If we compare the life of Muhammad before his mission as a prophet and his life after he began his mission as a prophet, we will conclude that it is beyond reason to think that Muhammad was a false prophet, who claimed prophet hood for material gains, greatness, glory, or power.
Before his mission as a prophet, Muhammad had no financial worries. As a successful and reputed merchant, Muhammad drew a satisfactory and comfortable income. After his mission as a prophet and because of it, he became worse off materially. To clarify this more, let us browse the following sayings on his life: Sahl Ibn Sa’ad, one of Muhammad’s companion, said: “The prophet of god did not see bread mare from fine flour from the time god sent him (as a prophet) until he died”.
Amr In Al-Hareth, one of Muhammad’s companions, said that when the prophet died, he left no money nor anything else except his white riding mule, his arms, and a piece of land which he left to charity.
Muhammad lived this hard life till he died although the Muslim treasury was at his disposal, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula was Muslim before he died, and the Muslims were victorious after eighteen years of his mission.
Is it possible that Muhammad might have claimed prophet hood in order to attain status, greatness, and power? The desire to enjoy status and power is usually associated with good food, fancy clothing, monumental palaces, colorful guards, and indisputable authority. Do any of these indicators apply to Muhammad? A few glimpses of his life that may help answer this question follow.
Despite his responsibilities as a prophet, a teacher, a statesman, and a judge, Muhammad used to milk his goat, mend his clothes, repair his shoes, help with the household work, and visit poor people when they got sick. He also helped his companions in dinging a trench by moving sand with them. His life was a amazing model of simplicity an humbleness.
Muhammad was loved and trusted by him followers. They respected him to an amazing extent. Yet, he continued to emphasize that deification should be directed to God and not him personally. It was said by Anas, one of Muhammad’s companions, that there was no person whom they loved more than Muhammad, yet when he came to them, they did not stand up for him because he hated their standing up for him, as other people do with their great people.
Long before there was any prospect of success for Islam and at the outset of a long and painful era of torture, suffering, and persecution of Muhammad and his followers, he was given an interesting offer. An envoy of the pagan leaders. Otba, came to him saying: “… if you want money, we will collect enough money for you so that you will be the richest one of us, if you want leadership, we will take you as our leader and never decide on any matter without your approval. If you want a kingdom, we will crown you king over us…” Only one concession was required from Muhammad in return for that, to give up calling people to Islam and worshipping God alone without any partner. Wouldn’t this offer be tempting to one pursuing worldly benefit? Was Muhammad hesitant when the offer was made? Did he turn it down as a bargaining strategy leaving the door open for a better offer? The following was his answer: (In the name of god, the most gracious, the most merciful). And he recited the verses or the Qur’an 41”1-38 to Otba. The following are some of these verses: (A revelation from (god), the most gracious, the most merciful; a book whereof the verses are explained in detail; a qur’an in Arabic, for people who know, giving good news and warning, yet most of them turn away, so they do not listen) (Qur’an, 41: 2-4)
These all just show the prophet’s humbleness and nobility during his struggle to spread the Message of Islam.
Adapted from: A brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam.
