MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, BANTUL – In a thought-provoking speech at the opening of the Training of Trainer (ToT) of the Muhammadiyah Council for Islamic Propagation on Wednesday (January 24), Chairman of Muhammadiyah Saad Ibrahim delved into the Prophet Muhammad’s remarkable missionary journey, highlighting not just his theological leadership but also his crucial role as a political leader.
Saad’s address focused on the significance of the Prophet’s migration to Yathrib, later known as Medina. This move, he emphasized, wasn’t merely a shift in geographical location but a pivotal step that transcended religious leadership and thrust the Prophet into the realm of political leadership.
“Before the victory in Mecca,” Saad explained, “there was the transformative event of Fathu Yathrib, marking a crucial turning point in the Prophet’s position.” This pivotal moment paved the way for the ultimate test – the Battle of Badr, fought a few years after the migration.
Facing overwhelming odds – 300 Muslims against over 1000 Quraishi soldiers – the outcome of this battle hung precariously in the balance. Yet, their triumph proved to be a defining moment, not just securing victory but also bolstering the faith of the nascent Muslims.
“The Battle of Badr wasn’t just a battle; it was a turning point in the very future of Islam,” Saad declared. “The Prophet himself said that had they lost, there might not have been anyone left to worship Allah.”
The years that followed witnessed remarkable growth. By the time of the Farewell Pilgrimage, eight years after Badr, the Muslim community had swelled to an astounding 114,000. The Quran itself immortalizes this achievement as the culmination of the Prophet’s mission: “… This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion” (Al-Ma’idah: 3).
From the early days of preaching in Mecca to the political transformation in Medina, and ultimately to the triumphs and rapid expansion witnessed during the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet’s journey stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the transformative potential of leadership. For Muslims everywhere, it serves as a source of inspiration and guidance, reminding them of the unwavering commitment and strategic vision that laid the foundation for their faith and way of life.
