men_around_the_prophet

6 / 255

More info and Downloads at Page 6 of 255
reverberate in strong tones and ringing voice, not only in their own generation or in their own peninsula
but throughout the ages and everywhere.
What made them believe the prophecy told them by the Messenger, though when they turned right
and left they found nothing except heat, barren land, and stones emitting boiling vapor, their pointed
heads looking like devils' heads.
What filled their hearts with certainty and will- power. It was lbn `Abd Allah, who else could have
done that they saw themselves with their own eyes all his virtues and all that distinguished him. They
saw his chastity, his purity, his honesty, his straightforwardness, and his courage. They saw his
superiority and his compassion. They saw his intellect and his eloquence. They saw the sun shining the
way his truth and eminence shone.
They heard the growth of life running in his veins when Muhammad started to bestow upon them
his daily revelation and his past contemplation. They saw all these and more, not through a mask but face
to face and in practice, through their own vision and perception.
When an Arab of those days saw something, he would talk as an expert. The Arabs were people of
perception and intuition. If one of them saw some footprints on the road, he would tell you, "These are
the footprints of such-and-such a person." He would smell the breath of the one talking to him and
realize what truth or falsity was inherent.
These men saw Muhammad and were his contemporaries since his coming into existence as a
newborn babe. Nothing was concealed from them in his life. The stage of childhood which is
unperceived by other than the child's people and close relations was, in the case of Muhammad, seen and
perceived by all the people of Makkah. That was because his childhood was not like any other. It drew
attention to itself for its early signs of manliness and initiative, and for rejecting the usual play of
children for the seriousness of men.
As an example, the Quraish used to talk about `Abd Al Muttalib's grandson who kept away from the
children's playgrounds and their celebrations, and used to say whenever he was invited to them, "I was
not created for that."
Moreover, when his wet-nurse Haliimah took him back to his people, she told them her
observations, her experience with the child, and what she saw in him to convince them he was not an
ordinary child. She believed there was a hidden secret in him, unknown except to Allah, which might be
revealed one day.
As to his youth, what chastity! He was clearer and more translucent. His people's preoccupation
with him and their talk about him were more constant and praising. As to his manhood, it was fully
perceived by every eye, ear, and heart. Above all, it was his community's conscience, measuring through
his conduct and behavior all their visions of truth, goodness, and beauty.
It was, then, a transparent and comprehended life from cradle to grave. All his visions, his steps, his
words, his movements, even his dreams, his hopes, and his remembrances were the right of all the people
from the first day he was born. It was as if Almighty Allah wished it to be like that to tell the people,
"That is My Messenger to you; his way is through reason and intellect, and that is his whole life since he
was a baby."
Therefore, with all you possess of reason and intellect, examine his life and judge. Do you perceive
any sense of suspicion? Do you see any false matter? Did he ever tell a lie or betray anyone? Did he ever
treat anyone unjustly? Did he ever expose a defect? Did he ever abandon his kinship relations? Did he
neglect a duty or leave a noble action? Did he insult anyone or worship an idol? Peruse well and
meticulously and investigate, as there is no stage of his life that is hidden or veiled.