Columnists

   Religion

   Commentary
   Community
   Entertainment
   Investment
   Matrimonial
   Opinion
   Sports




Prophet Muhammad: Allah’s Mercy to the Worlds and Favor to the Faithful

By Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

We sent you not except as a mercy for the worlds. (Al-Anbiya’ 21:107)

Allah did confer a great favor on the Believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, while before that, they had been in manifest error. (Al ‘Imran 3:164)
Prophet Muhammad – peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - was the “Rahmah of Allah” to the worlds. Rahmah is mercy and grace. Whatever exists in this world exists by the mercy of Allah; but one of the greatest signs of Allah’s mercy is His Last and Final Prophet Muhammad. Through Prophet Muhammad Allah completed His mercy to the whole world. Before him the Prophets used to come only to their own people; but Prophet Muhammad brought Allah’s love and mercy to all people and to all creation. In a Hadith the Prophet explained in this way:

Narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash’ari: The Prophet told us some of his names. He said, “I am Muhammad, Ahmad, al-Muqaffa (the Final One), al-Hashir (the one who gathers humanity), Nabi al-Tawbah (the Prophet of Repentance) and Nabi al-Rahmah (the Prophet of Mercy).” (Muslim 4344)
Besides being “the Mercy of Allah to the Worlds,” the Prophet was also “the Favor of Allah” (Mann Allah). However, the favor is to the faithful only because they are the ones who will benefit from his teachings, his message and mission and take the lead in spreading Allah’s mercy.
Allah says that the Prophet is from among them (min anfusihim), meaning that he is from among the human beings. Imam Qurtubi says that there are several meanings in this favor of Allah: One of them is that he is from amongst them. That is his being from the human race is a favor to human race and his being from among the humans make it easy for the human to follow him. Was he from among the angels or some extra terrestrial creatures, it would have been very difficult for them to take him and his example seriously. In some readings of the Qur’an, it is read “min anfasihim” not “min anfusihim” and the meaning is that he was the most “nafis” (precious and valuable) among the human beings.
Prophet Muhammad is the favor of Allah to the faithful for the following reasons:
1. He recites the ayat of Allah to them
2. He purifies them
3. He teaches them the Book and Wisdom


1. He recites to them the Ayat of Allah: Allah revealed to him His Book, the Qur’an and he recites the Ayat of this Book to them. He gives them the Book as it was given to him from Allah. He is not only to deliver the book to them, but he is also to show them how to read this book. He is to make sure that the book is recited in the right way without any mistakes or errors. He makes sure that the book is preserved not only in the written but also in the spoken form.
2. He purifies them: Tazkiyah is both: purification and growth. Prophet Muhammad purifies the believers from sin, corruption, bad habits and customs. He purifies them individually and collectively. He purifies their societies: their cultures, their economic dealings, their political structures. He purifies every aspect of their life. He makes them grow to become better human beings. They are the deputies of Allah (khalifah) on this earth; he brings them up to their potential. He upgrades their human level and makes them pride of humanity. Before him they were living in error and sin; he changed their condition. The humanity saw that suddenly the people who had no history and had to place among the nations of the world, they became the pride to the world.
3. He teaches them the book and wisdom: Prophet Muhammad did not only deliver the Qur’an to the believers; he also taught them the Qur’an. He explained the words of Allah and told them the teachings of the Qur’an and the way to follow those teachings. He did this through his Sunnah: his words and his personal example. Without Sunnah one cannot understand the Qur’an as it ought to be understood. The Sunnah is the Companion of the Qur’an. Some people explain “hikmah” as the Sunnah while others have taken “hikmah” as wisdom in the general sense of the word. Prophet Muhammad gave both the practical explanation of the Qur’an and he also gave us deeper meaning and wisdom of Allah’s words and commands. By knowing the wisdom of the Qur’an we can interpret the Qur’an in all situations and in all times. The Prophet was not only to give us textual meanings, but he also gave us the understanding of the text in its proper context and its application in different times and places. This is the basic role of the Sunnah and Hadith.
It is important that we as Muslims benefit from Allah’s favor and then make Allah’s Mercy available to all people. After the departure of the Prophet from this world, it is the responsibility of his Ummah to benefit from this favor and then spread his mercy and grace to the worlds.

