Given the unbelievable insensitive nature of some of the cartoons being published that depict one of the great contributors to human civilization, I am reminded of something I read ten years ago.
First one needs to remember the climate in which Muhammad lived.
Muhammad appeared in the desert of Hijaz in the Arab Peninsula, which was a desolate, sterile wilderness, sandy and uninhabited. Some parts, like Mecca and Medina, are extremely hot.Pg 22(1)
The people that Muhammad lived with were gripped in the deepest of savagery and barbarism.
the people are nomads with the manners and customs of dwellers in the desert, and entirely destitute of education and science. The Banu-Tamim tribe would bury their daughters alive, glorying in it as an honorable thing to do. Thus many of the men would threaten their wives, saying, "if a daughter is born to you, I will kill you."Pg.19 (1)
The mission of the Best Beloved Muhammad can only be described as the work of the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, a work that should be likened to a return of the Christ.
His message of love and community and some scientific fact to these people was met with the severest oppression and cruelty as the nomadic tribes united against him.
The first question which He put to them was, "Why do you not accept the Pentateuch and the Gospel, and why do you not believe in Christ and in Moses?" They argued," Our forefathers did not believe in the Pentateuch and the Gospel."
In such a country, and amidst such barbarous tribes, an illiterate Man produced a book in which, in a perfect and eloquent style, he explained the divine attributes and perfections, the prophethood of the messengers of God, the divine laws and some scientific facts.Pg.23-23 (1)
Muhammad's contribution to humanity is well documented and worthy of everyone's respect. During the middle ages, While Europe was in the lowest depths of barbarism , the Arab peoples were superior to the other nations in learning, in the arts, mathematics, civilization, government and other sciences.
Our Best Beloved Muhammad was the Enlightener and Educator of these different Arab tribes, A Founder of the nation state form of government and Illuminator of human perfections through justice, a corner stone of western civilization.
I'll end this post with Muhammad's direction to his followers about a community of Christian people that lived in Najran and were under his care and protection.
"If anyone infringes on their rights, I myself will be his enemy, and in the presence of God I will bring a charge against him." In the edicts that He promulgated it is clearly stated that the lives, properties and honor of the Christians and Jews are under the protection of God.Pg.21(1)
(1) Some Answered Questions; Abdul Baha,1964 Bahai Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois