ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biographies of Leaders of Islam Preface The sixth century of the Christian era was a period during which the flood of atheism rose to its apex. Worldwide, all countries were engulfed by the deluge of paganism surging in four directions. In china, the teachings, of Confucius were forgotten; India became the cradle of idolatry; Persia was exulted in fire-worship; Europe lay wrapped in the black shroud of the Dark Ages.

Arabia was, likewise, in the grip of a number of idols which were worshipped by different tribes. All immoral practices and shameful sins prevailed in that peninsula, destroying social structures and wiping out moral values. At long last, according to the laws of reaction, the darkness of atheism was shattered by the light of divine guidance. The sun of Monotheism shone again in all its brightness, discarding the clouds of apostasy, star-worship and other pagan doctrines.

In Mecca, savior of humanity started a dramatic change in the history of man. Endowed with his God-gifted power, he brought radical changes to the decadent society. Through the medium of wise preaching, he succeeded in convincing his people, and later the world at large, that image-worship was a senseless practice, and that they ought to believe in One Supreme Being Who is the Creator, Lord and Sustainer.

Rising to the zenith of political power and prowess, this reformer later commanded the ignorant folks to abandon idolatry and gambling, give up usury, and abstain from wine-drinking. As the greatest law-giver of all times, he set for mankind an everlasting code of ethics that ensured moral excellence.

He released the poor from the grip of capitalist exploitation, relieved the oppressed from the clutches of the profiteers, and set such basic rules as would ensure the emancipation of slaves through the employment of terse and well calculated measures. Muhammad was the name of this sage and reformer to whom all the moralists of the East and the West ought to pay homage.

With incessant labor, and with the sacrifice of house and hearth, Muhammad revolutionized the moral and mental attitude of his wild-tempered, rough and unruly nation within the short span of twenty years. When he was finally called to God's mercy, he left this world satisfied and contented, having successfully and fruitfully fulfilled his mission.