On the occasion of the Mawloud of prophet Muhammad, greatest revolution!
He inspires me with the wisdom and confidence he embodied. He inspires me even more with his revolutionary struggle. In my opinion, he remains the greatest revolutionary in our history.
He brought his people out of obscurantism, ignorance and oblivion or lack of influence to make them a people whose greatness and influence still affect all humanity to this day. It not only made history, but it changed its course.
Before his arrival, his country was wedged between three powers that surrounded it but at the same time paid almost no attention: the Persian Empire in the east, Byzantine in the north and Aksum in present-day Ethiopia in the west.
All these powers, to varying degrees, ignored this desert enclosure which was only used for small commercial exchanges and above all as a resting place for caravans leaving for the rich territories of the North or the East. In addition, this territory was known only for the barbarism of its inhabitants, the raid and the constant war waged by the different tribes making up the people who occupied these lands.
When not at war, its people mostly engaged in debauchery. Alcohol flowed freely and women were worth nothing other than the pleasure they gave men. Moreover, girls were most often killed or buried alive because families preferred to have boys.
It was among these men of low and twisted morals that a different man with a different character emerged. A man who was unanimous because he transcended the social and political divisions of his people. This man with a new message will upset all the standards and structures of his community.
The message was a message of liberation for all the oppressed and at the same time of justice if not here below, at least in the hereafter. The poor, slaves and women were most receptive to this message. As for the rich men and the powerful men, they first ignored him then realizing his growing influence, they drove him from Mecca and forced him into exile. Yet even from afar, from the oasis of Yathrib (Madina), his message continued to resonate even in the holy and commercial city of Mecca. So they resolved to kill him.
However, provided with a revolutionary and liberating message and followed by a mass who had tasted the delights of freedom and more than ever determined not to relive the ordeal of servitude and oppression, victory was only assured.
Thus, having conquered Mecca and received the allegiance of the last recalcitrant of this holy city which he forgave despite the will of his companions as Mandela did 1400 years later, he pacified all the tribes of Arabia. He restored justice, banned debauchery and the consumption of alcohol, encouraged the liberation of slaves, limited the number of wives a man could have, regulated divorce, and even granted the right to women who are now also entitled to inheritance and property. He ordered the protection of orphans and their property but also the protection of animals and the environment.
All the injunctions that he established and that were revealed to him by God through the Koran went against the pre-established habits within this Arab people of excess and debauchery. He taught equity and equality and he praised the benefits of education and knowledge. He proclaimed that all Muslims are equal and that they are now all brothers regardless of their tribe, race or origin. In short, He created a new citizen and a new world. Now, Islam above the tribe was used to establish the national identity of each.
This unity beyond the tribe will allow this new state to survive the death of the prophet Muhammad. This state thus become viable, will challenge and defeat the great empires of the time. The Persian Empire will be defeated, as will the Byzantine Empire. The whole Mediterranean region of Africa and Europe as well as the Near East and most of the countries of Southeast Asia will be conquered and submitted to Muslim domination for centuries.
Thus, in less than 100 years only, this Bedouin people who until then did not even deserve the attention of their neighbors, had succeeded in building an empire which stretched from the Indian subcontinent in Asia to France in Europe. Western. During the centuries which will follow, they will add other territories but will also lose some.
It was during this period that the world will experience significant scientific advances in all fields. Whether in the fields of mathematics, chemistry, biology or agriculture.
So, unlike what some people are tempted to have us believe today, Islam is by no means synonymous with Arab culture. Islam has in fact completely disrupted Arab culture and established new cultural and religious norms based on values that can be adopted and adapted by all peoples of the world. The values advocated by Muhammad PSL such as justice, freedom, equality, education, security are universal values.
It is not for nothing that Michael Hart in his book “From the 100, a Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History” placed Muhammad at the head of the list of the most influential men in history. He not only changed the Arabs, but with Islam he left his mark on human history. He is thus the perfect illustration of a true revolutionary who should inspire us all.
In less than a quarter of a century, it has brought about an irreversible change in the world. As any good leader would know, he was able to train men and women who not only succeeded in perpetuating his achievements but who were also able to continue his revolutionary struggle after his death. His greatest success was the fact that the revolution did not die with his departure from this world, thus proving that his message was more important than his person.
Abdoulaye Barry
ajbarry@live.com
Portland, OR USA
