The Qur’ān – A Clear Proof

By Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh
 
Indeed, We have sent down the Dhikr [the Qur‘ān], and indeed We are its guardian. (15:9)

In this verse Allāh ta‘ālā proclaims that it is He, and He alone, who has revealed the Glorious Qur’ān to mankind, which means it is His Word. This claim is followed by a proof to validate it: that Allāh ta‘ālā Himself is its guardian and protector. When Allāh ta‘ālā protects something, nothing and no one can ever interfere with it, so the continual preservation of the Qur’ān is a proof that it is the Word of Allāh ta‘ālā. There are many other proofs of the Divine origin of the Qur’ān, including its i‘jāz (inimitability) – the challenge to mankind to invent even a single verse to match the Qur’ān in its perfection. However, the preservation of the Qur’ān is a proof that even a child can understand.

Over 1,400 years have passed and it is still plain for everyone to see that not a single change has occurred in the Qur’ān. To fulfil the promise of protecting the Qur’ān, Allāh ta‘ālā has created a comprehensive system consisting of scribes who accurately copy the text; huffāz who accurately memorise its words; qurrā who preserve its mode of recitation; and mufassirūn, muhaddithūn, fuqahā and ‘ulamā who protect its meaning and message.

Non-Muslim experts, while arguing over the authorship of the Qur’ān, nevertheless acknowledge that despite the passage of over fourteen centuries it has not undergone even the slightest alteration – not of a single letter or diacritical mark.

It is obvious that a very powerful being must be safeguarding the Qur’ān for it to have been preserved over so many centuries.

The Protected Book
‘Allāmah Al-Qurtubī rahimahullāh narrates an interesting story about the preservation of the Qur’ān. Once a stranger attended one of the debates that the ‘Abbāsid Khalīfah Ma’mūn Ar-Rashīd used to hold at his court. The man spoke eloquently during the debate, and afterwards Ma’mūn summoned him. Sensing that he was not a Muslim he asked him whether he was a Jew. The man replied that he was. Ma’mūn then invited him to embrace Islām and, as a test, offered him incentives for doing so. However, the man preferred to keep his religion, the religion of his forefathers.

A year later the same man attended the court of Ma’mūn as a Muslim and spoke learnedly on Islamic jurisprudence. Afterwards, Ma’mūn called him and asked him if he was the same man who had come the year before. He replied in the affirmative, and upon being asked how he had come to become a Muslim he told his story.

After he had left the debate the previous year he had decided to examine the different religions. Being a good calligrapher he made three copies of the Tawrāt, making some additions and omissions in the process. He took the copies to the Jews and they bought them from him. He then made three copies of the Injīl, again making some additions and omissions, and took them to the Christians, who bought them. Then he did exactly the same with the Qur’ān and took the copies to the Muslims. They checked them and when they noticed the additions and omissions they discarded the copies and refused to buy them. “I realised then that this was a Protected Book, and that was how I came to embrace Islām,” concluded the man.

Enthusiasm for Memorising the Qur’ān
The preservation of the Qur’ān is a great miracle, and the means Allāh ta‘ālā employs in its preservation are also amazing. Parents who encourage their children to memorise the entire Qur’ān are aware of the rewards they and their children will receive for doing so, but the children themselves are not. If you were to ask the students of a typical tahfīz-al-Qur’ān class what the rewards for memorising the Qur’ān are, majority would not be able to reply. Despite this, the desire Allāh ta‘ālā places in their hearts to memorise the Qur’ān is such that very few if any would dream of giving it up.

Wherever you go you will see that there are never enough tahfīz-al-Qur’ān classes and that they are always oversubscribed! Just think, what power is there besides Allāh ta‘ālā that is keeping our children committed to memorising the Qur’ān? There are countless other well-known good deeds that promise great rewards, yet people do not adhere to them with such commitment and dedication as to memorising the Qur’ān. Allāh ta‘ālā Himself puts the love of memorising His Word into the hearts of young people!

