In view of the current tensions resulting from the insulting misrepresentations of the Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, HRH Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad sheds some light on the Prophet of Islam to explain why Muslims have reacted as they have on the Danish cartoon issue.

The Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessingsbe upon him, was born in the (then small Arabian town of Mecca around 570 ce. He was a direct descendant through the male line of Abraham’s eldest son Ishmael, peace and blessings be upon them all, of whom the Bible says God blessed him and God was with the lad, and who dwelt in the desert of Arabia. The Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, had no brothers or sisters, and first his father and then his mother died whilst he was still a young child. He was brought up first by his paternal grandfather, and then when he too died, by his paternal uncle, Abu Talib. Although illiterate, the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, became a merchant, and was much beloved in Mecca and known as Al-Amin— the “trustworthy”.

At the age of forty, whilst in solitary retreat (as was his custom) the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, began to receive wondrous Revelations and visions from God. These Revelations (which comprise the Qur’an) compelled him to call on Meccan society to reform its evil practices. In particular, he called on Meccans to stop worshipping stone idols and to worship instead the One-and-Only God (whose Name in Arabic is Allah), to stop killing their infant daughters, to care for orphans, treat women fairly, give alms to the poor and the weak, and to set slaves free. The Meccan chiefs reacted with hostility to his message for they perceived it would not only change their way of life, but also their social and economic privileges. They sent him a delegation with the following offer: