undertook what was to be his final pilgrimage to the Sacred Mosque. This shows how the Prophet was careful to introduce reforms gradually. Even when he wielded power, he did not attempt to hurry Islamic legislation;

did not mean that they should offer the Asr prayer only after having reached the destination, come what may. So, the Companions eventually offered prayer before reaching the Banu Qurayzah, which was contrary

the words of the Prophet. This incident is an example of doing ijtihad or reapplying a teaching of Islam in a changed situation. In today’s age also, ijtihad is a necessity. For example, the Quran says:

have detained his brother under the King’s law. (Quran 12:76)25.WHAT WAS THE CHARACTER OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD REALLY LIKE?The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, was born in Arabia on 22 April 570 AD

the first kind of discovery was achieved by the prophets. This experience happened at the level of what is seen (ruyat). It is described in the Quran in this verse: “We showed Abraham our Kingdom of the

so that he might have certainty of faith.” (The Quran, 6:75) The words regarding the Prophet of Islam are similar. “And certainly he saw him descend a second time.” (The Quran, 53:13). This kind of realization

possibilities, appeared so very precious and lovable to him! This is what is termed as ‘making something a deity’ in the terminology of Islam. A human being does not see the Creator directly, and so he makes

government is planning to develop the region as a tourist destination. According to the teachings of Islam, when the end of human history approaches, paving the way to the Hereafter, the Angel Israfil will

Mount Judi in Turkey responded to skepticism by saying that there is no plausible explanation for what they

Companions of the Prophet of Islam, printing press did not exist. Therefore, the Companions used to read out the Quran to people. In the present age of the printing press what is now required is to follow

official decree issued by the government of that time. It was not just a verbal injunction about ‘what should be done’ but was actual information about an already existing state of affairs. Its promulgation

that treatment meted out to him. But during the rule of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (the second Caliph of Islam), an incident showed how the times had changed. The Muslims conquered Egypt during that period, and

Making Concessions as the Situation RequiresIn Dhil Hijjah 9 A.H., the Prophet of Islam performed the Hajj, which is generally known as the Farewell Pilgrimage. More than one hundred thousand Muslims had

his death concerned the choice of his successor. According to the declaration made in the sermon, what should have been done was to decide upon a successor to the caliphate on the basis of piety and God-fearingness

was needed to bring it about. This sacrifice is what in today’s jargon we call as ‘taking risks.’ But the world is governed by the principle: the greater the risks the greater the success. Changing human

was even greater: if these people were set free, they might re-organize themselves to plot against Islam and once again wage battles against the Muslims. All these people were brought to the Kabah, the house