Hello,
the Quran was the miracle that Allah gave to the Prophet Muhammad
Firstly, the Prophet was the "unlettered one", he could not read or write. Allah revealed to him the Quran via the Angel Gabriel, in the most perfect prose that stunned all those who heard it. The Prophet memorised each verse. He then taught the Quran to his companions.
The Prophet
was from one of the most noble and notable families in Arabia. He was the Grandson and nephew of the most prominent leaders of the Quraish tribe. The Quraish were very wealthy and powerful people.
The Prophet Muhammad
was known as al-Amin, the Trustworthy on count of his honesty. He was always referred to whenever there were disputes, whenever people needed a decision or peace to be made, they would call Muhammad
to intervene.
After the Muhammad
recieved Prophethood, many of the people who before praised him, were against him. They did not like the idea of worshipping one God, they were opposed to the destruction of their deities and changing of their ways. Before Islam, the Arabs were tribalistic, arrogant and did many wrong things such as treating women bad and so forth. They would bury their infant girls.
The Prophet
at first attracted the poor and the weak. There are many beautiful stories of how the Prophet
cared for these people and how he helped them.
One such person was Bilal al habishi, he was a black Ethiopian slave. Yet, he is known as one of the greatest companions and people who ever walked on this earth. Every Muslim reads about his life and his struggles and has great respect and love for him.
First of all, you must think about the time and place. Arabs were extremely proud of their lineage, heritage, tribe, race etc. They looked down on anyone who was deemed inferior and would have nothing to do with them. Yet, the Prophet
in his kindness and compassion accepted all people of all colours to be one, as Muslims we are all brothers and sisters.
The Prophet gave Bilal the great duty of calling people to the prayer. He was the first Muezzin.
This unity is one reason that many African Americans and people from the Black and white communities become Muslim. For example, the American Malcolm X.
Justice and Fairness is important in Islam.
Allah says in the Quran:
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allâh, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allâh is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allâh is Ever Well Acquainted with what you do [4:135]
So, Muslims are those who strive to attain justice, between themselves and with other people.
Allah, most high, also says:
(They like to) listen to falsehood, to devour anything forbidden. So if they come to you (O Muhammad SAW), either judge between them, or turn away from them. If you turn away from them, they cannot hurt you in the least. And if you judge, judge with justice between them. Verily, Allâh loves those who act justly. [5:42]
- Prophet was a Mercy for Mankind
And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists). [21:107]"Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don't punish them).'' (7:199)
"...who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).'' (3:134)
"The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e., Allah orders the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly) then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient - and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter, i.e., Jannah and of a high moral character) in this world.'' (41:34,35)
The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress men and wrongly rebel in the earth, for such there will be a painful torment. (42:42)
"And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.'' (42:43)
- Islam Encourages Kindness and Humility:
In the Noble Quran, Allah, the most gracious most high says:
And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affair. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him). [3:159]
The Prophet Muhammad
said:
"Allah is not kind to him who is not kind to people." [Muslim & Bukhari]
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah is Forbearer and loves forbearance in all matters.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Mildness also brings human beings closer to one another, and on this count, Allah likes it very much.
`Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Allah is Forbearer and He loves forbearance, and rewards for forbearance while He does not reward severity, and does not give for any thing besides it (forbearance).''
[Muslim]
Mildness is the opposite of harshness. Allah enjoins softness and dislikes stiffness in human relations. Allah assures of reward for gentle behaviour in society, not for unkindness or anything like that. However, inflexibility is preferred to flexibility when there arises a question of religious matters and the limits set by Allah.
Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
"Shall I not tell you whom the (Hell) Fire is forbidden to touch? It is forbidden to touch a man who is always accessible, having polite and tender nature.''
[At-Tirmidhii].
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported
: A man asked the Prophet (PBUH) to give him advice, and he (PBUH) said, "Do not get angry.'' The man repeated that several times and he (PBUH) replied (every time), "Do not get angry.''
[Al-Bukhari].
Jarir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
"He who is deprived of forbearance and gentleness is, in fact, deprived of all good.''
[Muslim].
Abdullah ibn Abbas, the Prophet’s cousin, stated that he heard the Prophet saying:
“A believer is not the one who eats his fill when his neighbour is hungry.” [Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Al-Hakim and Al-Baihaqi].
- Gentleness and Forgiveness are the Keys to paradise and an attribute of a True Muslim
{And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqûn (the pious).
Those who spend [in Allâh's Cause - deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn(the good­doers).} [3: 133-134]
So, the Muttaqun and Muhsinun, i.e. the Muslims are those who share these amazing qualities. It is something each and every Muslim must attain.
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I never felt any piece of velvet or silk softer than the palm of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), nor did I smell any fragrance more pleasant than the smell of Messenger of Allah (PBUH). I served him for ten years, and he never said `Uff' (an expression of disgust) to me. He never said `why did you do that?' for something I had done, nor did he ever say `why did you not do such and such' for something I had not done.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
"The dearest and nearest among you to me on the Day of Resurrection will be one who is the best of you in manners; and the most abhorrent among you to me and the farthest of you from me will be the pompous, the garrulous, and Al-Mutafaihiqun.'' The Companions asked him: "O Messenger of Allah! We know about the pompous and the garrulous, but we do not know who Al-Mutafaihiqun are.'' He replied: "The arrogant people.''
[At-Tirmidhi].
This gentleness, kindness, patience must be shown to all people. This
includes non-Muslims. For Islam teaches Muslims, not only to tolerate non-Muslims but to show kindness to everyone we are at peace with. To deal with other people in a just, fair and mild manner is something that is encouraged. The Prophet Muhammad
and his companions were leading example in this. -
Infact, kindness is not simply limited to people,
The Prophet
also said:
"Those who are kind and considerate to Allah's creatures, Allah bestows His kindness and affection on them. Show kindness to the creatures on the earth so that Allah may be kind to you." [Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi]
Islam emphasises justice, equality between race, gender and rich and poor.