Nowhere in the whole world will you see classes full of children memorising a book that they do not understand. It is a miracle of the Qur’ān that people are able to learn a whole foreign alphabet and how to read in the foreign language, without learning to understand the language; furthermore, then they memorise a whole book in that language, and then keep it memorised for the rest of their lives.

Remarkable Huffāz
Throughout history there are examples of people who memorised the Qur’ān at a very young age and also in a very short time. Ibn Labbān rahimahullāh memorised the entire Qur’ān in just one year, remarkable in itself, but even more amazing is that he completed his memorisation at the age of five! Hāfiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalānī rahimahullāh became a hāfiz by the age of nine, and at the age of eleven led the Tarāwīh Salāh in Al-Masjid Al-Harām. Imām Ash-Shāfi‘ī rahimahullāh memorised the Qur’ān in just one month. When Imām Muhammad rahimahullāh went to study under Imām Abū Hanīfah rahimahullāh he was asked whether he had memorised the entire Qur’ān or not, for admission to his classes was conditional on being a hāfiz. He replied that he had not, but his desire to acquire knowledge was so great that he returned after just one week and told Imām Abū Hanīfah rahimahullāh that he was now a hāfiz!

Connect Yourself to the Qur’ān
After learning something of the miraculous nature of the Glorious Qur’ān, we need to take some practical steps to connect ourselves with it:

1.  Reciting the Qur’ān regularly. Recite one juz daily, or if that is not possible then half a juz or a quarter, but recite daily. If the remembrance of Allāh ta‘ālā in its various forms such as tasbīh, tahmīd, salāt ‘alan-Nabī, du‘ā etc. are compared to individual ‘vitamins’ beneficial to a person’s spiritual health, the Qur’ān can be likened to a multivitamin, for it contains them all.

2.  Attend tajwīd classes in your locality in order to learn how to recite the Qur’ān properly, which is one of the rights of the Qur’ān.

3.  Attend the Durūs (lessons) of the Qur’ān delivered by the ‘ulamā in your locality in order to understand the message of the Qur’ān.

4.  Practise upon the teachings of the Qur’ān.

5.  Propagate the teachings of the Qur’ān.

6.  Respect the people of the Qur’ān, i.e. the huffāz and ‘ulamā. Refrain from disrespecting them and talking ill of them at all costs. ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd-al-‘Azīz rahimahullāh used to say, “Become an ‘ālim if you can. If you cannot then become a student of ‘ilm. And if you cannot then have love for them [the ‘ulamā and students]. And if you cannot then do not have hatred for them.”

May Allāh ta‘ālā grant us love for and affinity with the Qur’ān, the ability to memorise it, recite it in the proper manner, understand it and act according to it. Āmīn.

 

© Islāmic Da’wah Academy

Top 10 Reasons to Turn Off Your TV

From Mark Stibich, Ph.D., Your Guide to Longevity.

Turning off your television will gain you, on average, about4 hours per day. Imagine if you took that time to exercise, give your brain a workout and develop strong relationships. Not only would you be adding years to your life, you would become more interesting, energetic, and fun. So take the plunge and try not watching TV for a week. At first it will be strange and awkward, but stick with it and soon you will love all the extra time.

1. Television Eats Your Time
The average U.S. adult watches more than 4 hours of television a day. That’s 25 percent of waking time spent every day. Imagine if you suddenly had 25 percent more time — that’s three extra months per year! You could get in all your exercise, cook your meals from scratch and still have time left over to write a novel.

Over a lifetime, an 80-year-old person would have watched 116,800 hours of television, compared to only 98,000 hours of work. As a nation, adults watch 880 million hours of television every day or 321 billion hours per year. Whew! Imagine what could get done if we all just stopped watching TV.

2. Television makes you stressed
With the average of four hours a day gone, it’s no wonder everyone is feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. We put aside paying bills, finishing projects, making phone calls and cleaning our homes to watch TV. We feel overwhelmed because of all the things we should be doing (exercising, spending time with family, eating right) go undone.

And when we feel overwhelmed, tired, and exhausted we don’t have energy to anything but — you guessed it — watch TV. It is a dreadful cycle. So take a break from TV for a week and see what happens to your life.

