Non-Muslims: Muhammad as a Teacher/Buddha/Yogi?

[Egyptian Phoenix]

Okay, let's discuss Muhammad. I obviously don't believe Muhammad is a prophet, but could he be a teacher? Did Muhammad teach anything good worth immitating even by non-Muslims?

[*Anne*]

I just started reading about Islam, so I haven't got much to go on at this point. What little I have read about him sounds positive.

[Egyptian Phoenix]

Well, Muhammad did bring something new to the Arab world anne, even if he brought nothing new to others. That makes him worthy of some recognition. He brought unity to a previously divided and nomadic Arab world.

[Madhuri]

I was brought up with the idea that he was here by God's will and I have also read that he was a demon reincarnated here to trick people but I honestly don't trust either these 'sources' anymore and tend to be fairly neutral toward him.

[Egyptian Phoenix]

I tend to be fairly neutral toward him Madhuri. I'm not a Muslim and I don't accept he was a prophet. I've studied enough to know he taught some good things, he even taught some things very much like other spiritual masters taught. He said that Allah is nearer to a man then his jugular vein, and that if you look in either of the four directions, Allah is ever before the believer and transgressor alike, requiting their deeds to them. Sounds like karma to me.

[K.Venugopal]

All spiritual activities are eventually only towards experiencing the totality or God within us. The process towards this experience begins with meditation or the turning within. This is what all spiritual people did as did Mohammad when he went to meditate in the mountains of Hira. Scriptures are born out of the understanding of such people in their higher states of consciousness. Therefore to say that scriptures are from God is not untrue. But there would not have been any scriptures unless there was first an aspirant taking to meditation. Of course, not all spiritually enlightened people have chosen to craft scriptures. Many work through other mediums to share their higher understanding.

[no-body]

I find the Koran to have some very beautiful passages and teachings on life. Unlike Jesus thought I wouldn't go as far to say that Muhammad was a Bodhisattva, I see him as just a wise poet.

There are passages where Allah conveniently sides with Muhammad on things, if I remember right something about his bad breath and an argument between his wives. Seems like really petty stuff for God to intervene in.

The true beauty of Islam to me is in Sufism. Rumi et al are a lot more inspirational.

[fallingblood]

I have to say that if one would consider Jesus a prophet, then Muhammad has as much right to the title. If one is to believe the Quran, or the Islamic faith, Muhammad is, by definition a prophet. To deny Muhammad the title of prophet, in my opinion, is equal to calling the Islamic faith a lie.

That being said, I believe Muhammad is a much a prophet as the Old Testament prophets. I do not see it possible to discredit Muhammad while making acceptations for other so called prophets.

I do see some of his teachings to be a benefit though. I don't see them as fully original, and I would propose that much of what he said was adopted from Christianity, and other outside influences. None the less though, I can see some benefit in what he taught.

[fatima_bintu_islam]

Originally Posted by *Anne*

I just started reading about Islam, so I haven't got much to go on at this point. What little I have read about him sounds positive.

I know it states 'non-muslim', but I just wanted to put 2 links for those who dont know what the prophet sallalahu 'alayhi wassalam taught:

Hadith (Sayings of the Prophet pbuh)

And this one:
Discover Islam ...

Hope it helps.
Best regards

[Egyptian Phoenix]

Well falling blood it's just that I'm not really sure I believe in "prophets" period. I believe in teachers and sages.