From the Restoration of Humanity to World Peace
Truthful and Trustworthy: The Messenger of Peace
A moment arose when the Black Stone, the Hajr-e-Aswad, was to be placed in the wall of the Holy Kaaba. There was a genuine fear that the situation might escalate to the point where swords would be drawn from their sheaths. It was therefore decided that whoever entered the House of Allah first the following morning would be entrusted with the honor of placing the Black Stone. And so it happened that, at dawn, a noble person appeared. He asked for a sheet of cloth and placed the Black Stone upon it. He then invited representatives of all the tribes to hold the cloth together and collectively raise the Black Stone and place it in the wall of the Kaaba. In this manner, a situation that could have erupted into conflict and bloodshed was transformed into peace through wisdom, prudence, inclusiveness and shared participation, and an important religious duty was fulfilled. Do you know who that noble personality was who established this magnificent example of partnership and collective responsibility? It was the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah peace be upon him). This incident took place before his Prophethood.
At that time, Arab society was deeply immersed in tribal prejudice, oppression, injustice and rebellion. People could scarcely tolerate one another. ignorance, tyranny, excesses, inhumane attitudes and every form of social evil had taken deep root. It was an era of profound moral decline. Depriving others of their rights was regarded almost as a mark of distinction. Human beings were enslaved, while men and women were deprived of their dignity and freedom. Amid such an extreme deterioration of society, the Lord of the Worlds sent Rahmat-ul-lil-Alameen the Mercy for all the worlds as the Seal of the Prophets.
The challenges were immense; the entire social order had fallen into disarray. Rigid mindsets and superstition had pushed society into an exceedingly deep abyss. In such circumstances, even imagining the possibility of reform and then striving to bring it about seemed like an almost impossible undertaking. Yet, despite all these overwhelming difficulties, Allah Almighty bestowed upon this blessed personality a position of unparalleled greatness, and he began an earnest and determined struggle to reform society, placing the dignity and welfare of humanity above all else. People mocked him. They ridiculed the idea that such a deeply rooted social order could ever change. They argued that these practices had continued for generations and represented the traditions, names and ways of their forefathers. But when a person is driven by sincere determination, perseverance and the passion to accomplish something meaningful, no sacrifice seems too great in pursuit of a noble objective.
It was with precisely this spirit of purpose and action that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah peace be upon him) embarked upon his mission. What kinds of oppression, hardships and agonies were not endured in this sacred struggle? Some experiences are so painful that when one attempts to place them upon the pages of history, the mind itself struggles to comprehend them and the pen seems to lose the strength to move. The chain of sacrifices continued even after his passing, extending tragically to the suffering and martyrdom endured by members of his blessed family. The purpose, however, was extraordinarily sublime: the restoration of humanity; the protection of human dignity and honor; the revival of the treasures of knowledge and learning; the cultivation of noble human character; and the awakening of people to the value and importance of justice, fairness and equity. He demonstrated to the world the model of the State of Madinah, and even today, whenever people speak of a welfare state, their eyes instinctively turn towards the exemplary system established in Madinah. It was a society in which people of every color and race, every tribe and social standing, the rich and the poor, Arabs and non-Arabs, men and women, were entitled to dignity and fundamental rights. People belonging to different faiths lived together in peace and harmony, respecting one another and acknowledging each other’s right to exist. It was a living and breathing example of tolerance, coexistence and mutual respect. Mutual consultation was cherished as a means of promoting the welfare and well-being of society. The Messenger of Allah himself practiced whatever he taught. Whatever he asked others to do, he first demonstrated through his own conduct. His truthfulness and integrity were so deeply recognized that even his opponents regarded him with respect and considered him the safest and most trustworthy custodian of their possessions and valuables. This was why the titles As-Sadiq the Truthful and Al-Ameen the Trustworthy became synonymous with his blessed name throughout Arabia. People also took pride and found honor in seeking his judgement in matters of dispute because they knew that his decisions were rooted in justice, fairness and truth. He rejected every form of division and prejudice and sought to uproot the forces of discord from society.
The world continues to hold his quest for the restoration of humanity in the highest regard. One magnificent example is found in the Farewell Sermon, through which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) presented humanity with an invaluable legacy that continues to illuminate the path of mankind. He never approved of extremism or any ideology that spread fear, terror and hatred among human beings. Rather, he consistently taught moderation, balance and restraint in human attitudes and conduct. He always gave peace an opportunity, emphasized human rights as well as human responsibilities, and demonstrated to the world what genuine human welfare and prosperity truly mean. He emphasized the rights of neighbors, the rights and responsibilities of children, the rights of women and the rights of non-Muslims. To establish economic balance and social welfare, he encouraged charity, almsgiving and the system of Zakat as ordained by Allah Almighty.
