Muhammad (PBUH) - The Greatest of God's Messengers
Muhammad (PBUH) was the last and greatest of God's messengers, the most exemplary of all humans, a role model of kindness, compassion, mercy, gratitude, thankfulness, abundance, courage, fearlessness, self-reflection, and an unwavering belief in his mission. He is also a role model of humility, peace, and forgiveness, a leader who brought a peaceful revolution to the Middle East and made it into a stable polity that we live in today.
In the West, the life and teachings of Muhammad are often misunderstood. This is because the majority of people know little about Islam, which makes it difficult to understand Muhammad's core beliefs and how they affect our lives today. This book strips away centuries of distortion and myth to reveal the true story of the man who founded a religion that has changed the world.
Early Life and Spiritual Journey
Early in his life, Muhammad became interested in a new spiritual path. He started meditating and eventually had visions and hearing voices. On one occasion, an angel appeared to him and revealed the first verses of the Qur'an. These words were the beginnings of a message that would change the course of history. It introduced a single God to the Arabian peninsula, contradicting polytheistic beliefs and establishing an authoritative religious text for Muslims.
The Qur'an is an Islamic holy book. It contains the words of God that were revealed to Muhammad over a period of approximately fifty years. The text contains instructions for the worship of God and is a source of inspiration to Muslims worldwide.
Muhammad's Prophethood
When he was forty years old, Muhammad began having visions and hearing voices. In one of these experiences, he was shown the message that would become the Qur'an, which has been translated into over 500 languages. He became a very religious person, regularly taking pilgrimages to sacred sites near Mecca. In 610, on one of these journeys, he was visited by the angel Gabriel. This visit inspired Muhammad to accept God as his Lord and His messenger. He began reciting the Qur'an in earnest and he went on to receive many other revelations.
Among his most important accomplishments, Muhammad led the Muslim community from a small hamlet to an expansive nation. He influenced more than millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world and he transformed the social landscape in a way that no man had ever done before. In addition to his religious accomplishments, Muhammad was an effective leader and a skilled diplomat. He shaped the social structure of his nation, encouraged the building of strong communities, and encouraged political reform.
Muhammad's Life and Family
As a young boy, Muhammad lived in a modest household, but his parents were proud of him. He was a fine student and he was known for his excellent manners. He later married Khadija, a wealthy widow. She was impressed with his honesty and respect for her family. Muhammad had the gift of eloquence and was a brilliant public speaker. He was also an excellent spokesman for the poor, the sick, and the disenfranchised. He was also a skilled counselor, advising those who were worried about their families and their futures.
