From a Muslim to Skeptics about Islam: Think.

During these times of explicit hatred displayed by certain groups toward The Truthful and last Prophet and Messenger; Prophet Muhammad Peace and Blessings be Upon Him, this is a modest attempt to factually clarify who Our Noble Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him was. I am absolutely not a religious scholar or even a pious person. Way way far from this – possibly not a even a decent person at times. I am an ordinary Muslim, a human being providing facts for whoever wants to read, use their common sense, critical thinking and intellect to see clearly. I am not a native english speaker. Nor am I a writer. So, please excuse my writing style.??

First of all, As Muslims, which literally means in Arabic “those who have submitted to the will of THE LORD”, we are divinely ordered to verify information narrated, relayed, heard of, or reported by a wicked individual. We are supposed to seek facts and investigate until absolute and clear truth is obvious, so no one is hurt unjustly. The Lord says “O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done” Verse 6, Al-?ujurāt, Holly Qur'an

Clearly many who have some sort of apprehension about Islam, those who attack and have attacked Islam and the Prophet lack substantial and even basic knowledge about Islam and its Honorable Messenger. The information they have or their understanding is often not only superficial but based on corrupted information from media, movies, or casual non-factual discussions. Other times, their understanding of Islam is limited to their perception of certain individuals’ culture, traditions and lifestyle. Islam is not necessarily or exactly what some display nowadays – It’s not the way some dress, act or behave. Actually, If you’re judging Islam based on what some of us do or how some of us act, you may be personally losing on a lot. An accurate and fair assessment of what Islam is should be based on facts and research. Mr. Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) explains: "Before I learned about Muslims I learned about the Qur'an first. If I had learned about Muslims (before the Qur'an) I would never have become a Muslim".

Before even getting to the facts, it may be worthwhile to highlight a psychological phenomenon to understand what many Muslims continue to confront. When debating, a wrong person who’s intellectually and factually challenged can perceive themselves as a looser, can feel weak, uncertain, and unconfident. They can start doubting their own beliefs and opinions. In the case where such a person is also a bad one, and often because of deep arrogance, self-entitlement, and ego, they would prefer to completely overlook truth and facts in order to avoid having to admit that they’re wrong or to simply not feel defeated. Sometimes they could switch from argumentation and respectful discussion to the use of force and/or insult. This is exactly what we’re living. This is not to say that Muslims are right out of arrogance. Muslims have simply accepted evidences and facts presented to humanity though Messengers of the Divine and they’re supposed to be obeying the rules. They are not supposed to be imposing their beliefs on others nor are they supposed to be accepting to overlook certain divine orders to please or accommodate other groups. Yet, they are respectful, understand that we all as humanity come down from Adam and Eve, that we’re a single nation but that each individual has a serious choice to make in this life. This is so explicit in the Holly Quran where the Lord says:

“There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower” Surah Al Baqarah Verse 256 Translation SurahQuran.org.

The Lord also says “And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Part of verse 29 29 Surah Al Kahf.

Emanating from the Lord’s ultimate wisdom, Muslims are not even allowed to insult other people who worship other than the Lord. They know for a fact that certain actions are not only wrong but that those actions will be severely punished for eternity if those individuals do not sincerely repent. They can advise their sisters/brothers in humanity, they can try to share whatever knowledge they received but they cannot impose nor guide someone to believe in a certain way.

The Lord says “And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do” Surah Al-An’am?Verse 108.

Now, in terms of facts and evidences, a fascinating reality about the time we are living in today is that science, technology, and advanced research conducted predominantly in non-Muslim countries by mostly non-Muslim researchers and scientists are proving that not many, not most, but that every single prediction or claim – be it of scientific, historical, sociological or of any other character - revealed in the Quran or shared by the prophet – over 1400 years ago is absolutely accurate and factual. No surprise some of the people involved or heading those researches, end up reverting to Islam. Indeed, some of those high caliber scientists – some of which known for previously being harsh atheists - explain that there is absolutely no way for a human being to have had access to those truths over 1400 years ago except through some sort of extraordinary power - by way of divine intervention.

Before moving on further, I think another important element to highlight here, is the integrity and mental stability of those scientists who revert to Islam. There is a gigantic difference between scientific research/evidence/theory presented by a person known for decades for integrity, fairness, and psychological stability and one presented by someone known for being deeply angry for a reason or another – one that is angry internally for not achieving something that seemed important to them, for being handicapped, or being poor – for suffering from deep hatred and envy toward others, being deeply arrogant and holding a grudge against The LORD The Most Merciful for the state or situation they are or were in, and using whatever position, power or influence they have to mislead people – simply to satisfy a corrupt self and feel better thinking they took revenge for whatever that hurt them - Not understanding that |1| all of creation from the first to the last with all galaxies and everything in between are powerless to the level where their fundamental existence is dictated by the Lord’s will. That the Divine does absolutely not benefit any any way shape or form from the piety of a person nor does if suffer from the disbelief or the wrongdoing of another. He is The Self-Sustained Glorious Creator and |2| that whatever hardship that stroked was maybe a test or wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. For me personally, even the slightest hardships are not something easy, as I am a weak person and tend to almost collapse in front of adversity. May Allah protect all believers!

