Muhammad
Muhammad (570-632), also spelled Mohammed, was prophet and founder of Islam. Muslims believe that he was the receiver of the final and perfect revelation from Allah (the God), that is the Holy Quran. He was born in Mecca to a poor family of tribe of Quaraysh, hereditary keeper of the shrine in Mecca, became orphan at the age of six and raised by his uncle Abu Talib. He began receiving revelation from God (c 610).He had many opponents who were not ready to follow him or accept his command involving destruction of the idols of the shrine. He became poverty stricken by the time wife and uncle died.
He migrated to Yathrib to arbitrate in feuds. This migration is observed by Muslims as Hijra, the beginning of Muslim era. Name of the town was changed to Medina. He led the followers to war with enemies of Islam.
By 629, he was leader of Mecca and recognized as "Messenger of God" or the "Messenger of Allah". Within one year he had most of Arabia under his control. He died shortly after his last pilgrimage in 632 in the home of one of his wives, Aisha, daughter of his devoted follower Abu Bakr.
Wisdom & Quotes
- Actions will be judged according to their intentions.
- The grave is the first stage of the journey into eternity.
- There are two blessings which most people misuse - health and leisure.
- Do you love your Creator? Love your fellow-beings first.
- Trust in God - but tie your camel first.
- Every good act is charity.
- Paradise lies in the shadow of swords.
- Die before ye die.
- Kindness is a mark of faith; and whoever hath not kindness, hath not faith.
- The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the unbeleiver.
- God loves to meet those who love to meet Him and dislikes to meet those who dislike to meet Him.
- Whoever believes in God and the hereafter should not injure his neighbour and should honour his guest.
- Whoever has in his heart even so much as a rice of grain of pride cannot enter into paradise.
- There is no disease for which Allah has not sent a cure.
- The best Islam is to feed the hungry and to greet those whom you know - and those whom you do not know.
- God does not look at your ledger figures or your wealth; he looks at your deeds.
- Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.
- That which is lawful is clear, and that which is unlawful, likewise; but there are certain doubtful things between the two from which it is well to abstain.
- Seek learning, though it be as far as China.
- Let no believing man hate his believing wife; if he is displeased with one trait of her character, let him be pleased with another that is within her.
- An hour's meditation is better than a year of adoration.
- He is the best of men who dislikes power.
- Him to whom you pray is nearer to you than the neck of your camel.
- To honour an old man is showing respect to God.
- The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.
- When God wishes well unto His servant, He causes him to see the faults of his soul.
- When God loves a man, sin shall not harm him.
- Sleep is the brother of death.
- He who holds his tongue will be saved.
- Speaking the truth to the unjust is the best of holy wars.
- Riches are not from an abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind.
- Verily, the best of women are those who are content with little.
- Those who earn an honest living are the beloved of God.
- Four things support the world; the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valour of the brave.
- No one eats better food than that which he eats from the work of his hand.
Shotoku