Mohammad: The Prophet of Revolution Vol

Part I, Chapter III Mohammad: The Prophet of Revolution Exemplary conduct The Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (may peace be upon him), was born in Arabia on 22 April 571 AD, and died on 8 June 632 AD. He was a very handsome and powerfully built man. His childhood gave indications of the sublime and dynamic personality that was to emerge. As he grew up, the grandeur of his personality used to overawe anyone beholding him, but he was so soft-spoken and of such genial disposition that anyone coming into close contact with him would learn to love him. A perfectly balanced personality— tolerant, truthful, perspicacious and magnanimous—he presented the noblest example of human greatness. Daud Ibn Husain says that it was commonly said about him that as he grew older, he became known as the most chivalrous among his people, neighbourly, tolerant and forebearing, truthful and trustworthy. He would stay aloof from all quarrels and quibbles, from foul utterances, abuse and invective. People left their valuables in his custody, for they knew that he would never betray them. His unimpeachable trustworthiness won for him the title of “AI-Amin,” a faithful custodian, an unfailing trustee. When he married at the age of twenty-five, his uncle Abu Talib performed the marriage service. “There is no one to compare with my nephew, Mohammad Ibn Abdullah,” he said. “He outshines everyone in nobility, gentility, eminence and wisdom. By God, he has a great future and will reach a very high station.” Abu Talib did not utter these words in the sense in which later events proved them to be true. He meant them in a worldly sense. Nature had endowed his nephew with a magnetic and versatile personality. His people would surely appreciate his qualities, and raise him to a high station. Abu Talib envisaged a future of worldly success and accomplishment of his nephew; this was the “great future” which he referred to in his sermon.