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The second most important belief in Islam is the belief in Mohammad’s(pbuh) prophet hood. God conveyed His message through prophets to the mankind, and Mohammad(pbuh) being the last in this chain of prophets. In his case the divine message was conveyed by two means the Quran that God revealed to the Prophet in his own language, and the Sunnah of the prophet who is an unerring guide to man in respect of all that is permissible and all that is prohibited in the eyes of God.
Here it is worth to quote A.A. Maududi who says:
“Without this belief in prophet, belief in God would become a mere theoretical proposition. It is the example of practical leadership, and the ideological guidance provided by the prophet, which transforms belief in God in to a culture and a civilization’ and enables man to evolve away of life”.
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Need, significance and reality of Prophet hood: |
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We see there are many ways, theories, and practices about human life, to choose the correct one among, them is the basic need of man since other materialistic need of human being are fulfilled in more than one way. Further it is not possible for each and every human being to know the way of life his creator wants of him.
It is a matter of fact that the creator who has created numerous things for man’s earthly existence, will over-look his spiritual needs. And let him wonder in darkness?
God himself has the responsibility of guiding man and for this purpose. He sent His messengers. In the Quran chapter 16(Nahal) we read.
God alone can show The right path (Quran 16:9)
We see here that the creator. Himself has taken the Responsibility of guiding his creatures for righteous life. For this purpose there are various signs, which always leads to God. But there are some minds that are so obsessed with material things that they miss this spiritual pointer. God could have done this by either forcing all men to the right path forcibly but this is against His will and plan, hence He chose to train man’s free will through signs in nature and Revelation (of course through His messengers)
We further see verse 50 in chapter 20, which reminds us:
‘He said our Lord He who gave to each (Created) thing its form Then Gave (it) guidance. (Quran 20:50)
This was the answer given by prophet Moses to Pharaoh, which indicates that all things and beings are created by the only one God, from whom all these derive, their nature and form, including such free will and power as man has got. God not only created them all, but also is giving guidance to them through His signs and messengers.
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The only way of guidance: |
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According to an Islamic scholar, Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi The Quran has often stressed to know God, His attributes, His injunctions and His will, here it becomes unavoidable for men to believe in prophets. It is not possible to reach Him except through prophets, neither human reasoning, intellect nor his intuition, and will power nor any one individual nor collective efforts of many can discover the ways of God. He quotes the following Quranic verses in support of his arguments.
---‘’Praise be to God Who hath guided us To this (felicity); never Could we have found Guidance, had it not been For the guidance of God Indeed it was the truth That the messengers of our Lord Brought unto us --- (Quran 7:43)
Another objective of sending prophets is giving ‘glad tiding, and warning. (Quran 2:13 and other verses)
It is impossible for man to know the will of God except with the help of prophets. In the Quran God says:
He who obeys The messenger obeys God. (Quran 4:80)
In this connection we also see that prophets were sent for providinng guidance to human beings to ‘serve God and eschew Evil.’
Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments on this verse stating that “though there are everywhere signs of God, in man’s conscience and in nature to see right path, but God has sent human messenger to every people to call their attention the good and turn them from Evil.
We are told in the Quran that the last messenger was sent to rehearse them His sign, to purify them and to instruct them the Book and wisdom. There are four places in the Quran where such verses are mentioned they are in 2:129; 2:151; 3:164 and 62:2;
The following verse of The Quran draws our attention to still two more objectives of sending messenger besides ‘clear signs’ and the Book’. They are the “Balance” and ‘Iron’ (i.e. strong arm of law).
---We sent afore time Our messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the book and the balance. (Of right and wrong), that men May stand forth in justice; And we sent down iron In which is Great might, as well as Many benefits for mankind --- (Quran 57:25)
Abdullah Yusuf Ali aptly explains this verse as “three things mentioned here namely Book, the balance and the iron stands as emblems of three things which holds society together they are Revelation which commands Good and forbid Evil, Justice, which gives to each person his due, and the strong arm of Law, which maintains sanctions for evil-doers.” Abdullah Yusuf Ali further elaborates ‘balance’ as the God given gift of weighing all moral issues, all questions of right and wrong in conduct, and it is facility to judge between right and wrong .
We also need messenger for the clear explanation of teachings revealed to us by God ( Quran 16:44).
Messengers are excellent examples for human being to be followed. They are model of Godly teachings and hence a practical demonstrator of the revealed knowledge. (Quran 33:21; 3:31-32) This makes the task of believers easy and fool proof to reach their creator and obey Him.
We need messenger for commands about the just (maroof), evil (munkar) and what is lawful (Halal) and free from self-imposed restriction. (Quran 7:157).
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Messenger for every people: |
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Due to the significance of sending messenger, God spared no people (or nation) from prophets. (Quran 16:36)
This was in compliance of the self-imposed responsibility of God to guide human beings to His ways.
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Message of prophets: |
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This was one and the same, and it was:
- Worship none but God
- To warn against evil and to bring glad tidings of mercy and greed.
- Turn Him in repentance. (Quran 11:2-3)
Yusuf Ali comments in this regard that the message of prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was the message of all the Apostles.
Sheikh Mohammad Ghazali quotes ‘Sahebe Iqwanus-safa’ in this context:
“Many prophets passed, though there was great distance among them, their time periods varied, they speak different languages, Shariyah. and practices differed but the message (Dawah) they preached to their nations was the same. Their spirit, mind and aim all were one”.
In chapter Hud (i.e. No.11) verses 25, Prophet Noah was quoted by the Quran as saying:
“Many prophets passed, though there was great distance among them, their time periods varied, they speak different languages, Shariyah. and practices differed but the message (Dawah) they preached to their nations was the same. Their spirit, mind and aim all were one”.
In chapter Hud (i.e. No.11) verses 25, Prophet Noah was quoted by the Quran as saying:
“I have come to you as a clear Warner, that ye serve none but God.” (Quran 11:25)
Again in verse 50 of the same chapter Prohet Hud asks his people to worship God, ask for forgiveness of their Lord and turn to Him in repentance. Prophet Thamud repeated the same message. In verse 61 chapter 11.
Prophet Shuaib demands from his nation, besides the above-mentioned points the matter of just measuring and weighing 113(Quran 11:84-85, 90).
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All prophets were Human beings: |
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This was one and the same, and it was:
God has chosen man always as His messenger to mankind. These messengers were neither angles, nor jinn’s. They were men only. God says:
---Nor did we send before thee (As messengers) any but men. Whom we did
Inspire ---(Quran 12:109)
Even the opponents of prophet also recognized them as men, and on this ground only they disbelieved them. (Quran 14:10)
The messenger also confirmed that they are:
‘---True we are human like yourselves”---.(Quran 14:11)
This fact is mentioned in the Quran on umpteen places
“Many prophets passed, though there was great distance among them, their time periods varied, they speak different languages, Shariyah. and practices differed but the message (Dawah) they preached to their nations was the same. Their spirit, mind and aim all were one”.
In chapter Hud (i.e. No.11) verses 25, Prophet Noah was quoted by the Quran as saying:
“Many prophets passed, though there was great distance among them, their time periods varied, they speak different languages, Shariyah. and practices differed but the message (Dawah) they preached to their nations was the same. Their spirit, mind and aim all were one”.
In chapter Hud (i.e. No.11) verses 25, Prophet Noah was quoted by the Quran as saying:
“I have come to you as a clear Warner, that ye serve none but God.” (Quran 11:25)
Again in verse 50 of the same chapter Prohet Hud asks his people to worship God, ask for forgiveness of their Lord and turn to Him in repentance. Prophet Thamud repeated the same message. In verse 61 chapter 11.
Prophet Shuaib demands from his nation, besides the above-mentioned points the matter of just measuring and weighing 113(Quran 11:84-85, 90).
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Why messenger / prophet be a man? |
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If prophets were not men, then it would have become easier for the human beings to escape their following and obedience on the ground that since messenger is from a different species he can not have the idea of human psyche, nature, limitations and potentialities. It is not possible to follow divine message of the messenger if he is not a human being. This could be a sound reason for disbelieving the messenger, but God by choosing human beings as messenger to human beings, preempted the excuse.
The duties of a prophet are not confined only to transmit the divine message like a telephone wire, or fax page, but he has to give an authentic interpretation to the message of the Creator. They were expected to teach, preach, and guide.
Guidance to human beings could be done only by a human prophet. Since he has to set right human life, and apply the divine message to it. He himself has firstly to obey and become a living model of his teachings. He is supposed to organize and train the believers and to shape a society as ordained by God. He has to face enemies. All this and much more is to be done for human beings, and in human beings, than who other than man, could be a prophet? The Quran sums up this in the following verse:
(We sent them) with clear signs And scriptures And we have sent down Unto thee (also) the message That thou mayest explain clearly To men what is sent For them, and that they May give thought.(Quran 16:44)
Sadruddin Islahi has rightly commented that “If prophets were not appointed from mankind the very aim of prophet-hood would have been frustrated.
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Special Features of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): |
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- Firstly Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was sent towards all the men who are to come till the end of this universe.
