How did Muhammad become a prophet?

Muhammad became a prophet by God's revelation of the holy Quran, the Muslim Holy Book, to him through the Angel Gabriel (Jibril) that started in year 610 AD through the year 632 AD (year of death of prophet Muhammad PBUH).

For years after his marriage, Muhammad had been accustomed to secluding himself in a cave in Mount Hira, a few miles from Mecca. To this cave he used to go for prayer and meditation, sometimes alone and sometime with his family. There, he often spent the whole nights in deep thought and profound communion with the Unseen yet All-Knowing Allah of the Universe. It was during one of those retirements, in year 610 AD, and in the still hours of the night, when no human sympathy was near, that Angel Gabriel (Jibril) came to him to tell him that he was the Messenger of Allah sent to reclaim a fallen people to the knowledge and service of their Lord. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) then started receiving God Quran revelation to him, through the Angel Gabriel, from year 610 AD until year 632 AD (year of prophet's death).

Muhammad’s Kindness to Animals

When we mention the religion of Islam, often the first word that comes to mind is peace.  The word Islam is derived from the infinitive ‘sa-la’ma’ which also is the root for the wordsalam, which means peace.  Islam is a way of life that promotes peace, dignity, respect, tolerance, justice and mercy and all of these qualities are tempered with serenity (calmness) that comes from submission to God.  Perhaps the greatest of these qualities is mercy.  It is one of the overriding themes throughout the Quran.

“Certainly, We have brought them a Book (the Quran) which We have explained in detail with knowledge, - guidance, and a mercy to a people who believe”  (Quran 7:52)

Mercy is that ethereal quality that embodies gentleness, piety, care, consideration, love, and forgiveness.  When these qualities are observable in this world, they are a mere reflection of God’s mercy towards His creation.  God said clearly that Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, was a mercy for all of creation, not just his family and friends or the Arab nation, or the people of the 7^thcentury CE, and not for human beings alone.

“And We have sent you O Muhammad not but as a mercy for all of humankind, jinn, and all that exists”  (Quran 21:107)

Prophet Muhammad was the embodiment of mercy, he showed compassion to all those around him, family, orphans, friends, strangers and even enemies.  He also treated the environment and animals with respect and mercy.  He taught his followers that because animals were part of God’s creation they should be treated with dignity and due care.

 The traditions of Prophet Muhammad remind us that humankind was put on this earth to be the custodian of God’s creation.  Treating animals with kindness and mercy is just one of the responsibilities embedded in that custodianship.  Prophet Muhammad’s words and behaviour make it clear that causing defenceless creatures pain and suffering is not only completely unacceptable, but we will also be answerable to God for such actions.

“If someone kills a sparrow for sport, the sparrow will cry out on the Day of Judgment, “O Lord!  That person killed me in vain!  He did not kill me for any useful purpose”

The Prophet, may God praise him, said, “Whoever kills a sparrow or anything bigger than that without a just cause, God will hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment”  The listeners asked, “O Messenger of God, what is a just cause?”  He replied, “That he will kill it to eat, not simply to chop off its head and then throw it away”

Islam expects humankind to treat all animals (all living creatures - birds, sea creatures, and insects) with respect and dignity.  Prophet Muhammad continuously advised people to show kindness.  He forbade the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals at any soft spot, and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily. If the Prophet saw, any animal over-burdened or ill fed he would speak mildly to the owner and say, “Fear God in your treatment of animals”

However, refraining from physical cruelty is not enough; abstaining from mental cruelty is equally as important.  Even a bird’s emotional distress should be treated seriously.  One of Prophet Muhammad’s companions narrates, “We were on a journey and during the Prophet’s absence, we saw a bird with its two chicks; we took them.  The mother bird was circling above us in the air, beating its wings in grief.  When Prophet Muhammad returned he said, “Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its chicks?  Return them to her”

In another narration, a Companion of the Prophet came to him carrying baby chicks in his clothing and mentioned that the mother bird had hovered over them.  He was directed to return the chicks back to the same bush.

