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1 00:00:01,034 00:00:02,503 Fourteen hundred years ago Fourteen hundred years ago
2 00:00:02,736 00:00:05,172 a humble merchant who could not read or write a humble merchant who could not read or write
3 00:00:05,339 00:00:07,207 changed the face of Arabia. changed the face of Arabia.
4 00:00:08,275 00:00:10,444 His name was Muhammad. His name was Muhammad.
5 00:00:12,412 00:00:16,016 Today, his influence has spread to every corner of the world Today, his influence has spread to every corner of the world
6 00:00:16,116 00:00:17,784 including the United States... including the United States...
7 00:00:20,988 00:00:22,322 This is his story. This is his story.
8 00:00:22,689 00:00:27,494 And the story of millions of Americans who revere him as God's final prophet. And the story of millions of Americans who revere him as God's final prophet.
9 00:00:30,497 00:00:35,435 Major Funding of Muhammad Legacy of a Prophet has been provided by Major Funding of Muhammad Legacy of a Prophet has been provided by
10 00:00:36,069 00:00:38,438 the CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING the CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
11 00:00:39,106 00:00:42,876 and by THE DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION and by THE DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION
12 00:00:43,210 00:00:44,778 ARABIAN BULK TRADE ARABIAN BULK TRADE
13 00:00:45,312 00:00:49,516 SABADIA FAMILY FOUNDATION, THE EL-HIBRI FOUNDATION SABADIA FAMILY FOUNDATION, THE EL-HIBRI FOUNDATION
14 00:00:50,050 00:00:52,119 the IRFAN KATHWARI FOUNDATION the IRFAN KATHWARI FOUNDATION
15 00:00:52,686 00:00:54,054 and MIR IMRAN. and MIR IMRAN.
16 00:00:56,490 00:01:01,295 Additional funding has been provided by many other organizations and individuals. Additional funding has been provided by many other organizations and individuals.
17 00:01:50,277 00:01:52,045 He was neither tall and lanky He was neither tall and lanky
18 00:01:52,880 00:01:54,515 nor short and heavy set. nor short and heavy set.
19 00:01:55,682 00:01:58,519 When he looked at someone he looked them in the eyes. When he looked at someone he looked them in the eyes.
20 00:01:59,987 00:02:02,422 He was the most generous hearted of men He was the most generous hearted of men
21 00:02:03,457 00:02:05,392 the most truthful of them in speech the most truthful of them in speech
22 00:02:06,493 00:02:08,462 the most mild tempered of them the most mild tempered of them
23 00:02:09,496 00:02:11,698 and the noblest of them in lineage. and the noblest of them in lineage.
24 00:02:13,300 00:02:15,569 Anyone who would describe him would say Anyone who would describe him would say
25 00:02:16,403 00:02:18,605 I never saw before or after him I never saw before or after him
26 00:02:19,306 00:02:20,407 "the like of him. " "the like of him. "
27 00:02:21,341 00:02:24,344 Muhammad, described by a contemporary. Muhammad, described by a contemporary.
28 00:02:25,312 00:02:27,414 Muhammad was a man who Muhammad was a man who
29 00:02:27,915 00:02:30,751 faced an absolutely hopeless situation. faced an absolutely hopeless situation.
30 00:02:31,785 00:02:35,956 There was a whole continent virtually of people killing one another There was a whole continent virtually of people killing one another
31 00:02:36,056 00:02:41,395 in an endless hopeless vendetta, going down a chute of violence and warfare. in an endless hopeless vendetta, going down a chute of violence and warfare.
32 00:02:42,062 00:02:45,632 Feeling that society was coming to an end and had no hope. Feeling that society was coming to an end and had no hope.
33 00:02:45,866 00:02:47,968 He gave them hope single-handedly. He gave them hope single-handedly.
34 00:02:48,268 00:02:50,337 In a space of 23 years In a space of 23 years
35 00:02:50,671 00:02:56,143 he brought peace and new hope to Arabia and a new beacon for the world. he brought peace and new hope to Arabia and a new beacon for the world.
36 00:02:59,279 00:03:02,816 Islam, the religion Muhammad first brought to Arabia Islam, the religion Muhammad first brought to Arabia
37 00:03:03,150 00:03:07,221 now claims 1.2 billion followers around the world. now claims 1.2 billion followers around the world.
38 00:03:12,359 00:03:15,462 There are an estimated 7 million Muslims in America There are an estimated 7 million Muslims in America
39 00:03:16,163 00:03:18,765 where it is the country's fastest growing religion where it is the country's fastest growing religion
40 00:03:19,032 00:03:20,234 and the most diverse. and the most diverse.
41 00:03:23,537 00:03:28,408 Like America itself, the Muslims in this country come from all over the world. Like America itself, the Muslims in this country come from all over the world.
42 00:03:29,243 00:03:31,845 They have a common bond They have a common bond
43 00:03:32,312 00:03:35,983 not only in their religious faith and in their mosques not only in their religious faith and in their mosques
44 00:03:36,416 00:03:39,720 but in this story of Muhammad, they all look to it. but in this story of Muhammad, they all look to it.
45 00:03:40,787 00:03:44,525 This is the source of how to behave This is the source of how to behave
46 00:03:45,292 00:03:47,528 of how to be a constructive citizen of how to be a constructive citizen
47 00:03:47,895 00:03:51,431 of how to be a good parent, of how to be a good child of how to be a good parent, of how to be a good child
48 00:03:52,065 00:03:54,168 of how to seek knowledge and truth. of how to seek knowledge and truth.
49 00:03:55,135 00:04:00,007 These are values that are expressed most clearly for Muslims These are values that are expressed most clearly for Muslims
50 00:04:00,007 00:04:02,609 in the story of Muhammad. in the story of Muhammad.
51 00:04:05,412 00:04:10,784 In the Quran Allah says that Muhammad is the best example of behavior for you. In the Quran Allah says that Muhammad is the best example of behavior for you.
52 00:04:11,652 00:04:15,422 And that's what he is the guide for the way we deal with each other And that's what he is the guide for the way we deal with each other
53 00:04:16,657 00:04:19,226 and when we're in a position of authority and when we're in a position of authority
54 00:04:19,726 00:04:23,063 how we attempt to implement justice and law. how we attempt to implement justice and law.
55 00:04:27,534 00:04:30,437 Prophet Muhammad, he asked the question to people around him Prophet Muhammad, he asked the question to people around him
56 00:04:31,205 00:04:32,306 do you love your creator? do you love your creator?
57 00:04:33,240 00:04:34,708 Serve your fellow man first. Serve your fellow man first.
58 00:04:35,275 00:04:36,844 What does that tell you? What does that tell you?
59 00:04:37,244 00:04:38,813 It tells you, forget about all this intellectual It tells you, forget about all this intellectual
60 00:04:38,813 00:04:40,013 yeah, I love God and this and that. yeah, I love God and this and that.
61 00:04:41,281 00:04:43,951 If you're gonna, you know, forget about talking the talk, walk the walk. If you're gonna, you know, forget about talking the talk, walk the walk.
62 00:04:43,984 00:04:46,019 You want to serve God, serve people. You want to serve God, serve people.
63 00:04:47,120 00:04:50,824 What more noble way to serve people than to risk your own life to save them. What more noble way to serve people than to risk your own life to save them.
64 00:04:58,065 00:05:01,668 September 11th has changed the whole world September 11th has changed the whole world
65 00:05:02,436 00:05:06,573 and it has also put the Muslim community in the spotlight. and it has also put the Muslim community in the spotlight.
66 00:05:09,009 00:05:11,578 Muslims have a lot of hostility being hurled at them. Muslims have a lot of hostility being hurled at them.
67 00:05:12,546 00:05:14,548 But this is also a time of transformation. But this is also a time of transformation.
68 00:05:15,115 00:05:18,051 Many people are very eager to understand Islam Many people are very eager to understand Islam
69 00:05:18,485 00:05:22,089 and want to know who is the Prophet? What is the Quran? and want to know who is the Prophet? What is the Quran?
70 00:05:22,155 00:05:24,091 Who are the Muslims? How do they live? Who are the Muslims? How do they live?
71 00:05:27,528 00:05:29,329 Through the stories about Prophet Muhammad Through the stories about Prophet Muhammad
72 00:05:29,763 00:05:32,165 we were able to make connections we were able to make connections
73 00:05:32,399 00:05:35,435 and all of a sudden you would feel you can relate and all of a sudden you would feel you can relate
74 00:05:36,170 00:05:38,772 to things that happened back 1500 years ago to things that happened back 1500 years ago
75 00:05:39,773 00:05:42,209 and that the issues weren't old fashioned and that the issues weren't old fashioned
76 00:05:43,110 00:05:44,111 they were universal. they were universal.
77 00:05:45,112 00:05:46,446 And that's what he's taught me. And that's what he's taught me.
78 00:05:49,783 00:05:52,819 This is the story Muslims have passed dow This is the story Muslims have passed dow
79 00:05:52,886 00:05:56,857 from generation to generation for 1400 years. from generation to generation for 1400 years.
80 00:05:59,159 00:06:02,829 A story about the merchant, husband, father A story about the merchant, husband, father
81 00:06:03,330 00:06:08,068 statesman and warrior whom they consider the final prophet. statesman and warrior whom they consider the final prophet.
82 00:06:09,803 00:06:14,208 The man whose legacy continues to shape their lives today. The man whose legacy continues to shape their lives today.
83 00:06:26,987 00:06:28,655 The life of MUHAMMAD The life of MUHAMMAD
84 00:06:30,023 00:06:31,625 is even in its details is even in its details
85 00:06:31,992 00:06:36,463 probably better known than any other major religious figure before modern times. probably better known than any other major religious figure before modern times.
86 00:06:37,364 00:06:39,833 His followers made careful efforts His followers made careful efforts
87 00:06:40,067 00:06:44,671 to record memories that they had of things that he had said to record memories that they had of things that he had said
88 00:06:44,905 00:06:46,340 and things that he had done. and things that he had done.
89 00:06:47,107 00:06:51,144 Many of these traditions may have been made up later on Many of these traditions may have been made up later on
90 00:06:51,745 00:06:56,049 but at the core there seems to me to be little reason to doubt but at the core there seems to me to be little reason to doubt
91 00:06:56,917 00:06:59,987 that there is a picture and a portrait of a living man. that there is a picture and a portrait of a living man.
92 00:07:03,357 00:07:04,858 According to Muslim sources According to Muslim sources
93 00:07:05,425 00:07:08,462 Muhammad bin Abdullah-or son of Abdullah Muhammad bin Abdullah-or son of Abdullah
94 00:07:08,962 00:07:12,499 was born in the year 570 in the city of Mecca was born in the year 570 in the city of Mecca
95 00:07:13,033 00:07:15,202 in what is today Saudi Arabia. in what is today Saudi Arabia.
96 00:07:18,472 00:07:20,908 A poet of the times described Mecca A poet of the times described Mecca
97 00:07:21,108 00:07:25,546 as a place where winter and summer were equally intolerable. as a place where winter and summer were equally intolerable.
98 00:07:27,714 00:07:31,718 The world into which Muhammad arrived was a brutal one The world into which Muhammad arrived was a brutal one
99 00:07:32,119 00:07:35,689 defined by hunger, violence, and tribal warfare. defined by hunger, violence, and tribal warfare.
100 00:07:38,492 00:07:41,161 You could not exist without your tribe. You could not exist without your tribe.
101 00:07:41,895 00:07:46,500 An individual in this dangerous world had absolutely no chance of survival. An individual in this dangerous world had absolutely no chance of survival.
102 00:07:46,900 00:07:51,572 And that meant that the tribe had become, perhaps, the most sacred value in Arabia. And that meant that the tribe had become, perhaps, the most sacred value in Arabia.
103 00:07:51,905 00:07:56,777 It's a society that's based on the idea of vigilantism. It's a society that's based on the idea of vigilantism.
104 00:07:57,177 00:07:59,313 That, if somebody attacked my clan That, if somebody attacked my clan
105 00:07:59,646 00:08:02,716 then I have a right to go and attack anyone from his clan. then I have a right to go and attack anyone from his clan.
106 00:08:03,550 00:08:06,687 They saw justice as taking revenge. They saw justice as taking revenge.
107 00:08:07,821 00:08:11,825 The Arabs of the sixth century had no written code of law The Arabs of the sixth century had no written code of law
108 00:08:12,326 00:08:15,963 no common religion, and no central government. no common religion, and no central government.
109 00:08:17,865 00:08:19,666 In this dangerous world In this dangerous world
110 00:08:19,900 00:08:25,305 Muhammad had the good fortune to be born into Mecca's powerful tribe, the Quraysh. Muhammad had the good fortune to be born into Mecca's powerful tribe, the Quraysh.
111 00:08:26,740 00:08:31,945 But his father died before he was born, and, his mother died when he was only 6. But his father died before he was born, and, his mother died when he was only 6.
112 00:08:32,946 00:08:36,683 His uncle Abu Talib was left to raise the young orphan. His uncle Abu Talib was left to raise the young orphan.
113 00:08:37,951 00:08:42,723 He surely had to have worried about his future, what will he be. He surely had to have worried about his future, what will he be.
114 00:08:43,423 00:08:48,061 And so he he must have been a very introspective child. And so he he must have been a very introspective child.
115 00:08:49,363 00:08:53,867 Muhammad had the habit of going out in the desert and contemplating Muhammad had the habit of going out in the desert and contemplating
116 00:08:53,901 00:08:57,070 the stars and thinking about why he was an orphan. the stars and thinking about why he was an orphan.
117 00:08:57,070 00:08:59,573 And how would life be to him in the future. And how would life be to him in the future.
118 00:09:01,775 00:09:04,578 Orphans were marginal people and Orphans were marginal people and
119 00:09:04,578 00:09:07,814 he felt very, very strongly identified he felt very, very strongly identified
120 00:09:08,248 00:09:11,585 with the poor and disadvantaged for the rest of his life. with the poor and disadvantaged for the rest of his life.
121 00:09:13,053 00:09:17,858 The Mecca of Muhammad's youth was both a religious and a commercial center The Mecca of Muhammad's youth was both a religious and a commercial center
122 00:09:18,225 00:09:21,528 located at the crossroads of two major trading routes. located at the crossroads of two major trading routes.
123 00:09:23,997 00:09:26,834 Pilgrims came from all over Arabia to worship Pilgrims came from all over Arabia to worship
124 00:09:26,934 00:09:29,970 the hundreds of idols that surrounded the Ka'aba the hundreds of idols that surrounded the Ka'aba
125 00:09:30,237 00:09:32,573 an ancient shrine in the heart of the city. an ancient shrine in the heart of the city.
126 00:09:34,575 00:09:39,279 The Ka'aba was surrounded by a sacred area where fighting was not allowed. The Ka'aba was surrounded by a sacred area where fighting was not allowed.
127 00:09:41,215 00:09:44,518 The commerce generated by the pilgrims made it possible The commerce generated by the pilgrims made it possible
128 00:09:44,518 00:09:49,089 for a young man in Muhammad's circumstances to make a living in the markets of Mecca. for a young man in Muhammad's circumstances to make a living in the markets of Mecca.
129 00:09:50,791 00:09:55,229 Soon Muhammad began acting as an agent for wealthy merchants Soon Muhammad began acting as an agent for wealthy merchants
130 00:09:55,629 00:09:58,632 taking their goods on caravans throughout Arabia. taking their goods on caravans throughout Arabia.
131 00:10:00,000 00:10:04,938 These journeys exposed him to a variety of other tribes and communities These journeys exposed him to a variety of other tribes and communities
132 00:10:05,239 00:10:07,174 and a range of new ideas. and a range of new ideas.
133 00:10:08,775 00:10:13,146 He probably learned the differences that exist between different tribes. He probably learned the differences that exist between different tribes.
134 00:10:13,847 00:10:18,585 People speaking different languages. He encountered Christians and Jews. People speaking different languages. He encountered Christians and Jews.
135 00:10:19,186 00:10:22,122 And learned from them what their faith And learned from them what their faith
136 00:10:22,155 00:10:25,225 what their religion, what their cultures, are. what their religion, what their cultures, are.
137 00:10:26,793 00:10:29,930 Muhammad would have become aware that for the Jews Muhammad would have become aware that for the Jews
138 00:10:29,930 00:10:33,433 and the Christians the holy scripture was very important. and the Christians the holy scripture was very important.
139 00:10:34,535 00:10:38,038 Both got scriptures in which God had sent Both got scriptures in which God had sent
140 00:10:38,305 00:10:41,275 a sacred message to prophets a sacred message to prophets
141 00:10:41,942 00:10:46,246 and this was a way in which people could relate to the divine. and this was a way in which people could relate to the divine.
142 00:10:49,049 00:10:52,786 When MUHAMMAD was about 25 years old When MUHAMMAD was about 25 years old
143 00:10:53,253 00:10:55,455 he had a major change in his life. he had a major change in his life.
144 00:10:55,822 00:10:57,925 A wealthy widow A wealthy widow
145 00:10:58,292 00:10:59,993 older woman named KHADIJA older woman named KHADIJA
146 00:11:01,028 00:11:05,065 asked him to take her caravans into Syria for her. asked him to take her caravans into Syria for her.
147 00:11:06,533 00:11:11,238 Muhammad took all her goods and went with the caravan to Syria and did Muhammad took all her goods and went with the caravan to Syria and did
148 00:11:11,705 00:11:13,073 an incredible job. an incredible job.
149 00:11:14,208 00:11:18,745 And her respect for him turned into admiration for him. And her respect for him turned into admiration for him.
150 00:11:18,779 00:11:21,281 And she inquired about him through one of her friends. And she inquired about him through one of her friends.
151 00:11:23,884 00:11:27,554 Shortly thereafter Khadija asked Muhammad to marry her. Shortly thereafter Khadija asked Muhammad to marry her.
152 00:11:29,857 00:11:32,526 I like you because of our relationship, she said I like you because of our relationship, she said
153 00:11:32,960 00:11:35,329 "And your high reputation among your people;" "And your high reputation among your people;"
154 00:11:36,330 00:11:40,701 "Your trustworthiness, good character, and truthfulness. " "Your trustworthiness, good character, and truthfulness. "
155 00:11:42,069 00:11:43,770 And this is interesting. And this is interesting.
156 00:11:43,804 00:11:45,205 She's is a very beautiful woman. She's is a very beautiful woman.
157 00:11:45,205 00:11:46,406 But she's, she's 40. But she's, she's 40.
158 00:11:46,406 00:11:48,475 She is, she is moving into her maturity. She is, she is moving into her maturity.
159 00:11:48,876 00:11:50,777 And he's a 25-year-old youth. And he's a 25-year-old youth.
160 00:11:51,144 00:11:52,412 Um, he's an orphan. Um, he's an orphan.
161 00:11:52,746 00:11:57,518 And, and he accepts this, uh, proposal and it's arranged through the family. And, and he accepts this, uh, proposal and it's arranged through the family.
162 00:11:57,551 00:11:58,919 And he does, indeed, marry her. And he does, indeed, marry her.
163 00:11:59,219 00:12:01,822 And people have often said rather sneeringly that And people have often said rather sneeringly that
164 00:12:01,822 00:12:04,525 this was just a marriage of convenience on his part. this was just a marriage of convenience on his part.
165 00:12:04,525 00:12:08,929 He'd just married the wealthy widow for his own ah gain and profit. He'd just married the wealthy widow for his own ah gain and profit.
166 00:12:09,396 00:12:13,834 But there's no doubt in my mind that he deeply, deeply loved Khadija. But there's no doubt in my mind that he deeply, deeply loved Khadija.
167 00:12:15,302 00:12:19,773 Over the course of their marriage, Khadija and Muhammad had four daughters Over the course of their marriage, Khadija and Muhammad had four daughters
168 00:12:20,274 00:12:22,376 and two sons who died as infants. and two sons who died as infants.
169 00:12:24,111 00:12:27,714 He was a family man, and a successful and respected merchant. He was a family man, and a successful and respected merchant.
170 00:12:29,616 00:12:32,586 But as Muhammad approached his own fortieth birthday But as Muhammad approached his own fortieth birthday
171 00:12:33,020 00:12:35,789 he was becoming increasingly restless and he was becoming increasingly restless and
172 00:12:35,789 00:12:38,659 troubled by the problems of Meccan society. troubled by the problems of Meccan society.
173 00:12:39,493 00:12:40,894 Within a few generations Within a few generations
174 00:12:40,894 00:12:46,166 they had gone from this kind of brutal existence in the Arabian Steppes they had gone from this kind of brutal existence in the Arabian Steppes
175 00:12:46,600 00:12:49,536 to becoming financiers, bankers to becoming financiers, bankers
176 00:12:49,736 00:12:52,840 businessmen, merchants, with a lot of money. businessmen, merchants, with a lot of money.
177 00:12:53,507 00:12:57,678 And this was great, of course, and people were delighted. And this was great, of course, and people were delighted.
178 00:12:57,845 00:13:01,181 But it was a very disturbing time But it was a very disturbing time
179 00:13:01,515 00:13:04,751 because the market economy demanded because the market economy demanded
180 00:13:04,918 00:13:09,056 as we know only too well in the West, a strong competitive streak. as we know only too well in the West, a strong competitive streak.
181 00:13:10,090 00:13:14,061 People no longer felt that they had to take care of the poor and the needy. People no longer felt that they had to take care of the poor and the needy.
182 00:13:14,127 00:13:16,597 And the weaker members of Quraysh any longer. And the weaker members of Quraysh any longer.
183 00:13:16,763 00:13:19,166 They had to make as much money at they possibly could. They had to make as much money at they possibly could.
184 00:13:20,634 00:13:22,035 They had a marvelous society. They had a marvelous society.
185 00:13:22,035 00:13:24,371 They had a trading town, they were booming They had a trading town, they were booming
186 00:13:24,371 00:13:25,639 they were doing business. they were doing business.
187 00:13:25,806 00:13:28,208 They were living like an affluent society. They were living like an affluent society.
188 00:13:28,742 00:13:31,044 And when you have an affluent society And when you have an affluent society
189 00:13:31,378 00:13:33,413 the tendency is to become hedonistic. the tendency is to become hedonistic.
190 00:13:33,514 00:13:35,883 To look at, you know, what are the pleasures of life? To look at, you know, what are the pleasures of life?
191 00:13:37,985 00:13:43,023 Muhammad would often retreat to the mountains outside Mecca, to meditate. Muhammad would often retreat to the mountains outside Mecca, to meditate.
192 00:13:45,425 00:13:50,864 It was on one such retreat in the year 610 that Muhammad had an experience It was on one such retreat in the year 610 that Muhammad had an experience
193 00:13:51,131 00:13:53,066 that would transform history. that would transform history.
194 00:13:54,401 00:13:57,204 The prophet used to retire from time to time The prophet used to retire from time to time
195 00:13:58,672 00:14:01,742 into a hill called Jabal al-Nur, the Mountain of Light. into a hill called Jabal al-Nur, the Mountain of Light.
196 00:14:07,481 00:14:10,217 When you climb up that mountain and many people still do it When you climb up that mountain and many people still do it
197 00:14:11,251 00:14:15,589 on top of it is a cave called al-Hira in Arabic on top of it is a cave called al-Hira in Arabic
198 00:14:16,723 00:14:20,327 Into which the Prophet would often times retire in order to contemplate Into which the Prophet would often times retire in order to contemplate
199 00:14:21,828 00:14:22,663 and to pray. and to pray.
200 00:14:23,130 00:14:24,298 To be still with God. To be still with God.
201 00:14:26,700 00:14:30,437 The coming of the revelation was an immediate act. The coming of the revelation was an immediate act.
202 00:14:33,473 00:14:35,876 The descent from heaven came suddenly. The descent from heaven came suddenly.
203 00:14:38,645 00:14:43,851 Muhammad was woken from sleep and felt himself absolutely enveloped Muhammad was woken from sleep and felt himself absolutely enveloped
204 00:14:43,851 00:14:46,253 by a terrifying divine presence. by a terrifying divine presence.
205 00:14:49,556 00:14:52,826 He says it's an angel that seemed to squeeze him He says it's an angel that seemed to squeeze him
206 00:14:52,826 00:14:55,395 ah, in a devastating embrace ah, in a devastating embrace
207 00:14:55,696 00:15:00,000 and it felt as though all the breath was being squeezed out of his body. and it felt as though all the breath was being squeezed out of his body.
208 00:15:01,235 00:15:03,537 "And a voice said to him, "recite. " "And a voice said to him, "recite. "
209 00:15:06,306 00:15:09,042 "And Muhammad said, "no, I am not a reciter. " "And Muhammad said, "no, I am not a reciter. "
210 00:15:09,042 00:15:10,944 "The voice again said "recite"." "The voice again said "recite"."
211 00:15:13,647 00:15:14,615 Recite Recite
212 00:15:17,851 00:15:22,356 And then squeezed, as he said almost beyond his endurance And then squeezed, as he said almost beyond his endurance
213 00:15:24,458 00:15:28,495 Muhammad felt the first inspired words Muhammad felt the first inspired words
214 00:15:28,495 00:15:32,733 of a new scripture in Arabic pouring from his lips. of a new scripture in Arabic pouring from his lips.
215 00:15:36,970 00:15:42,042 That is recite in the name of thy lord who created. That is recite in the name of thy lord who created.
216 00:15:44,244 00:15:46,780 And Islam had come into being. And Islam had come into being.
