MUHAMMAD (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam)
IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH

Shaikh Jamaal

All of us know that to enter into Islam we must bear witness that there is none worthy of worship save Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) and that Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is the Messenger of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). Many times we talk about the first part of the Shahaadah or testimony and we discuss it in detail. However, it is just as important to understand the meaning and the implications of the second part of the Shahaadah. Indeed sometimes we stray from the Straight Path because we are not implementing the second part of the Shahaadah in the proper way. Therefore, I wish to discuss the second part of the Shahaadah in some detail so that we may be aware of what is really means and so we may be certain that we are fulfilling or applying it properly.

When we testify that Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is the Messenger of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) we are testifying and stating our belief that the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) was chosen by Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) to be His Messenger and to convey His Message. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Quraan:

“And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and He chooses” (al-Qasas:68)

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) creates and has power to do all things. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) specifically chose the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) to be His Messenger. In another verse, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:
“Allah knows best with whom to place His Message” (al-An’aam:124)

This automatically implies some characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) as obviously Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) would not choose one who is treacherous or lying to be His Messenger. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) would not choose anyone for such an important mission whom He knew would not convey the message or who would use the position to his own advantage. If anyone claims that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) did not actually convey the entire message or that he distorted it in any way, he is actually saying that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) did not know who was the correct or best person to be His messenger. This is obvious disbelief.

Second, when one makes the Shahaadah, he is also testifying that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) has been sent for all of mankind until the Day of Judgment. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Quraan:
“Say: O Mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah” (al-A’raaf:158)

Furthermore the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:
“I have been given five aspects that were not given to any prophet before me... [One of which is] every prophet was sent only to his people while I have been sent to all of mankind.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

It is obligatory upon everyone from the time of the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) until the Day of Judgment to believe and follow the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam). If the message of Islam clearly reaches a person and he still refuses to believe in and follow the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam), he is a disbeliever and will be in Jahannnum (the Hellfire) forever - unless he repents and embraces Islam.

However, this also implies that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam)’s teaching and his Sunnah are valid and obligatory upon all of mankind. That is, his example and teaching was not simply for the people of Arabia at his time. Instead, it is just as valid and just as important for each and every Muslim today, whether he be in West or the East, North or the South. The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) has been sent to all of us. His example and teaching is for all of us.

Some people seem to try to resist the idea that they have to follow the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam). When they do so, they must realize that they are going against what they have testified to. They have testified that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam)’s message, which includes both the Quraan and his inspired Sunnah, is for all of mankind — including each and everyone of us alive today.

Third, when we make the Shahaadah we are testifying that we believe with certainty that the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) conveyed the message — he conveyed it correctly, he conveyed all of it, and he conveyed it clearly. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Quraan:
“The Messenger’s duty is only to convey (the message) in a clear way” (al-Noor:54)

The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) himself said, “I left you on a bright path whose night and day are alike. No one strays from it after me except he is destroyed” (Ahmad, al-Bayhaqi, Sahih see Saheeh al-Jaami as-Sagheer, vol.2, p.805, hadith no. 4369)

The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) conveyed all of the guidance and revelation that he received from Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). He conveyed it and explained it in a very clear manner. Therefore when we make the Shahaadah, we are also testifying that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) conveyed all the aspects of the religion - its fundamental as well as its secondary aspects. There is no part of the religion that we need for our guidance that was not conveyed to us or that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) or the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) may have possibly forgotten.

Therefore, when we have this complete and clear guidance from the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) there is no need for us to turn to other sources for guidance. There is no need for us to turn to even the books non-Muslims. Indeed, the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) told Hadhrat ‘Umar when he saw him reading the Torah, that if the Prophet Moosaa (Moses) were alive at his time, he would also have to follow the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam). There is no need for us to turn to the Greek philosophers to learn about our theology. There is no need for us to turn to the philosophers, the psychologists, the feminist leaders or the right wing leaders of today or anybody else for us to get guidance. All that we need is to be found in the Holy Quraan and Sunnah. We testify to that fact. We bear witness that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) conveyed the entire message. This is all part of the meaning of our Sahaadah.

