Page 25 - Pakistan Link - March 26, 2021

Common, Unique & Relevant

RELIGION Prophet Muhammad’s Message: MARCH 26, 2021 – PAKISTAN LINK – P25

n By Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi Prophet Muhammad’s Message: Gems from the

uhammad is not the fa- Holy Quran
ther of any one of your Common, Unique & Relevant
Mmen; he is Allah’s Mes-
senger and the seal of the prophets:
Allah knows every-
thing. (33:40)
The example
of me and other
prophets before me
is like a person built
a building. He made
it fine and beautiful,
except for a stone at a corner. People
walked around the building and were
amazed but said, ‘For what reason
this cornerstone is not placed?’ I am
the cornerstone and I am the seal of
the prophets. (Al-Bukhari, Hadith
3535)
In Islam we emphasize both the
commonality of Prophet Muham- From the translation by Mu-
mad’s message with the message of hammad Asad (Leopold Weiss)
other prophets and messengers of
Allah as well as its uniqueness. It is About the translator:
important to recognize commonal- Muhammad Asad, Leopold
ity, because this makes us work with Weiss, was born of Jewish parents
others and cooperate with them in in Livow, Austria (later Poland) in
matters of goodness. It is also im- 1900, and at the age of 22 made his
portant to understand the special first visit to the Middle East. He lat-
and unique mission of Prophet er became an outstanding foreign
Muhammad, because this makes correspondent for the Franfurter
us distinct and help us to make our Zeitung, and after years of devoted
unique contribution to the world. study became one of the leading
We should talk of uniqueness not in Muslim scholars of our age. His
any arrogance but in humble thank- translation of the Holy Qur’an is
fulness to Allah and give this mes- one of the most lucid and well-
sage to the world. referenced works in this category,
We believe in all prophets and dedicated to “li-qawmin yatafakka-
messengers of Allah without any roon” (people who think).
discrimination between them. We should follow it without any doubt all people deep devotion to Allah and excel- Chapter 3,Verses 35 to 37
specially recognize the prophets and or hesitation. 5. Absolute requirement of bal- lence in character. The second ayah When a woman of the house
messengers who came in the line of … Today I have perfected your anced morality and universal ethics says: of Imran prayed: “O my Sustainer!
Prophet Ibrahim and are recognized religion for you, completed My bless- These principles are mentioned Allah commands justice and Behold, unto Thee do I vow [the
by Jews and Christians. Most of the ing upon you, and chosen as your re- in the Qur’an and Sunnah in dif- kindness, and generosity towards rel- child] that is in my womb, to be de-
Prophets mentioned in the Qur’an ligion Islam… (Al-Ma’idah 5:3) ferent places and in different ways. atives; and He forbids what is shame- voted to Thy service. Accept it, then,
are the same as mentioned in the We have sent down the Remind- All of them are important and rel- ful, evil, and aggressive. He teaches from me: verily, Thou alone art all-
Jewish and Christian scriptures. The er Ourself, and We Ourself will guard evant, but there are two verses of the you, so that you may take heed. (al- hearing, all-knowing!” But when she
teachings of all prophets were very it. (Al-Hijr 15:9) Qur’an that are most outstanding Nahl 16:90) had given birth to the child, she said:
similar. They all emphasized faith in However, the most important in presenting the core and global In this ayah we have three “O my Sustainer! Behold, I have
one God and righteous life. They all things for us are to reflect on the message of Islam. They present this commands and three prohibitions. given birth to a female” – the while
emphasized that God created this relevance of this message today and message in the most powerful and Justice, benevolence and family God had been fully aware of what
world. He created human beings as on our role. The relevance of this beautiful way. One is known as Ayat connections are the basic rules for she would give birth to, and [fully
His special creation to serve Him message is its universal quality. It al-Birr (al-Baqarah 2:177). Sayyidna individuals and society. Indecen- aware] that no male child [she might
and take care of His creation. is a most suitable message for our Abu Dharr al-Ghifari called it ‘Ayat cies, evil and aggressions must be have hoped for] could ever have
