Thought this eloquent piece was worth putting up.
We should wonder at the indescribable unity that was achieved, 1400 years ago.
Lone man brings humanity a vision of morality, reform, Dr. Shagufta Hasan
The Oregonian [Washington], 11 September 2003
He was the most remarkable man who ever set foot on this Earth. He preached a way of life, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a moral code, initiated moral and political reform, established a powerful and dynamic society and revolutionized the worlds of human thought and behavior.
Alphonse de Lamartine, the renowned historian, speaking on the essentials of human greatness wondered: If greatness of purpose, smallness of means and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, none can dare to compare any great man in history to this personality. He not only moved armies, legislation, empires, people and dynasties but he also moved the altars, the gods, the religion, the ideas, the beliefs and souls.
Who was this man? He was sent as mercy to humanity. We invite you to make a conscious discovery of this wonderful man.
Michael H. Hart writes in his recently published book, “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History:” “My choice of a name to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others but he was the only man who was supremely successful in both the religious and secular arena.”
Thomas Carlyle in his “Heroes and Hero Worship” was amazed by how one man could single-handedly weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouins into a powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades.
He was a man with a noble mission, which was to unite humanity to the worship of one and only one God and to teach the way to honest and upright living based on the commands of God. During the short period of 23 years, he changed the Arabian Peninsula from paganism and idolatry to worship of one God; from tribal quarrels and wars to national solidarity and cohesion; from drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety; from lawlessness and anarchy to disciplined living; from utter bankruptcy to the highest standards of moral excellence. Human history has never known such a complete transformation of a people or a place before or since.
Sarojini Naidu writes: "It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy, for in the mosque when the call for prayer is announced, all come together without any status or symbol and stand in rows shoulder to shoulder. The democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel side by side and proclaim, ‘God is great.’ "
It is the superb display of unity and equality that no -ism has offered in its true sense. We can’t ignore the beauty of this unity as witnessed every year when 2 million to 3 million people offer pilgrimage from all walks of life at the time of Hajj.
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Malcolm X’s journey to Mecca really transformed his soul into a slave of Allah, and when he saw the sound display of equality, he got the final resolution for African American -people. He also realized that one does not have to bring others down to get deserved status.
In his last sermon, Prophet Mohammad declared that none is superior because of race, color or wealth but one who is the most pious. What an eloquent statement. The important principles, followed by Prophet Mohammad can be deducted by studying his life in detail.
A few points to ponder for the wise:
Begin from the possible to achieve the impossible. Make a friend out of an enemy. Return good for evil, and you will see your enemy has become your closest friend. Turn a negative situation into a positive. Gradualism instead of radicalism is the key. Islam approves evolutionary rather than revolutionary methods. You bring a change by starting from the core of it. Power of peace is stronger than power of violence.
Dr. Shagufta Hasan, M.D., is a member of the executive board of the Muslim Educational Trust.
