However, 43 instances found in 40 verses across 12 surahs are reviewed here to understand that Muhammad has been addressed as prophet at his lifetimes activities involving him with the contemporaries as well as what has been given to him is a messenger of God, the final edition of the scripture, a witness, a bearer of news, warner, a caller to God and an illuminating light:
[9:61] And among them there are those who hurt the prophet (wa-minhumu alladheena yu’dhuuna al-nabiya), while they say, “He is an ear.” Say, “An ear is good for you. He believes in God, and he trusts upon the believers and is mercy for those who have believed among you.” And those who hurt a messenger of God, for them there is a painful punishment.
Note: Muhammad has been addressed as prophet and messenger who has been a mercy for the believers, and those who hurt him, will have a painful punishment for them.
[9:73] O you prophet, you shall strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and shall be stern on them (yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu Jahidi al-kufaara wal-munaafiqeena wa-ugh’luz `alayhim). And their abode is Hell and it has been miserable is the destination.
Note: The prophet has been asked to be stern on the disbelievers and the hypocrites as their destination is Hell being an worst place of abode.
[9:113] It has been neither the prophet, nor those who have believed that (maa kaana lil-nnabiyyi wa-alladheena aamanuu an) they would ask forgiveness for the idol worshipers, even if they have been their nearest kins, after what has become clear to them that they are dwellers of the Hellfire.
Note: The prophet and the believers would not ask forgiveness of God for the idol worshipers, even they have been their nearest relatives.
[9:117] Certainly, God has turned to the prophet, and the emigrants and the helpers (laqad taaba allahu `alaa al-nabiyi wal-muhaajireena wal-ansaari) who have followed him at time of the difficulty what had about to deviate hearts of a party of them, then He had turned to them. Indeed, with them He is Kind, Merciful.
Note: God has been kind and merciful on the prophet as well as on the emigrants and the helpers who had followed him at his difficult time.
[17:55] And your Lord is Knower of whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And certainly, we have preferred one of the prophets over other (wa-laqad faddalnaa ba’da al-nabiyeena `alaa ba’din), and we have given Psalms to David.
Note: God has given scripture to every prophet, and every scripture is different what has been given to them confirming that He has given Psalms to David. Thus, the message in the verse does not contradict to His commandment of not to make distinction between any of the prophets as mentioned in 2:136 and 3:84 that many of us may misinterpret it.
[19:30] He (Jesus) said “Indeed, I am a servant of God. He has given me the scripture and has made me a prophet (aataaniya al-kitaaba wa-ja`alani-i nabiyyan).
Note: Jesus when he has been in the cradle said that God had given him scripture and made him a prophet being a confirmation that those who are given scripture are prophets eliminating any confusion about him indicating the trinity to be falsehood.
[19:41] And mention in the scripture Abraham. Indeed, he has been a truthful prophet (innahu kaana siddeeqan nabiyyan).
Note: Abraham has been a truthful prophet.
[19:49] Then when he (Abraham) had left them and what they worshiped other than God, we had bestowed to him Isaac and Jacob, and we had made each of them a prophet (wa-kullan ja`alnaa nabiyyan).
Note: God had made prophet Isaac son of Abraham and Jacob of his grandson..
[19:51] And mention in the scripture Moses. Indeed, he has been sincere one and has been a messenger prophet (innahu kaana mukh’lasan wa-kaana rasuulan nabiyyan).
Note: Moses has been sincere and a messenger prophet.
[19:53] And we had bestowed to him (Moses) from our mercy, his brother Aaron a prophet (wa-wahabnaa lahu min rahmatinaa akhaahu haaruuna nabiyyan).
Note: God has been merciful on Moses and has brother Aaron made his brother a prophet.
[19:54] And mention in the scripture Ismail. Indeed, he has been truthful to the promise and has been a messenger prophet (innahu kaana saadika al-wa’di wa-kaana rasuulan nabiyyan).
Note: Ismail has been truthful to his promise as well as a messenger prophet.
[19:56] And mention in the scripture Idris. Indeed, he has been a truthful prophet (innahu kaana siddeeqan nabiyyan).