- Secondly his prophet-hood is not confined to any particular tribe, clan, or geographical area nor it is confined to any particular period.
- Thirdly prophet Mohammad (pbuh) is the last messenger of God in the chain of messengers. This is why M.A.A. Maududi has rightly called him “Leader of the world”.
He further argues on this point and justifies his claim by giving four reasons:
- Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was engaged in welfare of the entire humanity.
- He propounded such principles for human life, which are helpful in solving all the problems of humanity.
- His teachings are universal and can be tested at any place and at any time. This has stood the test in the fifteen centuries and could do so till eternity.
- Lastly he not only propagated but also practiced those principles in his life, and on the basis of those principles he successfully revolutionized the lives of people.
The Quran also proclaims eternal universality of prophet-hood of prophet Mohammad (pbuh). As we see :
---That I may warn you And all whom it reaches ---. (Quran 6:19)
We further see in Holy the Quran chapter 34 ayah 28 as:
---We have not sent thee But as a (messenger) To all mankind ---. (Quran 34:28)
There are many more ‘ayahs’ in The Quran emphasizing the universality of his prophet-hood. The verses of the Quran 7:158; 21:107; 25:1; too reiterate on this theme. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) presented the ‘pure’ Deen, which was corrupted by the followers of other messengers who were sent before him. He repeated the message of earlier messengers to them. Besides the general duties, prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was supposed to perform certain special duties like ‘Rehearse the sign of God, to purify the lives of men, to instruct them about the Book and Wisdom; (Quran)
Mohammad (pbuh) preached the True ‘Deen which prevailed over all other religions. (Quran)
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The seal of all the prophets: |
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Prophet Mohammad’s(pbuh) prophet-hood has another unique feature, which distinguishes him from the other messengers of God. With him the chain of prophet hood (Risalat) and Revelation (wahy) has come to an end. God reveals this fact in the Quran by saying:
---The messenger of God, And the seal of prophets. And God has full knowledge Of all things. (Quran 33:40)
Here the Arabic word “Khatim” is used which means seal, and when an envelope or document is sealed nothing can be added to it. Hence with Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) ended the long line of messengers. The humanity till its end i. e. day of resurrection will not need any prophet other than Mohammad (pbuh) for Godly teachings. It may need thinkers and reformers in later stage and not the prophet, for interpretation of his massage. The reasons supporting this view are given below:
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Maturity of man, eternity and universality of message of prophet Mohammad (pbuh) : |
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According to Hasan Ayub Islamic Shariyah came at a time when man had attained maturity, therefore, God has ordained such a Shariyah which is suitable for the whole humanity for all times and all places, if it is accepted and adopted in its true spirit can solve all the problems confronted by humanity, and is capable of establishing peace in the world .
The reason for sending messenger one after other, could be:
- Either the teaching of first messenger were defunct and the need arose to present them afresh or;
- Teachings of the first prophet were incomplete and needed alteration and addition or;
- The teachings of the first messenger were for or a particular community time and place, or nation and needed another messenger for guidance
Now none, of the above reasons are relevant. Since the message of prophet Mohammad (pbuh), in the form of Holy Quran, the Book revealed on him, and his life (words and deeds) are completely transmitted without distortion, and are present as they were, at this juncture of history.
The Quran has been preserved word, by word so that it could be a source of guidance.
A brief description about preservation of the Quran by well-known Islamic Scholar Dr. Hamidulla is worth mentioning here:
- Firstly, the language of the Quran that is Arabic, is a pure divine language, free of human admixture, and is preserved in its original form. It is a living language today also, spoken, written, and understood by millions of people, the grammar, vocabulary, idioms, pronunciation and script is the same as it was at the time of its Revelation.
- Secondly prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was very much cautious about preserving the Quran from the beginning. He ordered his companions to write it down, further he encouraged and ordered to learn the Quran by heart and repeat it in prayers (salat).
Dr. M. Hamidullah also draws our attention towards the scholarly work of collation of the Quran done by the “Institute of Research on the Quran” Monique university- Germany where in 1933 more than 42,000 copies of The Quran from all corners of the world and of various time period were collated and the report which was released stated that, they found no difference of even a single word in these 42,000 copies of the Quran.
The same view is supported by Professor E. Montana of Manchester University and Noel eke- in Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Vol.1 p. P548-548.
This is bound to be so because God Himself has taken the responsibility of preserving His word since there was no messenger after Mohammad (pbuh) to be sent. The Quran says
We have without doubt Sent down the message; And we will assuredly Guard it (from corruption) (Quran 15:9).
