Part 4
Atif
The Era of the Prophet (PBUH)
In the previous discussion, we answered the question of whether, in that dark age, a prophet needed to be sent to lead humanity toward happiness, light and prosperity. In this article, I want to raise another question: who was capable of carrying out this great mission and important task?
The answer is that bringing about such a momentous change required special abilities and the necessary qualities. That is, for such a far-reaching transformation, what was needed was a person who, beyond the blessing of prophethood and clear divine support, was also socially influential and able to attract people. He also had to have a noble lineage, know the morals and customs of ordinary people, be aware of the changes in the world around him, and understand how to deal with different segments of society. This is a broad subject in itself, but Allah (SWT) pointed to this truth in a few brief but precise words:
﴿وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا﴾ [Al-Isra 15]
“And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.”
For this reason, Allah (SWT) chose Muhammad ibn Abdullah (PBUH) as a prophet and, more than that, as the one who brought the chain of prophethood to completion, the final messenger and the Seal of the Prophets. Clearly, his blessed task, as the final prophet, was heavier than that of the other prophets.
What Dr. al-Siba’i set out in his book The Life of Prophet Muhammad: Highlights and Lessons (al-Sīrah al-Nabawīyah: Durūs wa ‘Ibar) about the attributes of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) clearly demonstrates the Messenger of Allah’s (PBUH) capabilities and worthiness, and Allah’s (SWT) precise and perfect choice. Truly, he was worthy of this great station, as shown by how he came through all these challenges and hardships successfully.
For this reason, the foundations of Islamic civilization and the Muhammadan Sharia were laid with the Messenger of Allah’s (PBUH) mission, and the first step on the road to building civilization and rescuing humanity from prolonged crises and hardships was taken from that very point.
With the mission of Islam’s great Prophet (PBUH), the first signs of a new Islamic civilization appeared. It was a civilization whose character was remarkably new and advanced, built to match human needs and in harmony with the region’s geographical environment and culture. Its aim was to guide humanity away from self-destruction and ruin, hatred and disrespect, killings and plunder, theft and betrayal, indecency and bad character, disorder and crisis, oppression and transgression, aggression and the violation of sanctity. On the other side, it sought to draw people toward life, faith and trust, security and tranquility, knowledge of Allah (SWT) and sound belief, and the well-being and happiness of this world and the next. It aimed to show humanity the great path of guidance and to ensure its victory and success.
