Not only
individuals but entire countries take pride in declaring their allegiance to him. There
are 54 such Muslim states today, ranging from those as large as Indonesia and Bangladesh,
with populations of 200 and 125 million respectively, to those as tiny as the Maldives or
Brunei with populations of 230,000 and 260,000. Even in non-Muslim countries, large Muslim
populations constitute significant minorities; as much as 120 million in India and 20
million in China. Indeed, within the last half century, Islam, the religion brought by the
Prophet Muhammad
, has become the second
largest religion in most European countries, as also in America and Canada.
Black and white,
red and yellow, followers of the Prophet Muhammad come from all human races. Whether in Asia or Europe, Africa
or America, in every nook and cranny of this globe, you are sure to find Muslims. They
live in the most advanced, sprawling megalopolis as well as in the most primitive nomadic
tent, village, hamlet, and even in the bush.
As now so always,
down the centuries, across the planet, from end to end, billions and billions of men and
women have lived all their lives, loving the Prophet and trying to follow in his
footsteps, as no one else has been so loved and followed. They have lived and died,
believed and acted, married and raised families, worshipped and ruled, made war and peace,
even eaten and dressed, walked and slept, just as he did or taught them to do.
Indeed, never in
history has a man influenced mankind, even beyond his death, so deeply and so pervasively
as he has. He brings light and peace to countless hearts and lives. They love him more
dearly than their own selves. In him they find their greatest source of inspiration and
guidance. He is the ultimate norm and the perfect example for them. Faith in him is their
mainstay and he is their chief source of support and comfort in all personal vicissitudes
and tribulations. To him they also look to lead them through social and political turmoil.
He has always inspired them to greater and greater heights of spiritual and moral
upliftment and civilizational achievements. And still does.
In short, they
believe that through him, a human like themselves, God has spoken to them, and guided him
to live amongst them, setting an example and a model for all times to come. Even today he
motivates and induces whole populations to yearn and strive to shape their private lives,
politics and policies according to his teachings.
Who, then, is this man Muhammad?
The Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh): Today
Early Life in Makkah
The Prophet (pbuh) at Makkah
The Prophet (pbuh) at Madinah
Attack by the Makkans
Society Building
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