Prophet Muhammad: The Infinite Light

307 Pages·2006·1.21 MB·English

Prophet Muhammad: The Infinite Light
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PROPHET MUHAMMAD - THE INFINITE LIGHT I

THE INFINITE LIGHT I,II is a compilation of the sermons which F.
Gülen gave every Friday of 1989 to introduce people, especially the
young, to the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings,
in all his aspects. In this book, you will meet the "Mercy for all the
worlds" as Prophet, educator, statesman, commander, sociologist,
economist, psychologist, moralist, teacher, orator, preacher, father,
husband, and a humble, compassionate, brave, wise, gracious, gentle,
and trustworthy member of humanity, and most sincere and beloved
Preface
servant of God Also, you will find out how to follow his example, and

learn the meaning and establishment of Sunna and its place in Islam.
The second volume of this book is now ready
Click on the to navigate through this book.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter one - Prior to Prophethood
The dark period of Jahiliyyah
A glimpse of the Prophet’s life before his Prophethood

Chapter two - The awaited Prophet
The Prophet as mentioned in the Torah and the Psalms
The Prophet as mentioned in the Gospels
Many others awaited the Prophet

Chapter three - The Divine purpose for sending the Prophets
The Prophets were sent
to illuminate the way of mankind
to guide people to the service of God
to teach God’s laws
to be examples
to establish the balance between this world and the next
to be God’s witnesses
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Prophet Muhammad: The Infinite Light

Chapter four - Some characteristics of the Prophets
The Prophets
depended on Revelation
were sincere in every action
called people wisely and with kindness
called humankind to God’s Unity

Chapter five - The essentials of Prophethood

Introduction

Truthfulness

The Prophets were truthful in everything they said
Examples of the predictions of God’s Messenger
Knowledge of the Unseen
related to events that would follow his departure from the world
related to the distant future
concerning scientific developments

Trustworthiness

The trustworthiness of God’s Messenger
The Prophet’s trustworthiness concerning his mission in his
relations with creatures
Further examples of the Messenger's and his followers' trustworthiness

Communication

Communication of Divine Message was the ultimate reason for the sending of
the Prophets
Vital questions everyone asks himself
The Prophets
made a comprehensive invitation to God
asked no wage from people
left the results to God
The method of conveying the Message
The consistent effort of God’s Messenger in conveying the message
Further remarks on conveying the Message
Other important points to note in conveying the Message
Intelligence
The Prophets practised what they preached
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Prophet Muhammad: The Infinite Light
The Prophets asked for no reward

Intellect

Introduction
Examples to show the intellectual capacity of the Messenger
The concise nature of the Prophet’s sayings
Examples to the concise sayings of God’s Messenger (1)
Examples to the concise sayings of God’s Messenger (2)

Infallibility

The Prophets are infallible
Removing doubts about the infallibility of the
Prophets Accusations or calumnies of the Bible against the Prophets
Individual examples to clarify the infallibility of the Prophets
The Prophet Adam, upon him be peace
The Prophet Noah, upon him be peace
The Prophet Abraham, upon him be peace
The Prophet Joseph, upon him be peace
The infallibility of the Prophet Muhammad
God’s Messenger’s treatment of the prisoners of war taken in the
Battle of Badr
The Prophet’s granting exemption to hypocrites from the expedition of

Tabuk
Surah al-‘Abasa or He Frowned
The offer made by the tribe of Thaqif
The Prophet’s marriage to Zaynab
The Prophets were free from all bodily and mental defects

Chapter six - The Prophet Muhammad as husband and father
The Prophet and his wives
The Prophet’s consultation with his wives
The choice God’s Messenger gave to his wives
The Prophet and children
The educational atmosphere in the Time of Happiness

Addendum:
The reasons behind the several marriages of the Prophet Muhammad
Click here for the contents of the second volume
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Prophet Muhammad - The Infinite Light - PREFACE
PROPHET MUHAMMAD - THE INFINITE LIGHT I
THE INFINITE LIGHT is a compilation of the sermons which
F. Gülen gave every Friday of 1989 to introduce people,
especially the young, to the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be
peace and blessings, in all his aspects. In this book, you will
meet the "Mercy for all the worlds" as Prophet, educator,
statesman, commander, sociologist, economist, psychologist,
moralist, teacher, orator, preacher, father, husband, and a
humble, compassionate, brave, wise, gracious, gentle, and
trustworthy member of humanity, and most sincere and
beloved servant of God Also, you will find out how to follow his
example, and learn the meaning and establishment of Sunna
and its place in Islam.
PREFACE

