Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) – As a mercy to all of Mankind.

By Nabeel Aejaz

Yusuf Islam, the former Cat Stevens, a famous British pop singer, who had
converted to Islam and has now become an Islamic scholar, was giving a talk on
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) as a mercy to all of mankind.

The talk was presented in the Sheikh Rashid auditorium of Indian High School in
Dubai, U.A.E. It was advertised to begin at 9:00pm but had commenced on 9:30pm.
The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by a seven years old kid
from Tajikistan named Furqan. Although he didn’t know Arabic language but his
recitation was sharp and heart warming. A recitation was followed by a short and
sweet Nasheed.

Yusuf Islam then took the stage and started off by briefly telling about his
history. He then praised events like these and pointed out the invisible presence
of Angels and about Allah blessing and praising of these events in his circle. He
first cleared out that our Muslim World and the Western world are the part of the
same world and share the same human values except we all just have different
perspectives towards things.

He then reveals that although he was living in an advanced western society but
still he was of starvation of true knowledge. Like the other common westerners he
too had the idea of the Arabs and Islam having strange customs, Magic Carpets
&Genies. A mythical culture as portrayed in the storybooks. Added the Impact of
the Islamic Crusades, like the Turks, didn’t have much of a good suggestion to
him.

In 1976 he was presented with a Quran. To which he approached with an open mind.
He was encountered with Surah Fatiha, the opening chapter, of the Quran. After
reading the unity and oneness of it he wondered is this, what was suppose to be a
dark alien religion, with the culture of nomads and Turks, known as Islam.

After further reading the meaning of the Quran he came to the know brotherhood of
the Adamic race. He read about all the Prophets he knew before like Jesus,
Abraham, Moses and others. It is now he came to know that there was something
special about this religion and it was truly an eternal religion as it claims.

At this stage he expressed his disappointed towards the Islamic portrayal over the
media which doesn’t show about prayer and charity the Islam so much preaches
about.

It is after reading the story about Prophet Yusuf in the Quran that his faith
became firm and he decided to convert. Thus his name also shows his selection for
the name ‘Yusuf’. He says after all these distortions and propagandas today it has
now become very difficult to see the real Islam. But he stresses that one should
actually return to the real message that is the Quran, and the prophet to
understand Islam.

The importance of the meaning along with the recitation of the Quran is conveyed
by him. He calls the Fiqh that is understanding and the meaning as vital.

After reading the Quran he decided to step up to the next level. That is to learn
how to pray and offer namaz to which he was introduced to Sunnah. Although the
Quran commands to offer namaz regularly but to actually learn how offer it one has
to follow the pattern of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). To this he adds in to the
regard of the last prophet that although many great men have gone and succeeded in
the past but none has been able to leave its mark and example in terms of his
behavior. Many great prophets and preachers have been past away but none’s
teaching has retained its integrity.

He refers to the Hadiths that although Prophet Muhammad used to be troubled with
impractical questions but still he remained calm and tried to clear out as many
questions he could by the help of Allah. Like once he was asked as what was the
color of Jesus? To which he replied it to be as a Reddish complexion. He could
answer these had previously met with Jesus during various events like the Night
Journey and with the grace and help of Allah.

The legacy of Prophet Muhammad still continues till date and shall remain, till
the last day, as he was truly the seal of all the prophets. Truly he was the last
prophet as he not clarified the misconceptions of the previous prophets but also
preached humanity. He taught us the meaning of Tawheed that is your belonging to
Allah. He was guide for us to paradise.

Yusuf Islam says that the world is divided but Islam is directed towards ones
heart. How can Islam be hostile when it had actually taught the true meaning of
their religion. Quran actually clears the concepts of the Torah and the Gospel.
The last prophet was send to correct their deviations so that they may truly live
up to their deals.

Quran besides having clarifications also contains criticisms and admonitions.

Being just it not only criticizes people of other religions but also to the Arabs
as well. It is mentioned in the Quran that one of the biggest hypocrites in the
world would be the Arabs.

Islam teaches us to take care of our neighbors. It implies charity. It preached

harmony and humanity. It encourages one to learn from ones own mistakes.

Yusuf Islam closed his talk by talking briefly about the specialty of the month of
Ramadan. Like how Angel Jibrael use to recite and deliver the Quran to Prophet
Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in this month. In this month Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) use to
try to display his peak of generosity to the people. Islam is the perfect religion
which could exhibit a perfect world. Lastly, he suggests us to convey the message
of the Prophet that is to spread Salam, peace to everyone.

Unexpectedly Hamza Yusuf is then invited, from the audience, to the stage to give
a brief talk on this topic. Hamza Yusuf is another famous convert and an American
Islamic scholar. Hamza Yusuf is a quite famous celebrity in the Middle East for
his Arabic Islamic talk shows in the MBC Channel.

He speaks about the virtues of the prophet. He throws some light towards the
prophet’s generosity. He tells us how it is commanded in the Quran that you enter
paradise we in turn have to show mercy on the earth and to god’s creatures. He
proclaims Islam as a universal religion of mercy. He tells us that perhaps the
foundations of Islam are based on the aspect of showing mercy to others. He
explains how we live in a civic society and how we should show deference to each
other in Islam. Finally he concludes his talk on the note of Jihad. How the
meaning of Jihad is misinterpreted in the media today. He advises us not to learn
from our enemies in their conduct but to follow the ways Prophet Muhammad who was
our true teacher.

A small question and answer session is followed by that. Both the scholars give
convincing answers. Then the evening comes to its end making it one of the most
enlightening events of the year.