October 26, 2015

Fennyrose C. Nuňala LLB: 1st year- Plato

THE MESSENGER

Brief Narration:

The movie’s plot started 600 years after the death of Christ.

Mecca's new materialism and its traditional idolatry disturbed Muhammad. He refused to worship idols,

as was the common religious practice of the Arabs of the time. At the age of forty, when Prophet Muhammad

was in spiritual retreat in a cave (as mentioned by his cousin), he received the first revelation from God

through Arch-Angel Gabriel: this was the beginning of the mission of propagating the new religion. That very

day he mentioned the revelation to his cousin, ‘Alí bin Abi Tãlib who declared his acceptance of the faith.

After the Prophet returned home and told his wife of the revelation, she likewise accepted Islam. Soon after,

Zayd bin Hãritha (a loyal slave) also became a convert.

After this period, the Prophet began to propagate his mission openly. With the beginning of open

propagation the people of Mecca reacted most severely because the Islamic message of worshiping One God

and of equality among the believers without any distinction of race, or wealth. Most painful afflictions and

tortures were inflicted upon the Prophet and the new converts.

One of the persecutions was experienced by Bilal, a slave who had accepted Islam, he was tied to the

burning sand and a large stone was placed on his chest with the warning from his master that he would be left

in that state until he rejects Islam. But the only sound heard from Bilal’s lips was: One God! One God!

In Mecca, economic and social boycott was imposed on the Prophet and his family. Therefore, the
Prophet and his uncle, Abu Tãlib, along with their relatives, took refuge for three years in a fort in one of the

valleys of Mecca. No one had any dealings or transactions with them and they did not dare to leave their place

of refuge. While holding on to his belief, the Prophet left the place, his uncle Abu Tãlib, who was also his sole

protector, died. Henceforth there was neither the protection of his life nor any place of refuge.

Thereafter, the idol-worshipers of Mecca plotted to kill the Prophet. At night they surrounded his house

with the intent of forcing themselves in the house at the end of the night while he was in bed. But Almighty

God informed him of the plan and commanded him to leave for Medina. The Prophet asked ‘Alí to sleep in

his bed so that the enemy would not detect his absence; ‘Alí readily agreed to sacrifice his life for the Prophet

and slept in the Prophet’s bed. Then the Prophet left the house under Divine protection, passing amidst his

enemies, and taking refuge in a cave near Mecca. Days after, his enemies, having looked everywhere, gave up

hope of capturing him returned to Mecca. The Prophet left the cave and set out for Medina.

In Medina, 70 of the Prophet’s followers went ahead of him and waited for his coming while afraid of

the danger that might happened to him in Mecca. The people, whose leaders had already accepted the

message of the Prophet and sworn allegiance to him, welcomed him with open arms and with palm branches

in their hands. There, Prophet formed a small Islamic community and built his dwelling as the location chosen

by his camel. The people, placed their lives and property at his disposal and lived peacefully. The first

congregational worship was held where Bilal (slave) chosen to be the first “chanter” to call the people to

worship inside the hall. Islam began to grow and expand from day to day. The Muslims, who in Mecca were

caught of the injustice and inequity of their leader, gradually left their homes and property and migrated to

Medina.

The Meccans continued their attempts to destroy Islam. They continued to harass the Muslims who

remained in Mecca and also confiscated their properties and belongings. The leader of the Meccans, even sent

a letter to the Prophet threatening him of the attack by the Meccans. It was in response to such aggression that

Almighty God gave the permission to fight the unbelievers of Mecca. This led into three major battles in the
next years.

In the Battle of Badr, the Prophet with about 300 ill-equipped Muslims confronted a well-equipped

Meccan force of about 1000 soldiers. Though outnumbered, the Muslims were able to defeat the unbelievers

in their first armed encounter with the enemy. They lost the second (the Battle of Uhud) where his trusted

commander was killed by a slave by a sphere and died. They outlasted the third (The Battle of the Trench and

the Siege of Medina). After those major battles, a treaty was signed between the two sides, which recognized

the Muslims as a new force in Arabia and gave them freedom to move unmolested throughout Arabia. But the

Meccan allies breached the treaty a year later.

Along to what happened, they marched on Mecca, had their pilgrimage with the Prophet, and were

joined by tribe after tribe along the way. They entered Mecca without bloodshed and the Meccans, seeing the

tide had turned, joined them. There, they destroyed all the idols, and while doing so proclaimed that “God is a

Great God and there’s only one God but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God”, and thereafter,

declared Mecca as a Holy Place.

After the pilgrimage, he returned to Medina. In June 8 he died there. Within a hundred years

Muhammad's teaching and way of life had spread from the remote corners of Arabia and other countries of

the world.

The movie ended with the declaration of the Prophet saying, “Today, I have perfected your religion for

you and completed my favor toward you, and choose Islam as your religion.”
Reaction:

It is a mystery to me of what Muhammad looks like since he was not shown in this movie from the very

beginning. I find it hard to identify of who’s Muhammad in the characters shown in the movie until I resolved

to myself that maybe they don’t like to show the physical looks of Muhammad for it was not so important and

it would just create confusion for those who believed or make space for other critiques. His character and

teachings which was highlighted in this movie was more important than his looks.

The movie shown how Muhammad fought for his belief. Despite of his situation and status he continued

what he believed is right for he knew that it was revealed to him by God, and that’s what God wants him to

do. He just shown what’s important to him: God and the people(believers or not). Even persecutions arise and

had plots for his life, he was never shaken. This shows what the servants of God should be that even how

dangerous their task or situation maybe, even to death, their passion for God must not be moved for what

they’re doing is for God.

Muhammad’s work was not in vain. It created great impact to lives of the people, it changed and

continue changing the lives of others. God deserves our devotion and worship. Muhammad, just like the other

Prophets of God had demonstrated what a servant should be. As I look upon myself, of what I did or is doing

for God is not enough compared to the sacrifices they made. It inspires me to do more for God and made Him

known to people.

In our generation, it is easy to spread our faith compared to what Muhammad and other Prophets

experienced in their time. I was reminded that I should not be complacent as the time is running. And through

the movie, I realize that physical appearance is not that important but your character shown to others and how

you share your faith is more important. And as I evaluate myself and my life, I was in awe to see of who

really God is to me, He deserves my worship and my life. And through the profession that I’m pursuing as a

lawyer to be, I should not neglect God’s teaching and I should have to do things for God’s glory and honor.