𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝
Mohamad Mostafa Nassar
Twitter:@NassarMohamadMR
The entire world at the time of the sending of the Prophet Muhammad was detached and isolated from Allah’s divine religion except for a few who were still upon what they found from the remnants of the previous religions.
A period of six hundred years in which the era of prophethood became ancient and the majority of the prophetic knowledge was forgotten and people became oblivious of it. The nation that was closest to the Messengers and Divine Books was the People of Israel (followers of Musa).
Verily, Allah mentioned them numerous times in the Qur’an and clarified their misguidance, arrogance, stubbornness, filth, and abandonment of Allah’s religion and their alteration of Allah’s holy books.
Similar to them are the Christians who went astray from the correct way, who altered and changed Allah’s divine revelation that was revealed to them. They changed and altered Allah’s religion based upon their own desires and left off the religion of Ibrahim and associated partners with Allah. Allah says:
“And they say: ‘Be Jews or Christians then you will be guided.’ Rather say to them O Muhammad: ‘Nay we follow the religion of Ibrahim (Islamic Monotheism) and he was not of the polytheists.” (Surah al Baqarah 2:135)
Then the Jews and the Christians were constantly hostile and inimical to each other and they used to say that the other is misguided and astray as Allah mentions:
“The Jews said that the Christians are not upon the right religion and the Christians say that the Jews are not upon the right religion. They both recite the Scripture and similar to what they say, is that which the pagans and ignorant people say. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that which they have been differing.” (Surah al Baqarah 2:113)
The Jews throughout their history have always been the most deceptive of Allah’s creation, as well as the most tyrannical enemies against the Prophets, while being the filthiest of those who set foot upon the face of the earth, all of this while disregarding and abandoning the teachings of Musa.
As a result of this, Allah split them up into many sects leaving them to wander blindly throughout the earth. They never had a country, city, or land to go to nor a group or sect to gather them together. Allah mentioned in the Qur’an:
“And We said to the Children of Israel after Musa: ‘Dwell in the land, then when the final and last promise comes near We shall bring you altogether as a mixed crowd gathered out of various nations.” (Surah al Isra 17:104)
The Jews and Christians were continuously showing enmity towards each other based upon their strict adherence and devotion to their altered religions while fighting and killing each other constantly. When these two sects abandoned their creed which they used to be devoted to and practiced as their religion, it became easy for them to be in harmony with each other and agree in their political affairs as we see today. The Jews are the ones who impose their ideas and filthy manners upon the Christians with their deception and cunning.
In these days the Jews have taken advantage of and exploited their religion for their political agendas so that they can gather and congregate the masses to establish an Israeli state, after fact that they have been overwhelmed with humiliation and misery by their evil past. The reality of this is that the Jews have no religion.
As for the Arab and the illiterate people than verily Allah has mentioned them in the Qur’an clarifying their status as well as Allah’s blessings and favors upon them and upon all of creation, as Allah says:
“He (Allah) it is who sent among the illiterate people a Messenger (Muhammad) from amongst themselves, reciting to them Allah’s verses, purifying them from falsehood (polytheism and disbelief) and teaching them the Qur’an and Sunnah. And verily in the past they had been in manifest error.” (Surah al Jumu’ah 62:2) Allah also says:
“Indeed Allah bestowed a great favor upon the believers when He sent amongst them a Messenger from amongst themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them from their sins by their following of him and instructing them with the Qur’an and the Sunnah. While previously they had been in manifest error.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:164)
Allah sent Muhammad after a pause in the sending of Messengers, after the corruption of the paths, and after the changing of the religions, after the widespread worship of idols, fire and crosses. The blessing of the sending of the Prophet Muhammad was the most complete and the need for him was the most universal and beneficial at that time.