217 00:15:49,850 00:15:52,920 And the prophet of course having received the divine word And the prophet of course having received the divine word
218 00:15:53,921 00:15:57,124 began to tremble and tremendous fear began to tremble and tremendous fear
219 00:15:58,025 00:16:01,828 because there's no common groundbetween the human reality and the divine reality because there's no common groundbetween the human reality and the divine reality
220 00:16:02,062 00:16:03,163 When he ran out of the cave When he ran out of the cave
221 00:16:06,567 00:16:09,303 When he ran out of the cave he looked back When he ran out of the cave he looked back
222 00:16:11,638 00:16:13,907 and the Archangel filled up the whole of the sky. and the Archangel filled up the whole of the sky.
223 00:16:15,409 00:16:18,178 Everywhere you looked there was Gabriel. Everywhere you looked there was Gabriel.
224 00:16:19,246 00:16:25,052 Not just a single angelic image but a presence, a being, a power. Not just a single angelic image but a presence, a being, a power.
225 00:16:27,020 00:16:29,256 This is how the ineffable This is how the ineffable
226 00:16:29,523 00:16:33,927 incomprehensible, utterly transcendent, indescribable God incomprehensible, utterly transcendent, indescribable God
227 00:16:34,761 00:16:36,430 makes itself known to us. makes itself known to us.
228 00:16:40,601 00:16:44,371 This was something that really shook him to the very core of his being. This was something that really shook him to the very core of his being.
229 00:16:44,638 00:16:47,040 And he goes down from that mountain and he is shaking. And he goes down from that mountain and he is shaking.
230 00:16:47,875 00:16:49,543 And I think it's, it's shock. And I think it's, it's shock.
231 00:16:50,811 00:16:52,412 Here is somebody who, who's gone Here is somebody who, who's gone
232 00:16:52,713 00:16:54,481 looking for this transcendent reality looking for this transcendent reality
233 00:16:54,681 00:16:56,984 and this transcendent reality is now and this transcendent reality is now
234 00:16:58,385 00:16:59,019 replying. replying.
235 00:17:02,422 00:17:07,961 Muhammad was so shaken by this experience, he feared he might be possessed. Muhammad was so shaken by this experience, he feared he might be possessed.
236 00:17:09,530 00:17:11,899 He ran home directly to Khadija. He ran home directly to Khadija.
237 00:17:13,166 00:17:17,671 And there he flung himself into her lap and he said cover me And there he flung himself into her lap and he said cover me
238 00:17:18,005 00:17:21,475 cover me, hold me, until the terror had passed. cover me, hold me, until the terror had passed.
239 00:17:24,178 00:17:27,181 Khadija was the person who reassured him. Khadija was the person who reassured him.
240 00:17:29,349 00:17:32,152 "He said, "have I become a kahin, a soothsayer?" "He said, "have I become a kahin, a soothsayer?"
241 00:17:32,386 00:17:33,520 And she said And she said
242 00:17:33,754 00:17:36,590 No my dear this is not what God does. No my dear this is not what God does.
243 00:17:37,057 00:17:39,159 This revelation comes from God. This revelation comes from God.
244 00:17:42,663 00:17:46,533 The message Muhammad received on the Mountain of Light was simple: The message Muhammad received on the Mountain of Light was simple:
245 00:17:47,267 00:17:50,137 He was to recite the words of the one true God. He was to recite the words of the one true God.
246 00:17:51,872 00:17:55,709 But Muhammad still had doubts that his experience was genuine. But Muhammad still had doubts that his experience was genuine.
247 00:17:56,944 00:18:01,215 Khadija ah, thought it would be a good idea to go to consult her Khadija ah, thought it would be a good idea to go to consult her
248 00:18:01,582 00:18:04,551 her cousin Waraqa who was a Christian. her cousin Waraqa who was a Christian.
249 00:18:04,985 00:18:08,222 She is saying, we need to go to somebody that knows about these things. She is saying, we need to go to somebody that knows about these things.
250 00:18:08,922 00:18:11,959 Because if you're told you're being given a message from God Because if you're told you're being given a message from God
251 00:18:12,192 00:18:14,061 well, there have been previous messages. well, there have been previous messages.
252 00:18:14,228 00:18:17,764 So, let's go ask Waraqa. Who knows the scripture. So, let's go ask Waraqa. Who knows the scripture.
253 00:18:17,965 00:18:20,400 He knows, uh, the Torah and the, the Gospel. He knows, uh, the Torah and the, the Gospel.
254 00:18:21,902 00:18:26,440 And as soon as Waraqa heard about this, he immediately said And as soon as Waraqa heard about this, he immediately said
255 00:18:26,573 00:18:28,141 Muhammad is the prophet Muhammad is the prophet
256 00:18:28,575 00:18:33,247 ah who will bring the revelation of the one God to the Arabs ah who will bring the revelation of the one God to the Arabs
257 00:18:33,714 00:18:36,016 and he warned Muhammad and he warned Muhammad
258 00:18:36,783 00:18:39,253 uh that he would have a really rough time. uh that he would have a really rough time.
259 00:18:40,354 00:18:44,057 He says, your people are going to reject you and they will chase you out of this city. He says, your people are going to reject you and they will chase you out of this city.
260 00:18:44,892 00:18:49,763 This has never come to any human being, except they were persecuted. This has never come to any human being, except they were persecuted.
261 00:18:50,097 00:18:55,302 Because this is basically undermining the paradigm. Because this is basically undermining the paradigm.
262 00:18:58,071 00:19:01,208 And after a while Muhammad began to realize that And after a while Muhammad began to realize that
263 00:19:01,375 00:19:05,879 the messages he had been receiving fit a pattern that he knew about the messages he had been receiving fit a pattern that he knew about
264 00:19:06,547 00:19:09,216 from Jewish and Christian tradition as well. from Jewish and Christian tradition as well.
265 00:19:09,216 00:19:11,485 And that is that there are such things as prophets. And that is that there are such things as prophets.
266 00:19:12,853 00:19:16,723 There are people who receive messages from the divine There are people who receive messages from the divine
267 00:19:17,357 00:19:21,094 and that he began to realize that indeed he was one of them as well. and that he began to realize that indeed he was one of them as well.
268 00:19:23,330 00:19:24,565 When we think of prophecy When we think of prophecy
269 00:19:25,132 00:19:29,503 we come from a tradition in America where we think of Charlton Heston, you know we come from a tradition in America where we think of Charlton Heston, you know
270 00:19:29,503 00:19:32,472 the great big beard and the winds always blowing. the great big beard and the winds always blowing.
271 00:19:33,173 00:19:36,243 And he's, wearing raggedy clothes and they're, and they're ranting people. And he's, wearing raggedy clothes and they're, and they're ranting people.
272 00:19:36,243 00:19:37,578 You know, they're ranting and raving. You know, they're ranting and raving.
273 00:19:39,246 00:19:42,015 In the Islamic view a prophet isn't this kind of person at all. In the Islamic view a prophet isn't this kind of person at all.
274 00:19:42,015 00:19:46,286 But it's the person who has been selected very reluctantly from his people. But it's the person who has been selected very reluctantly from his people.
275 00:19:46,820 00:19:48,188 God selected him and they couldn't God selected him and they couldn't
276 00:19:48,689 00:19:50,891 get out of the clutches in a sense, they had to do it. get out of the clutches in a sense, they had to do it.
277 00:19:55,062 00:19:59,566 You have to think in terms of a tribal Bedouin society. You have to think in terms of a tribal Bedouin society.
278 00:20:00,734 00:20:05,539 What is the worst thing that could happen to somebody? What is the worst thing that could happen to somebody?
279 00:20:06,540 00:20:08,976 It is not death. It is shame. It is not death. It is shame.
280 00:20:10,143 00:20:12,579 And so I am sure that in his own mind And so I am sure that in his own mind
281 00:20:13,180 00:20:17,584 the idea of being shamed was probably very important. the idea of being shamed was probably very important.
282 00:20:18,652 00:20:21,088 I mean think of the double loss of face I mean think of the double loss of face
283 00:20:21,288 00:20:25,158 you know he's gonna lose face, he's gonna be shamed in front of his people. you know he's gonna lose face, he's gonna be shamed in front of his people.
284 00:20:25,359 00:20:28,362 He's gonna be shamed in front of Allah who gave him that message. He's gonna be shamed in front of Allah who gave him that message.
285 00:20:31,732 00:20:35,836 One of the drawing features to me as a non-Muslim One of the drawing features to me as a non-Muslim
286 00:20:35,836 00:20:38,338 who came from just a very diverse background who came from just a very diverse background
287 00:20:38,872 00:20:41,241 was his humility. And his humanness. was his humility. And his humanness.
288 00:20:43,277 00:20:47,080 Kevin James is a Supervising Fire Marshal in Brooklyn, New York Kevin James is a Supervising Fire Marshal in Brooklyn, New York
289 00:20:47,781 00:20:50,317 who converted to Islam as a young man. who converted to Islam as a young man.
290 00:20:52,553 00:20:54,922 I felt a kinship to him also personally. I felt a kinship to him also personally.
291 00:20:56,156 00:20:59,993 And there's probably about a billion Muslims who would say the same thing, personal And there's probably about a billion Muslims who would say the same thing, personal
292 00:21:01,061 00:21:03,030 this personal kinship that they feel with him. this personal kinship that they feel with him.
293 00:21:04,464 00:21:07,734 Ah he grew up an orphan, now I'm not an orphan, I have two parents. But... Ah he grew up an orphan, now I'm not an orphan, I have two parents. But...
294 00:21:08,535 00:21:11,839 my position in society, I've always felt, separate. my position in society, I've always felt, separate.
295 00:21:13,674 00:21:16,743 America is a racial nation. And... America is a racial nation. And...
296 00:21:17,377 00:21:21,315 either you're Black, you're White, you're Italian, you're Jewish, you're this and that. either you're Black, you're White, you're Italian, you're Jewish, you're this and that.
297 00:21:22,449 00:21:27,287 So coming from a mixed background, I've felt like, kind of, in limbo. So coming from a mixed background, I've felt like, kind of, in limbo.
298 00:21:29,590 00:21:34,294 My father is Native American and African-American and my mother is Jewish. My father is Native American and African-American and my mother is Jewish.
299 00:21:35,329 00:21:40,434 They were very a-religious I would say to the point of being atheist or agnostic. They were very a-religious I would say to the point of being atheist or agnostic.
300 00:21:42,603 00:21:46,607 I recall as a child we'd get a dreidel I recall as a child we'd get a dreidel
301 00:21:47,040 00:21:49,843 on Hanukkah, we had a menorah in the house and we also had on Hanukkah, we had a menorah in the house and we also had
302 00:21:49,843 00:21:52,513 a Christmas tree and exchanged presents. a Christmas tree and exchanged presents.
303 00:21:54,448 00:21:59,453 So, I just never really identified with any religion So, I just never really identified with any religion
304 00:22:00,454 00:22:05,025 but what was always emphasized was discussion and dialogue and but what was always emphasized was discussion and dialogue and
305 00:22:06,193 00:22:07,261 seeking for the truth. seeking for the truth.
306 00:22:10,063 00:22:14,034 So I went through a period of trial and error searching. So I went through a period of trial and error searching.
307 00:22:14,735 00:22:20,541 And I stumbled, I guess, I almost literally stumbled on Islam. And I stumbled, I guess, I almost literally stumbled on Islam.
308 00:22:22,709 00:22:27,114 What appealed to me was the universality of the message. What appealed to me was the universality of the message.
309 00:22:27,848 00:22:32,719 Any religion that gives a code of righteous ethical conduct and... Any religion that gives a code of righteous ethical conduct and...
310 00:22:33,287 00:22:38,458 respect and gratitude and obedience to one being, is Islam. respect and gratitude and obedience to one being, is Islam.
311 00:22:39,860 00:22:45,399 So, here's a book, the Holy Quran, that validates other religions So, here's a book, the Holy Quran, that validates other religions
312 00:22:46,300 00:22:47,601 the diversity of mankind the diversity of mankind
313 00:22:48,368 00:22:53,373 and it puts the onus of salvation on the believer. and it puts the onus of salvation on the believer.
314 00:22:55,342 00:22:57,945 The Quran teaches you that the saving of one life The Quran teaches you that the saving of one life
315 00:22:58,278 00:23:00,013 is as if you've saved all of humanity. is as if you've saved all of humanity.
316 00:23:01,148 00:23:05,085 And that's one of the reasons why I became a firefighter. And that's one of the reasons why I became a firefighter.
317 00:23:06,286 00:23:09,223 What more noble calling than that to save a person's life What more noble calling than that to save a person's life
318 00:23:09,223 00:23:11,024 to save people, to save their property. to save people, to save their property.
319 00:23:11,458 00:23:12,759 There was another fire in the back. There was another fire in the back.
320 00:23:13,660 00:23:14,828 Okay. Yeah. So show me what you have. Okay. Yeah. So show me what you have.
321 00:23:16,196 00:23:20,701 From being a fire fighter, I became a Fire Marshall, that's an arson investigator. From being a fire fighter, I became a Fire Marshall, that's an arson investigator.
322 00:23:22,236 00:23:24,471 That's another form of prevention, of saving lives. That's another form of prevention, of saving lives.
323 00:23:26,173 00:23:28,008 I guess there's no doubt what caused this. I guess there's no doubt what caused this.
324 00:23:28,942 00:23:32,546 The fire fighter, he'll risk his life to save you whether you're Black The fire fighter, he'll risk his life to save you whether you're Black
325 00:23:32,779 00:23:35,949 brown, red, Jew, Muslim, Christian, Atheist. brown, red, Jew, Muslim, Christian, Atheist.
326 00:23:37,150 00:23:40,621 He's not asking you what your philosophy is or looking at your color. He's not asking you what your philosophy is or looking at your color.
327 00:23:41,121 00:23:42,556 He's looking to get you out of the building. He's looking to get you out of the building.
328 00:23:44,391 00:23:48,462 That's why many people say that fire fighting is a calling, because of that That's why many people say that fire fighting is a calling, because of that
329 00:23:49,229 00:23:51,098 self-sacrifice. self-sacrifice.
330 00:23:51,265 00:23:53,534 The willingness to just put others before yourself. The willingness to just put others before yourself.
331 00:23:55,702 00:23:57,538 To be a good Muslim, you serve people. To be a good Muslim, you serve people.
332 00:23:58,172 00:24:00,007 And specifically, Prophet Muhammad And specifically, Prophet Muhammad
333 00:24:00,841 00:24:02,743 he asked the question to people around him: he asked the question to people around him:
334 00:24:03,544 00:24:05,045 Do you love your creator? Do you love your creator?
335 00:24:06,079 00:24:07,514 Serve your fellow man first. Serve your fellow man first.
336 00:24:09,917 00:24:13,654 The message Muhammad had received from God evealed that The message Muhammad had received from God evealed that
337 00:24:13,654 00:24:16,456 his people would be held accountable in he next life his people would be held accountable in he next life
338 00:24:16,924 00:24:18,525 for their behavior in this one. for their behavior in this one.
339 00:24:20,427 00:24:24,464 Although Muhammad was initially reluctant to tell others about his experience Although Muhammad was initially reluctant to tell others about his experience
340 00:24:24,831 00:24:29,136 a new revelation commanded him to make his message public. a new revelation commanded him to make his message public.
341 00:24:30,604 00:24:34,141 So he calls all of his family members together and he says So he calls all of his family members together and he says
342 00:24:34,474 00:24:38,212 what would you say if I told you that there was this army what would you say if I told you that there was this army
343 00:24:39,246 00:24:43,250 waiting to attack us on the other side of that hill. waiting to attack us on the other side of that hill.
344 00:24:44,151 00:24:46,320 They said, we would believe you and he said what would you say if I told you They said, we would believe you and he said what would you say if I told you
345 00:24:47,187 00:24:51,024 and he said what would you say if I told you and he said what would you say if I told you
346 00:24:51,491 00:24:52,926 I'm a messenger from God. I'm a messenger from God.
347 00:24:54,795 00:24:55,863 They think it's absurd. They think it's absurd.
348 00:24:56,797 00:24:58,432 You, you called us together for this? You, you called us together for this?
349 00:24:58,632 00:25:00,000 And he says, will no one support me in this. And he says, will no one support me in this.
350 00:25:01,001 00:25:04,771 And the only person is a, is a child Ali who is his cousin And the only person is a, is a child Ali who is his cousin
351 00:25:04,905 00:25:07,407 uh, gets up and says, I will support you. uh, gets up and says, I will support you.
352 00:25:07,474 00:25:09,743 And they, they think this is hilarious. And they, they think this is hilarious.
353 00:25:10,077 00:25:14,481 That this is, this is who is going to follow this prophet is, is a child. That this is, this is who is going to follow this prophet is, is a child.
354 00:25:14,715 00:25:18,185 Think about it, there is a man, a middle-aged man Think about it, there is a man, a middle-aged man
355 00:25:18,185 00:25:20,854 who doesn't know how to read or write, who has no wealth who doesn't know how to read or write, who has no wealth
356 00:25:21,455 00:25:24,658 who is an orphan, yes he is from a very important tribe who is an orphan, yes he is from a very important tribe
357 00:25:24,658 00:25:28,428 but he works for a woman, and he now says, I'm the Prophet. but he works for a woman, and he now says, I'm the Prophet.
358 00:25:29,263 00:25:30,430 God has spoken to me. God has spoken to me.
359 00:25:32,099 00:25:33,734 This is not going to fly. This is not going to fly.
360 00:25:37,070 00:25:40,774 The divine message that Muhammad brought to his fellow Meccans The divine message that Muhammad brought to his fellow Meccans
361 00:25:40,874 00:25:42,976 carried with it a sharp warning carried with it a sharp warning
362 00:25:43,076 00:25:45,879 for their increasingly materialistic society. for their increasingly materialistic society.
363 00:25:47,948 00:25:52,286 He was coming to warn the people of Mecca and the surrounding countryside He was coming to warn the people of Mecca and the surrounding countryside
364 00:25:52,686 00:25:54,621 and his own tribe of Quraysh and his own tribe of Quraysh
365 00:25:55,622 00:25:59,359 that unless they pulled themselves together and started that unless they pulled themselves together and started
366 00:25:59,359 00:26:02,329 creating a more just and decent society creating a more just and decent society
367 00:26:03,096 00:26:07,701 restoring the old tribal values of looking after the poor restoring the old tribal values of looking after the poor
368 00:26:07,968 00:26:10,971 the orphan, the widow, the oppressed the orphan, the widow, the oppressed
369 00:26:11,405 00:26:13,407 then there was going to be a terrible catastrophe. then there was going to be a terrible catastrophe.
370 00:26:15,509 00:26:17,110 The Arabs did not believe in after life. The Arabs did not believe in after life.
371 00:26:17,110 00:26:21,481 They really thought that life ended with death and there was no resurrection They really thought that life ended with death and there was no resurrection
372 00:26:21,481 00:26:24,117 there was no coming back, there was no reincarnation. there was no coming back, there was no reincarnation.
373 00:26:25,752 00:26:28,956 So now Muhammad is saying, you know that one God we spoke of? So now Muhammad is saying, you know that one God we spoke of?
374 00:26:29,189 00:26:32,159 When you are going to die, you don't just disappear. When you are going to die, you don't just disappear.
375 00:26:32,726 00:26:35,162 But you're going to be accountable to that God But you're going to be accountable to that God
376 00:26:35,162 00:26:36,830 for the good deeds and the bad deeds. for the good deeds and the bad deeds.
377 00:26:39,533 00:26:43,704 He was bringing a moral, ethical, social message to his people. He was bringing a moral, ethical, social message to his people.
378 00:26:44,438 00:26:49,743 That we're all in the same boat before God and we must treat each other well That we're all in the same boat before God and we must treat each other well
379 00:26:49,943 00:26:53,480 with compassion and justice, and equity. with compassion and justice, and equity.
380 00:26:55,616 00:26:59,052 The revelation that Muhammad received on the Mountain of Light The revelation that Muhammad received on the Mountain of Light
381 00:26:59,386 00:27:02,890 was only the first of many that he would continue to receive was only the first of many that he would continue to receive
382 00:27:03,023 00:27:04,358 for the rest of his life. for the rest of his life.
383 00:27:05,759 00:27:09,162 The revelation does not come in a lump sum. The revelation does not come in a lump sum.
384 00:27:09,863 00:27:12,165 It doesn't just come down from heaven, here is the book. It doesn't just come down from heaven, here is the book.
385 00:27:13,066 00:27:14,968 Now go out and teach it to the people. No. Now go out and teach it to the people. No.
386 00:27:16,336 00:27:18,238 It is coming down slowly. It is coming down slowly.
387 00:27:18,705 00:27:22,309 It's coming down as events unfold. It's coming down as events unfold.
388 00:27:23,343 00:27:24,845 And it's explaining the events And it's explaining the events
389 00:27:24,978 00:27:29,082 but it's also coming down in a way that he can absorb it. but it's also coming down in a way that he can absorb it.
390 00:27:29,416 00:27:31,818 Because the idea is that this thing is so tremendous. Because the idea is that this thing is so tremendous.
391 00:27:31,985 00:27:33,487 This thing is so immense This thing is so immense
392 00:27:33,887 00:27:37,157 that it's not something that we can give you all at once. that it's not something that we can give you all at once.
393 00:27:37,324 00:27:38,525 This is going to take time. This is going to take time.
394 00:27:38,859 00:27:43,063 He used to say that I never once experienced a revelation He used to say that I never once experienced a revelation
395 00:27:43,263 00:27:46,733 without feeling that my soul had been torn from my body. without feeling that my soul had been torn from my body.
396 00:27:49,136 00:27:51,071 The prophet could be sitting, he could be on horseback The prophet could be sitting, he could be on horseback
397 00:27:51,071 00:27:52,873 he could be walking, he could be talking. he could be walking, he could be talking.
398 00:27:53,373 00:27:55,442 He was suddenly seized by the divine word. He was suddenly seized by the divine word.
399 00:27:57,911 00:28:00,013 He would feel a great weight descend upon him. He would feel a great weight descend upon him.
400 00:28:02,082 00:28:05,052 He would sweat profusely even on a cold day. He would sweat profusely even on a cold day.
401 00:28:07,221 00:28:10,824 Sometimes he said it would be like the reverberations of a bell. Sometimes he said it would be like the reverberations of a bell.
402 00:28:11,158 00:28:14,995 And that he said is hardest for me, it's not the words that were coming. And that he said is hardest for me, it's not the words that were coming.
403 00:28:15,429 00:28:19,700 But he would have to listen very hard for the meaning But he would have to listen very hard for the meaning
404 00:28:20,133 00:28:25,939 of what communication, divine communication was coming through. of what communication, divine communication was coming through.
405 00:28:27,574 00:28:30,244 After Muhammad received each revelation After Muhammad received each revelation
406 00:28:30,444 00:28:32,846 he would recite it to the people who were with him he would recite it to the people who were with him
407 00:28:33,113 00:28:35,115 and they would pass it on to the community. and they would pass it on to the community.
408 00:28:36,450 00:28:39,753 When the Prophet, who did not know how to read and write When the Prophet, who did not know how to read and write
409 00:28:40,053 00:28:43,090 started revealing the words of the Quran started revealing the words of the Quran
410 00:28:43,090 00:28:45,325 they acquired credibility they acquired credibility
411 00:28:45,759 00:28:49,596 because of the very nature of the words spoken. because of the very nature of the words spoken.
412 00:28:50,764 00:28:53,066 People would, would look at it, this is, my goodness People would, would look at it, this is, my goodness
413 00:28:53,066 00:28:56,870 this cannot be the words of a man. He could not have made this up. this cannot be the words of a man. He could not have made this up.
414 00:29:16,423 00:29:21,762 The Quran is the most extraordinary beautiful discourse. The Quran is the most extraordinary beautiful discourse.
415 00:29:22,496 00:29:25,365 It doesn't come over in translation It doesn't come over in translation
416 00:29:25,766 00:29:28,669 but the Arabic is extraordinary. but the Arabic is extraordinary.
417 00:29:31,638 00:29:34,808 When the first Muslims heard The Quran When the first Muslims heard The Quran
418 00:29:35,108 00:29:40,914 many of them were converted to the prophet's message. many of them were converted to the prophet's message.
419 00:29:41,715 00:29:45,586 Not necessarily because of its content but because of its beauty. Not necessarily because of its content but because of its beauty.
420 00:29:50,123 00:29:53,527 That revelation was presented in a society That revelation was presented in a society
421 00:29:53,894 00:29:56,797 where there were people who were professional memorizers. where there were people who were professional memorizers.
422 00:29:58,031 00:30:01,168 They could hear something recited once and they could repeat it. They could hear something recited once and they could repeat it.
423 00:30:02,836 00:30:07,040 The recitation then by Muhammad was carefully preserved The recitation then by Muhammad was carefully preserved
424 00:30:07,341 00:30:10,577 immediately in the minds of memorizers immediately in the minds of memorizers
425 00:30:10,711 00:30:14,214 and in the minds of people who were able to write down notes. and in the minds of people who were able to write down notes.
426 00:30:15,082 00:30:16,950 What we now call the Quran What we now call the Quran
427 00:30:17,351 00:30:21,154 represented the complete collection of those words represented the complete collection of those words
428 00:30:21,321 00:30:25,292 that Muhammad recited when he said this is the revelation of God that Muhammad recited when he said this is the revelation of God
429 00:30:28,562 00:30:30,264 All we have of the prophet All we have of the prophet
430 00:30:31,164 00:30:34,468 and all we have of the word of God is actually words. and all we have of the word of God is actually words.
431 00:30:35,335 00:30:36,403 We don't have any pictures. We don't have any pictures.
432 00:30:37,037 00:30:38,405 We don't have any statues. We don't have any statues.