Now, getting to the point about the individuals who try to discredit The Prophet Muhammad Peace and Blessings be Upon Him and wrongfully blame Him Peace and Blessings be upon him for marrying our Mother Aicha may The Lord be Pleased with Her at a relatively young age. In making such a light and unfounded statement, these individuals fail in their analysis to be fair and just.

Some overlook context - so they end up mislead. Others, tend to overlook evidence as a whole simply to avoid having to accept a truth and the obligations that come with it. Obligations that are sometimes or often times against their unfair personal interests, financial or non-financial, obligations that don’t fit with their desires, wants, lifestyle preferences, and social “position”. Remember that at the time when The Prophet Peace and Blessings Upon Him started receiving Divine Revelation, many who have been referring to him as the “The Honest The Truthful” for years and years if not decades before he was tasked with Prophethood, wouldn’t accept his message not because it wasn’t truth but because they benefited unjustly from and had interests in maintaining the then corrupt social system. Some would even suggest to the Prophet to have days where he would meet with what they qualified as the social elite and other days for whom they perceived as “the ignorant low social class”. The Divine having decreed that all human beings are equal, the Prophet would simply dismiss such a proposal, and hence their decision to reject his message.

Back to the individuals with unfounded statements about the Prophet’s marriage - Their judgment can emanate from deep ignorance and lack of understanding. Judging any action out of context could be unfair. For example - example inspired from what I understood from the explanation of Dr. Adnan Ibrahim - note that I may not be reporting with total accuracy here.. added a piece here - one could have a certain perception of a mother when he hears that her child dislikes her for forcing him to drink a sour liquid every night – thinking for example that she may be giving him sedatives to sleep so she can go out. But when that same person has the full picture and knows that the caring mom makes sure her son gets the necessary medicine to combat her/his illness, then her/his judgment about the mom and her actions can considerably change. Context and unbiased facts are important elements for understanding events.

Marrying a women that some would categorize as a relatively young girl was a commonly accepted practice in old Arabia. This was a social norm, nothing out of the ordinary. In Europe, many young girls were simply raped not even married – had no social or financial protection that came with marriage. On the contrary, under Islam, Men in Arabia had very serious obligations toward their wives and children. Additionally, think about The Prophet’s Peace and Blessings be Upon Him opponents at the time. Why wouldn’t people who defined themselves as enemies of the Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him not blame him then for doing so? They claimed He was a liar Peace and Blessings be Upon Him but never pointed out his marriage or brought up this marriage as being a wrongful one. This shows how it was perfectly acceptable.

Moreover and besides culture, societal norms and timing, don’t those people think about and accept mere scientific facts. What about physiology - SCIENCE - isn't puberty the clear indicator of a girl/women readiness to carry a child? SIMPLE PURE FAIR UNCORRUPT LOGIC. Aren't there young girls that look physically more mature for their age? Additionally, not all people develop in the same way. The circumstances under which people are raised could have an impact on their intellectual capacity and development. Kids raised, thought, and trained about serious life matters could mentally develop quicker and even act more wisely and more responsibly then other kids that are spoiled – like myself - Didn’t you ever notice a child and thought that she/he speaks, thinks and acts older than her/his age? Our Mother Aicha was known for being a super smart person even at a young age.

Besides all of this, how young was our Mother Aicha when she got married. To my knowledge there is no consensus on her age when she got married to The Prophet. Getting married at 16 for example is still common place in many parts of the world. Moreover, wasn't our Mother Aicha May the Lord be Pleased with Her – the concerned individual- Happy? Mother Aicha is known to have had personality and unquestionably had the freedom to speak her mind. Actually, women in general, when the Prophet’s Peace and Blessings be Upon Him started receiving divine revelation got and exercised unprecedented rights and freedoms - without having to fight for them - at a time when other women in Europe were beaten up and their counterparts in parts of Asia were inherited. So why didn’t she ever complain about that marriage? Why would she manifest her satisfaction about that marriage? After The Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him died, why would she continue to attest to his noble character Peace and Blessings be Upon Him? Why would she mourn him and speak highly of HIM peace and blessings be upon HIM?

Also, would a dishonest impostor get involved in any action that could severely discredit her/him? Impostors think and calculate how they might be perceive, what others might think, and then act accordingly.

The Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him was so authentic and true that even when some followers associated an eclipse to the death of the Prophet's son Ibrahim May He Rest in Peace; He Peace and Blessings be Upon Him totally rejected that and clarified to people what was going on.

This event is reported on al-islam.org where you can read "Solar eclipse took place on the day Ibrahim passed away. Some persons, who were ignorant of the laws of nature, thought that the sun had been eclipsed on account of the death of Ibrahim. Although this thinking was absolutely baseless, it could apparently be beneficial for the Prophet. In case, therefore, he had been an ordinary and a worldly leader he could very well confirm this view and thus prove his own magnificence and greatness.

However, as opposed to this thinking, he mounted the pulpit and informed the people of the factual position. He said: "O People! Be it known to you that the sun and the moon are the signs of the Power of Allah. They move in a particular course which Allah has prescribed for them according to the laws of nature. They are not eclipsed on account of the death or birth of anyone. It is your duty, at the time of solar eclipse, to offer prayers".

As opposed to many people, who not only interpret facts in their own favour but also take advantage of the ignorance and superstitious thinking of the people, he did not conceal facts and did not try to profit from the ignorance of the people.".

And ultimately if The Prophet’s action was wrong even to a minimal level would the Lord The Most High accept that? The Lord the Most Just who reprehended him explicitly in the Holly Quran for frowning in the face of a blind person… Yes, a blind person who was coming up to speak with him when the Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him was already in a discussion with someone else. Even that tiny event – that the blind person didn’t even see or got hurt because of it – wouldn’t be acceptable from The Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him.

The Lord says “(1) He [i.e., the Prophet (?) ] frowned and turned away (2) Because there came to him the blind man,[1853] [interrupting].” Holly Quran, Surah Abasa’ Verse 1 and 2 – Translation Sahih International.

Would the Lord The Most Compassionate accept from him any “worst” action? Suffices us to know that The Lord The Most Merciful made a timeless and ultimate end to any questioning about his noble character saying in the Holly Quran “And indeed, you are of a great moral character” Surah Al Qalam verse 4.

Actually, what might be absurd or maybe even funny is that some of those who blame The Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him for his marriage with our Mother Aicha May The Divine be pleased with her forget or overlook how The Prophet Peace and Blessings Upon Him was known even to the enemies of Islam for being faithful and not a wrongdoer. Those men who may be cheating on their wives, breaking their hearts, sometimes destroying their own families, their spouses self-esteem and even their own kids ‘mental health and emotional wellbeing, allow themselves to make statements about what’s right and wrong! Some don't even recognize their legitimate children, some sometimes disappear and leave their women at crucial times. Leaving them with almost unbearable responsibilities, causing so much atrocities… kids sometimes growing up with psychological issues having no clue about who their dad is, sometimes women having financial challenges to provide sustenance for their family and end up doing drugs or working in challenging environments where they’re sometimes abused. Worst, sometimes women can’t afford a place, return to live at their parents place…a place where some grandfathers use and abuse the kids. I am not pretending to be better than any of those guys. I could act in a worst manner. Sometimes events are unbearable and one can at times deviate and act irrationally. But the one who’s flawed and morally weak shouldn’t assume everyone else is the same. May Allah The Most Merciful protect Believers from such actions.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Verily, from what was learnt by the people from the speech of the earliest prophecy is: If you feel no shame, then do as you wish.” Imam Al Bukhari Hadith 20, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi. The Prophets Peace and Blessings be Upon them all, were certainly divinely inspired to say such a profound statement.

At the end of the day, truth is obvious and clear to anyone willing to sincerely search for/accept it – regardless of who is delivering it. His authentic biography is a testimony and a living proof of his true Prophethood. A person can fake being someone else –be an imposter- when they have financial or some other type of interest in such an action. The Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him suffered immensely IMMENSELY from having the responsibility of delivering the divine message. He went through huge adversity and lived a very very modest life, even when got divinely ultra powerful. He had no exuberrant luxuries although he could have been the wealthiest person to walk earth and left nothing after his death. Actually, The Messenger of God, peace be upon him, died while his armor was mortgaged to a Jew for some food – Al Bukhari May The Lord be pleased with Him. One should question themself. Why would an imposter or liar go through a mountain of struggles and calamities for no worldly benefit? That’s absolute craziness. The only –ONLY- reason someone would do what the Prophet did is if they’re absolutely certain about resurrection and the Divine message they have received.?

The Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him was of ultimate noble character. For decades prior to receiving revelation, he was known for being extremely honest in trade and in all matters, for standing for justice, for being modest, for respecting the elder, for visiting the sick, for supporting the poor, for valuing family relationships, etc. To even the ones that were the worst to Him Peace and Blessings be Upon Him HE SINCERELY FORGAVE. He was just. At times he had to take decisions to make justice maintain order and ensure people’s dignity, property and interests weren’t corrupted. Who would want to live in a state where their life, family and property is not protected – because the authorothies are so nice they forgive everyone even the unjust murders, the serial thiefs etc? How would anyone act if a thief/murdrer breaks into their home and try to kill their children? Would those people simply sit and watch their children being abused or killed without fighting? Is that the definition of how a good person should act? That’s cowardly. Our Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him was Brave, extremely Just and never ever an oppressor!

?How could someone who teaches and embodies compassion and forgiveness be anything other than Honorable? The Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him said:

“You do not do evil to those who do evil to you, but you deal with them with forgiveness and kindness” Imam Al-Bukhari

“The best of you are those who are best to their women” Sunan Al- Tirmidhi

“The nearest of you to me on the day of judgment will be the one who is best in character” Imam Al-Bukhari

“Speak a good word or remain silent” Imam Al-Bukhari

“The best of the deeds or deed is the (observance of) prayer at its proper time and kindness to the parents” Imam Muslim

Finally, please know that this is not a light emotional trial to support a personal belief. Even high caliber non-Muslim intellectuals –known for being honest and not racist- throughout history have publicly recognized the splendid character and the ultimate nobility and honesty of the Prophet Muhammad Peace and Blessings be Upon Him.

Astrophysicist, Michael H. Hart, ranked Him Peace and Blessings be Upon Him number one in “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History”.

Professor William Montgomery Watt explains "His readiness to undergo persecutions for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems than it solves. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad." al-islam.org

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi explains "....I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These, and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every trouble." al-islam.org

Reverend Bosworth Smith explains "… he was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without the Pope's pretensions, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar. Without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue, if ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by a right Divine, it was Mohammed; for he had all the power without its instruments and without its supports." al-islam.org

Washington Irving explains “He was sober and abstemious in his diet, and a rigorous observer of fasts. He indulged in no magnificence of apparel, the ostentation of a petty mind; neither was his simplicity in dress affected, but the result of a real disregard to distinction from so trivial a source ... In his private dealings he was just. He treated friends and strangers, the rich and poor, the powerful and the weak, with equity, and was beloved by the common people for the affability with which he received them, and listened to their complaints ... His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory, as they would have done had they been effected for selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manners and appearance as in the days of his adversity. So far from affecting regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonial of respect were shown to him." al-islam.org

Annie Besant ("It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher." al-islam.org

Finally, to all sisters and brothers in Humanity, please know that the Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him was sent to all of humanity. He never wanted harm for anybody but wanted people to be happy and prepare for what’s coming next. There is an inevitable reality that we all agree on – death. Instead of insulting, a wise person would think for themselves, use their intellect and critical mind, and do research to learn about the Prophet Peace and blessings be Upon Him and the message he was tasked to deliver, in order to self-evaluate and get to a point where they can make sound judgments.

The Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him said, "Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious, said; 'O My slaves, I have prohibited Myself injustice; and have made oppression unlawful for you, so do not oppress one another. O My slaves, all of you are liable to err except the one whom I guide on the Right Path, so seek guidance from Me so that I will guide you to the Right Path. O My slaves, all of you are hungry except the one whom I feed, so ask food from Me, I will feed you. O My slaves, all of you are naked except those whom I clothe, so ask clothing of Me and I shall clothe you. O My slaves, you commit sins night and day and I forgive all sins, so seek My forgiveness and I shall forgive you. O My slaves, you can neither do Me any harm nor can you do Me any good. O My slaves, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any man of you, that would not increase My domain a thing. O My slaves, were the first of you, and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any man of you, that would not decrease My domain in a thing. O My slaves, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to stand in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more than a needle decrease the sea if put into it. O My slaves, it is but your deeds that I reckon for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good (i.e., in the Hereafter) praise Allah and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself."'. Imam Muslim - Riyad as-Salihin 111 - sunnah.com

I understand that it is not easy to overcome preconceptions and biases that have been fed up to your unconscious and identity and hammered into the way you think through propaganda. But know that no human being is capable of guiding another. They can be a reason for guidance but they cannot guide. Only the Lord The Most High Guides. The Lord The Most Compassionate And Most Generous Offers His Guidance To Whomever is Sincerely Seeking it. May The Supreme make me and every believer among the ones HE The Most High guides.

Glory to Allah! I Thank ALLAH THE SUPREME for being Muslim and I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Prophet Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger!

ALLAH KNOWS BEST

If anything is on point, accurately explained then it is from ALLAH alone, and if I am wrong or made any mistake then it is from myself and Satan and ALLAH and HIS MESSENGER are innocent of that.?