How did the Prophet conveyed his message?
God (Its better to use the Proper Name, Allah, instead of 'God" - Muqith) sent Muhammad, the Final Prophet (peace be upon him) as a *{… mercy for all the worlds}* (Al-Anbiyaa'21:107). Thus, the methods that he followed in order to spread this divine message to humanity could be summarized into the following:
1. Giving an example from himself (peace be upon him).
2. Educating his companions to be role models for humanity.
3. Teaching the concept of da'wah or call for Islam.
Regarding the first method, the Prophet (peace be upon him) spread the message of Islam through showing humanity an example of an excellent human being. He was an ideal teacher, friend, husband, father, grandfather, worrier, speaker, neighbour, employer, etc.
In all the roles that he played in his life, he gave humanity examples in every aspect and in every sense. And this is the main means through which the message of Islam was spread amongst his people. It has been mentioned in Mubarakpuri's biography of the Prophet Muhammad, Ar-Rahiq Al-Makhtum,that whenJa`far ibn Abi Talibwas asked by Al-Najashi, the King of Ethiopia at the time, about the message of Muhammad, Ja`far said:
"He (Muhammad) is a man who is asking us to be honest, chaste, and good to our relatives."
When`A'ishah, the Prophet’s wife, was asked about his manners, she said:
"His manners were the Qur'an." "He was a Qur'an walking on earth" (Ahmad).
On the other hand, Allah Almighty described His messenger (peace be upon him) by saying what means:
*{Indeed, you have a sublime character.}* (Al-Qalam 68:4)
He (peace be upon him) told his companions that a good character is the best way to win people’s hearts. He said:
"You will never make people pleased with your money, but you will win their hearts with a smiling face and good manners (bast al-wajh wa husn al-khuluq)" (Ibn Al-Hakam.)
The second factor in the spread of Islam was the way the companions were educated by their teacher: Muhammad (peace be upon him). This was in order to be role models themselves. Islam was spread in various parts of the world through the companions' excellent conduct, demonstrated during their travels after the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away.
The Islamic state should never force people to become Muslim by any means, as some might think. If this ever took place in history, then it was obviously a grave mistake that had been made by a few ignorant rulers who did not follow the ethical code of the prophetic errand in this life.
The way Islam spread in the vast areas in Asia and Africa was basically through the excellent example that the companions and their students and followers (at-tabe`een) gave to people. The areas of the largest Islamic populations today in East Asia had never seen any military conflict with any Islamic state. Indonesia is a clear example. The way Islam spread and, later, became the religion of the overwhelming majority of that country was throughakhlaq(good manners and ethical morality).
The third method through which the Prophet (peace be upon him) spread the message of Islam was by teaching the concept ofda`wah(call for Islam). The Prophet Muhammad taught his companions, and all Muslims, that a caller for a good deed is rewarded a reward equal to the reward of those who follow him in his or her call (Al-Bukhari). He also advised his people by saying:
"Convey the message after me, even one verse." (Al-Bukhari)
Allah describes the Prophet’s way by saying what means:
*{Say [O Prophet]: "This is my way: Resting upon conscious insight accessible to reason, I am calling [you all] unto God - I and they who follow me." And [say:] "Limitless is God in His glory; and I am not one of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him!"}*(Yusuf12:108)
Basically, these are the three methods, through which the Prophet of Islam spread the message of Islam.
Courtesy: http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE&cid=1149711317210
.jpg)
Posts
Post a Comment