The Wisdom of Muhammad
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Uncover the tenets of Islam through the words of its founder.
This compelling examination of the life and sayings of Muhammad offers the modern reader both a historical context for and a spiritual guide to the principles at the heart of the world’s second largest religion. Drawing on the Koran and the Sunnah, this collection of quotes is organized by topic from A to Z and provides a window into the eloquence, practicality, and ethical fortitude with which Muhammad preached to his followers. Covering a diverse range of topics, from marriage and civic charity to the individual’s relationship to God and the afterlife, the Prophet’s words dispel misconceptions about the history of the faith, its leader, and its core beliefs. With footnotes, a glossary of terms, scriptural citations, and a timeline, The Wisdom of Muhammad is essential reading for anyone who wants to have a true understanding of Islam.
“The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr.” —Muhammad
This ebook edition features a new introduction and image gallery.
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The Wisdom of Muhammad - Philosophical Library
The Wisdom of
Muhammad
Allama Sir Abdullah Al-Mamun Al-Suhrawardy
WITH FOREWORD BY MAHATMA GANDHI
Philosophical Library
Original Dedication
To
MY MOTHER
tahHeaven lieth at the feet of
mothers. —MUHAMMAD
tahAn excellent pattern have ye in the Messenger
of God.—KUR’ tahz N, xxxiii. 21.
FOREWORD
I HAVE read Sir Abdullah Suhrawardy’s collections of the sayings of the Prophet with much interest and profit. They are among the treasures of mankind, not merely Muslims.
I am a believer in the truth of all the great religions of the world. There will be no lasting peace on earth unless we learn not merely to tolerate but even to respect the other faiths as our own. A reverent study of the sayings of the different teachers of mankind is a step in the direction of such mutual respect.
EDITORIAL NOTE
THE object of the Editor of this series is a very definite one. He desires above all things that these books shall be the ambassadors of goodwill between East and West. He hopes that they will contribute to a fuller knowledge of the great cultural heritage of the East, for only through real understanding will the West be able to appreciate the underlying problems and aspirations of Asia today. He is confident th at a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of Eastern thought will help to a revival of that true spirit of charity which neither despises nor fears the nations of another creed and colour.
J. L. CRANMER-BYNG
50, ALBEMARLE STREET,
LONDON, W.I.
CONTENTS
FOREWORD, by M. K. GANDHI
EDITORIAL NOTE
PREFACE
IMAGE GALLERY
INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW EDITION
The Sayings
The Prophet Muhammad
Isl tah m
The Sayings Of Muhammad:
Of ABSTINENCE
Kill not your hearts with excess of eating and drinking.
Of ADULTERY
When a man committeth adultery, Iman (Faith) leaveth him; but when he leaveth such evil ways, Iman will return to him.
Of AGED PERSONS
Verily, to honor an old man is to show respect to God.
Of ALMS-GIVING
A man’s first charity should be to his own family, if poor.
Of ANIMALS AND DUTIES OWED THERETO
Fear God, in treating dumb animals and ride them when they are fit to be ridden and get off them when they are tired.
Of BACKBITING
Backbiting vitiates ablution and fasting.
Of BEAUTY
God is Beauty and delighteth in the beautiful; but pride is holding man in contempt.
Of BEGGING
Every man who shall beg, in order to increase his property, God will diminish it.
Of THE TWO BENEFITS
There are two benefits, of which the generality of men are losers, and of which they do not know the value: health and leisure.
Of CHARITY
Every good act is charity.
Of CHASTITY
Modesty and chastity are parts of the Faith.
Of CHRISTIANS AND JEWS
When the bier of anyone passeth by thee, whether Jew, Christian or Muslim, rise to thy feet.
Of CLEANLINESS
God is pure and loveth purity and cleanliness.
Of COMPASSION
There is no reward but Paradise for a Muslim who suffereth with patience when the soul of his affectionate friend is taken.
Of CONSCIENCE
All actions are judged by the motives prompting them.
Of CONTENTMENT
Riches are not from abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind.
Of CONTROL OF SELF
The exercise of religious duties will not atone for the fault of an abusive tongue.
Of COURTESY
Abuse nobody, and if a man abuse thee, and lay open a vice which he knoweth in thee; then do not disclose one which thou knowest in him.
Of CRIMES
The greatest crimes are to associate another with God, to vex your father and mother, to murder your own species, to commit suicide, and to swear to a lie.
Of CULTIVATION OF LAND
Whosoever bringeth the dead land to life; that is, cultivateth waste land, for him is reward therein.
Of THE DEAD
Do not speak ill of the dead.
Of DEATH
Death is a bridge that uniteth friend with friend.
Of DEBT
A martyr shall be pardoned every fault but debt.
Of DELIBERATION
Deliberation in undertakings is pleasing to God.
