The Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): A Legacy of Compassion

Accords and Commemorations: The Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) offers a legacy of compassion and is through acknowledgement by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), or better still, through the means by which Muslims across the world recognize 1.8 billion individuals as the last messenger of Allah. In other words, it is through the last and final revelation for mankind, which later became known as the Quran.

Prophet Muhammad's all-encompassing life characterizes every aspect of Muslim and non-Muslim life; though often viewed as a prophet and political leader, Muhammad was also the embodiment of everything that would be called mercy, compassion, justice, and humility-the most-important live influences and guidance for billions of people everywhere in the world.

This blog will throw light on the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a prophet who embodied the purpose of his mission in character and compassion while enduring trials and leaving this world with an ultimate legacy. After all, understanding his life would illustrate to us how even during such times history can recognize him as a figure with profound compassion towards others-regardless as to their status, background, or faith.

1. Life in Prophet Muhammad-An Early Life
The year 570 CE marked the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Mecca. He was born to the respectable tribe of Quraysh-the ruling tribe of Mecca-into hardship. His father, Abdullah, passed away before he was born, and his mother, Amina, died when he was just six years old. Thus, Muhammad (PBUH) was orphaned at a very young age, and his early years were filled with the struggles of losing his parents. After some time, he was raised by his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, who later passed away, leaving Muhammad (PBUH) under the care of his uncle, Abu Talib.

Even with the early problems, he became famous for his honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.

The Revelation and the Initiation of Prophethood
Here in the year 610 CE, when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had turned 40, he owned the place by the cave of Hira in Mecca for a few days to reflect on his surroundings, and he started becoming more and more hermetic. In one such retreat, the angel Jibril appeared to him with the first revelation from Allah-along with the "Read/Recite" command (Arabic-iqra). For the next 23 years, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received divine guidance from Allah through Jibril as hia messages were revealed in parts that appeared to him through Gradually, this message would become the divine guidance for all of humanity

It was not met with immediate acceptance, however, as few of the people accepted this at first. Most of them in Mecca, especially the ruling elite, viewed his teachings-most of them, really-as a threat to their power, which led to creating legitimacy for anew God that contradicted their polytheistic traditions of the region. Muhammad (PBUH) preached the oneness of God (Tawhid) and called to worship one God and forbade one to go after the idols and practices that were deeply ingrained in the society of his time. His message was also clear: all humans were equal in the eyes of God and it was the duty of the wealthy and mighty to care for the poor and oppressed.

Although there was great initial opposition and hostility by the Quraysh tribe in person of them, the patience of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had him continuing in preaching with love and compassion. Most of his earliest followers were mainly poor and women and slaves-those marginalized in society. Attached to this class was his compassion for uplifting them, offering them dignity and hope beyond life worldly struggles. His call spread deep among the people oppressed, marginalized, and within the very voiceless.

3. The Trials and Persecution
The more the Prophet's message spread, the harsher it became for him. Profiting by the existing social and religious systems, the Quraysh leaders tried to quash this growing movement. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions suffered severe persecutions-casting away from society, tortures, and even threats to their lives. Notwithstanding the horrid cruelties, however, Muhammad (PBUH) had evidenced unequaled patience and mercy He never retaliated even with the cruelty to which his followers were subjected.

His most outstanding quality of compassion during this period could be reflected in the response to how his own people were treated. When they were being oppressed, he ordered them to go to Abyssinia for the assistance of a Christian king, the Negus, who is said to have taken them under his protection due to this very act of kindness by the Negus. The Prophet, who encouraged taking shelter in a non-Muslim land, also showed his profound concern for human dignity, irrespective of religion.

In Mecca, ways of persecution met the reputation of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his message. His family has had to endure the hardship that goes along with being close to the Prophet, even including his wife Khadijah. Khadijah passed away in the 10th year of his prophethood, which further saddened the Prophet (PBUH) because she was the most important supporter in his life. The grieving of the Prophet (PBUH) was known as the "Year of Sorrow".

However, through all this retaliation and loss, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stayed true to his cause as he continued to propagate the message, carrying on the mission of propagating peace and compassion. He assured his followers that all would be well, and so he helped them to stand firm against trials.

4.The Hirja Movement Towards Medina
In 622 A.D., after years of his being tortured and subsequent failure in his missionary journey of convincing Mecca's heads to accept his message. Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) was invited by Medina(Yathrib at that time), by some of those whom he had made to embrace Islam. The migration known as Hijrah seems to caster a point in the history of Islam which gave Muslims a safe space and set up the first Islamic state where the prophet(PBUH) was both head of the religion and politics.