(Khutbah at ISOC – Rabi’ul Awwal 13, 1426/ April 22, 2005)
- DrSiddiqi@aol.com

PREVIOUSLY



Healing our Brokenness

Islam: The Middle and the Moderate Path

Basic Commitments of Muslims

Is there anti-Semitism in the Qur’an?

The Truth will Succeed

An Islamic Approach to Pluralism

Zakat and Charity - Our Gratitude to Allah

Al-Taqarrub ila Allah- Getting Closer to Allah

I’tikaf: Spiritual Retreat in Ramadan

Al-Istiqamah: Being Straight and Steadfast

Islam is Peace

Islamic Activism

Peace, Harmony and Good Community: Challenges Ahead for the Muslims of America

Does the Qur’an Teach Violence?

Jihad: Its True Meaning and Purpose

Relocating A Mosque

An Islamic Perspective on Stem Cells Research

Issues and Questions

Issues and Questions

Issues and Questions

Issues and Questions

Unity and Diversity

Issues and Questions

Issues and Questions

Courage and Hope: The Spirit of ‘Ashura’

The Spirit of Hijrah

Issues and Questions

Issues and Questions

The Sincere Faith

Zakat and Fasting in Shawwal

Issues and Question

Fasting for Pregnant and Nursing Women

Partition for Women inside the Masjid

Meetings before Marriage, Zakat to a Brother, Zakat to Pay off Business Loan, False Oath on the Quran, Halala

Friday Prayers, Saying Prayers in English, Adhan before Prayers, the Nature of Allah

Return Policy, Salat in a Church, Marriage, Women Praying Salat-ul-Janazah, Husband and Wife Praying Together, Muslim Imam Performing Christian Wedding

Differences Among Madahib, Rules About Migration, Avoiding Nikah Between Two Eids, Reincarnation

Islam: Faith and Civilization

Jallalah, Salat-ul-Jumu'ah, Nationality
Divorce, Selling Haram Things, Prayers, Non-Muslim Females in Masjid
Muslim Woman's Property, Niyyah for Prayers, Muslim Matrimonial Agencies, Muslim Activism
Women in Masjid, Alcohol-Based Perfumes, Divorce, Daughters' Share in Inheritance, Share of Adopted Children in Inheritance
Do Different Faiths Lead to the Same End?
White Gold, Issues of Mahr, False Oath
Quran on Number of Prayers, Husband-Wife Relations, Soyem and Chelum
Burial, Step Offsprings, Wearing T-Shirts in Masjids
Why Does Allah Allow Suffering and Evil in the World?
Opposite Sex Friends, God's Mercy, Praying Incorrectly, Husband's Last Name, Legal Divorce vs. Islamic Divorce
Missed Prayers, Euthanasia, Bank Interest for Charity
Sun Rising from the West, Pre-existence of Prophet Muhammad, Ghusl Janabah
Fate or Free Will, Nature or Nurture
Issues on Marriage and Sexual Relations Outside Marriage
April 21, 2000
Forgiveness in Islam
'Ashura' Fasting and the New Year of Hijrah
Crescent, Seven Heavens, Baptism
Divorce during Pregnancy, Allegorical Verses
Islam: the Way of Perfection
Why does Allah the Lord use the word "We" to refer to Himself?
Dhikr, Idul Adha
Zakat Issues, Concept of Barakah, Praying in Private, the Last Sermon of the Prophet (PBUH)
Praying in a Chair, Muslim Youth, Hajj Issues
Sunnah Mukkadah, Children of Step Parents, Bid'a, Religion's Role in Success in Life, Eid ul Adha

Zakat on 401K and IRA Accounts
Leading the prayer, Reading the Quran without Wudu, Women in Namaz-e-Janaza
The World Must Change
Issues on Zakat, Fitrah

What does Islam offer to humanity?

