The Holy Prophet:
A Lecture by Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad(db)

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Greatness of the Prophet

Allah has exalted His Messenger in the Holy Quran and declared him to have the noblest of characters, his personality being an inspiration and model for the rest of humanity. Our righteous elders have written that it is beneath the dignity of the Best of Creation that we take his name with our filthy mouths, even if we rinse it a thousand times with rose water and perfume. Indeed, only with such a degree of reverence and love for the Messenger of Allah can a state of perfect faith (iman) be attained.

The wise sage Hadrat Mirza Mazhar Jane Jana (may the mercy of Allah be upon him) has penned some verses in the Persian language, the translation of which is as follows:

Allah does not wait for our praise, Muhammad is not needy of our tributes.
Allah is enough to aid Muhammad, Muhammad is enough to glorify Allah.
If wishing to make a request that is heeded, make it through a pledge of loyalty
Oh Allah, from You we ask for the love of Your Messenger, and through him we desire a connection with You.

Allah has praised His Messenger countless times at different places in the Holy Quran, as if adorning it with jewels. The prophets who preceded the Noble Prophet have all been referred to directly by name in the Holy Quran. For example, whenever Allah refers to instructions that He issued to His prophets, He mentions having addressed them directly as Oh Adam, Oh Nuh, Oh Ibrahim.

In contrast, Allah has never once referred to His Messenger by name, but rather through his titles. One such title is HabibUllah (Beloved of Allah) a title that Allah has exalted above those of KhalilUllah (Friend of Allah), KalimUllah (One who conversed with Allah), and even RuhUllah (Spirit of Allah)—titles that Allah awarded to prophets Ibrahim, Musa and Isa d respectively. Allah has honored His beloved Messenger so highly and awarded him such respect that even He has not addressed him directly by name. One cannot glorify the Messenger of Allah enough; ink and paper will run out but the praise of the Messenger of Allah will not be exhausted.

A Complete and Fulfilled Life

This world has seen countless famous personalities; scientists, generals, and philosophers who have left their mark on the world. However, one thing in common between all these people is that they succumbed to death as all of creation must. Newton and Pasteur were great scientists who made countless discoveries that changed the world, but they died just like everyone else. Admirers have said that Newton could have achieved even more if only he had lived longer, and that Alexander the Great would have conquered the whole world had his time not run out when it did. It has even been written that Hadrat Imam Bukhari (may the mercy of Allah be upon him) would have compiled many more books of hadith had he lived longer.

The common regret here is that the list of accomplishments of these great personalities could have been much more exhaustive had their lives been longer. In sharp contrast to all these people is the one individual in all of creation who actually completed his mission and purpose in life, and who stands out as a shining beacon from all these people. This personality is that of the Messenger of Allah, who announced with surety in his final sermon, “O people, I have completed the purpose for which I had been sent.” Hence, only the Prophets’ life is complete, while all others are marked by unfinished agendas.

No one else shares in this honor of having lived a complete life, and this is indisputable evidence against those elements that seek to discredit Islam. Even the most hardened enemies of Islam who tried to kill the Messenger of Allah multiple times were compelled to admit that they had never heard him speak other than the truth. They themselves referred to him as Al-Amin, the Truthful, for the Prophet had spent his entire life among them as an example of honesty and integrity.

The Ultimate Proof

All previous nations had challenged their respective Prophets to produce proofs and signs of their prophethood. Hadrat Musa e had thus shown them his shining hand and his staff that turned into a serpent, whilst Hadrat Isa e cured the sick and raised the dead. However, when the Messenger of Allah was thus challenged he said “Have I not spent my entire life among you?”

The Messenger of Allah presented his entire life as proof, because no one could challenge its purity. He had spent his youth in the same environment as the idolaters of Makkah, but his youth was without blemish whereas the Quraish were engulfed in sin. Indeed, whilst they called him a magician, a poet, and even a madman, no one could raise objections against his character.

The Messenger of Allah started his work as a bud, and no one knew that this bud would grow into a huge and thriving garden boasting an array of fragrant flowers and fruits. Allah sent His Messenger as the leader of those before and those after him; indeed he was sent as the leader of all creation.

Glad Tidings for All

The Noble Companions (Sahabah) once requested the Messenger of Allah to tell them something about himself. The Prophet said, “I am the answer to the supplication (dua) of Ibrahim, I am good news for Isa, and I am my mother Aminah’s dream.”

The explanation of this saying is that Hadrat Ibrahim e had asked Allah to send such a Prophet who would populate the then barren land of Arabia with worshippers of Allah. As for the good news, all the prophets had asked to be included in the nation of the final Messenger of Allah but only Hadrat Isa’s e request was granted, and he will return near the end of the world as a follower of the Messenger of Allah. Lastly, the Prophets’ mother Aminah had seen a dream in which light emanating from her womb was illuminating the whole world.

Some Miracles of the Prophet

A discussion of all the miracles connected with the Messenger of Allah would take numerous speeches and books and so is beyond the scope of this short piece, but a few examples are mentioned below.

When Hadrat Aminah (may the mercy of Allah be upon her) would go to draw water from the well while she was expecting, the well water would rise and its level would remain high until she had finished drawing all the water she needed. This is why the other Makkan women would take her along whenever they needed to go to the well, for they realized that Hadrat Aminah was carrying something very special in her womb.

