Prepared by sheikh: Yusuf Estes(former Christian preacher)
The following is based on books, manuscripts, texts and actual eyewitness accounts, too numerous to mention herein, preserved in original form throughout the centuries by both Muslims and non-Muslims. Many people today are discussing Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Who was he (PBUH) exactly? What did he (PBUH) teach? Why was he (PBUH) loved so much by some and hated so much by others? Did he (PBUH) live up to his claims? Was he (PBUH) a holy man? Was he (PBUH) a prophet of God? What is the truth about this man (PBUH) ?
First before listing the A-Z Facts about Muhammad (PBUH), let us begin with the very simple historical evidences.
Here are the facts as narrated by thousands of people, many of whom knew him personally.
Muhammad (PBUH) ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul Mutalib (Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, the son of Abdul Mutalib) was born 570 C.E. (Christian Era); died 633 C.E. Muhammad means “praised one” or “praising one”
Muhammad (PBUH) was born from the lineage of Abraham’s (Ibrahim in Arabic) peace be upon him, his oldest son was Ishmael (Ismail in Arabic), to the noble tribe of the Quraish who were the leaders of Makkah in those days.
He (PBUH) never fell into the common practice of his tribesmen to worship statues, idols or man-made “gods.”
He (PBUH) believed that God ( Allah in Arabic) was truly One God, and as such, and that God was to be worshipped alone, without any other “gods” beside Him.
He (PBUH) held the Name of God ( Allah ) in the highest of reverence and never took God’s Name in vain or for any vainglorious purpose.
He (PBUH) despised false worship and all of the complexities and degradation to which it leads.
He (PBUH) insisted on keeping the Commandments of Almighty God, just as prophets of old had done in the past.
He (PBUH) never committed adultery, and he forbid others from doing it.
He (PBUH) forbade usury and interest on money lending, as Jesus, peace be upon him, had done centuries before him.
He (PBUH) never gambled and did not allow it.
He (PBUH) never drank alcohol or strong drink, even though it was a very normal thing for people of his time and place.
He (PBUH) did not engage in gossip and used to turn away from hearing anything related to it.
He (PBUH) offered prayers in the manner and direction (toward Jerusalem, until Allah ordered the change toward Makkah) as was prescribed of prophets in the Bible, standing, bowing, kneeling and prostrating as they had done before him.
He (PBUH) fasted for days at a time to be closer to Almighty God and away from the narrowness of worldly attractions.
He (PBUH) taught that Jesus, peace be upon him, was the immaculate conception and miracle birth of Mary (peace be upon her), and that she (peace be upon her) was the best creation of Almighty God.
He (PBUH) insisted even to the Jews of Al-Madinah, that Jesus, peace be upon him, was the Messiah, the Christ, the one predicted to come in their Torah (Old Testament).
He (PBUH) said Jesus, peace be upon him, did many miracles by the permission of Almighty God, curing the lepers, restoring sight to the blind and even bringing a dead man back to life.
He (PBUH) stated clearly that Jesus, peace be upon him, was not crucified, rather Almighty God had raised him up.
He (PBUH) predicted Jesus, peace be upon him, is going to return again in the Last Days to lead the true believers in a victory over the evil and unrighteous people, and he will destroy the Anti-Christ.
He (PBUH) commanded the payment of charity to the poor and he was the defender and protector of widows, orphans and the wayfarers.
He (PBUH) ordered people to unite with their families and honor the ties of kinship and he restored relationships between family members.
He (PBUH) required his followers to engage only in lawful marriage relationships with women, and forbid sex outside of Almighty God’s Ordinance.
He (PBUH) insisted on giving women their proper rights, dowries, inheritance and property.
His (PBUH) patience and humble attitude were exemplary and all who knew him had to admit to these virtues.