alt="image"/> al-Baqarah 2:253
Rather, Allah promised him the highest reward imaginable – that of elevating him to the station of praise and glory:
Your Lord will raise you to the rank of praise and glory.
(al-Isrā’ 17:79)
And We have exalted your fame.
(al-Inshirāḥ 94:4)
Another of his distinctions is that he is the last Messenger in the chain of Allah’s envoys. What this signifies is that Islam as revealed to and preached by him will serve as the final message for all time to come. The universality and timelessness of his mission are special to him, (Muḥammad 47:18 and al-Aḥzāb 33:40). As part of His grand plan for the guidance of mankind, Allah sent the Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) down as the mercy for all the worlds, (al-Anbiyā’ 21:107). Abiding by his directives amounts to obeying Allah. This underscores his pivotal position in matters of faith. Ḥadīth and Sunnah, his sayings and deeds respectively, are therefore, of the utmost importance in Islam and constitute the primary sources of faith. The Qur’ān commands Muslims to obey him unquestioningly:
And obey Allah and the Messenger, that you may obtain His mercy.
(Āl ‘Imrān 3:132)
He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah.
(al-Nisā’ 4:80)
He that obeys Allah and His Messenger attains the highest achievement.
(al-Aḥzāb 33:71)
Of similar import are the following passages, al-Mā’idah 5:92, al-Anfāl 8:2 and 64, al-Tawbah 9:71, al-Nūr 24:54, Muḥammad 47:33 and al-Taghābun 64:12.
Notwithstanding his many special features, the Prophet is a mortal human being, a servant of Allah, chosen by Him to convey His message to man. He does not share any trait of divinity. Nor does he have access to the realm of the Unseen which is only Allah’s prerogative. The Islamic concept of messengership is marked by balance and moderation. Unlike Christianity, it does not elevate the Prophet to Godhead. And, unlike some other faiths, it does not project a tainted picture of messengers, given to worldliness and vice. In keeping with its cardinal principle of monotheism, the Qur’ān denies any suprahuman feature to him:
[O Muḥammad] Say: “I do not tell you that the treasures of Allah are with me. Nor do I know what is hidden. Nor do I tell you that I am an angel.”
(al-An‘ām 6:50)
They ask you concerning the Hour – when it is to come. Say: “Its knowledge is with my Lord alone. None can disclose its time but He” … Say: “I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah wills. Had I knowledge of the Unseen, I would have amassed all good and no evil should have ever touched me. I am only a warner and bring glad tidings to the people who believe.”
(al-A‘rāf 7:187-188)
The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) devoted himself heart and soul to the mission of Islam and achieved great success notwithstanding stiff opposition, in transforming the polytheistic Arabs into champions of monotheism. He drew upon every conceivable means for articulating the truth of Islam. His concern was so deep felt that he cried over the prospect of the inevitable divine punishment for those Arab unbelievers who refused to embrace Islam. The Qur’ān, however, directed him not to grieve so much about the miserable fate of such unbelievers:
Perhaps you will kill yourself with grief because they do not become believers.
(al-Shu‘arā’ 26:3)
The Makkan unbelievers asked him to produce a miracle which they could see with their own eyes. They were told to look around them in that Allah’s distinct signs are scattered everywhere. He was, nonetheless, granted the miracle which we know as the Qur’ān. For it embodies the light of Allah’s guidance and mercy.
The Qur’ān recounts the prophecies about the Prophet Muḥammad’s advent which featured in the earlier Scriptures, especially the Torah and the Gospels. Take this as illustrative:
And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah sent to you, confirming the Torah, which came before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me. His name shall be Aḥmad.”
(al-Ṣaff 61:6)
Even in the face of such clear pronouncements in their own holy Books about the Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the Jews and Christians of the day rejected and opposed him. They did so for their own selfish ends. For the radical message of Islam was set to destroy their vested interests, their degenerate way of life and their clergy that abused religion for pecuniary gain. However, Allah promised and sent His help to the Prophet. For example, when the unbelieving Makkans mocked him for being without a son, Allah consoled and comforted him:
To you We have granted al-Kawthar. Turn to your Lord in prayer and sacrifice. For he who hates you will be cut off [from future hope].
(al-Kawthar 108:1-4)
Allah blessed him with an overwhelming victory over the unbelievers, the Jews and Christians. Millions accepted Islam and country after country was won over to the Caliphs, who succeeded the Prophet, to lead the community of believers. As for the Prophet himself, he devoted more and more of his time to glorifying Allah and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. As to the exalted rank which he enjoys in Allah’s sight, the following Qur’ānic passage is instructive:
Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O Believers! Send your blessings upon him and salute him with all respect.
(al-Aḥzāb 33:56)
Allah