433 00:30:38,705 00:30:40,440 All we have left is words. All we have left is words.
434 00:30:41,808 00:30:45,445 We can take those words and through the art of calligraphy We can take those words and through the art of calligraphy
435 00:30:45,779 00:30:48,382 we can make them more vivid, more accessible. we can make them more vivid, more accessible.
436 00:30:49,716 00:30:54,321 For Mohamed Zakariya, words are the basis of an art form. For Mohamed Zakariya, words are the basis of an art form.
437 00:30:55,522 00:30:56,857 To prevent idolatry To prevent idolatry
438 00:30:57,157 00:31:02,296 Muhammad discouraged the creation of any images of himself or other prophets. Muhammad discouraged the creation of any images of himself or other prophets.
439 00:31:03,197 00:31:06,934 Calligraphy eventually became Islam's highest art form. Calligraphy eventually became Islam's highest art form.
440 00:31:08,702 00:31:12,472 Among the sacred texts Zakariya writes is the Hilye Among the sacred texts Zakariya writes is the Hilye
441 00:31:12,706 00:31:14,975 a portrait of the Prophet in words. a portrait of the Prophet in words.
442 00:31:16,143 00:31:20,047 Transmitted from Ali, who, when asked to describe the prophet, would say: Transmitted from Ali, who, when asked to describe the prophet, would say:
443 00:31:20,747 00:31:23,016 His face was not narrow, nor was it fully round His face was not narrow, nor was it fully round
444 00:31:23,517 00:31:25,219 but there was a little bit of roundness to it. but there was a little bit of roundness to it.
445 00:31:26,153 00:31:27,254 When he looked at someone When he looked at someone
446 00:31:27,521 00:31:30,490 he looked at them with his face turned perfectly towards them. he looked at them with his face turned perfectly towards them.
447 00:31:31,625 00:31:34,361 Whoever saw him unexpectedly was in awe of him Whoever saw him unexpectedly was in awe of him
448 00:31:34,962 00:31:37,764 and whoever associated with him familiarly loved him. and whoever associated with him familiarly loved him.
449 00:31:38,532 00:31:40,534 Anyone who would describe him would say Anyone who would describe him would say
450 00:31:40,534 00:31:44,204 'I never saw before him or after him the like of him. 'I never saw before him or after him the like of him.
451 00:31:44,638 00:31:45,606 "Peace be upon him. '" "Peace be upon him. '"
452 00:31:47,474 00:31:49,343 That's the most famous of the Hilyes. That's the most famous of the Hilyes.
453 00:31:49,643 00:31:53,714 It gives you a description of the qualities of a person It gives you a description of the qualities of a person
454 00:31:54,147 00:31:58,185 so that you can almost see them in your, uh, eyes, in your mind's eye. so that you can almost see them in your, uh, eyes, in your mind's eye.
455 00:32:01,021 00:32:04,024 I like to think it's like having a little I like to think it's like having a little
456 00:32:04,625 00:32:07,160 memento of the prophet near you so that you can look memento of the prophet near you so that you can look
457 00:32:07,227 00:32:08,795 at it and think of it now and then. at it and think of it now and then.
458 00:32:10,964 00:32:14,468 And of course, he's not with us, but the Hilye brings him And of course, he's not with us, but the Hilye brings him
459 00:32:15,035 00:32:16,570 uh, his presence a little closer. uh, his presence a little closer.
460 00:32:19,540 00:32:24,678 MUHAMMAD was always very insistent that he was not a divine figure MUHAMMAD was always very insistent that he was not a divine figure
461 00:32:25,179 00:32:29,650 and he always warned his followers not to do with him and he always warned his followers not to do with him
462 00:32:29,650 00:32:34,154 what the Christians had done to Jesus and put him on a pedestal and say what the Christians had done to Jesus and put him on a pedestal and say
463 00:32:34,154 00:32:35,923 that he was God or divine. that he was God or divine.
464 00:32:35,923 00:32:40,928 He was not, he was an ordinary human being and the Muslims have taken that seriously. He was not, he was an ordinary human being and the Muslims have taken that seriously.
465 00:32:42,629 00:32:45,832 But what they do say is that MUHAMMAD is the perfect man. But what they do say is that MUHAMMAD is the perfect man.
466 00:32:47,234 00:32:49,036 That if you look at MUHAMMAD That if you look at MUHAMMAD
467 00:32:49,336 00:32:55,108 you can see how a perfect act of surrender to the divine had been made. you can see how a perfect act of surrender to the divine had been made.
468 00:33:01,148 00:33:04,818 "Muhammad's message slowly began to attract followers;" "Muhammad's message slowly began to attract followers;"
469 00:33:05,285 00:33:09,389 especially among the downtrodden and the oppressed within Meccan society. especially among the downtrodden and the oppressed within Meccan society.
470 00:33:11,124 00:33:16,530 It's really the people that don't have anything, uh, to lose and everything to gain. It's really the people that don't have anything, uh, to lose and everything to gain.
471 00:33:16,730 00:33:19,099 They are the ones that are responding to this message. They are the ones that are responding to this message.
472 00:33:20,067 00:33:23,804 Many of the followers are poor people, slaves Many of the followers are poor people, slaves
473 00:33:24,171 00:33:25,839 women that don't have protectors. women that don't have protectors.
474 00:33:26,139 00:33:29,610 It's spreading amongst the disenfranchised of Mecca. It's spreading amongst the disenfranchised of Mecca.
475 00:33:30,944 00:33:33,914 Prophet Muhammad noticed that Prophet Muhammad noticed that
476 00:33:34,181 00:33:36,683 he lives in a society that denigrate women. he lives in a society that denigrate women.
477 00:33:37,484 00:33:41,288 They were viewed as second-hand citizens They were viewed as second-hand citizens
478 00:33:41,555 00:33:46,927 an object or personal belongings that belong to the man. an object or personal belongings that belong to the man.
479 00:33:47,628 00:33:49,863 And that disturbed the Prophet. And that disturbed the Prophet.
480 00:33:51,932 00:33:56,770 Early in his prophetic career, Muhammad condemned female infanticide. Early in his prophetic career, Muhammad condemned female infanticide.
481 00:33:59,139 00:34:02,576 Later revelations would give women legal rights in marriage Later revelations would give women legal rights in marriage
482 00:34:02,776 00:34:06,446 allow them to divorce, and protect their inheritance rights. allow them to divorce, and protect their inheritance rights.
483 00:34:07,748 00:34:11,318 Of course, it's absurd and anachronistic to expect Muhammad Of course, it's absurd and anachronistic to expect Muhammad
484 00:34:11,318 00:34:14,755 to be a feminist in the 21st Century sense. to be a feminist in the 21st Century sense.
485 00:34:15,289 00:34:19,993 Uh, but nevertheless, what he did for women in the context of his times was amazing. Uh, but nevertheless, what he did for women in the context of his times was amazing.
486 00:34:21,495 00:34:25,732 Although most women were second-class citizens in pre-Islamic Arabia Although most women were second-class citizens in pre-Islamic Arabia
487 00:34:26,200 00:34:30,470 Muhammad's own wife, Khadija, was wealthy and powerful. Muhammad's own wife, Khadija, was wealthy and powerful.
488 00:34:31,905 00:34:35,642 There's been this idea that women prior to Islam were chattel There's been this idea that women prior to Islam were chattel
489 00:34:35,876 00:34:37,811 that they had no rights. that they had no rights.
490 00:34:38,212 00:34:43,584 And I think that for many many levels of the women, that is true, but And I think that for many many levels of the women, that is true, but
491 00:34:43,851 00:34:47,254 for a certain level of woman, which Khadija would have been amongst for a certain level of woman, which Khadija would have been amongst
492 00:34:47,554 00:34:48,589 that is not true. that is not true.
493 00:34:50,457 00:34:53,794 Khadija is an inspiration because in spite of Khadija is an inspiration because in spite of
494 00:34:53,961 00:34:57,764 the male dominated society that she lived in, she was a working woman. the male dominated society that she lived in, she was a working woman.
495 00:34:58,632 00:35:03,470 And so there are some parallels for modern women to to learn from her example. And so there are some parallels for modern women to to learn from her example.
496 00:35:06,240 00:35:07,508 I grew up in Kashmir I grew up in Kashmir
497 00:35:07,808 00:35:11,445 which is in the foothills of the Himalayas, northern India. which is in the foothills of the Himalayas, northern India.
498 00:35:12,112 00:35:15,482 And I came to America when I was 15 years old. And I came to America when I was 15 years old.
499 00:35:16,817 00:35:20,554 As I started becoming part and parcel of this culture and society As I started becoming part and parcel of this culture and society
500 00:35:21,021 00:35:25,225 I gravitated towards just wanting to be like everybody else. I gravitated towards just wanting to be like everybody else.
501 00:35:25,726 00:35:28,195 And tended to stray away from my own faith. And tended to stray away from my own faith.
502 00:35:29,496 00:35:32,533 And for awhile there I went through some very And for awhile there I went through some very
503 00:35:32,666 00:35:34,535 dark stages in my life dark stages in my life
504 00:35:34,935 00:35:38,872 where I wanted nothing to do with my faith where I wanted nothing to do with my faith
505 00:35:40,474 00:35:44,111 and almost just walked away from my faith. and almost just walked away from my faith.
506 00:35:45,112 00:35:47,080 As I got older As I got older
507 00:35:47,581 00:35:52,085 I recognized that there was this very empty hole inside of me. I recognized that there was this very empty hole inside of me.
508 00:35:54,555 00:35:58,825 So I started searching for God in all kinds of places. So I started searching for God in all kinds of places.
509 00:35:59,359 00:36:01,728 You know Rumi has this beautiful story where he says You know Rumi has this beautiful story where he says
510 00:36:02,362 00:36:05,899 I looked for God, I went to a temple, and I didn't find him there. I looked for God, I went to a temple, and I didn't find him there.
511 00:36:06,266 00:36:08,635 Then I went to a church and I didn't find him there. Then I went to a church and I didn't find him there.
512 00:36:08,635 00:36:11,238 And then I went to a mosque and I didn't find him there. And then I went to a mosque and I didn't find him there.
513 00:36:11,572 00:36:14,208 "And then finally I looked in my heart and there he was. " "And then finally I looked in my heart and there he was. "
514 00:36:19,079 00:36:22,850 The challenges that I faced in my life are the very same challenges The challenges that I faced in my life are the very same challenges
515 00:36:22,850 00:36:24,852 that a lot of young girls are facing. that a lot of young girls are facing.
516 00:36:25,686 00:36:28,455 And, when they come to me with their questions And, when they come to me with their questions
517 00:36:28,789 00:36:32,192 I feel like a person who has already traveled the road. I feel like a person who has already traveled the road.
518 00:36:34,294 00:36:36,063 I dispense advice to them I dispense advice to them
519 00:36:36,163 00:36:39,666 from real experience as to how I would have dealt with something. from real experience as to how I would have dealt with something.
520 00:36:39,933 00:36:42,002 I've noticed how when it comes to women I've noticed how when it comes to women
521 00:36:42,102 00:36:44,605 we are only supposed to marry Muslim men. we are only supposed to marry Muslim men.
522 00:36:45,072 00:36:46,139 Uh, why is that now? Uh, why is that now?
523 00:36:46,139 00:36:49,309 Especially because the Quran says that Especially because the Quran says that
524 00:36:49,309 00:36:51,078 believing men and women should marry believing men and women should marry
525 00:36:51,078 00:36:52,479 believing men and women, it doesn't believing men and women, it doesn't
526 00:36:52,679 00:36:55,182 point out that men can marry such and women can't. point out that men can marry such and women can't.
527 00:36:55,415 00:36:58,619 I've heard plenty of people say that in fact that's an interpretation. I've heard plenty of people say that in fact that's an interpretation.
528 00:36:59,386 00:37:01,455 Some of the issues are deeply personal Some of the issues are deeply personal
529 00:37:01,788 00:37:04,057 ah issues with gender relations ah issues with gender relations
530 00:37:04,224 00:37:08,495 like dating and ah marriage. like dating and ah marriage.
531 00:37:09,963 00:37:12,332 And other issues have to do with And other issues have to do with
532 00:37:12,633 00:37:16,703 you know certain Islamic law and how to reconcile with some of those things. you know certain Islamic law and how to reconcile with some of those things.
533 00:37:17,437 00:37:19,640 I want to exchange with her. See? Her's is prettier I want to exchange with her. See? Her's is prettier
534 00:37:20,240 00:37:23,710 And these are all sticky wickets as we say. And these are all sticky wickets as we say.
535 00:37:24,912 00:37:28,248 The fact that I've walked the walk helps a little bit The fact that I've walked the walk helps a little bit
536 00:37:28,582 00:37:30,984 for me to dispense advice to these people. for me to dispense advice to these people.
537 00:37:52,773 00:37:55,742 In Mecca, opposition to Muhammad was growing. In Mecca, opposition to Muhammad was growing.
538 00:37:57,711 00:38:01,849 His message of monotheism and his campaign against idolatry His message of monotheism and his campaign against idolatry
539 00:38:02,416 00:38:06,086 threatened the lucrative trade that fueled the Meccan economy. threatened the lucrative trade that fueled the Meccan economy.
540 00:38:07,621 00:38:10,858 The business of Mecca is to draw pilgrims to Mecca. The business of Mecca is to draw pilgrims to Mecca.
541 00:38:11,124 00:38:12,292 They want to make money. They want to make money.
542 00:38:12,392 00:38:16,430 And the way they draw pilgrims to Mecca is, people come visit their gods. And the way they draw pilgrims to Mecca is, people come visit their gods.
543 00:38:16,463 00:38:20,334 Well, here's somebody who is saying, these gods, they are not real. Well, here's somebody who is saying, these gods, they are not real.
544 00:38:20,434 00:38:22,336 They're stones, they're rocks. They're stones, they're rocks.
545 00:38:22,603 00:38:24,705 You're wasting your time. You're wasting your time.
546 00:38:24,905 00:38:29,510 Now, that message has economic implications to the Quraysh. Now, that message has economic implications to the Quraysh.
547 00:38:29,776 00:38:30,878 They are worried. They are worried.
548 00:38:30,978 00:38:34,114 This, this man is going to undermine our business. This, this man is going to undermine our business.
549 00:38:36,316 00:38:41,054 In the tribal system Muhammad was protected by his uncle, Abu Talib In the tribal system Muhammad was protected by his uncle, Abu Talib
550 00:38:43,023 00:38:48,262 so the Meccans went to Abu Talib and asked him to turn Muhammad over to them. so the Meccans went to Abu Talib and asked him to turn Muhammad over to them.
551 00:38:50,197 00:38:52,866 Abu Talib was in a difficult position. Abu Talib was in a difficult position.
552 00:38:52,866 00:38:54,134 He was not a Muslim. He was not a Muslim.
553 00:38:54,935 00:38:57,738 But it went against the grain But it went against the grain
554 00:38:57,738 00:39:00,674 for him to simply hand over his beloved nephew for him to simply hand over his beloved nephew
555 00:39:00,807 00:39:03,710 to these people who would kill him with impunity. to these people who would kill him with impunity.
556 00:39:04,178 00:39:07,714 So he took Muhammad to one side and said look don't do this. So he took Muhammad to one side and said look don't do this.
557 00:39:07,714 00:39:10,284 Don't do this to us. Can't you just keep quiet? Don't do this to us. Can't you just keep quiet?
558 00:39:11,118 00:39:13,654 And at that point the Prophet says And at that point the Prophet says
559 00:39:13,820 00:39:18,225 if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand
560 00:39:18,725 00:39:22,996 I will not stop preaching what I am preaching I will not stop preaching what I am preaching
561 00:39:22,996 00:39:27,801 until this message is conveyed or I die conveying it. until this message is conveyed or I die conveying it.
562 00:39:28,235 00:39:32,172 And this is what he tells his uncle and at that point he begins to weep. And this is what he tells his uncle and at that point he begins to weep.
563 00:39:32,940 00:39:38,579 And his Uncle looks at him and realizes the depth of the conviction And his Uncle looks at him and realizes the depth of the conviction
564 00:39:38,579 00:39:44,418 of this man and he says say whatever you want, you have my protection. of this man and he says say whatever you want, you have my protection.
565 00:39:47,354 00:39:50,924 One of the things that the prophet Muhammad S.A.W. taught us One of the things that the prophet Muhammad S.A.W. taught us
566 00:39:52,259 00:39:54,828 was that it is our duty was that it is our duty
567 00:39:55,395 00:39:57,764 to try to correct injustices in the world. to try to correct injustices in the world.
568 00:40:00,167 00:40:03,470 If you see something wrong, change it with your hands. If you see something wrong, change it with your hands.
569 00:40:05,305 00:40:08,709 If you're not able to, then speak out against it. If you're not able to, then speak out against it.
570 00:40:10,310 00:40:14,181 If you're not able to do that, then feel bad about it in your heart. If you're not able to do that, then feel bad about it in your heart.
571 00:40:15,349 00:40:17,451 But that is the weakest form of faith. But that is the weakest form of faith.
572 00:40:18,785 00:40:22,456 Wherever possible the Muslim should try to take action. Wherever possible the Muslim should try to take action.
573 00:40:23,290 00:40:25,592 And not let an injustice go by And not let an injustice go by
574 00:40:26,393 00:40:30,464 without calling it what it is, and asking for change. without calling it what it is, and asking for change.
575 00:40:33,534 00:40:34,902 What do we have? What do we have?
576 00:40:35,569 00:40:36,904 The book's prepared for the week. The book's prepared for the week.
577 00:40:37,037 00:40:40,607 Dealing with change is part of Jameel Johnson's job. Dealing with change is part of Jameel Johnson's job.
578 00:40:41,175 00:40:44,444 As Chief-of-Staff for Congressman Gregory Meeks of New York As Chief-of-Staff for Congressman Gregory Meeks of New York
579 00:40:44,845 00:40:49,349 he manages the congressman's schedule, and briefs him on policy issues. he manages the congressman's schedule, and briefs him on policy issues.
580 00:40:49,683 00:40:51,451 The biggest problem with the bill The biggest problem with the bill
581 00:40:51,952 00:40:55,422 is that there's the issue of discrimination using federal funds. is that there's the issue of discrimination using federal funds.
582 00:40:55,556 00:40:57,024 Because it's not like a private plan. Because it's not like a private plan.
583 00:40:57,057 00:40:59,193 So you're telling me that you recommend a no vote. So you're telling me that you recommend a no vote.
584 00:41:00,093 00:41:01,328 I'm recommending a no vote. I'm recommending a no vote.
585 00:41:01,461 00:41:02,529 As we had said in the beginning As we had said in the beginning
586 00:41:03,397 00:41:05,732 I'm gonna give you the technical part and what I think the issue is I'm gonna give you the technical part and what I think the issue is
587 00:41:06,133 00:41:07,334 you take care of the politics. you take care of the politics.
588 00:41:08,135 00:41:09,469 - Good deal... - What else do we have? - Good deal... - What else do we have?
589 00:41:10,037 00:41:13,340 My goal is not necessarily to simply seek votes or My goal is not necessarily to simply seek votes or
590 00:41:13,974 00:41:19,213 campaign money or to be accepted as a part of the game. campaign money or to be accepted as a part of the game.
591 00:41:19,746 00:41:23,317 As Muslims we must seek justice, so what I try to do is educate. As Muslims we must seek justice, so what I try to do is educate.
592 00:41:24,651 00:41:26,687 In many cases the best thing that you are able to do In many cases the best thing that you are able to do
593 00:41:26,687 00:41:28,889 with that kind of education is decrease prejudice with that kind of education is decrease prejudice
594 00:41:29,623 00:41:30,891 and increase understanding. and increase understanding.
595 00:41:32,726 00:41:35,329 If I practice my Islam on the job If I practice my Islam on the job
596 00:41:36,129 00:41:38,098 and do that without trying to interfere and do that without trying to interfere
597 00:41:38,265 00:41:41,134 with anyone else's practice, whether they be religious or otherwise with anyone else's practice, whether they be religious or otherwise
598 00:41:41,602 00:41:43,971 then I make it easier for the next Muslim that comes on board. then I make it easier for the next Muslim that comes on board.
599 00:41:45,506 00:41:47,441 Especially also if I do a good job Especially also if I do a good job
600 00:41:48,375 00:41:51,411 because then some of the prejudice, some of the misunderstanding goes away. because then some of the prejudice, some of the misunderstanding goes away.
601 00:41:57,584 00:42:02,356 Johnson coordinates the Friday prayer service, or Jumah, on Capitol Hill. Johnson coordinates the Friday prayer service, or Jumah, on Capitol Hill.
602 00:42:03,790 00:42:10,130 It's grown since we started it, it used to be sometimes 3, 5, 10 of us. It's grown since we started it, it used to be sometimes 3, 5, 10 of us.
603 00:42:10,564 00:42:13,767 Now there can be up to 40, 50 people. We're... Now there can be up to 40, 50 people. We're...
604 00:42:14,168 00:42:15,869 busting out of the room that we're in. busting out of the room that we're in.
605 00:42:16,737 00:42:19,239 It's kind of a re-energizing It's kind of a re-energizing
606 00:42:19,506 00:42:23,911 kind of refilling our fuel tank with faith again for the rest of the week. kind of refilling our fuel tank with faith again for the rest of the week.
607 00:42:24,945 00:42:27,781 The image of the messenger The image of the messenger
608 00:42:28,315 00:42:32,352 that gives us an example of somebody who is extremely successful that gives us an example of somebody who is extremely successful
609 00:42:33,053 00:42:38,258 as a head of state nevertheless he never had to compromise his integrity. as a head of state nevertheless he never had to compromise his integrity.
610 00:42:44,264 00:42:47,367 One of the most important things for a Muslim One of the most important things for a Muslim
611 00:42:48,068 00:42:50,938 is remaining constantly in remembrance of Allah. is remaining constantly in remembrance of Allah.
612 00:42:52,105 00:42:56,577 What we are commanded to do is that we make, formal prayer 5 times a day. What we are commanded to do is that we make, formal prayer 5 times a day.
613 00:42:57,845 00:42:59,780 Because when you live in a society Because when you live in a society
614 00:42:59,880 00:43:02,316 that constantly gives you acceptance and praise that constantly gives you acceptance and praise
615 00:43:02,683 00:43:05,786 because of material things or achievement because of material things or achievement
616 00:43:06,553 00:43:09,957 we need that constant remembrance of Allah we need that constant remembrance of Allah
617 00:43:10,123 00:43:13,227 in order to bring us back to the right path. in order to bring us back to the right path.
618 00:43:13,794 00:43:16,763 As some say, keeping our eyes on the prize. As some say, keeping our eyes on the prize.
619 00:43:17,431 00:43:19,433 And prayer is that remembrance. And prayer is that remembrance.
620 00:43:21,668 00:43:25,072 Even though Islam isn't the biggest faith in America Even though Islam isn't the biggest faith in America
621 00:43:26,673 00:43:29,776 even though it sometimes is ridiculed even though it sometimes is ridiculed
622 00:43:31,144 00:43:33,614 the fact of the matter is that I can practice the fact of the matter is that I can practice
623 00:43:34,848 00:43:36,483 I can make my five prayers a day. I can make my five prayers a day.
624 00:43:38,085 00:43:39,486 It was much harder It was much harder
625 00:43:39,586 00:43:43,390 for the Messenger of Allah S.A. W and his companions to do this. for the Messenger of Allah S.A. W and his companions to do this.
626 00:43:47,461 00:43:50,230 The first Muslims faced a torrent of ridicule The first Muslims faced a torrent of ridicule
627 00:43:50,230 00:43:52,099 and abuse when they practiced Islam in public. and abuse when they practiced Islam in public.
628 00:43:56,803 00:43:59,306 Attacked by crowds throwing stones Attacked by crowds throwing stones
629 00:43:59,306 00:44:02,743 they retreated to the surrounding mountains to pray in secret. they retreated to the surrounding mountains to pray in secret.
630 00:44:05,245 00:44:09,750 Many pagan families split apart when their children converted to Islam. Many pagan families split apart when their children converted to Islam.
631 00:44:12,286 00:44:15,722 Finally, the leaders of Muhammad's tribe, the Quraysh Finally, the leaders of Muhammad's tribe, the Quraysh
632 00:44:15,722 00:44:19,593 decided that Harassment alone would not be enough to stop him. decided that Harassment alone would not be enough to stop him.
633 00:44:20,327 00:44:24,131 The Quraysh, they see it as our honor is being threatened The Quraysh, they see it as our honor is being threatened
634 00:44:24,298 00:44:25,699 we need to deal with this. we need to deal with this.
635 00:44:26,700 00:44:30,504 This is the point where they begin to really increase their persecution This is the point where they begin to really increase their persecution
636 00:44:30,504 00:44:32,039 they start sanctions they start sanctions
637 00:44:32,739 00:44:36,510 on the house of Beni Hashim, which is the sub-clan of the on the house of Beni Hashim, which is the sub-clan of the
638 00:44:36,510 00:44:37,444 Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad.
639 00:44:37,477 00:44:43,550 They begin to prevent them from trading, from transacting. They begin to prevent them from trading, from transacting.
640 00:44:43,817 00:44:46,587 And that meant that basically they were being starved out. And that meant that basically they were being starved out.
641 00:44:46,587 00:44:48,822 They couldn't buy food, they couldn't do business. They couldn't buy food, they couldn't do business.
642 00:44:48,922 00:44:51,892 Abu Talib ah was ruined by this. Abu Talib ah was ruined by this.
