Written by: Maulana Maududi (رحمه الله)
In the world of 1400 years ago:
✔ Means of communication between humans were extremely limited.
✔ Relations and connections between nations and countries were weak.
✔ There was a lack of knowledge and information; thoughts were narrow, and superstitions were widespread.
✔ It was an era dominated by ignorance, and the light of knowledge struggled to make its way.
✔ There were no telegraphs, telephones, radios, trains, airplanes, or printing presses.
✔ No schools or colleges existed for education, nor were books widely written or published.
✔ The knowledge of a "scholar" of that time was less than that of an average individual today.
✔ There was no tradition of education in Arabia, nor were there schools or libraries.
✔ Only a handful of people knew how to read and write, and even their knowledge was extremely limited.
✔ No central government existed—each tribe was independent and lived by the "law of the jungle."
✔ Moral values were poor, and life was filthy. Murder, adultery, gambling, and intoxication were common.
✔ Women would perform Tawaf unclothed, and daughters were buried alive.
✔ Arabs were engrossed in idolatry, spirit-worship, and polytheism.
✔ Their knowledge about prophets was incomplete and distorted.
✔ A man, whose parents and grandfather passed away during his childhood, grew up in such an environment.
✔ He herded goats in his youth, engaged in trade, and mingled with the common Arabs.
✔ He had no opportunity for formal education, nor did he sit in the company of any scholar.
✔ He never lied, was known for his truthfulness, and was called “Al-Ameen” by his people.
✔ He never usurped anyone’s rights and lived a pure life, avoiding filth and evil.
✔ He detested shirk and idolatry and remained firm upon his pure nature.
✔ That man emerged from the Cave of Hira with a message of prophethood.
✔ He called towards Tawhid, forbade shirk and immoral practices, and initiated a moral revolution.
✔ The people responded with insults, persecution, and eventually forced him into exile.
✔ He endured continuous hardship for 21 years but never wavered from his mission.
✔ He rejected offers of political power, wealth, and luxury.
✔ He was not only an unparalleled orator but also a jurist, statesman, military commander, and moral teacher.
✔ He laid the foundation of a civilization that was balanced in all aspects—religion, politics, society, and economy.
✔ He taught the world equality, humanity, and Tawhid.
✔ Unlike other great leaders of history who were one-dimensional, this personality embodied all virtues.
✔ He was not only a guide for his own time, but his teachings continue to offer modern-day guidance.
✔ A man whose character, teachings, and accomplishments were beyond the capacity of any false claimant.
✔ His successes and truthfulness are proof that he was truly a Prophet sent by Allah.
✔ He attributed all his achievements to Allah and never reserved anything for himself.
◈ The State of the World 1400 Years Ago
In the world of 1400 years ago:
✔ Means of communication between humans were extremely limited.
✔ Relations and connections between nations and countries were weak.
✔ There was a lack of knowledge and information; thoughts were narrow, and superstitions were widespread.
✔ It was an era dominated by ignorance, and the light of knowledge struggled to make its way.
◈ Scarcity of Means for Progress
✔ There were no telegraphs, telephones, radios, trains, airplanes, or printing presses.
✔ No schools or colleges existed for education, nor were books widely written or published.
✔ The knowledge of a "scholar" of that time was less than that of an average individual today.
◈ The Condition of Arabia: A Cradle of Ignorance
✦ Lack of Education and Culture
✔ There was no tradition of education in Arabia, nor were there schools or libraries.
✔ Only a handful of people knew how to read and write, and even their knowledge was extremely limited.
✦ Tribal Life
✔ No central government existed—each tribe was independent and lived by the "law of the jungle."
✔ Moral values were poor, and life was filthy. Murder, adultery, gambling, and intoxication were common.
✔ Women would perform Tawaf unclothed, and daughters were buried alive.
✦ Religious Deviation
✔ Arabs were engrossed in idolatry, spirit-worship, and polytheism.
✔ Their knowledge about prophets was incomplete and distorted.
◈ That Great Personality Born in Arabia
✦ Childhood and Youth
✔ A man, whose parents and grandfather passed away during his childhood, grew up in such an environment.
✔ He herded goats in his youth, engaged in trade, and mingled with the common Arabs.
✔ He had no opportunity for formal education, nor did he sit in the company of any scholar.
✦ Moral Superiority
✔ He never lied, was known for his truthfulness, and was called “Al-Ameen” by his people.
✔ He never usurped anyone’s rights and lived a pure life, avoiding filth and evil.
✔ He detested shirk and idolatry and remained firm upon his pure nature.
◈ The Commencement of Prophethood and the Reaction of His People
✦ The Call to Truth
✔ That man emerged from the Cave of Hira with a message of prophethood.
✔ He called towards Tawhid, forbade shirk and immoral practices, and initiated a moral revolution.
✔ The people responded with insults, persecution, and eventually forced him into exile.
✦ Perseverance and Sacrifices
✔ He endured continuous hardship for 21 years but never wavered from his mission.
✔ He rejected offers of political power, wealth, and luxury.
◈ A Great Revolution: The Emergence of a Global Leader
✦ A Perfect Embodiment of Excellence
✔ He was not only an unparalleled orator but also a jurist, statesman, military commander, and moral teacher.
✔ He laid the foundation of a civilization that was balanced in all aspects—religion, politics, society, and economy.
✔ He taught the world equality, humanity, and Tawhid.
✦ His Place in Human History
✔ Unlike other great leaders of history who were one-dimensional, this personality embodied all virtues.
✔ He was not only a guide for his own time, but his teachings continue to offer modern-day guidance.
◈ Conclusion: Who Was This Great Man?
✔ A man whose character, teachings, and accomplishments were beyond the capacity of any false claimant.
✔ His successes and truthfulness are proof that he was truly a Prophet sent by Allah.
✔ He attributed all his achievements to Allah and never reserved anything for himself.
