Personality of the Messenger PPBU
Written by: SK.
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
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Thanks be to Allah, the
Lord of the worlds. Peace and prayers be upon the
most honorable of all messengers Mohammad; and all his folks, companions, and
followers to the day they are all summoned together.
I received
an email asking to vote. It says that a Spanish newspaper was asking about the
best personality in a list that included the name of the messenger Mohammed (PPBU).
The list included other prophets like Jesus (PBU) as well as other many other
historical personalities. A special program will be done on the personality
that receives the highest number of votes. The email says vote for the
messenger so that the program will be made about him, in order for the Spanish
and Europeans get to know about the messenger. The email goes on to say that
our messenger is better and more elevated than such votes, but it is the
program about the winning personality that we are after in order to introduce
the messenger to the Europeans.
First, I
advice you to obey Allah, so we shall be with those Allah bestows mercy upon,
with the prophets, believers, martyrs, and the good people, and what a good
companions they shall be.
Second:
out of this competitive voting into which the messenger PPBU was included I
find my self forced to talk about one cornerstone of belief. That is;
believing in the prophets. The messenger said: {an example of me amongst the
prophets is like a man who builds a house and do fine, complete and a
beautiful job of it. But he leaves one brick which he leaves out. That made
people walk round the house in amazement and say: if just the location of this
brick is completed. For I am amongst the prophets like the placement of that
brick.}
Indeed we
need such prophets and the message they brought us. They are the ambassadors
of Allah to his slaves, they are his arguments sent as good tidings and as a
warning with the same message. That Allah is one and He is to be worshiped.
Those who believe require four points in order to fulfill belief:
1) Believing
that the message they bring is the truth from Allah. If one disbelieve in the
message of one of them is considered a disbeliever in all.
2)
Believing in those whose names we were told about in the Quran like Adam,
Noah, Ibrahim PPBU them. Abey-Ther (أبي
ذر)
asked the messenger of Allah about the number of all the prophets, He
answered: {124,000 out of those there were 315 messengers}. That means there
were 123,685 prophets and 315 messengers.
3)
Believing into the messengers also means believing in their news, history. And
refusing all that was falsely said about them by both Jews and Christians. For
they killed messengers of Allah and easily they made lies about them. What is
strange that there are amongst Muslims who believe in such lies as facts? So,
you find them trying to keep them happy.
Jews
claimed that prophet Aaron PPBU created a bull (or a calf) and claimed that he
worshiped it. And they also claim that prophet Jacob stole cattle and left or
sneaked out without telling whom he worked for. They also claim that Suleiman
returned to be an unbeliever and worshiped idol statues. And Abraham PPBU
presented his wife Sarah to Faro for other returns, and claimed that prophet
Loot drank wine, and committed adultery with his two daughters.
Christians
on the other hand claim that Jesus peace be upon him testified that all
prophets before him are thieves and did steal. And they claim that he
humiliated his mother in public, (they also claim that he is the son of God.).
More examples are found in a book titled: {Muhammad prophet of Islam}.
Dear
Muslims, if the chosen one (PPBU) told about whoever curses or swears at any
of his companions by saying: ((This who swears at or curses my companions,
Allah curse, the angels curses and the all the peoples curses are upon them.))
Is it not more appropriate then that all such cursing will also apply to those
who swear at the prophets or who ever accuses them with immorality and
serious offenses?
The
opposite on the other hand be used to differentiate another feature. Just as
Jews and Christians and those who aligned up with them had under respected
their prophets; and we declare that we are innocent of that; we also declare
our innocence from those who exaggerated in glorifying their prophets by
attributing some of the characteristics of their creator. Some made them
equals or foes to God. Some visit their graves and offer them sacrifices. Just
as some do at the shrines of holy men. And instead of God they ask them, they
beg them and seek their help. Just as the Sofya group do with those who reach
higher levels amongst them. Jews and Christians have done both sins. Allah
says: ((The Jews said Awzair is the son of Allah and the Christians said the
Massiah is the son of Allah.))
The
messenger (PPBU) strongly warned against that while he was at his death bed,
he said: ((Curse the Jews and the Christians for they took their prophets'
graves temples.)) He merely was warning from what they did. Prophets and
messengers were mere humans and have no Godly characteristics. Allah says
describing the best of all the prophets: ((Say I can not do my self good or
bad except what Allah wills, and if I knew the unknown (or the future) I would
have done much better and no bad would happen to me, for I am merely bring
good news and bring cautions to some people who believe.)) Let those who run
such events commemorating holy men let them understand that.
Despite
all that, Allah gave His messengers their own characteristics and their
advantages. For some talked to Allah and some were elevated many levels.
The most
honored of them are the "Firm will or Resolute" ones. There were five of
those: Noah, Muhammad, Ibrahim, Mosa and Isa. And the most honored of those is
our prophet PPBU. And how may he not be the most honored when he led them all
in a prayer at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. And he has the power to
intermediate for all people in the day of resurrection. And he is the first
for whom the door of paradise will be opened.
He was
also granted five that were never granted to a prophet before him. He said:
((I was given victory through the fear of my enemies of me a month before I
reach them. And all earth was made pure for me to worship, any of my
followers, wherever he/she might be, if time for a prayer is due let them
pray. And the winnings of wars were made legal for me and it was not made so
for anyone before me. And I was given the mediation. And a prophet used to be
sent to his people specifically, and I was sent to all people.))
He also
said: ((I was given the power to elect seventy thousand of my followers to
enter paradise without going through being judged. Their faces are like full
moon; their hearts are as a single heart. I asked my Lord for more and He
granted me for each one, seventy thousands more))
He was
also given the knowledge of the initial life (history), the next life and the
entire science of this life.
Despite
all that, his name is still uttered into every baby's ear, and he is prayed
for in every tashahud part of prayers. Did that make him proud or big headed,
or felt better than his companions or felt higher than other people? No. His
wife 3aesha said about him: ((He used to fix his shoe, saw his rope, and do
house word as any of you would do. He was a human son of human. He cleaned his
rope, and milked his sheep, and serve him self (PPBU).)) He used to visit the
destitute, sits with the poor and the needy. He used to respond and go to who
ever invites him, and sits with his companions just as one of them. And he
stopped them from standing up to him when he approaches as atheists did to
their kings.
Despite
that remember what Allah says in the Koran: ((say I am but a human just like
you, who is being revealed to (the Koran), that your god is one god. So, this
who hopes to meet his Lord, let them do a good deed and never with his Lord
worship any other))
Jareer
came to him to pledge his alliance and Islam, and said "you put the conditions
for the pledge". The messenger PPBU said: ((pledge to worship Allah, keep up
the prayers, give charity, exchange advice with Muslims, and split away from
those who associate others with God))
Notes:
-
Adhan
- The call to prayer.
-
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the
messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of
Islam.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