3. Television Makes You Overweight
Eating while distracted limits your ability to assess how much you have consumed. According to Eliot Blass at the University of Massachusetts, people eat between 31 and 74 percent more calories while watching TV.

This could add, on average, about 300 calories extra per TV meal. Now consider that at least 40 percent of families watch TV while eating dinner. It becomes clear that TV is a big part of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. and that TV, in fact, makes you gain weight.

4. Television Makes You Uninteresting
Many people have whole conversations that are recaps of TV programs, sporting events and sitcoms. When asked about their real lives, there is little or nothing to report and no stories to tell (except the TV shows they have watched).

Life is too interesting and wonderful to spend your time either watching TV or recapping television to your friends. Find something interesting to do: volunteer, read, paint — anything but watch more TV.

5. Television Ruins Your Relationships
A television is turned on an average of 7 hours and 40 minutes per day in many U.S. households. With the TV on that much, there is little time for you and your significant other or children to spend time together, share experiences, and develop deeper relationships.

Sitting together and watching TV does not grow a relationship. Turn that TV off and find something to do together –cooking, exercising, taking a walk, anything.

6. Television is Not Relaxation
TV is the opposite of exercise. If you are watching TV you are usually sitting, reclining or lying down. You are burning as few calories as possible. All that extra food you eat while watching TV does not get burned off. Your brain goes into a lull.

But you are not relaxing — your mind is still receiving stimuli from the TV, you are processing information and reacting emotionally. Have you ever found yourself thinking about TV characters? Do you ever dream about TV shows? These are signs that the brain is working hard to process all the TV you have been watching.

7. Television Loses Opportunities
If you are sitting and watching TV, nothing new or exciting is going to happen to you. New opportunities and ideas come from being out in the world, talking to people, and reading interesting things.

Watching TV isolates you. Nothing is going to change in your world if you are watching TV. Turn off the TV, go out into the world, talk to people, and see what happens.

8. Television is Addictive
Television can become addictive. Signs of TV addiction include:

• using the TV to calm down
• not being able to control your viewing
• feeling angry or disappointed in how much TV you watched
• feeling on edge if kept from watching
• feeling a loss of control while watching

If the idea of giving up TV for a week is horrifying, you may be addicted to television. Luckily, TV addiction is a habit and not a physical addiction like smoking. You should be able to control it once you are aware of the problem and make a decision to change.

9. Television Makes You Buy Things
By age 65, the average American has seen 2 million commercials. Your knowledge of products and brands comes from these TV commercials. Your perception of what you need also comes from these commercials.

If you didn’t know that your iPod could talk to your running shoes, you wouldn’t feel like your current shoes are too low-tech. If you didn’t know about vacuums that never lose suction, your current vacuum would seem fine. Our perception of need is determined by what we see. Need less by watching less TV.

10. Television Costs Money
A basic cable package costs $43 per month and many packages cost much more than that. That comes to at least $500 a year spent on TV. For that much money you could: buy a membership to every museum or zoo in your town, get a gym membership, buy a nice bicycle, invest it every year for 10 years at 10 percent interest* and have more than $10,000.

Sources: TvTurnOff.org; US Census Bureau

Jamiat Comment: There isn’t much left to say except that for a Muslim home the most dangerous part about the TV is that it corrodes Islamic values. All the sex, violence, bad language and rotten attitudes of characters on TV have turned generations of innocent young children into monsters which even their parents cannot recognize. And then we ask ourselves: where did we go wrong as parents?

Added to that, the TV is without doubt the most powerful propaganda machine ever created by man. Want to make the masses believe in something? Show it on TV. In this way our children accept the worked ideologies of the atheists and liberals without even being concsciously aware of it!.

There is only one solution – Break the TV and then throw it into the garbage bin. This may seem harsh, but there is no time left for subtleties. Get rid of that Shaytaan box immediately, and feel the goodness return to your home.

* remember that this article is not written by a Muslim, hence the mention of consuming interest. This is obviously incorrect for a Muslim, as interest is Haraam. But the principle behind what the author is saying applies to Muslims as well: save your money and invest in some Halaal way.

