Today as we look at global society which is war torn, full of hatred, racism, extremism, and misery, we search for ways out of these traumatic times, so that we can leave behind a legacy of peace and harmony for our children. The best example for that is in the life and times of the Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed). There are many lessons for us to learn but I want to talk about three. He transformed his society, which was very similar to ours, by establishing three fundamental principles. They are: Justice for all, Character: Defines Net Worth, Relationships: Forgive everyone.

Justice is the most fundamental principle of Islam. Justice is the cause. Peace is the result. Without justice any illusion of peace is only a recess between wars. Justice, in Islam is for all. It is not selective. It is not based on the individual. Allah commanded:

Nisa 4: 135   O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ˹from justice˺. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then ˹know that˺ Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do.

Islam doesn’t just leave justice and honesty as a value to be quietly and silently espoused. It demands that we stand up for it.  On the authority of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree (R) who said: I heard Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed) say, “Whoever sees any evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue (raise his voice); and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim]

Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed) is reported to have said, “Verily, from the greatest of Jihad is a word of Truth in the presence of a tyrannical ruler.”

It is these teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith that gave rise to several great scholars who revolted against tyrants despite torture, imprisonment and death in the most gruesome of ways. Justice and honesty are possible even today. What Islam propagates is not some impossible utopian dream, but a very practical approach to life, rooted in living consciously.

Character: Makkah in the 7^th century, the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed) and where he lived until the age of 53, was a tribal, capitalist, materialistic society, ruled by millionaire businessmen. Net worth was measured just as it is today, in terms of one’s monetary assets. Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed) changed that criterion, to character. The most valuable person was not the one who had the most money or property or power but the one who was the most beneficial to others. The Qur’an stated clearly about the duty of Muslims:  A’al Imraan 3:110   You are the best of people, and you have been selected (extracted) for the (benefit of) people. You promote good and forbid evil and believe in Allah.

The Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed) said, “The best of you is the one who is most beneficial to the people.” And “Your faith is not complete until you want for your brother (and neighbor) what you want for yourself.” And “He is not a Muslim (three times)!” They asked, “Who is not a Muslim?” He replied, “The one whose neighbor is not safe from his hand and his tongue.” Islam doesn’t differentiate between Muslim and non-Muslim in terms of justice and social responsibility. All are equal in the sight of Allah.

Relationships: Finally, and most importantly, Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed), promoted forgiveness and mercy among people, because Mercy is a quality of Allah and one of His Blessed Names is The Most Merciful. Forgiveness is critical in any relationship for it to last over time. We are human and humans make mistakes. If we don’t forgive each other and instead carry grudges, then relationships get destroyed. Allah said:

Zumar 39: 53   Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Committing sins and evil damages us, not Allah. That is why Allah says, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves!” He draws those who have disobeyed Him close to Himself instead of distancing or discarding them, and says, “Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

The Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed) demonstrated his forgiveness and set an example for all time. From the time he started preaching Islam in Makkah he was mercilessly persecuted, attacked, and maligned. His followers were tortured, assassinated, dispossessed. He was eventually forced to leave his motherland and move to Madina, leaving everything behind.

These were times when conquerors slaughtered, enslaved and looted cities they conquered. When The Celtic tribes sent out a cavalry force of 800 against a Roman auxiliary force of 5,000 made up of Gauls and won a surprising victory, Julius Caesar retaliated by attacking the defenseless Celtic camp, and slaughtering the men, women, and children. Caesar by his own account, claims he killed 430,000 people in the camp. But when Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed) eight years after he was forced to leave Makkah, entered Makkah as a conqueror at the head of an army of ten thousand soldiers, his head was bowed low over the pommel of his saddle and he was reciting the praise of his Lord, Allah. He forgave everyone, neither killed nor enslaved anyone and didn’t even demand compensation for the wealth and property that Makkans had taken from him and his followers. That shut the doors of all future opposition to him and his work and was the single most powerful gesture of his leadership. He conquered his enemies not by killing them but by killing enmity.

That is the biggest lesson for all humanity today which is mired in misery and suffering thanks to mutual hatred. Forgive and start afresh, a society based on mutual respect and acceptance. That is the message of Prophet Muhammad (May he be blessed). A message as valid today as it was then.