I would like to introduce the reader to the exemplary life of the blessed Prophet
Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, and his distinguished, exalted
personality. The ‘water of life’ for the salvation of humankind should be made known
to everyone.
The Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, is the pride of humankind.
For the past fourteen centuries, many thinkers, philosophers, scientists and scholars,
each a radiant star in our intellectual world, have stood behind him in respect and
admiration and taken pride in membership of his community.
It is enough to appreciate and understand his greatness that even after so many
attacks, we still hear the words I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of
God from minarets five times a day. While his name is being proclaimed from minarets
we rejoice, as do the dead and other spiritual beings. It is enough to establish his
greatness that, in spite of the concerted efforts to corrupt our younger generation and
lead them astray, the young in this century, although it is impossible for them to
perceive the full reality of Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, hasten to
him as moths hasten to light.
Time has not been able to make us forget the truth about him. He is so fresh in my
mind that if I mention his holy name, it is as if I am about to meet him a few steps
later. Once, while on pilgrimage to his radiant city, Madina, I felt that he was about to
appear and welcome us. As time progresses, some thoughts become obsolete, but
Muhammad, upon him be peace, remains as fresh as a rosebud in the hearts of the
Muslims. It is for this reason that as soon as his name is mentioned from the minaret,
we immediately abandon our work and hasten to mosque in acceptance of his
invitation.
Muhammad as a pure spring of true knowledge and spirituality
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If we had been allowed to describe him as others have been described, if we had used
the social and educational institutions, then, most probably, all the youth of today
would be following his way. Despite our shortcomings, many pick up their ‘glasses’
and run to fill them from this ‘pure spring’. In every part of the world, including the
United States, England, France and Germany, an Islamic revival is being observed.
The Muslims are sowing these lands with the seeds of a happy future. Islam in every
corner of the world is healthy and is flourishing as it had done in the Time of
Happiness, i.e. the time of Muhammad himself. The same is true of the predominantly
Muslim lands. Muslims, who were unconsciously devoted to Islam without deep
perception or research, have given way to a new generation who are consciously
following Muhammad, upon him be peace, in the light of science and advances in
knowledge. Those who were previously exploiting schools and universities on behalf of
unbelief are now running to him. World famous men including Maurice Bucaille and
Roger Garaudy, have seen the falsehood of their systems and are hastening to the
school of Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, which is faultless.
Muhammad as the most beloved of hearts
I wonder whether we have fully recognized the most beloved of hearts. Even I, who
have been performing five daily prayers since the age of five and striving to be a slave
at his door, wonder if I am able to recognize him. Have we been able to enthuse love
into the hearts of the men of this century by describing the ultimate source of all love
and enthusiasm?
If only mankind had known Muhammad, they would have fallen in love with him as
Majnun fell in love with Layla.1 Whenever his name is mentioned, they would tremble
with joy in anticipation of entering the ethos which surrounds him and following his
way wholeheartedly.
Man can love only one he knows and only to the extent of his knowledge. Our enemies
have tried their utmost to make us forget and ensure that his holy name should not be
mentioned anywhere. Since he is supported by God, all these obstacles have been
torn down and the younger generation are submitting themselves to him as joyfully as
one dying of thirst in the burning desert does when he finds water. His mighty
tenderness and compassion will embrace every ‘thirsty’ person who comes to him.
You must have noticed that when you come to the Friday prayers, the congregation
consists mainly of young people. Have you ever asked why, despite the misguidance
and rebellion prevalent in most parts of the world, young people come to mosques
and sit despite cold and other difficulties? There is only one attraction — Muhammad,
upon him be peace and blessings. Whether we can grasp it or not, souls and hearts
rush to him as moths to a candle. Even those ‘winter flies‘ who have not been so
fortunate will soon be turning to him. The whole world will soon be following him.
Scientists and great thinkers will be studying him. Those who are currently enemies
will soon be bosom friends and will take refuge in his warm welcome. In his time,
even his enemies admired him.
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He once related a dream that he had had. He, upon him be peace, said: They weighed
me against ten people of my community and I outweighed them. Then they weighed
me against a hundred and then a thousand respectively and I outweighed them all. He
also related: I was weighed against the whole of my community and I outweighed
them. He outweighs all the men of intellect, the men of piety and spirituality and the
men of faith and knowledge. This is because all other beings were created because of
him. It is reported that God said to him: But for you, I would not have created the
spheres.
Muhammad as the describer of the meaning of creation
The universe is a book. If Muhammad, upon him be peace, had not been created, this
