₦airaland Forum

www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sunlightofislam/2006/feb/10/sunofislam-10-02-2006-001.htm

Original question asked by Abdulfatah Oladeinde on Friday February 10, 2006 and I feel the same question should be posed to my fellow Nairaland users.

Below is his poser. Happy reading.

History has recorded the appearance and deeds of many religious leaders: Moses, Jesus Christ, Zoroaster, and Abraham, to name just a few.

There have also been many self-proclaimed prophets and messengers, each of whom has claimed to bring a divine revelation for mankind. Some have proven to be false, and others have been forgotten.

But there is one religious leader who stands alone, an unlettered man who transmitted a revelation from God that literally changed the course of history and the destinies of a major portion of mankind: Muhammad, the Prophet and Messenger of God.

Encyclopedia Britannica confirms:
", a mass of detail in the early sources shows that he was an honest and upright man who had gained the respect and loyalty of others who were likewise honest and upright men." (Vol. 12)

Bernard Shaw said about him:
"He must be called the Savior of humanity I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much-needed peace and happiness." (The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. X 1936)

"If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it could be Islam."

"I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion, which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence, which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity."

"I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today." (Sir George Bernard Shaw in 'The Genuine Islam,' Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936.)

He was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this earth. He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a moral code, initiated numerous social and political reforms, established a powerful and dynamic society to practise and represent his teachings, and completely revolutionized the worlds of human thought and behavior for all time to come.

"HIS NAME IS MUHAMMAD" May the Peace of God Be upon Him (PBUH).

He was born in Arabia in the year 570 CE, Muhammad started his mission of preaching Islam, the religion of truth and the submission of man to One God, at the age of forty and died at the age of sixty-three. During the short twenty-three year period of his prophethood, Muhammad (PBUH) changed the entire Arabian peninsula forever. Within the space of one generation, the vast majority of people went from paganism and idolatry to devout and strict monotheism, from tribal quarrels and wars to national solidarity and cohesion, from drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety, from lawlessness and anarchy to a lifestyle characterized by discipline, from moral bankruptcy to the highest standards of moral excellence.

Human history has never seen such a complete transformation of a people or a place before or since-and just imagine that all of these unbelievable wonders took place in just over two decades and because of the efforts of one man.

Michael H. Hart, in his recently published book on the rating of individuals who have contributed towards the benefit and upliftment of mankind writes:
"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 levels. (M H. Hart, The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, New York, 1978, pp. 33)

Lamartine, the renowned historian, when speaking on the essentials of human greatness, wonders:
"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 moved not only armies, legislation, empires, peoples and dynasties but millions of men in one-third of the then-inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and souls, his forbearance in victory, his ambition, which was entirely devoted to one idea and in no manner striving for an empire; 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 two-fold: the unity of God and the immateriality of God-the former telling what God is, the latter telling what God is not; the one overthrowing false gods with the sword, the other starting an idea with the words.

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 the standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN HE?" (Lamartine: Histoire de la Turquie, Paris, 1854Vol.11, pp 276- 277).

The world has had its share of great personalities. But these were one-sided figures who distinguished themselves in only one or two fields, such as religious thought or military leadership. The lives and teachings of these great personalities are shrouded in the mists of time. There is so much speculation about the time and place of their birth, the mode and style of their life, the nature and detail of their teachings, and the degree and measure of their success or failure that it is impossible for humanity to reconstruct accurately the lives and teachings of these men.

Not so this man The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) accomplished so much in so many fields of human thought and behavior in the fullest blaze of human history. Every detail of his private life and public utterances has been accurately documented and faithfully preserved to our day.

The authenticity of the records so preserved are vouched for not only by the faithful followers but even by his prejudiced critics.

Muhammad (PBUH) was a religious teacher, a social reformer, a moral guide, an administrative colossus, a faithful friend, a wonderful companion, a devoted husband, a loving father-all in one. No other man in history ever excelled or equaled him in any of these different aspects of life- but it was only for the selfless personality of Muhammad (PBUH) to achieve such incredible perfection.

Mahatma Gandhi, speaking on the character of Muhammad (PBUH), says in Young India:
"I wanted to know the best of one who holds today undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidness, 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. When I closed the 2nd volume (of the Prophet's biography) I was sorry there was not more for me to read of the great life."

Thomas Carlyle, in his Heroes and Hero-worship, was simply amazed as to "how one man single-handedly could weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouins into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades."

"The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man (Muhammad) are disgraceful to ourselves only."

"A silent great soul, one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world, the world's Maker had ordered so."

