Muhammad: Champion of Social Justice

When a popular Muslim scholar was invited by students at a local university earlier this year to talk about "Prophet Muhammad (S): Mercy to the Universe," he completely blew it.

With growing numbers of homeless hitting the streets outside, frustrated protestors camping day and night across town and perpetual wars being waged overseas, I thought the scholar would offer the Prophet's (S) solutions to major socio-economic and political crises facing our community.

But when he finally climbed the Arabian-nights motif stage, the speaker invited from afar chose to talk about the Prophet's (S) compassion towards frogs instead.

In response to the spate of media attacks on Prophet Muhammad (S), many Muslim organizations across America are dedicating the next year to promoting the truth about our beloved Messenger (S).

God: "And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted (standard of) character.” (Quran 86:4)

"They created a market for us," says scholar Mansour Leghai. We should "use this challenge as a golden opportunity to present ourselves and our dear religion of Islam."

While I'm all for saving amphibians, let's think bigger this year. Let's let our compatriots suffering all sorts of injustices in on the nuts and bolts of the Prophet's (S) personality and teachings, those things that inspired a small group of people (Muslims and non-Muslims) fourteen hundred years ago to replace extreme ignorance and oppression in society with enlightenment and peace and justice for all.

For that is what the Prophet (S) did. After expressing anger when his deceased wife Khadija (one of the four perfect women of all times) was ridiculed, Prophet Muhammad (S) expounded the characteristics that endeared her to him and God.

"She hailed my mission at a time when everybody shouted against it; she lent me the support of her conviction when there was hardly a believer; she enlivened my heart when I felt lonely and deserted."

Now that the opponents of the Prophet (S) have brought him into the public sphere where he belongs and out of the books of hadith (traditions), halaqas (learning circles) and milads (Prophet Muhammad's (S) birthday celebrations) where we Muslims have confined him to for far too long, let's get moving. 

With oppression all around us, we must find creative ways of sharing those aspects of the Prophet's (S) personality that compelled even non-Muslim observers like Nobel laureate George Bernard Shaw to regard him as the "Saviour of Humanity." 

Shaw: “I believe that if a man like him [Prophet Muhammad (S)] were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness."

In the comment section below, I invite readers to present plans and campaigns underway to promote the truth about Prophet Muhammad (S), who is indeed a role model for establishing social justice for all (including frogs).