The Prophet of Mercy Website

The universal nature of Islam was confirmed early in the Prophet's mission, while a small number of his followers were being oppressed in Makkah. At that time Allah had revealed: "And We have not sent you except as a mercy for the worlds."[1] Again, while yet in Makkah, Allah instructed him: Say, "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no god except Him; He gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided."[2]

Of the communications sent to foreign heads of state by the Prophet, those to the Negus (King of Abyssinia), to Heraclius (Byzantine Emperor), to the Muqawqis (Ruler of the Copts in Egypt) and to Chosroes (Emperor of Persia), and are the most well-known. Each of his letters began in the name of Allah, and their substance may be summarized as follows:

Ÿ From Muhammad, Messenger of God, to the Negus, Grand Ruler of Abyssinia:

Peace be upon him who follows right guidance. I praise Allah (God), other than whom there is no deity, and I testify that Jesus, the son of Mary, is the Spirit of God, and His Word which He sent to Mary, the good and pure virgin. She conceived Jesus through His spirit and His breath just as He created Adam by His hand and His breath. I invite you to God, who is one without any associate, and to His obedience, and to follow me and believe in what has come to me, for I am the Messenger of God. I invite you and your men to God, the Mighty and Majestic. I have communicated this, so accept my advice.[3]

Ÿ From Muhammad, Messenger of God, to Heraclius, Emperor of Rome:

Peace be upon him who follows right guidance. I hereby invite you to Islam. Accept Islam; you will be in peace and God will give you your reward doubled. But if you do not, the sin of your subjects will [also] be upon you. "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you – that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah."[4]

Ÿ From Muhammad, Messenger of God, to Chosroes, Emperor of Persia:

Peace be upon him who follows right guidance, believes in God and His Messenger and testifies that there is no god but Allah alone with no associate, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. I invite you to God, for I am the Messenger of God to all people, to warn those who are alive and verify [His] decree against the disbelievers. Accept Islam and you will be in peace. But if you refuse, the sin of the fire worshippers will [also] be upon you.[5]

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Not even three years had passed following the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah when the Quraysh violated their obligations.[6] Their attempts to deceive the Prophet about the matter failed, and in the eighth year after the Hijrah a Muslim army of 10,000 led by the Prophet of Allah marched towards Makkah. Nearing the city, the Prophet's uncle, Abbas, encountered Abu Sufyan, then leader of the Quraysh, and advised him to join the Prophet and avert bloodshed. Abu Sufyan accompanied him to the Prophet's campsite and declared his acceptance of Islam. In a gesture of generosity, the Prophet promised that anyone who entered the house of Abu Sufyan would be safe, as well as those who entered the Sacred Mosque in which was the Ka`bah. The leader of the Quraysh returned to Makkah, warning his people that resistance would be of no avail against the Muslim forces. So they apprehensively awaited the army's approach.

The army of companions had been divided into two factions, one led by the Prophet and one by his brilliant commander, Khalid bin al-Waleed. Khalid's faction was met by allies of the Quraysh who attempted to prevent them from entering the city but were easily overcome. The Prophet's faction met no resistance at all. In a manner so unlike that of an arrogant conqueror, Prophet Muhammad entered the city whose people had been a source of abuse and injury for twenty years. Bowing humbly, he gave thanks to Allah for His great favor and the victory for Islam.

The Ka`bah, built for Allah and the very symbol of monotheism, had been turned into a house of idols and images, housing 360 objects of worship in and around it. Upon entering Makkah, Prophet Muhammad proceeded to the House of Allah. He circled it seven times as prescribed, while breaking the idols in his path and reciting: "The truth has come and falsehood has perished. Indeed, falsehood [by nature] is bound to perish."[7] The door of the Ka`bah was opened and Allah's Messenger had the pictures within it effaced and all the idols destroyed, thereby purifying the House for the worship of Allah alone, as it was always meant to be. He then entered and prayed to his Lord inside the Ka`bah.

Then he came out, returned the key to its traditional custodian and addressed the Quraysh, saying, "What do you suppose I should do with you?" In spite of their former animosity, they knew him. They replied, "What is good. You are a generous brother and the son of a generous brother." Said the Messenger of Allah, "No blame will there be on you today. Go, for you are free."

Thus did Almighty Allah open the hearts of the people to Islam. After observing that justice was truly established, the former enemies came to the Prophet, asking for forgiveness and declaring their commitment to Islam. And he accepted them all. Even those who had joined the Muslims initially for worldly advantage or material gain now accepted the religion from their hearts, dedicating themselves sincerely to Allah.

The Prophet remained in Makkah for nineteen days during which he gave numerous addresses, teaching the religion and explaining its legislation. He also sent deputies to destroy the temples of pagan gods in the areas surrounding the city and received delegations and individuals pledging allegiance to Allah and His Messenger. The liberation and complete transformation of Makkah was accomplished within these few days.

