> Prophet Muhammad didn't desire worldy fame - a refutation

[Qatada]

He wasn't after this world and its pleasures...





Long before there was any prospect of success for Islam and at the outset of a long and painful era of torture, suffering, and persecution of Muhammad and his followers, he received an interesting offer.



An envoy of the pagan leaders, Otba (Utbah ibn Rabi'a), came to him saying, “...If you want money, we will collect enough money for you so that you will be the richest one of us. If you want leadership, we will take you as our leader and never decide on any matter without your approval. If you want a kingdom, we will crown you king over us...” Only one concession was required from Muhammad in return for that, to give up calling people to Islam and worshipping God alone without any partner. Wouldn’t this offer be tempting to one pursuing worldly benefit? Was Muhammad hesitant when the offer was made? Did he turn it down as a bargaining strategy leaving the door open for a better offer? The following was his answer: {In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful} And he recited to Otba the verses of the Quran 41:1-38.11 The Following are some of these verses:


A revelation from (God), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; a Book whereof the verses are explained in detail; a Quran in Arabic, for people who know, giving good news and warning, yet most of them turn away, so they do not listen... (Quran, 41:2-4)


Utbah left quietly and went to his people, who realised as they saw him approaching tha a chance had come over him. They looked up at him curiously, listening to his words: "I have heard something the like of which I have never heard in my life. It is neither poetry nor sorcery. Take up the suggestion I am making to you, and lay the blame for the outcome at my door. Leave this man alone. What I have heard from him will certainly bring about great events. Should the rest of the Arabs kill him, you would have been spared the trouble. If he wins, whatever gory he achieves will be yours." They retorted: "He has certainly bewitched you." He said: "I have stated my opinion, and you can do as you wish."

[Utbah was known among them as a man of objective views, balanced temperament and moderate approach. But they still rejected his sincere advice to them, which did infact take effect later on in the near future.]





(11) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 293-294


or Ibn hisham, al Sirah an-Nabawiyyah Dar al Qalam, Beirut vol.1, pp.313-314 (the publisher's just different)

Muhammad, Man & Prophet - Adil Salahi p114.

http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch1-6.htm

[Qatada]

Qur'an, Surah Shuara (26)

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/026.qmt.html

The people of Noah rejected the messengers.

Behold, their brother Noah said to them: "Will ye not fear (Allah)?

"I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust:

"So fear Allah, and obey me.

"No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds:

[Qur'an 26: 105 - 110]



The 'Ad (people) rejected the messengers.

Behold, their brother Hud said to them: "Will ye not fear (Allah)?

"I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust:

"So fear Allah and obey me.

"No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds."


[Qur'an 26: 123-127]



The Thamud (people) rejected the messengers.

Behold, their brother Salih said to them: "Will you not fear (Allah)?

"I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust.

"So fear Allah, and obey me.

"No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds.


[Quran 26: 141 - 145]



The people of Lut rejected the messengers

Behold, their brother Lut said to them: "Will ye not fear (Allah)?

"I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust.

"So fear Allah and obey me.

"No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the lord of the Worlds.


[Quran 26: 160 - 164]



The Companions of the Wood rejected the messengers.

Behold, Shu'aib said to them: "Will ye not fear (Allah)?

"I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust.

"So fear Allah and obey me.

"No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds.


[Quran 26: 176 - 180]

[Qatada]

salam


so when non muslims attack the prophets by saying they were after wealth, status, etc. we can reply with these evidences (i.e. the above verses that they weren't after wealth.)


plus ALL the Prophets after Lut were from honourable high status families anyway, so they weren't after status either.

[لَوْ أَنَّ لِى بِكُمْ قُوَّةً]

(Would that I had strength (men) to overpower you,) meaning, `I would surely have made an example of you and done (harm) to you from myself and my family.' In this regard, there is a Hadith which is reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah said,


«رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَى لُوطٍ لَقَدْ كَانَ يَأْوِي إِلَى رُكْنٍ شَدِيد»
يَعْنِي اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
«فَمَا بَعَثَ اللهُ بَعْدَهُ مِنْ نَبِيَ إِلَّا فِي ثَرْوَةٍ مِنْ قَوْمِه»

(May Allah's mercy be upon Lut, for verily, he betook himself to a powerful support --[meaning Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.] Allah did not send any Prophet after him, except amidst [an influential family] among his people.)


Qur'an Surah Hud 11:80
http://tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=11&tid=24054

[Qatada]

Asalam alaikum warahmatulahi wabarakatuh


One further proof for Muhammad (sal Allah alaihi wasalam) not faking prophethood is this;

When the Quraysh said to him that you can be our king, they were saying that he would be the king of arabia. But he rejected this offer.


When he died, he was the king of Arabia. Islam never had expanded politically to other parts of the world at this time.


The point being made is that he could have simply been king of Arabia without having to go through all this struggle, torture, battles etc. And if he really was doing it for kingdom, he could have accepted this offer. But instead, when he died - he left all of Arabia in a state of true Islam.

This shows that his ambition was for Islam to be upheld, and not merely for the purpose of kingdom, or fame.

[SixTen]

The faking theory, is indeed a poor one, I mean, it would mean he had put himself under alot of risk and ridicule with low chance of gain. Why would anyone do that. Infact, due to it all, he suffered greatly and had his live endangered. Doesn't look like somthing to fake over now does it, not like he was going to win an Oscar or anything. Pretty easy to refute indeed :).