History of Islam
The role of Prophet Muhammad (d. 632 AD) is a revolutionary one in the long history of religion. Human history entered a new era with him.
God has granted man complete freedom, yet at the same time, He is managing history in general as well as Muslim history in particular, so that the divine purpose of creation could be achieved. As per the divine tradition, this management is always accomplished through certain individuals.
There are four major forms of this divine management:
Institutional roles
Revolutionary roles
Academic roles
Individual roles
A historical example of the institutional role is that of Prophet Abraham, who built the Kabah in Makkah about four thousand years ago. The Kabah is like an institutional center of the religion of monotheism of the whole world, and it will continue to be the same till the day of judgement.
The role of Prophet Muhammad (d. 632 AD) is a revolutionary one in the long history of religion. Human history entered a new era with him. The companions of the Prophet of Islam and their followers have played an important role in this evolutionary process. This revolution had a profound impact on the world.
The names of the compilers or narrators of the Prophetic traditions (Muhadditheen) figure prominently in the academic role. They played a pivotal role in preserving the Hadith which is another authentic reference of the divine religion. By this great effort, they succeeded in preserving, with complete authenticity, the tradition of the Prophet of Islam. These compilations are the most reliable sources for learning the guidance of the Messenger of God for later generations. The period of these early narrators of Hadith is the 9th century AD.
So far as the individual role is concerned, Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, the Umayyad caliph, is an important figure. He was elected caliph in 717 AD with Damascus being his capital. His caliphate lasted for two and a half years. Within this short period, he worked hard for the spiritual revival of his people, but his role practically ended with his death.
Of the four historical models, the first three pertain to a specific time. These models provide a source of guidance for later generations, but the repetition of these roles is no longer possible. However, the fourth model, that of the individual role, still continues. In later generations, it is possible for an individual to play the desired role depending on one’s circumstances. Such a role will be limited to one’s life, but its effect might continue even after his death.
It is true that if a revivalist forms an organization in his lifetime, then this organization will be synonymous with the continuation of his role. But in later times, for many such an organization, the emphasis is often on the form rather than the spirit.