Jamiatul Ulama KZN

Nasihah of Hazrat Moulana Qasim Sema Sahib (RA) to the Ulema

A delegation of Ulama from Darul Ihsan undertook a visit to Darul Uloom Newcastle with the sole intention of visiting Hazrat Maulana Qasim Sema Saheb (R) and benefiting from his valuable Nasihah (advices). This group from Darul Ihsan was extremely fortunate to meet Maulana Qasim Sema Saheb (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) – the founder and rector of Darul Uloom Newcastle – on 23 April 2007.
Maulana warmly received the delegation in his office and was pleased to meet them. After formalities were exchanged, Maulana gave some sterling advice which is summarised below.
1. Maulana spoke about one of the most important responsibilities of the Ulama which is to warn the people about the wrath, anger and punishment of Allah Taála. This has been neglected to a large extent. Maulana then quoted some verses of the Noble Quran that substantiates this point.
(1) فلو لا نفر من كل فرقة منهم طائفة ليتفقهوا في الدين و لينذروا قومهم
“So, should it not be that a group from every section of them goes forth, so that they may acquire perfect understanding of the faith, and that they may warn their people.”
(2) يا ايهالمدثر قم فأنذر
“O You, enveloped in a mantle, stand up and warn.”
(3) أأنذرتهم ام لم تنذرهم …الاية
“And it is all equal for them whether you warn them or do not warn them.”
Maulana emphasized the importance of creating awareness in the Ummah by warning them of the consequences of their corrupt actions. This was also the mission of Rasulullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wasallam).
2. After creating this awareness, Allah-consciousness and Taqwa will develop within them, which will be a means of attaining true Hidayah (guidance).
3. He further advised that the Ulama should take advantage of the mimbar (pulpit). Maulana quoted Hazrat Maulana Yusuf Binnori (R) saying, “As long as the Ulama have control over the mimbar, there is a hope for the reformation of the general masses”. Hazrat mentioned that the mimbar should be used in such a manner that the Ulama should teach the people the different branches of Deen in lesson form starting from Imaan, Taharah, Salah, Zakah, etc. at every Jumuah. Maulana explained that he did the same and in this manner the people learnt a lot about Deen.
4. Maulana also emphasized the importance of elementary maktab education in our times. He pointed out that they had estimated in 1963 that at least 100 Ulama would be required to serve the area of Newcastle & Northern Natal alone. If the Ulama do not pay attention to this important branch of elementary education, it could result in the retrogression of the Ummah. Deen will gradually leave the Ummah and in a few generations the only thing that may be left of Islam will be the Muslim names as is evident in some countries and indeed some areas of South Africa as well. Maulana mentioned that Maulana Yusuf Binnori (R) echoed exactly the same advices on elementary education when he visited Darul Uloom Newcastle in the early 1970’s.
5. Maulana finally touched on the point of “charity begins at home”. South Africans donate large sums of money to foreign collectors which is rewarding. However, more emphasis should be given to the funding of local projects as there is definitely a great requirement for the funding of Deeni projects on our own shores.

Thereafter some general discussions followed during which Maulana enquired about the activities of the Darul Ihsan Islamic Services Centre (DISC). Mufti Zubair Saheb (Ameer) gave a brief résumé of activities whereupon Hazrat Maulana gave his duas and blessings.
Maulana was requested for Sanad (permission to narrate Hadith from him) in the Hadith. After having read Hadith from Bukhari Shareef, Maulana granted Ijaazat-ul-Hadith (permission) to the Ulama. With great humility Maulana then bade the group farewell with Duas and prepared to commence his Dars
(lessons) of Bukhari with the final year students. It was both remarkable & inspirational to observe Hazrat Maulana’s presence of mind, his remarkable memory, the dignified serenity on his face, his humble demeanour, his eagerness and zeal to teach Hadith despite his old age (approx. 90 years). Subhanallah! When most men his age would become senile, Hazrat Maulana appeared fresh, energetic and committed to continue his life-long passion of teaching and educating.
Maulana Ismail Akoo has prepared a biography of Maulana Qasim Sema Saheb (RA) which is available from the Darul Uloom. The delegation also met some of the senior lecturers including Mufti Fayyazur Raheem and others. The delegation then departed for Durban after having spent about an hour in the tranquil environment of Darul Uloom Newcastle.

