Prophet Muhammad, inspired by God, can be considered the first real lawgiver in history. He laid the foundations for a just legal and ethical system in 7th century Arabia that set norms and standards for conduct that are still relevant today. Some of the key principles established included establishing monotheism, protecting religious freedom, establishing the first written constitution guaranteeing rights and self-governance, prohibiting the initiation of wars and establishing humane conduct even in wartime, and emphasizing compassion and justice in interpersonal and financial matters.

2. Prophet Muhammad, inspired
by God, can be considered the
first real lawgiver in history.
The laws and the ethical
system he laid 1400 years
ago rose a pagan ignorant
nation from the mire of
darkness to fly high.
What makes these law
unequal is that its suitability
to all the ages.
www.knowmuhammad.org

3. Spiritual
He taught that there is one God for
all mankind.
He presented the true monotheism
that all the previous prophets called
for.
He taught Muslims to believe in the
prophets and their original holy books.
www.knowmuhammad.org

4. As a Politician
He negotiated treaties with the Jews and the
pagans of Madinah( the then capital of the
Islamic state). These treaties were the first
written surviving constitution in the world.
This constitution guaranteed:
(1) Freedom of religion
(2) Self-governance
(3) Legal autonomy in all matters.
www.knowmuhammad.org

5. Continued
(4) The common defense of the
Islamic state.
(5) He declared the Jews, pagans,
and Muslims of that treaty to be
one nation.
www.knowmuhammad.org

6. Prophet Muhammad and the ethics of war
Never did he initiated a war and all his wars were
defensive
He prohibited cutting a tree, killing an animal unless
for food.
To him, war was the last ditch when all possible
peaceful means failed.
He ordered that prisoners should be fed, clothed
and given health care.
He prohibited killing a child or a woman during
military engagements.
He prohibited killing non-combatant.
So merciful that He declared that he ( the prophet)
will be an enemy to whoever hurts a Christian or a
Jew. www.knowmuhammad.org

7. He prohibited killing a sparrow and
what are bigger
He prohibited polluting water.
He declared that animals should not
be made hungry.
He declared that animals should not
be killed unless for food.
He declared that an Animal should
not be slaughtered before another.
He declared that an animal should
be slain with a sharp knife.
www.knowmuhammad.org

8. As to the Moral behavior
He stressed the importance of the
personal cleanliness; preservation and
nourishment of all life forms, including
plants and animals; rituals and
spirituality of prayers; fasting and
charity; righteous conduct and good
deeds; and rights of parents, children,
spouses, and neighbors.
www.knowmuhammad.org

9. As to the Interpersonal Relations:
Teaching to enhance human relations and to
avoid breaking relationships; encouraging
mutual consultation in all affairs; prohibiting
bigotry and racism; emphasizing kindness
and hospitality toward others, especially the
weak and the poor; and drying the roots of
slavery; considering slaves to be brothers and
sisters and giving the same clothes and foods
of the slaveholders.
www.knowmuhammad.org

10. As to the financial guidelines:
He encouraged charity,
He stressed the rights of the poor
He stressed the respect for workers,
and rejected exploitation; and
circulation of wealth among all
classes.
He stressed the personal rules and
laws regarding privacy, gender
relations, marriage, divorce, and
inheritance.
www.knowmuhammad.org

11. As to the Criminal laws implementing the
Less than two percent of Quranic verses
deal with the criminal law of Islam, which is
a part of the Sharia but not the totality of it.
The Prophet asked his judges to make things easy
for people, not difficult.
He declared all sins forgivable as long as a person
asks God’s forgiveness and that of the one who
has been wronged.
The Prophet gave special emphasis to honoring
treaties, standing up for justice, and opposing
oppression.
www.knowmuhammad.org