Respect

One of the things about the way people are made

is that some of them are more powerful than others

in all sorts of different ways.

Some have more powerful voices.

Some have stronger will-power.

Some have the power that comes with lots of money,

and some have the power that comes with stronger muscles.

And those who are stronger don't really have to ask for what they want from those who are weaker.

They can ignore those who are weaker and just take whatever they want if they so choose.

The weak aren't strong enough to do anything about it.

So the strong are always tempted to use their strength to get their own way.

But just because they are stronger doesn't mean that they always know what is best.

Only God always knows what is best for us.

So Muslims have to remember that even when they are stronger that doesn't mean that they are right.

It is important for them to listen to the opinions of other people and give them respect.

Even though he was the ruler of his community,

Muhammad the Messenger didn't just listen to the most powerful of his subjects.

He sat and talked with the poor people to hear what they had to say.

He made sure that they were being looked after, and tried to help them when he could.

And no matter how poor and simple their lives he always gave them respect.

He knew that what is truly important in people is not their wealth and power, but the goodness in their hearts.

We all know those who use their strength to force other people to do things against their will.

We usually call them bullies.

And Muslims know that you should only use force to protect the weak against the strong.

This is Justice.

Muhammad said that you should use your strength to keep people from doing wrong, and hurting themselves and each other.

But God tells us in the Qur'an that we must not even try to use force to make other people become Muslim.

Muhammad showed us the truth

that if you want people to give you love and respect,

the way to get that is to love and respect other people.

Because of the way that he behaved, he was the most loved and respected of men,

and even though he is long dead, Muslims still show him that same love and respect his memory.

Muslims all over the world remind themselves of the way they should behave, by remembering the behaviour of Muhammad, the Messenger of God.

And still they show him respect in the way that Muslims have done throughout history,

in the same way that his friends and companions did when he was alive.

Lots of people are called Muhammad.

It is one of the most common names in the world.

But when Muslims around the world talk of Muhammad the Messenger of God,

they still wish him peace,

and God's blessings to be upon him,

when they say his name.

How did the Messenger behave with children?