessor - Jesus Christ, (pbuh). We will now apply his own standard for evaluating greatness.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

John the Baptist,2 known throughout the Muslim world as Hazrat Yahya Alaihis-salaam (Peace be upon him) was a contemporary prophet of the Messiah. They were also
cousins. Here is what the Master has to say of him:

1. Full quotation of Larmartine will be found in Appendix "B" on page 61.
2. "JOHN- not to be confused with John the disciple of Jesus (pbuh). A very common name among the Jews and Arabs, even today, like Tarik Aziz the recent Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs. Real name Tarik Hanna Aziz; Hanna short for Yuhanna meaning John. No one in the non-Arab Muslim world knowing that our friend is a Christian Marxist.

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: Matthew 11:11

Every son of man is "born of women." By this very fact John the Baptist is greater than Moses, David, Solomon, Abraham or Isaiah; none of the Israelite prophets excluded. What gives John this ascendancy over every other prophet? It could not be any miracle, because the Bible records none to his credit. It could not be his teachings, because he brought no new laws or regulations. Then what makes him the greatest? Simply because he was the heralder, a pre-cursor, a harbinger of the happy news of the coming of the Messiah. This is what made John the greatest, but Jesus (pbuh) claims that he himself was even greater than the greatest (ie. John). Why?

But I have greater witness than that of John (the Baptist): For The Works which the Father hath given me to finish: (Emphasis added) John 5:36

It is the "witness," the commission which God Almighty had entrusted him with, which makes Jesus (pbuh) greater than even John. Applying these very standards as enunciated by the Master, we find that -
1. John the Baptist was the greatest of all the Israelite prophets, because he heralded the mighty Messiah (Jesus pbuh).

Similarly Jesus (pbuh) would be greater than even John because he heralded "The Spirit of

Truth, the Comforter," who was to guide mankind into all Truth (of the Gospel of St. John, chapter 16).1

2. The diocese, the mission of Jesus (pbuh), or "the works which God had given him to accomplish," was limited to the Lost sheep of the House of Israel (Matthew 15:24), whereas the mission of Muhammad (pbuh) was universal. He had been told -

And we have sent thee not (O Muhammad), but as a Mercy unto (all) the worlds. Holy Quran 21:107

In keeping with his grand commission, Muhammad (pbuh) consistently delivered his Message to one and all who would hear, irrespective of race, class or creed, He welcomed them all in the religion of God, without any discrimination. He had no thought of dividing the creatures of God into "dogs and pigs" (Matthew 7:6) or into "sheep and goats" (Matthew 25:32). He was the Messenger of the One True God, who was sent as a Mercy unto all mankind, nay, unto the whole universe (H.Q. 21:107 above). And, he never forgot this mission even right up to his dying day.

Towards the end of his earthly sojourn, when he could look back to a hectic and dangerous past, now crowned with success; he now feels that he could sit back and enjoy the fruits of his toil; he dreams of a life free from turmoil and full of satisfaction and relaxation. Not for him! There is no time to rest or relax. There is work still to be done. God Almighty reminds him - -

1. For a detalted explanation about this prophecy, obtain today your FREE copy of the book -MUHUMMED (pbuh) the Natural Successor to CHRIST (pbuh) from the IPCI.

WE HAVE NOT SENT THEE
(O MUHAMMAD) BUT TO THE
WHOLE OF MANKIND.

AS A GIVER OF GLAD TIDINGS AND AS A WARNER,

BUT MOST OF MANKIND STILL DO NOT KNOW.

Holy Quran 34:28[1]

How was he to respond to this new challenge in his ripening old age? There were no electronic gadgets of modern communication methods at his disposal; there were no telex and fax machines which he could exploit. What could he do? Being an ummi (unlettered), he called the scribes and dictated five letters, one each to the Emperor at Constantinople, the King of Egypt, the Negus of Abyssinia, the King of Yemen and to the Emperor in Persia. He called forth five Sahaaba (his holy companions) with five Arab steeds and set them out in five different directions inviting the nations of the world to the universal religion of God.