In Medina, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made a constitution which assured the justice and equality among Muslims and different tribes found in the city including Jews and other religious communities. This was one of the first examples of a multi-religious social order based on mutual respect and understanding in the Constitution of Medina. The Prophet (PBUH) stressed the need for justice and compassion for all humankind irrespective of their faith.

At this moment, the Prince of Mecca would continue to teach compassion and mercy. All his deeds as a leader in Medina could always be marked with the resolvable disputes, the promotion of social justice, and the establishment of peace in every corner of Medina. Though he was beset with battles and threats from the Quraysh, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) found a way to violence-free solutions as much as possible. He put emphasis on the concept that war is to be taken as the last resort where it should only be done under self-defensive circumstances.

The leave of Hudaybiyyah and the conquest of Mecca.
In 628 CE, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers planned on going to the pilgrimage in Mecca but blocked by the Quraysh. This event brought about the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, a peace treaty between Muslims and Quraysh. Even if it looked as if the treaty was a setback for the Muslims, in the long run, it enabled a wider spreading of Islam by affording a long period of peace and intensive conversion to Islam.

In 630 CE prophet Muhammad (PBUH) marched with a huge body of army towards Mecca afterhis[word of mouth] was broke against Quraysh. Instead of vengeance, he spoke amnesty to Quraysh and their leaders, including those who had tortured him and his followers. When he entered the city, he did it not as a conqueror but as a leader who wanted to release the Kaaba from the idols that had long been worshipped therein.

This moment of triumph is the proof of the constant resolve of the Prophet towards compassion. His act of forgiveness indicated that Islam achieved not vengeance or dominance but justice, peace, and mercy. His words on entering Mecca read: "Go, for you are free.".

6. Indeed anyone that had once come across the person of the Prophet of Allah, except for those whom Allah has controlled their hearts, would bear witness to the compassionate character of the Prophet of Allah.
Thus, one of the main features throughout the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is his mercy. He was gentle with children, women, the poor, the sick, animals and with those who wanted him out of their lives. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was gentle in his dealings with all people whether they were superiors, equals, or subordinates, all the people of different colour, caste and creed.

He quite often showered special attention on his family and in particularly to his daughters and his wife Kadija. He promoted adoption for the orphans, insistence on women welfare and championed social causes for justice. He was humble and did not fancy himself over anyone. He would associated with the poor, he would share meals with the poor and would even make sure they were respected.

One famous hadith (saying of the Prophet) that encapsulates his compassion is:

Hearing impairments and blindness are known to be sham while this one [sickness] is real, yet it is not acting when a person says ‘Oh Allah, make my brother a follower (or lead him astray)’. (Sahih Bukhari)

In this particular hadith, Islamic goals set by Allah concern empathy, compassion and solidarity. He was always willing to do whatever he could to ease the burden of others upon them and was so loving, kind and generous with his time, money and heart. He sets the illustration for Muslims with a view of making them kind, patient and eventually tolerant with all their neighbors.

And the Prophet's legacy survives, through all generations, in the lives and actions of Muslims everywhere in the world. His teachings on justice, mercy, and a love for humanity really helped shape Islamic law and practice, and have even touched on the finer values of countless souls in different cultures.

Thus, Allah commands in the Quran:
"And We have not sent you [O Muhammad] except as a mercy to the worlds." (Quran 21:107)
He is, indeed, the embodiment of mercy; his entire life witnesses the power of love and forgiveness. Every moment of their lives should serve as a challenge to Muslims in making such values applicable within family relationships, workplaces, and interaction with other individuals. His life is an inspiration that never dims for tireless pursuers of building a just, loving, and harmonious society.

Conclusions
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) could be said to be an embodiment of mercy, justice, and kindness. He lived with every norm of mercy and kindness, starting with a very humble beginning up to the pinnacle of being the last leader of the Muslim community. His heart was wide open to every person rather than limiting it to Muslim or non-Muslim, and this will shine in bright light from one corner of the world to the other for those who aspire to understand the real essence of leadership, humility, and service to humanity.

From his example, we learn that it is not mere virtue; it is an transforming power that changes in life, society, and the world. True strength, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) showed, lies in mercy, and true leadership lies in serving others. His legacy continues to inspire people around the globe, and remind all of the power of compassion to create a just and peaceful world.

This is an extended article which provides an in-depth study of the life of prophet Muhammad and His legacy of compassion. Thus, through every phase of his life-from very early years through prophethood to leadership in Medina-his life contains top lessons about mercy, justice and service to humanity.