643 00:44:53,126 00:44:57,364 The Hashim lived in one street and Muhammad The Hashim lived in one street and Muhammad
644 00:44:57,364 00:45:01,068 and Khadija and the children moved into this street. and Khadija and the children moved into this street.
645 00:45:01,368 00:45:03,904 And this became a little Muslim ghetto. And this became a little Muslim ghetto.
646 00:45:05,005 00:45:06,573 And this leads to real hardship. And this leads to real hardship.
647 00:45:06,640 00:45:09,276 There's a period of time where according to the tradition There's a period of time where according to the tradition
648 00:45:09,276 00:45:12,145 they're actually eating from the leaves of trees. they're actually eating from the leaves of trees.
649 00:45:13,347 00:45:16,116 Famine destroyed the fortunes of Muhammad's Famine destroyed the fortunes of Muhammad's
650 00:45:16,116 00:45:19,686 protector, Abu Talib, and his follower Abu Bakr. protector, Abu Talib, and his follower Abu Bakr.
651 00:45:21,321 00:45:25,592 The survival of both the clan and Islam were in jeopardy. The survival of both the clan and Islam were in jeopardy.
652 00:45:28,028 00:45:32,366 But for Muhammad the damage hit even closer to home. But for Muhammad the damage hit even closer to home.
653 00:45:33,233 00:45:36,370 Khadija, Muhammad's beloved wife, uh Khadija, Muhammad's beloved wife, uh
654 00:45:36,370 00:45:40,674 perhaps weakened by the privations, actually died. perhaps weakened by the privations, actually died.
655 00:45:42,309 00:45:45,546 And that was just a crippling blow for him. And that was just a crippling blow for him.
656 00:45:45,746 00:45:49,183 Left him feeling alone and vulnerable and weak. Left him feeling alone and vulnerable and weak.
657 00:45:50,017 00:45:52,452 He would miss her all his life, I think. He would miss her all his life, I think.
658 00:45:55,088 00:45:58,959 Then the catastrophe happened that Abu Talib died. Then the catastrophe happened that Abu Talib died.
659 00:45:59,860 00:46:03,497 Perhaps himself weakened by the deprivation in food. Perhaps himself weakened by the deprivation in food.
660 00:46:04,965 00:46:07,067 Now without Abu Talib Now without Abu Talib
661 00:46:07,568 00:46:10,204 Muhammad was fair game for assassination. Muhammad was fair game for assassination.
662 00:46:12,272 00:46:14,808 And there's a terrible moment where And there's a terrible moment where
663 00:46:14,842 00:46:16,944 he utters this heart breaking prayer he utters this heart breaking prayer
664 00:46:17,177 00:46:20,781 saying oh my god I have no other protector but you, Allah. saying oh my god I have no other protector but you, Allah.
665 00:46:21,348 00:46:23,784 And how was he going to move forward? And how was he going to move forward?
666 00:46:24,985 00:46:28,155 He'd done what Allah had told him to do. He'd done what Allah had told him to do.
667 00:46:28,155 00:46:30,057 He had proclaimed this message and He had proclaimed this message and
668 00:46:30,057 00:46:33,961 all that he seemed to have done was stir up hostility and hatred. all that he seemed to have done was stir up hostility and hatred.
669 00:46:34,361 00:46:37,564 Um and split his tribe down the middle Um and split his tribe down the middle
670 00:46:37,564 00:46:39,333 this wasn't improving matters. this wasn't improving matters.
671 00:46:39,967 00:46:44,805 He must have felt an almost, a sort of a dark night of the soul. He must have felt an almost, a sort of a dark night of the soul.
672 00:46:45,339 00:46:48,909 He is at the low point of his mission. He is at the low point of his mission.
673 00:46:49,076 00:46:53,313 He's been almost 13 years now in Mecca and He's been almost 13 years now in Mecca and
674 00:46:53,313 00:46:58,752 the results are not, they are not impressive. the results are not, they are not impressive.
675 00:47:01,021 00:47:03,156 But at this point, at this low ebb But at this point, at this low ebb
676 00:47:03,390 00:47:06,560 he is now being prepared he is now being prepared
677 00:47:06,627 00:47:09,596 for the most extraordinary mystical experience for the most extraordinary mystical experience
678 00:47:09,763 00:47:11,832 of his prophetic life of his prophetic life
679 00:47:11,965 00:47:15,802 and that is what is known as the night ascension. and that is what is known as the night ascension.
680 00:47:18,038 00:47:21,708 The story goes that one night he was sleeping near the Ka'aba The story goes that one night he was sleeping near the Ka'aba
681 00:47:22,643 00:47:26,346 and he was woken from sleep by Gabriel and he was woken from sleep by Gabriel
682 00:47:26,780 00:47:30,784 who mounted him on a Buraq who mounted him on a Buraq
683 00:47:30,784 00:47:33,453 a magical stead a magical stead
684 00:47:34,254 00:47:38,292 and they flew from Mecca to Jerusalem. and they flew from Mecca to Jerusalem.
685 00:47:43,063 00:47:45,599 And then he began an ascent. And then he began an ascent.
686 00:47:45,832 00:47:49,036 Up through the seven heavens to the divine throne Up through the seven heavens to the divine throne
687 00:47:49,603 00:47:54,875 at every stage of the heavens he meets various prophets of the past. at every stage of the heavens he meets various prophets of the past.
688 00:47:55,008 00:47:59,546 He meets Abraham, he meets Jesus, and John the Baptist. He meets Abraham, he meets Jesus, and John the Baptist.
689 00:47:59,980 00:48:01,548 He meets Moses He meets Moses
690 00:48:03,050 00:48:06,720 and finally he enters into the divine presence and there and finally he enters into the divine presence and there
691 00:48:07,020 00:48:09,957 the sources are silent because when you enter the sources are silent because when you enter
692 00:48:09,957 00:48:12,626 into the presence of God you have gone beyond words. into the presence of God you have gone beyond words.
693 00:48:13,460 00:48:18,065 And he receives from God, the highest form of knowledge and truth And he receives from God, the highest form of knowledge and truth
694 00:48:18,799 00:48:22,936 and many injunctions of the religion itself including the final form and many injunctions of the religion itself including the final form
695 00:48:23,437 00:48:28,141 of the daily prayers Now all of this took place of the daily prayers Now all of this took place
696 00:48:28,976 00:48:30,777 in a time beyond time. in a time beyond time.
697 00:48:31,512 00:48:34,681 That's why some sources say that as the door was That's why some sources say that as the door was
698 00:48:34,681 00:48:37,584 swinging when he left, it was still swinging when he came back. swinging when he left, it was still swinging when he came back.
699 00:48:39,152 00:48:43,123 For later Muslims this also meant that the departure point For later Muslims this also meant that the departure point
700 00:48:44,091 00:48:49,263 that is Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock, became also important. that is Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock, became also important.
701 00:48:50,464 00:48:54,735 Many Muslims say that there are three holy cities in Islam: Many Muslims say that there are three holy cities in Islam:
702 00:48:54,801 00:48:59,106 Mecca, and Medina, the City of the Prophet, and Jerusalem. Mecca, and Medina, the City of the Prophet, and Jerusalem.
703 00:49:01,441 00:49:04,211 When he comes back somebody asks him When he comes back somebody asks him
704 00:49:04,678 00:49:08,482 what have you been doing, he says I went to Jerusalem last night what have you been doing, he says I went to Jerusalem last night
705 00:49:08,815 00:49:11,985 and this man says, you went to Jerusalem last night? and this man says, you went to Jerusalem last night?
706 00:49:12,186 00:49:14,087 Are you willing to say that publicly? Are you willing to say that publicly?
707 00:49:15,088 00:49:19,560 So they assemble this group and they tell him, describe for us So they assemble this group and they tell him, describe for us
708 00:49:19,860 00:49:23,964 Jerusalem and he begins to describe it in very exact detail. Jerusalem and he begins to describe it in very exact detail.
709 00:49:25,032 00:49:25,999 And they're shocked. And they're shocked.
710 00:49:25,999 00:49:27,868 They don't what to make of this now. They don't what to make of this now.
711 00:49:29,403 00:49:33,540 The story of the Night Journey not only incited Muhammad's enemies. The story of the Night Journey not only incited Muhammad's enemies.
712 00:49:33,941 00:49:37,044 It caused doubt even among some of his followers. It caused doubt even among some of his followers.
713 00:49:38,679 00:49:41,882 This is something that they hadn't really expected. This is something that they hadn't really expected.
714 00:49:42,049 00:49:44,585 A journey that takes them a month to be made A journey that takes them a month to be made
715 00:49:44,785 00:49:46,987 in an evening and to come back. in an evening and to come back.
716 00:49:47,754 00:49:50,023 What Abu Bakr says is listen What Abu Bakr says is listen
717 00:49:50,023 00:49:53,126 I believe that he's getting messages from God. I believe that he's getting messages from God.
718 00:49:53,293 00:49:57,731 That is certainly more extraordinary than making a Night Journey to Jerusalem. That is certainly more extraordinary than making a Night Journey to Jerusalem.
719 00:49:59,266 00:50:03,036 As Muhammad's relationship with the Meccans continued to deteriorate As Muhammad's relationship with the Meccans continued to deteriorate
720 00:50:03,270 00:50:07,841 his enemies decided that the time had come to eliminate him. his enemies decided that the time had come to eliminate him.
721 00:50:10,577 00:50:13,514 And they decide to get a youth from each clan. And they decide to get a youth from each clan.
722 00:50:13,780 00:50:17,584 They all come together and they're going to strike him with one blow together. They all come together and they're going to strike him with one blow together.
723 00:50:17,651 00:50:21,088 So, the blood is distributed amongst all the clans. So, the blood is distributed amongst all the clans.
724 00:50:23,423 00:50:27,995 Under cover of darkness the assassins surrounded Muhammad's home. Under cover of darkness the assassins surrounded Muhammad's home.
725 00:50:30,564 00:50:32,866 Inside a covered figure lay asleep. Inside a covered figure lay asleep.
726 00:50:33,967 00:50:36,870 As dawn broke, they prepared to strike. As dawn broke, they prepared to strike.
727 00:50:38,138 00:50:41,175 But Muhammad had been forewarned of the plot. But Muhammad had been forewarned of the plot.
728 00:50:41,875 00:50:43,544 He asked his cousin Ali He asked his cousin Ali
729 00:50:43,877 00:50:47,347 whom he knew the Quraysh would not harm, to take his place. whom he knew the Quraysh would not harm, to take his place.
730 00:50:48,315 00:50:50,984 By the time the assassins burst into his home By the time the assassins burst into his home
731 00:50:51,151 00:50:55,889 Muhammad and his companion Abu Bakr had escaped into the desert. Muhammad and his companion Abu Bakr had escaped into the desert.
732 00:51:00,027 00:51:01,895 With the Meccans in hot pursuit With the Meccans in hot pursuit
733 00:51:02,229 00:51:05,299 they set out on a circuitous route to the oasis they set out on a circuitous route to the oasis
734 00:51:05,399 00:51:09,503 settlement of Yathrib, 250 miles to the north. settlement of Yathrib, 250 miles to the north.
735 00:51:10,904 00:51:13,473 For several months, Muhammad had been sending For several months, Muhammad had been sending
736 00:51:13,473 00:51:15,642 his followers there for refuge. his followers there for refuge.
737 00:51:16,743 00:51:18,979 Now, he was about to join them. Now, he was about to join them.
738 00:51:19,713 00:51:22,482 Yathrib was quite different from Mecca. Yathrib was quite different from Mecca.
739 00:51:23,116 00:51:24,985 It was an agricultural settlement. It was an agricultural settlement.
740 00:51:24,985 00:51:29,690 People grew dates and they had farms and there were a number People grew dates and they had farms and there were a number
741 00:51:29,690 00:51:33,160 of clans and tribes living together in the settlement. of clans and tribes living together in the settlement.
742 00:51:37,064 00:51:42,536 The settlement was engulfed in tribal warfare of the worst kind. The settlement was engulfed in tribal warfare of the worst kind.
743 00:51:42,536 00:51:45,105 It was an example of where the whole It was an example of where the whole
744 00:51:45,105 00:51:48,275 system in Arabia was beginning to break down. system in Arabia was beginning to break down.
745 00:51:48,575 00:51:53,981 One killing led to another and nobody could seem to find a solution. One killing led to another and nobody could seem to find a solution.
746 00:51:54,948 00:51:57,985 Nobody, that is, until the clans of Yathrib Nobody, that is, until the clans of Yathrib
747 00:51:57,985 00:52:00,153 heard about the trustworthy Muhammad. heard about the trustworthy Muhammad.
748 00:52:00,854 00:52:03,690 Hoping he could unify its warring factions Hoping he could unify its warring factions
749 00:52:03,824 00:52:07,327 which included two major pagan tribes and their Jewish allies which included two major pagan tribes and their Jewish allies
750 00:52:07,528 00:52:10,831 a delegation from Yathrib had taken the dramatic step a delegation from Yathrib had taken the dramatic step
751 00:52:11,064 00:52:13,934 of inviting Muhammad to move to their settlement. of inviting Muhammad to move to their settlement.
752 00:52:14,768 00:52:18,405 The deal is that he will serve as their binding arbitrator The deal is that he will serve as their binding arbitrator
753 00:52:18,672 00:52:21,875 that is both sides to the conflict have agreed that is both sides to the conflict have agreed
754 00:52:21,975 00:52:25,279 already that they will accept the arbitration of Muhammad already that they will accept the arbitration of Muhammad
755 00:52:25,379 00:52:26,580 whatever it would be. whatever it would be.
756 00:52:27,514 00:52:31,652 The people of Yathrib vowed that they would take The people of Yathrib vowed that they would take
757 00:52:31,652 00:52:36,123 the Muslims on board as honorary tribesmen, they would be their protectors. the Muslims on board as honorary tribesmen, they would be their protectors.
758 00:52:36,256 00:52:39,193 Anyone who hurt the Muslims, they would retaliate. Anyone who hurt the Muslims, they would retaliate.
759 00:52:39,226 00:52:41,728 And the Muslims agreed to do the same. And the Muslims agreed to do the same.
760 00:52:42,696 00:52:46,600 This move from your tribe This move from your tribe
761 00:52:47,367 00:52:51,338 to join up with people who were of no kin to join up with people who were of no kin
762 00:52:51,338 00:52:54,808 to you at all was absolutely unheard of. to you at all was absolutely unheard of.
763 00:52:55,609 00:52:58,645 Muhammad was really going off into the wilderness here Muhammad was really going off into the wilderness here
764 00:52:58,645 00:53:00,914 he was breaking every tie. he was breaking every tie.
765 00:53:01,114 00:53:04,151 Doing something utterly shocking and novel. Doing something utterly shocking and novel.
766 00:53:06,753 00:53:11,558 When Prophet Muhammad was leaving he stood up on a hill When Prophet Muhammad was leaving he stood up on a hill
767 00:53:12,059 00:53:14,695 and he was looking on Mecca and he was looking on Mecca
768 00:53:15,262 00:53:18,432 and his tears were coming down out of his eyes. and his tears were coming down out of his eyes.
769 00:53:18,899 00:53:23,337 And he talked to Mecca and he said God knows that I love you Mecca And he talked to Mecca and he said God knows that I love you Mecca
770 00:53:23,337 00:53:28,675 so much, but it is your people who are chasing me out. so much, but it is your people who are chasing me out.
771 00:53:30,911 00:53:35,115 In Yathrib, Muhammad's followers anxiously awaited the Prophet's arrival. In Yathrib, Muhammad's followers anxiously awaited the Prophet's arrival.
772 00:53:35,716 00:53:39,019 Had the man they hoped would save them been able to save himself? Had the man they hoped would save them been able to save himself?
773 00:53:39,319 00:53:41,755 Had the Meccans captured or even killed him? Had the Meccans captured or even killed him?
774 00:53:45,325 00:53:48,262 When Muhammad finally reached the outskirts of the city When Muhammad finally reached the outskirts of the city
775 00:53:48,662 00:53:51,098 his relieved followers rushed to greet him his relieved followers rushed to greet him
776 00:53:51,098 00:53:55,702 with a song Muslims around the world still sing 1400 years later. with a song Muslims around the world still sing 1400 years later.
777 00:54:06,113 00:54:10,184 Oh the wise moon rose over us Oh the wise moon rose over us
778 00:54:10,350 00:54:14,288 from the valley of Wadan. from the valley of Wadan.
779 00:54:14,521 00:54:18,492 And we always do show gratefulness And we always do show gratefulness
780 00:54:18,692 00:54:22,629 where the call is to Allah. where the call is to Allah.
781 00:54:24,998 00:54:28,302 Muhammad's arrival marked the beginning of a dramatic Muhammad's arrival marked the beginning of a dramatic
782 00:54:28,302 00:54:30,671 new chapter in the history of Islam. new chapter in the history of Islam.
783 00:54:31,038 00:54:32,139 For the first time For the first time
784 00:54:32,139 00:54:34,875 he would be the leader of a sovereign community he would be the leader of a sovereign community
785 00:54:34,875 00:54:36,743 based on Islamic law. based on Islamic law.
786 00:54:37,411 00:54:40,681 Yathrib would henceforth become known as Medina. Yathrib would henceforth become known as Medina.
787 00:54:42,216 00:54:44,351 Muhammad arrives in Medina as Muhammad arrives in Medina as
788 00:54:44,351 00:54:46,720 somebody who was escaping danger. somebody who was escaping danger.
789 00:54:47,254 00:54:50,924 He's been invited there but he doesn't know what to expect... He's been invited there but he doesn't know what to expect...
790 00:54:53,126 00:54:57,831 So at each stage of his life, there's a new challenge So at each stage of his life, there's a new challenge
791 00:54:58,332 00:55:01,935 and obviously, new fears and new doubts. and obviously, new fears and new doubts.
792 00:55:02,536 00:55:06,507 And so, he started thinking in terms of policy. And so, he started thinking in terms of policy.
793 00:55:06,874 00:55:08,675 In terms of strategy. In terms of strategy.
794 00:55:09,009 00:55:11,044 In terms of tactics. In terms of tactics.
795 00:55:12,379 00:55:17,050 And that's what ultimately made him into a statesman. And that's what ultimately made him into a statesman.
796 00:55:17,918 00:55:19,920 Because that's what statesmen do. Because that's what statesmen do.
797 00:55:20,354 00:55:23,123 Now unlike Jesus, or the Buddha Now unlike Jesus, or the Buddha
798 00:55:23,123 00:55:25,492 who seem to have been purely spiritual leaders who seem to have been purely spiritual leaders
799 00:55:25,492 00:55:27,694 with no temporal responsibilities whatever with no temporal responsibilities whatever
800 00:55:27,928 00:55:30,330 MUHAMMAD found himself now head of state. MUHAMMAD found himself now head of state.
801 00:55:30,597 00:55:33,634 Having transferred the Muslim families Having transferred the Muslim families
802 00:55:34,001 00:55:36,136 from MECCA to Medina. from MECCA to Medina.
803 00:55:36,570 00:55:39,006 He now had to make sure they could survive there. He now had to make sure they could survive there.
804 00:55:39,873 00:55:42,910 The survival of the fledgling community depended on The survival of the fledgling community depended on
805 00:55:42,910 00:55:46,180 its ability to defend itself against attacks from Mecca. its ability to defend itself against attacks from Mecca.
806 00:55:47,614 00:55:49,750 To respond to this possibility To respond to this possibility
807 00:55:49,750 00:55:52,786 Muhammad developed a novel political solution. Muhammad developed a novel political solution.
808 00:55:54,288 00:55:57,424 He essentially establishes a pact, an agreement He essentially establishes a pact, an agreement
809 00:55:57,424 00:55:59,893 sometimes it's called the Constitution Of Medina. sometimes it's called the Constitution Of Medina.
810 00:56:00,394 00:56:02,696 Whether you were a Pagan or a Muslim Whether you were a Pagan or a Muslim
811 00:56:03,197 00:56:06,400 or a member of the Jewish tribes or any other tribes in Medina or a member of the Jewish tribes or any other tribes in Medina
812 00:56:06,733 00:56:08,969 you had to sign on to this pact. you had to sign on to this pact.
813 00:56:09,603 00:56:11,805 And the pact established that And the pact established that
814 00:56:12,005 00:56:15,309 if there were ever an attack on Medina from the outside if there were ever an attack on Medina from the outside
815 00:56:15,609 00:56:18,512 all the inhabitants of the town of would be responsible all the inhabitants of the town of would be responsible
816 00:56:18,612 00:56:20,314 to defend the city. to defend the city.
817 00:56:20,814 00:56:25,619 This way, Muhammad really developed a revolutionary idea This way, Muhammad really developed a revolutionary idea
818 00:56:25,919 00:56:29,990 which was transcend your tribal responsibilities which was transcend your tribal responsibilities
819 00:56:29,990 00:56:31,992 your petty particularism your petty particularism
820 00:56:32,125 00:56:36,063 and begin to think in larger terms, as a entire community. and begin to think in larger terms, as a entire community.
821 00:56:37,831 00:56:40,801 Now this was a very fearful terrifying Now this was a very fearful terrifying
822 00:56:40,934 00:56:43,504 time for Muslims but nevertheless time for Muslims but nevertheless
823 00:56:43,604 00:56:46,940 it was seen as a creative time when faith was at its strongest. it was seen as a creative time when faith was at its strongest.
824 00:56:47,474 00:56:52,412 It's a creative act for Muslims to look back at the It's a creative act for Muslims to look back at the
825 00:56:52,513 00:56:56,550 Muslim community in Medina and try to apply the Muslim community in Medina and try to apply the
826 00:56:56,750 00:56:59,753 ideals to their own society so that they can ideals to their own society so that they can
827 00:56:59,753 00:57:03,290 reproduce something of the Prophet's original spirit. reproduce something of the Prophet's original spirit.
828 00:57:06,994 00:57:13,767 I came here to this country and I came with a feeling that I came here to this country and I came with a feeling that
829 00:57:13,834 00:57:18,705 I left back in my original country in Iraq many memories I left back in my original country in Iraq many memories
830 00:57:18,739 00:57:20,207 many painful memories many painful memories
831 00:57:20,207 00:57:24,244 one of them that my grandfather as well as one of them that my grandfather as well as
832 00:57:24,945 00:57:26,880 13 members of all my family 13 members of all my family
833 00:57:26,947 00:57:31,385 were persecuted and imprisoned by the dictator Saddam Hussein. were persecuted and imprisoned by the dictator Saddam Hussein.
834 00:57:31,785 00:57:35,088 That reminds me of the agony and pain That reminds me of the agony and pain
835 00:57:35,489 00:57:39,226 many early immigrants went through when they came to Medina. many early immigrants went through when they came to Medina.
836 00:57:40,661 00:57:44,998 Like many other Muslims who have fled persecution in their native countries Like many other Muslims who have fled persecution in their native countries
837 00:57:45,232 00:57:48,468 Imam Hassan Qazwini, was drawn to America Imam Hassan Qazwini, was drawn to America
838 00:57:48,468 00:57:52,072 by the promise of religious freedom and economic opportunity. by the promise of religious freedom and economic opportunity.
839 00:57:56,176 00:57:58,178 He emigrated to Dearborn Michigan He emigrated to Dearborn Michigan
840 00:57:58,412 00:58:00,013 a community that boasts the highest a community that boasts the highest
841 00:58:00,047 00:58:03,383 per capita concentration of Muslims in the United States per capita concentration of Muslims in the United States
842 00:58:03,817 00:58:07,821 where people are almost as likely to speak Arabic as English. where people are almost as likely to speak Arabic as English.
843 00:58:09,423 00:58:13,627 Hijra, migration, it has a shining aspect for me. Hijra, migration, it has a shining aspect for me.
844 00:58:14,027 00:58:16,096 As well as for the Prophet and his As well as for the Prophet and his
845 00:58:16,096 00:58:19,032 companions who came with him from Mecca to Medina. companions who came with him from Mecca to Medina.
846 00:58:20,434 00:58:23,036 And that shining aspect was the freedom And that shining aspect was the freedom
847 00:58:23,170 00:58:25,839 religious freedom that they faced in Medina. religious freedom that they faced in Medina.
848 00:58:27,341 00:58:31,645 Muslims here in America, they feel they are more free in practicing Muslims here in America, they feel they are more free in practicing
849 00:58:31,678 00:58:35,382 their religion than many other Muslim countries. their religion than many other Muslim countries.
850 00:58:44,892 00:58:49,163 In many ways this whole immigration process from Mecca to Medina very much In many ways this whole immigration process from Mecca to Medina very much
851 00:58:49,229 00:58:53,233 parallels what's happened in my own city here in Dearborn, in our own backyard. parallels what's happened in my own city here in Dearborn, in our own backyard.
852 00:58:53,567 00:58:55,802 And I see it play out in the hospital where I work. And I see it play out in the hospital where I work.
853 00:59:05,145 00:59:09,249 Najah Bazzy is a nurse at Dearborn's Oakwood Hospital. Najah Bazzy is a nurse at Dearborn's Oakwood Hospital.
854 00:59:09,750 00:59:11,965 She conducts training sessions to help bridge She conducts training sessions to help bridge
855 00:59:11,965 00:59:15,085 the gap of understanding between the hospital staff the gap of understanding between the hospital staff
856 00:59:15,489 00:59:19,226 and their Muslim patients, many of whom are immigrants. and their Muslim patients, many of whom are immigrants.
857 00:59:20,294 00:59:22,596 I know you're all nurses, and I know I know you're all nurses, and I know
858 00:59:22,963 00:59:27,167 that you're in this profession, just as I am, to serve, to do a good job. that you're in this profession, just as I am, to serve, to do a good job.
