An Example of Noble Character

Muslim community is in a state of decline, it begins to treat its Prophet as merely a symbol of pride. Muslims of the present age are caught in this second state. Contemporary Muslims have made the Prophet of Islam a symbol of pride for themselves. And the desire for pride is satisfied by referring to him as “supremely successful.” In the Quran, however, the Prophet of Islam is presented as a model to follow, not as a symbol of pride. The Quran states: “Indeed, in the Messenger of God you have an excellent example.” (33:21) But present-day Muslims, in effect, have rewritten this verse in their interpretation as: “Indeed, in the Messenger of God you have a noble source of pride.” According to the Quran’s message, the most important task is to understand the secret of the Prophet’s supreme success. Only by uncovering that secret can we hope to restore Islam to its former heights. When we reflect on the Quran with this question in mind, the first chapter that comes to the forefront is chapter 48. In this chapter, a historical event is described in these words: “Indeed, We have given you a clear victory.” (48:1) What Dr. Michael Hart described as “supreme success,” the Quran refers to as “clear victory.” How did the Prophet of Islam attain this “clear victory” or supreme success? According to the verse, it came through the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and what followed. This verse was revealed specifically in the context of that event, making it clear that the method used at Hudaybiyyah was the secret to that success. We may refer to this method as the Hudaybiyyah approach.