Zakat and Charity our Gratitude to Allah

Islam: The Middle and Moderate Path

Halal Meat, Praying Together, Leather Jackets, Cheating in Business, Divorce

Zakat and Charity - Our Gratitude to Allah

Ramadan : The month of Virtues and Blessings

Image of Youth in Islam

Our Positive Action Plan

Muslims and Non-Muslims in each other's Funerals

Prophet 'Isa (Jesus)-Peace be upon him: His Place and Honor in Islam

Does the Qur'an Teach Violence

Allah Akbar - Allah is Great

The Real Mission of Syyedna Husain

The New Year of Hijrah

Be Steadfast!

Faith and Trust in Allah

Lessons of History

The Prophetic Ethics: Our Daily Challenge

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - Allah's True Prophet

Dialogue of Cultures and Civilizations

The Spiritual Health

Relocating the Mosque

Can Incentives Resolve the Kashmir Conflict?

Gentle Answers to Some Attacks on the Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad

Justice and Compassion: Laws and Ethics in Islam

Ethnic and Racial Harmony: The Islamic Way

The Spititual Growth

How to Welcome the Month of Ramadan?

Zakat and Charity - Our Gratitude to Allah

What kind of fasting is pleasing to Allah?

Muslims and Non-Muslims in each other's funeral

The Glorious Qur'an: How to Benefit from Its Blessings?

Grace and Good Deeds

The Spirit of Eid-ul-Fitr

Purpose of our Life : The Islamic Perspective

Hajj of the Prophet - Peace Be Upon Him

Renting Property to a Liquor Store, Warranties

Marrying in the Family, Prostration, the first Mosque

Following Sunnah, Hijab, Marrying a Non-Muslim Male, Celebrating Halloween

A Week of Sadness: Shameful Killings in Iraq and Pakistan

Hijrah: The Way to Brotherhood

"Grieve Not, Allah is With Us:" The Spirit of Hijrah

Pakistan with Shoes on, Abortion, Satan and Heaven

Abortion, Medical Tests, Marrying Older Women

Protecting Children, Lying Jokingly

Sweepstakes, Children's Money and Palmistry

rophet Muhammad: Universal Mercy

Prophet Muhammad: Universal Mercy

Prayers with Cosmetics on, Paper Marriages

Green Card Lottery, Chain Letter and Divorce
Credit Cards, Gold Coins, Walimah, Learning Quran in English, Nanjas Clothes

Prophet Muhammad as a Political Leader

Surah al-Tin: Some Reflections

"Infields" and Killing in the Name of Islam

Good Relations

Islamic Names for New Muslims, Mother's Inheritance, Weddings in Muharram

Issues on Numerical Miracles of the Qur'an, Internet Chats between Males and Females

Family Relations in Islam

Unity Among Muslims

Spirit and Witnesses for Marriage

Double Standards: A Woe for Humanity

Recycled Water and Copyrights

Principles and Goals of Development: An Islamic PerspectiveWomen in Janazah Prayers, Husband and Wife Praying Together
The Spirit of Tolerance in Islam
The Holy Qur’an: How to Benefit from Its Blessings
Zakat on Line, Divorce, Mosques and Political
Candidates

Questions and Answers by By Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Peace, Harmony and Good Community:
Challenges Ahead for the Muslims of America

Thanksgiving in Islam

Business Ethics in Islam

The Way to Success and Salvation:
‘Reflections on Súrah al-‘Aßr

Relocating a Mosque
Praying Jummah Zawal, Selling Pork, Reading the Quran at Same Level
Issues and Questions
Issues and Questions
Reflections on Hajj

Hajj Akbar, Qurbani, Taharah and Zakat
Islamic Names for New Muslims, Mother’s Inheritance
Seven Great Characters
Woman Imam Leading Men and Women in Salat
Questions of Life and Death
Hajj During Íddah, Marriage without Financial Obligations, Urinating in Standing Position

Issues and Questions
Prayers with Pictures in the Room, Madhahib and Unity

Prophet Muhammad as a Humanitarian Leader
Du'a after the Fard Prayers, Fasting in Shawal, Nikah through E-mail
Zakat, Umra, Settlement Money in Car Accidents
Ten Principles of Success in the Light of Sirah

1999
1998
1997
1996

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
© 2004 pakistanlink.com . All Rights Reserved.