However, the neighboring city of Ta'if remained hostile and was determined to defend its idols. They also aspired to defeat the Muslims in order to replace the Quraysh as custodians of the Ka`bah. Their armies assembled and advanced toward Makkah. In order to avoid bloodshed in the vicinity of the Ka`bah, the Prophet led his forces out of the city to meet them. They were made up of the 10,000 who had accompanied him from Madinah joined by another 2000 from the newly converted youths of Makkah. A bit overconfident due to their now greater numbers, the Muslims were at first somewhat careless in this encounter, leading to losses and the wounding of the Prophet. Yet, in the end they were victorious by the will of Allah. Again, no retribution was carried out against the people of Ta'if.

Fearing the expansion of the Prophet's influence and authority in Arabia, the oppressive Byzantine Empire amassed troops in preparation for an attack. In response to this, the Prophet organized a march to the north. The long and difficult journey was yet another test for the believers, and upon finally reaching the settlement of Tabuk, they found the Romans had withdrawn. Not long after the Prophet's death, the mighty empires of Rome and Persia were defeated, liberating the peoples under their occupation who gladly sought refuge in the justice of Islam.

In the tenth year following the Hijrah, a great multitude of Muslims from Madinah joined by others from every part of the Arabian Peninsula accompanied the Messenger of Allah to Makkah to perform the rites of Hajj.[8]

It was during this pilgrimage that Allah revealed verses which alluded to the fact that Prophet Muhammad's mission on earth was completed and that the time of his death was near. And it was then that he gave what is known as his "farewell address" in which he clarified and confirmed many aspects of the law and in which he called for justice to all people.

He explained the fundamental principles of Islam and denounced polytheism and ignorance. He declared life, honor and property to be inviolable and that all practices of the pagan past were now abolished. He addressed the rights of women and servants. He requested those present to pass on what they had heard to those who were absent, finally inquiring of them, "Have I conveyed the message?" Upon hearing their unanimous reply to the affirmative, he concluded, "O Allah, witness it." After the pilgrimage the Prophet remained in Makkah for ten days and then returned to Madinah.

The greatest longing of Prophet Muhammad was to meet his Lord, and now Allah was to permit him to leave this transitory world of test and trial for the eternal home where his wish would be fulfilled. The Prophet had completed his work on earth and discharged his trust. Early in the eleventh year he became ill. Perceiving the end was near, he addressed the people, inquiring whether he had wronged anyone or owed something to anyone, not wishing to leave behind the least liability. He continued to offer advice and warnings and to lead the people in congregational prayer. Finally, pain and fever so weakened him that he ordered Abu Bakr to lead the prayer in his place. He passed away three days later.

The companions were profoundly grieved, not only by the loss of their beloved Prophet but also because they knew there would be no further revelation from Allah. But as Abu Bakr declared to those still in shock and disbelief at the news, "If any worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. But whoever worships Allah, Allah is the Ever-Living, who will never die." And he recited the verse: "Muhammad is not but a messenger. Many messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed would you turn back on your heels [to disbelief]?"[9]

At the time of the Prophet's death, most inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula and the southern regions of Iraq and Palestine had voluntarily embraced Islam. Those Christians, Jews and Persians who remained attached to their own religions were granted freedom of belief as well as judicial, juridical and cultural autonomy. On numerous occasions he had upheld and emphasized the rights of non-Muslim citizens, and had said, "Whoever harms a non-Muslim [within our state] will have me as his adversary, and I will be his adversary on the Day of Resurrection."[10]

Muhammad was sent as a mercy from God to all of mankind. To posterity he left a creed of pure monotheism including comprehensive legislation based on a system of moral values. The teachings of God's final messenger live on through the authentic narrations found in volumes of hadith literature. Second only to the Qur'an, these narrations are held as proof in any cases of doubt or disagreement about what is allowed, prohibited or preferable within the religion, since the Prophet's authority is derived from the divine will.[11]

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[1] Qur'an - 21:107. Again, "We" denotes the grandeur and power of Allah.

[2] Qur'an - 7:158.

[3] The Negus replied positively and embraced Islam.

[4] The Qur'anic verse quoted is 3:64. The letter addressed to the Muqawqis in Egypt was worded similarly. Both Christian rulers acknowledged the truth of the message but worldly concerns prevented them from entering Islam.

[5] Upon receipt of the letter, Chosroes angrily tore it up and ill-treated the Prophet's envoy. The Prophet remarked that his empire would soon be torn up. This occurred within a period of eight years as it fell bit by bit to the advancing Muslims and most of the population entered Islam.

[6] Prophet Muhammad always adhered to the terms of treaties of which he was a party. He honored all promises and pacts and ordered his followers to do the same. Among the cardinal principles of his policy was that whenever he made an agreement, he abided by it strictly until it was violated by an enemy.

[7] Qur'an - 17:81.

[8] The greater pilgrimage, required of every Muslim who is physically and financially able once in a lifetime.

[9] Qur'an - 3:144.

[10] Narrated by al-Bukhari.

[11] In addition to the verses commanding him to convey and explain His message, Allah stated about His Messenger: He does not speak of his own inclination. It is not but an inspiration revealed. (53:3-4)

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