In pre Islamic times, pagan superstitions and polytheistic practices included acts of torture and cruelty to animals.  Islam condemned this and put a stop to all such practices.  When Prophet Muhammad and his companions migrated to Medina, they noticed that people cut off camels’ humps and the fat tails of sheep for food.  The Prophet forbade them from them from doing this and said,“Whatever is cut off an animal while it is still alive, is carrion and is unlawful to eat”

In Islam, the rules pertaining to slaughtering animals are very strict and fixed.  Protecting animals from pain and undue suffering is paramount.

“God has ordained kindness (and excellence) in everything.  If the killing (of animals) is to be done, do it in the best manner, and when you slaughter, do it in the best manner by first sharpening the knife, and putting the animal at ease.”

When you set your dog (for the chase), mention the name of God if he catches the game, and you reach it while it is still alive, cut, its throat quickly (so it won’t suffer).

Humankind must strike a balance in their treatment of animals.  All living creatures were put on this earth by God for our benefit.  They are not at the same level as human beings but neither should they be treated cruelly.  It is humankind’s responsibility to see that they have food, water, and shelter from the elements.  Living creatures must not be overburdened, abused, or tortured and doing so will surely result in God’s just punishment.  A true believer in God demonstrates his or her belief by respecting the entire creation, and Prophet Muhammad’s character and actions are a shinning example of respect for all that exists.

Muhammads Miracles 3

There are many other miracles which the Prophet performed related in the Sunnah, or conglomeration of the sayings, deeds, approvals, and descriptions of the Prophet.

The Tree Trunk

In Medina Muhammad used to deliver sermons leaning on a tree stump.  When the number of worshippers increased, someone suggested a pulpit be built so he can use it to deliver the sermon.  When the pulpit was built, he abandoned the tree trunk.  Abdullah ibn Umar, one of the companions, gave an eye-witness testimony of what happened.  The trunk was heard weeping, the Prophet of Mercy went towards it and comforted it with his hand.

The event is also confirmed through eye-witness testimony transmitted through the ages with an unbroken chain of reliable scholars.

 

The Flowing of Water

On more than one occasion when people were in dire need of water, the blessing of the Muhammad saved them.  In the sixth year after the he migrated from Mecca to Medina, Muhammad went to Mecca for pilgrimage.  In the long journey through the desert, people ran out of all water, only the Prophet was left with a vessel with which he performed ablution for prayers.  He put his hand in vessel, water began flowing from between his fingers.  Jabir bin Abdullah, who witnessed the miracle, says of the fifteen hundred men, ‘We drank it and made ablution. 

The event is also confirmed through eye-witness testimony transmitted through the ages with an unbroken chain of reliable scholars.

The sprouting of water from human fingers is similar to the Moses’ miracle of producing water from a rock.

Blessing of Food

On more than one occasion, the Prophet blessed food by either praying or touching it so all present could get their fill.  This happened at times when food and water shortage afflicted Muslims. These miracles took place in the presence of a large number of people and is, thus, not possible to deny.

Healing the Sick

Abdullah ibn Ateek broke his leg and Muhammad healed it by wiping his hand over it.  Abdullah said it was as if nothing had happened to it!  The person who witnessed the miracle was another companion, Bara’ ibn Azib (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

During the expedition of Khyber, Muhammad healed the painful eyes of Ali ibn Abi Talib in front of a whole army.  Ali, many years later, became the fourth caliph(Ruler) of Muslims.

Exorcising Devils

Muhammad exorcised the devil out of a boy brought by his mother for healing to him by saying, ‘Come out!  I am Muhammad, the Messenger of God!’  The woman said, ‘By the One who sent you with the truth, we have never seen anything wrong with him since.’

