by: Tiaiba Imane
"On the Path of the Beloved, the Teacher of Teachers" is a research about Prophet's Muhammad (PBUH) biography in the secular life, in other words; it is the study of the experiment of the Prophet (PBUH) in reforming on Earth. This research is an attempt to supply some answers about not only how to reform and benefit from our educational system, but also how to make a revival to the Islamic nation following the footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH).
We will try to have a look on the world, but from where shall we start? Let us see the world, then the Arabian Peninsula and finally Makkah. The world was under the power of two great empires; the Persians and the Romans.There were two imperialistic states, and injustice become widespread. Taxes were extremely high, racial and religious persecutions were enforced.Injustice was widespread. People lived in shocking poverty while the leaders lived in opulence. In the Roman Empire, this led to cruel forms of entertainment such as gladiators fighting lions. The Persians, on the other hand, were responsible for the worst class system ever witnessed in history with a huge gap between the richest the poorest; nobility, clergymen then the worthless mass.Europe was enduring its darkest ages. Ignorance was widespread and there was even a paper discussing whether a woman was a human being or an animal, whether she had the right to inherit or to own property. Polygamy was common. The English historian Wells said: "The world has never witnessed in the history a darker, worse, more desperate era than the 6th century AD. The world was totally paralyzed, and Europe resembled a decaying of a giant man". This is the world at the time of the birth of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) . Wells then ends his words saying, "Until Muhammad, the Prophet of Muslims, appeared". The world was a more hostile place during his time; we have many bases to rely upon. Therefore, we should never lose hope. We should not despair from our situation; we should make the effort .The Prophet started alone and within 20 years he changed the face of earth . Twenty years of planning , hard work , learning and sacrifice . May be this helps to understand the ayah: "And in no way have we sent you export as a mercy to the world" (TMQ, 21: 108).Here, I would like to point out that this is how the era is viewed from one angle , however it cannot be so , other wise those empires would not have risen. The reality is that as generations passed, they brought with them the downfall of those empires .Every civilization has a beginning and an end and 570 AD was its end.The empires had their heydays then crumbled. Thus, Allah sent from our desert a man to bring reform based on truth and justice .The Romans and the Persians fell dawn because of injustice and our civiliztion rose because of justice and fairness. Then, the wheel of history turned and we fell down when we let go of justice and fairness , and Europe rose because it upheld some of these aspects . This does not mean we approve everything there. The point is if we were to say that every thing is wrong and we are right, our reform will require a constant struggle with the West. However, it does not need to be this way. You will not find the word “struggle” in Qur’an but the word “competition”. We want a healthy competition based on reform and self-esteem.When we move to the Arabian Peninsula, we remark that it consisted of despaired tribes in conflict with each other: looting, kidnapping for slavery , etc… As for religion , there were 360 statuses of gods on the top of the ka'ba.Women had no financial right of inheritance or worshiping. A woman was even part of the inheritance , except for those of some noble families. Khadidja was not like this nor Amina bint Wahb. Moreover, the practice of burying girls alive was common. Some companions of the Prophet buried up to seven daughters before Islam, and never cry enough afterwards for what they had done. Allah said what can be translated as " And when one of them is given the tidings of ( the birth )of a female , his face lingers ended and he is ever repressed ( with sorrow ). He hides himself from ( literally ; over lays himself beyond ) ( the sight ) of people because of the odious tiding ( given ) him , whether he should retain it in degradation or shove it in the dust .Verity , odious is (the way ) they judge ! "(TMQ: 16; 58 – 59).There might be wisdom behind the death of the Prophet's sons and not daughters. Let us see Makkah now. Makkah was an metropolis trade city all the caravans passed by Makkah . What where the winter and summer caravans? Merchandise came from China to Yemen through the Arabian Peninsula and the traders of Quraysh then reached the Levant. Quraysh was the link between the Romans and the Persians. Therefore, Makkah was an influent city and its traders were some of the wealthiest in the world. Makkah was also the centre of religious destinations, because of the Ka'ba .This brought about cultural exchanges and more trade and wealth. Makkah was also a cultural centre of media. Poets used to gather in Okkadh Souk( public market) to recite poetry. Moreover, Makkah was the safest place in the Peninsula because it was the leading city of the Arabs. Allah Says what can be translated as " And have they not seen that we have made a sanctuary secure, and mankind are snatched away all round about them? Do they then believe in the favor of Allah?" (TMQ 29.67).There was also a basic parliament in Makkah called Dar An-Nadwa , where the heads of tribes met to make decisions together . There were 360 statues of gods above the Ka'ba , but not because the Makkans worshipped all of them . It was a financial agreement with the surrounding tribes .The tribes would guarantee the safe passage of their trade caravans from Yemen to the Levant, in return they would be rewarded with a prestigious place for their gods above the Ka'ba. This is all Satan's doing because he knows that your instincts will guide you to the right path. You would eventually realize that this god is merely a stone; therefore, he links it to your financial interests. Hence, when the Prophet asked to worship none but Allah, he was jeopardizing their trade , profits , leadership and importance .Satan has done it before and is still doing it : he puts your interests on one hand and the truth on the other. Therefore, never put your interests before the truth.This was ,in general, the situation of the world before the birth of the Prophet. When we compare it to ours we will, no doubt, find nearly the some thing. Both worlds are suffering from the absence of justice and fairness. The only known language is the one of power. Moreover, personal interests are put before truth, and the bitter fact that we cannot escape is that our nation is in the tail of nations. Above all, it is obvious that both worlds are in need of a reformer to change the face of earth, and to bring peace and right to the universe. Who in the world can do this? What are his characteristics? How would he start the reformation?
