Have you ever thought about this, everyone? "When the world is in such chaos, what should a single leader do?"
Around 570 AD, the Arabian Peninsula was truly a scene of pandemonium.
Endless slaughter between tribes, ruthless exploitation of the weak, and the lives of ordinary people ruined by usury...
It is as if we are looking at a cross-section of the harsh modern society we face today.
It was right there that Muhammad, one of the most influential figures in human history, emerged.
He was not merely a person who opened the door to religion. He was a great thinker, politician, and social reformer ahead of his time.
Surprisingly, the first thing Muhammad proclaimed was 'equality.'
It was a revolutionary declaration that was unimaginable by the common sense of the time.Values more important than blood ties:In a closed, tribe-centered society, he proclaimed an end to conflict by emphasizing that "all believers are brothers."
Establishment of a social safety net:He strictly limited usury and institutionalized poverty relief and orphan protection.
This amounts to implementing the modern concept of 'social welfare' 1,400 years ago.
The Path to Slave Emancipation: To wipe away the tears of the oppressed, he encouraged the emancipation of slaves and codified treatment with dignity.
The most modern aspect of Muhammad's reforms is the 'family system.'
This holds significant implications for us Koreans, who possess Confucian traditions and a history of patriarchy.
Respect for Voluntary Choice: He established the principle of respecting the wishes of both men and women in marriage.
Economic Independence of Women: He granted women inheritance rights, which was groundbreaking for the time. This was a great advancement that recognized women as independent economic agents.
Guarantee of the Right to Remarriage: He cared for the lives of the marginalized by establishing a legal basis that allowed women who had lost their husbands (widows) to remarry with dignity after a designated mourning period.
In the barren desert, commerce was a matter of survival. While ruling Medina, Muhammad established commercial ethics similar to today's 'fair trade.'
"Stop evil and encourage good. Honesty and justice are the roots of society.
He not only excelled as a military strategist but also rectified the order of the community by enacting comprehensive laws encompassing civil, criminal, and commercial matters.
The 'Hadith,' containing his words and deeds, transcended being mere religious texts to become a guide for life and a manual for the operation of society.
Historians praise him as an indispensable giant in the history of human civilization.
However, the true value we should learn from him is not the record of grandiose victories.
It is precisely 'inclusive leadership' and 'justice in action.'
Muhammad, who did not turn a blind eye to the suffering of his neighbors and tore down the walls of vested interests to find a way for everyone to coexist.To us, who are past the midpoint of our lives and must become mentors and leaders to others,
his life offers a profound resonance regarding "what the role of a true adult is."