Prayers Answered

(1)            The mother of Abu Hurayra, a close companion of Muhammad, used to speak ill of Islam and its prophet.  One day, Abu Hurayra came weeping to Muhammad and asked him to pray for his mother to be saved.  Muhammad prayed and when Abu Hurayra returned home he found his mother ready to accept Islam.  She bore the testimony of faith in front of her son and entered Islam.

(2)            Jarir ibn Abdullah was commissioned by the Prophet to rid the land of an idol worshipped besides God, but he complained he was could not ride a horse well!  The Prophet prayed for him, ‘O God, make him a strong horseman and make him one is guides and is guided.’  Jarir testifies he never fell off his horse after the Prophet prayed for him.

(3)            The people were struck with famine during the time of Muhammad.  A man stood up when Muhammad was delivering the weekly sermon on Friday, and said, ‘O Messenger of God, our wealth has been destroyed and our children are starving.  Pray to God for us.’  Muhammad raised his hands in prayer.

Those in attendance testify that that the moment he lowered his hands after praying, clouds began to build like mountains!

By the time he stepped down of his pulpit, rain was dripping from his beard!

It rained the whole week till next Friday!

The same man stood up again, complained this time, ‘O Messenger of God, our buildings are destroyed, and our property is drowned, pray to God for us!’

Muhammad raised his hands and prayed, ‘O God, (let it rain) around us, but not on us.’

Those in attendance testify that the clouds withdrew in the direction he pointed, the city of Medina was surrounded by clouds, but there were no clouds over it!

(4)            Here is the beautiful story of Jabir.  He testifies that on one time, the camel he was riding was exhausted because it was used for carrying water.  The camel could hardly walk.  Muhammad asked him, ‘What’s the matter with your camel?’  On finding out how tired the poor camel was, Muhammad prayed for the poor animal and from that time, Jabir tells us, the camel was always ahead of others!  Muhammad asked Jabir, ‘How do you find your camel?’  Jabir responded, ‘It is well, your blessing has reached it!’  Muhammad bought the camel from Jabir on the spot for a piece of gold, with the condition that Jabir ride it back to the city!  On reaching Medina, Jabir says he brought the camel to Muhammad the next morning.  Muhammad gave him the piece of gold and told him to keep his camel!

It is no wonder why those around him who witnessed these great miracles performed in front of crowds were certain of his truthfulness.

Muhammads Miracles 2

Night Journey and Ascent to Heaven

A few months before the migration from Mecca to Medina, God took Muhammad in one night from the Grand Mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a month’s journey of 1230 Km for a caravan.  From Jerusalem, he ascended to the heavens, passing the boundaries of the physical universe to be in divine presence, meet God, and witness the Great Signs (al-Ayat ul-Kubra).  His truth became apparent in two ways.  First, ‘the Prophet described the caravans he had overtaken on the way home and said where they were and about when they might be expected to arrive in Mecca; and each arrived as predicted, and the details were as he had described.  Second, he was never known to have been to Jerusalem, yet he described al-Aqsa Mosque to skeptics like an eye-witness.

The mystical journey is mentioned in the Quran:

“Exalted is He who took His Servant [Prophet Muhammad] by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs.  Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” (Quran 17:1)

“So will you dispute with him over what he saw?  And he certainly saw him in another descent at the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary – near it is the Garden of Refuge (Paradise) – when there covered the Lote Tree that which covered (it).  The sight (of the Prophet) did not swerve, nor did it transgress (its limit).  He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.” (Quran 53:12-18)

The event is also confirmed through eye-witness testimony transmitted through the ages with an unbroken chain of reliable scholars.

Muhammads Miracles 1

Splitting of the Moon

One of the times when God performed miracles at the hand of the Prophet was  when the Meccans demanded to see a miracle from Muhammad to show his truthfulness.  God split the moon in two separate halves and then re-joined them.  The Quran recorded the event:

“The Last Hour draws near, and the moon is split asunder!” (Quran 54:1)

Prophet Muhammad would recite these verses of the Quran in large congregations of the weekly Friday prayer and the bi-annual Eed (Religious feast) prayers. Had the event never occurred, Muslims themselves would have doubted their religion and many would have left it!  The Meccans would have said, ‘Hey, your prophet is a liar, the moon never split, and we never saw it split!’  Instead, the believers grew stronger in their faith and the only explanation the Meccans could come up with was, ‘passing magic!’

