Principles Of Muslim Conduct

                       “Hold to forgiveness, enjoin good,  

                       and turn aside from the ignorant”

                                                    (Qur’an, 7:199)

When Prophet Muhammad (peace and God’s blessings upon him) was appointed to be the last messenger of God to humanity in 610, the world was in its darkest and wildest period of history. The duty to save humanity in general from oppression and savagery was given to him. Conveying this great message was indeed a very heavy task:

“Indeed, We will bestow upon you a weighty word” (73 : 5). “Alif. Lam. Ra. A Divine Writ (is this – a revelation) which We have revealed to you in order that you might bring forth mankind, by their Lord’s leave, out of the depths of darkness into the light: onto the way that leads to the Almighty, the Praiseworthy” (14:1).

Hence for this great task he suffered a lot in approaching and trying to convince people that “there is no other deity than God alone”. “Truly, your Lord is God, the One who created the heavens and the earth in six ions, and then He presided Himself on the Throne. He governs all affaires (of His creation). There is no one could intercede before Him, except after His permission. That is God, your Lord (the Sustainer). So, worship (obey) Him (alone): will you not,

then, keep this in mind? To Him you all must return: this is truth God’s promise – for, behold, He creates (man) in the first instance, and then brings him forth anew to the end that He may reward with equity all who attain to faith and do righteous deeds; whereas for those who are bent on denying the truth there is in store a draught of burning despair and grievous suffering because of their persistent refusal to acknowledge the truth” (10:3-4).

The prophet (peace and God’s blessings upon him) started his mission secretly through his wife (Khadija) and his very close friend (Abubakr). In three years, he could only convince around forty persons (men and women). They used to have their gatherings in a hall, in the house of Al-Arqam, to learn the revelation (al-Qur’an), which came down to the Prophet almost everyday; some of them had the duty to write it down.

The people of Mecca, under the leadership of Quraish were opposing the Prophet’s call. They did not only refuse it, but considered him as an ardent enemy. If the Prophet got somehow a protection from his uncle Abutalib, he however shared the sorrows and afflictions of his followers who were persecuted, tortured and oppressed by Quraish. In 615 he let 11 men and 4 women of his followers migrate to Abyssinia. In 616, a group of 101 persons (83 men and 18 women) under the leadership of his cousin Jaafar left Mecca for Abyssinia and received well by the Emperor. The Prophet and his followers (together with the Hashemites, who were the kin of the Prophet) were isolated by the Quraish leaders for two years. He went to Taif for eventual refuge and help, but encountered a complete refusal. He found himself in a very difficult situation.

So God revealed to him: “And endure with patience whatever people may say (against you), and avoid them with a comely avoidance” (73:10). “And if they deny you, then say: Unto me (shall be accounted) my doings, and unto you, your doings: you are not accountable for what I am doing, and I am not accountable for whatever you do” (10:41).

What I want to make it clear here is, that during the whole time of the Messenger’s mission, there have been three principles he held on to firmly: the capacity for forgiveness, the persistence in pursuing God’s ordinances together with enjoining it to others, and avoid arguing with the ignorant.

As for why did the Prophet (peace and God’s blessings upon him), in certain periods of his mission, go to war against his enemies? That was because the Muslim community was obliged to defend itself from the enemy’s attack or to liberate oppressed people from the wickedness of some oppressors:  

“And fight in God’s cause against those who wage war against you, and do not commit aggression – for, verily, God does not love aggressors” (2:190).

“And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of God, and for the oppressed men, women, and children who say: Our Lord, bring us forth from this town whose people are evildoers, and raise for us out of Your grace, a protector, and raise for us, out of Your grace, one who will bring us succour!” (4:75).

Those three principles are really the aim of the mission of all God’s messengers throughout human history. To do and enjoin others to do good, as well as to behave correctly is the most important thing in human conduct. When the Prophet (peace and God’s blessings upon him) was asked: “What is Benevolence?” He said: “Benevolence is to worship God (= pursue God’s ordinances) as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) God sees you” (Reported by al-Bukhari).

So, whatever situation one faces during his life, God is there to observe and evaluate:

“Have you not observed that God knows all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth? Never can there be a secret confabulation between three persons without His being the fourth of them, nor between five without His being the sixth of them; and neither between less than that, or more, without His being with them wherever they may be. And in the end, on Resurrection Day, He will make them truly understand what they did: for, verily, God has full knowledge of everything” (58:7).