The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 161
V - A Glance at the Early Life 161 The Prophet’s sa Religion Prior to his Commission Since Islām with its detailed injunctions was revealed later, no one can claim or has ever asserted that the Holy Prophet sa was a follower of Islāmic injunctions prior to its revelation. However, it is evidently proven from history that the Holy Prophet sa in conformity to his pure nature, always refrained from the filthy rituals of the Arab society and never practised idolatry. Therefore, during the time of his prophethood, the Holy Prophet sa used to say to Ḥaḍrat ‘ Ā’ishah ra , “I have never eaten from the sacrificial offerings made to idols”. 1 Ḥaḍrat ‘ Alī ra relates in a narration that once someone said to the Holy Prophet sa , “O Messenger of Allāh, have you ever worshiped idols?” The Prophet sa replied, “No. ” Then the people inquired, “Have you ever consumed alcohol?” The Prophet sa responded, “No. ” Then he said, “I have always detested these things, but prior to Islām, I had no knowledge of religious law or faith”. 2 The Prophet’s sa Virtues and Manners It has already been mentioned that prior to his advent, the Prophet sa was renowned by the title of Al-Amīn among the Quraish. This is conclusive evidence of his trustworthiness, honesty and high morals. Such was the level of his honesty in speech as even a bitter enemy the likes of Abū Jahl, once during the time of prophethood, addressed the Holy Prophet sa saying: ٖ اِنَّا لَا نُكَذِّبُك َ وَلٰكِن ْ نُكَذِّب ُ بِمَا جِئْت َ بِه “O Muḥammad sa ! We do not consider you to be a liar but we consider that which you have brought to be a lie. ” 3 Abū Sufyān was presented before Heraclius, King of Rome. Heraclius questioned him about the Holy Prophet sa : ھَل ْ كُنْتُم ْ تَتَّھِمُوْنَه ٗ بِالْكَذِب ِ قَبْل َ اَن ْ یَقُوْل َ مَا قَالَ؟ 1 As- Sīratul-Ḥalbiyyah, By ‘Allāmah Abul-Farj Nūr-ud-Dīn ‘Alī bin Ibrāhīm, Volume 1, p. 180, Bābu Mā Ḥafiẓahullāhu Ta‘ālā bihī fī Ṣigharihī sa min Amril-Jāhiliyyah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, First Edition (2002) 2 As- Sīratul-Ḥalbiyyah, By ‘Allāmah Abul-Faraj Nūr-ud-Dīn ‘Alī bin Ibrāhīm, Volume 1, p. 182, Bābu Mā Ḥafiẓahullāhu Ta‘ālā bihī fī Ṣigharihī sa min Amril-Jāhiliyyah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, First Edition (2002) 3 Sunan At- Tirmidhī, Kitābut-Tafsīr, Bābu wa minal-An‘āmi, Ḥadīth No. 3064