Of THE DISPOSITION TO GOOD
O Lord! As thou hast made my body good, so make good my disposition.
Of DISPUTATION
Mankind will not go astray after having found the right road, unless from disputation.
Of DIVORCE
The thing which is lawful, but disliked by God, is divorce.
Of THE DUTY OF BELIEVERS
He who progresseth daily is yet far off from the Ideal.
Of ELOQUENCE
Some eloquence is like magic.
Of ENVY
Keep yourselves far from envy; because it eateth up and taketh away good actions, like as fire eateth up and burneth wood.
Of EXPERIENCE
He is not a perfect man of fortitude, who hath not fallen into misfortunes; and there is no physician but the experienced.
Of FORGIVENESS
That person is nearest to God who pardoneth, when he hath in his power him who would have injured him.
Of GENTLENESS
Verily, God is mild, and is fond of mildness, and he giveth to the mild what he doth not to the harsh.
Of GOD
God saith, I was a hidden treasure. I would fain be known. So I created Man.
Of GOD’S FORGIVENESS
God saith, Verily, My compassion covercometh My wrath.
Of GOD’S KINDNESS
Trust in God, but tie it (your camel.)
Of GOOD WORKS
Be persistent in good actions.
Of THE HEART
There is a piece of flesh in the body of man which, when good, the whole body is good; and, when bad, the whole body is bad, and that is the heart.
Of HEAVEN AND HELL
Paradise is nearer you than the thongs of your sandals; and the Fire likewise.
Of HOSPITALITY
He who believeth in one God and in a future life, let him honour his guest.
Of HUMILITY
God instructs me to be humble and lowly and not proud; and that no one should oppress another.
Of ISL tah34 M
Islam is purity of speech and charity.
Of KINDNESS
Kindness is a mark of faith: and whoever hath no kindness hath no faith.
Of THE KUR’ tah45 N
The other messengers of God had their miracles; mine is the Kur’ tah n and will remain forever.
Of LABOUR
Those who earn an honest living are the beloved of God.
Of LEARNING
Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.
Of MAN’S GROWTH
He is the best man whose life is long and whose actions are good.
Of MARRIAGE
Marriage is incumbent on all who possess the ability.
Of MEANNESS
Shall I tell you the very worst amongst you? Those who eat alone, and whip the slaves, and give to nobody.
Of MISHAPS
Whatever mishap may befall you, it is on account of something which you have done.
Of MODESTY
True modesty is the source of all virtue.
Of MONOPOLIES
The holder of a monopoly is a sinner and offender.
Of MOTHERS
Heaven lieth at the feet of mothers.
Of MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET
Convey to other persons none of my words, except those ye know of surety.
Of MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET’S KINDNESS
O Lord… Thou art the giver of health: there is no health but Thine, that health which leaveth no sickness.
Of MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET’S MISSION
To the light I have attained and in the light I live.
Of MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET’S PRAYERS
O Lord, grant to me the love of Thee; grant that I love those that love Thee…
Of NEIGHBOURLINESS
Do you love your Creator? Love your fellow-beings first.
Of OMENS
Of my disciples who will enter Paradise are those who do not use shells (do not consult oracles) and are not influenced by omens…
Of ORPHANS
I and the guardian of orphans will be in one place in the next world; like my two fingers, nearly touching each other.
Of PARENTS
A man is bound to do good to his parents, although they may have injured him.
Of PEACEMAKING
Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms and prayers? Making peace between one another.
Of POETRY
Some poetry containeth much wisdom.
Of POVERTY
Poverty may well become a cause of infidelity.
Of PRAYER
The Lord doth not regard a prayer in which the heart doth not accompany the body.
Of PRIDE
The proud will not enter Paradise, nor a violent speaker.
Of PROGRESS
It is your own conduct which will lead you to reward or punishment, as if you had been destined therefor.
Of PROPHECIES
Men will be liars toward the end of the world; and will relate such stories as neither you nor your fathers ever heard.
Of PUNISHMENT
Verily, when God loveth a people, He entangleth it in misfortune; therefore, he who is resigned to the pleasure of God, in misfortune, for him is God’s favor.
Of PURITY
They will enter the Garden of Bliss who have a true, pure and merciful heart.
Of REASON
God hath not created anything better than Reason, or anything more perfect…
Of RELATIVES
The best of you, before God and His creation, are those who are best in their own families.
Of REPENTANCE
A sincere repenter of faults is like him who hath committed none.
Of REVERENCE
Reverence God as becometh you.
Of RICHES
Wealth, properly employed, is a blessing; and a man may lawfully endeavour to increase it by honest means.
Of SEEMLINESS
Mosques are only for the mention of God, saying prayers, and reading the Kur’ tah n.
Of SELF-INDULGENCE
What are your opinions of the merits of that person who drinketh liquor, committeth adultery, and stealeth? What should his punishment be?
Of SERVANTS