Mohammed in the light of Gurbani?

[Guest]

I have a question for the forum members. We all know that different religious leaders preached different concepts. I mean that some preach that pilgrimage is essential to be a member of their faith, others says meat should only be consumed when slaughtered by a particular method. My question is that aside from these beliefs is it right or proper to compare and contrast the ethics of one religious leader in the light of the teachings of another religion?

The reason I ask this is that some religious leaders' ethics are opposite to what Gurbani teaches about ethics.

Here is an article i came across

Sura 66 At-Tahrim (Banning, Prohibition)

1

O Prophet! Why holdest thou to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to thee? Thou seekest to please thy consorts. But Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

2

Allah has already ordained for you, (O men), the dissolution of your oaths (in some cases): and Allah is your Protector, and He is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

3

When the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his consorts, and she then divulged it (to another), and Allah made it known to him, he confirmed part thereof and repudiated a part. Then when he told her thereof, she said, "Who told thee this? "He said, "He told me Who knows and is well-acquainted (with all things)."

4

If ye two turn in repentance to Him, your hearts are indeed so inclined; But if ye back up each other against him, truly Allah is his Protector, and Gabriel, and (every) righteous one among those who believe,- and furthermore, the angels - will back (him) up.

5

It may be, if he divorced you (all), that Allah will give him in exchange consorts better than you,- who submit (their wills), who believe, who are devout, who turn to Allah in repentance, who worship (in humility), who travel (for Faith) and fast,- previously married or virgins.

6

O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.

7

(They will say), "O ye Unbelievers! Make no excuses this Day! Ye are being but requited for all that ye did!"

8

O ye who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance: In the hope that your Lord will remove from you your ills and admit you to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow,- the Day that Allah will not permit to be humiliated the Prophet and those who believe with him. Their Light will run forward before them and by their right hands, while they say, "Our Lord! Perfect our Light for us, and grant us Forgiveness: for Thou hast power over all things."

9

O Prophet! Strive hard against the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed).

10

Allah sets forth, for an example to the Unbelievers, the wife of Noah and the wife of Lut: they were (respectively) under two of our righteous servants, but they were false to their (husbands), and they profited nothing before Allah on their account, but were told: "Enter ye the Fire along with (others) that enter!"

11

And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe the wife of Pharaoh: Behold she said: "O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong";

12

And Mary the daughter of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants).

Introduction

This is one of the most fascinating Suras in the entire Qur'an. In 12 verses, Muhammad violates a deal that he made with his wives, makes and breaks an oath, and receives a "revelation" from God just in time to get him out of trouble.

Period of Revelation

This Sura is considered, by most commentators, as Medinan.

History

What is happening in this Sura? Syed Maududi talks around, but does not address, the issues of this Sura in his commentary - and for good reasons! Fortunately, Al-Baizâwi, (Commentary Vol.II, pp. 340-341), gives an explanation of this passage:

"It is related that Mohammed was alone in company with Mary in Ayshah's or Hafsah's turn. Hafsah became aware of that and therefore scolded him about it. He declared he had taken an oath, but admitted his unlawful behaviour, therefore these verses descended." ("Mizanu'l Haqq, page 330). (The "Mishkat" names Zainab instead of Hafsah - "Mishkat" II, pages 680-681).

The complete story is told in the Rauzatu'r Safâ , Vol. II, page 188):

"Mary (the Copt) was a Christian slave given to Mohammed 7 A.H. (628 A.D.) by the Governor of Egypt, Elmokaukas. Her sister, Shereena was also given at the same time. Mohammed became intimate with Mary and she bore him Ibrahim, who died in 10 A.H. The intimacy took place in the home and bed of his wife Hafsah (daughter of Umar) who was absent at that moment and on the day which was either her or Ayshah's turn. When Hafsah found this out and questioned him he promised (on oath) not to touch Mary again if she would keep this a secret, and promised that Umar and Abu-Bakr should be his successors. Hafsah, however, told Ayshah about this event, and for a full month Mohammed had no dealings with any of his wives, living with Mary alone." During that period this "revelation" was given. ("Der Koran", translated by Ludwig Ullman, Footnote 2 of Sura 66:1-2, page 456).