I had the good fortune of seeing one of those holy epistles in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul (old Constantinople) Turkey. That letter is collecting dust! Materially the Turks have preserved the parchment. But the Message is collecting dust, as I have said.

The letter begins, "From Muhammad the Messenger of God, to Heraclius the Emperor at Constantinople:
Accept Islam and be benefited."

followed by this exhortation from the Book of God - -

1. This is your last chance to memorize the text and the translation of this verse. It you are lackadaisical, we can only mourn your loss.

SAY: "O PEOPLE OF THE BOOK! [1]

COME TO COMMON TERMS
AS BETWEEN US AND YOU:

THAT WE WORSHIP
NONE BUT GOD;

THAT WE ASSOCIATE
NO PARTNERS WITH HIM;

THAT WE ERECT NOT,
FROM AMONG OURSELVES,
LORDS AND PATRONS
OTHER THAN GOD."

IF THEN THEY TURN BACK,
SAY YE: "BEAR WITNESS
THAT WE (AT LEAST) ARE
MUSLIMS (BOWING TO GOD'S WILL) Holy Quran 3:64

After the above Quranic insertion in the letter, it is concluded with felicitation in the Prophet's own words, ending with a seal on which is inscribed - "There is no other object of worship but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger."

The letter in Turkey arouses our curiosity; and interest with regards to its preservation, but the preservation itself is lost upon the sightseer. The same Quranic Message is in almost every Muslim home; being read and re-read a thousand times over without the reader being moved to deliver its Message to the addressees!

Glance once more at the above verse. It is addressed to the "ahle-Kitaab," - the People of the Book, the Jews and

1. "People of the Book," stands for the Jews and the Christians. You will never have it so good for learning Allah's Kalaam. Don't ignore this opportunity. Memorize the verses as they occur.

the Christians. But, for over a thousand years we have utterly ignored that great directive at our own peril. We are sitting on that Message like a cobra on a pile of wealth, keeping the rightful heirs at bay. This utter neglect will continue to inflict untold suffering to the Ummah for generations to come.

After over fourteen hundred years of our reading, and chanting the Quran in every rhythmic style, we still hear this poignant cry:

But Most of mankind still do not know. [1]

Holy Quran 34:28

This is the concluding phrase of the verse revealed fourteen hundred years ago. It was the factual situation of the then religious world. The question which must be asked is if it is any different today? Not at all! There are today more Mushriks in the world than there are believers in the One True God.

Is there any hope of changing this situation? Allah commanded His Prophet then as He is commanding us now through the first seven verses of Sura Muddaththir (chapter 74).

1. 0 THOU WRAPPED UP (IN A MANTLE)!

"As usual, there is these wonderful early mystical verses (including the ones that follow), a triple thread of thought:

(a) A particular occasion or person is referred to;

a general spiritual lesson is taught, and

(c) a more profound mystical reverie is suggested.

As to (a), the Prophet was now past the stage of personal contemplation. Wearing his mantle; he was now to go forth and boldly deliver his Message and publicly proclaim Allah The One True God. His heart had always been purified, but now all his outward doings must be dedicated to God, and conventional respect for ancestral customs or worship must be thrown aside. The work of his Messengership was the most generous that could flow from his personality, but no reward or appreciation was to be expected from his people, but quite the contrary, there would be much call on his patience, but his contentment would arise from the good pleasure of God.

As to (

, similar stages arise in a minor degree in the life of every good man, for which the Prophet's life is to be a universal pattern.

As to (c), the Sufis understand, by the mantle and outward wrappings, the circumstances of our phenomenal existence, which are necessary to our physical comfort up to a certain stage; but we soon outgrow them, and our inner nature should then boldly proclaim itself, not that it brings any credit or reward with men; the very hope of expectation of such would be inconsistent with our higher nature, which should bear all checks and rejoice in the favour of God."

2. ARISE AND DELIVER THY WARMING!

3. AND THY LORD DO THOU MAGNIFY!

4. AND THY GARMENTS KEEP FREE FROM STAIN!

5. AND ALL ABOMINATION SHUN! (a)

"(a) Rujz or Rijz means abomination and is usually understood to mean idolatry. It is even possible that there was an idol called RUJZ. But these days it has a wider significance as including a mental state opposed to true worship, a state of doubt or indecision."

6. NOR EXPECT, IN GIVING,
ANY INCREASE (FOR THYSELF)! (

The legal and commercial formula is that you give in order to receive what is worth to

you a little more than you give, but expect nothing from the receiver. You serve God and God's creatures."

7. BUT, FOR THY LORD'S (CAUSE)
BE PATIENT AND CONSTANT! (c) [1] I

Holy Quran 74:1-7

"(c) Our zeal for God's Cause itself requires that we should not be impatient, and that we should show constancy in our efforts for His Cause. For we have faith, and we know that He is All-Good, All-Wise, and All-Powerful, and everything will ultimately be right." AbdullahYusuf Ali [2]

1. Remember to memorize Allah's Kalaam with its meaning!

2. The English translation and the commentaries were by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Obtain your volume from the IPCI at a specially subsidised price. Ako order a volume for your non-Muslim friends.

To the Arabs in general and to our Holy Prophet in particular "a mantle" was the protective covering used for protection against the sun, wind and sand. He was so to say girding himself, rolling up his sleeves, to accomplish his task. Although most of the Muslims in the world do not cover themselves with shawls (mantles), in their day to day living, they carry a host of mantles in the way of inferiority complexes.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE GOD'S LIGHT
SHINE FORTH THROUGH THE DARKNESS AROUND US?
WE MUST FIRST LET IT SHINE IN OUR OWN TRUE
SELVES WITH THAT LIGHT IN THE NICHE OF OUR INMOST
HEARTS WE CAN WALK WITH STEPS BOTH FIRM AND SURE:
WE CAN HUMBLY VISIT THE COMFORTLESS
AND GUIDE THEIR STEPS. NOT WE, BUT THE LIGHT
WILL GUIDE! BUT OH! THE JOY OF BEING FOUND
WORTHY TO BEAR THE TORCH, AND TO SAY
TO OUR BRETHREN- "I TOO WAS IN DARKNESS,
COMFORTLESS, AND BEHOLD, I HAVE FOUND
COMFORT AND JOY IN THE GRACE DIVINE!"
THUS SHOULD WE PAY THE DUES OF BROTHERHOOD, - -
BY WALKING HUMBLY SIDE BY SIDE,
IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD,
WITH MUTUAL AID AND COMFORT,
AND HEARTFELT PRAYER,
BACKED BY ACTION,
THAT GOD'S GOOD PURPOSE
MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED,
IN US ALL TOGETHER!

BUT MOST OF MANKIND
STILL DO NOT KNOW

Thus spake, inspired our Holy
prophet, Muhammad (pbuh) on
whom we invoke God's blessings for
ever and ever - AAMEEN!

APPENDIX "A"

He attained the height of eminence by his perfection;
He dispelled the darkness (of the world) by his grace;
Excellent were all his qualities,
Pray for blessings on him and his descendants.

Shaikh Sa'di Sheeraazi (RA)

APPENDIX "B"
Muhammad (PBUH) The Greatest

"If greatness of purpose,
smallness of means
and astounding results

are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to
compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?

The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material

powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man Muhammed moved not only armies, legislations, empires, peoples nd dynasties, but millions of men; and more than that the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and the souls.

On the basis of a Book, every letter of which has become law, he created a spiritual nationality which blended together peoples of every tongue and of every race ...

The idea of the unity of God, proclaimed amidst the exhaustion of fabulous theologies, was in itself such a miracle that upon its utterance from his lips it destroyed all the ancient superstitions ...

His endless prayers, his mystic conversations with God, his death and his triumph after death: all these attest not to an imposture but to a firm conviction which gave him the power to restore a dogma. This dogma was twofold, the unity of God and the Immateriality of God; the former telling what God is, the latter telling what God is not ...