859 00:59:28,502 00:59:30,871 But it's real easy for us to get caught up in our own baggage. But it's real easy for us to get caught up in our own baggage.
860 00:59:31,104 00:59:35,209 We're all human and we all have a certain set of preconceived notions We're all human and we all have a certain set of preconceived notions
861 00:59:35,542 00:59:37,744 just as you walk through the door and you saw me just as you walk through the door and you saw me
862 00:59:37,744 00:59:39,847 for the first time, just as you might have seen Alijah. for the first time, just as you might have seen Alijah.
863 00:59:40,180 00:59:45,452 In the sensitivity training inevitably, they know very little about the faith of Islam. In the sensitivity training inevitably, they know very little about the faith of Islam.
864 00:59:46,019 00:59:52,092 They think that the faith of Islam is a very maybe terroristic, militant, barbaric They think that the faith of Islam is a very maybe terroristic, militant, barbaric
865 00:59:52,092 00:59:54,094 spread by the sword faith. spread by the sword faith.
866 00:59:55,128 00:59:58,866 And so when they have a Muslim up there talking about And so when they have a Muslim up there talking about
867 00:59:59,366 01:00:03,837 patient rights, dignity, issues around health patient rights, dignity, issues around health
868 01:00:04,271 01:00:08,709 and illness, all of a sudden you see all of these stereotypes that people and illness, all of a sudden you see all of these stereotypes that people
869 01:00:09,009 01:00:12,813 have as part of, you know, the baggage as we grow up, just kind of fall. have as part of, you know, the baggage as we grow up, just kind of fall.
870 01:00:12,913 01:00:16,683 When you transcend culture, you arrive at a universal place When you transcend culture, you arrive at a universal place
871 01:00:16,884 01:00:20,287 where our humanness is all the same. You grieve the same. where our humanness is all the same. You grieve the same.
872 01:00:21,121 01:00:22,789 We all cry when someone we love dies. We all cry when someone we love dies.
873 01:00:23,457 01:00:27,394 When we deliver, those of us who deliver, we all experience labor. When we deliver, those of us who deliver, we all experience labor.
874 01:00:28,328 01:00:33,233 Something happened in Dearborn that further established a need for this kind of work Something happened in Dearborn that further established a need for this kind of work
875 01:00:33,500 01:00:36,570 and that was a huge immigration process as a result of the Gulf War. and that was a huge immigration process as a result of the Gulf War.
876 01:00:37,337 01:00:42,409 As a critical care nurse, Najah Bazzy often has to counsel patients with terminal As a critical care nurse, Najah Bazzy often has to counsel patients with terminal
877 01:00:42,409 01:00:47,681 illnesses, like this Iraqi immigrant who has just been diagnosed with uterine cancer. illnesses, like this Iraqi immigrant who has just been diagnosed with uterine cancer.
878 01:00:49,383 01:00:51,451 I said to her what do you think you have? I said to her what do you think you have?
879 01:00:51,485 01:00:55,856 And she said I have an infection in the uterus and they took it out. And she said I have an infection in the uterus and they took it out.
880 01:00:55,989 01:00:59,760 Maybe she's not hearing it the first time, maybe she doesn't need to hear it. Maybe she's not hearing it the first time, maybe she doesn't need to hear it.
881 01:00:59,927 01:01:01,261 Maybe she can't hear it. Maybe she can't hear it.
882 01:01:01,628 01:01:03,330 They're just not saying the "C" word at all. They're just not saying the "C" word at all.
883 01:01:03,330 01:01:05,332 They're not using that word with her. They're not using that word with her.
884 01:01:05,499 01:01:08,535 And they want to just maintain hope, and uh... And they want to just maintain hope, and uh...
885 01:01:08,569 01:01:12,606 - just want to treat it delicately, okay? - Okay. - Alright. - just want to treat it delicately, okay? - Okay. - Alright.
886 01:01:15,742 01:01:17,110 Ok.. Thanks Ok.. Thanks
887 01:01:17,444 01:01:18,512 Salaam Alaykum Salaam Alaykum
888 01:01:21,415 01:01:24,751 These are families immigrating from a way of life. These are families immigrating from a way of life.
889 01:01:24,918 01:01:27,154 And mostly because they have been torn by war. And mostly because they have been torn by war.
890 01:01:27,521 01:01:33,260 And so they get here and the helpers are here. And so they get here and the helpers are here.
891 01:01:34,428 01:01:37,130 And it's quite obligatory to be that helper. And it's quite obligatory to be that helper.
892 01:01:40,567 01:01:44,137 When Muhammad arrived in Medina, he made it clear that helping When Muhammad arrived in Medina, he made it clear that helping
893 01:01:44,137 01:01:48,141 immigrants would be one of the cornerstones of the new Islamic society. immigrants would be one of the cornerstones of the new Islamic society.
894 01:01:49,209 01:01:55,482 This is his message, spread peace, feed people food, and This is his message, spread peace, feed people food, and
895 01:01:55,482 01:01:59,820 do some devotional practice and you will enter paradise without any trouble. do some devotional practice and you will enter paradise without any trouble.
896 01:02:00,621 01:02:05,359 Two-thirds of that message is about other people. Two-thirds of that message is about other people.
897 01:02:05,592 01:02:11,198 The secret of Medina is it's a place where human beings are The secret of Medina is it's a place where human beings are
898 01:02:11,198 01:02:17,371 going to attempt to live up to the ideal of the Islamic tradition. going to attempt to live up to the ideal of the Islamic tradition.
899 01:02:18,505 01:02:23,744 Part of the arrangement was that the people of Medina agreed Part of the arrangement was that the people of Medina agreed
900 01:02:23,744 01:02:29,616 that they would provide housing and support for the immigrants as they came in. that they would provide housing and support for the immigrants as they came in.
901 01:02:30,150 01:02:32,853 And very often they were even paired so that And very often they were even paired so that
902 01:02:33,253 01:02:39,193 certain people had direct responsibility for specific people from Mecca. certain people had direct responsibility for specific people from Mecca.
903 01:02:41,028 01:02:43,163 And that did not take place in 24 hours. And that did not take place in 24 hours.
904 01:02:43,597 01:02:50,137 It came step by step, step by step, and within a few months, you now had two groups It came step by step, step by step, and within a few months, you now had two groups
905 01:02:51,071 01:02:54,541 the Helpers, so called, El Ansar, that is, those the Helpers, so called, El Ansar, that is, those
906 01:02:54,541 01:03:00,047 Medinan Arabs who had become Muslims, and the Meccans Medinan Arabs who had become Muslims, and the Meccans
907 01:03:00,047 01:03:01,915 who had become Muslims before them. who had become Muslims before them.
908 01:03:02,382 01:03:07,354 And in this way, for the first time, he created the Islamic Ummah, that is, the Islamic people. And in this way, for the first time, he created the Islamic Ummah, that is, the Islamic people.
909 01:03:07,921 01:03:11,558 That bond which transcends all other bonds. That bond which transcends all other bonds.
910 01:03:11,658 01:03:14,461 He said to these people, these are now your neighbors He said to these people, these are now your neighbors
911 01:03:14,561 01:03:16,296 these are your brothers and sisters. these are your brothers and sisters.
912 01:03:16,396 01:03:19,633 He establishes that sense of humanity, that Ummah. He establishes that sense of humanity, that Ummah.
913 01:03:19,900 01:03:24,071 We are all connected to one another, we are all responsible for one another. We are all connected to one another, we are all responsible for one another.
914 01:03:24,972 01:03:27,641 A couple of you guys to carry to my car, ok? A couple of you guys to carry to my car, ok?
915 01:03:28,509 01:03:32,212 There's a mosque in the heart of Detroit and There's a mosque in the heart of Detroit and
916 01:03:32,212 01:03:34,848 it's run by an Imam who started a soup kitchen it's run by an Imam who started a soup kitchen
917 01:03:35,716 01:03:39,887 I want the kids to be able to see that that's part of Muhammad's message. I want the kids to be able to see that that's part of Muhammad's message.
918 01:03:40,254 01:03:44,024 - This is the exit right here. - Hang on everybody it's a sharp turn. - This is the exit right here. - Hang on everybody it's a sharp turn.
919 01:03:45,325 01:03:47,227 Hajji is like not a good driver. Hajji is like not a good driver.
920 01:03:47,594 01:03:49,263 Listen, I'm a good driver. Listen, I'm a good driver.
921 01:03:49,263 01:03:54,701 This is the first test. If you can't pass this test the rest of it's off. This is the first test. If you can't pass this test the rest of it's off.
922 01:03:56,737 01:03:59,339 The majority of the ones that come for the soup kitchen are non-Muslim. The majority of the ones that come for the soup kitchen are non-Muslim.
923 01:03:59,473 01:04:03,844 It's only about, maybe one or two people that are Muslim that come for the soup kitchen. It's only about, maybe one or two people that are Muslim that come for the soup kitchen.
924 01:04:04,678 01:04:10,717 And we let them know that it's a part of who we are, as to why we're doing this. And we let them know that it's a part of who we are, as to why we're doing this.
925 01:04:10,984 01:04:16,323 It's a part of what God has commanded for the Muslims, for a human being to be charitable. It's a part of what God has commanded for the Muslims, for a human being to be charitable.
926 01:04:16,523 01:04:20,828 I'm studying to be ordained as a Catholic Deacon, so I had run into I'm studying to be ordained as a Catholic Deacon, so I had run into
927 01:04:20,828 01:04:25,132 Abdullah when he made a presentation about Islam and uh... Abdullah when he made a presentation about Islam and uh...
928 01:04:25,165 01:04:28,902 I was really attracted to the works of this mosque. I was really attracted to the works of this mosque.
929 01:04:29,002 01:04:33,240 I was never aware that there was an active part of Muslim faith life I was never aware that there was an active part of Muslim faith life
930 01:04:33,240 01:04:37,911 that really reached out to the poor. I wasn't even sure that it was part of your creed. that really reached out to the poor. I wasn't even sure that it was part of your creed.
931 01:04:38,111 01:04:42,149 Abdullah went through misunder standings that would commonly exist... Abdullah went through misunder standings that would commonly exist...
932 01:04:42,216 01:04:44,585 he started with the term Black Muslim. he started with the term Black Muslim.
933 01:04:45,152 01:04:46,887 What does that bring to mind? What does that bring to mind?
934 01:04:47,988 01:04:52,726 And honestly it brought to mind certain things that would make you fearful. And honestly it brought to mind certain things that would make you fearful.
935 01:04:53,594 01:04:58,599 Certain kinds of maybe aggressive behavior, nationalistic kinds of thinking Certain kinds of maybe aggressive behavior, nationalistic kinds of thinking
936 01:04:58,599 01:05:03,770 you know, as if we are going carve ourselves off from the others and have no fellowship. you know, as if we are going carve ourselves off from the others and have no fellowship.
937 01:05:03,971 01:05:10,210 He said if I tell you what the stereotypes are that I have of Catholics He said if I tell you what the stereotypes are that I have of Catholics
938 01:05:10,210 01:05:13,380 when you listen to them, you'll say oh those are when you listen to them, you'll say oh those are
939 01:05:13,447 01:05:17,050 extreme examples, those are not what we are about. extreme examples, those are not what we are about.
940 01:05:24,124 01:05:29,163 Dearborn is the place where the early immigrants of Dearborn is the place where the early immigrants of
941 01:05:29,263 01:05:33,400 Arab, Lebanese and Middle Eastern people came and settled down. Arab, Lebanese and Middle Eastern people came and settled down.
942 01:05:34,568 01:05:38,772 This country embraced them and opened its door for them. This country embraced them and opened its door for them.
943 01:05:39,573 01:05:44,745 Yet they needed time to adjust and go through that Yet they needed time to adjust and go through that
944 01:05:44,778 01:05:48,315 difficulty they faced when they came to this country. difficulty they faced when they came to this country.
945 01:05:49,349 01:05:54,021 It's two different societies, two different cultures. It's two different societies, two different cultures.
946 01:05:58,392 01:06:02,796 Najah and Ali Bazzy are raising their family in the suburbs of Dearborn. Najah and Ali Bazzy are raising their family in the suburbs of Dearborn.
947 01:06:03,297 01:06:06,733 Their children are third generation American Muslims. Their children are third generation American Muslims.
948 01:06:08,302 01:06:10,804 We're trying to combine the best of both worlds and giving We're trying to combine the best of both worlds and giving
949 01:06:10,804 01:06:13,407 our kids the family values that our parents teach and realize our kids the family values that our parents teach and realize
950 01:06:13,407 01:06:15,976 that they live in, uh, you know, a land in the United States that they live in, uh, you know, a land in the United States
951 01:06:15,976 01:06:18,846 which has, you know, many opportunities for our kids to prosper in. which has, you know, many opportunities for our kids to prosper in.
952 01:06:19,780 01:06:21,515 - You still can't beat me. - I'll beat you tonight. - You still can't beat me. - I'll beat you tonight.
953 01:06:21,849 01:06:24,218 - Can you shoot five and 0? - I can shoot 5 and 0 from anywhere. - Can you shoot five and 0? - I can shoot 5 and 0 from anywhere.
954 01:06:24,218 01:06:27,087 - 5 and 0 anywhere? - Right now? Let's go. - 5 and 0 anywhere? - Right now? Let's go.
955 01:06:27,321 01:06:31,658 Like many Dearborn families the Bazzy's struggle daily to balance the Like many Dearborn families the Bazzy's struggle daily to balance the
956 01:06:31,725 01:06:36,330 sometimes conflicting demands of their faith and modern American society. sometimes conflicting demands of their faith and modern American society.
957 01:06:38,532 01:06:41,969 Their daughter Nadia, has decided to wear the hijab Their daughter Nadia, has decided to wear the hijab
958 01:06:41,969 01:06:45,706 or head covering, that was first worn by Muhammad's wives. or head covering, that was first worn by Muhammad's wives.
959 01:06:46,240 01:06:50,744 Many Muslim women still wear the hijab as a sign of modesty and piety. Many Muslim women still wear the hijab as a sign of modesty and piety.
960 01:06:51,578 01:06:53,313 Well, we're gonna back you one way or the other. Well, we're gonna back you one way or the other.
961 01:06:53,547 01:06:54,715 That's a given. That's a given.
962 01:06:56,350 01:07:01,722 Our daughter came to us and said, I made a decision. Our daughter came to us and said, I made a decision.
963 01:07:02,022 01:07:03,457 And she's 16 now. And she's 16 now.
964 01:07:03,824 01:07:06,793 And she said, I've decided that I want to wear hijab. And she said, I've decided that I want to wear hijab.
965 01:07:07,161 01:07:09,930 The last time when you put it on, right? The last time when you put it on, right?
966 01:07:09,930 01:07:11,031 You made me take it off. You made me take it off.
967 01:07:11,131 01:07:12,199 No, I didn't make you take it off. No, I didn't make you take it off.
968 01:07:12,199 01:07:16,303 I sort of persuade you thinking, try and bring it out the other, end of the light of it, right? I sort of persuade you thinking, try and bring it out the other, end of the light of it, right?
969 01:07:16,503 01:07:17,771 And you resented me for that, correct? And you resented me for that, correct?
970 01:07:17,771 01:07:18,839 Big time. Big time.
971 01:07:19,439 01:07:21,775 I just thought maybe if you go through high school I just thought maybe if you go through high school
972 01:07:21,775 01:07:24,711 and then put it on after high school, that then and then put it on after high school, that then
973 01:07:24,711 01:07:27,214 if then, at least at that point in life, you'll if then, at least at that point in life, you'll
974 01:07:27,214 01:07:30,017 be able to see what you want to do in life, and that. be able to see what you want to do in life, and that.
975 01:07:30,017 01:07:31,118 Because you gotta understand something. Because you gotta understand something.
976 01:07:31,118 01:07:33,720 You know, you never know where you're gonna be and where you're gonna go in life. You know, you never know where you're gonna be and where you're gonna go in life.
977 01:07:33,821 01:07:35,989 I mean, it's, sure, this hijab is accepted in I mean, it's, sure, this hijab is accepted in
978 01:07:35,989 01:07:38,525 our community here, and, you know, you maybe do well. our community here, and, you know, you maybe do well.
979 01:07:38,525 01:07:39,860 And you end up being a doctor or a lawyer And you end up being a doctor or a lawyer
980 01:07:39,860 01:07:41,662 whatever, you'll be doing very well for yourself. whatever, you'll be doing very well for yourself.
981 01:07:41,962 01:07:44,331 But look what just happened to you when you went down to Tennessee. But look what just happened to you when you went down to Tennessee.
982 01:07:44,364 01:07:46,300 I mean, here you have her driving a bus I mean, here you have her driving a bus
983 01:07:46,300 01:07:48,468 and the state police trooper wants to stop over, we've and the state police trooper wants to stop over, we've
984 01:07:48,468 01:07:50,671 got a whole bus full of people, because he sees hijabs. got a whole bus full of people, because he sees hijabs.
985 01:07:50,938 01:07:54,875 I think for Nadia, he probably feels much like I feel. I think for Nadia, he probably feels much like I feel.
986 01:07:55,008 01:07:58,212 There is great reverence for it, and then there's that There is great reverence for it, and then there's that
987 01:07:58,212 01:08:01,782 that oh my gosh, I want to protect my daughter from the world. that oh my gosh, I want to protect my daughter from the world.
988 01:08:01,949 01:08:03,951 I don't want people to think she's a terrorist. I don't want people to think she's a terrorist.
989 01:08:03,951 01:08:05,719 I don't want people to think she's oppressed. I don't want people to think she's oppressed.
990 01:08:05,819 01:08:09,256 I don't want people to think I'm her father, I made her put that on her head. I don't want people to think I'm her father, I made her put that on her head.
991 01:08:09,623 01:08:11,792 All of those kinds of things come into play. All of those kinds of things come into play.
992 01:08:11,925 01:08:14,895 I don't think Baba is, you know, trying to hurt you here. I don't think Baba is, you know, trying to hurt you here.
993 01:08:14,895 01:08:17,331 He's trying to show you a picture of the real world, and He's trying to show you a picture of the real world, and
994 01:08:17,331 01:08:19,967 what you need to do is show him a real picture of your world. what you need to do is show him a real picture of your world.
995 01:08:20,534 01:08:23,070 He's a father, he has some legitimate concerns. He's a father, he has some legitimate concerns.
996 01:08:23,770 01:08:25,839 So my point is that you're still the same Nadia. So my point is that you're still the same Nadia.
997 01:08:26,139 01:08:28,775 Ali, maybe she's not done talking to you. Ali, maybe she's not done talking to you.
998 01:08:29,042 01:08:30,544 You've talked to her. You've talked to her.
999 01:08:30,544 01:08:32,779 Give her a few minutes and now let her talk to you. Give her a few minutes and now let her talk to you.
1000 01:08:33,547 01:08:37,951 Do you know that I'm, that I'm doing this for myself and for you? Do you know that I'm, that I'm doing this for myself and for you?
1001 01:08:39,386 01:08:43,290 Remember something. You're not doing it for me. You're doing it for yourself and God. Remember something. You're not doing it for me. You're doing it for yourself and God.
1002 01:08:43,590 01:08:44,658 All right? All right?
1003 01:08:44,658 01:08:46,326 You're the one who has to answer to God. You're the one who has to answer to God.
1004 01:08:46,393 01:08:49,163 - So do you. - I will answer to God. Don't worry about that. - So do you. - I will answer to God. Don't worry about that.
1005 01:08:49,696 01:08:53,800 I have my positives and my negatives in life and I will answer to God, don't worry about it. I have my positives and my negatives in life and I will answer to God, don't worry about it.
1006 01:08:53,901 01:08:59,239 Baba, all that I do is a reflection of you. Baba, all that I do is a reflection of you.
1007 01:09:00,140 01:09:03,710 You're in good shape, then. You're in good shape, right? You're in good shape, then. You're in good shape, right?
1008 01:09:04,578 01:09:06,013 So are we at peace? So are we at peace?
1009 01:09:06,713 01:09:08,348 I never knew we were at war I never knew we were at war
1010 01:09:35,776 01:09:37,177 Muhammad also tells you that, you know Muhammad also tells you that, you know
1011 01:09:37,211 01:09:40,047 you should always give what's best, uh, for your daughter. you should always give what's best, uh, for your daughter.
1012 01:09:40,380 01:09:43,917 And me as a father, I'm just trying to give my daughter the opportunity. And me as a father, I'm just trying to give my daughter the opportunity.
1013 01:09:43,917 01:09:47,588 To be able to see, uh, life from a wider angle and a bigger perspective. To be able to see, uh, life from a wider angle and a bigger perspective.
1014 01:09:51,859 01:09:54,962 People would immigrate into different parts of the country, but what was interesting is People would immigrate into different parts of the country, but what was interesting is
1015 01:09:54,962 01:09:59,066 that they would all manage to find their way into Dearborn, a great many of them. that they would all manage to find their way into Dearborn, a great many of them.
1016 01:10:01,034 01:10:04,304 And the reason for that is because the mosques were in place. And the reason for that is because the mosques were in place.
1017 01:10:07,241 01:10:10,978 Dearborn's newest mosque will be the largest in North America. Dearborn's newest mosque will be the largest in North America.
1018 01:10:11,578 01:10:17,050 Like the first mosque in Medina, it is being built with help from the entire community. Like the first mosque in Medina, it is being built with help from the entire community.
1019 01:10:19,920 01:10:24,525 There's great feelings of ownership to the mosque when the community builds it. There's great feelings of ownership to the mosque when the community builds it.
1020 01:10:27,461 01:10:32,432 People are baking food. Every year they contribute between People are baking food. Every year they contribute between
1021 01:10:32,533 01:10:38,972 $50,000 to $100,000 to the income and the operating costs of our mosque. $50,000 to $100,000 to the income and the operating costs of our mosque.
1022 01:10:39,773 01:10:42,910 So, we have the building of this mosque, kind of metaphorically So, we have the building of this mosque, kind of metaphorically
1023 01:10:43,110 01:10:46,413 and the laying of the bricks and this new foundation and the laying of the bricks and this new foundation
1024 01:10:47,447 01:10:49,817 with all these new immigrants in Dearborn. with all these new immigrants in Dearborn.
1025 01:10:50,751 01:10:53,020 And everybody brings their contribution. And everybody brings their contribution.
1026 01:10:54,688 01:10:58,192 Prophet Muhammad established the first center in Medina Prophet Muhammad established the first center in Medina
1027 01:10:58,559 01:11:00,694 for Muslims and that was his mosque. for Muslims and that was his mosque.
1028 01:11:01,028 01:11:05,499 And it was not only a place where Muslims go and do their prayer, or And it was not only a place where Muslims go and do their prayer, or
1029 01:11:05,499 01:11:09,970 offer their supplication, it was the center for the entire community. offer their supplication, it was the center for the entire community.
1030 01:11:09,970 01:11:12,472 It was the headquarters of the Prophet. It was the headquarters of the Prophet.
1031 01:11:12,973 01:11:19,313 He would become a judge and solve problems among people inside the mosque. He would become a judge and solve problems among people inside the mosque.
1032 01:11:20,447 01:11:25,786 So he receives delegations, he would declare war or peace. So he receives delegations, he would declare war or peace.
1033 01:11:26,820 01:11:31,525 The mosque was serving multiple purposes in the life of Prophet Muhammad. The mosque was serving multiple purposes in the life of Prophet Muhammad.
1034 01:11:33,861 01:11:36,430 It was at the mosque that Muhammad discussed It was at the mosque that Muhammad discussed
1035 01:11:36,430 01:11:38,966 a sweeping change in strategy with his followers. a sweeping change in strategy with his followers.
1036 01:11:39,399 01:11:43,937 After years of exercising restraint in the face of persecution by the Meccans After years of exercising restraint in the face of persecution by the Meccans
1037 01:11:44,104 01:11:46,807 Muhammad received a clear new revelation Muhammad received a clear new revelation
1038 01:11:46,807 01:11:49,910 that marked a dramatic departure from the past. that marked a dramatic departure from the past.
1039 01:11:50,143 01:11:54,681 It gave the Muslims limited permission to take up arms in self-defense. It gave the Muslims limited permission to take up arms in self-defense.
1040 01:11:54,948 01:11:58,418 The statesman was about to become a general. The statesman was about to become a general.
1041 01:12:00,320 01:12:03,023 For 13 years, there's been no sanction to fight. For 13 years, there's been no sanction to fight.
1042 01:12:03,323 01:12:05,459 Then a revelation comes that says Then a revelation comes that says
1043 01:12:06,160 01:12:10,531 those who have been removed unjustly from their homes, and those who have been removed unjustly from their homes, and
1044 01:12:10,631 01:12:13,967 have been fought because of their religious beliefs have been fought because of their religious beliefs
1045 01:12:14,101 01:12:16,270 are sanctioned to fight to defend themselves. are sanctioned to fight to defend themselves.
1046 01:12:16,270 01:12:21,208 Killing is always abhorrent, the QURAN makes it very clear about that Killing is always abhorrent, the QURAN makes it very clear about that
1047 01:12:21,308 01:12:27,848 and the QURAN says that it's always wrong to start a war, to be an aggressor. and the QURAN says that it's always wrong to start a war, to be an aggressor.
1048 01:12:28,081 01:12:31,084 But persecution is worse than killing. But persecution is worse than killing.
1049 01:12:31,185 01:12:35,355 When people have been driven from their homes, or deprived of their basic human rights When people have been driven from their homes, or deprived of their basic human rights
1050 01:12:35,389 01:12:39,259 when an evil ideology comes into the world, sometimes when an evil ideology comes into the world, sometimes
1051 01:12:39,259 01:12:43,831 regrettably, it may be necessary to fight and sometimes lives will be lost. regrettably, it may be necessary to fight and sometimes lives will be lost.
1052 01:12:45,666 01:12:50,737 Muhammad's first large military engagement occurred near the town of Badr, when Muhammad's first large military engagement occurred near the town of Badr, when
1053 01:12:50,737 01:12:56,810 313 Muslims set out to surprise a caravan from Muhammad's own tribe, the Quraysh. 313 Muslims set out to surprise a caravan from Muhammad's own tribe, the Quraysh.
1054 01:12:58,245 01:13:02,149 In a sense, the battle of Badr, which became such a landmark In a sense, the battle of Badr, which became such a landmark
1055 01:13:02,382 01:13:05,452 in Muslim history, ah was a sort of mistake. in Muslim history, ah was a sort of mistake.
1056 01:13:05,953 01:13:08,822 Ah, the Muslims had planned a conventional raid but Ah, the Muslims had planned a conventional raid but
1057 01:13:08,856 01:13:13,594 the Meccans, when they heard that this band of renegades the Meccans, when they heard that this band of renegades
1058 01:13:13,627 01:13:16,530 was attacking their great caravan was attacking their great caravan
1059 01:13:16,530 01:13:19,900 were so enraged they sent out the whole army against them. were so enraged they sent out the whole army against them.
1060 01:13:20,200 01:13:22,569 And the Muslims were convinced that they were going to die. And the Muslims were convinced that they were going to die.
1061 01:13:23,871 01:13:25,806 He never wanted to fight the Meccans. He never wanted to fight the Meccans.
1062 01:13:25,839 01:13:29,610 I mean, the Meccans are his people, uh, his, his friends, his family. I mean, the Meccans are his people, uh, his, his friends, his family.
1063 01:13:29,610 01:13:34,848 He wants to co-opt them, he wants to make them the key, if you will to the new He wants to co-opt them, he wants to make them the key, if you will to the new
1064 01:13:34,848 01:13:38,986 Islamic Ummah that he's trying to form, so he doesn't want to go to war with them. Islamic Ummah that he's trying to form, so he doesn't want to go to war with them.
1065 01:13:40,487 01:13:44,258 As he prepared to lead the Muslims into battle, Muhammad took As he prepared to lead the Muslims into battle, Muhammad took
1066 01:13:44,258 01:13:48,495 the unprecedented step of establishing clear rules of engagement for his army. the unprecedented step of establishing clear rules of engagement for his army.
1067 01:13:49,630 01:13:52,099 He makes it very clear to his soldiers He makes it very clear to his soldiers
1068 01:13:52,199 01:13:56,870 that if they have the right to use force against the Qurayshy that if they have the right to use force against the Qurayshy
1069 01:13:58,005 01:14:02,309 that does not mean that they will do the same thing that does not mean that they will do the same thing
1070 01:14:02,342 01:14:05,145 that has been done in pre-Islamic wars. that has been done in pre-Islamic wars.
1071 01:14:05,412 01:14:07,414 In which women and children could be killed In which women and children could be killed
1072 01:14:07,414 01:14:11,118 in which no prisoners could be taken, no quarter given. in which no prisoners could be taken, no quarter given.
1073 01:14:11,118 01:14:11,618 No, No. No, No.
1074 01:14:11,718 01:14:14,888 He said Islam is a religion of law. He said Islam is a religion of law.
1075 01:14:17,791 01:14:20,460 The Meccans had sent an army of about 1,000 men. The Meccans had sent an army of about 1,000 men.
1076 01:14:22,062 01:14:25,732 As the army approached, Muhammad prepared to make a stand near a well. As the army approached, Muhammad prepared to make a stand near a well.
1077 01:14:27,100 01:14:29,903 One of his soldiers suddenly questioned his strategy One of his soldiers suddenly questioned his strategy
1078 01:14:30,504 01:14:34,141 Has God revealed it to you? he asked, "Or is it your own opinion?" Has God revealed it to you? he asked, "Or is it your own opinion?"
1079 01:14:35,209 01:14:38,512 When Muhammad answered that he was speaking as a man, not a prophet When Muhammad answered that he was speaking as a man, not a prophet
1080 01:14:38,612 01:14:41,582 the soldier suggested that they stop at a larger well closer the soldier suggested that they stop at a larger well closer
1081 01:14:41,582 01:14:44,051 to the enemy, so they could deprive them of water. to the enemy, so they could deprive them of water.
1082 01:14:44,618 01:14:46,353 Muhammad agreed at once. Muhammad agreed at once.
1083 01:14:47,421 01:14:52,359 The change in strategy proved decisive, and the Muslims recorded a resounding triumph. The change in strategy proved decisive, and the Muslims recorded a resounding triumph.
1084 01:14:57,831 01:14:59,900 It was a victory that stunned the Muslims. It was a victory that stunned the Muslims.
1085 01:15:01,034 01:15:04,938 It seemed like a complete reversal, like a miracle. It seemed like a complete reversal, like a miracle.
1086 01:15:05,138 01:15:07,841 Almost a sort of revelation of God in history. Almost a sort of revelation of God in history.
1087 01:15:07,975 01:15:09,776 A Furqan, they called it. A Furqan, they called it.
1088 01:15:09,910 01:15:13,814 Something that separated the just from the unjust. Something that separated the just from the unjust.
1089 01:15:14,715 01:15:20,053 After the battle, Muhammad received a revelation claiming the victory for God. After the battle, Muhammad received a revelation claiming the victory for God.
1090 01:15:20,521 01:15:24,024 The Muslims felt that angels had been fighting alongside them. The Muslims felt that angels had been fighting alongside them.
1091 01:15:24,992 01:15:28,595 The victory reaffirmed their belief that God was on their side The victory reaffirmed their belief that God was on their side
1092 01:15:28,662 01:15:31,532 and raised Muhammad's status higher still. and raised Muhammad's status higher still.
1093 01:15:32,766 01:15:37,371 But his followers also knew that the Meccans would seek violent retribution. But his followers also knew that the Meccans would seek violent retribution.
1094 01:15:38,038 01:15:41,108 A year later, an army of 3,000 Meccans A year later, an army of 3,000 Meccans
1095 01:15:41,108 01:15:45,312 returned to face 1,000 Muslims in the battle of Uhud. returned to face 1,000 Muslims in the battle of Uhud.
1096 01:15:45,479 01:15:50,017 The resulting rout left the future of Islam in mortal peril. The resulting rout left the future of Islam in mortal peril.
1097 01:15:51,051 01:15:52,486 It was a horrible battle. It was a horrible battle.
1098 01:15:52,753 01:15:57,491 And the corpses of the Muslims were mutilated by the Meccans. And the corpses of the Muslims were mutilated by the Meccans.
1099 01:15:57,524 01:15:59,660 And the Meccan women, as was their wont And the Meccan women, as was their wont
1100 01:15:59,693 01:16:03,931 came out onto the battlefield and danced around the corpses. came out onto the battlefield and danced around the corpses.
1101 01:16:06,633 01:16:10,337 Sixty-five of Muhammad's soldiers lost their lives in the battle Sixty-five of Muhammad's soldiers lost their lives in the battle
1102 01:16:10,604 01:16:13,640 including a Rabbi who had honored the Medina Pact including a Rabbi who had honored the Medina Pact
1103 01:16:13,841 01:16:15,809 by fighting alongside Muhammad. by fighting alongside Muhammad.
1104 01:16:16,910 01:16:20,814 The families of the fallen Muslims were now without protectors. The families of the fallen Muslims were now without protectors.
1105 01:16:21,482 01:16:24,751 Then, Muhammad received a new revelation Then, Muhammad received a new revelation
1106 01:16:24,918 01:16:28,322 allowing Muslim men to safeguard these women and children allowing Muslim men to safeguard these women and children
1107 01:16:28,455 01:16:33,794 by taking as many as four wives, but only if they could treat them equally. by taking as many as four wives, but only if they could treat them equally.
1108 01:16:36,497 01:16:39,900 That, in itself, in the context of Arabia, was a bit of a restriction That, in itself, in the context of Arabia, was a bit of a restriction
1109 01:16:39,900 01:16:43,570 because a man could have unlimited number of wives because a man could have unlimited number of wives
1110 01:16:43,904 01:16:47,941 the context of the permission to polygamy the context of the permission to polygamy
1111 01:16:48,041 01:16:50,811 is to say who is going to look after these women. is to say who is going to look after these women.
1112 01:16:50,811 01:16:57,684 It was an act of faith, not an act of lust that inspired men to take more wives. It was an act of faith, not an act of lust that inspired men to take more wives.
1113 01:16:57,684 01:17:01,421 So, it would be wrong to think of the Prophet as basking So, it would be wrong to think of the Prophet as basking
1114 01:17:01,421 01:17:05,359 decadently in the garden of sensual delights with his harem. decadently in the garden of sensual delights with his harem.
1115 01:17:05,359 01:17:08,795 His harem was very much a matter of state His harem was very much a matter of state
1116 01:17:08,862 01:17:12,065 and sometimes his wives were rather a mixed blessing. and sometimes his wives were rather a mixed blessing.
1117 01:17:12,833 01:17:17,304 Although Muhammad was monogamous during Khadija's life, after her death Although Muhammad was monogamous during Khadija's life, after her death
1118 01:17:17,604 01:17:19,773 he eventually married a number of women he eventually married a number of women
1119 01:17:19,940 01:17:23,177 including one of the Uhud widows, Umm Salama. including one of the Uhud widows, Umm Salama.
1120 01:17:24,678 01:17:27,915 The reason for his marriages were really political alliances. The reason for his marriages were really political alliances.
1121 01:17:28,081 01:17:32,419 It was a tribal society, and for Muhammad to marry into another tribe and It was a tribal society, and for Muhammad to marry into another tribe and
1122 01:17:32,486 01:17:36,290 take a wife just meant that there was a bond being created with this tribe. take a wife just meant that there was a bond being created with this tribe.
1123 01:17:37,291 01:17:41,228 Among Muhammad's wives were the daughters of his two closest allies Among Muhammad's wives were the daughters of his two closest allies
1124 01:17:41,662 01:17:43,430 Abu Bakr and Umar. Abu Bakr and Umar.
1125 01:17:44,698 01:17:46,967 Abu Bakr's daughter, Aisha, would become Abu Bakr's daughter, Aisha, would become
1126 01:17:46,967 01:17:49,269 one of the most influential women in his life. one of the most influential women in his life.
1127 01:17:50,304 01:17:54,608 Aisha was very lively. She was, uh, brilliant. Aisha was very lively. She was, uh, brilliant.
1128 01:17:55,075 01:17:57,277 She was somebody that questioned the prophet. She was somebody that questioned the prophet.
1129 01:17:57,277 01:18:02,149 She was not somebody in any way that um took everything, she questioned him. She was not somebody in any way that um took everything, she questioned him.
1130 01:18:02,149 01:18:04,151 She said, what does that mean? She said, what does that mean?
1131 01:18:04,451 01:18:06,653 Uh, why did you do this, why did you do that? Uh, why did you do this, why did you do that?
1132 01:18:06,920 01:18:10,624 Um, she was somebody that really had a, an incredibly active mind. Um, she was somebody that really had a, an incredibly active mind.
1133 01:18:10,624 01:18:15,629 She memorized vast amounts of prophetic traditions, and she's considered to be She memorized vast amounts of prophetic traditions, and she's considered to be
1134 01:18:15,629 01:18:18,398 actually, the transmitter of a large number actually, the transmitter of a large number
1135 01:18:18,398 01:18:21,268 of, uh, traditions from the prophet Muhammad. of, uh, traditions from the prophet Muhammad.
1136 01:18:24,605 01:18:29,443 In the year that followed the battle of Uhud, the Meccans girded themselves In the year that followed the battle of Uhud, the Meccans girded themselves
1137 01:18:29,443 01:18:34,681 for a final assault that they hoped would finish off the Muslims once and for all. for a final assault that they hoped would finish off the Muslims once and for all.
1138 01:18:35,349 01:18:37,618 They assembled one of the largest armies They assembled one of the largest armies
1139 01:18:37,618 01:18:40,921 ever seen in Arabia and marched on Medina. ever seen in Arabia and marched on Medina.
1140 01:18:41,321 01:18:44,091 But Muhammad hit upon a daring defense. But Muhammad hit upon a daring defense.
1141 01:18:45,459 01:18:50,597 Muhammad has dug a trench around the whole of the settlement. Muhammad has dug a trench around the whole of the settlement.
1142 01:18:50,998 01:18:56,036 And you have an almost comic scene with the Meccan cavalry And you have an almost comic scene with the Meccan cavalry
1143 01:18:56,036 01:19:01,241 galloping up to this trench, and pulling back in horror, and saying what is this? galloping up to this trench, and pulling back in horror, and saying what is this?
1144 01:19:01,241 01:19:04,111 They've never seen anything so unsporting in their lives. They've never seen anything so unsporting in their lives.
1145 01:19:04,244 01:19:06,780 This is something, they say, the Arabs don't do. This is something, they say, the Arabs don't do.
1146 01:19:07,281 01:19:11,618 It sounds comical but surrounded by the powerful Meccan army It sounds comical but surrounded by the powerful Meccan army
1147 01:19:12,019 01:19:16,223 the Muslims were expecting all to be killed, to a man, to a woman. the Muslims were expecting all to be killed, to a man, to a woman.
1148 01:19:17,457 01:19:21,695 Stopped by the trench around Medina, the Meccans laid siege Stopped by the trench around Medina, the Meccans laid siege
1149 01:19:21,728 01:19:25,232 to the city and to the hundreds of Muslim families trapped inside. to the city and to the hundreds of Muslim families trapped inside.
1150 01:19:25,833 01:19:28,569 According to the Muslim sources, in their determination According to the Muslim sources, in their determination
1151 01:19:28,569 01:19:31,572 to defeat Muhammad, the Meccans had recruited to defeat Muhammad, the Meccans had recruited
1152 01:19:31,638 01:19:34,141 as allies many Bedouin tribes as allies many Bedouin tribes
1153 01:19:34,274 01:19:38,812 as well as the largest Jewish tribe within Medina, the Bani Qurayzah. as well as the largest Jewish tribe within Medina, the Bani Qurayzah.
1154 01:19:39,513 01:19:42,683 For the Muslims, this defection was the final blow For the Muslims, this defection was the final blow
1155 01:19:42,683 01:19:46,053 in a relationship that had been strained from the beginning. in a relationship that had been strained from the beginning.
1156 01:19:47,321 01:19:49,356 When Muhammad came to town When Muhammad came to town
1157 01:19:49,890 01:19:52,693 the organized Jewish community did not accept his prophecy. the organized Jewish community did not accept his prophecy.
1158 01:19:53,193 01:19:55,362 There were, according to the Islamic sources There were, according to the Islamic sources
1159 01:19:55,429 01:19:57,531 some individual Jews that did accept him some individual Jews that did accept him
1160 01:19:57,764 01:20:00,234 but for the most part the community as a whole did not. but for the most part the community as a whole did not.
1161 01:20:01,001 01:20:03,370 If the Jews would accept his Prophethood, then he has If the Jews would accept his Prophethood, then he has
1162 01:20:03,370 01:20:05,772 tremendous and complete confirmation of his Prophethood. tremendous and complete confirmation of his Prophethood.
1163 01:20:06,273 01:20:10,410 But the Jews were so well respected that when they rejected his prophethood But the Jews were so well respected that when they rejected his prophethood
1164 01:20:10,444 01:20:11,979 and they did it actively and they did it actively
1165 01:20:12,146 01:20:16,850 they became a very serious political threat to his very existence in Medina. they became a very serious political threat to his very existence in Medina.
1166 01:20:18,785 01:20:20,921 Despite the aid of the Bani Qurayzah Despite the aid of the Bani Qurayzah
1167 01:20:21,121 01:20:24,258 the Meccan siege could not break through the Muslim defenses. the Meccan siege could not break through the Muslim defenses.
1168 01:20:24,892 01:20:26,160 When the weather turned bad When the weather turned bad
1169 01:20:26,193 01:20:29,329 and as the Bedouin tribes began deserting the field of battle and as the Bedouin tribes began deserting the field of battle
1170 01:20:29,663 01:20:32,533 the Meccans themselves lost heart and departed the Meccans themselves lost heart and departed
1171 01:20:32,799 01:20:38,372 abandoning their Jewish allies to be tried by the Muslims for the crime of treason. abandoning their Jewish allies to be tried by the Muslims for the crime of treason.
1172 01:20:39,039 01:20:42,309 Islamic sources believe that the Jews did indeed Islamic sources believe that the Jews did indeed
1173 01:20:42,676 01:20:45,479 aid the enemy in trying to defeat Muhammad. aid the enemy in trying to defeat Muhammad.
1174 01:20:45,813 01:20:49,783 This was absolutely against the terms of the Media agreement. This was absolutely against the terms of the Media agreement.
1175 01:20:50,150 01:20:53,987 The Jews and the Muslims decided that they would choose The Jews and the Muslims decided that they would choose
1176 01:20:54,121 01:20:56,990 an arbitrator to determine what would be the future of the Jews. an arbitrator to determine what would be the future of the Jews.
1177 01:20:57,758 01:21:00,394 The person who was chosen was a man The person who was chosen was a man
1178 01:21:00,394 01:21:03,096 who was mortally wounded in the Battle of the Trench. who was mortally wounded in the Battle of the Trench.
1179 01:21:03,630 01:21:07,568 And so he determined that the women and children of the Bani Qurayzah And so he determined that the women and children of the Bani Qurayzah
1180 01:21:07,568 01:21:11,872 would be taken as slaves to the Muslims, and the men would be killed. would be taken as slaves to the Muslims, and the men would be killed.
1181 01:21:12,339 01:21:14,141 The Prophet agreed with this judgement. The Prophet agreed with this judgement.
1182 01:21:14,408 01:21:16,009 When he judged he said When he judged he said
1183 01:21:16,510 01:21:19,580 that you have judged according to God and his messenger. that you have judged according to God and his messenger.
1184 01:21:19,847 01:21:23,884 And then, uh, approximately 700 men And then, uh, approximately 700 men
1185 01:21:24,351 01:21:27,321 uh, were killed. Uh, they were executed. uh, were killed. Uh, they were executed.
1186 01:21:27,821 01:21:30,691 So, this definitely occurred. So, this definitely occurred.
1187 01:21:31,625 01:21:38,732 All that can be said is that, this cannot be seen as anti-Semitism, per se. All that can be said is that, this cannot be seen as anti-Semitism, per se.
1188 01:21:38,732 01:21:45,072 MUHAMMAD had nothing against the Jewish people per se, or the Jewish religion. MUHAMMAD had nothing against the Jewish people per se, or the Jewish religion.
1189 01:21:45,239 01:21:49,877 The QURAN continues to tell Muslims to honor the People of the Book. The QURAN continues to tell Muslims to honor the People of the Book.
1190 01:21:50,210 01:21:53,981 And to honor their religion as authentic. And to honor their religion as authentic.
1191 01:21:54,481 01:21:57,818 And the Jewish tribes who had not rebelled And the Jewish tribes who had not rebelled
1192 01:21:58,418 01:22:00,454 who had not given help to the MECCANS who had not given help to the MECCANS
1193 01:22:00,521 01:22:03,924 continued to live in MEDINA, completely unmolested. continued to live in MEDINA, completely unmolested.
1194 01:22:04,158 01:22:06,760 MUHAMMAD was not trying to exterminate Jews. MUHAMMAD was not trying to exterminate Jews.
1195 01:22:06,760 01:22:10,397 He was trying to get rid of very dangerous internal enemies. He was trying to get rid of very dangerous internal enemies.
1196 01:22:11,031 01:22:15,869 It's unfortunate that many historians and particularly in contemporary times It's unfortunate that many historians and particularly in contemporary times
1197 01:22:15,869 01:22:19,940 both on the Jewish and on the Muslim side, uh, have transformed this. both on the Jewish and on the Muslim side, uh, have transformed this.
1198 01:22:20,207 01:22:23,544 On the Jewish side, they have used that as a way of saying On the Jewish side, they have used that as a way of saying
1199 01:22:23,544 01:22:26,113 well, you see, the Muslims hate the Jews and they kill them. well, you see, the Muslims hate the Jews and they kill them.
1200 01:22:26,280 01:22:28,315 And, and on the Muslim side, it says And, and on the Muslim side, it says
1201 01:22:28,315 01:22:31,585 well, you see, the Jews are full of treachery and can't be trusted. well, you see, the Jews are full of treachery and can't be trusted.
1202 01:22:31,985 01:22:33,020 Both are wrong. Both are wrong.
1203 01:22:35,656 01:22:41,695 When the other tribes of the peninsula saw the impotence of Mecca When the other tribes of the peninsula saw the impotence of Mecca
1204 01:22:41,995 01:22:45,766 with all its power and might against this little community with all its power and might against this little community
1205 01:22:46,200 01:22:50,270 they began to switch allegiance and see that Muhammad was the coming man. they began to switch allegiance and see that Muhammad was the coming man.
1206 01:22:51,004 01:22:53,674 Now once that happened, once the tide had been turned Now once that happened, once the tide had been turned
1207 01:22:53,674 01:22:55,909 after the battle of the trench, and after the battle of the trench, and
1208 01:22:55,909 01:23:00,647 the Muslims were no longer subject to the fear of extermination the Muslims were no longer subject to the fear of extermination
1209 01:23:00,747 01:23:02,749 Muhammad stopped the fighting. Muhammad stopped the fighting.
1210 01:23:03,750 01:23:07,554 The Prophet Muhammad received a few people The Prophet Muhammad received a few people
1211 01:23:07,554 01:23:11,058 militants who just arrived from one of the battles that militants who just arrived from one of the battles that
1212 01:23:11,058 01:23:14,862 they came back from and, they felt so important that they came back from and, they felt so important that
1213 01:23:14,895 01:23:18,565 we finished this job fighting with the enemies of Islam. we finished this job fighting with the enemies of Islam.
1214 01:23:19,099 01:23:22,936 And the Prophet smiled and he said let me tell you something. And the Prophet smiled and he said let me tell you something.
1215 01:23:22,936 01:23:27,608 You finished the minor Jihad and now you have the bigger Jihad ahead of you. You finished the minor Jihad and now you have the bigger Jihad ahead of you.
1216 01:23:27,941 01:23:29,476 And they were stunned. And they were stunned.
1217 01:23:29,510 01:23:32,012 They thought that they just finished the biggest achievement They thought that they just finished the biggest achievement
1218 01:23:32,045 01:23:35,582 in their life by being willing to sacrifice their own life. in their life by being willing to sacrifice their own life.
1219 01:23:36,016 01:23:40,287 And the Prophet explained that the biggest Jihad And the Prophet explained that the biggest Jihad
1220 01:23:40,354 01:23:45,225 is struggle against your own desires and limitations. is struggle against your own desires and limitations.
1221 01:23:47,961 01:23:52,499 Jihad does not mean holy war, primarily. Jihad does not mean holy war, primarily.
1222 01:23:52,866 01:23:55,702 The word means effort, striving. The word means effort, striving.
1223 01:23:56,170 01:24:03,343 And it's always a hard struggle to put the word of God into practice. And it's always a hard struggle to put the word of God into practice.
1224 01:24:03,544 01:24:06,146 When the Quran talks about struggling or When the Quran talks about struggling or
1225 01:24:06,213 01:24:09,550 they're not talking always about fighting a holy war they're not talking always about fighting a holy war
1226 01:24:09,550 01:24:12,152 they're talking about this immense struggle to implement they're talking about this immense struggle to implement
1227 01:24:12,219 01:24:16,690 a divine imperative in the flawed and tragic conditions of daily life. a divine imperative in the flawed and tragic conditions of daily life.
1228 01:24:16,990 01:24:20,694 Fighting might sometimes have to be done as part of the Jihad Fighting might sometimes have to be done as part of the Jihad
1229 01:24:20,694 01:24:23,530 but it is by no means the major imperative. but it is by no means the major imperative.
1230 01:24:25,165 01:24:30,838 I remember a quotation from Jesus, peace be upon him(PBUH) I remember a quotation from Jesus, peace be upon him(PBUH)
1231 01:24:31,305 01:24:36,276 who says that the first step in the reformation who says that the first step in the reformation
1232 01:24:36,276 01:24:39,480 journey is to start with your own self. journey is to start with your own self.
1233 01:24:39,680 01:24:44,551 If you want to reform the society you have to reform yourself first. If you want to reform the society you have to reform yourself first.
1234 01:24:44,852 01:24:47,654 And that was basically the meaning of Jihad. And that was basically the meaning of Jihad.
1235 01:24:54,761 01:24:58,532 The Prophet put that emphasis on inner development. The Prophet put that emphasis on inner development.
1236 01:24:58,532 01:25:06,306 Jihad, the constant struggle with yourself, to improve yourself and perfect your intent. Jihad, the constant struggle with yourself, to improve yourself and perfect your intent.
1237 01:25:06,540 01:25:09,076 That you do things only for the sake of God. That you do things only for the sake of God.
1238 01:25:09,610 01:25:16,450 The most excellent Jihad, Holy struggle, is the struggle to control your ego, the self. The most excellent Jihad, Holy struggle, is the struggle to control your ego, the self.
1239 01:25:21,221 01:25:26,727 For a long time I was deathly afraid of speaking in public, of giving speeches. For a long time I was deathly afraid of speaking in public, of giving speeches.
