Muhammad the kindred to Humanity — Page 5
5 for instance, that Jesus was a true and a great Prophet of. God, but we cannot say that he was or could be an exemplar to all times and all kinds of people. We know that Jesus did not marry. He cannot, therefore, serve as an exemplar to married people, in the problems and responsibilities of domestic life. Nor did he become king that kings today could claim him as one of themselves and as an exemplar to them in the problems of government. But Muhammad, we have been told, is one among ourselves. Among the poor, poor; among the rich, rich; among the kings, a king ; among the subjects, a subject; and among the oppressed, an oppressed one; in short, he is one among ourselves whatever our conditions or circumstances. It seems as though God, in this verse, has addressed all mankind and said, “O, my people whatever your calling, rank or position, there is none amongst you whose peculiar conditions have not been reproduced in one form or in another in the life of Muhammad the Prophet. Whether a king or a subject; whether in authority over others or of those whose lot it is to be oppressed; whether of those who are married and have to look after the young; or of labourers, farmers or traders; in short, whatever your calling or station in life. 'We' says God 'have sent to you an Apostle from amongst one and all of you. '. Let none amongst you think that Muhammad would not know the peculiar difficulties of his station or function. . Let not kings think that Muhammad would not know the difficulties and dangers kings have to face, nor let the oppressed think that Muhammad would not know what it is to suffer oppression. Muhammad has had the experience of all conditions of human life. He has had occasion to know first hand the difficulties and desiderata of all classes of people; he has had the opportunity to appreciate the innermost feelings of all of them. Being rich in the experience and the vicissitudes af life, he offers himself as a guide to you all, and in respect of all the conditions that human beings have to live under.