It is interesting here to note some evidences from Orientals also. Sir William Moore says “all the sects in Islam read the same Quranic text from last twelve hundred years continuously without any difference in it. It is the surest proof that the Quran is preserved and is un-altered”.
Abdul Majed Daryabadi in his English commentary of the Quran has cited some more Orientals supporting this view such as Sherry, Palmer Lane Pole and others.
- Thirdly the religion’s Divine laws revealed to prophet Mohammad (pbuh) are perfect in every respect.
The Quran guides is in this regard as
“--- This day have I Perfected your religion For you, completed My favour upon you, And have chosen for you Islam as your religion ---. (Quran 5:3)
Sadrudddin Islahi while commenting on this verse says, “When God willed, to send such a prophet so as to end the chain of prophethood. He gave Mohammad (pbuh) such a ‘Deen’, which is universal and eternal, which addresses all the problems of man irrespective of time and space. This also means that Divine guidance which started from prophet Adam and which continued accumulation, and depth with the intellectual and cultural development of humanity, attained perfection that day.” (The day on which the verse were revealed)
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Contribution Of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) to “Humanity” |
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Before concluding this discussion let us examine in brief the contribution of prophet Mohammad (pbuh) to “humanity”.
He is very often called “The benefactor of humanity”, because:
First and foremost belief he proclaimed is oneness of God. This is a revolutionary, life giving and more convincing creed, humanity received through Prophet Mohammad(pbuh), which brought about historical change in the views of man. By accepting the fact that there is no God, but Allah, man becomes self reliant, courageous and rational believing being. This gave man to understand, to recognize his creator as the ‘supreme power’. By submitting to the true will of only one God, man was freed from servility of all other powers. Man recognized his pivoted position among the creations of God. He becomes aware of his worth and dignity and over and above elevated status.
The second great obligation on mankind was the concept of “equality and brotherhood” of all mankind. On the occasion of Prophet Mohammad’s (pbuh) last Haj (pilgrimage) he declared:
“O mankind your God is one and you have but one father you are all progeny of Adam and Adam was made of clay lo! The noblest among you in the sight of God is the best in conduct. No Arab has any preference over non-Arabs save by his piety.
Today we find the principle of human- equality enshrined in the constitution of number of countries, and United Nations Organization also proclaimed a charter of human right, the idea of equality as a human right was introduced fourteen centuries ago by Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). The lastHaj referred above where the prophet emphasized on human right took place on 9th zil-Hajj 10Hijri i.e. in the year 634 A.D.
The third great gift man received from Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was the concept of “human dignity”. As rightly pointed out by Abul-Hasan Ali Nadvi’ that during the dark ages before Islam made its appearance, none was more ignoble and humiliated than man. It was prophet Mohammad through whom men came to appreciate the fact that human beings are glorious creation of God, and is entitled too much regard, respect and honor than any other creature. The man stands next in rank only after God. God Himself declares in the Quran as:
---It is He who hath created for you All things that are on earth ---. (Quran 2:29).
Fourthly Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) gave a crystal clear theory about ‘salvation’, which says that man has complete freedom of action, man is made responsible for his deeds, and accordingly he will be rewarded or punished. The Quran emphasizes the principle that every man in his own redeemer in the following verse:
That man can have nothing But what he strive far That (the fruit of) his striving Will soon come in sight.(Quran53:39-40)
Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi says that message of salvation gave man a new confidence as master of his own destiny; He further writes, “the doctrine of forgiveness of sins is the most bounteous gift of Islam to mankind.
Another gift of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) is the concept of the unity of ‘spirit and matter’. The man was made conscious of the ultimate end of existence. To conclude we quote words of Abdul Hasan himself:
“The revolution and change in the manners and morals of people was indeed a miracle worked by the holy prophet of Islam the sum of his great gifts to mankind.
Before we wind up the discussion, it is worth to quote a paragraph by R.W. J. Austin, here about the prophet of Islam. He writes:
“As the final religion, Islam draws together many strands of truth expressed earlier in Judaic and Christian traditions, creating from the synthesis, the complete and final form of God’s religion, so the life of his prophet Mohammad (pbuh) unites in one man the differing truths about man revealed in these religions. The Mecca and Medina symbolize respectively the Judaic emphasis on law and community, and the Christian emphasis on the devotion of the individual soul to God. In his life he combines the duel roles of man a solitary and social being, as slave and vicegerent of God, as servant and messenger Prophet and King. He is the archetype or norm of humanity par excellence in whom all aspect of being unite at the center in perfect harmony and balance.”
Dr.Badarulislam
Aurangabad
Maharashtra
India.
Cell: 09860954935
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