From the study of what the prophet shared with us about himself through the words of God helps the true believers to avoid myths and misconceptions around him. While the commandments of God to the prophet may help us as well to avoid alleged Hadiths and Sunnah as well as Fatwa and Sharia Laws, which have got more prominence than the Quran itself causing the prevailing disaster in the Islamic domain. However, like the believers the prophet had to obey God and uphold His commandments as communicated through the revelation to him to deserve a great reward with God as detailed below:
What is revealed to Muhammad is a means for all of us to be thankful to God
[3:144] And Muhammad is not but a messenger certainly has passed away the messengers before himself. So if he has died or has been killed, have you turned back on your heels? And whoever turns back on his heels, he will not harm God in anything. And God will reward the thankful ones.
[33:40] Muhammad has not been a father of anyone of your men but has had a God’s messenger and seal of the prophets. And God has done being Knower of everything.
[47:2] And those who believed and did the righteous deeds, and believed in what has been revealed to Muhammad, it is the truth from their Lord, He has removed from them their evil deeds and has improved their situation.
[48:29] Muhammad, a messenger of God and those who are with him are harsh against the disbelievers, while merciful among themselves. You see them are bowing and prostrating, seeking God’s blessing and pleasure. Their mark is on their faces as a result of prostrating. Such is their example in the Torah. And their example in the Injeel is like a seed which has sent forth its shoot, then has strengthened, then has become thick, then has stood on its stem, pleasing to the farmers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. God has promised those among them who have believed and have done the righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.
Journey of the prophet to receive the whole Quran
[17:1] Glory be to the One who took of His servant (prophet) by night from the Sacred Masjid (of Mecca) to the farthest place of prostration which we blessed its surroundings that we can show him of our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearer, the Seer.
It has been a great blessing for the prophet from God to be chosen
[17:85] And they ask you (Muhammad) about the Spirit. Say: “The Spirit comes by the command of my Lord, and the knowledge you are given is but a little.”
[17:86] And if we had willed, we would have taken away that which we have revealed to you. Then you would not find any advocate for you concerning this against us.
[17:87] Except for a mercy from your Lord. Indeed, His blessing upon you has been great.
People were to follow God’s message but the prophet was not a guardian over them
[4:80] Whoever obeys the messenger has surely obeyed God; and whoever has turned away, then we have not sent you (prophet) a guardian over them.
[17:54] Your Lord is Knower of you. If He wills, He will have mercy on you, or if He wills, He will punish you. And we have not sent you (Muhammad) a guardian over them.
[42:48] So if they turn away, then we did not send you (prophet) a guardian over them; on you (your responsibility) is not except the conveyance. And indeed, when we cause to taste the human being mercy from us, he rejoices in it, and if adversity afflicts them for what their hands have sent forth, then indeed, the human being is ungrateful.
The knowledge of the Hour (end of the world) with God
[6:40] Say, “Had you seen if the retribution of God came to you or the Hour came to you, would you implore other than God if you were truthful?”
[7:187] They ask you (prophet) about the Hour: “When will be its time?” Say: “Its knowledge is only with my Lord, none can reveal it of its time except He. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth; it will not come to you except suddenly.” They ask you, as if you have knowledge about it! Say: “Its knowledge is only with God, but most people do not know.”
[19:75] Say: “Whoever is in the astray, then the Most Gracious surely will lead him on until they see what they have been promised either the retribution or the Hour. Then they will know who is in place of worseness and weaker in power.”
[33:63] The people ask you (prophet) about the Hour. Say: “Its knowledge is only with God, and what will make you know that the Hour is near.
Commandment for the prophet to only fear God
[33:1] O you prophet, you shall fear God, and you are not to obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Indeed, God has been Knower, Wise.
[33:2] And you shall follow what is inspired to you from your Lord. Indeed, God has been Cognizant of what you do.
[33:3] And you shall put trust on God and with God has sufficed as a Disposer.
Commandment for the prophet what to tell his wives
[33:28] O you prophet, say to your wives: “If you desire the worldly life and its adornment, then come, I will provide for you and release you a fair release.
[33:29] “But if you desire God and His messenger and the abode of the Hereafter, then God has prepared for the good doers among you a great reward.”
God’s system and decree for God’s messengers to obey His commandment
[33:37] And you (Muhammad) said to whom God has bestowed favor on him and you have bestowed on him: “You shall keep your wife to yourself and shall fear God.” And you concealed within yourself what God was to disclose, and you feared the people, while God is worthy that you should fear Him. So, when Zaid ended his relationship from her, we wished you to have her as spouse that there is no wrongdoing for the believers for the wives of their adopted sons when they have ended relationship from them. And God’s command has to be done.
[33:38] There is no blame on the prophet in what God has obligated for him. Such is God’s system with the people passed on from before, and God’s command is a destined decree.
[33:39] Those who convey God’s messages, and they fear Him and do not fear anyone except God. And with God has sufficed as a Reckoner.
Commandment for the prophet to strive against the disbelievers to deliver the message
[33:45] O you prophet, we have sent you a witness, and a bearer of good news, and a warner,
[33:46] and a caller to God by His permission, and an illuminating light.
[33:47] And you shall give the believers good news of that there is a great blessing for them from God.
[33:48] And you should not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites and shall ignore their insult, and shall put trust on God while with God has sufficed as an Advocate.
[9:73] O you prophet, you shall strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and shall be stern on them. Their abode is Hell and is a miserable destination!
Women made lawful in marriage for the prophet
[33:50] O you prophet, we have made lawful for you your wives whom you have given their bridal reward and those who are rightfully yours whom God has given to you, and the daughters of your father’s brothers, and the daughters of your father’s sisters, and the daughters of your mother’s brothers, and the daughters of your mother’s sisters who have emigrated with you, and if a believing woman who gives herself to the prophet, if the prophet wishes to marry her, is only for you not for the believers. Certainly, we know what we have made obligatory for them (believers) about their wives and whom they rightfully possess that there should not be any discomfort for you. And God is forgiving, Merciful.
[33:51] You may defer whomever you will of them and you may take to yourself whomever you will. And whoever you desire of those whom you have set aside then there is no sin upon you. That is more appropriate that they may be comforted and they do not grieve, and may be pleased with what you have given each of them. And God knows what is in your hearts while God is Knower, Forbearing.
[33:52] No women are lawful for you beyond this, and that you are not to exchange of them for (other) wives, even if their beauty pleases you except for whom you rightfully possess. And God is Watcher over all things.
Commandment for the prophet about dress code for the believing women
[33:59] O you prophet, say to your wives, and your daughters, and the women of the believers that they should cover them with their garments. That is more appropriate that they can be recognized and are not harmed while God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Commandment for the prophet to deserve a good reward with God
[17:78] You (Muhammad) shall observe the Contact Prayer when the sun declines towards darkness of the night and Quran at the dawn. Indeed, (reciting) Quran at the dawn is witnessed.
[17:79] And of the night you shall mediate with it (Quran) for your extra (reward), it may be that your Lord may raise you to a high rank.
[17:80] And say: “My Lord, admit me an honorable admittance, and let me depart an honorable departure, and grant me from You a powerful support.”
[17:81] And say: “The truth has come and the falsehood has perished. Indeed, the falsehood is to perish!”
[18:27] You shall recite what is revealed to you of your Lord’s scripture. Nothing shall abrogate His words, and you shall not find any other source beside it.
[29:45] You (prophet) shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture and shall observe the Contact Prayer. Indeed, the Contact Prayer prevents from the evil and the vice, but the remembrance of God is surely the greatest while God knows what you (all) do.
Commandment for the prophet to follow what was revealed to him
[6:19] Say, “Which testimony is the greatest?” Say, “God is a witness between me and you, and this Quran has been revealed to me that I may warn you with it and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods beside God.” Say, “I do not bear witness; He is the Only one god, and I disown what you associate”
[6:51] And you (prophet) shall warn with this (Quran) those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord; for them there is no protector or intercessor other than Him so that they may become righteous.
[6:106] You (prophet) shall follow what has been inspired to you from your Lord that there is no other god beside He and you turn away from the idolaters.
[6:126] And this (Quran) is a straight path to your Lord. Certainly, we have detailed the revelations for a people who take heed.
What was revealed to prophet is a statute book, good news and warner
[2:119] Indeed, we have sent you (Muhammad) with the truth a bearer of good news and a warner (Quran), and you will not be asked about a people of the blazing Fire.
[25:1] Blessed is the One who sent down the statute book through His servant (prophet) that it can serve as a warner for the worlds.
[25:56] And we have not sent you (prophet) except a bearer of good news and a warner.
[34:28] And we have not sent you (prophet) a good news and a warner except for all the people.
[35:24] Indeed, we have sent you (prophet) a good news with the truth and a warner, and no nation had passed without a warner in it.
[17:105] And with the truth we have revealed it (Quran) and with the truth it has descended. And we have not sent you (Muhammad) except a bearer of good news and a warner.
Commandment for the prophet to warn those who follow the reminder
[36:11] You (prophet) can only warn him who follows the reminder (Quran) and fears the Most Gracious in the unseen. So you shall give him good news of forgiveness and honorable reward.
[53:29] So you (prophet) shall turn away from him who turns away from our reminder and he does not desire except the life of the world.
God inspired the faith to the prophet
[47:19] So you (prophet) shall know that there is no other god beside God; and you shall ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and the believing women while God knows (all) your return and (all) your reward.
[42:52] And thus, we inspired to you (prophet) an inspiration by our command. You did not know what the scripture was, nor was the faith. But we made it (Quran) a light; we guide with it whomever we will from among our servants. And indeed, you undoubtedly guide to a straight path.
What was revealed to the prophet is a mercy, light and healing for the people
[7:157] Those who follow the messenger, the gentile prophet (Muhammad), whom they find written in their Torah and Gospel; he exhorts them to be righteous, enjoins them from evil, allows for them all good food, and prohibits that which is bad, and unloads the burdens and the shackles imposed upon them. Those who believe in him, respect him, support him, and follow the light that has been sent down with him, those are the successful ones.
[14:1] Alif.Laam.Ra. A scripture we revealed to you (prophet) that you may bring the people from the darkness to the light by permission of their Lord to a path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.
[17:82] And we reveal in the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase except loss to the wicked.
[21:107] And we have not sent you (prophet) except a mercy for the people of the world.
Commandment for the prophet and for the believers to follow religion of Abraham
[16:123] Then we inspired to you (prophet) that “You shall follow the religion of Abraham, monotheism, and he has not been with the idol worshipers.”
[3:95] Say, “God has proclaimed the truth, so you shall follow the religion of Abraham, monotheism, and He has not been with the idol worshipers.”
Religion for all God’s prophets and messengers as well as for all the people
[42:13] He decreed for all of you the religion what He enjoined for Noah, and what we inspired to you (Muhammad), and what we enjoined for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. That you shall uphold the religion, and you are not to divide in it, is difficult for the idolaters what you (Muhammad) call them to it. God chooses to Himself whomever He wills and He guides to Himself whoever turns (towards Him).
Commandment for the prophet what to recite and use to judge among the people
[4:105] Indeed, we have sent down to you (prophet) the scripture with the truth that you may judge between the people with what God has shown you, and you are not to be an advocate of the deceitful ones.
[5:49] And that you shall judge between them of what God has revealed to you and you should not follow their wishes, and shall beware of them lest they turn you back from some of what God has revealed to you. So if they turn away, then you should know that God only intends that He would afflict them with some of their sins while indeed, most of the people are definitely disobedient.