Note: Idris has been a truthful prophet
[19:58] Those are the ones whom God has bestowed favor upon them of the prophets from descendants of Adam (ulaaika alladheena an’`ama allahu `alayhim mina al-nabiyeena min dhurriyyati aadama), and of whoever we had carried with Noah, and descendants of Abraham and Israel, and of whoever we had guided and we had chosen. When were recited to them revelations of the Gracious, they had fallen being prostrating and weeping.
Note: Here is a reference of 9 prophets mentioned by name: John (19:12), Jesus (19:30 and 19:34), Abraham (19:41), Isaac (19:49), Jacob (19:49), Moses (19:51), Aaron (19:53), Ismail (19:54), and Idris (19:56) from descendants of Adam, whoever are carried with Noah, descendants of Abraham and Isaac as well as of whoever are guided, and they had fallen to be prostrating and weeping when His revelations were recited to them.
[22:52] And we have not sent any messenger before yourself (Muhammad), nor a prophet (wa-maa arsalnaa min qablika min rasuulin wa-laa nabiyyin), except when he has recited, the Satan had cast in his recitation. Then God removes what the Satan cast. Then God establishes His revelations, and God is Knower, Wise.
Note: What we know from the historical perspective that due to mistake made by the prophet in his recitation God confirms that mistake made by any messenger or prophet interfered by the Satan is not unusual, while He removes the Satan’s interference and establishes His revelations.
[25:31] And thus that we have made enemy for every prophet from the criminals (wa-ka-dhaalika ja`alnaa likulli nabiyyin `aduwwan mina al-muj’rimeena), while has sufficed of your Lord as a Guide and a Helper.
Note: God has warned us that there is enemy for every prophet from the criminals who wish to see a prophet to recite something other than what He has revealed to him. Thus, we see that the corruptors of Islam have invented a huge number of hadiths assigning to prophet Muhammad about 200 years later of his death, even though God has given us the Quran as guidance being our Guide and Helper.
[33:1] O you prophet (yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu), you shall fear God and do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Indeed, God has been Knower, Wise.
Note: God asked the prophet to fear Him and not to obey the disbelievers at his time, who were not only hostile but also tried their best to misguide him.
[33:6] The prophet is closer to the believers than themselves, and his wives are their mothers (al-nabiyu awlaa bil-mu’mineena min anfusihim wa-azwaajuhu ummahaatuhum). Possessors of the relationships – one of them is closer to another in a scripture of God than the believers and the emigrants except that you do to your friends being kind. That has been being written in the scripture.
Note: In addition to marital and blood relationship between the people, God had established a special relationship between the prophet and the contemporary believers being they were closer to him than between themselves as well as between his wives and the contemporary believers being their mother.
[33:7] And when we had taken from the prophets their covenant and from you (Muhammad) (wa-idh akhadhnaa mina al-nabiyeena meethaaqahum wa-minka), and from Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary. And we had taken from them a solemn covenant.
Note: God’s covenant from the prophets to send a messenger upon delivery of all scripture is placed in what has been given to Muhammad including a reference in what was given to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary that we do not confuse Muhammad to be the prophesied messenger.
[33:13] And when a party of them said, “O people of Yathrib (Medina), there is no stand for you; so you shall go back.” While a group of them asked permission from the prophet saying (wa-yastadhinu fareequn minhumu al-nabiya yaquuluuna), “Indeed, our homes are exposed,” while were not exposed. They do not wish except fleeing.
Note: Some of the believers who do not participate in the fighting expect that the believers cannot win the war against the disbelievers while some of the believers try to escape fighting asking permission from the prophet claiming that their houses are burning.
[33:28] O you prophet, say to your wives (yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu qul li-azwaajika), “If you have committed to desire the life of the world and its adornment, then come, I will provide for you and will release you a fair release.
Note: God asked the prophet to tell his wives that if they desire the life of the world, then he can let them go in an amicable manner.
[33:30] O wives of the prophet (yaanisaa-a al-nabiyi), whoever commits of immorality is clear from you, the punishment will be multiplied two-fold for her. And it has been that is easy for God.
Note: God has warned the wives of the prophet that any of his wives would commit any adultery, then her punishment will be double.
[33:32] O wives of the prophet (yaanisaa-a al-nabiyi), you have not been like anyone among the women, if you have feared (God), then you do not be soft in the speech lest the one who has disease in his heart may move with desire, and you shall say a word being a right one.