Diwan Chand Sharma wrote:
"Muhammad was the soul of kindness and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around him. " (D. C. Sharma, The Prophets of the East, Calcutta 1935, pp. 12)

Edward Gibbon and Simon Ockley, speaking on the profession of Islam write:
"I believe in one God, and Mahomet, Apostle of God" is the simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honor of the Prophet has never transgressed the measure of human virtues; and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds or reason and religion." (History of the Saracen Empires, London, 1870, p. 54).

Muhammad was nothing more or less than a human being But he was a man with a noble mission, one which was to unite all human beings on the worship of the one and only God and to teach them the way to honest and upright living based on the commands of God. He always described himself as "a servant and messenger of God," and every single one of his actions proclaimed loudly the truth of this phrase.

Bosworth Smith: "He was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without Pope's pretensions, 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 Muhammad, for he had all the power without its instruments and without its supports." (Bosworth Smith, MOHAMMAD AND MOHAMMADANISM, London, 1874, p. 92.)

Annie Besant: "It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher." (Annie Besant, THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD, Madras,1932, p. 4.)

W. Montgomery Watt: "His readiness to undergo persecutions for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems than it solves. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad." (W. Montgomery Watt, MOHAMMAD AT MECCA, Oxford, 1953, p. 52.)

James A. Michener: "In all things Muhammad was profoundly practical. When his beloved son Ibrahim died, an eclipse occurred, and rumours of God's personal condolence quickly arose.

Whereupon Muhammad is said to have announced, "An eclipse is a phenomenon of nature. It is foolish to attribute such things to the death or birth of a human being." "At Muhammad's own death an attempt was made to deify him, but the man who was to become his administrative successor killed the hysteria with one of the noblest speeches in religious history: "If there are any among you who worshipped Muhammad, he is dead. But if it is God you worshipped, He lives forever." (James A. Michener, "ISLAM: THE MISUNDERSTOOD RELIGION," in READER'S DIGEST (American edition), May 1955, pp. 68-70.)

Sarojini Naidu, the famous Indian poetess speaking on the aspect of equality before God in Islam, stated:
"It was the first religion that preached and practised democracy for, in the mosque when the call for prayer is sounded and worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel side by side and proclaim: "God Alone is Great." I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes man instinctively a brother. (S. Naidu, "Ideals of Islam," vide Speaches ~ Writings, Madras, 1918, p. 169).

Prof. Hurgronje: "The League of Nations founded by the prophet of Islam put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on such universal foundations as to show candle to other nations , the fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islam has done towards the realization of the idea of the League of Nations."

The world has not hesitated to raise to divinity individuals whose lives and missions have been lost in legend. Historically speaking, none of these legends achieved even a fraction of what Muhammad accomplished. And all of his striving was for the sole purpose of uniting mankind for the worship of the one God on the codes of moral excellence. Muhammad or his followers never at any time claimed that he was a son of God, a God-incarnate, or a man having a divine nature-he always was and is even today considered as only a human messenger chosen by God.

Today even after a lapse of fourteen century, the life and teachings of Muhammad (PBUH) have survived without the slightest loss, alteration, or interpolation. They offer the same undying hope for treating mankind's many ills that they did when he was alive. This is not a claim of Muhammad's followers but also the inescapable conclusion reached by a critical and unbiased study of human history. Maybe it is time for you to get to know this outstanding person who has influenced the life of billions of people over the last fourteen hundred years. He could also change your life.

www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sunlightofislam/2006/feb/10/sunofislam-10-02-2006-001.htm

One true and Living God: Yes, that is Allah for you. Eledumare is a yoruba word for God, the Creator of all Creatures.
I have explained the use of languages majestically for you and you seemed to agree with the explaination. Whether you acknowledge that you believe in Allah or not, He is the One True and Living God, Al Haq, Al Hayyu, Al-Waheed. He has no partner nor associate.

Malik, let's for a moment assume that Jesus called the Supreme God Father, it is clear from the Bible that that father is One and that He has has no partner, nor associate either as a son or as a spirit. Now lets look at what Jesus called himself ' the son of man ' just like the Quran referred to him as 'Son of Mariam' . The Lord, the Originator of Heavens and Earth is One. If you like call Him Eledumare, or Chukwu or Allah, or even say Father, this does not remove the fact that He will never share His Glory with anybody, Almighty God, The Most Excellent, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, the Powerful, the One and Only God. If you accept this of God, then you make my day.

Now, lets look at Jihad, it means to strive in the course of Truth. It does not mean killing to attain paradise. The struggle for truth starts with ones mind, to ward off all devilish and wicked temptations. The second level is to dislike devilish tendencies of others. The next is to speak against sins and propagate the truth. the next level if you are pushed is to defend your stands in actions. The ultimate level is to lay down your life for the Truth. Every level of Jihad is rewarded and the Ultimate reward is the Pleasure of Allah, not even paradise.

Donnie,

Your view of Jihad is not true.