1240 01:25:27,461 01:25:31,632 And I saw that and I, well, this my Jihad, I've gotta overcome this fear. And I saw that and I, well, this my Jihad, I've gotta overcome this fear.
1241 01:25:31,632 01:25:35,169 If I'm gonna help people, it's gonna be necessary for me to talk in public. If I'm gonna help people, it's gonna be necessary for me to talk in public.
1242 01:25:35,569 01:25:36,937 To be able just to speak out. To be able just to speak out.
1243 01:25:38,472 01:25:42,309 And going back to 1987 I had become active as far as writing And going back to 1987 I had become active as far as writing
1244 01:25:42,376 01:25:47,214 articles for papers to have fire safe cigarette legislation enacted. articles for papers to have fire safe cigarette legislation enacted.
1245 01:25:47,381 01:25:50,250 Cigarettes are the largest cause of fire fatalities in the nation. Cigarettes are the largest cause of fire fatalities in the nation.
1246 01:25:51,919 01:25:56,023 So, I began writing and because of my position I could speak from So, I began writing and because of my position I could speak from
1247 01:25:56,023 01:26:00,561 the authority as a fire fighter and, and now a Supervising Fire Marshal. the authority as a fire fighter and, and now a Supervising Fire Marshal.
1248 01:26:02,262 01:26:05,966 Going back to if you save one life it's like you saved all humanity. Going back to if you save one life it's like you saved all humanity.
1249 01:26:05,966 01:26:07,668 Well I feel I was part of an effort Well I feel I was part of an effort
1250 01:26:08,435 01:26:11,305 to save thousands of lives each year because to save thousands of lives each year because
1251 01:26:11,305 01:26:14,308 of this legislation that we passed in New York State. of this legislation that we passed in New York State.
1252 01:26:19,980 01:26:21,615 Jihad is misused. Jihad is misused.
1253 01:26:21,882 01:26:27,221 There is absolutely nothing in Islam that justifies, uh, the claim of There is absolutely nothing in Islam that justifies, uh, the claim of
1254 01:26:27,221 01:26:33,360 Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda or other similar groups to kill innocent civilians. Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda or other similar groups to kill innocent civilians.
1255 01:26:34,228 01:26:37,898 That is unequivocally a crime under Islamic law. That is unequivocally a crime under Islamic law.
1256 01:26:38,999 01:26:43,170 Acts of terror violence that have occurred in the name of Islam Acts of terror violence that have occurred in the name of Islam
1257 01:26:43,470 01:26:46,773 are not only wrong, they are contrary to Islam. are not only wrong, they are contrary to Islam.
1258 01:26:50,177 01:26:53,680 September 11th, I hooked up with two other fire marshals. September 11th, I hooked up with two other fire marshals.
1259 01:26:54,181 01:26:58,919 We found a place to park near the bridge, about several inches of soot. We found a place to park near the bridge, about several inches of soot.
1260 01:26:59,186 01:27:02,656 If it had been white and colder out, you would have sworn it was snow. If it had been white and colder out, you would have sworn it was snow.
1261 01:27:04,525 01:27:10,364 We came over the Brooklyn Bridge, uh it was just like something out of a movie. We came over the Brooklyn Bridge, uh it was just like something out of a movie.
1262 01:27:11,265 01:27:14,801 It was very quiet, you know, that muffled sound that you have during a blizzard It was very quiet, you know, that muffled sound that you have during a blizzard
1263 01:27:14,835 01:27:17,638 you know, where you can't hear your feet hitting the ground, it's just very muffled you know, where you can't hear your feet hitting the ground, it's just very muffled
1264 01:27:17,638 01:27:19,006 very quiet. very quiet.
1265 01:27:19,373 01:27:22,709 So we put on our turn out gear and we started heading over there. So we put on our turn out gear and we started heading over there.
1266 01:27:22,809 01:27:27,614 And it's just, I think I could speak for all of And it's just, I think I could speak for all of
1267 01:27:27,614 01:27:30,484 we were just all in a state of shock and disbelief. we were just all in a state of shock and disbelief.
1268 01:27:32,219 01:27:37,958 I just felt, oh, in the back of my head, please don't be Muslims doing this. I just felt, oh, in the back of my head, please don't be Muslims doing this.
1269 01:27:39,359 01:27:43,230 And I just felt ah, I just felt sick. And I just felt ah, I just felt sick.
1270 01:27:52,039 01:27:56,210 We could see this fragment of the We could see this fragment of the
1271 01:27:56,743 01:27:59,980 World Trade Center sticking up almost like a lopsided crown. World Trade Center sticking up almost like a lopsided crown.
1272 01:28:00,981 01:28:03,517 Then we started walking down one way and Then we started walking down one way and
1273 01:28:04,585 01:28:07,621 we saw some fire fighters, you know we saw some fire fighters, you know
1274 01:28:07,621 01:28:09,790 dazed and shell shocked, saying don't go down there dazed and shell shocked, saying don't go down there
1275 01:28:09,790 01:28:11,925 there's still more collapses happening. there's still more collapses happening.
1276 01:28:13,193 01:28:15,395 I mean, we were dying to go out there and do something. I mean, we were dying to go out there and do something.
1277 01:28:16,897 01:28:19,900 And, you know, we're figuring that some of the brothers or even And, you know, we're figuring that some of the brothers or even
1278 01:28:20,100 01:28:23,136 anyone, you know, people could still be alive, trapped under the rubble. anyone, you know, people could still be alive, trapped under the rubble.
1279 01:28:24,071 01:28:28,008 But, we just, it was frustrating, but, I mean But, we just, it was frustrating, but, I mean
1280 01:28:28,008 01:28:30,010 you have to understand that they don't want to lose more people you have to understand that they don't want to lose more people
1281 01:28:30,010 01:28:32,112 on top of the people who are lost already. on top of the people who are lost already.
1282 01:28:35,149 01:28:38,218 This is just, I mean, it was just out and out madness what they did. This is just, I mean, it was just out and out madness what they did.
1283 01:28:38,619 01:28:43,023 The Prophet himself in the course of the circumstances engaged in battle The Prophet himself in the course of the circumstances engaged in battle
1284 01:28:43,090 01:28:47,194 in warfare, but he had a certain code of conduct that he followed. in warfare, but he had a certain code of conduct that he followed.
1285 01:28:47,628 01:28:53,967 So, you have to separate fanaticism, which every religion has So, you have to separate fanaticism, which every religion has
1286 01:28:54,301 01:28:57,037 from the reality and the truth of that religion. from the reality and the truth of that religion.
1287 01:28:57,437 01:28:59,473 These are fanatics who have lost These are fanatics who have lost
1288 01:29:00,007 01:29:05,179 sight of what the purpose of religion is and they're acting, you know, on their own. sight of what the purpose of religion is and they're acting, you know, on their own.
1289 01:29:09,616 01:29:16,824 What hurt me probably most of all, out of the World Trade Center attack What hurt me probably most of all, out of the World Trade Center attack
1290 01:29:18,425 01:29:23,764 was that here is a religion that I entered because of the universality. was that here is a religion that I entered because of the universality.
1291 01:29:23,864 01:29:27,234 And the tolerance that is throughout the book and And the tolerance that is throughout the book and
1292 01:29:27,234 01:29:29,069 throughout the sayings of Prophet Muhammad. throughout the sayings of Prophet Muhammad.
1293 01:29:30,470 01:29:34,241 Yet, these people who did that and were behind it and planned it Yet, these people who did that and were behind it and planned it
1294 01:29:35,008 01:29:38,178 were just so intolerant and were just so intolerant and
1295 01:29:38,946 01:29:42,249 so disregarding of their own tenets so disregarding of their own tenets
1296 01:29:42,249 01:29:45,552 that they could do something so horrific and kill people in such a horrible that they could do something so horrific and kill people in such a horrible
1297 01:29:45,552 01:29:49,323 ***Missing*** ***Missing***
1298 01:29:49,890 01:29:51,959 ***Missing*** ***Missing***
1299 01:29:52,759 01:29:58,932 ***Missing*** ***Missing***
1300 01:29:59,600 01:30:02,135 ***Missing*** ***Missing***
1301 01:30:03,136 01:30:07,140 ***Missing*** ***Missing***
1302 01:30:07,274 01:30:11,278 ***Missing*** ***Missing***
1303 01:30:11,812 01:30:15,849 ***Missing*** ***Missing***
1304 01:30:23,690 01:30:27,161 September 11th, underscored the need to have dialogue September 11th, underscored the need to have dialogue
1305 01:30:27,261 01:30:29,596 with non-Muslims and other faiths with non-Muslims and other faiths
1306 01:30:30,063 01:30:35,836 to understand each other and to try to resolve these hot spots that fester and cause to understand each other and to try to resolve these hot spots that fester and cause
1307 01:30:36,303 01:30:37,905 this type of hatred. this type of hatred.
1308 01:30:40,374 01:30:42,876 Uh, the death and destruction in New York City Uh, the death and destruction in New York City
1309 01:30:43,343 01:30:48,248 that was caused by this terrible, terrible act in the name of Islam that was caused by this terrible, terrible act in the name of Islam
1310 01:30:48,582 01:30:53,253 has propelled the Muslim community in New York to respond in many different ways. has propelled the Muslim community in New York to respond in many different ways.
1311 01:30:53,253 01:30:55,455 And one of the ways that I want to respond And one of the ways that I want to respond
1312 01:30:55,455 01:30:57,724 is the way the Prophet would have responded. is the way the Prophet would have responded.
1313 01:30:58,292 01:31:03,263 To just talk about the humanity which we all belong to. To just talk about the humanity which we all belong to.
1314 01:31:04,731 01:31:08,669 Since September 11 Muslims have gone to churches Since September 11 Muslims have gone to churches
1315 01:31:09,069 01:31:13,006 to synagogues, to schools to explain our faith. to synagogues, to schools to explain our faith.
1316 01:31:13,407 01:31:15,742 However, people still kept asking However, people still kept asking
1317 01:31:16,443 01:31:20,514 where are the Muslims and why aren't they doing something about it. where are the Muslims and why aren't they doing something about it.
1318 01:31:21,515 01:31:26,153 So I started thinking about this and I said, what is it that we are not doing right? So I started thinking about this and I said, what is it that we are not doing right?
1319 01:31:27,120 01:31:30,023 Maybe we need to respond in a more gentle way. Maybe we need to respond in a more gentle way.
1320 01:31:31,325 01:31:35,229 So I looked around for the mildest people in our community. So I looked around for the mildest people in our community.
1321 01:31:35,529 01:31:37,130 The artists in our community. The artists in our community.
1322 01:31:38,065 01:31:40,701 And the first person I called was Mohamed Zakariya. And the first person I called was Mohamed Zakariya.
1323 01:31:41,668 01:31:46,740 Catastrophes have brought us here, but not all is lost. Catastrophes have brought us here, but not all is lost.
1324 01:31:46,840 01:31:50,310 Uh, through our art, we pick up all these broken pieces and Uh, through our art, we pick up all these broken pieces and
1325 01:31:50,310 01:31:53,580 try to put them back together again and make something that's gonna work. try to put them back together again and make something that's gonna work.
1326 01:31:54,648 01:31:59,953 Revenge, suicide bombing, things of that kind they have no place in Islam. Revenge, suicide bombing, things of that kind they have no place in Islam.
1327 01:32:00,020 01:32:02,289 They must never have a place in Islam, never. They must never have a place in Islam, never.
1328 01:32:02,856 01:32:03,924 Never. Never.
1329 01:32:04,458 01:32:07,294 Islam is really a soft thing, it's not a hard thing Islam is really a soft thing, it's not a hard thing
1330 01:32:08,228 01:32:12,733 And so we have to approach it with softness, and be soft to each other. And so we have to approach it with softness, and be soft to each other.
1331 01:32:13,467 01:32:15,369 (Arabic) the Prophet said. (Arabic) the Prophet said.
1332 01:32:15,369 01:32:17,070 Make it easy and not difficult. Make it easy and not difficult.
1333 01:32:18,272 01:32:20,707 So we should put away all those angry words So we should put away all those angry words
1334 01:32:21,308 01:32:23,610 the harsh, the strident rhetoric that the harsh, the strident rhetoric that
1335 01:32:23,610 01:32:27,181 that we have been dealing with for all these years that we've suffered that we have been dealing with for all these years that we've suffered
1336 01:32:27,181 01:32:30,050 through this sweet religion with this beastly stuff. through this sweet religion with this beastly stuff.
1337 01:32:30,684 01:32:33,220 And come out into the light, and be bright. And come out into the light, and be bright.
1338 01:32:33,921 01:32:35,222 Be bright in America. Be bright in America.
1339 01:32:35,956 01:32:39,259 And look in the mirror, that's what we have to do. And look in the mirror, that's what we have to do.
1340 01:32:39,693 01:32:41,128 Salaam Alaykum Salaam Alaykum
1341 01:32:45,465 01:32:47,935 This piece is the golden rule of Islam. This piece is the golden rule of Islam.
1342 01:32:48,235 01:32:52,139 It is the basis of the relations between people It is the basis of the relations between people
1343 01:32:52,840 01:32:55,876 It means that there is no harming of other people in Islam It means that there is no harming of other people in Islam
1344 01:32:55,876 01:32:58,679 and no returning or retaliating harm for harm. and no returning or retaliating harm for harm.
1345 01:32:59,379 01:33:00,881 And so that's why I did it. And so that's why I did it.
1346 01:33:01,148 01:33:04,451 To respond through the sayings of Muhammad the man. To respond through the sayings of Muhammad the man.
1347 01:33:10,324 01:33:13,894 By the year 628, the battles that had occupied By the year 628, the battles that had occupied
1348 01:33:13,894 01:33:17,865 the Muslims for the preceding four years had come to an end. the Muslims for the preceding four years had come to an end.
1349 01:33:20,567 01:33:26,173 Once the Muslims were no longer fearing the threat of total extermination Once the Muslims were no longer fearing the threat of total extermination
1350 01:33:26,406 01:33:30,944 MUHAMMAD knew that the time for fighting had stopped. MUHAMMAD knew that the time for fighting had stopped.
1351 01:33:31,245 01:33:35,616 And it was now time to make an extraordinary initiantive And it was now time to make an extraordinary initiantive
1352 01:33:36,083 01:33:38,719 a peaceful, nonviolent initiative. a peaceful, nonviolent initiative.
1353 01:33:40,921 01:33:44,124 He astonished the whole Muslim community He astonished the whole Muslim community
1354 01:33:44,124 01:33:46,827 and the whole community of Yathrib by announcing that and the whole community of Yathrib by announcing that
1355 01:33:46,827 01:33:50,030 he was going to go on the Hajj pilgrimage he was going to go on the Hajj pilgrimage
1356 01:33:50,764 01:33:54,868 Dangerous as it was, an enormously risky as it was Dangerous as it was, an enormously risky as it was
1357 01:33:54,868 01:33:59,740 about a thousand Muslims volunteered to go with MUHAMMAD. about a thousand Muslims volunteered to go with MUHAMMAD.
1358 01:34:01,975 01:34:04,912 All the rites were fulfilled to the letter. All the rites were fulfilled to the letter.
1359 01:34:05,479 01:34:09,650 The camels all decked in their special sacrificial garments. The camels all decked in their special sacrificial garments.
1360 01:34:10,651 01:34:13,954 The men all in their white garb. The men all in their white garb.
1361 01:34:14,688 01:34:18,125 The Muslims set out on the perilous trip to Mecca The Muslims set out on the perilous trip to Mecca
1362 01:34:18,125 01:34:22,429 crossing the vast desert without any arms to defend themselves. crossing the vast desert without any arms to defend themselves.
1363 01:34:22,963 01:34:27,100 When they reached Hudaybiyah, just outside the sacred area around Mecca When they reached Hudaybiyah, just outside the sacred area around Mecca
1364 01:34:27,100 01:34:29,069 where violence was forbidden where violence was forbidden
1365 01:34:29,369 01:34:35,742 Muhammad surprised his followers not to enter, but to sit and wait. Muhammad surprised his followers not to enter, but to sit and wait.
1366 01:34:36,777 01:34:41,715 He then sent an emissary to Mecca seeking permission to complete the pilgrimage. He then sent an emissary to Mecca seeking permission to complete the pilgrimage.
1367 01:34:42,015 01:34:45,052 MUHAMMAD knew of course, that he was putting the MUHAMMAD knew of course, that he was putting the
1368 01:34:45,052 01:34:48,188 people of MECCA into a really impossible position. people of MECCA into a really impossible position.
1369 01:34:48,489 01:34:55,729 Because if they forbade Arabs, to enter the city and perform the rights of the Ka'aba Because if they forbade Arabs, to enter the city and perform the rights of the Ka'aba
1370 01:34:55,896 01:35:01,168 they would be abusing their position as guardians of the holy places. they would be abusing their position as guardians of the holy places.
1371 01:35:01,768 01:35:04,671 The MECCANS themselves did not know what to do. The MECCANS themselves did not know what to do.
1372 01:35:07,040 01:35:11,612 When the emissary did not return quickly, the Muslims feared the worst. When the emissary did not return quickly, the Muslims feared the worst.
1373 01:35:12,112 01:35:14,381 But Muhammad's gambit paid off. But Muhammad's gambit paid off.
1374 01:35:14,681 01:35:17,151 The Meccans offered to negotiate a treaty. The Meccans offered to negotiate a treaty.
1375 01:35:17,751 01:35:19,520 With tensions running high With tensions running high
1376 01:35:19,753 01:35:24,091 Muhammad began dictating its first line by stating his own name. Muhammad began dictating its first line by stating his own name.
1377 01:35:25,559 01:35:31,098 Ali was taking down the notes with the MECCAN negotiator at his side Ali was taking down the notes with the MECCAN negotiator at his side
1378 01:35:31,098 01:35:33,467 and when MUHAMMAD began to saying and when MUHAMMAD began to saying
1379 01:35:33,467 01:35:36,870 the Prophet of God, the MECCAN saids, I don't believe you are the Prophet of God the Prophet of God, the MECCAN saids, I don't believe you are the Prophet of God
1380 01:35:37,337 01:35:38,872 I can't sign to that. I can't sign to that.
1381 01:35:39,206 01:35:43,043 So he said fine, Muhammad, Son Of Abdullah. So he said fine, Muhammad, Son Of Abdullah.
1382 01:35:43,745 01:35:47,581 And many of the Muslims felt that this was a major insult. And many of the Muslims felt that this was a major insult.
1383 01:35:47,714 01:35:53,387 The Muslims, sitting around Hudaybiyah watched this in utter dismay. The Muslims, sitting around Hudaybiyah watched this in utter dismay.
1384 01:35:54,488 01:35:56,723 There was almost a mutiny. There was almost a mutiny.
1385 01:35:56,890 01:36:01,628 A thousand pilgrims stood, refusing to accept this. A thousand pilgrims stood, refusing to accept this.
1386 01:36:03,330 01:36:08,936 MUHAMMAD went back into his tent where he had his wife, Umm Salama. MUHAMMAD went back into his tent where he had his wife, Umm Salama.
1387 01:36:09,102 01:36:11,205 And he said to her, what shall I do? And he said to her, what shall I do?
1388 01:36:11,805 01:36:14,074 And she gave him some excellent advice And she gave him some excellent advice
1389 01:36:15,442 01:36:20,147 part of the ritual of the HAJJ was that you sacrificed a camel. part of the ritual of the HAJJ was that you sacrificed a camel.
1390 01:36:20,581 01:36:23,884 And he went out and he sacrificed one of the camels And he went out and he sacrificed one of the camels
1391 01:36:23,884 01:36:27,488 and somehow some kind of necessary tension was released. and somehow some kind of necessary tension was released.
1392 01:36:31,592 01:36:36,530 The ritual sacrifice of an animal traditionally marked the end of the pilgrimage. The ritual sacrifice of an animal traditionally marked the end of the pilgrimage.
1393 01:36:37,264 01:36:40,968 Grudgingly, the Muslims considered the pilgrimage complete Grudgingly, the Muslims considered the pilgrimage complete
1394 01:36:41,101 01:36:42,669 and headed back to Medina. and headed back to Medina.
1395 01:36:43,437 01:36:47,641 Muhammad had compromised on every major point in the treaty. Muhammad had compromised on every major point in the treaty.
1396 01:36:47,941 01:36:51,044 But he had won the most significant concession. But he had won the most significant concession.
1397 01:36:51,645 01:36:55,249 In return for postponing their entry into Mecca for a year In return for postponing their entry into Mecca for a year
1398 01:36:55,849 01:36:58,852 the Muslims had secured ten years of peace the Muslims had secured ten years of peace
1399 01:36:59,119 01:37:02,189 and official recognition as a political entity. and official recognition as a political entity.
1400 01:37:02,856 01:37:07,995 Muhammad had proved himself as capable a diplomat as he was a religious leader. Muhammad had proved himself as capable a diplomat as he was a religious leader.
1401 01:37:10,664 01:37:12,699 There was wisdom in the treaty There was wisdom in the treaty
1402 01:37:13,200 01:37:15,869 because one of the things that was promised to the Muslims because one of the things that was promised to the Muslims
1403 01:37:16,870 01:37:20,073 was protection as they moved throughout Arabia. was protection as they moved throughout Arabia.
1404 01:37:20,374 01:37:22,242 That they would not be harmed and they could move freely. That they would not be harmed and they could move freely.
1405 01:37:23,677 01:37:29,249 And what was gained most greatly from that was the dauwa, the teaching of al-Islam. And what was gained most greatly from that was the dauwa, the teaching of al-Islam.
1406 01:37:30,818 01:37:35,322 On the way back to Medina, Muhammad told a companion, Umar On the way back to Medina, Muhammad told a companion, Umar
1407 01:37:35,322 01:37:40,561 I have received a revelation which is dearer to me than anything else beneath the sun. I have received a revelation which is dearer to me than anything else beneath the sun.
1408 01:37:41,195 01:37:45,599 it said, "Surely", "We have given you a clear victory. " it said, "Surely", "We have given you a clear victory. "
1409 01:37:47,067 01:37:50,737 Then more and more and more people came to Islam Then more and more and more people came to Islam
1410 01:37:50,771 01:37:52,673 more and more people turned to MUHAMMAD. more and more people turned to MUHAMMAD.
1411 01:37:52,673 01:37:55,475 It sent out a huge signal of strength. It sent out a huge signal of strength.
1412 01:37:55,475 01:38:02,115 Strength of purpose, utter courage, utter panache, and utter wisdom that, of course Strength of purpose, utter courage, utter panache, and utter wisdom that, of course
1413 01:38:02,115 01:38:03,150 you could go on to fight you could go on to fight
1414 01:38:03,250 01:38:06,587 of course he could have gone on being the prophet with the sword of course he could have gone on being the prophet with the sword
1415 01:38:06,653 01:38:10,958 but there are times when to make peace is more daring but there are times when to make peace is more daring
1416 01:38:11,158 01:38:13,327 more creative, and more enduring. more creative, and more enduring.
1417 01:38:16,730 01:38:20,000 One year after signing the Hudaybiyah treaty, One year after signing the Hudaybiyah treaty,
1418 01:38:20,200 01:38:23,971 Muhammad led his followers on a new pilgrimage to Mecca. Muhammad led his followers on a new pilgrimage to Mecca.
1419 01:38:25,239 01:38:29,476 After years of rejection, persecution, and humiliation After years of rejection, persecution, and humiliation
1420 01:38:29,877 01:38:32,946 this was truly a moment of triumph. this was truly a moment of triumph.
1421 01:38:34,681 01:38:38,152 The first pilgrimage of the Muslims The first pilgrimage of the Muslims
1422 01:38:38,152 01:38:43,357 after Hudaybiyah must have been an extraordinary event for everybody. after Hudaybiyah must have been an extraordinary event for everybody.
1423 01:38:43,824 01:38:45,692 Because the MECCANS couldn't bear it. Because the MECCANS couldn't bear it.
1424 01:38:46,193 01:38:50,998 They decamped and went and sat up in the hills and mountains outside the city, and They decamped and went and sat up in the hills and mountains outside the city, and
1425 01:38:50,998 01:38:57,371 watched this procession, huge procession of Muslims, and some of their confederates watched this procession, huge procession of Muslims, and some of their confederates
1426 01:38:57,538 01:39:02,142 coming on the HAJJ, and as it were, taking possession of the city coming on the HAJJ, and as it were, taking possession of the city
1427 01:39:02,142 01:39:07,314 crying out the pilgrim cry, here I am, oh, God, here I come, in a huge cry. crying out the pilgrim cry, here I am, oh, God, here I come, in a huge cry.
1428 01:39:07,981 01:39:12,319 Then came the moment Muhammad had waited seven long years to achieve. Then came the moment Muhammad had waited seven long years to achieve.
1429 01:39:12,953 01:39:15,722 Muhammad sends Bilal, an African ex-slave Muhammad sends Bilal, an African ex-slave
1430 01:39:16,223 01:39:18,895 this lowest of the low in the eyes of the Meccans this lowest of the low in the eyes of the Meccans
1431 01:39:18,900 01:39:21,895 up on to the sacred shrine of the Ka'aba up on to the sacred shrine of the Ka'aba
1432 01:39:22,996 01:39:25,599 what the Meccans regard as their shrine what the Meccans regard as their shrine
1433 01:39:27,301 01:39:28,936 to deliver the call to prayer. to deliver the call to prayer.
1434 01:39:30,404 01:39:32,673 And the hills around Mecca are granite. And the hills around Mecca are granite.
1435 01:39:32,873 01:39:35,242 They're set up for a sonorous voice. They're set up for a sonorous voice.
1436 01:39:35,976 01:39:39,713 And the call to prayer resonates through the valley. And the call to prayer resonates through the valley.
1437 01:40:28,395 01:40:35,502 Bilal was proclaiming for all to hear, there is one God and Muhammad is his Prophet. Bilal was proclaiming for all to hear, there is one God and Muhammad is his Prophet.
1438 01:40:37,704 01:40:41,542 It must have been an appalling moment for the MECCANS. It must have been an appalling moment for the MECCANS.
1439 01:40:41,842 01:40:45,879 But an extraordinary moment of exhilaration for the Muslims. But an extraordinary moment of exhilaration for the Muslims.
1440 01:40:46,213 01:40:48,649 Performing all the rites punctiliously Performing all the rites punctiliously
1441 01:40:48,782 01:40:53,687 and then taking no advantage of this, going back peacefully home. and then taking no advantage of this, going back peacefully home.
1442 01:40:58,058 01:41:01,929 But the peace between the Muslims and the people of Mecca would not last. But the peace between the Muslims and the people of Mecca would not last.
1443 01:41:02,262 01:41:06,133 By the end of the year, the Meccans had broken the Treaty of Hudaybiyah By the end of the year, the Meccans had broken the Treaty of Hudaybiyah
1444 01:41:06,400 01:41:09,469 by attacking a clan allied with Muhammad. by attacking a clan allied with Muhammad.
1445 01:41:10,003 01:41:13,774 In response, 10 days into the holy month of Ramadan In response, 10 days into the holy month of Ramadan
1446 01:41:14,041 01:41:20,013 Muhammad and a Muslim army of 10,000 men set out to take Mecca by force. Muhammad and a Muslim army of 10,000 men set out to take Mecca by force.
1447 01:41:21,248 01:41:24,985 The Prophet felt he was strong enough to be able to conquer MECCA. The Prophet felt he was strong enough to be able to conquer MECCA.
1448 01:41:26,653 01:41:31,725 But as the army approached the city, more and more leaders of the Quraysh But as the army approached the city, more and more leaders of the Quraysh
1449 01:41:32,092 01:41:38,499 realized that they were not going to win, and so many decided to join Islam. realized that they were not going to win, and so many decided to join Islam.
1450 01:41:41,502 01:41:44,571 The prophet entered the city without resistance. The prophet entered the city without resistance.
1451 01:41:45,239 01:41:48,041 When he came into Mecca he came in with his head bowed down. When he came into Mecca he came in with his head bowed down.
1452 01:41:48,175 01:41:52,880 He did not come in as, as, as an arrogant conquering warrior. He did not come in as, as, as an arrogant conquering warrior.
1453 01:41:52,980 01:41:57,351 He comes in humbled by a victory that he sees is from God. He comes in humbled by a victory that he sees is from God.
1454 01:41:58,452 01:42:01,054 After circling the Ka'aba seven times After circling the Ka'aba seven times
1455 01:42:01,255 01:42:05,626 Muhammad destroyed each of the three hundred sixty idols that surrounded it. Muhammad destroyed each of the three hundred sixty idols that surrounded it.
1456 01:42:06,160 01:42:10,597 He then turned to the vanquished Meccans who had sought refuge inside the shrine. He then turned to the vanquished Meccans who had sought refuge inside the shrine.
1457 01:42:10,998 01:42:15,769 His own brethren, who had oppressed and attacked the Muslims for so many years. His own brethren, who had oppressed and attacked the Muslims for so many years.
1458 01:42:17,204 01:42:22,776 He says, if you were in my position right now, what do you think you would do He says, if you were in my position right now, what do you think you would do
1459 01:42:24,278 01:42:28,649 and the Meccans are afraid they're about to die. and the Meccans are afraid they're about to die.
1460 01:42:29,750 01:42:33,320 And then he says, you are all pardoned. And then he says, you are all pardoned.
1461 01:42:34,188 01:42:35,923 He grants them all amnesty. He grants them all amnesty.
1462 01:42:36,890 01:42:41,528 And this was unheard of in this culture, unheard of in this society. And this was unheard of in this culture, unheard of in this society.
1463 01:42:41,895 01:42:44,598 And very unexpected among the Meccans. And very unexpected among the Meccans.
1464 01:42:51,839 01:42:55,676 The religion that had begun in ridicule and persecution The religion that had begun in ridicule and persecution
1465 01:42:55,943 01:42:59,279 was now thriving throughout the Arabian peninsula. was now thriving throughout the Arabian peninsula.
1466 01:43:00,781 01:43:06,453 But shortly after returning to Medina, Muhammad received a premonition of his death. But shortly after returning to Medina, Muhammad received a premonition of his death.
1467 01:43:08,889 01:43:12,960 He told his daughter Fatima that every year during Ramadan He told his daughter Fatima that every year during Ramadan
1468 01:43:13,160 01:43:17,831 the angel Gabriel recited the Quran to him and asked him to repeat it. the angel Gabriel recited the Quran to him and asked him to repeat it.
1469 01:43:18,298 01:43:22,803 This year Gabriel had asked Muhammad to recite the Quran twice. This year Gabriel had asked Muhammad to recite the Quran twice.
1470 01:43:23,871 01:43:28,909 I cannot but think, Muhammad said, that my time has come. I cannot but think, Muhammad said, that my time has come.
1471 01:43:32,379 01:43:34,515 In February 632 In February 632
1472 01:43:34,882 01:43:39,820 Muhammad made what would be his final pilgrimage to the city of his birth. Muhammad made what would be his final pilgrimage to the city of his birth.
1473 01:43:40,621 01:43:45,058 On his first pilgrimage, he had led a few hundred Muslims back to Mecca. On his first pilgrimage, he had led a few hundred Muslims back to Mecca.
1474 01:43:45,592 01:43:50,998 This time, tens of thousands of believers followed in his footsteps. This time, tens of thousands of believers followed in his footsteps.
1475 01:43:53,767 01:43:55,235 He arrives in Mecca He arrives in Mecca
1476 01:43:56,470 01:44:01,341 as the leader of the Muslim people now, not as the enemy of the Meccans. as the leader of the Muslim people now, not as the enemy of the Meccans.
1477 01:44:01,942 01:44:06,079 And they begin to perform the rites of the pilgrimage. And they begin to perform the rites of the pilgrimage.
1478 01:44:06,814 01:44:08,148 And during this period And during this period
1479 01:44:08,582 01:44:14,354 Muhammad defines the rites of pilgrimage as they're performed today. Muhammad defines the rites of pilgrimage as they're performed today.
1480 01:44:17,090 01:44:21,128 Michael Wolfe has written extensively about the Hajj Michael Wolfe has written extensively about the Hajj
1481 01:44:21,328 01:44:26,934 the traditional pilgrimage which every Muslim is expected to perform at least once. the traditional pilgrimage which every Muslim is expected to perform at least once.
1482 01:44:27,701 01:44:32,206 Two to three million Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca Two to three million Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca
1483 01:44:32,206 01:44:37,611 every year for this five day ritual, which takes them in the footsteps of Abraham every year for this five day ritual, which takes them in the footsteps of Abraham
1484 01:44:38,011 01:44:44,218 the ancient patriarch from whom Muslims, Jews, and Christians all trace their lineage. the ancient patriarch from whom Muslims, Jews, and Christians all trace their lineage.
1485 01:44:45,419 01:44:51,225 In 1990 Michael Wolfe, a convert to Islam, took part in his first Hajj. In 1990 Michael Wolfe, a convert to Islam, took part in his first Hajj.
1486 01:44:56,630 01:45:00,000 The Hajj was one of the most attractive elements The Hajj was one of the most attractive elements
1487 01:45:00,734 01:45:08,575 in Islam to me as a non-Muslim and then as a Muslim. in Islam to me as a non-Muslim and then as a Muslim.
1488 01:45:09,376 01:45:13,881 When I finally became a Muslim after 20 or more years of thinking it over When I finally became a Muslim after 20 or more years of thinking it over
1489 01:45:14,815 01:45:17,518 the first thing I wanted to do was make the Hajj. the first thing I wanted to do was make the Hajj.
1490 01:45:21,788 01:45:26,193 When I circled the Ka'aba for the first time, I was in a state of wonder. When I circled the Ka'aba for the first time, I was in a state of wonder.
1491 01:45:26,727 01:45:31,498 You're there with ten of thousands of people, all doing the same thing at once. You're there with ten of thousands of people, all doing the same thing at once.
1492 01:45:34,101 01:45:37,204 You're literally putting God at the center of your life. You're literally putting God at the center of your life.
1493 01:45:37,738 01:45:39,840 For that period of time. For that period of time.
1494 01:45:52,619 01:45:55,956 At the culmination of the Hajj, on the Plain of Arafat At the culmination of the Hajj, on the Plain of Arafat
1495 01:45:56,089 01:46:01,495 on a small hill called the Mount of Mercy, Muhammad gave his final sermon. on a small hill called the Mount of Mercy, Muhammad gave his final sermon.
1496 01:46:02,963 01:46:10,003 Here is a man who began his mission as this individual in Mecca, persecuted, with Here is a man who began his mission as this individual in Mecca, persecuted, with
1497 01:46:10,003 01:46:15,509 with almost no followers, and his life is completed with a valley filled with almost no followers, and his life is completed with a valley filled
1498 01:46:15,509 01:46:20,414 with tens of thousands of people, uh, that have accepted his message. with tens of thousands of people, uh, that have accepted his message.
1499 01:46:20,814 01:46:24,618 And, and there he is, preaching to them his final sermon. And, and there he is, preaching to them his final sermon.
1500 01:46:24,751 01:46:29,723 And in it in a sense is a summation of this universal teaching. And in it in a sense is a summation of this universal teaching.
1501 01:46:30,224 01:46:35,762 He tells them to be good to each other, and not to violate each other's rights. He tells them to be good to each other, and not to violate each other's rights.
1502 01:46:36,163 01:46:41,268 For men and women to treat each other humanely, for brothers and sisters to treat For men and women to treat each other humanely, for brothers and sisters to treat
1503 01:46:41,268 01:46:45,172 each other well, and for Muslims to treat each other as brothers and sisters. each other well, and for Muslims to treat each other as brothers and sisters.
1504 01:46:46,039 01:46:52,312 And perhaps most importantly, he calls an end to revenge, to blood killing And perhaps most importantly, he calls an end to revenge, to blood killing
1505 01:46:52,813 01:46:54,114 to the vendetta to the vendetta
1506 01:46:54,882 01:47:00,254 which has bled this culture terribly since he was born. which has bled this culture terribly since he was born.
1507 01:47:00,954 01:47:07,528 At the end of Muhammad's sermon, he does not list his achievements. At the end of Muhammad's sermon, he does not list his achievements.
1508 01:47:07,961 01:47:10,998 This man has unified people. This man has unified people.
1509 01:47:11,532 01:47:14,501 He has taught them monotheism. He has taught them monotheism.
1510 01:47:15,502 01:47:18,772 He has brought them to peace. He has brought them to peace.
1511 01:47:18,906 01:47:22,843 And yet he doesn't mark these as his accomplishments. And yet he doesn't mark these as his accomplishments.
1512 01:47:23,243 01:47:26,113 Quite the opposite, he asks his community Quite the opposite, he asks his community
1513 01:47:26,446 01:47:30,684 "Have I fulfilled my mission" "Have I fulfilled my mission"
1514 01:47:31,318 01:47:34,154 "To my God, and to you?" "To my God, and to you?"
1515 01:47:34,788 01:47:41,328 You can hear in his words the desire for a completed mission. You can hear in his words the desire for a completed mission.
1516 01:47:42,229 01:47:47,935 This is a man of faith who is unsure of his affects. This is a man of faith who is unsure of his affects.
1517 01:47:48,335 01:47:54,474 It's a very human moment in which he needs to know, and he asks It's a very human moment in which he needs to know, and he asks
1518 01:47:55,609 01:47:59,613 and the people affirm that yes, three times they say, yes and the people affirm that yes, three times they say, yes
1519 01:48:00,247 01:48:01,849 you have fulfilled your mission. you have fulfilled your mission.
1520 01:48:05,018 01:48:10,457 This, was not a leader who was looking for his legacy in time. This, was not a leader who was looking for his legacy in time.
1521 01:48:10,757 01:48:15,562 It wasn't for any purpose other than to make sure that It wasn't for any purpose other than to make sure that
1522 01:48:15,629 01:48:19,500 when he was going to face his maker, he was going to be accountable. when he was going to face his maker, he was going to be accountable.
1523 01:48:20,100 01:48:24,872 And he was, he would be in a position of saying Allah, I did the best I could. And he was, he would be in a position of saying Allah, I did the best I could.
1524 01:48:24,872 01:48:27,841 And, and I hope I was successful in doing it. And, and I hope I was successful in doing it.
1525 01:48:28,775 01:48:32,179 Uh, and that's all what we can do as human beings. Uh, and that's all what we can do as human beings.
1526 01:48:37,518 01:48:42,422 I think that if I were to say that I hope to exemplify I think that if I were to say that I hope to exemplify
1527 01:48:42,523 01:48:44,725 any part of Prophet Muhammad's life any part of Prophet Muhammad's life
1528 01:48:45,092 01:48:49,129 it would be the issues around the dignity near the end of life. it would be the issues around the dignity near the end of life.
1529 01:48:51,565 01:48:56,003 He's a good friend of mine and I know he knows my voice. He's a good friend of mine and I know he knows my voice.
1530 01:48:56,036 01:48:58,038 And now I know for sure he knows my voice. And now I know for sure he knows my voice.
1531 01:49:01,108 01:49:07,181 I'm visiting Mr. Hamoud, who is a patient that's terminal. I'm visiting Mr. Hamoud, who is a patient that's terminal.
1532 01:49:12,653 01:49:17,291 When he was not in the condition he's in now, he was very delightful When he was not in the condition he's in now, he was very delightful
1533 01:49:17,291 01:49:22,062 very loving and very much wanting to tell his story very loving and very much wanting to tell his story
1534 01:49:22,062 01:49:24,965 so we'd sit and listen and talk for long hours and so we'd sit and listen and talk for long hours and
1535 01:49:24,965 01:49:28,635 he'd give me all his history and his past, so we're very bonded. he'd give me all his history and his past, so we're very bonded.
1536 01:49:31,638 01:49:35,309 Um, he's slipped into a more terminal stage, meaning less responsive. Um, he's slipped into a more terminal stage, meaning less responsive.
1537 01:49:35,609 01:49:37,511 Well he responds, he's just unable to speak. Well he responds, he's just unable to speak.
1538 01:49:40,747 01:49:44,818 Prophet Muhammad has taught us that near the time of death, the holy Quran Prophet Muhammad has taught us that near the time of death, the holy Quran
1539 01:49:44,985 01:49:47,554 to hear is soothing, very soothing to the soul. to hear is soothing, very soothing to the soul.
1540 01:49:48,455 01:49:52,559 And since it's a part of our lives on a daily basis anyway And since it's a part of our lives on a daily basis anyway
1541 01:49:52,559 01:49:55,896 we derive great comfort from the hearing of the Quran. we derive great comfort from the hearing of the Quran.
1542 01:49:57,564 01:50:01,335 While I'm stroking a head or I'm speaking softly While I'm stroking a head or I'm speaking softly
1543 01:50:01,969 01:50:04,304 I say the things that I think Muhammad would say. I say the things that I think Muhammad would say.
1544 01:50:05,539 01:50:06,373 Prophet Prophet
1545 01:50:06,607 01:50:08,342 Muhammad has taught us that Muhammad has taught us that
1546 01:50:08,575 01:50:11,011 we don't even understand, we could never comprehend we don't even understand, we could never comprehend
1547 01:50:11,011 01:50:15,182 the value of taking care of the ill or providing for the dying the value of taking care of the ill or providing for the dying
1548 01:50:15,516 01:50:17,284 maintaining their dignity. maintaining their dignity.
1549 01:50:18,652 01:50:22,489 And I believe that that's my mission, to be the helper, to be the listener And I believe that that's my mission, to be the helper, to be the listener
1550 01:50:23,490 01:50:25,792 to be a comforter in many ways. to be a comforter in many ways.
1551 01:50:34,468 01:50:37,738 The Prophet knew that death was coming The Prophet knew that death was coming
1552 01:50:37,971 01:50:41,575 he had an indication that he would not be around for much longer. he had an indication that he would not be around for much longer.
1553 01:50:42,543 01:50:46,580 MUHAMMAD had been feeling ill. He'd had some fever. MUHAMMAD had been feeling ill. He'd had some fever.
1554 01:50:47,381 01:50:52,719 It was clear that he was in real difficulty in terms of his health. It was clear that he was in real difficulty in terms of his health.
1555 01:50:53,420 01:50:58,025 And the household seemed to be convinced that MUHAMMAD was dying. And the household seemed to be convinced that MUHAMMAD was dying.
1556 01:50:59,126 01:51:01,061 And while he was on his deathbed And while he was on his deathbed
1557 01:51:01,662 01:51:06,533 and there were many who surrounded him, especially his close companions and his family and there were many who surrounded him, especially his close companions and his family
1558 01:51:07,134 01:51:10,537 he called for silence around him. he called for silence around him.
1559 01:51:11,004 01:51:16,476 And he wanted it to be a time of quiet and of peace and of calm. And he wanted it to be a time of quiet and of peace and of calm.
1560 01:51:17,878 01:51:21,582 Embraced by the community he had founded in Medina and Embraced by the community he had founded in Medina and
1561 01:51:21,582 01:51:24,151 cared for by his wives and companions cared for by his wives and companions
1562 01:51:24,451 01:51:29,389 Muhammad died peacefully on June 8th, in the year 632. Muhammad died peacefully on June 8th, in the year 632.
1563 01:51:31,525 01:51:34,962 The news of his death shocked his followers, especially Umar The news of his death shocked his followers, especially Umar
1564 01:51:35,262 01:51:38,031 who believed Muhammad would outlive them all. who believed Muhammad would outlive them all.
1565 01:51:38,699 01:51:41,201 People began to hear the Prophet is dead. People began to hear the Prophet is dead.
1566 01:51:41,568 01:51:47,140 Umar went to the center square and started to say Umar went to the center square and started to say
1567 01:51:48,041 01:51:52,446 there are hypocrites and liars who are saying that the Prophet is dead. there are hypocrites and liars who are saying that the Prophet is dead.
1568 01:51:53,680 01:51:59,486 In the midst of this chaos, Abu Bakr reminded the Muslims of a verse from the Quran In the midst of this chaos, Abu Bakr reminded the Muslims of a verse from the Quran
1569 01:51:59,486 01:52:02,890 that had first been revealed after the battle of Uhud that had first been revealed after the battle of Uhud
1570 01:52:03,323 01:52:06,393 when they feared that Muhammad had been killed. when they feared that Muhammad had been killed.
1571 01:52:07,828 01:52:10,497 Abu Bakr, comes into this scene of pandemonium. Abu Bakr, comes into this scene of pandemonium.
1572 01:52:10,898 01:52:15,836 And he immediately, uh, stands up and says And he immediately, uh, stands up and says
1573 01:52:16,103 01:52:20,207 whoever worshipped Muhammad, uh, then know that Muhammad is dead. whoever worshipped Muhammad, uh, then know that Muhammad is dead.
1574 01:52:20,574 01:52:25,946 But whoever worshipped God, know that God lives on and never dies. But whoever worshipped God, know that God lives on and never dies.
1575 01:52:26,180 01:52:29,650 And so, suddenly these people are brought to their senses And so, suddenly these people are brought to their senses
1576 01:52:30,050 01:52:34,988 that indeed that Muhammad is, is a man. that indeed that Muhammad is, is a man.
1577 01:52:34,988 01:52:36,323 And men are mortal. And men are mortal.
1578 01:52:36,590 01:52:37,958 And, and this is his legacy. And, and this is his legacy.
1579 01:52:38,192 01:52:43,430 He, he did everything within his power to prevent himself from being worshipped. He, he did everything within his power to prevent himself from being worshipped.
1580 01:52:43,430 01:52:49,636 Because he recognized that that was a danger inherent in religious tradition. Because he recognized that that was a danger inherent in religious tradition.
1581 01:52:49,837 01:52:53,941 That the object of worship becomes the messenger, and not That the object of worship becomes the messenger, and not
1582 01:52:54,274 01:52:56,143 uh, the one sending the message. uh, the one sending the message.
1583 01:53:07,254 01:53:11,058 Prophet Muhammad was a man, he was flesh and blood Prophet Muhammad was a man, he was flesh and blood
1584 01:53:11,291 01:53:15,262 who brought one of the most eloquent revelations to mankind. who brought one of the most eloquent revelations to mankind.
1585 01:53:15,629 01:53:17,197 He's set an example He's set an example
1586 01:53:18,031 01:53:22,569 to mankind through his behavior, through his actions, a living example. to mankind through his behavior, through his actions, a living example.
1587 01:53:23,303 01:53:26,206 This is a legacy that he has left for Muslims. This is a legacy that he has left for Muslims.
1588 01:53:26,874 01:53:30,277 Muhammad's legacy is obviously the seed that he planted. Muhammad's legacy is obviously the seed that he planted.
1589 01:53:30,344 01:53:34,882 It is his righteousness, his honesty, his integrity It is his righteousness, his honesty, his integrity
1590 01:53:35,349 01:53:40,320 his model as uh as a political leader, his model as an individual his model as uh as a political leader, his model as an individual
1591 01:53:40,888 01:53:45,492 a man who has uh made great accomplishments in his time a man who has uh made great accomplishments in his time
1592 01:53:45,492 01:53:50,931 and yet who didn't let the successes uh overpower him and yet who didn't let the successes uh overpower him
1593 01:53:51,231 01:53:54,134 didn't let his ego get the best of him. didn't let his ego get the best of him.
1594 01:53:54,735 01:53:59,206 He remains, I think, more than anything else a great role model. He remains, I think, more than anything else a great role model.
1595 01:54:00,474 01:54:03,310 MUHAMMAD is the kind of person MUHAMMAD is the kind of person
1596 01:54:04,011 01:54:10,717 who combines political and military and social and religious who combines political and military and social and religious
1597 01:54:11,018 01:54:15,189 and intellectual dimensions of life in ways that are important and intellectual dimensions of life in ways that are important
1598 01:54:15,189 01:54:18,559 for those of us in the 21st century for those of us in the 21st century
1599 01:54:18,992 01:54:22,462 who are struggling to put together complete lives ourselves. who are struggling to put together complete lives ourselves.
1600 01:54:24,431 01:54:30,938 If I were to have met Prophet Muhammad on the street, I feel like I would know him. If I were to have met Prophet Muhammad on the street, I feel like I would know him.
1601 01:54:31,438 01:54:34,641 And as though he would know all of us. And as though he would know all of us.
1602 01:54:36,610 01:54:40,647 The beauty of it is, we live our lives through his examples, but he's not God. The beauty of it is, we live our lives through his examples, but he's not God.
1603 01:54:41,215 01:54:42,716 Our reverence is to God. Our reverence is to God.
1604 01:54:43,317 01:54:45,185 And our reference is to him. And our reference is to him.
1605 01:54:46,353 01:54:49,790 So how I walk, and how I speak, and how I carry myself So how I walk, and how I speak, and how I carry myself
1606 01:54:50,457 01:54:53,360 and how I treat my husband, and how I treat my mother and my father and how I treat my husband, and how I treat my mother and my father
1607 01:54:53,360 01:54:56,029 and how I behave as a sister and a daughter and how I behave as a sister and a daughter
1608 01:54:56,029 01:54:58,298 and a nurse and a friend and a neighbor and a nurse and a friend and a neighbor
1609 01:54:59,500 01:55:01,835 that's all prophet Muhammad in action. that's all prophet Muhammad in action.
1610 01:55:21,889 01:55:25,926 There's more about Muhammad and his legacy on PBS online. There's more about Muhammad and his legacy on PBS online.
1611 01:55:26,160 01:55:28,428 Experience a virtual pilgrimage to Mecca Experience a virtual pilgrimage to Mecca
1612 01:55:28,695 01:55:31,832 read essays by people from the program, and much more. read essays by people from the program, and much more.
1613 01:55:32,199 01:55:35,502 Visit PBS online at PBS.org Visit PBS online at PBS.org
1614 01:55:37,171 01:55:40,073 To purchase a videocassette of Muhammad, To purchase a videocassette of Muhammad,
1615 01:55:40,274 01:55:48,115 or a DVD with additional features, call 888-786-0444. or a DVD with additional features, call 888-786-0444.
1616 01:56:05,432 01:56:10,637 Major funding for Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet" has been provided by... " Major funding for Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet" has been provided by... "
1617 01:56:11,004 01:56:13,574 The Corporation for Public Broadcasting The Corporation for Public Broadcasting
1618 01:56:14,041 01:56:14,942 And by... And by...
1619 01:56:15,209 01:56:17,945 The David and Lucile Packard Foundation The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
1620 01:56:18,111 01:56:19,980 Arabian Bulk Trade Arabian Bulk Trade
1621 01:56:20,280 01:56:22,449 Sabadia Family Foundation Sabadia Family Foundation
1622 01:56:22,649 01:56:24,852 The El-Hibri Foundation The El-Hibri Foundation
1623 01:56:24,952 01:56:27,221 The Irfan Kathwari Foundation The Irfan Kathwari Foundation
1624 01:56:27,688 01:56:29,389 And Mir Imran And Mir Imran
1625 01:56:31,458 01:56:33,460 Additional funding has been provided Additional funding has been provided
1626 01:56:33,460 01:56:36,230 by many other organizations and individuals. by many other organizations and individuals.