Verily, corruption was prevalent throughout all the land. Tyranny, oppression and ignorance were most apparent amongst the worshippers except for a few who were adhering to the remnants of the earlier Prophet’s religions which was found amongst some of the Jewish rabbis and the Christian worshippers and the Saa’bi’een’[1]
Verily this condition of misguidance throughout the world was mentioned by one of the scholars of history he said: ‘We must remember that the era in which the Prophet Muhammad was sent with his ‘da’wa’, was a time in which the entire world was corrupted and drowned in the darkness of ignorance.
Savageness and barbarity was prevalent throughout the entire world. Perhaps there may have been witness of some talk of humanity, civilization and manners contained in some pages of books, except for the fact that these words had no effect upon the hearts of the people.’
A) The People of Israel before the Messiah (Jesus) deserved to be called ‘serpents and sons of serpents’ and with the curse of the Messiah upon them there remained no trace of humanity for them.
B) Europe was witnessing the times of ignorance and savageness, and in Britian the worship of idols became widespread. Furthermore, some places within France and the surrounding countries- superstitions, fables and myths were most common, and many of the priests were calling the people to do obscene, vulgar and despicable acts.
C) The al Mazdkiyyah[2] had taken control over Iran and called the people to communism and the sharing of women, money and land.
D) In India there were idols and sculptures of naked women and men placed inside the temples for the people to worship. The doors and walls of these temples were covered and adorned with pictures of abominable and atrocious acts.
E) As for the people of China, they deemed their country to be under the ownership of a divine son who descended from the heavens, and turned away from Allah and made idols and sculptures for every affair.
[1] (TN) The Saa’bi’eens were a past nation who used to live in Mowsil (Iraq) who used to believe that there was no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and they used to read the az Zabur (Psalms) and they were neither Jews nor Christians. Tafsir ibn Kathir 2/52
[2] (TN) An atheist group who were followers of Mazdak ibn Namidan who alleged that he was a prophet and eventually called the people to the legalization of all things. They believe that the origin of the creation are two main sources: light and darkness. (see ‘al Milal wa an Nihal’ by ash-Shirastaani) Al ‘I’tibaa’a.
The Condition of the World when the Prophet Muhammad was sent to Mankind (2/4)
F) In Egypt the Christians had taken power and day after day there would arise new and invented beliefs and articles of faith. This is how the many different sects emerged, while each sect used to call the opposing sects apostates and infidels. To the point where they didn’t refrain from nor did they show any regard in killing and burning of their opponents.
This is a summary of the situations and conditions of the countries which were subjugated to their great governments and submissive to their laws and legislations. Every one of these nations used to boast and brag to the other nations about their level of knowledge and civilization.
This situation in the Land of Arabia was similar to these previously mentioned countries. With one exception: the Land of Arabia was not subjugated nor influenced by any type of law, king or ruler.
Similarly, there never came anyone to guide them to the right path in addition to some of the uncivilized bestial customs that existed. For verily ignorance, seclusion and being isolated and remote from the civilized nations had indeed intensified the conditions and situations which led to decline, degeneration and regression of the people.
This extreme vile and wicked situation is that which made the Arabic people the most deserving of mercy, so Allah willed and destined that the Land of Arabia be made as the starting point and base for the propagation of that which would reform, rectify and guide the entire world and all of the creation.’[1]
So when Allah honored our Prophet Muhammad with the Prophetic mission and revealed to him Allah’s statement:
“Read! In the name of your Lord who created all that exists. He has created man from a clot.” (Surah al Alaq 96:1-2)
Also Allah said:
“And warn your tribe and your kin O Muhammad.” (Surah ash Shu’ara 26:214)
The land of the Arabs was thirsty for the religion of truth which the majority of its features, marks and milestones were extinct, forgotten and non-existent.
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud said:
“Verily Allah looked into the hearts of His servants, He found that Muhammad’s heart was the best of all His servants, so Allah selected Him, and sent him with His Prophetic mission. Then Allah looked into the hearts of the servants again and found that the Prophet’s companions had the best of hearts,
so He made them ministers and helpers of the Prophet, they fight and exert their efforts in defense of their religion. So whatever the Muslims see as good (consensus of the companions) than Allah views it as being good, and whatever the Muslims see as bad than Allah views it as being bad.”[2]
So the Prophet started calling his tribe and relatives to Islam, as Bukhari narrated
On the authority of Abdullah ibn Abaas who said: ‘when Allah’s statement: ‘Warn your tribe and your kin O Muhammad’ (Surah ash’Shu’araa: 214) was revealed, the Prophet ascended upon the Mountain of Safa as began to shout: ‘O Children of ‘Fihr’, O Children of ‘Adee’-who were two tribes from Quraish-until they gathered around him. If some of the men were not able to attend they sent someone to go and see what was happening.
So Abu Lahab and Quraish came and the Prophet said to them: “What would you think if I told you that there were some horsemen in the valley planning to raid you, would you all believe me?” They replied: Yes, we only know you to be truthful. The Prophet then said:
“Verily I am a warner sent to you, warning you of a severe torment.” Then Abu Lahab replied: ‘May you perish eternally! For this reason you have summoned us?! Then the Qur’anic verses were immediately revealed to the Prophet:
“Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab-His wealth and children will not benefit him anything!” (Surah al Mas’ad 111:1-2) [3]
Bukhari also narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah who said:
‘The Prophet went out to call the people after the revealing of Allah’s statement: ‘And warn your tribe and your kin O Muhammad’ and he shouted:
“O people of Quraish” or something similar to this, and said: ‘Save yourselves, I cannot save you from Allah, O People of Abdu Manaf I cannot save you from Allah, O Abaas ibn Abdul Muttalib I cannot save you from Allah, O Safiyyah the aunt of the Prophet Muhammad, I cannot save you from Allah, O Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad, ask me for anything you desire from my wealth, for verily I cannot save you from Allah.” [4]
Then Allah ordered him to proclaim the revelation publicly, and call all of the people to Islam as Allah says:
“Therefore proclaim openly everything which you are commanded and shun/abandon the polytheists.” (Surah al Hijr 15:94)
Also as Allah says:
“Say O Muhammad: ‘O mankind, verily I have been sent to all of you as a Messenger from Allah-to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. It is He who gives life and causes death.
So believe in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, and who believes in Allah and all His words (Qur’an), the Torah and Gospels and also Allah’s word: ‘Be’! and he was, (Isa/Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary) and follow him so that you may be guided.” (Surah al A’raaf 7:158)
[1] see ‘Rahmatu lilAlaameen pgs.45-46
[2] Imam Ahmed narrated it in his ‘Musnad’ 1/379, #3600 he said: Abu Bakr said to us, from Aasim, from Zir ibn Hubaysh, from Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, and the chain is ‘Hasan’ (Good). Also at Tayalaasee narrated it in his Musnad pg. 23, see the introduction of ‘al Muwafaqaat’ by ash-Shaa’bee 3/4.
[3] Saheeh Bukhari 8/642, The book of Tafsir, #4770
[4] Saheeh Bukhari 8/643, The book of Tafsir, #4771
The Condition of the World when the Prophet Muhammad was sent to Mankind (3/4)
Ibn Kathir said: ‘Allah The Most High said to His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad: ‘Say O Muhammad “O Mankind” this message is for the red (white) people, the black people, the Arabs and non-Arabs. “Verily I have been sent as a Messenger to all of you” i.e. to all of you, this is from the nobility, honor and greatness of the Prophet Muhammad , and that he is the last of the Prophets, and he has been sent to all the people, Allah says:
“Say Allah is the Witness between me and you all, and verily this Qur’an has been revealed to me that I may warn you all and whomsoever it reaches.” (Surah al An’am 6:19)
And Allah says:
“But those of the sects from the Jews, Christians and Non-Muslims that reject the Qur’an, the Fire is their appointed and promised meeting-place…” (Surah Hud 11:17)
And Allah says:
“Say to those who were given the Scripture from the Jews and Christians and to those illiterate Arab pagans: ‘Do you all submit yourselves to Allah in Islam?” If they do so, then verily they are rightly guided, but if they turn away than know that your duty is only to convey the divine message…” (Surah al Imran 3:20)
The Qur’anic verses and prophetic narrations containing this meaning are many, and this is something that is necessary to have knowledge about within the religion of Islam-that is to know that the Prophet Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger sent to all of mankind.
