SPIRIT OF ISLAM AUGUST 2O13

18 Spirit of Islam Issue 8 August 2013 THE HUDAYBIYA METHOD D R. Michael Hart’s well-known book, The 100 , was perhaps first introduced to the Muslim world through our Urdu monthly Al-Risala in October 1978. In it, the author selected one hundred of the most distinguished people in history and added accompanying articles about their lives and achievements. He placed the Prophet Muhammad at the top of his list. He wrote that Muhammad was the most supremely successful man in history. After the publication of this article in Al-Risala , we received many letters from Muslims enquiring about a source from where they could order this book. A number of them even inquired whether an Urdu translation was available. On reading their letters, it was obvious that they were interested only in the supremely successful man, rather than in the secret of his supreme success as well. Our entire knowledge of human history tells us that people find it much easier to give up their lives, than to suspend their egos. There is a general tendency on the part of present-day Muslims to continue this sort of hero worship. Present-day Muslims have accorded the Prophet and his companions the status of heroes rather than taking them as examples to be followed in their lives. This is precisely the psychology of those who have failed to achieve anything substantial in their lives. Such people find solace in the glorious description of historical personalities. History is often the refuge of those who have done little themselves worth celebrating. When the Muslim community is in a vibrant state, the Prophet’s life serves as an example to them. The Muslims of today are in a state of stagnation. For them, the Prophet of Islam has become a symbol of pride. And this feeling of pride can be perpetuated only when one’s hero is acknowledged as supremely successful. The Quran has presented the Prophet of Islam as an example rather than as a cause for pride, and it has this to say: You have indeed, in the Prophet of God, a good example. THE QURAN 33: 21