Pathway to Paradise — Page 14
PATHWAY TO P ARADISE 14 Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, Ibn Majah and Nisai. THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was the greatest of Allah’s prophets, and the last of the law - bearing prophets. The Holy Qur’an, the final revealed Book of Allah, was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. He was sent by Allah as a messenger to all of mankind, as stated in the Holy Qur’an: “We have sent thee as a messenger to all mankind. Sufficient is Allah as a Witness. ” (4:80) Born in 570 A. D. in Mecca, Arabia, and orphaned at a very young age, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) grew into manhood exhibiting such sterling qualities of truthfulness, integrity and piety that he became known throughout the land as th e Trustworthy One (Al Ameen). When, at the age of forty, he was called to Prophethood by Allah, he immediately devoted his life to Allah’s service and to the universal spread of Islam. After enduring thirteen years of unimaginable suffering at the hand of the fledgling religion’s enemies, the Prophet and his followers left Mecca. Under Divine guidance he migrated to Medinah, where the first Muslim community (Ummah)was established. During the next ten years, the Holy Prophet’s enemies continued their efforts to wipe out the new faith and its adherents, but were completely unsuccessful. Islam spread rapidly, and when the Holy Prophet returned to Mecca