Pathway to Paradise — Page 15
PATHWAY TO P ARADISE 15 ten years after his migration, it was in triumph with ten thousand followers. Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) forgave those who had opposed him and continued to propagate the teachings of Islam far and wide. At the time of his death in 63 2 A. D. in Medina, Islam had spread throughout Arabia. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) left two legacies for mankind: the Holy Qur’an, from whose teachings the religion of Islam was established; and his life, which stands as the perfect model for all who seek nearness to their Creator. He perfectly demonstrated all the various phases of man’s life: a model for the young and old, for parents and children; for friends, kinsmen and neighbors; for ruler and citizen, and for commander and saint. The followers of other prophets have claimed them to be model men, but only the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) proclaimed himself to be a model for all mankind. Only he had a Divine proclamation declaring him to be as such. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “You have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar, for him who hopes to meet with Allah and the Last Day, and who remembers Allah much. ” (33:22). SUCCESSORS (KHALIFA) The word “Khalifa” means successor, vicegerent, substitute, or deputy. The Holy Qur’an has mentioned three types of Khalifa: