Introduction

In pre-Islamic times religious institutions had become debased by the veneration of mere mortals, whereas the prophet Muhammad admitted no other form of religion but that based on the worship of the immortal God. Religious beliefs had frequently been founded on superstition, but by him, they were established on the foundation of reality. He taught people to conquer nature instead of worshipping it, thus paving the way for the scientific era. And where political power had been in the hands of one hereditary monarch, he showed the way to government by the people. While learning had been based on conjecture and assumption, he taught people to learn from observation of reality. In cases where human society had been vitiated by cruelty and oppression, he showed people how to live together in justice and peace. These are all achievements of the Prophet Muhammad. He changed the tide of human history. From whatever angle one looks at history, ever-broadening reverberations of his impact will be manifest. All that is best in human values, all the important advances of human civilization, are direct or indirect results of the revolution he brought about. His personal life was a perfect example for humanity. Because he was made to experience all kinds of exceptional conditions, he was able to provide a model for living both at the individual and social levels. He showed us the life that God would like us to live on earth, for in all matters, every one of his actions was by the will of God. Not only INTRODUCTION