book would not have been understood. To create a book that could not be understood
would have been an effort in vain. God Almighty is beyond exerting Himself in vain.
Therefore, He created Muhammad so that he may describe the meaning of creation.
God was to be a teacher to him to whom the earth and the firmaments were
subjected. The seeker of truth asks himself ‘Who am I and where am I ?‘ ‘For what
purpose have I been created?‘ ‘What is the destination of my journey?‘ ‘Who is my
guide through this journey?‘
Muhammad is the one who provided creation with meaning and gave man the answers
to such questions. If he had been fully recognized, he would have been truly loved.
Although we only know him a little, we still love him.
Let me narrate to you an incident that occurred during a visit to Muhammad‘s holy
city. The atmosphere was overpowering. Something occurred to me. Every morning, I
pray to God saying seven times, O my God, save me from Hellfire and make me enter
Paradise among the company of the godly people. There can be no believer who does
not wish to enter Paradise. However, in this environment I asked myself: ‘If they were
to invite you to Paradise through any of its seven gates, which would you prefer –
entering into the rawdah, the area in the mosque next to the Prophet‘s tomb, or
entering Paradise?’ Believe me, I swear by God that I said to myself: ‘This place is
more appealing to me. I have had the chance to rub my face against the soil of my
master, at whose door I prefer to be a slave chained, than anything else in the world.
I do not want to miss this chance.’
I believe this is the desire of every believer. When I was blessed with this great
opportunity, I was with a member of the Turkish Parliament, Mr Arif Hikmet. He told
me that he had promised himself that he would roll in the soil like a donkey when he
stepped across the border and entered the land of Madina. This great man kept his
promise. When I remember this incident, I can’t prevent my eyes watering.
Muhammad’s message embraces all men and jinn
Since the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, came with a Sacred
Law that will never be abrogated and a Message which embraces all men and jinn, and
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Prophet Muhammad - The Infinite Light - PREFACE
since he has hundreds of miracles excelling those of all other Prophets, he is the head
of all the Prophets and therefore has the core of the miracles of all of them, as well as
their unanimous confirmation. That is, the agreement of all the other Prophets on the
same faith and the testimony of their miracles provide a support for Muhammad’s
honesty and truthfulness. He is, at the same time, the master and leader of all saints
and men of purity and profound knowledge, who have attained perfection through his
teaching and guidance and through the light of his Sacred Law. Thus, he has also the
core of their wonders, their unanimous affirmation and the strength of all their verified
conclusions. Since the way they have followed to reach the truth was the one opened
and left open by him, all the wonders they have worked, all the conclusions they have
established through meticulous research and intuition, and their consensus on the
same faith, constitute another support for his Prophethood, for his truthfulness. It is
because of this that the coming of Muhammad, the perfect Prophet, upon him be
peace and blessings, was promised by all the Prophets before him. God made a
covenant with them that they would believe in him and support him.
Muhammad’s coming was promised by all the previous Prophets
God took a covenant with the Prophets: That I have given you
of Book and Wisdom; then there shall come to you a
Messenger confirming what is with you – you shall believe in
him and you shall help him. He said: ‘Will you affirm this, and
take My load on you in this matter?’ They answered: ‘We
affirm it.’ He said: ‘Bear witness so, and I shall be with you
among the witnesses.’ (Al ‘Imran, 3.81)
All the Prophets led their lives in perfect loyalty to their promise. When the Prophet
Muhammad, upon him be peace, was about to make his mi‘raj, Ascension, he led the
prayers before the souls of all the other Prophets. All of them, including Abraham,
Moses, Noah and Jesus, displayed their desire to become his muezzin, caller to prayer.
Jesus repeatedly gave his disciples the glad tidings of the coming of Muhammad.
According to the Gospel of John (14. 16, 26, 30; 16.7), he said: ‘It is better for you
that I go away, because if I do not go, the helper will not come. I have much more to
tell you, but for now it would be too much for you to bear. When, however, the spirit
of the Truth, the lord of the world, who reveals the truth about God comes, he will
lead you to the truth‘.
Do we know Muhammad in all the aspects of his personality?
I wonder if we realize how unique he was as the head of family. Do we know how he
brought up his children or grandchildren, each of whom would have been a great
leader if he had come in succeeding centuries? He dealt with his wives so successfully
that there was no disagreement between them. He was beyond all comparison as
father, husband or simply as a human being.
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He had such sublime virtues in his blessed being, such exalted qualities in his
Messengership and such precious merits in the religion and Sacred Law that he
preached, that even his most fanatical enemies could not help but admit them. Since
this being combines in his personality, function and religion the most praiseworthy
virtues, he is certainly the embodiment, the master and the representative of all the
perfections and the high, laudable virtues found in the whole creation.
He was so perfect a commander that he challenged the whole world with only a