Allah the Most Gracious made him the last of the Prophets which there are no Prophets after him, as Allah mentions:
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your people, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the Prophets, and Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything.” (Surah al Ahzab 33:40)
Then Ibn Kathir said: ‘This verse is evidence that there is no prophet after Muhammad. So if there is no prophet after him then this is all the more reason for there not being a messenger after him. This is because the status of messengerhood is more specific than prophethood.
For verily every messenger is a prophet, but not every Prophet is a Messenger. This is what came in all of the various narrations of the Prophet on the authority of numerous companions.’[1]
The Prophet set out on his mission calling people to Allah’s religion with wisdom and fine preaching, he debated with the people using the best of manners. He continued propagating this message day and night, publicly and privately. Nothing could dissuade him from his mission, nor ward him off.
However, the affair of being a messenger -and he was not the first messenger- is that few people believe in them and the majority of them disbelieve in them and what they call to. The Prophet Muhammad would present himself and go out to see the different tribes during the seasonal festivals and holidays. The Prophet himself as well as whoever was with him would be hurt, offended and harassed in the worst types of ways. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“And that was Allah’s way with those who passed away of old” (Surah al Ahzab 33:62)
Until it came to the point where the Prophet’s companions were forced to leave their homeland, so the Prophet Muhammad suggested that whoever had the ability that they should migrate to Ethiopia. Some of them who had the ability made the migration while others stayed in Makkah.
The Prophet Muhammad was eventually compelled to migrate to al Madinah where some of al Madinah’s residents believed in him and others did not. The residents of al Madinah were honored with the Prophet’s invitation and gladly accepted it.
Certainly, leaving your homeland where you used to rest your head, and traversed the many streets is definitely not something easy to do. No doubt that this is something painful, saddening, and depressing which definitely wrings the heart with pain.
The statement of the Prophet Muhammad can describe to us the pain and distress which he experienced, when he said on the authority of Abdullah ibn Adee’ ibnil Hamraa’a when he said:
‘I saw the Messenger of Allah standing upon ‘al-Hazwarah’[2] and he said: “I swear by Allah, that verily you (Makkah) are the best of Allah’s lands, and the most beloved land to Allah, if I wasn’t forced and compelled to leave you (Makkah) I would never have left.”[3]
In another narration which at Tirmidthi, Ibn Hibban, at Tabaraani and al Hakim mentioned on the authority of Ibn Abaas he said: the Messenger of Allah said:
“There is no better city than you (Makkah), and most beloved to me (to Allah), If it wasn’t for the fact that my people forced me to leave, I wouldn’t have resided in any other place besides you (Makkah).”[4]
At Tirmidthi said about this narration: it is a ‘hasan ghareeb’ narration from this route. Al Hakim[5] said: the chain of narration is authentic, and adh Dhahabee agreed with him in this.
Ibn Hajar al Asqalaani said: ‘this is an authentic narration, the scholars of hadeeth have mentioned it in their books, and at Tirmidthi, Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibaan and others said it is authentic.[6]
The Prophet Muhammad and those of his companions who had the ability migrated to al Madinah. However, disbelief and the people of disbelief did not approve nor agree with this nor would they be satisfied with the prevalence and spreading of Islam amongst Allah’s servants. So the Prophet was compelled to go out on war campaigns and battles in which Allah aided his combatants and defeated the disbelieving parties all by Himself.
