By Ishola Balogun
Bismillahi Rahamani Raheem.  Wasalatu wasalam ala seyidina Muhammad, wa ala alihi, wa ashabihi, wasselim.

In making life more meaningful and truthful, every Muslim must first give glory to Almighty Allah for giving us everything that we need to make a truthful life. The coming of Prophet Muhammad, the Quran, the Hadiths and the entire life of the prophet are enough means to guarantee a successful life and gain the hereafter if we choose to live by them.

Man who lives in accordance to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) finds internal and external peace. He can easily establish harmony with his immediate environment (with his family, relatives, neighbours and friends) and those outside his community.

The teachings encourage smooth interpersonal relationships between and among nations. They assure mankind of universal brotherhood, equality, justice, dignity and honour, guidance and salvation. They are very practical, so full of common sense and so full of truth.

They apply to every situation, every age, and every man of all walks of life. They revolve around the Islamic way of life which transcends and penetrates far beyond all barriers of race and status of wealth, prestige or classes of people.

No other great man and prophet had come up with such teachings so full of moral guidance that awakens the mind and shakes the heart of every rational being on earth. It was Allah’s miracle that the Prophet (s.a.w) who was never taught but grew in the dark age and rose to teach the whole of humanity. This historical fact shows a clear sign for those who deny Muhammad (s.a.w) as Allah’s universal Messenger to all nations.

Allah the Almighty blessed him with wisdom to propagate the Truth. In his teachings, he enjoins every man to speak the truth and refrain from falsehood. He says: truth leads to piety which paves the way to Paradise; while falsehood leads one to vices and evils land one in hell.”

The Prophet’s teachings are indeed so full of truth. They guide mankind to the right path in this world and In the hereafter. Every essence of his teachings serves as guidance to Truth. His teachings constitute the most comprehensive, practical, sensible and truthful guidance to all peoples in all walks of life and in all conditions of human endeavour.

In spite of all these and the tremendous success he recorded in delivering the message, he shows his humility and modesty when speaking about himself, by saying,

“Do not exaggerate in your praise towards me. I am only God’s messenger and servant.”

When speaking about the prophets that came before him he says, “I am the prayer of my ancestor Abraham and the good tidings of Prophet Jesus.”

My state and that of the other prophets is like the following parable: A man builds a perfect and beautiful house but leaves one brick missing from a corner of the house. People come and gaze at the house. Noticing the missing brick they say “Will a brick not be put in this niche?” Now, I am that brick and the last of the prophets.

I present below some of his sayings and practices which can help those who know very little about him to appreciate him better. These are areas which he taught and challenged his companions to live their lives.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “ALLAH has revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one oppresses another and boasts over another.” Abu-Dawood.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well you will treat them well, and that if they do wrong you will do wrong. Instead, accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and not to do wrong if they do evil.” _ Al-Tirmidhi,

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Shake hands and rancour will disappear. Give presents to each other and love each other and enmity will disappear.” -Al-Muwatta, Volume 47

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also said: “The people before you were destroyed because they inflicted legal punishments on the poor and forgave the rich.” – Sahih Al-Bukhari

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “O ALLAH, grant me life as a poor man, cause me to die as a poor man and resurrect me in the company of the poor.” His wife asked him why he said that, and he replied: “Because (the poor) will enter Paradise (before) the rich. Do not turn away a poor man even if all you can give is half a date. If you love the poor and bring them near you ALLAH will bring you near HIM on the Day of Resurrection.” -Al-Tirmidhi,

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The best of you are those who are slow to anger and swift to cool down…Beware of anger, for it is a live coal on the heart of the descendants of Adam.” – Al-Tirmidhi

One of the major doubts against Islam revolves on the personality of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and his great mission to mankind. But interestingly, those who bring forward such arguments failed to provide substantial evidence or sensible explanation to buttress their points.

All they will tell you is that Muslims are terrorists; if you kill you go to heaven and other wishy-washy and baseless arguements – that Muhammad taught them to kill to go to heaven. Islam has never told any Muslim to embark on a killing spree for admittance into paradise; neither did the prophet taught any act of violence or intolerance.

The terror of Boko Haram has become what ignorant non-muslims are using to destroy Islam as constant condemnation and clarification fall on deaf ears. It is nothing but sheer ignorance especially from those who claim to have read.

But, al-hamdullilah, they cannot distort the Quran, they cannot change the enduring legacies of Prophet Muhammad; they will forever be obsessed in the act of decimating the
religion but without success until they meet with Allah.

The Holy Qur’an is the divine words of Allah (S.W.T.) revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) through the Arch angel Gabriel to save mankind from darkness unto light (Qur’an 14:1), sent it as a guidance and the balance to judge between right and wrong (Qur’an 42: 17).

“Do they not consider the Qur’an (with care)? Had it not been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy?” (Qur’an 14: 82)

“Say: ‘lf the whole of mankind and Jinn were to gather to produce the like of the Qur’an they could not produce like thereof even if they backed up each other with help and support. “ (Qur’an 17: 88)

Muhammad’s interactions with all people, both in spiritual and secular dealings, show his character and values. Because of his strong values, he was trustworthy, encouraging all to follow the will of Allah. He was successful in his leadership because he lived the values important to leadership.

He provided a living example of his suggestions within his own interactions with family, believers, and non-believers. His daily interactions as husband, father, friend, businessman, public figure, and messenger of God all reinforced his leadership ability and values orientation.

The Prophet (s.a.w) died, but he left humanity with everlasting teachings. His comprehensive and universal teachings will continue to guide mankind as long as there exist people who seek for the truth. Every faithful believer who learns his teachings will always bear in mind that “… the best word is the Book of Allah, and the best way is the way of Muhammad and the foulest thing is fabrication and every fabrication is departure from the straight-way.”

(Muslim) The Prophet (s.a.w) tells nothing but the truth when he says: “Allah did not send me to reproach (and curse) people but as a mercy to them and as one calling them to the Truth.” (Muslim) In his teachings, he enjoins every man to speak the truth and refrain from falsehood. He says: truth leads to piety which paves the way to Paradise… and falsehood leads one to vices and evils land one in hell.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

May the peace and blessings of Allah continue to be with him, his household and his followers.