It was the custom in Arabia at that time for Makkan families to give their newborns for nursing to Bedouin women from the surrounding areas. Hence, as women from the various tribes around Makkah came to the city to claim newborns, so did Hadrat Halimah (may the mercy of Allah be upon her) and her husband. Their camel was old and very slow, and so by the time they reached the city all the children from the rich families had already been taken by other women. However, she still held hope in her heart and was told of the orphan of Abdullah who had yet not been claimed. Nursing an orphan from a poor family did not promise much financial return, but something in Hadrat Halimah’s heart compelled her to go to the house and take him from his mother.

To the amazement of both husband and wife, the same camel that had delayed their arrival in Makkah because of his old age and frailty now carried them home faster than those of the other women. Hadrat Halimah realized that there was something very special about this baby they were taking home with them.

Mercy for the Worlds

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

We sent you not but as a mercy for all creatures (21:107)

It is a sad fact that mankind can no longer understand what a blessing and mercy upon them the Messenger of Allah is. The Prophet supplicated to Allah, “O Allah, don’t send such a calamity on my nation that leaves their faces changed,” and Allah accepted his prayer in our favor. Today if we are alive and in good health it is only because of such supplications of the Messenger of Allah on our behalf. The Prophet also supplicated, “Don’t let my nation be destroyed by any big calamity.” Allah also accepted this, which is why we are alive today, despite our transgressions.

The rights of all of creation, including animals, were established because of the Messenger of Allah. A camel once came and rested its head at the feet of the Prophet and appeared to say something. The Messenger of Allah immediately called for the master and said, “Listen, these are innocent animals and you should take care of them and not overwork them. This camel is complaining that you do not feed him adequately.”

Animals would come and similarly present their desires and complaints to the Messenger of Allah. Once while walking outside Madinah the Prophet saw a Jewish man who had captured a deer. Upon seeing the Messenger of Allah the deer said that it was time for her to feed her baby, and she would return promptly if only the Prophet would arrange for her freedom for a little while.

The Messenger of Allah requested the Jewish man for some time on behalf of the deer and accepted responsibility if the animal did not return, and so the man released the animal. He was mocking the Prophet but was amazed when the deer returned as promised. This Jewish man immediately accepted Islam upon seeing such obedience in an animal.

The stones and rocks that praised Allah would greet His Messenger as he passed by them. Abu Jahl once came to the Messenger of Allah with stones in his hand and said, “I will accept you as a Prophet if you can tell me what is in my hand.” The Messenger of Allah turned to him and said, “Why don’t you ask what is in your hand who is the Prophet of Allah?” Abu Jahl put his hand to his ear and the stones started reciting the Kalimah. So stubborn was he in denying the truth that instead of submitting to this manifest sign, he accused the Prophet of black magic and threw away the stones. These are just some of the miracles, and only a sample illustration of the honor that Allah had given His Messenger. Hadrat Hassaan was among the Sahabah and a poet who used to eulogize the Messenger of Allah through his poetry. He said:

Oh Messenger of Allah, neither has anyone seen such beauty
Nor has any mother borne an offspring so handsome
It is as if Allah has created you as you yourself desired.

Death of the Prophet

A mountain of grief crashed down upon the Sahabah with the passing away of the Messenger of Allah. A brave Companion (Sahabi) such as Hadrat Umar refused to believe that this calamity had indeed struck, and threatened to kill anyone who even suggested that the Messenger of Allah had passed away.

Seeing this atmosphere of grief among the Sahabah, Hadrat Abu Bakr stood up among them and made a landmark statement. He said, “If any person worships the Messenger of Allah, let him know that he has died and left this world. However, if anyone worships Allah, let him know that Allah is Everlasting and cannot die.” Only after this statement by his close friend did Hadrat Umar begin to accept this bitter news.

Sacrifices of the First Generation and our Ingratitude

The Messenger of Allah and the Sahabah made countless sacrifices to establish and strengthen this beautiful religion that we take so much for granted today. Can anyone imagine what would happen if we were to lose this blessing of guidance? We should ask a blind man about the value of eyes and a man without legs what it is like to walk. We take this religion for granted, but never even stop to think that Allah can take away this blessing in the blink of an eye.

Having been born Muslim and having received guidance is not because we deserve it, but is a favor from Allah that we can never repay. Yet we live our lives in sin and are ungrateful for Allah’s countless blessings.

Our scholars have said that the best way to express our gratitude is to refrain from sinful deeds. The Creator who has given us this body and this life expects that we at least live according to His Laws and Regulations, the Shariah. Our scholars tell us that the gratitude of the eyes is to lower our gaze from looking at the opposite sex, and the gratitude of the tongue is to refrain from speaking untruth, from slandering others and spreading gossip.

There are many people today who want big houses from Allah; many who want nice cars and many others who ask for beautiful wives, but why are there so few who ask Allah for Himself? Why are there so few who cry to Allah in the depths of the night to change their lives? Why are there so few who remember their death and their fate in the grave?

The Messenger of Allah and his companions gave their lives and endured torment at the hands of the unbelievers to bring us this religion. However, we remain blind to what these people did for us and remain heedless of Allah, oblivious to his mercy and guidance.

Muslims should be aware of the benefits they are deriving from Allah’s countless blessings every day that they are on this earth. Though we can never repay or thank Allah enough for His bounties, the least we can do is refrain from sin and all that displeases Allah. Allah can take this blessing of faith away from us at any time, and so we must guard our faith from Satan like a lion guards its kill.