Then the day came for the Conquest of Makkah- the same city that the Prophet was driven out of (Makkah)-the Prophet and his Companions entered and conquered, all due to the aid and victory that Allah bestowed upon them. This is in agreement to Allah’s statement:
“Verily, He (Allah) who has given you the Qur’an will surely bring you back to ‘Ma’aad’ (Place of return, Makkah)” (Surah al Qasas 28:85)
After that the people started entering Allah’s religion in enormous crowds, as Allah mentions:
“When there comes the Help of Allah and the conquest of Makkah-And you see that the people enter Allah’s religion in crowds. So glorify with the praises of you Lord and ask for His forgiveness. Verily He is the One who accepts the repentance and forgives.” (Surah an Nasr 110:1-3)
[1] Tafsir Ibn Kathir 3/665
[2] A market in Makkah, and it is now part of the Masjid al Haram after the expansions.
[3] This wording is for Tirmidthi 5/723, Book of Manaaqib, Chapter: Virtues of Makkah #3925 and Abdur Razaaq as San’aani narrated it in his ‘Musanaf’ 5/270, , and Ahmed in his Musnad with three chains of narration 4/305, and Abdu ibn Humaid relating from the book ‘Shifaa’a al Garam’ 1/74 . The chain of narration is authentic
[4] Jami at Tirmidthi, The Book of Manaqib, Chapter: The Virtues of Makkah #3926, 5/723, and ‘Mawaarid ath Tham’aan pg. 253. In one narration it mentions: ‘most loved to Me’ and another narration mentions most loved to Allah’
[5] (TN) He is Abu Abd-Allah Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah al-Hakim al-Nisaburi was a scholar of hadeeth and one of the most knowledgeable people of his time. He was frequently referred to as the “Imam of the Muhaddithin” or the “Muhaddith of Khorasan. He died 403 hijri. He authored his book called ‘al Mustadrak’ in which he claimed all the ahadeeth in it were authentic according to the conditions of either Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim or both of them. Imam Adh-Dha’habi made an abridged version of the collection named Talkhis al-Mustadrak where he commented on its authenticity.
[6] Fathul Baari 3/67
The Condition of the World when the Prophet Muhammad was sent to Mankind (4/4)
The Land of Arabia submitted to that which they were at first hesitant to do and the people of Makkah entered into Islam. Then Allah’s religion spread amongst the people and Allah was highly pleased and satisfied with the Prophet’s companions after being abhorred, detested and hated people in the time prior to Islam. Iyaad ibn Himaar al Mujaasha’ee said that the Prophet Muhammad said:
“Allah looked at the people of the earth and hated them, Arabs and non-Arabs alike, except a remnant of the People of the Book. He said: I have only sent you to test you and test others through you. I have also revealed to you a book that cannot be washed away with water, which you recite while sleeping and when you’re awake.”[1] Then Allah announced and proclaimed His pleasure and satisfaction of the companions of Allah’s Messenger by saying:
“Those who took precedence in embracing Islam of those who migrated from Makkah to al Madinah and the citizens of al Madinah who helped and gave aid to the migrating people and those who imitate them in their beliefs. Allah is well pleased with them as they are pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (paradise) to dwell therein forever. That is the great success.” (Surah at Tawbah 9:100)
Allah also says:
“Indeed Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave the pledge to you O Muhammad under the tree, Allah knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down calmness and tranquility upon them and He rewarded them with a near victory.” (Surah al Fath 48:18)
The conflict, confusion and differences between the people were eventually eliminated and became non-existent. This led to the unification of these people (companions) until they became as one heart upon the best of guidance (Qur’an and Sunnah). Becoming leaders and guiding others, after they used to be misguided and enemies constantly fighting and killing each other.
Allah the Most Gracious granted them victory and opened up the treasures of the earth for them after being from those who suffered from starvation and hunger; where the strong devoured the weak, by looting, plundering, and robbery. They were given all of these things solely because of their adherence to the ‘sincere religion’ of Islam, and implementing it into their beliefs and actions.
