Prophet Muhammad: Role Model in Armstrong’s Perspective

Armstrong's Perspective on Muhammad

In Karen Armstrong’s Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time, Armstrong paints Muhammad in a more sympathetic light than his Western critics would like. Before Muhammad, Pre-Islam, The Arabian Peninsula had been marked by violence and vendettas, but Muhammad sought to unify under the religion of Islam and the teachings of Allah. As Muhammad gained notoriety, his own tribe, the Quraysh, began to turn on him. Feeling oppressed by the Quraysh, Muhammad had nine of the Emigrants raid a small caravan in Nakhlah during the end of Rajab, where all fighting was forbidden.

Even Muhammad’s followers were disgusted by this act of disrespect. However, Muhammad rationalized that the act of “driving the Muslims from their homes had been even more heinous.” Muhammad’s teachings were so powerful that one of the captives from the raid decided to stay in Islam. Muhammad’s faith in Allah put him in a “novel position” on the Arabian Peninsula in the early 600s, and his leadership style helped him in his jihad against the Quraysh tribe of Mecca.

Muhammad's Novel Position in Early Arabia

Muhammad’s faith in Allah put him in a “novel position” on the Arabian Peninsula in the early 600s because prior to Muhammad and Islam muruwah, the code of conduct which focused on courage during battle, patience during times of suffering, and vengeance regarding one’s tribe, had ruled the land. Muhammad was set apart from the rest of the Quraysh because he disagreed on the issue of fixing society: “The Quraysh had jettisoned the best and retained only the worst aspects of muruwah.

He was convinced that social reform must be based on a new spiritual solution, or it would remain superficial.” This split Muhammad’s family up; some supported him while others did not. As with many traditional cultures, people were quick to close their eyes and cover their ears. His influence over the lower classes, as well as the young, quickly increased the divide among people.

As stated by Armstrong, he believed that society would be destroyed once it became divided against itself. The careful way Muhammad went about acting on beliefs largely contributed to his “novel position” on the Arabian Peninsula: “In the Qur’an, God instructed Muhammad to listen intently to each revelation as it emerged; he must be careful not to impose a meaning before its full significance had become entirely clear.” This shows how Muhammad was not rash in making decisions but would rather let the solution come to him.

Another example of this way of thinking is seen after the forbidden month’s raid: “He had no fixed master plan and, unlike some of his more impetuous companions, he rarely responded to a crisis immediately but took time to reflect until. He would bring forth what seemed an inspired solution.” Instead of acting like most would, he waited for Allah to show him the path. His faith in Allah resulted in the Medinese looking up to him.

Leadership and Conversions

Muhammad’s leadership style helped him in his jihad, struggle, or fight against the Quraysh by not forcing his beliefs onto others. He never felt like he had to force anyone to believe that he was the prophet. Instead, he let Allah’s teachings speak for themselves. Besides the captive from the caravan of the forbidden months’ raid, other opponents would convert, one being ‘Umar. While Muhammad was reciting the Qur’an, ‘Umar decided to listen, “Then the power of the Qur’an did its work: ‘When I heard the Qur’an, my heart softened, and I wept, and Islam entered into me.’”

Muhammad did not need to convince him. He let the religion do the talking. It seemed that his relaxed leadership style helped him gain more converts. Muhammad did not want to kill once the enemies had already been defeated. It would be hypocritical of one to preach peace, forgiveness, and courage and then murder out of emotion; he refused to become one of the Quraysh. He believed that prisoners should be either released or ransomed: “Constantly the Qur’an insists upon the importance of mercy and forgiveness, even during armed conflict.

While engaged in hostilities, Muslims must fight with courage. But the moment the enemy asks for peace, Muslims must lay down their arms.” This idea only furthered the spread of Islam. In the face of controversy, Muhammad still stood by his belief system. A foreign idea, sexual equality, was introduced to him, splitting the community once again. Even when confronted, he stood by Allah: “’ Can one give the right of inheritance to women and children. Are they now going to inherit just like men.’ ‘Yes, absolutely.’” Ultimately, Muhammad’s leadership style led to the retaking of Mecca and new converts to the Quraysh.

Legacy and Eternal Lessons

In conclusion, Muhammad was put in a “novel position” because of his authenticity and loyalty to Allah, and his relaxed and unwavering leadership style helped his jihad against the Quraysh. The story of Muhammad is one that teaches several eternal lessons: be mindful, be generous, be forgiving, and avoid selfishness, greed, and arrogance. “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself” – Muhammad.

• Armstrong, K. (2006). Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time. HarperOne.

Did you like this example?

250

13