Divine Light

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

Divine Light

Dr. Mohammad Abdul Hai


The pre-eminence of the Holy Prophet Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) and the perfection of his prophethood are abundantly borne out by the Holy QURAAN and Allah. Praise and esteem to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is everywhere in the Holy Books.


ALLAH bestowed on His (accredited) Prophet Muhammad, a special distinction among all the prophets and Messengers. He chose him to be the leader of the prophets and made his holy person a model for the world. It is for this reason that ALLAH has Himself undertaken in His Book to introduce him and proclaim his excellent merits to mankind as will be observed from the verses of the Holy QURAAN:
28. “He it is Who sent his apostle with the guidance and the true religion that he may make it prevail over all other religions, and ALLAH sufficeth as a Witness.”
29. “Muhammad is the Messenger of ALLAH. And those who are with him are stem against the infidels merciful among themselves; Thou beholdest them bowing down and falling prostrate, seeking grace from ALLAH and His goodwill.” [Surah Al-Fath, 48:28, 29]
164. “Assuredly ALLAH hath conferred a benefit on the believers when He raised up unto them an a Messenger from amongst themselves, he rehearseth unto them His revelations and puhfieth them and teacheth them the Book and Wisdom.” [Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:164]


Further elucidation
157. “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet whom they find mentioned in the Taurat and the Injil; he biddeth them to the seemly and prohibiteth unto them the unseemly, alloweth unto them things clean and forbiddeth unto them things unclean and relieveth them of their burden and shackles which have been upon them. So those who believe in him and side with him and succour him and follow the light which hath been sent down with him; those; they shall fare well.” [Surah Al-A’raf, 7:157]


Excellence of eloquence
3. “And he speaketh not of his own desire.”
4. “It is but a revelation revealed.” [Surah An-Najm, 53:3-4]


Merits of character
128. “Assuredly there hath come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves: heavy upon him is that which oppresseth you, solicitous for you, and with the believers tender and merciful.” [Surah At-Tawbah, 9:128]
6. “The prophet is closer unto the believers than themselves and his wives are their mothers.” [Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:6]


Command to obey the righteous Prophet and guide
21. “Assuredly there hath been for you in the Messenger of ALLAH an excellent pattern.” [Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21]
7. “And whatsoever the apostle giveth you, take, and whatsoever he forbiddeth you, refrain from.” [Surah Al-Hashr, 59:7]
80. “Whosoever obeyeth the Messenger hath indeed obeyed ALLAH.” [Surah An-Nisa’, 4:80]
71. “And whosoever obeyeth ALLAH and His Messenger, he had indeed achieved a mighty achievement.” [Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:71]


Good tidings
69. “And whosoever obeyeth ALLAH and the Messenger, then those shall be with them whom ALLAH hath blessed from among the prophets, the saints, the martyrs, and the righteous; Excellent are these as a company!” [Surah An-Nisa’, 4:69]


Warning
115. “And whosoever opposeth the Messenger after the truth hath become manifest unto him, and followeth other way than that of the believers, we shall let him follow that to which he hath turned, and shall roast him in Hell, an evil retreat.” [Surah An-Nisa’, 4:115]
14. “And whosoever disobeyeth ALLAH and His apostle, and transgresseth His statutes, him He shall cause to enter the Fire, as an abider therein; and unto him shall be a torment ignominious.” [Surah An-Nisa’, 4:14]


Announcement of prophethood
158. “Say thou: O mankind! verily I am the Messenger of ALLAH unto you all - of Him whose is the dominion of the heavens and the earth. No god is there but He; He giveth life and causeth to die.” [Surah Al-A’raf, 7:158]
108. “Say thou: this is my way: I call unto ALLAH resting upon an insight I, and whosoever followeth me.” [Surah Yusuf, 12:108]
161. “Say thou, as for me, my Lord hath guided me unto a straight path. [Surah Al-An’an, 6:161]
31. Say thou: if ye are wont to love ALLAH, then follow me, and ALLAH shall love you and forgive you your sins: And ALLAH is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:31]


Address to His beloved Prophet
1. “Ya-sin” 2. “By the QURAAN full of wisdom.” 3. “Verily thou art of the sent ones.” 4. “Open straight path.” [Surah Ya-Sin, 36:1 to 4]
45. “O Prophet! verily We have sent thee a witness and a bearer of giad tidings and to warn people.” 46. “And a summon unto ALLAH by his command and a Shining illuminating lamp.” [Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:45-46]
28. “And We have not sent thee save as bearer of glad tidings and to warn all mankind.” [Surah Saba’, 34:28]
107. “And We have not sent thee except as a mercy unto the worlds.” [Surah Al-Anbiya’, 21:107]
4. “Verily thou art of a high and noble disposition.” [Surah Al-Qalam, 68:4]
4. “And we have raised and heiqhtened for thee thy renown.” [Surah Ash-Sharh, 94:4]
5. “And presently thy Lord shall give unto thee so that thou shall be well-pleased.” [Surah Ad-Duha, 93:5]
87. “And assuredly We have vouchsafed unto thee seven verses for repetition and the mighty QURAAN.” [Surah Al-Hijr, 15:87]
113. “And ALLAH hath sent down unto thee the Book and wisdom, and hath taught thee that which thou knowest not; and the grace of ALLAH on thee is ever might.” [Surah An-Nisa’, 4:113]


In the face of constant opposition, harassment and hostility from the numerous enemies of Islam, the. Noble Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) was able to achieve, in a brief span of time, unparalleled and lasting success in his prophetic mission. Consequentry, ALLAH the Most High favoured His beloved and last of all the prophets with the following testimony of his pleasure:
1. “When there cometh the succor of ALLAH and the victory,”
2. “And thou beholdest mankind entering the religion of ALLAH in crowds,
3. “Then hallow the praise of thy Lord, and ask forgiveness of Him. Verily He is ever Relenting.” [Surah An-Nasr, 110: 1,2,3]


Divine favours to mankind
The proclamation of Divine favours to humanity was made through the good offices of the last of the prophets (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) in the following verse:
3. “Today I have perfected for you your religion, and have completed My favour upon you, and am well pleased with Islam as your religion.” [Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:3]


Highest gesture of love
Lastly, as a gesture of special love for this greatest benefactor of mankind (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) the following verse was revealed:
56. “Verily ALLAH and His angles send their blessings upon the Prophet. O ye who believe! Send your benedictions upon him and salute him with a goodly salutation.” [Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:56]


O ALLAH! Send Your blessing on Muhammad, and his posterity, just as You sent Your blessings on Ibrahim and on his posterity. Undoubtedly You are praiseworthy and exalted.


O ALLAH! glorify Muhammad and his descendants just as You glorified Ibrahim and his descendants. Undoubtedly, You are praiseworthy and exalted.