handful of men. He repelled all who opposed his teachings. He experienced no defeat
at all. He did that without being taught by any mortal or attending any military
academy.
He was so informed about science that he told his followers about almost all the major
events which would occur until the Last Day. It was as if he were watching a television
screen or reading from an unseen tablet.
Where the realm of science has just reached is where the realm of
Muhammad begins
Some time ago, a friend brought me a video cassette in which a Canadian
paediatrician, Keith Moore, who had realized how the Qur’an describes the
development of the human embryo in the mother‘s womb, declared his conversion to
Islam pronouncing, I bear witness that there is no deity but God, and I also bear
witness that Muhammad is His Messenger. On the same tape a Japanese psychologist,
who had discovered that Islam clears many of the problems that have baffled modern
scientists, was trying to get his tongue around the Arabic words to make the same
declaration.
Who taught all these scientific facts to Muhammad? Certainly, he did not speak on his
own, but whatever he spoke was a Revelation revealed to him. He was taught by the
One who knows everything, the One who is All-Knowing and All-Aware, so that, as
science advances, humankind will come to discover a new aspect of his personality
and will be filled with regret at not knowing him before that.
His Companions knew Muhammad and accordingly loved him very much
His Companions knew him and accordingly loved him very much. Their love for him
was greater than their love for themselves. They were prepared to sacrifice their lives
to protect him.
He dispatched a group of teachers to the tribe of Hudayl at their request. The Hudayli
unbelievers betrayed their teachers and killed most of them. Zayd ibn Dasina and
Hubayb were handed to the Quraysh, then enemies of the Muslims. They were about
to be executed when, while on the gallows, Hubayb was asked: ‘Do you wish that
Muhammad were in your place so that you could be with your family in Madina?‘
Hubayb was startled. ‘I would rather be cut into pieces than wish Muhammad, upon
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him be peace and blessings, were in my place. I do not wish for even a thorn to hurt
his blessed foot in exchange for my being returned to my family.‘ Then Hubayb prayed
that God would convey his wish of peace and greetings to His Messenger, and inform
him that he had remained loyal to him until he died. Meanwhile, the Prophet, upon
him be peace and blessings, informed his Companions of Hubayb‘s martyrdom and
returned his greetings.
Sumayra, from the tribe of Dinar, hurried to the battlefield when the news reached her
that the Muslims experienced a reverse in Uhud. They showed her the dead body of
her father, but she ignored it. They showed the dead bodies of her husband and sons
but she did not look at them. She just kept asking what had happened to the Prophet.
Eventually somebody guided her to the Prophet. She threw herself to the ground a few
metres away from his feet and said: ‘All misfortunes mean next to nothing to me,
provided that you are alive, O Messenger of God!’
He was so loved that his Companions would have given their lives if it meant that he
could live forever. But, of course, he was mortal like other created beings. The
appointed hour drew near and he had to say farewell to his friends with whom he had
been for twenty-three years. Mu‘adh ibn Jabal had been shuttling between Madina and
the Yemen carrying the Prophet‘s Message. On the day he was about to leave, the
Messenger of God said to him: O Muadh, leave now for the Yemen, but when you
come back, you will probably visit my mosque and my tomb. These words were
enough to bring Mu‘adh to the point of emotional collapse.
The problems of the age can be solved only by following the way of
Muhammad
The problems of the twentieth century will be solved by following the way of
Muhammad, upon him be peace. This has been acknowledged by unbiased Western
and Eastern intellectuals. As Bernard Shaw admitted earlier this century, mankind, in
order to solve their accumulated problems, need nothing more than the Prophet
Muhammad, who solved the most complicated problems as easily as one drinks coffee.
Humankind is waiting for the return of the Muhammadan spirit. They are waiting for
the Message of Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings. When they turn to him
to solve their problems, they will be saved from being exploited, freed from all kinds
of miseries, and they will attain true peace and happiness. This second revival has
already begun despite the aversion of unbelievers.
They desire to extinguish the light of God with their mouths;
but God will perfect His light, even though unbelievers are
averse. It is He Who has sent His Messenger with the
guidance and the religion of truth, that He may uplift it above
every religion, even though the polytheists are averse. (al-
Saf, 61.8-9)
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God will uplift His religion, and people will run to the Prophet Muhammad, upon him
be peace and blessings, and in him will find peace and happiness. Humankind will
learn to live in security through him and it will be as if they had entered Paradise while
still in this world. This will take place despite the unbelievers and wrongdoers of
Europe, the hypocrites of Asia and those living heedless of him. The lord of the
Prophets, whose name we proclaim from our minarets five times a day to the whole
world, will sooner or later be entrusted in the hearts of humankind. And, since the
Prophet Muhammad was a man of peace, mankind will attain happiness through the
Message that he brought.

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