Muhammad: A Prophet of War? | Prof. Juan Cole

CC: 🇺🇸 🇪🇸 عربي
In this short video, Dr. Juan Cole, the Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan, talks about what the Qur’an, the scripture revered by the world’s 1.7 billion Muslims, says about peace and why this has never been more important.
*The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the presenter.*
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- Arabic: عبدالرحمن بن عبدالله السدرة
Script:
What the Qur’an, the scripture revered by the world’s 1.7 billion Muslims, says about peace has never been more important. Yet very little attention has been paid to this crucial subject. In my book, “Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires,” I fill this gap.
Let us picture the historical Muhammad, who was born about 570 years after the death of Jesus Christ, whom he saw as his predecessor. As a merchant from the small shrine city of Mecca in western Arabia, he frequently traveled to cities like Jerusalem and Damascus in the Eastern Roman Empire. His trade would have been disrupted in the year 603, when the Iranian Sasanian Empire invaded the Roman Near East, kicking off a brutal 26-year-long war.
It was a time of both Christianity and paganism. Most people in the Roman Empire had embraced Christianity, but at the fringes of civilization, Bedouin and villagers still worshipped the old Arabian gods. Muhammad’s home town, Mecca, was the site of the Kaaba, a shrine to God. Some may have worshipped only this supreme deity, but most simply added him to a pantheon, with pagan goddesses depicted as his daughters.
Arab custom respected a major shrine to a deity-like the Kaaba-as a zone of peace. Muhammad’s clan, the Banu Hashem, were caretakers of the Kaaba and its pilgrimage and in charge of settling feuds. Peacekeeping was Muhammad’s ancestral vocation.
The Qur’an speaks, in chapter 97, of the descent on Muhammad of the holy spirit and of angels on the night of the first revelation, which occurred around the year 610, or about seven years after war between the Roman Empire and the Sassanids began. That chapter ends by saying, “and peace it is, until the breaking of the dawn.” The revelation brings with it the peace of worship and spirituality.
Muhammad began preaching a strict monotheism to Meccan pagans, who were outraged. They harassed and boycotted Muhammad’s early Believers. In the face of this persecution, the Qur’an advises Muhammad in chapter 73: “Be patient with what they say and take your leave of them graciously.” Another chapter (41) proclaims, “Good and evil are not equal. Repel the latter with the greater good, and behold, your enemy will become a devoted patron.” The chapter called “The Criterion” speaks of “the servants of the All-Merciful who walk humbly upon the earth-and when the unruly taunt them, they reply, ‘Peace.’” Some sources allege that Muhammad and the Believers supported the Roman Empire and that the pagans sided instead with the Iranian Sasanids.
The Qur’an tells Muhammad of the year 622, “Recall when the pagans were intriguing against you, to kidnap you, or murder you, or to expel you.” Under pressure, the prophet and his small community emigrated to the nearby city of Medina.
Pagan Mecca, however, launched three military campaigns in an attempt to take Medina and crush the new religion of Islam. In each case, the Believers and their allies in Medina, who included the city’s Jewish community, repelled these attacks. The Qur’an suggests that one goal of these defensive battles was to protect Roman Christian churches to the north from the pagan marauders.
The Qur’anic verses commanding self-defense have been cherry-picked by anti-Muslim writers and by small cells of extremists to depict the Prophet and the community as militant. This is far from accurate-the Qur’an says, however, “Fight in the path of God those who enter into combat against you, but do not commit aggression. God does not love aggressors.”
...
One of the last passages of the Qur’an says, “God thereby guides those who follow his good-pleasure to the ways of peace, and delivers them from the shadows into light by his leave, and conducts them to the straight path.” This passage resembles the description of John the Baptist in the Gospel of Luke. In both cases, a preacher arose in the wilderness, prophesying the advent of peace.

[@umerhayat5313]

Please correct this, We Muslim do not worship the Kabbah, We just face towards Kabbah, We worship One God,

[@j.almadhaji]

Fox news will be angry at this video

[@memroli5919]

Im Christian and I hate when people misunderstood Muslims and Islam. Imagine how many people out there thinking ALL Muslims and Islam is bad😐

[@HooXAzizam]

Every christian should watch this to understand we are not enemies..

[@undead9999]

I was expecting a lot of hateful comments. I'm genuinely surprised.

[@nihleigleca6702]

One cannot deny Prophet Muhammad has managed to leave this world better than he found it. A mere human, yet affecting the lives of billions long after his death. He's truly a great man.

[@gregoriysharapov1936]

He's even featured in something the US made, like a tribute thing... something to do with World's Most Influential people or like best General or something like that.

[@Mk3390]

@@gregoriysharapov1936 100 most influential in history. 1st or 2nd, I believe.

[@islamcompletefavourfromall5701]

😭Prophet's houses were: a bed, a mat, a blanket, and curtains of black-hair cloth. The Prophet's austere living was such that when once 'Umar ibn al-Khattab paid a visit to him, he was moved to tears. The Prophet (sa) asked: al-Khattab, what makes you weep? 'Umar answered: Messenger of Allah, why should I not shed tears? This mat [which 'Umar found the Prophet (sa) lying on] has left its marks on your sides and I do not see in your store room [except these few things] that I have seen. Persian and Byzantine sovereigns are leading their lives in plenty whereas you are Allah's Messenger, His chosen one, and yet that is your store! The Prophet (sa) said: Ibn Khattab, aren't you satisfied that for us is the prosperity of the hereafter and for them the prosperity of this world💖❤️♥️

[@alidk5923]

This KZbin channel has the ability to change the world.

[@EmirSteinCenter]

Thank you! Help us reach more people by sharing the links to our videos.

[@sepidehmohammad9409]

Like prophet david and prophet solomon. They were the prophets of war against devils.

[@dogofwar8662]

I am a Muslim and i love Jesus with all my heart . Prophet Mohammad taught me how to love Prophet Jesus ,. I LOVE THEM THE SAME ,.

[@mahirshahriyar545]

Prager U: who are you? Emir-Stein center: I’m like you but I always speak the truth and don’t demonize other religions and respect them.

[@zabisworld]

Prager Circus, not university, but a circus. They are right wing Israeli funded channel. Twisting the facts.

[@mahirshahriyar545]

Zabi's World yup. They are the worst.

[@shifajahan6249]

Hell no this is not like peager u at all

[@adammed8667]

"Peace be upon you" is the only greeting way in muslim communities.

[@didikachmadi4758]

As usual, they did their researches. Glad to know some western media talks the truth and glad to know i didn't find any hateful comments toward this video.

[@shitikanthsingh1695]

You can defend the jihad verses But how would you defend The conversion through marriage Like in Chapter 2 named Al baqra Verse no.221 The Allah say That never marry a polyetheist women And that if a polyetheist want to marry a Muslim Whether the polyetheist is man or woman The polyetheist has to become a Muslim Is this not conversion?

[@fharl2129]

Whats amazing about this explanation with visual illustration is that they dont show a face of the prophet. Thats knowledge and respect all in one.

[@palvaani]

These Emir Stein reminds me of a paragraph from the Quran. The closest to you in likeness are the Christians because the Monks and Priests are not proud and arrogant. Goes something like that

[@thegamingsociety6452]

Am a Muslim. I love Christians. I want Peace! Let everyone do what they want. And Just Spread Love And Peace!

[@ismaiL-nw8zl]

قال الله عز و جل في سورة الممتحنة: *لا ينهاكم الله عن الذين لم يقاتلوكم في الدين ولم يخرجوكم من دياركم أن تبَّروهم و تقسطوا إليهم إن الله يحب المقسطين*

[@salimsam174]

Message of God to us- [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Forgiving , Quran Surah-Al-Mulk (The Dominion 67:2)

[@salarayyubzai1282]

A Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him): "Among mankind I am the closest to Jesus Son of Mary. There were no prophets between him and I and all Prophets are brothers because they preached the same Message and Faith."

[@arianrahman4840]

When i see people saying rubbish about islam i can;t stop myself from laughing , they are like "flat earth people" for muslims

[@grafikar5114]

if the western media speaks with historical and honest facts like this , it will be good

[@md.talhaqureshi9970]

Fox news left the chat

[@zyrrre]

Allah will surely reward you for the truth you speak

[@nukeomatic]

Literally brought tears to my eyes. Incredible. 🙏

[@303it8]

He is considered the best man to ever live on this world from hart's collection and also from google.

[@Broeske3]

قُلۡ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحۡيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: -Soera Al-An'am, Ayah 162

[@michaelsantini4937]

Thank you Professor Cole! Always have appreciated your work and your approach. May God bless you and preserve you. Ameen

[@Shah_Hussain72]

I love my leader,my teacher,my guide and my PROPHET MUHAMMAD PEACE BE UPON HIM ❤💚

[@ShoutAtMeElmo]

I just ordered a translation of the Quran and really want to understand what it says. What I do worry about is peoplebeing shot and beheaded for speaking against Islam and showing drawings of their prophet. There seems to be a contradition, maybe showing drawings is considered an aggression? In any case, this has nothing to with love, and I don't know how far we as humans should accept this behavior. Muslim, christian, atheist or anything else. I'm looking into the future with hope.

[@dange197]

The most influential personality on the earth :Prophet Muhammad

[@jasonatef]

Simply amazing! We need more content like this.

[@terrorizer77]

And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.

[@saifsedir8716]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ thank you for telling what we Muslims think of the last prophet thank you for listening to the book instead of listening to the media

[@tariqawan7272]

YA MUHAMMAD PEACE BE UPON HIM.

[@muhammadaamir7599]

Was anxiously waiting for your new video. May the Lord be with you in spreading the message of peace and enlighten the souls of the people who don't want peace and prefer religious hate. Amen!

[@nagyamato]

Peace be upon our beloved prophet MUHAMMAD

[@ajdjsh1157]

Just to correct, the Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him only traveled to Syria (بلاد الشام) twice in his life time. The first was with his uncle Abdualmutalib when he was 12 years old. The second was at the age of 25 when he looked after his wife's merchandise.

[@thekeyofsky]

thanks 🙏🏻 for the great video... I’ve learned a lot ❤️

[@mohammadtawfiqsamim2826]

Thank you for expressing the truth, with millions of love ♥️♥️♥️

[@bintangmuslimah4941]

Finally, a smart guy who learn about prophet muhammad(pbuh) rather than just spread untrue news about him without has knowledge about it

[@MuhammadKhalid-gc6qq]

I am proud to be Muslim

[@DrHyder-hw5zs]

Khaled, Salam Brother, what is the question of proud in taking birth in muslim family and being a Muslim. Instead you should thanks Allah swt, that he gave you birth in muslim family. Proud is the arrogance part of nafs which is very bad. Proud is always in comparison to somebody.

[@rizzahdjoema5135]

Muhammad Khalid does god exist?

[@empathyco_8783]

Thank you for spreading the truth. May Allah bles you 🙌

[@azomboup]

Alhamdoulilah for ISLAM 🇸🇳🙏

[@9750855]

Subhan Allah. Zajakaallah Brother. I love this channel just because its truthfulness. This channel always deliver the true facts and events. May Allah Bless you all and give prosperities to your channel that you can always deliver the light of truth to the people.

[@Hayanomie]

Every time I see someone speak ill of Islam I direct them to Emir-Stein. It perfectly encapsulates the nuance required to understand such a complex and beautiful religion. I admire the work you do. Thank you. ♥️

[@mahaenazy]

When he pronounced Quran right, I knew this guy was different !

[@hartwigdiener5487]

There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad (PBUH) is HIS messenger. I also believe in Angels, the holy books, the Prophets (PBUT), in the day of Judgement, in destiny…

[@imperial1182]

*We love our prophet Muhammad*

[@jaxketches2542]

Please keep up this amazing channel... God bless you!

[@noorkhalid4166]

I m muslim. I respect every religion as i i have been taught in islamic school . 💖& strongly believer of Monotheism 💖 . Great respect for you research center. You are doing great job .

[@abdulloabdukarimov3654]

I think this channel has done a brilliant job! This is truly a scholastic work!

[@missapricot7549]

omg they do lot researches rather than hear from media political. i'm impressed!

[@azaankhanqadri7718]

Anythink for sake of Allah and my beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him

[@sriharjanto7194]

assalamu, alaikum my brother, i am from indonesia, indonesia consists of the biggest muslims in the world, please can be translated into Indonesian, because we also want to see my brother

[@EmirSteinCenter]

We'll try to add Indonesian CC.

[@That_dude_in]

Thank u for soreading the love sirr

[@user-cc2zf5ht5w]

As an agnostic arabic speaker, I want to reflect on the impeccable Arabic words pronounciation and the amazing informative video. Thanks to prof. Juan Cole and Emir- Stein center for this video.

[@spesial1199]

Thanks for the history❤️

[@ashir.javed6]

Greatly Appreciated sir!

[@AliMuhammad-cu2ok]

Such a beautiful channel, If only more people were like this.

[@hsnztn2802]

Please cite 4:11's claim when the speaker says the Quran says that one of the aims of the defensive battles was to protect the Roman Christian churches .

[@sma080]

Very nicely explained... may allah shower his blessing upon you and guide you, me and all of us the the righteous path...ameen

[@meryadib7553]

One of the best vidéos ! Thank you so much . God bless you

[@mohammadsharif429]

"A channel for Peace ."

[@telugufun7658]

Thanks for clearing all the misconceptions about prophet Mohammad(pbuh) and Islam.

[@sherwanburhan8942]

لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَدَاوَةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ الْيَهُودَ وَالَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُمْ مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ الَّذِينَ قَالُوَاْ إِنَّا نَصَارَى ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ * وَإِذَا سَمِعُواْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَى أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُواْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ) المائدة / 82 - 83

[@thepanther8925]

War is inevitable, that's one thing that I learnt when I listened to this quote: "The selfish intent of wanting to preserve peace initiates wars and hatred is born in order to protect love"

[@asif7404]

YA MUHAMMAD (S.A.W)❤️🌹

[@Entertainment..603]

Thank you for expressing the truth, God bless you

[@channisingh7331]

Very Very Very thanks🙏🙇 brother your efforts..

[@gatewaymedia9843]

Another great video. Professor Juan's book is a great read. Learning about the context in which revelation took place in is a great way to improve one's understanding of the Quran and to also appreciate some of the subtle nuances that feature throughout

[@md.rezaulislam7136]

Muhammad S.W.A. the prophet of peace . the greatest human ever.

[@mohmudiqbal]

❤glad to hear it from you respected professor...

[@brytealifosu3]

Thanks so much for this beautiful message

[@MrCali114]

Waaw! Thank you Why I never see this channel.👍

[@mahammadbabayev464]

Thats great center which reconciliation between two major religion Thank you all the crew of center 👍👍👍

[@ourworld1879]

You’re the most good person i have seen today

[@aziza928]

I love you guys... you are doing beautiful work in this world. Keep spreading peace Thank you

[@MuhammadUsman-um7hh]

Very informative, thank you sir.

[@mrshafiquemohammed]

This is beautiful well explained thank you

[@BaimBengkuluChannelAle291083]

We love Muhammad

[@razaburney6165]

I am a Muslim from Pakistan 🇵🇰 Loved to hear the truth about Islam and Muslims 👍🏻

[@SixFeetUnder1111]

Thank you professor. Your honesty is a becon of light. May Allah bless you sir!

[@riorio970]

Thanks for explaining so beautifully

[@LensofLogicOfficial]

great channel and videos very true information I already knew glad to see a honest chan stating the facts

[@m7trf07]

God bless you all who work on this.

[@nivlajulhajiri5113]

Mashaallah! Allah may give you more power... Emir

[@user-xg3rt2ek5t]

Prophet Muhammad is the greatest prophet in the world, may God bless him and grant him peace ✋🤲

[@korean_life__]

Lovely page & lovely scholars. This is the purity of hearts who knows only truth. You are teaching Islam in a very good way more than many Muslim scholars do.

[@karimshaker2614]

thank you soo much such videos fill me with so joy

[@aliman6377]

Great video.

[@winnipupu9667]

Thank u Allah bless u my friend

[@kennycedric8499]

Alhamdulilah. Well said.

[@tasmiamuhammad1039]

Allah huma salay ala saydna Muhammad ❤

[@shudafa]

اللهم صل وسلم على اشرف الأنبيا والمرسلين

[@Revert2010]

‎كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ - 3:185 In English translation is Every self will be tasting death, and surely you will be paid your rewards in full only on the Day of the Resurrection. So, whoever is moved away from the Fire and caused to enter the Garden, then he has already triumphed; and in no way is the present life (Literally:, the lower (life), i.e., the life of this world) anything except the enjoyment of delusion.

[@staradam508]

Thank you for very informative video. 👍

[@sammost9371]

Well explained

[@jimmy_x557]

Thank you for this Professor Juan ❤️

[@nailahussain2855]

You are a great person, you told the Truth.

[@solidwill3134]

Great work