the conclusion i've reached so far is that the study of muhammad's character, from any angle you look at it, must be based on the fact that he was a prophet and godsend messenger. yet only after he was forty years old did muhammad become this godsend prophet and messenger. what justifies my talking about him before the divine revelation, and wouldn't that be rather a flagrant self-contradiction?
do you want me to answer you in accordance with the islamic or the non-islamic doctrines?
the islamic, he said. i'm well-acquainted with the non-islamic doctrines.
the islamic doctrine in this states that the prophet does not become a prophet the moment he is godsend and divinely inspired: he is born a prophet.
how come?! can a newborn baby be a godsend prophet?
the verses of the venerable quran explicitly show that the almighty god elects his human prophets and messengers from birth, before they even become foetuses in their mothers' wombs. providence watches over them, fosters, nurses and nurtures them from birth. when they grow up and become at an age that qualifies them to carry the divine mission, he sends them to whomsoever he wishes to of his peoples. the 'quranic verses say as much in relation to moses (pbuh), fostered by the divine providence since he was born: "we inspired the mother of moses to suckle him and said: if you fear for him then cast him down the river stream and neither worry nor grieve for him. we shall bring him back to you and make him one of the messengers."([1]) these, and the following, verses narrate to us the life story of moses (pbuh) and almighty god's providential care for him from birth to death.
similar 'quranic verses tell us about john (pbuh) since the annunciation of his father zachariah, before he was even created as a foetus in his mother's womb: "there zachariah prayed to his lord and said: grant me, my lord, of your own bounty some goodly offspring, for you are indeed the one who hears and answers prayers. so the angels called upon him as he stood praying in the sanctum: god gives you the glad tidings of (a son born unto you called) john (who comes) to confirm a word from god, lordly, chaste, prophet of the righteous."([2])
again the 'quranic verses similarly tell us about the messiah jesus, son of mary (pbuh). here mary speaks after the annunciation, when the angel told her the good news of the forthcoming immaculate conception: "she [mary] said: 'but how could i have a son, when no man has touched me, and i have never been unchaste?' he said: 'so says your lord: that is easy for me. we shall make him a miraculous revelation to mankind and a mercy from us. the matter is already ordained.' so she conceived him, and withdrew with him to a distant place (i.e. bethlehem). the labour pains drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. she said: "would that i had died before this and been out of sight and mind!"([3]) the preceding and the following verses tell the brief story of her immaculate conception, the birth of jesus and the miracles that went with them.
that was the case with all godsend messengers and prophets, muhammad included, i added. divine providence was watching over him from birth, protecting, fostering and nurturing him with the cultivation and wisdom of prophets.
any verses in al-quran confirm this providential care and nurture before the revelation, he asked?
sure, i said. you know that muhammad was an orphan in his childhood, poor in his youth, and unsure of the faith he had to adopt before the revelation. later, the 'quranic verse came down to tell that muhammad was not left alone at any stage of his life. divine providence protected him and kept him safe in all adversities he had encountered. the verses explicitly say: "did he not find you an orphan and gave you refuge? and did he not find you at a loss (unaware of the 'quran and of the prophethood) and guided you? and did he not find you poor and made you self-sufficient?"([4]) it was the almighty god, that is, who so willed it that muhammad was given shelter, found a guardian to look after him as a child, saved him from poverty and made rich by the trading wealth of his first wife, khadijah. like other prophets, muhammad before the revelation was made by god after his own image.
my neighbour, father nicholas, looked at his watch and said: i hope you two would allow me to suggest something.
sure, go ahead, i said.
i suggest that we content ourselves with what was said tonight… and continue tomorrow evening at nine, god willing.
why?
oh, we wouldn't like to impose any further. the ramadan nights for muslims are times for prayers and worship.
and this meeting, with all that went on in it, is, good willing, a form of worship. every meeting blessed with the verses of al-quran and the venerable hadeeths is, for us muslims, one of the many gardens of paradise. if however you wish to leave it till tomorrow evening, it is fine with me.
father stephano agreed to the timing and confirmed it- tomorrow evening at nine. the two guests got up and made ready to go. i saw them to the front door and wished them a very good night as they left.