SHORT OBITUARY:
09 June 2007, corresponding with 22 Jumaada al Ula 1428, saw the demise of one of the most outstanding and prominent Aalim amongst the Ulama of South Africa, Hazrat Maulana Qasim Sema Saheb. Allah Ta’ala had blessed him with many bounties, one of which was a long, healthy and highly productive life. With very limited means and in the most difficult circumstances, Maulana undertook remarkable efforts for the preservation and promotion of Islam in South Africa.
Some of his many achievements and virtues:
1. Founded the first Darul Uloom in South Africa.
2. Translated the noble Quran in Zulu for the first time.
3. Among the pioneers of Da’wah in the local population.
4. Served as secretary of the Jamiat for many years.
5. Travelled extensively & widely to lecture on various aspects of Islam.
6. Amongst the foremost Ulama who was well versed in English, along with other languages.
7. Had a miraculous rescue at sea upon his return to South Africa from India after his studies.
8. Many Ulama and people benefited from his advices and Mashwaras (consultations).
9. Thousands of people from all over the country flocked to his Janazah Salah which saw one of the largest gatherings in recent times.
It is our fervent Dua that Allah Ta’ala grants Hazrat Maulana the highest abodes in Jannatul-Firdous, illuminate his resting place, grant him complete Maghfirah and grant patience & fortitude to his near & dear ones and to his hundreds of students. May Allah Ta’ala continue to bless and protect Darul Uloom Newcastle and make it a superb Sadaqah-Jariyah for Hazrat Maulana Saheb (R). Aameen.

Alameenlibrary.com

QnA Snapshots: The rights of Nabi SAW over the Ummah

Cii Radio | 13 January 2014/11 Rabi ul Awwal 1435

It is narrated by Aisha RA, “Once, when I saw Nabi SAW in a good mood, I said to him: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Supplicate to Allah for me!’ So, he (SAW) said: ‘O Allah! Forgive Aisha her past and future sins, what she has hidden, as well as what she has made apparent.’ So, I began smiling, to the point that my head fell into my lap out of joy. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to me: ‘Does my supplication make you happy?’ I replied: ‘And how can your supplication not make me happy?’ He then said: ‘By Allah, it is the supplication that I make for my Ummah in every prayer.’”

Our beloved Messenger, Nabi Muhammad SAW spent his nights worrying and praying for us, his Ummah. It is said that tears would fill his eyes while he was in Sajdah and he would stay in that position all night. Rasulullah SAW wept tears for his Ummah, he has not seen us, he has not met and he does not know us, yet that was the extent of his concern and love for us.

Rasulullah SAW desired our forgiveness and success in this world and in the Hereafter. Thus, the Qur’an states, ‘Assuredly there has come to you a messenger from amongst yourselves, heavy upon him is your suffering; ardently desirous of your welfare, to muslims is most Kind and Merciful.’ (Surah Taubah, Verse 128)

Nights were spent by Rasulullah SAW in ibaadah and du’a for his Ummah. The number of difficulties he suffered for our sake and the Commandments of Allah SWT compel us to fulfil his rights as well.

These are:

*Imaan, we must believe in Nabi Muhammad SAW as the last and final Messenger and the only rahmatul lil aalimeen – the mercy to the entire creation of All Mighty Allah. The acceptance of Allah SWT Tauheed (the Oneness of Allah SWT) and Rasulullah’s SAW prophethood are both necessary.
*Love for our beloved Mustafa Muhammad SAW. We need to love Nabi SAW more than our parents, our children, our spouses and everything in this world. Hazrat Anas (R.A.) states that Rasulullah SAW once said: “None amongst you can be a complete Mu’min if he does not love me more than his parents, children and the entire mankind.” (Bukhari Sharif, Vol. 1, Pg. 7)
The manner in which the Sahaabah RA loved Rasulullah SAW can be expressed through the anecdote of an elderly woman. During the Battle of Uhud, when an Ansaari woman was told that her father, brother and husband had all become shaheed, she didn’t become disturbed but rather continued to ask of Rasulullah’s SAW condition, and after being told that he was safe and sound, so too was she not satisfied. If was only until she had seen Muhammad SAW blessed face with her own two eyes that she exclaimed, “When you are present, there is no sorrow of anything else.” (Seerat ibn Hishaam, Vol. 3, Pg. 99)
*Ta’zim – to show and have respect for Nabi Muhammad SAW. You have to use honorary titles when referring to Muhammad SAW. A very important right of Rasulullah SAW upon his Ummah is that they should respect and honour him, as well as that which is connected to him. Allah SWT states in the Holy Qur’an: “Surely, We have sent you as a witness (present and seeing) and a bearer of glad-tidings and a warner. So that O people! You may believe in Allah SWT and His Messenger SAW and pay respect to him and honour him, and that you may glorify Him morning and evening’’. (Surah Al-Fath, Verse 7-8)
*We must emulate the actions of our master Nabi Muhammad SAW that is we must live according to the Sunnah of Rasulullah SAW. Allah SWT states in the Qur’an: ‘(O beloved!) Say, ‘O People! If you love Allah SWT, then follow Me; Allah SWT will love you and forgive your sins, and Allah SWT is forgiving, merciful.’ (Surah Al-Imraan, Verse 31)

*Obedience to Nabi Muhammad SAW. We have to comply with the speech of Rasulullah SAW. Every Muslim is instructed to be obedient to Rasulullah’s SAW’s every order and follow his instructions, Allah SWT states in the Qu’ran: ‘Obey Allah SWT and Obey the Messenger SAW.’(Surah An-Nisa, Verse 59) and ‘Who so obeys the Messenger SAW has indeed obeyed Allah SWT.’(Surah An-Nisa Verse 80)

*Sending abundant Durood Shareef and salutations upon Nabi Muhammad SAW. Allah SWT states in the Qur’an: “Undoubtedly, Allah SWT and His angels send blessings on Nabi Muhammad SAW, “O you who believe! Send upon him blessings and salute Him fully well in abundance”. (Surah Al-Ahzaab, Verse 56)

Rasulullah SAW has said that the person who reads Durood Shareef upon him once shall receive 10 blessings from Allah SWT. There are many other rewards for sending salutations upon Nabi Muhammad SAW.
*Da’wah – Spread the message of Nabi Muhammad SAW and propagate it and disseminate it to the four corners of the world.

Channel Islam International Website – http://www.ciibroadcasting.com

What they said about him; Some tributes to the prophet of Islam

A large number of fair-minded, non –Muslims historians, biographers, Orientalists and theologians have over the centuries paid glowing tributes to the prophet of Islam for his glorious lifework in preaching Islam and the permanence of the Islamic institutions he founded to demonstrate the practicability of his faith. In the following lines some of these encomiums are briefly reproduced.

Edward gibbon, the renowned British historian, wrote in the history of the decline and the fall of the Roman Empire: (1870): “It is not the propagation but the permanency of his religion that deserves our wonder-the same pure and perfect impression which he engraved at Mecca and medina is preserved after the revolutions of twelve centuries by the Indian, the African and the Turkish proselytes of the Koran..”

A British historian, Vincent A. Smith, in his book, the Oxford History of Indian, (1958),
Said: “The rapidity of the spread of Islam, the religion of Muhammad, and the dramatic suddenness with which the adherents of his creed rose to a position of dominant sovereignty constituted one of the marvels, or it might be said, the miracles of history.”

A.J Toynbee, a British historian, in his historical work, civilization on trial, (1948), wrote: “ the extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the outstanding achievements of Islam and in the contemporary world there is, as it happens, a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue.”

