Today, we speak of the Prophet of Islam’s emphasis on the God-seeking innate nature of mankind in his invitation to divine religion of Islam.

In view of Holy Quran, one of the prominent characteristic traits of mankind is his God-seeking innate nature. Although cultural, political, and social factors may derail this innate nature, under no circumstances the innate nature of mankind will change.

The 30th ayah of Surat al-Rum in Holy Quran notes: So set your heart on the religion as a people of pure faith, the origination of Allah according to which He originated mankind (There is no altering Allah’s creation; that is the upright religion, but most people do not know.)

Many Islamic thinkers believe that divine prophets have come to once again purify the innate nature of mankind. In this regard, one can refer to the approach of the flag-bearer of monotheism, Prophet Abraham, who at the start of his prophet hood negated the worship of the moon, the sun, and the stars. On a day, in which people had left town for observance of especial ceremonies, Prophet Abraham shattered all of the idols of idol house with his axe to show them that the idols, which cannot defend themselves, and cannot protect idolaters should not be worshipped.

According to 79th ayah of Surat al-An’am in Holy Quran, Prophet Abraham said: “Indeed I have turned my face toward Him who originated the heavens and the earth, as a hanif, and I am not one of the polytheists.”

The Prophet of Islam, in line with all divine prophets, especially Prophet Abraham, started his prophet hood. In the first step, the Prophet of Islam reflected the heavenly voice of monotheism. However, disbelievers, who felt their social and political interests and status were threatened, resorted to hostility against Prophet Mohammad, and made strenuous efforts to obstruct the revival of the culture of monotheism via imposition of threats, persecution, economic sanctions, and denial of the prophecy of Prophet Mohammad.

At this point in time, Prophet Mohammad fearlessly announced: ‘Do you indeed bear witness that there are other gods besides Allah?’

Say, ‘I do not bear witness to any such things.’

Say, ‘Indeed He is the one God, and I indeed disown what you associate with Him.’

The disbelievers of Qoraish, who saw that the Prophet of Islam puts emphasis on his stand despite all threats, falsely imagined that they could make Prophet Mohammad submit to their demands. Hence, they told Prophet’s uncle, Abu-Taleb: “If Mohammad wants to rule, we will hand over the rule of Arabian Peninsula to him. If he wants to accumulate wealth, we will present all of Mecca’s gold and silver to him; and if he wants to marry, we will set the stage for his marriage with most beautiful girls if he ends insulting our idols.”

When Abu-Taleb presented their suggestions to Prophet of Islam, tears welled in the eyes of Prophet Mohammad. The Prophet noted: “If they hand over the rule of the world; place the sun on my right hand; place the moon on my left hand, I will not for a moment let go of my invitation and divine prophecy which aims to establish the rule of monotheism.”

According to 56th ayah of Surat al-An’am in Holy Quran, God instructs the Prophet of Islam: ‘Say, ‘I have been forbidden to worship those whom you invoke besides Allah.’

Say, ‘I do not follow your desires, for then I will have gone astray, and I will not be among the rightly guided.’

The leading figures of Qoraish, who had encountered the refusal of Prophet Mohammad to compromise, intensified their opposition and persecution of Muslims. They brutally martyred some monotheists and besieged the Prophet of Islam and Muslims under tough conditions, in a deep valley in Mecca for three years to somehow force Muslims to revert to idolatry, but to no avail.

Finally, Prophet of Islam, based on a calculated plan and in order to defend and establish the elevated divine thoughts, migrated from Mecca to Medina to shape the rule of monotheism. Meanwhile, after a short while, leading disbelievers and polytheists took a number of military measures and waged battles in a futile bid to obstruct the promotion of sacred religion of Islam. However, the divine will had registered a victorious and bright future for the Prophet of Islam and his true followers.

The 28th ayah of Surat al-Fath in Holy Quran notes: “It is He who has sent His apostle with guidance and the true religion, that He may make it prevail over all religions, and Allah suffices as witness.”

One of the most important principles in the ideological revolution of Prophet Mohammad and the formation of monotheistic beliefs is the call on the community to accept monotheism based on insight. In other words, Prophet Mohammad never tried to invite his contemporary people toward worshipping God via resorting to force. The Prophet of Islam, like other divine prophets, tried to influence disbelievers via logic and reasoning to end their insistence on polytheism.

Holy Quran speaks of the tradition and approach of Prophet Mohammad.

The 108th ayah of Surat Yusuf in Holy Quran notes:

“Say, ‘This is my way. I summon to Allah with insight – I and he who follows me.”

The Prophet of Islam tried to show the importance of vigilant acceptance, and its difference with blind imitation. The 104th ayah of Surat al-An’am in Holy Quran notes: Say, ‘Certainly insights have come to you from your Lord. So whoever sees, it is to the benefit of his own soul, and whoever remains blind, it is to its detriment…’

Undoubtedly, if one’s religious beliefs are rooted in insight and vigilance; the social, political, and cultural ups and downs would not be able to shake one’s beliefs and cast doubts upon them. Such a human being is inspired by Holy Quran and the traditions of Prophet Mohammad and makes use of vigilant approaches for the promotion of Islamic ideology, without resorting to force. A prime example to this fact is the glorious conquest of Mecca by Islamic troops under the command of Prophet Mohammad. The Prophet of Islam did not resort to force. When the polytheists of Mecca sensed that Prophet Mohammad had no intention of imposing monotheistic beliefs upon them and has granted them freedom to choose; they converted to divine religion of Islam in large groups, and no longer worshipped idols.

ME