Note: God has warned prophet’s wives to fear God and to speak in a manner that those who have disease in their hearts do not seek in any weakness in their wishes to be purer for themselves.
[33:38] There has been no discomfort upon the prophet in what God has ordered for him (maa kaana `alaa al-nabiyi min harajin feemaa farada allahu lahu). It is God’s system about those who had passed away before. It has been God’s command being a destined decree.
Note: God reminded the prophet to obey His command when he had hesitated to marry the divorced wife of his adopted son, Zeid.
[33:40] Muhammad has not been a father of anyone of your men, but has had a messenger of God and a seal of the prophets (wa-laakin rasuula allahi wa-khaatam al-nabiyeena). And God has done being Knower of everything.
Note: The scripture given to Muhammad is not only a messenger of God but also the last edition of scripture being the prophets recognized as possessors of scripture highlighting the message as given.
[33:45] O you prophet; indeed, we have sent you a witness, and a bearer of good news, and a warner (yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu innaa arsalnaaka shaahidan wa-mubash’shiran wa-nadheeran).
[33:46] and a caller to God by His permission and an illuminating light.
Note: The scripture given to Muhammad is a witness, bearer of good news, warner, a caller to God and an illuminating light highlighting the message given to him.
[33:50] O you prophet (yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu); indeed, we have made lawful for you your wives to whom you have given their dowry, and whom is already yours from whom God has granted to you, and daughters of your paternal uncles, and daughters of your paternal aunts, and daughters of your maternal uncles, and daughters of maternal aunts who has emigrated with you, and a believing woman if she has given herself to the prophet (wa-im’ra-atan mu’minatan in wahabat nafsahaa lilnnabiyyi) if the prophet has intended to marry her (in araada al-nabiyu an yastankihahaa), is only for you other than the believers. Certainly, we have known what we have made obligatory upon them about their wives and whom is already theirs that it would not be a discomfort upon you. And God has been Forgiving, Merciful.
Note: God has made lawful for the prophet his wives to whom he has paid the bridal payment, even if he had given a special privilege in marriage with certain categories.
[33:53] O you who have believed, you do not enter the prophet’s homes (laa-tad’khuluu buyuuta al-nabiyi) except that permission is given to you for a meal without awaiting its preparation. But when you have been invited, then you shall enter; then when you have eaten, then you shall leave, and not staying for a conversation. Indeed, that have been to hurt the prophet (inna dhaalikum kaana yu’dhii al-nabiya), and he shies from you, while God does not shy for the truth. And when you have asked them (prophet’s wives) something, then you shall ask them from behind a screen. That are purer for your hearts and their (prophet’s wives) hearts. And it has not been for you that you hurt a messenger of God. And it is not that you should marry his wives after him ever. Indeed, that have been a gross offense at God.
Note: Addressing Muhammad as a prophet and messenger God has asked the believers to maintain a special relationship with the prophet and his wives while they would not marry any of his wives after his death that they do not commit a gross sin.
[33:56] Indeed, God and His angels support the prophet (inna allaha wa-malaaikatahu yusalluuna `alaa al-nabiyi). O you who have believed, you shall support him, and shall respect him with due respect.
Note: Here is a commandment of God for the contemporary believers to help the prophet as well as to respect him as he should be respected but it is a commandment for the believers to send blessing interpreted by many translators is a misinterpretation.
[33:59] O you prophet (yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu); say to your wives, and your daughters, and wives of the believers to cover them with their garments. That is appropriate that they can be recognized, so that they may not be harmed. And God has been Forgiving, Merciful.
Note: Here is a commandment for the contemporary believing women including prophet’s wives and daughters to cover themselves with their garments to be recognized so that they are not harmed.
[37:112] And we had given him (Abraham) a good news of Isaac, a prophet from the righteous (wa-basharnaahu bi-is’haaqa nabiyyan mina al-saaliheena).
Note: God has blessed Abraham with Isaac whom He made him a prophet being a righteous one.
[39:69] Then the earth has shined with a light of her Lord. The record has been placed, and it has been brought of the prophets and the witnesses, and has been judged between themselves (wa-jeea bil-nabiyeena wa-shuhadaai wa-qudiya baynahum), and they are not wronged.