Another source tells us:

As she waited for them to come out, her jealousy broke all bounds. When, finally, Mariyah left the quarters and Hafsah entered, she said to the Prophet: "I have seen who was here. By God, that was an insult to me. You would not have dared to do that if I amounted to anything at all in your eyes". At the moment Muhammad realized that such deep-lying jealousy might even move Hafsah to broadcast what she had seen among the other wives. In an attempt to please her, Muhammad promised that he would not go unto Mariyah if she would only refrain from broadcasting what she had seen. (Haykal, The Life of Muhammad, p. 436).

Muhammad's wives had to take revolving "turns" to be with their husband. Muhammad ignored his own system and had sexual relations with Mary the Copt on a day that was either Hafsah's or Aishah's "turn". Hafsah discovered Muhammad's breach of protocol and became upset. Muhammad promised her that he would not have sexual relations with Mary, probably out of fear that Hafsah would tell his favorite wife, Aishah - whom he married when she was a child of about 9 years of age.

Hafsah and Aishah were, according to the traditions, often competitors for Muhammad's attention, and Hafsah told Aishah the entire sordid story. We can only imagine the anger of Aishah and the other wives of Muhammad. In retaliation, Muhammad boycotted the other wives, in respect to his sexual relations with them, and co-habitated exclusively with Mary. After one month, we are told by the traditions and the Qur'an that Almighty God intervened on Muhammad's behalf.

If we believe the testimony of the Qur'an, God tells Muhammad that it is acceptable for him to break his own oaths! Imagine Almighty God promoting and commending a breach of an oath made by Muhammad, especially under such circumstances as the satiation of Muhammad's carnal desires!

But wait, things become much worse! God warns Muhammad's wives against conspiring against the "Prophet". If they do not heed this warning, they will face Almighty God, the Archangel Gabriel and all of the angels, as well as all of the righteous. What chance would these poor women have against such opposition?

Another threat against the wives of Muhammad is that Almighty God, in complete disregard to His revelations in earlier scriptures against divorce, will permit Muhammad to divorce his wives AND find prettier wives for him! But the intimidation does not end with the threats of divorce! God threatens the wives of Muhammad AND their families with the eternal fires of Hell! After Muhammad's lies and betrayal, his wives are commanded to repent (for what I am honestly not sure) and Muhammad is exhorted to fight against the unbelievers. We are told that Almighty God then gave the wives of Muhammad "positive role models" of female behavior, including Mary the mother of Jesus who is incorrectly called the daughter of Imran! But who cares about the details at a time like this?

If you read this article you will realise how the concept of talking an oath is totally opposite to how Gurbani teaches us about keeping one's oath

pourree ||

nirabho naam visaariaa naal maaeiaa rachaa ||

aavai jaae bhavaaeeai bahu jonee nachaa ||

bachan karae thai khisak jaae bolae sabh kachaa ||

a(n)dharahu thhothhaa koorriaar koorree sabh khachaa ||

vair karae niravair naal jhoot(h)ae laalachaa ||

maariaa sachai paathisaahi vaekh dhhur karamachaa ||

jamadhoothee hai haeriaa dhukh hee mehi pachaa ||

hoaa thapaavas dhharam kaa naanak dhar sachaa ||15||

Pauree:

Forgetting the Naam, the Name of the Fearless Lord, he becomes attached to Maya.

He comes and goes, and wanders, dancing in countless incarnations.

He gives his word, but then backs out. All that he says is false.

The false person is hollow within; he is totally engrossed in falsehood.

He tries to take vengeance upon the Lord, who bears no vengeance; such a person is trapped by falsehood and greed.

The True King, the Primal Lord God, kills him when He sees what he has done.

The Messenger of Death sees him, and he rots away in pain.

Even-handed justice is administered, O Nanak, in the Court of the True Lord

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Mahala 5 page 1099

[Beast]

in general most members are encouraged to give the source of their articles.