I wonder, how many of you actually prayed, while looking up the sky?
I did it all the time but I had never heard of this hadith. But if this hadith had been given to me while I prayed I would have thought it's the Prophet's way of teaching the Arabs of that time; how not do something and using a superstition or an allegory as an educational tool. I would wonder how this method applies to us today, being less superstitious, and as I grew more bold in free-thought how this is an effective method, being that it's a scare-tactic. However, I would leave it at that. He knows best because God guides him. But it's not a convincing reason in any shape or form, and it made my prayer's "better" if I looked up to the sky.
I think there is also hadith where you shouldn't close your eyes. Again, not told why.
Now looking back on this it seems more likely that he was superstitious, because almost all of his teachings if not in fact ALL of them were and are drenched in superstition and fear. Always invoking supernatural beings such as devil, angels, jinns, magic and god. Invisible beings. With no correlation to natural reasons or physical laws. He never really, at least not convincingly, demonstrated an ability to go beyond the understandings of his contemporaries.
I think he was a man, that believed in God, Allah to be exact, was very frightened of hell, he made himself believe he was an actual prophet, he might have started humble but became power-hungry. He was man that was ridiculed by own people, so I doubt very much he had a high standing. He was poor before Khadija, he was a man of a quick temper, a child that was moved around from family to family. Witnessing heartbreak after heartbreak. He was a man that probably was disgusted with the assocation of God, and maybe, or very likely, jealous of the religious Jews and Christians. He loved women but only for sexual reasons, I doubt he had a way of connecting to them emotionally, at least I can't see it. Maybe in Fatima's case, but that was his own daughter. He wanted a son and the one's that were born died. But I never read one hadith or saying where he is angry to Allah about this, so he was at least consistent in his beliefs in regards to loss of children and pain.
He would get mad if challenged and not offer any coherent arguments or explanations when questioned or challenged. He was a man that stood by his friends, even when they committed wrongs, and not only stood by them but would ply the previous rules and accommodate them and abrogate them or invoke Allah to assist him in these matters. He was also a man of contradictory nature when he wanted something from his friends, breaking traditions and invoking God.
He tried to make a unified nation, unified tribe, and asked for respect in this tribe but not anybody outside the tribe.
There is nothing of him doing scientific experiments, or philosophical thoughts, or even having refined debating skills, seeing how it took him 10-12 years to move from Mecca. And he had only 70 or so believers.
He hated poets, but recited poetry, and this was OK because it was divine poetry. But even at an artistic level people were not moved. Instead of challenging poets with poetry he had them assassinated, or ridiculed them. His closest friends were often ill-tempered and had personality traits congruent of that time and place. Not very civilized personalities. Certainly not in a modern aspect. One can say a lot about you from the company you keep.
All this and I am yet to read his biography, completely that is. I can't wait
Addendum:
The fact that there are only two practical things I have taken from Islam, and surely the latter doesn't even seem to come from the teachings of the Prophet but rather something cultural, speaks volumes. One, I have started to love and respect my parents and family more, appreciating them more. Two, I still wash my ass with water and toilet-paper.
I have since I started questioning religion with an almost religious fervor begun to love my parents even more because I no longer feel forced to follow what they tell me, and if they tell me to do something, even unrelated to Islam I know it's them being parents. They will ALWAYS be parents first and foremost, but at least I understand them better now. That might be due to me growing up regardless of my current irreligious beliefs but it might also be factored in by me understanding religion better. I no longer feel guilty if I do not do as they wish, no longer feel the disappointment or wrath from Allah because I listen to myself and do what I please. Now, when they say something that I after reflection, see as beneficial, I will turn to it, because I want to. I am grown man, not a small boy, or an angry adolescent. So respect my authoritah!
Topic: Mohammed's Believe it Or Else! Funny comic