Allah is the Creator of Heavens and Earth and He loves the pious. Jesus was clear when asked a direct question, that God is One. If you see anywhere in the Bible athat He is refered to as Father, it is a later addition to the message of Christ. Compare what was reported Jesus said openly in the gathering of many men to what somebody claimed he said when he was alone, afetr discharging the two closest companions in other to pray alone and even coming back to find them asleep. So, who witnessed or heard what he said. You would do well to believe an open declaration and throw away a secret report in as much as its in variance with other Truths.

typo:

One God, Allau wahid

Surely, Allah does not sleep, he begets not, nor is He begotten. He is quite unlike the god in the Bible that forgets, regrets and gets tired. (Exo 31:14),( Gen 6:7). jESUS SAID ' Hear O Isreal, the Lord our God is One Lord (Mark 12, Vs 29 ) Note this is a reply to a questioner that sought to know the very foundation of Jesus ministry. No reference to father, none to son and none to Holy Ghost. Direct from the mouth of Jesus. Noe God, Allau Wahid.

There is no marriage made in heaven. All do experience some bumps, but as long as the ride is generally smooth, you have cause to be happy.

Allah is the name of the Supreme Diety in Arabic. Jesus spoke aramaic and i can still remember that in the Bible that i read as a lad, the sentence ''Elli, Elli lamosabaqtani '' which means My God My God, why have you forsaken me'' used to be prominent in the Bible class. Dont know if its still there . Jesus called God, Elli and not any other name. Now look at it, arabic and aramaic are both semitic languages and if you compare Allah with Elli, you would see that Jesus practically called God by the name Allah. Why wont any other person that claim to believe in Jesus.

Malik, one good thing about your post is that you agree with me that the Supreme Being, the Creator of the Universe is One and Eternal. If you believe this sincerely, it means you have said '' Lailaa ila lau''. '' there is no other diety beside Allah''. This is one leg of the muslim creed and you are not far from Islam.

The use of we by Allah in the Quran is an expression of majesty and not pluralism. Example is when a President is talking, even when it is a fact that he is the one that has taken a decision, he would usually come out and say ' Our Government has decided '. That is not say there are two Presidents in the country. This true for all languages of the world. So contrary to your assertion, the Quran is clear on the fact that there is only one Allah.

Olu, we are friends already. I will by God's grace send the chart.

I like this, if most christians can go out to understand Islam, the world would be a better place for both groups.

To Gos belong the most beautiful names. Whether you say God or Allah, as long as you believe in a supreme being who originated the world and all in it and do not associate partners with Him, you are on the right track

I will request for His pleasure on me and my people

kismat:
I'm a muslim. I believe there is only one God and that Abraham, moses, solomon, jesus and mohammed are all His messengers. I believe in what was reveled to them and that God does not begot neither is he begotten. He neither sleeps or is overcomed by tiredness. And most importantly, there is non like Him.

True for me.

I agree, very few. One should not brazenly go headlong into mix union if one has options, but where you already are in it, the best is to determine to be happy with your catch and pray, then work for it.

I am not joking as u will come to see later. the info is required to pass on just one single info to you which you can use. Its one of the secrets of life that God enable some people to discover and i came accross it 5 years ago and it working by the Grace of God.

I want to maintain that it works even with very religious people. Most of the genuine religious people love goodness and hate evil-doing and can accommodate other faiths even when they hold tenaciously to theirs. But  impostors, charlatans and hypocrites are opposite.

This is cool. In year 3000, there would be 'sonet' ( short for solid network) that will make it possible to transfer material objects instantaniously by press of a button just like you transmit letters this days via internet. Can anyone put this ieda into a picture graphics fro demonstation like above concepts.

Alheri, if interested pls let me know your true age this year. You may send it to info@nuseliservices.com or post it here if you dont mind.

Fisrt, muslim women are not encouraged to marry non muslims. If however one is already in it, you should allow love to prevail. It can work and it does work.
My parents are of different faith and they've been together for 56 years. Growing up, each of them allowed the children to learn the other person's religion, and the children decided on their own what to follow. Each of the parents do say it that if there is anything else to be changed in the marriage, it is the religion of the other person, but they allow love to prevail and respect the wish of other members of the family and I tell you its one big happy family.

No Olu, I didnt mean it the way you interpreted. I was only trying to say that whatever i want to propose for you to try will work better if there is no impediment to pregnancy from either of the couple especially the female. I didnt mean someone would have to eat pig. Women that are called elede in yoruba are those who find it exteremely easy to conceive. It is not derogatory, rather it is a praiseworthy condition because looking right and left, hundreds of women do not have such capability endowed on them. You already have a girl, i was only trying to offer some suggestions that have worked for most couples that i recommend it to in terms of choosing the sex of their babies. God knows best.