A British historian, J.W . Draper, in his book, a history of the Intellectual Development of Europe: (1875) described Prophet Muhammad as “the man who of all men has exercised the greatest influence upon the human race”. He adds: “Mohammad possessed that combination of qualities which more than once has decided the fate of empires… to be the religious head of many empires, to guide the daily life of one third of the human race may perhaps justify the title of messenger of god…”

French statesman, novelist and poet, alphonse de Lamartine, in historical work, histoire de la Turquie, (1854), wrote:” Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and one spiritual empire- that is Muhammad. By all the standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask: is there any man greater than he?”

British dramatist and playwright, George Bernard Shaw, paid this tribute to Prophet Muhammad” I have studied him, the wonderful man and, in my opinion, far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the saviour of humanity. I believe if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving the many problems in a way that would bring it the much-needed peace and happiness.. Europe is beginning to be enamored of the creed of Mohammad.”

An American historian and author, Michel H. Hart., In his book, The 100-A ranking of the most influential persons in history (1978): commented” My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful in both the religious and secular levels”.

Modern India’s founder, Mahatma Gandhi, wrote in his newspaper organ, Young India, that he was convinced that Islam was spread not by the sword but by “the rigid simplicity, the utter self effacement of the prophet, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in god and his own mission”

British historian, Montgomery Watt, in his book, Mohammad at Mecca (1953) said “His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men believed in him and looked up to him as a leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement—all argue his fundamental integrity.”

Another British historian, D.G Hogarth in his book, A history of Arabia (1922), Praised the prophet of Islam in these words:…” In his daily behavior has instituted a canon which millions observe to this day with conscious memory. No one regarded by any section of the human race as a perfect man has been imitated so minutely…. No founder of a religion has been left on a solitary an eminence as the Muslim apostle.”

Eminent Theosophist, Annie Besant, in her book Life and teachings of Mohammad (1932) noted.” It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty prophet, one of the great messengers of the supreme…”

British historians, Bosworth Smith in his book, Mohammad and mohammedanism (1874) said:
“Head of the state as well as the church, he was Caesar and pope in one but he was pope without the pope’s pretentions, Caesar without the legions of Caesar. Without standing army, without a body guard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue, if ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by the right divine, it was Mohammad, for he had all the power without its instruments and without its supports.”

A British essayist and author, Thomas Carlyle, in his 1881 book on heroes and hero worship, described prophet Muhammad as a veritable hero: “No emperor with his tiaras was obeyed more as this man in a cloak of his own clouting”

The encyclopedia Britannica describes Prophet Muhammad as “the most successful of all prophets and religious personalities”

Napoleon Bonaparte, according to a French Bonaparte et I’ Islam, published in Paris, held prophet Muhammad and Islam in high esteem and he praised the immense contributions of the Muslims to the humanities and the sciences.

Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Raheem Limbada – Facebook Page

Shamaail in brief; ie. Physical beauty and Inner beauty of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam.

From a distance you would notice his eyes – piercing, brilliant and engaging.
The choicest Praise and Mercy of Allāh be upon him.
He is Muhammed, the Praised one
He is Ahmed, the greatest in Praise of Allāh.
Al-Mustapha, the Divinely Chosen.
I love him, O Allāh, I love him, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

In a world of distortion, where truth is overcome by fiction, the full moon rises. Although obscured by shadows or an overcast sky, the moon remains. Similar is the fame and honour of Muhammed, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

Of average height, he towers above the elite of history. He would stand fully erect without a lazy slump. He was powerful, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. His chest was broad with a dusting of hair that extended vertically in a thin line down to his flat stomach, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

Any kind of hardships you can envision and pray to never face was shouldered by him, sallallahu alayhi wasallam.

He experienced in his 63 years of blessed life more tirbulation than one could ever imagine, yet he was as pleasant and as good looking as one could think of.

He, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, was an orphan, a widower, battle scarred, and unjustly outcast. He outlived many of his children and buried some of his grandchildren. His uncle Hamza, may Allah be pleased with him, was martyred and his body was desecrated.

He, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, was defamed, mocked, lied to and lied about. He was poisoned, stoned, and had to witness his companions tortured on account of their faith in his Message. “Sabraan! Remain steadfast in patience, O Family of Yasser! your destination is Paradise”.

