Almost everyone on the earth todayis discussing Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. People want toknow, "Who was he exactly?" "What did he teach?" "Whywas he loved so much by some and hated so much by others?" "Did helive up to his claims?" "Was he a holy man?" "Was he aprophet of God?" "What is the truth about this man - Muhammad?"
How can we discover the truth and betotally honest in our judgment?
We will begin with the very simplehistorical evidences, facts as narrated by thousands of people, many of whomknew him personally. The following is based on books, manuscripts, texts andactual eyewitness accounts, too numerous list herein, yet all have beenpreserved in original form throughout the centuries by both Muslims andnon-Muslims.
Muhammad ibn (son of) Abdullah ibn(son of) Abdul Mutalib, was born in the year 570 C.E. (Christian Era) inMakkah, Felix Arabia (today: Saudi Arabia)and he died in 633 C.E.in Yathrib (today: Madinah, Saudi Arabia).
A. His names: When he was born, hisgrandfather, Abdul Mutalib, gave him the name Muhammad. And it means"praised one" or "praising one." He was later called"As-Saddiq" (the Truthful) by all of those who knew of his truthfuland honest nature. He always said only the truth. He was also called"Al-Amin" (the Trustworthy) due to his integrity and always upholdingany trust given to him. When the tribes were battling against each other, bothsides would entrust him with their possessions during the fighting, even if itmight be against some of his own tribesmen, because they knew he would alwaysuphold any trust given to him. All of his names indicated the very nature of aman who was praised for his honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. He was alsowell known for advocating the reconciliation of kinship and relationships. Heordered his followers to always honor the "ties of the wombs"(siblings and other close relatives).
This fits right in with the prophecymentioned in the Bible in the Book of John in chapters 14 and 16, as the comingof a prophet known as the "Spirit of Truth" or "Comforter"or "Advocate."
B. Born as a descendent of Abraham,peace and blessings be upon him, through his first born son, Ishmael (Ismail inArabic), peace and blessings be upon him, to the noble tribe of the Quraish whowere the leaders of Makkah in those days. Muhammad's blood line traces directlyback to Abraham, peace and blessings be upon him.
This could certainly point tofulfillment of Old Testament (Torah) prophecies in Deuteronomy (chapter 18:15)of a prophet, like unto Moses from "their brethren."
