Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 6
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 6 achievement. Circumstances presented him with an opportunity such as few men have had, but the man was fully matched with the hour. Had it not been for his gifts as seer, statesman, and administrator and, behind these his trust in God and firm belief that God had sent him, a notable chapter in the history of mankind would have remained unwritten (W. Montgomery Watt, Muhammad at Medina, p. 336). The condition of the world at the time of the advent of Muhammad has been summed up in the Holy Quran as: ‘Corruption has appeared on land and sea in consequence of people’s misdeeds’ (30:42). This is amply borne out by the testimony that we have cited abo ve. Thus, it is clear that the state of the world, at the time of the advent of the Holy Prophet, called loudly for universal and comprehensive divine guidance, to be set forth in God’s words, and to be illustrated by a messenger whose life would be multi - faceted and who would serve as an exemplar for mankind. Such was Muhammad. Another very striking factor in his support is that no one else even remotely approaching his stature and his qualities appeared to guide mankind at the time of its greatest need. T he conclusion is irresistible that he was beyond doubt the predetermined instrument of God for the revival of mankind. What of his origins and his background? Tradition, supported in a large measure by the Bible, has established that Muhammad was a descendant of Abraham, the great Patriarch, who is designated as the Friend of God in the Holy Quran (4:126), through his elde st son, Ishmael.