Note: The judgment will take place followed by the destruction of the earth while the earth will shine from God’s light, and the equitable judgment will be ensured bringing the prophets and the witnesses.
[43:6] And how many of a prophet we have sent in the previous generations (wa-cam arsalnaa min nabiyyin fee al-awaleena)?
Note: God has sent many prophets in the past before Muhammad.
[43:7] And not a prophet comes to them except they have done to mock at him (wa-maa yateehim min nabiyyin illaa kaanuu bihi yas’tahziuuna).
Note: No prophet comes to the people that they do not mock them.
[49:2] O you who have believed, you do not raise your voices above voice of the prophet (laa-tarfa`uu aswaatakum fawqa sawti al-nabiyi), nor do you shout to him in the uttering like a loudness of one of you to other lest your deeds become worthless, while you do not perceive.
Note: God asked the contemporary believers to speak with the prophet in a manner that they do not nullify their deeds.
[60:12] O you prophet, when has come to you the believing women pledging to you that ((yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu idhaa jaa-aka al-mu’minaatu yubayi`naka `alaa an) they will not associate anything with God, nor do they steal, nor do they commit adultery, nor do they kill their children, nor do they come with slender they invent it between their hands and their feet, nor do they disobey you in right, then you shall accept their pledge, and ask forgiveness of God for them. Indeed, God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Note: Prophet should ask forgiveness of God for the believing women who have pledged to maintain their moral behavior.
[65:1] O you prophet, when you have divorced the women ((yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu idhaa tallaqtumu al-nisaa-a), then you shall divorce them to their waiting period, and shall count the waiting period, and shall fear God your Lord. You do not evict them from their homes, nor do they leave except that they commit a clear immorality. And that is of God’s limits and whoever transgresses God’s limits, then certainly, he has wronged for himself. You do not know; perhaps, God may bring about a matter after that.
Note: God asked the prophet when they divorce their women should be based on their waiting period and the divorcees will not be evicted from their homes unless they have committed a proven adultery.
[66:1] O you prophet, why do you prohibit what God has made lawful for you seeking your wives’ pleasure (yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu lima taharrimu maa ahalla allahu laka tataghee mardaata)? And God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Note: God has warned prophet not to prohibit anything to please his wives what He has made lawful.
[66:3] And when the prophet had trusted a statement to one of his wives (wa-idhaa asarra al-nabiyu ilaa ba’di azwaajihi hadeethan), then when she had informed of it, and God had made it known to him. He had made known a part of it and had avoided a part from. Then when he had informed her of it, she said, “Who had informed you of this?” He said, “Has informed me the Knower, the Cognizant.”
Note: The prophet’s wives should be trustworthy to him and should repent to God of those two who have spread the conversation, and should know that God and His angels are allies with him.
[66:8] O you who have believed, you shall repent to God a sincere repentance. It may have been your Lord that He will remove from you your evil deeds and will admit you into gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath. A day God will not disgrace the prophet and those who have believed with him (yawma laa-yukh’zi allahu al-nabiya wa-alladheena aamanuu ma`ahu). Their light will radiate before themselves and on their right. They will say, “Our Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive for us; indeed, You have power over all things.”
Note: God has given opportunity to every one of us to inter into His gardens through a sincere repentance, and the believers will radiate light either in the front or at the right on a day of Judgment, being an indication that some of them will enter Higher Heaven and some will enter Lower Heaven.
[66:9] O you prophet, you shall strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites ((yaa-ayyuhaa al-nabiyu jaahidi al-kufaara wal-munaafiqeena), and shall be stern upon them, while their abode is Hell, and it has been miserable is the destination.
Note: God has ordered prophet to be stern on the disbelievers and hypocrites as their abode is Hell.
In brief, God has addressed Muhammad as prophet in many cases involving the believers with his lifetime activities including as messenger in few cases, most of which are not applicable to the later generations of the believers. So, we should focus on that which God has given to prophet the Quran as a messenger of God, the final edition of scripture, witness, bearer of good news, warner, a caller to God and an illuminating light, and has placed in it His covenant from prophets to send a messenger.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (04/08/2022).