EVERY year on the 12th day of Rabiul Awwal of the Hijriyyah calendar, Muslims the world over commemorate the birth of Muhammad ibn Abdullah, the last messenger of God to mankind.
This year, the event known as Maulid al-Rasul (birth of the messenger) falls on May 14.
It is, indeed, very fascinating to study the life and times of Prophet Muhammad. For Muslims, he is the best of example for a human being. This is highlighted in verse 107 of Surah al-Anbiya’ to the effect that: “We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures.” The Prophet had shown countless examples of best conduct that should be emulated by men. He was an outstanding leader, judge, entrepreneur, husband, father and diplomat, among others. All these shining examples have been well documented in the annals of history.
One aspect that is rarely touched upon is the exceptional example the Prophet gave as a diplomat.
He had provided many instances as to how to forge unity among various races, creeds and nations. Equally important is the way in which Prophet Muhammad created unity within the Muslim community of different tribes.
It is apparent from history that the Prophet was strict in sustaining political relationship with others through a sound foreign policy and international relations. He ensured that visiting foreign dignitaries were given the highest state welcome.
Among the foreign dignitaries that visited the Islamic State of Medina were those from Abyssinia, Byzantium and Egypt.
The Prophet himself looked after the foreign dignitaries, to the extent that he declined assistance from the companions in doing so. The Prophet stated that all foreign guests are his own personal responsibility, and that he must ensure that all their needs are met.
The hospitality provided personally by Prophet Muhammad showed the importance he placed on diplomacy in creating trust and confidence of foreign Governments in the Islamic State established by the Prophet.
This confidence was essential in guaranteeing peace and stability in the Government led by the Prophet himself.
For example, in the early stage of the formation of Medina, the Prophet was aware of the need to forge good relationship with the various Arab tribes who had yet to embrace Islam at that time.
As such, the Prophet took the initiative to sign treaties and agreements with these tribes who were located around the city of Medina. Among those that signed peace treaties and agreements with the Prophet were the tribes of Banu Damrah, Banu Ghifar, Banu Mudlij, Banu Abd Ibn Adiy, Juhannah, Muzainah and Amir Ibn Ikramah.
The Prophet did not stop at just immediate neighbours of Medina. He also forged friendship with tribes in other parts of Hijaz (present-day Saudi Arabia), which included the tribes in the Najd, Yammah, Oman, Hadramaut, Bahrain, Yemen, Jarbah, Azrah, Aylah, Qadaaha and Dumat al-Jandal.
On top of these efforts, Prophet Muhammad also wrote letters to various leaders of foreign powers surrounding Hijaz. Each letter was brought personally by a companion who acted as the Prophet’s special envoy.
Two of such letters were sent to King Negus al-Asham ibn Jabar of Abyssinia. Another letter was sent to Emperor Heraclius of Rome. Other recipients of the Prophet’s letters were Muqauqis of Egypt, al-Munzir of Bahrain, King Khusroe of Persia, brothers Jayfar and Abbad of Oman, Houza ibn Ali of Yamamah, Munzir ibn Harith ibn Abi Shimr of Damascus, Marwa ibn Amr Khaza’i of Syam and numerous others.
The Prophet received various responses from the rulers who received his letters. Some accepted the letters in good faith and voluntarily embraced Islam. This positive response were shown by King Negus alAsham, brothers Jayfar and Abbad, al-Munzir, Houza ibn Ali and Marwa ibn Amr Khaza’i.
There were also others who did not embrace Islam, but yet treated the Prophet’s special envoys with great respect and sent gifts of goodwill to the Prophet. This was done by Muqauqis of Egypt.
Then there were also those who were angry with the Prophet for sending the letters to them, but still treated the special envoys well and sent them home safely as was done by Munzir of Damascus.
It was also recorded in history that there were some recipients who rejected the letters from the Prophet, treated the envoys badly and went to the extent of hiring bounty hunters to capture the Prophet. This was the response given by King Khusroe of Persia.
Regardless of the responses that the Prophet received, he continued to establish diplomatic relations with other leaders, as the Prophet believed that stability in Hijaz was very crucial in ensuring peace and harmony.
The existence of various powers in a region infamous for various political discords, wars and conflicts would no doubt require the Prophet to employ an approach which would benefit the prophetic task of spreading the word of God to the rest of mankind.
By utilising the approach of sending letters carried by special envoys, Prophet Muhammad had shown his wisdom in reading the current political scenario and acting accordingly to neutralise the otherwise volatile situation in the region at that time.
The political wisdom of Prophet Muhammad had contributed significantly to the creation of a peaceful and secure Hijjaz in just under a decade. The political and diplomatic calculation undertaken by the Prophet had created a unified Hijjaz, which previously had been disunited as a result of the existence of various tribes in the peninsula. Prophet Muhammad created a structure of Government which was systematic and complete with its rules and legislation.
This had helped in changing the social, political and economic stature of the various tribes that resided in Hijjaz. As early as the establishment of Medina soon after the hijrah, the Prophet had united the Muhajirin who migrated from Mecca with the Ansar who were the occupants of Yathrib (Medina).
This further underscored the importance on unity as perceived by Islam. In fact, the Ansar themselves consisted of two different tribes who were often at odds with one another. With the establishment of Medina, Prophet Muhammad had also succeeded in unifying these two tribes.
Slowly but surely, the Prophet was successful in creating a unified Muslim community that spanned across the Hijjaz peninsula. Through the system of diplomacy that was practised by the Prophet, we see that he was successful in transforming an otherwise chaotic and turbulent region into a stable, secure and peaceful region.
Today we see certain parts of the world are instable and volatile. As stated earlier, God has sent the Prophet as a mercy for all creatures, especially mankind.
Perhaps, it is time for us to revisit the examples shown by the Prophet in ensuring peace and stability, especially among various races and religions. A good start would be to first ensure that the Muslims themselves unite.
From there on, diplomatic relations between the Muslim and non-Muslim world would be able to be conducted more effectively. Huntington’s theory of the clash of civilisations could then be replaced with more constructive approach to maintaining peace and stability in the world.
This Maulid al-Rasul would indeed be a good time to reflect on the diplomatic examples shown by the Prophet. Let us not treat this important day just as another public holiday, instead let us try hard in studying the Prophet’s ways so that they could be applied today for a better future.