The Perfect Role Model: The Prophet of Islam

Opposition to Superstition

Islam is the religion of knowledge, awareness and cognition. Seeking truth is interwoven in its essence. Therefore, it cannot be in agreement with ideas that are distant from reality, nor mere conjecture and superstition. Islam does not promote such things, nor does it remain silent concerning them. Rather, the message of this religion is opposition to erroneous ideas that are distant from reality.

The Great Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), who propagated this great message and implemented God's law, spent his entire lifetime guiding people to reality. He cautioned them of the danger of ideas that were not based on reality. His campaign against idol worship and the superstitious belief that idols administer the system of creation demonstrated that this prophet of God opposed invalid ideas.

Prior to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) appointment to prophethood, superstitious beliefs had cast a shadow over the land of Hijaz[^1] and had darkened the minds of its inhabitants. With the rising of the sun of Islam, many of these superstitions were removed from people's lives because abiding by the teachings of Islam necessitates that one act in contrast to the previously mentioned superstitions. Whatever remained of superstitious beliefs was removed from the hearts and minds of the people by the efforts of the Noble Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).

The following story has been mentioned in books of the Prophet's narrations. Even Sunni Muslims have narrated this story which clearly demonstrates the Noble Prophet's sensitivity towards superstition:

The Most Noble Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and his wife Mariyah Qibṭiyyah had a son named Ibrahim. The Most Noble Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) loved his son very much but the boy passed away when being eighteen months of age. The Most Noble Messenger, a man full of affection, was moved by this incident and he cried, "The heart burns, tears flow, O Ibrahim. We are sad because of you (r loss) but we will never say anything that contradicts contentment with the Lord."

The Muslims were upset that the dust of sadness had settled on his blessed heart. Coincidentally, that same day, there was a solar eclipse. The Muslims thought that this was a sign that the higher world was also mourning. This idea spread amongst the people of Madinah and men and women alike were saying: "The solar eclipse is due to the sadness that has come over the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family)."

Even though this caused the faith of the people to grow stronger, the Prophet did not want to take advantage of their vulnerabilities and ignorant thoughts so he went on the pulpit and proclaimed: "This solar eclipse was not due to my son ('s death). Solar and lunar eclipses are among God's signs."[^2]

[^1]: Modern Saudi Arabia.

[^2]: Seyri dar Sireh-ye Nabawi, p. 136.