... "PHILOSOPHER, ORATOR, APOSTLE, LEGISLATOR, WARRIOR, CONQUEROR OF IDEAS, RESTORER OF RATIONAL BELIEFS, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammed. AS REGARDS ALL STANDARDS BY WHICH HUMAN GREATNESS MAY BE MEASURED, WE MAY WELL ASK, IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN HE?"

(Lamartine, Historie de la Turquie, Paris 1854, Vol II pp.276-277).

APPENDIX "C"

JULES MASSERMAN, U.S. psychoanalyst

TIME, JULY 15, 1974

Leaders must fulfil three functions - - - provide for the well-being of the led, provide a social organization in which people feel relatively secure, and provide them with one set of beliefs. People like Pasteur and Salk are leaders in the first sense.

People like Gandhi and Confucius, on one hand, and Alexander, Caesar and Hitler on the other, are leaders in the second and perhaps the third sense. Jesus and Buddha belong in the third category alone. PERHAPS THE GREATEST LEADER OF ALL TIMES WAS MOHAMMED, WHO COMBINED ALL THREE FUNCTIONS. To a lesser degree Moses did the same. (Emphasis added)

APPENDIX "D"

Fidelity is said to be a human attribute,

Which makes the modern gentleman distinguished from the brute,

But that supreme fidelity, inborn in every hound,
Which is the mark of man's best friend,
In man, it's rarely found!

Pray for me"

Comments

bakerstreet

on Feb 20, 2006

A book by Ahmad Deedat. If the author of this article isn't Ahmad Deedat, this this is plagiarized and should be removed.

we_one

on Feb 28, 2006

Only father ADAM said some thing for the first time. You should thank for making water available to the thirsty and dying rather bickering on from which well it is brought!!!!!!1

Dynosoar

on Mar 01, 2006

We_one,

Exactly who do you worship?

Is it Allah or The Prophet?

Surely your disdain for Jesus and the other prophets, and your exhaustive attempts to elevate Muhhamed above all others smacks of deification or,at least, idolatry.

The prophet I have studied professed that he was just a man, any greatness atributed to him was Allah's, he was a tool of God, and God worked through him, he did not work for God, but was worked by God.

Your further blasphemy, by impuning Jesus, recognized by Muslims as the 2nd Prophet, and attempt to utilize biblical inconsistencies to demean him is aposty and further leads me to the following conclusion;

From what you have presented, you are not a Muslim, you are a Mohamedian, long a divisive cult within Islam, but make no mistake, as you quote the Koran, Allah has no partners or co-equals, woe be upon those who make others The God's equal.

Dynosoar

on Mar 03, 2006

Hello?

Dynosoar

on Mar 06, 2006

I see that you have responded on another article since my last post, your silence leads me to validate my conclusion.

bakerstreet

on Mar 06, 2006

No, he is just seeding articles by pasting stuff he didn't write here and there and believing it does some great service, no doubt. He posted another stolen one in politics a couple of days back.

Dynosoar

on Mar 07, 2006

As I said on his other thread, it amazes me that this drivel is the propaganda used to incite the "Arab Street", why in the world does our government not have an effective counter to this crap?

We've got Ad agencies that can sell ice to eskimo's yet we can't drown out this hate filled garbage?

we_one

on Mar 07, 2006

This is not hate filled I respect jesus( Peace be upon Him) more than you By your tones and tenors you people are just an antithesis of Him. Your hearts are more like his tormenters(My eyes are moist a bit) than like him or his companions.O friends you all seek truth by the light of your own consciencesAnd pray to him sincerely and honestly that he be your guide.To steal from one is plagiarism to steal from many is research.Mine is greater than both .Guess what!May Lord guide you all to the light of truth from the darkness .o Lord keep them happy here and hereafter They know not that they are transgressors driven by the vicious touch of satan and innocent to the core.o ye friends Dont be rashDont be deluded. Seek truth sincerely else great risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and tremendous hell is waitng for many! Pray for me too. that he may guide me if I am wrong.

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on May 01, 2006

I like what you do, continue this way.

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