[13:30] Thus, we have sent you (prophet) to a community from before its (many) communities have passed away, that you may recite to them what we revealed to you while they disbelieve in the Most Gracious. Say: “He is my Lord; there is no other god besides He. I put trust on Him, and to Him is my return.”
[22:52] And we did not send from before yours (Muhammad) any messenger nor a prophet except that when he recited, the devil had cast in his recitation while God nullifies what the devil cast. Then God perfects His revelations as God is Knower, Wise.
What was revealed to the prophet is a reminder for him and for his people
[12:104] And you (prophet) are not asking them any reward for it; it is not but a reminder for the worlds.
[43:43] So you (prophet) shall hold fast with that what has been revealed to you; indeed, you are on a straight path.
[43:44] And indeed, it is a reminder for you (prophet) and for your people, and all of you will be questioned.
Warning for the prophet not to recite other than the Quran
[69:44] It (Quran) is a revelation from Lord of the worlds.
[69:45] And if he (prophet) had uttered any other words,
[69:46] We would have surely seized him by the right hand.
[69:47] Then we would have surely cut off the aorta (the main artery) from him.
[69:48] Then none of you could be protectors from Him. Indeed, it is undoubtedly a lesson for the righteous.
Warning for the prophet not to explain the Quran
[75:16] You (prophet) are not to move with it (Quran) of your tongue to hasten with it.
[75:17] It is we who will collect it into Quran.
[75:18] As we recited it, so you shall follow its recitation.
[75:19] Then it is we who will explain it.
[20:114] So high above all is God, the King, the True. And you (prophet) are not to hasten with the Quran before that its revelation is completed to you, and say, “My Lord, increase me of knowledge.”
Summary
- What is revealed to Muhammad is a means for all of us to be thankful to God while God promises forgiveness and a great reward for those who believe and do good works.
- The journey of the prophet to the higher heaven by night to receive the whole Quran.
- It has been a great blessing from God for the prophet to be chosen as deliverer of the message.
- People are to follow God’s message revealed to the prophet but he was not guardian over them.
- The knowledge of the Hour is with God but not with the prophet except what he knew it is near.
- The prophet was commanded to fear God disregarding the disbelievers and the hypocrites but putting his trust in Him as well as to follow what was inspired to Him.
- The prophet was commanded to warn his wives that if they desire God and His messenger, God has prepared a great reward for those among them who do the good works.
- God’s system and decree for His messengers is to obey His commandment, and there was no exception for the prophet as he had to marry the divorced wife of his adopted son against his will.
- The prophet was commanded to strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites to deliver the message given to him being a witness, bearer of good news, warner, a caller to God and enlightening lamp for the people.
- No women were lawful for the prophet except who were made lawful in marriage for him by God.
- The prophet was commanded to tell his wives, daughters and the believing women to cover them appropriately that they can be recognized and are not insulted.
- The prophet was commanded to recite the scripture as revealed and meditate with it at night as well as to observe the contact prayer to develop his own soul deserving his reward with God.
- The message revealed to the prophet is a statute book, light, mercy and healing for the people.
- The prophet was taught that there is no god except God while he guided to a straight path.
- The prophet and the believers were commanded to follow the religion of Abraham.
- The prophet was commanded to recite, follow and use to judge people what was revealed to him.
- The message revealed to the prophet is a reminder for him as well as for his people while he was commanded to warn those who follow the reminder.
- The prophet was warned neither to recite other than the Quran nor to explain it.
In conclusion, if we can characterize the prophet as model from his statements made through God’s words and what God has commanded him to do, and reflect to the message given to him being a statute book, witness, bearer of good news, warner, a caller to God, enlightening lamp, mercy, light and a guide for the people, we may avoid the prevailing disaster in the Islamic domain made by the so called scholars and the learned spreading through alleged Hadiths, Fatwa, Sharia, and Ijma laws.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (11/15/2019).