The Messenger and the Message-Blog 4

The Messenger and the Message-Blog 4

I grew up in a Christian home and went to a catholic school and attended church almost every Sunday.  Every Friday, I used to hear the prayers coming out of a Mosque nearby my house and yet I never had a chance to visit one.   As a child I learned about Jesus and the Bible, and even though I had many Muslim friends, I never once asked them who Muhammad was and how they prayed.  In Lebanon, the general consent of the country was that Christians and Muslims co-existed because it was an accepted fact and there was no curiosity or interest about neither religion, “you have your religion and I have mine.”   Fortunately, living in America, gives you the perspective and the chance to really look beyond your own religion and culture and have the understanding and acceptance to other religions with no judgments.

Muhammad’s birth brought a new value system and religious beliefs to the Arabia especially Mecca.  Before Muhammad people didn’t dream that Mecca would become a highly pilgrimage center for the entire world.  He was born in the year 570 C.E. in the city of Makkah.  At a very young age, Muhammad lost both his parents, worked as a shepherd and was sent to be under his uncle’s care.  At around twenty five, Muhammad marred Khadija and had six children together. 

Muhammad received his first revelation from God around 610 which continued for twenty two years. These revelations are known as the Quran verses now.  Muhammad’s call to become a prophet was quickly apparent and he was highly disciplined spiritual seeker.  As he grew up, Muhammad was very religious, and he had long disliked the corruption and idolatry of his society.  Although Muhammad was a prophet he was also a messenger whose sole job was to relay God’s message to his community.  The main task of both Muhammad and the Quran was to restore the monotheistic religion of Abraham, which had degenerated in Arabia over the centuries.  Therefore, the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the truth of Muhammad’s mission.  Islam calls for faith in only one God, who is the only one worthy to worship. 

Every Muslim must perform the main message of the Quran which is represented through the “Five Pillars” which are the foundation of the Muslim life:  Faith of belief, daily prayers, almsgiving, self purification and the pilgrimage to Makkah. 

The first pillar which is faith and belief in one God and Muhammad is the messenger of God, which represents believing and obeying God through the teachings of Muhammad. 

The second pillar is about worship service and prayers which is the foundation of the Muslim devotion.  Muslims are ought to pray five times a day and that number coincide with the five pillars in a Muslim’s life.  Praying five times a day is a way to connect the worshiper and God together starting from dawn and the way to the nightfall.  It is preferable to worship in a Mosque, however, a Muslim can pray almost anywhere as long he/she knows the prayer. 

The third pillar is to give generously to help the poor and the needy by showing concern to others and the community. 

The fourth pillar is fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan which starts before dawn until sunset.  Fasting during Ramada requires a spiritual discipline and enhances one’s dependence on God.  It is a time for self-purification and thinking of others who are hungry.

The fifth pillar is the pilgrimage to Mecca which is held annually.  Of course this pilgrimage is only for those people who can afford and able to go.  Every Muslim that enters the scared precincts of Mecca knows that he/she is entering a state of purity and he/she might not have certain things permitted.  The Hajj does provide a powerful message to all the Muslims around the world coming together in one place praying and worshiping.

Muhammad was a good example of a merciful, just, compassionate and a brave person.  He feared God, and his divine message through the generations of prophecy and the in the Quran were to stay away from evil characteristics and strive for the sake of God and His reward.