Furthermore, Allah warned the companions about splitting up and differing, and He ordered everyone to hold fast and adhere to all the means and reasons for unification, and to remember Allah’s favor upon them. Allah said:
“And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (Qur’an, Sunnah) and do not be divided amongst yourselves and remember Allah’s favor upon you. For you were once enemies against each other but Allah joined your hearts together, so by His Grace you became brothers in Islamic Faith. And you were on the brink of a pit of Fire and Allah saved you from it. Thus Allah makes His verses, proofs, revelation clear to you, that you may be guided.” (Surah Al Imran 3:103)
Preservation, safety and security of the creed became widespread as well as everlasting security for the countries and cities which governed with the pure, immaculate Islamic Creed and Islamic Legislations. And finally the time which the Prophet gave his promise and gave glad tidings about had become a reality.
Imam Bukhari narrated on the authority of Adee ibn Hatim who said:
‘While I was with the Prophet Muhammad a man came to him complaining about poverty, then another man came to him complaining about highway robbery, so the Prophet said: “O Adee have you seen al Heerah?”[2] Adee replied: “I have not seen it, but I have heard of it.’
Then the Prophet said: “If you are alive for verily you will see a woman in a covered saddle on a camel traveling from al Heerah until she goes around the Ka’bah and does not fear anyone except Allah alone.”
Then I (Adee) said to myself: where is the lewd/immoral tribe of Ta’y who have caused confusion throughout the land? – Then the Prophet said: “If you are still alive than verily you will conquer and open the treasures of Kisra”, I replied: “Kisra ibn Hurmuz?”
The Prophet then said: “Kisra ibn Hurmuz, if it so happens that you are still alive you will verily see that a man’s hand will be filled with gold and silver and ask people to accept it from him, and he won’t find anyone who will accept it from him.
And verily you will meet Allah the day in which there is no intercessor between himself and Allah, no one to speak for him. Then Allah will say: “Didn’t I send to you all a Messenger who conveyed My message to you?, He will reply: ‘Of course’.
Then Allah will say to him: “Didn’t I give you wealth and bestow my favors, graces and kindness upon you”. He will reply: ‘Of course’, and he will look to his right and not see anything except the hellfire, and then he will look to his left and not see anything except the hellfire.”
Then Adee said: “I heard the Prophet Muhammad say: “Fear the hellfire even if it is with half of a date, and whoever does not find a half of a date than with a good word.” Then Adee said: ‘Verily I saw the woman on a camel with a covered saddle traveling from al Heerah until going around the Ka’bah and she didn’t fear anyone except Allah,
and I was from amongst the ones who aided in the conquest of Kisra ibn Hurmuz, perhaps if you are all alive you will all come to see what the Prophet (Abul Qaasim) said: “Take out his hands filled with gold and silver…”[3]
Allah Knows Best.
References:
We have not sent a messenger except in the language of his people Quran (14:4)
Proofs that the Messenger of Allah was sent to All Mankind
The Messenger is more than just a Delivery-Man
The Condition of the World when the Prophet Muhammad was sent to Mankind
Evidence from the Bible Prophet Muhammed by the name and description
How Do we Know the Qur’an Is from God?
Qur’anic Accuracy Vs. Biblical Error: The Kings & Pharaohs Of Egypt
Evidence from the Bible – Prophet Muhammed is the Paracelete Comforting advocate
The Problem of the Bible: Inaccuracies, contradictions, fallacies, scientific issues and more.
Paul the False Apostle of Satan
The Scientific Miracles of the Qur’an
[1] Saheeh Muslim 4/2197, Book of Paradise and the description of its delights, chapter: characteristics which the people of world are known to be from the people of paradise or hellfire, #2865
[2] (TN) An Arabic Kingdom which was under the rule of the Farisee people.
[3] Saheeh Bukhari, with Fatul Baari 6/757-758, Book of Virtues, Chapter: Signs of Prophethood #3595