When we declare, “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”, we are also declaring that he is the final prophet sent by Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Quraan:

“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Last of the Prophets” (al-Ahzaab:40)

There is to be no prophet who is going to come after the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam). No new prophet and no new scripture will come that will abrogate what the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) brought. Furthermore whenever anyone claims to be a prophet, we know automatically that such a person is a liar and deceiver. We must oppose him and declare to all that his claim to prophethood is false.

To accept anyone as a prophet after the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is to falsify one’s declaring of the Shahaadah.

When we make the testimony of faith or the Shahaadah, this not only implies that we believe in certain things but it also implies that we are accepting certain responsibilities that stem from that Shahaadah. For example, when we say that there is none worthy of worship except Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), for that Shahaadah to be a correct form of Shahaadah, it means that we are taking on the responsibility of worshipping no one other than Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)

Similarly, when we say, “I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”, we are taking on certain responsibilities with respect to the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam). When we are lacking in any of these responsibilities, then we are lacking when it comes to fulfilling our Shahaadah. It can even get to the point that we negate our Shahaadah completely by refusing to fulfill our responsibility to the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam).

The first of our obligations toward the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is to love him. This does not just imply any form of love but complete Iman requires that we love the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) more than anyone or anything else of this world. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Quraan:

“Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are disobedient”. (at-Tawbah:24)

One way, Allah-willing, to attain this correct love of the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is by studying the life of the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) and seeing the sacrifices and struggles that he went through in order to fulfill his mission and convey this message.

Second, when we make the testimony of faith, this means that we are accepting the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) as our example of how to live and behave in a way that is correct and pleasing to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Quraan:

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example to follow for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much”. (al-Ahzaab:21)

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) also says:
“Say (O Muhammad): if you truly love Allah, then follow me and Allah will love you (in return) and forgive for you your sins”. (Aale ‘Imraan:31)

It is very strange that some people declare the testimony of faith wherein they accept that Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is the Messenger and Prophet of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) yet at the same time they do not consider him an example of the way of life that a believer should follow. Not only do they not take him as an example for themselves, they actually oppose others who do take the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) as their example. This is nothing but a clear sign that such a person does not have a clear understanding of the meaning and implications of the testimony of faith that he made. May Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) forgive us all. Aameen!

The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:
“I swear by Allah that I am the most fearful of Allah and most conscious of Him than all of you. But I also (as part of my Sunnah) fast and break my fast, pray and sleep (at night), and marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me (i.e. is not one of my followers).” (Bukhari)

In this Hadeeth, the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) explained that he is the most fearful of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) and Allah-conscious. Therefore, there is no excuse for anyone not to follow his example and guidance. But he also stated that the one who turns away from his practice and example is not from him. That is, he is not one of his true followers. One cannot claim to believe and accept the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) and then at the same time refuse to accept his life and example that one must strive to emulate and follow.

Also when we make the Shahaadah, it becomes obligatory upon us to give the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) our complete obedience. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) has made this very clear in numerous places in the Quraan. For example, He says:
“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger!” (an-Nisaa:59)

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) also says:
“He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then We have no sent you (O Muhammad) as a watcher over them” (an-Nisaa:59)

In addition to obedience to the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) we must also accept him as a judge — meaning that whatever the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) has decreed, decided or ordered, we must accept his decision and accept it completely without any feeling of ill-will in our hearts toward what he has decided. This is also very clear in the Quraan. Note the following verses:

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) will full submission.” (an-Nisaa:65)

“If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” (an-Nisaa:59)

Finally, when we testify to this Shahaadah, we have taken it upon our shoulders to defend the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam). Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Quraan:

“Those who believe in him (the Prophet Muhammad), honor him, help him and follow the light (the Quraan) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful” (al-A’ raaf:157)

Defending him and supporting him includes the obvious of doing such with respect to his person during his lifetime. However, it also includes defending and supporting him after his departure from this mortal world. Unfortunately, many ignorant people have attacked the Sunnah of the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) for many different reasons. It is an obligation upon the Muslims to defend the Sunnah and his way of life against such false onslaughts. This is part of the obligation that falls upon our shoulders when we make our testimony of faith.

Again, we become Muslim by testifying that “There is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”. This is the foundation of our religion and it is the most important testimony of our lives. However, after we make that testimony, we must be certain that we are fulfilling what it requires of us and understand completely its implications. If we do not, then we would not be testifying in the correct and proper manner. And this is something, I am sure, that none of us wish to be guilty of.