This project created great positive self-esteem for Rubina. Many of the teachers and adults came up to her and would say: Asalaamu Alaikum (Greetings of Peace upon you). One of her calligraphy pieces said "Mashallah" and one of the spectators came and told her this. Even though, we used "Mashallah" (what Allah has willed), a lot in our family, the reinforcement from the school officials made her not be that uneasy about doing an unusual project plus she was surprised to find how many Muslims there really were in the School!

I hope that more parents and teachers will take on this responsibility and challenge and let our children feel pride from their wonderful heritage and expose its wealth and beauty and present it at every occasion so that it becomes normal just as the Christians and Jews express themselves.

Asalaamu Alaikum!

Nina Jaffer

     A Prophet is a caring loving person who teaches people the right way to live. I am going to tell you about a prophet in the medieval times. His name was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who brought the message of Islam (peace) to the world. The people who follow Islam are called Muslims.

Early Years

     Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, in the year 570 AD. Mecca is in Saudi Arabia. His father, Hazrat Abdullah, died before Muhammad was born and his mother, Amina, died when he was only six. So he became an orphan when he was very young. His uncle, Hazrat Abu Talib took care of him until he was old enough to take care of himself.

     Prophet Muhammad married Lady Kadija in 595 AD who helped in spreading the message of Islam. They had a daughter named Fatima who married the Prophet’s cousin Hazrat Ali (son of Abu Talib). Lady Fatima was the only surviving child of the Prophet and after he died his family carried on the mission of the Prophet followed by his grandchildren Hassan and Hussain.

History

Islam, one of the largest religions has about one billion followers. That means 25% of the world’s people are Muslims! Muhammad started preaching in Mecca in about 610. He made slow progress at first. Most of the rich and powerful citizens scorned him and his preaching to follow one God whereas they worshipped several idols. His preaching angered the Meccans, and some even plotted to kill him. In 622 Muhammad fled to the city of Medina, then called Yathrib, where a group of people helped him. This emigration to Medina is called the Hijra and this important event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. A Hijra is a journey from one place to another. In this Hijra, Prophet Muhammad marked the establishment of Islam. Ten years after the Hijra, Prophet Muhammad died in 632 A.D.

Prophet Muhammad’s Teachings

     Prophet Muhammad preached that there is only one God and he, Muhammad is the messenger of God. Muslim is an Arabic word for one that submits to God and lives by God’s laws.

     Prophet Muhammad was a very important man during medieval times in Asia. He taught the people to change from worshipping idols to one God. He taught them to respect their parents and elders. He taught about equal rights and respect for women. He taught that the rich and poor are alike in the sight of God and that their good deeds will help them meet God in heaven. He taught them to live honestly and that working hard to earn a living is also considered worship of God. God is called “Allah” in Arabic and he taught people to remember God at all times.

Prophet Muhammad’s Influence

     His teachings brought about peace and prosperity to the Middle East and all the lands ruled by the Muslims. During the medieval times, the great prosperity was due to a large extent from the preaching of Prophet Muhammad who said, “To obtain knowledge travel into China if necessary.” This made the people travel great distances in order to learn more and there was great trading and learning by meeting the people of India, China, Persia and the West. This prosperity spread to Spain where the Muslims ruled for 700 years, and in fact, the majority of the sailors on the Columbus ships were Muslims who had gained great experience from their travels and trading with the lands of India, Africa and China.

     In the medieval times, Muslims were great scholars and scientists and preserved the work of the Greeks by translating them into Arabic. They used this knowledge as well as knowledge of making paper from China, of mathematics from India and they built the first University of the world in Egypt. This University called Al Azhar University, which is still in existence, a thousand years later.

     In conclusion Prophet Muhammad’s teachings influenced not only the religious and social life of the people, but also their scientific and economic life and there was great prosperity brought about by following his instructions that came from God. In the medieval period, the Muslims provided the bridge of knowledge to the West who were experiencing the Dark Ages and by using this the Renaissance period began. The other good thing produced by the Muslims was the beautiful architecture, art and calligraphy as Prophet Muhammad taught that God loves beauty and the Muslims did everything beautiful to please God.
Calligraphy - Allah is Beautiful and loves everything beautiful

Prophet Muhammad preached that there is only one God
He taught the people to change from worshipping idols to one God.
He taught them to respect their parents and elders.
He taught about equal rights and respect for women.
He taught that the rich and poor are alike in the sight of God and that their good deeds will help them meet God in heaven.
He taught them to live honestly and that working hard to earn a living is also considered worship of God.
God is called “Allah” in Arabic and he taught people to remember God at all times.

Prophet Muhammad’s Influence

His teachings brought about peace and prosperity to the Middle East and all the lands ruled by the Muslims. During the medieval times, the great prosperity was due to a large extent from the preaching of Prophet Muhammad who said, “To obtain knowledge travel into China if necessary.”

This made the people travel great distances in order to learn more and there was great trading and learning by meeting the people of India, China, Persia and the West. This prosperity spread to Spain where the Muslims ruled for 700 years, and in fact, the majority of the sailors on the Columbus ships were Muslims who had gained great experience from their travels and trading with the lands of India, Africa and China.

Before Prophet Muhammad started teaching about Islam, many Arabs did not know how to read. Prophet Muhammad's teachings from the Quran began a great education of all the people. Becoming a writer and a calligrapher was a great honor and Arabic grammar was established with Hazrat Ali as the main advisor.

In the medieval times, Muslims were great scholars and scientists and preserved the work of the Greeks by translating them into Arabic. They used this knowledge as well as knowledge of making paper from China, of mathematics from India and they built the first University of the world in Egypt. This University called Al Azhar University, which is still in existence, a thousand years later.
 
Architecture

Calligraphy
Bismillah - In the name of God

Tasbi – Praying Beads used in the remembrance of Allah

The Holy Quran –  Scripture Revealed by God

“We have sent you (O Muhammad) as a mercy for all the nations”
  Quran 21:107

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