Sirah An-Nabi

Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,

Let's learn a bit of the history of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) or the sirah an-Nabi today.

Before he was 40 years old, he lived like the rest of the Arabs in Makkah though he believed in a God, kind and generous to others, upheld great and noble personality, etc. He might be seen like the rest of the Makkans before that age though inside of him, he was different from them. When he received the revelation, he preached to his close family and friends, who some accepted it while some didn't. Later, we was commanded to preach Islam publicly and he started to receive opposition, insults, oppression, boycott, slanders, etc. His companions were caught and tortured, and even killed, he himself was insulted and beaten, though not half-dying. Some of his companions did leave Islam when they can't endure the torture but many of them stayed with him. When his power became greater, he gained more allies in and outside of Makkah (i.e., Madinah or Yathrib), the powerful, greedy and oppressive leaders of Makkah (except his uncle, Abu Talib) started to use violence to stop him. When it was in vain, they tried to bribe him, but it was no use. Then, they boycotted him and the muslims. When this was still no use, they plotted to kill him. So, he emigrated to Madinah on the invitation of the Madinans and started to strengthen the muslims. He gained more followers and support from in and out of Madinah. Some who stayed in the Makkah believed in him but couldn't move to Madinah due to certain interest that they have to keep to sustain their and their family's living. 6 years later, he tried to come back but was refused entrance but he succeeded the next year and in the coming year, he conquered Makkah without bloodshed. At that moment, he said to those who used to oppressed and tortured him and the muslims, "What should I do with you?". He didn't kill them nor punish them. He forgave them and set the free by saying that those who are in the house of Abu Suffian will be spared. Through his forgiveness and great success of toppling the leadership of the Makkah, more people became muslims until the whole Arabia peninsular took the shahadah.

Well, let's look at the situation of Anwar Ibrahim. Before he joined UMNO, he was known as the activist for the poor and oppressed. When he joined UMNO, he shocked many especially PAS and ABIM. Though inside the influence of UMNO, he still stood up as a clean politician. When he refused to submit to the will of the then PM and UMNO, he was accused. He carried a message of anti-corruption to the whole nation but his message was not the favour of those in power. Though his close aides and family supported his mission, it was not enough to help him through. He was accused of sodomy and much later corruption. Many of his close aides were caught by the police, they were tortured to admit Anwar's wrong doings (e.g., Darmawan, Azmin Ali). Those who refused to submit were jailed under ISA and made the Reformasi 10 while those who submitted were either soared in their careers or jailed temporary. He was beated till half-dying and jailed (sort of boycotted) for 6 years and on his release, he went to Germany to get repaired. During that interview, he said that he has forgiven everyone that framed him. Since he can't be politically active in Malaysia for another 4 years, he "emigrated" to Georgetown on the invitation of the University of Georgetown to become a visiting Professor for 2 years. While there, he gained more support from many people in and outside of Malaysia. He came back to Malaysia but was refused to be active in politics. The election was scheduled a month before the end of the ban. He said he will conquer the parliament by September 2008. If he really managed to topple the government, what will he do to his present enemies and opponents who are framing him now? I think we all know the answer.

If we just follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), what else can we lose? ALLAHUMMA SOLLI ALA MUHAMMAD.

ALLAHU'alam.

Wassalam.