Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
3. Exemplary Conduct
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The word used in this verse for “wandering”
(“
dhallan”)
can also be used to describe a tree
standing alone in an empty desert. The Prophet,
then, was like a lone tree standing amidst the vast
wilderness of ignorance that was Arabia of the time.
The idea of consolidating his position in this society
was abhorrent to him. He sought the truth, and
nothing less than the truth could satisfy his soul.
His quest had reached a point when life had
become an unbearable burden. The Qur’an looks
back on that time:
Have We not lifted up and expanded your
heart and relieved you of the burden, which
weighed down your back?
3
God, indeed, relieved him of his burden. He turned
in mercy to His Prophet, illuminating his path and
guiding him on his journey. On February 12, A.D.
610, the Prophet was sitting alone in his cave. The
angel of the Lord appeared before him in human
form and taught him the words, which appear at
the beginning of the ninety-sixth chapter of the
Qur’an. The Prophet’s quest had finally been
rewarded. His restless soul had joined in
