The Prophet in the Quran

We could have sent down to them a sign from the heavens so that their heads would be bowed down before it in utter humility. (The Quran, 26:2-4) This and other such pieces of evidence tell us how eager the Prophet was to give guidance to his people. The expression, ‘You will perhaps fret yourself to death,’ shows the degree of wellwishing which the Prophet had for his madu. The dawah act in the true sense is an outcome of the pure feeling of benevolence towards others. The Prophet of Islam communicated the call of truth to his people with this absolute feeling of magnanimity. He struggled to the utmost to keep to this path. Despite this, the majority refused to accept his message. And the Prophet began to worry so deeply about their guidance that he would spend days and nights in a state of extreme restlessness. Here, in this verse, the statement, “Perhaps you will fret yourself to death” does not mean that he should stop communicating the message. Rather, these words testify to the fact that the Prophet had discharged his responsibilities as a Prophet to the greatest possible degree. His concern for others’ guidance causing him such great distress is the most important attribute of his personality. Without doubt he had reached the ultimate in this matter, i.e. in the communication of God’s message. According to a tradition, the Prophet of Islam once observed: “My Lord offered to turn the valley of Makkah into one of gold. I said, ‘No, my Lord. Instead I want that one day I should have my fill and the next day go hungry. And when I am hungry, I should beseech You and remember You, and when I have my fill, praise You and thank You.’” Muhammad was the Prophet of Islam but, according to the Quran, he was also a human being. Therefore, he took care to experience all such circumstances as would produce divine or spiritual feelings, for feelings are very much conditioned by one’s circumstances in life. For this reason, he did not opt to remain forever in a state of comfort and happiness. On the contrary, he made it a point to face difficult situations as well, in order that feelings of helplessness might be produced within him. Similarly, he also desired good situations for himself, so that these might produce feelings of thanksgiving and a desire to praise God. Courage and Fearlessness The battle of Hunain at which the Prophet of Islam was present, took place in 8 A.H. His engagement in the battle was, as it happened, quite fortuitous. It seems, that when the Prophet was travelling with his companions, all of a sudden, the tribe of Hawazin, without provocation, rained down arrows on the Muslims. The Muslims could not stand up to this unexpected attack. Most of them began running off. But the Prophet and some of his companions stood their ground firmly and fearlessly. With arrows raining down on them from all sides, the Prophet, remained, sitting on his donkey, and recited this couplet: I am a Prophet and I do not lie. I am the son of Abdul Muttalib. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2864) This incident shows that the Prophet of Islam possessed the highest degree of courage. His heart