His teaching was simple. Allāh, the All Mighty, is the only One deserving of worship and devotion. All that we encounter is by His Command. No harm can befall us without His Permission.

His hair, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, was black and wavy. He liked to keep it longer in length, usually not past his earlobes. It contained a few grey strands, about 2O in number.

With dark irises he could, by Divine Permission, view a world that was unseen.

He had long, dark eyelashes that from a distance could be mistaken for kuhl.

His eyes would sleep but his heart would be awake. His eyes never betrayed or invited treachery, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

The weakest, poorest and socially downtrodden would access him as readily as the chieftains. He sheltered the needy, fed the hungry, protected the vulnerable, guarded the secrets and instructed the uninformed.

He, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, was calm when others were agitated, loving when others were filled with hate, and polite when shown contempt.

He, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, had the highest standard of character and the spring of Divinely ordained etiquette.

His skin was soft and naturally fragrant. His blessed hands were softer than silk and gave off the scent of aromatic musk. He was of fair complex. He was not dark, nor was he pale. He was blessed with the seal of prophethood between his shoulder blades.

He was proportional in all respects, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. In his prayer, he found comfort and pleasure. His beautiful voice quivered in awe of the All Mighty.

When leading others, he would, for the most part, recite from al-Qisar (the short chapters). If he heard a child crying, he would cut the recitation short to relieve the parent of any distress.

His grandchildren would ride on top of his back during his prostration, and he would not move until they felt content.

When alone at night, he would stand in prayers. He would remain vigilant for half the night, sometimes more, sometimes less. When he recited a passage addressing Allāh’s Divine Mercy, he would stop and ask for it. If one of torment, he would seek protection from it, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

His face was manifest beauty. His eyes were well set apart and covered by full brows. They were not sunk into his face or overtly protruding. His mouth smelled sweet, and his teeth were always clean and white.

His saliva was a medicine and a blessing, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. It proved to be a cure for Abu bakr’s snakebite in the cave of thawr. It increased the food in jabir’s pot at the time of khandaq. It brought blessing in the little water, from which one thousand drank and did wudhu.

He had a full, dark beard that covered his chest. His smile was radiant, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. He was soft spoken except when he sermonised on Friday. His voice was melodious and captivating.

He spoke only when necessary and refrained from idle chit-chat. He was true to his words. He loved to listen and would ask questions of those whom he instructed. He was modest and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. He smiled often, he never laughed loudly.

When he was displeased, it could be gauged from his modest appearance. He never raised his hand against another living creature except during Divinely ordained battle. He was courageous and would lead from the forefront. He stood in the ranks of his soldiers and faced the hardship they endured. He ate what they ate, slept where they slept and dressed as they dressed. He had a personality and presence which the world had never seen.

He, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, dressed similar to his compatriots. He never owned a throne or regal markings to distinguish himself from others.

He would walk without an escort and disliked sentries being placed to guard him. He preferred neutral shades of white, green and black to clothe himself with. When he ate, it was never to his fill, and he always ate while sharing his food with others. He loved milk, dates and honey. His favourite dish was thareed – pieces of bread mixed in curry; easy to eat, less time consuming and tasty.

He, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, cared for the earth and despised wastefulness and corruption. He loved animals and instructed his companions to show kindness to them. When a camel wept, he stroked it and spoke to it in hushed tones. When the tree whimpered, he paused his sermon and embraced its trunk, whispering to it soothing words of comfort.

He loved us so much, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. He would think of those who would believe in him many generations after his generation and he would weep in longing to see them.

He loved us more than some care to consider. Every Messenger of God was allowed a request that would be answered by Allāh. All the Messengers utilised their invocation in the worldly life except for Muhammed, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. He preserved his invocation to use it for intercession on the Day of Judgement.

None can truly claim faith until Muhammed, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is more dear to them than their parents, spouse and children.

To know him is to love him. To love him is to obey him.

If he, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, was to walk into your life now, what would he think? And How would you feel?

Think carefully! Discard the love of everyone besides him, obey him, and follow in his footsteps. May Allah give us all the ability to practice upon what we preach.

Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Raheem Limbada – Facebook Page