“The Last Hour draws near, and the moon is split asunder!  And if they see a sign (miracle), they turn away and say, ‘Passing magic!’- for they are bent on giving it the lie, being always wont to follow their own desires” (Quran 54:1-3)

The splitting of the moon is confirmed through eye-witness testimony transmitted through an unbroken chain of reliable scholars so many that is it impossible that it could be false!.

A skeptic might ask, do we have any independent historical evidence to suggest the moon was ever split?  After all, people around the world should have seen this marvelous event and recorded it.

The answer to this question is twofold.

First, people around the world could not have seen it as it would have been daytime, late night, or early morning many parts of the world.  The following table will give the reader some idea of corresponding world times to 9:00 pm Mecca time:

Country	Time
Mecca	9:00 pm
India	11:30 pm
Perth	2:00 am
Reykjavik	6:00 pm
Washington D.C.	2:00 pm
Rio de Janeiro	3:00 pm
Tokyo	3:00 am
Beijing	2:00 am

Also, it is not likely that a large number of people in lands close by would be observing the moon at the exact same time.  They had no reason to.  Even if some one did, it does not necessarily mean people believed him and kept a written record of it, especially when many civilizations at that time did not preserve their own history in writing.

Second, we actually have an independent, and quite amazing, historical corroboration of the event from an Indian king of that time.

Kerala is a state of India.  The state stretches for 360 miles (580 kilometers) along the Malabar Coast on the southwestern side of the Indian peninsula.  King Chakrawati Farmas of Malabar was a Chera king, Cheraman perumal of Kodungallure.  He is recorded to have seen the moon split.  The incident is documented in a manuscript kept at the India Office Library, London, reference number: Arabic, 2807, 152-173. A group of Muslim merchant’s passing by Malabar on their way to China spoke to the king about how God had supported the Arabian prophet with the miracle of splitting of the moon.  The shocked king said he had seen it with his own eyes as well, deputized his son, and left for Arabia to meet the Prophet in person.  The Malabari king met the Prophet, bore the two testimonies of faith, learned the basics of faith, but passed away on his way back and was buried in the port city of Zafar, Yemen.

It is said that the contingent was led by a Muslim, Malik bin Dinar, and continued to Kodungallure, the Chera capital, and built the first, and India’s oldest, mosque in the area in 629 CE which exists today.

A pre-renovation picture of the Cheraman Juma Masjid, India’s oldest mosque dating back to 629 CE.  Image courtesy of www.islamicvoice.com.

The news of his accepting Islam reached Kerala where people accepted Islam.  The people of Lakshadweep and the Moplas (Mapillais) from the Calicut province of Kerala are converts from those days.

Cheraman Juma Masjid, named after India’s first Muslim convert, Cheraman perumal Chakrawati Farmas, after renovation.  Image courtesy of www.indianholiday.com

The Indian sighting and the meeting of the Indian king with Prophet Muhammad is also reported by Muslim sources.  The famous Muslim historian, Ibn Kahtir, mentions the splitting of the moon was reported in parts of India. Also, the books of hadith have documented the arrival of the Indian king and his meeting the Prophet.  Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, a companion of Prophet Muhammad, states:

“The Indian king gifted the Prophet with a jar of ginger.  The companions ate it piece by piece.  I took a bite as well”

The king was thus considered a ‘companion’ – a term used for a person who met the Prophet and died as a Muslim – his name registered in the mega-compendiums chronicling the Prophet’s companions.

Allah (God) does exist

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I

don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for him.

Prophet Muhammad's final speach to mankind before his death (A summary read by Cat Stevens)