He was an exemplary teacher, a loving father, a devoted husband, a capable commander, an honest merchant, a reformer, a scholar, a just ruler, a man of sublime character, one who shared the joys and sorrows of others, exceptionally sociable, generous beyond measure, a spreader of love and compassion, deeply conscious of his responsibilities and a powerful messenger of truth. In short, he was unparalleled and incomparable in every sphere of life. He was a complete role model-a personality in whom there was not the slightest trace of moral deficiency. To follow such an exemplary life is, in essence, to witness and pursue the very pinnacle of human excellence. That’s why Allah, the Lord of Majesty, honored the blessed life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah peace be upon him) as the finest model for humanity and elevated his remembrance throughout the world. Even his opponents and those who did not follow his faith acknowledged his extraordinary virtues. For this very reason, scholars, thinkers and writers across generations and throughout the world have written extensively about different dimensions of his Seerah, while many assessments of the greatest human personalities have placed him at the very summit. What greater achievement could there be than this: that even an adversary, after examining his truthfulness, honesty, compassion for humanity and every dimension of his character with the utmost scrutiny, could never discover a genuine moral flaw in him? His direct followers are number in the billions, yet there are also countless others who admire the reforms he brought to society and draw inspiration from his example to dedicate their lives to serving humanity in the best possible manner. It is an undeniable reality that the life, character and personality of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah peace be upon him) possess countless dimensions, so vast that no single account can ever encompass them completely. Yet every step he took to elevate the dignity, worth and honor of humanity continues to be viewed with profound love, reverence and devotion. When one reflects upon such a complete and extraordinary human being, the heart naturally says: I will follow the one who loved the servants of Allah and taught humanity to love, respect and care for one another. Although he has departed from this world, his blessed sayings, traditions and Sunnah remain with humanity and continue to provide guidance for the challenges confronting people in every age. His teachings on justice, public welfare, compassion and the pursuit of knowledge will continue to illuminate the world until the end of time.
Now let us turn our attention to those extremists who never tire of invoking the name of Islam, yet whose actions are so shameful that they bring disgrace upon the very faith they claim to represent. They have been involved in terrorism, extortion, the dissemination of false information, the indiscriminate killing of women and children, destruction of public and private property, obstruction of travelers and transportation systems, attacks on mosques, destruction of educational institutions, attempts to malign the state, and every form of destructive activity. Some have even become willing instruments in the hands of elements hostile to Islam and Pakistan, accepting financial support from such forces and then unleashing disorder and bloodshed in the name of Jihad. Young people are manipulated and incited towards mischief, violence and destructive extremism. This is not the Islam that the Benefactor of Humanity, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah peace be upon him), conveyed to us after enduring countless sacrifices. What answer will such troublemakers give on the Day of Judgement when they stand before the very Prophet whose Ummah they have dishonored and whose noble teachings they have distorted through their actions? How could they possibly face the Messenger of Peace after causing such devastation in the name of the faith he brought for the salvation and betterment of humanity?
It is indeed rightly said that terrorism has no religion. Such acts have nothing to do with the sacred teachings of Islam; rather, they are manifestations of satanic impulses and the pursuit of evil and destructive objectives. No decent society, no noble faith and no responsible community can claim ownership of such people or take pride in their actions. Those who harbor such reprehensible intentions possess neither honor in this world nor the prospect of true salvation in the Hereafter. We take immense pride in following the greatest human being the world has ever known, and in striving to illuminate the many dimensions of his extraordinary personality and noble character. When the finest servant and beloved of Allah Almighty is considered, the human mind remains incapable of fully comprehending the magnitude of his greatness. Yet before his sublime character, humanity can do nothing but bow its head in reverence.
His life offers us a timeless path through which we can protect human dignity, uphold honorable standards of conduct, strengthen social justice, promote compassion and contribute meaningfully to the welfare of humanity thereby achieving distinction not only in this world but also attaining true success in the Hereafter. This was the message that the Messenger of Peace came to deliver and spread: the restoration of humanity, the elevation of human dignity, the triumph of justice, the cultivation of compassion, the rejection of extremism and the establishment of peace. And this remains the sacred path towards a better humanity and, ultimately, towards peace in the world.