N.D. Mababaya
Acknowledgement
I would like to acknowledge the help and cooperation extended by the following:
my sister in Islam, Aisha Mosher, Islamic Studies Teacher at Daar Adhikr –
Department of Da’wah and Islaamic Education for Non-Arabic Speaking Women,
Riyadh Saudi Arabia for her very constructive comments and intelligent
suggestions; the publisher of this booklet; my husband, Mamarinta-Umar Mababaya,
for all his priceless supports; and my children: Abdulrahman, Ahmad and Mariam
for behaving well while I was writing this work. I pray to Allah that they
always remain on the path of Islam. Finally, I thank those who in one way or
another help make this work available to those who truly seek for knowledge,
truth and guidance. May Allah reward them in this world and in the hereafter.
N.D. Mababaya
4 November 1993
20 Jumada I, 1414
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
________________________________________
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Introduction
Muhammad, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was Sallam, (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) has been the fully great dealt with, providing complete guidance to
all mankind. It is a blessing of Allah, the Almighty, that every now and then
many learned scholars, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, are encouraged to write
about Muhammad – his personality, his deeds and teachings. With the vast and
varied literature about him, every rational-thinking man realizes Allah’s Word
in the Holy Qur’an that he is His universal Messenger to all mankind.
Many scholars have written very impressive comments regarding Prophet Muhammad,
Sallallahu ‘alayhi was sallam. I did not cite any of them. I merely quoted some
verses of the Holy Qur’an about him as my main reference, because, I believe the
Glorious Qur’an speaks for itself.
Many non-Muslim scholars have written about Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu ‘alayhi
was sallam. Generally motivated by hostile spirit, they produced books which
destroy facts concerning the Prophet, Sallallahu ‘alayhi was sallam. Influenced
by their distorted writings, people who are not analytical enough to discern
fabrications and make-believe stories are subsequently blind of the truth.
Instead of accepting him as Allah’s Messenger, they branded him as an
“impostor”.
However, these non-Muslim writer who are not at all scholarly in their
presentation of the Prophet’s life, works and mission never succeed in their
evil attempt to destroy the Messenger’s image. Truth prevails as they are not
able to destroy the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an is the only book in this world
that firmly says that Allah, our Creator, is its Author. It repeatedly says that
Allah, the Most High, has sent down the Glorious Qur’an (e.g. 25:6; 42:17) in
Truth. (17:105) It is “a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.” (26:192-195;
32:2-3) it is “from Allah the Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom.” (46:2).
The Holy Quran will forever remain as the pure and undistorted Book of Allah to
all mankind. No one can ever change it. Allah promises to protect it from any
form of human manipulation. He assures as that "none can change His words"
(6:115) and that He "will assuredly guard it (from corruption)" (15:9).
Since Allah protects His divine Word from any sort of corruption, then, the
truth which is found in the Qur’an about Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu ‘alayhi
was sallam, will inspire everyone who sincerely seeks for the Truth. More and
more people who read the Holy Qur’an will accept him as Allah’s Messenger
without question. Subsequently, many will revert to the Right Path – Islam.
Muhammad’s Universal Mission
The Holy Qur’an, being the World of Allah, bears witness to the fact that
Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi was sallam, is the Messenger of Allah.
Allah tells us:
"Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were Messengers that passed away
before Him.” (3:144)
"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong
against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate against each other. Thou will see them
bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His)
Good Pleasure…" (48:29)
Allah, the Creator, sent all the Prophets and Messenger to invite people to
Islam – to worship Allah alone. Those prophets that came before Prophet Muhammad
such as David, Moses, Abraham and Jesus Christ (peace be upon them all) were
sent to their respective people. Allah chose Muhammad, Sallallahu ‘alayhi was
sallam, as His Messenger not only to the Arabs but to all mankind. In other
words, the Prophet’s mission is universal. Allah says:
“…And We have sent thee (Muhammad) but as a Messenger to (instruct) all
mankind, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men
know not.” (34:28)
"We have sent thee (Muhammad) but as a Messenger to all mankind, giving them
glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men know not."(34:28)
From the above verse, we learn that Muhammad, Sallallahu ‘alayhi was sallam, was
sent to give glad tidings and warnings (also see 25:57). He, therefore, serves
as Allah’s Mercy not only to the Believers but to all creatures. Our Creator
makes it clear:
“He listens to what is best for you: he believes in Allah, has faith in the
Believes, and is a Mercy to those of you who believe.” (9:61)
“We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.” (21:107)
The Messenger completed his mission
As Allah’s Universal Messenger to all peoples of the world, Muhammad,
Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, brought the Holy Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad,
Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, through the Holy Spirit (16:102). He commanded
the Messenger to serve Him, to be of those who bow in Islam to Allah’s Will; and
to rehearse the Qur’an for guidance (27:91-92).
The Holy Qur’an is the only Book in the World that offers most comprehensive
and universal guidance to all humanity. Allah Himself emphasizes: “nothing have
We omitted from the Book” (6:38).It is the Book “further explained in detail”
(11:1, 6:114). It is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah
(2:2). It contains nothing but the truth and the best explanation thereof
(25:33). Allah made it a Light to guide humanity to the Straight Way 45:52). It
is no less than a Message that makes things clear (36:69) and easy to understand
for the admonition of all mankind. (54:17, 22, 32, 40) it is the Book of divine
Guidance that is addressed to all mankind, not only in this world, but for all
the worlds – meaning, this temporal world and the eternal world to come in the
Hereafter. Allah says:
“We have explained in detail in this Qur’an, for the benefit of mankind, every
kind of similitude..” (18:54)
“This is no less than a Reminder to (all) the worlds. And ye shall certainly
know the truth of it (all) after a while.” (38:87-88)
“Verily this no less than Message to (all) the Worlds: (with profit) to whoever
among you wills to go straight.” (81:27-28)
As Allah’s Messenger, Muhammad, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, conveyed
everything what our Creator commanded him to say. He brought the Message as
revealed (10:15-16) and delivered the Revelation entirely as it comes to him
(46:9). For instance, we read in the Holy Qur’an:
If though bring them not a revelation, they say:
‘Why hast thou not got it together?’ Say: “I but follow what is revealed to me
from my Lord: This is (nothing but) Lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and
Mercy, from any who have Faith.” (7:203)
“Say ‘I am not an innovation among the messengers, not do I know what will be
done with me o with you, I follow but that which is revealed to me by
inspiration; I am but a Warner open and clear.” (46:9)
Prophet Muhammad, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, is The Seal of the Prophets
(33:40). No other prophet will come after him. By Allah’s will, the Prophet,
Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, has completed his universal mission. Through him
Allah has perfected Islam. The last Qur’anic verse that Allah revealed to
Prophet Muhammad, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, pertains to His perfection of
Islam. Allah, the Almighty, says:
“..This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you,
and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (5:3)
Islam means the complete and peaceful submission to the will of Allah and
obedience to His Law. It is the Religion of Truth which Allah has sent to
Muhammad, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, to make it prevail over all religion.
It is the religion which Allah, the Almighty, wants us to follow. Our Creator
says:
“It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth
that He make it prevail over all religion. Even though the Pagans may detest
(it).” (61:9)
Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to
Allah…(4:125)
For our own divine guidance, we have to sincerely accept Islam and live in
accordance with its teaching. We have to bear in mind that Allah not only
enjoins us to enter into Islam wholeheartedly but also makes it clear that the
only religion acceptable to him is Islam. He tells us:
“O ye who believe! Enter into Islam wholeheartedly; and follow not the footstep
of the Evil One; for he is to you an avowed enemy.” (2:208) “If anyone desires a
religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of
him; and in the hereafter he will be the ranks of those who have lost (all
spiritual good).” (3:85)
Obedience due to the Messenger of Allah
Allah endowed his Messenger, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, with an exalted
standard of character (64:4), a beautiful pattern of conduct (33:21) for us to
follow. He inspired him to bring the divine Message to all men that our God is
one God and He has no partner (18:110). For our guidance, we must believe and
obey Allah’s Messenger. Allah, the Most High, commands:
Say: “If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your
sins: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Say: “Obey Allah and His
Messenger”: But if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.”
(3:31-32)
"O Mankind! The Messenger hath come to you in truth from Allah: believe in him:
it is best for things in the heavens and on earth: and Allah is All-knowing, All
Wise." (4:170)
Say: “O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom
belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth; there is no god But He: it
is He that giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger the
unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His Words: follow him that (so)
ye may be guided. (7:158)
“O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and make not vain your
deeds!” (47:33)
"O ye who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a
grievous Chastisement? That ye believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that ye
strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allah, with your wealth and your persons:
that will be best for you, if ye but knew!" (6:10-11)
Muhammad, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, died but his service to humanity
continues to live through the Holy Qur’an and his Sunnah (traditions). The Holy
Qur’an, Book of Allah in truth from Allah (4:105) exist today just as it was
revealed to Muhammad, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, fourteen centuries.
Likewise, we learn Muhammad’s Sunnah through the authentic compilations of his
Ahadith (sayings and teachings) by such notable scholars as Bukhari and Muslim.
Both the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah contain comprehensive guidance, full of truth
and wisdom, to all mankind. If we hold on to them we will never go astray. The
Messenger of Allah, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, said in his last farewell
sermon on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. in the Uranah Valley of Mount
Arafat in Makkah, Saudi Arabia:
…O People! No Prophet or Apostle will come after me and no new faith will be
born. Reason well therefore, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave
behind me two things, the Qur’an my example the Sunnah and if you follow these
you will never go astray… (Sahih Muslim)
For our own guidance and salvation, we should take the said farewell message
from the Messenger of Allah. We have to bear in mind that obedience to the
Prophet, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi was sallam, also shows obedience to Allah. Allah
says:
“He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah…” (4:80)
