The word Muhammad means the one who is highly praised. The status of a speaker changes the value
of the statement, and Prophet Muhammad (SW) was praised extensively by Allah (ST). Prophet
Muhammad (SW) is the first Muslim (Surah al-An’ aam Verse-163)۔ Allah (ST) states, “۔ ۔ ۔there has come
to you light ( نور (and a clear Book from Allah“ (Surah Maaida Verse-15), i.e., the Prophet (SW) is human
species but light ( نر (in reality, as such He (SW) didn’t have a shadow.
Allah (ST) first imparted knowledge of Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (SW) and then created Al-Insaan
(man made from clay) (Surah ar-Rahman Verse-2 & 3). At the time of creation of Prophet Adam (ES),
Prophet Muhammad (SW) was at an exalted status [Aa-leen عالین) [Surah Saad Verse-75). Allah (ST) took
solemn covenant of prophethood from all prophets and (particularly) Him (SW) (Surah al-Ahzaab Verse-7);
moreover, all prophets have belief in Him (SW) (Surah aal-e-Imran Verse-81). Prophet Eysa (ES) gave the
glad tidings of a messenger to come whose name shall be Ahmad (Surah as-Saff Verse-6); however, He
(SW) was named Muhammad (stated four times in Qur’an) by his highness Abd al-Muttalib. He (SW) was
born in fine personalities of true believers (momineen) because, “. . . the custodians of Ka’aba are pious . .
.” (Surah al-Anfaal Verse-34). Both his highness Abd al-Muttalib and Abu Talib were custodian of Kabah
and followers of Upright religion (Deen-e-Hanif). Moreover, Allah (ST) kept His (SW) family lineage in
those who prostrate before Allah (ST) (Surah Shu’aara Verse-219). As such, His (SW) ancestral lineage is
supreme. Allah (ST) sent Him (SW) as a messenger and His (SW) prophethood is also referred in Torah
and Bible (Injeel) (Surah al-A’ araaf Verse-157). Allah (ST) used the term Ummi for Him (SW) which
implies that He (SW) didn’t gained knowledge from any worldly source but was imparted knowledge by
Allah (ST) (Surah al-A’ araaf Verse-158). Allah (SW) revealed, the book (Qur’an) to Him (SW) explaining
all matters, a Guide, a Mercy and Glad Tidings for the Muslims (Surah an-Nahl Verse-89), and sent Him
(SW) with the religion of truth (haq) (Surah al-Fath Verse-28). He (SW): is on the straight path (Surah
Yaseen Verse-4); conforms to the sublime morality (Surah al-Qalam Verse-4); is sent as a witness, bearer
of good news, a warner and a light-giving torch (Surah al-Ahzaab Verse-45 & 46); a mercy for all beings
(Surah al-Anbiya Verse-107); and is superior authority (mawla) on all true believers (momineen) (Surah al-
Ahzaab Verse-6). He (SW) is firmly established and therefore, is an infallible (ma-soom) (Surah al-Israa
Verse-74). The Prophet (SW) was sent as irrefutable proof (براہن ( of Allah (ST) (Surah an-Nisaa Verse-174).
Since, the validity of a claim depends on its evidence i.e., the stronger the evidence, the stronger is the
claim; therefore, for belief in the presence of Allah (ST) it is necessary to believe that Prophet Muhammad
(SW) is present as It is testified daily in the Adhan that, ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’ Moreover,
Allah (ST) states, “On that day (Doomsday) We shall bring a witness for the people from amongst
themselves and We shall bring thee (Muhammad) as a witness on all of them . . .” (Surah an-Nahl Verse-
89).
For Prophet Muhammad Allah (SW) says: His (SW) spoken words (Surah an-Najm Verse-3); Belief in
Him (SW) (Surah al-Fath Verse-9); allegiance to Him (SW) (Surah al-Fath Verse-10); His (SW) authority
(Surah al-Maaida Verse-55); His (SW) obedience (Surah al-Ahzaab Verse-31); His (SW) opposition (Surah
at-Tawba Verse-63); betrayal of His (SW) trust (Surah al-Anfaal Verse-27); His (SW) bounty (Surah at-
Tawaba Verse-59); His (SW) decree (Surah al-Ahzaab Verse-36); His (SW) command (Surah al-Anfaal
Verse-24); His (SW) path (Surah ash-Shura Verse-52 & 53); His (SW) promise (Surah al-Ahzaab Verse-
22); His (SW) hand (Surah al-Anfaal Verse-17); His (SW) share (5th part of Booty) (Surah al-Anfaal Verse-
41); to reject Him (SW) (Surah at-Tawba Verse-54) and His (SW) defiance (Surah al-An’aam Verse-33)
are traits intrinsically integrated with Him (ST). Allah (ST) never disassociated Him (SW) nor was ever
displeased with Him (SW) (Surah ad-Duha Verse-3). Moreover, in the narration of the incident of
Ascension, Allah (ST) states, “Then He (Muhammad) came near and advanced, so that He was at a
distance of two bows length or even less and saw most profound signs of His Rab (Creator, Sustainer &
guide)” (Surah an-Najm Verse-8, 9 & 18). Moreover, to consider the Prophet (SW) outside the realm of
prophethood at any time, i.e., to have partial belief in the Messenger (SW), leading to another path
between faith and disbelief, is true disbelief (Surah al-Nisaa Verse-150 & 151). Prophet Muhammad (SW)
and Aallay Muhammad (His purified progeny), are in ever closeness (Qurb) to Allah (ST), and He (ST)
directs the believers to seek their closeness (Surah al-Ahzaab Verse-56).
Qur’an was revealed on His (SW) heart (Surah al-Baqara Verse-97). Allah (ST), says, “If Qur’an was
sent down on the mountains they would have perished . . .” (Surah al-Hashar Verse-21), i.e., He (SW) is at
the apex of steadfastness. Allah (ST) displayed affection by swearing: His (SW) life (Surah al-Hijr Verse-
72); to His (SW) prophethood (Surah Yaseen Verses-1&3); to His (SW) morality (Surah al-Qlam Verse-4);
to city of Makka where He (SW) resided (Surah al-Balad Verses-1, 2). Allah (ST): exalted His (SW) esteem
(Surah al-Inshira Verse-4); directed the believers to assist and honour Him (SW) (Surah al-Fath Verse-9);
and instructed the believers not to put themselves forward before the Prophet (SW) and not to address
Him (SW) in a high tone (Surah al-Hujraat Verses-1 & 2)۔ The Prophet (SW) has greater claim on the lives
of the true believers than they have on themselves (Surah al-Ahzaab Verse-6). Moreover Allah (ST) states,
“But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between
them, and find in their souls no resistance against Thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest
conviction” (Surah an-Nisaa Verse-65). Allah (ST) addressed: all the prophets with their names in Qur’an
but addressed Prophet Muhammad (SW) with titles (Yaseen, Muzzamil, Muddaththir, Taa-Haa); the
Prophet(SW) in Qur’an as Your (Muhammad’s) Rab 211 times and the Rab of the people 15 times.
Moreover, Allah (ST) commanded the believers to always response promptly to the call of the Prophet
(SW) (Surah al-Anfaal Verse-24). Replying to the taunts of His (SW) enemies, Allah (ST) said, “And He
(Muhammad) is not insane and nor what (He) recites is poetry” (Surah at-Takwir Verse-22, al-Haaqa
Verse-41). Allah (ST) afflicted wrath on His (SW) uncle Abu Lahab, a bitter enemy (Surah al-Lahab).
Those who offend the Prophet (SW), Allah (ST) curses them in this world and the Hereafter (Surah al-
Ahzaab verse-57). Moreover, Allah (ST) bestowed Prophet Muhammad (SW) with infinite abundance in
growth and profit (Surah Kawthar).
The Prophet (SW) asked no reward for the toils of prophethood from the Muslims (Umma), but to display
the apex of loyalty (muwaddat) to His (SW) near of Kin (Surah ash-Shura Verse-23). Muwaddat for qurba
(near of kin) is like fish in water, outside water it has no life! Moreover, muwaddat pertains to honour.
When asked about His (SW) near of kin (aqraba), Prophet Muhammad (SW) took names of Ali, Fatima,
Hassan and Hussain (Sahih Muslim, Masnad ibny Humbal, Tafseer-e-Kashaf, and Tafseer Durr al
Manthur).
In 9th Hijra When the deliberations on the birth of Prophet Eysa (ES) with the Christians of Najran did not
succeed, Allah (ST) commanded, “But whoever disputes with you in this matter (Jesus’ fatherhood) after
(complete) knowledge Hath come to thee, say: Come! let us gather together our sons and your sons, our
women and your women, our closest men (Nafoos) and your closest men, then let us earnestly pray for the
curse of Allah on the liars” (Surah aal-e-Imran Verse-61), and the Prophet (SW) invited the Christians for
the contest (mubahylah). In this open contest when the Prophet (SW) had 9 wives and His (SW) son
Ibrahim was alive, the Prophet (SW) in this contest of truth (there are three types of contests: deliberations,
sword and truth), ONLY took highly truthful personalities (صدیق} (Mawla Ali, Imam Hassan and Hussain
(ES) and Lady Fatima (SE). Seeing subject personalities the Christians’ chief priest Abdul Masih refused to
do mubahylah and accepted to pay a nominal tax (jizya). Moreover, in the house of Ummay Salma (RA)
wife of the Prophet (SW) when the purification clause was revealed, “Exclusively, Allah intends to keep off
from you all impurities, O you Ahlul Bayt and keep you at the apex of purity” (Surah al-Ahzaab Verse-33),
the same personalities were with the Prophet (SW) under the mantle. The Prophet (SW) said, “My Ahlul
Bayt are like ark of Nuh, who so ever comes on board would gain salvation and who remained away would
drown and perish” and that “Hussain is from Me and I am from Hussain” (Sihah Sittah). Certainly the life of
Prophet Muhammad (SW) is an excellent example for him who hopes in Allah (ST) and the latter day and
consistently remembers Him (ST) (Surah al-Ahzaab Verse-21).
VOICE OF ISLAM MONTREAL CANADA