The uniqueness of Prophet global village. It is a message that is al-Iman’. The other is Ayat al-‘Adl removed to keep the individuals and been like this female – “and I have
Muhammad is that he was the last good for the shrinking world where (al-Nahl 16:90). Sayyidna Abdullah society safe and secure. named her Mary. And, verily, I seek
and final prophet of Allah and his people of diverse backgrounds ibn Mas’ud called it ‘the most com- This message is not for any Thy protection for her and her off-
message is the universal and final meet, live and work together. The prehensive verse of the Qur’an: particular race, ethnic groups or na- spring against Satan, the accursed.”
message of Allah. There is no new core principles of this message are Goodness does not consist in tionality. It is good for all people and And so her Sustainer accepted her
prophet after Prophet Muhammad five. These principles were good for turning your face towards East or for all times, especially for our time. with goodly acceptance, and caused
and there is no new divine mes- humanity in the past and they are West. The truly good are those who However, the message itself cannot her to grow up in goodly growth,
sage after his message. He was sent much more relevant and needed to- believe in Allah and the Last Day, be effective unless there are people and placed her in the care of Zacha-
for all humankind until the end of day. These principles are: in the angels, the Scripture, and the who sincerely commit to this mes- riah. Whenever Zachariah visited
the world. The Qur’an also tells us 1. One God prophets; who give away some of their sage and conduct their personal and her in the sanctuary, he found her
that this message is complete and 2. One human family wealth, however much they cherish communal affairs by it. Our respon- provided with food. He would ask:
perfect and does not need any addi- 3. Dignity and equality of all it, to their relatives, to orphans, the sibility therefore is: “O Mary, whence came this unto
tion or alteration. The message was human beings needy, travelers and those who ask, 1. To learn this message and thee? She would answer: “It is from
also preserved and protected. So we 4. Justice and fairness towards and to liberate those in bondage; its details from the authentic sourc- God; behold, God grants sustenance
those who keep es and teachers. Knowledge is the unto whom He wills, beyond all
up the prayer foundation. reckoning.”
and pay the 2. We should live by it sin- Chapter 3,Verses 42 - 43
prescribed char- cerely. Unless we practice what we And lo! The angels said, “O
ity; who keep profess we cannot be effective. Mary! Behold, God has elected thee
pledges when- 3. We must present it to oth- and made thee pure, and raised thee
ever they make ers with wisdom and compassion above all the women of the world.
them; who are using the right words and means. O Mary! Remain thou truly devout
steadfast in mis- 4. Our goal must be to in- unto thy Sustainer, and prostrate
fortune, adver- crease love, harmony and coopera- thyself in worship, and bow down
sity, and times tion among all people. with those who bow down [before
of danger. These 5. Our ultimate objective Him].
are the ones who must be Allah’s approval. Chapter 3,Verses 59 to 60
are true, and it Say, ‘My prayer and sacrifice, Verily in the sight of God, the
is they who are my life and death, are all for Allah, nature of Jesus is as the nature of
aware of Allah. Lord of all the Worlds; He has no Adam, whom He created out of dust
(A l-B aq ara h partner. This is what I am command- and then said unto him, “Be” – and
2:177) ed, and I am the first to submit to he is. [This is] the truth from thy
The ayah Him.’ Say, ‘Should I seek a Lord other Sustainer; be not then among the
e m p h a s i z e s than Allah, when He is the Lord of all doubters!
that true righ- things?’ Each soul is responsible for Chapter 3,Verse 64
teousness (or its own actions; no soul will bear the Say: “O followers of earlier rev-
religiousness) burden of another. You will all return elation! Come unto that tenet which
means sound to your Lord in the end, and He will we and you hold in common: that
faith, sincere tell you the truth about your differ- we shall worship none but God, and
social concern, ences. (Al-An ‘am 6:162-164) GEMS, P28
www.PakistanLink.com