THE QURAAN HONORS HIM

THE QURAAN HONORS HIM

Sent by: Brother Abdur Rubb Abdul Haadi

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) mentions Prophet of Islam, Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) in the Quraan in unique ways — with words that signify his excellence and unmatched character and with titles that demonstrate Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s love and care for him.

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) mentions in the Holy Quraan about all of His Prophets in the most glowing of terms. However, there is a certain way that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) mentions Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam). He is mentioned in a way that is different from all else, in spite of his name only being mentioned four times. So how does Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) speak about the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam)?

Mercy to the Universe
The first that comes to mind is this oft-quoted Aayah (Verse) of the Quraan:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ [الأنبياء: 107]

“And We have not sent you but as mercy for all the worlds (universe).” (Al-Anbiyaa 21:107)

It is among the highest of praise ever given to a human being. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) refers Himself as Lord of all of the worlds (universe) and immediately after describes His attribute of the Most Merciful in the very first Aayah of the Quraan:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ [الفاتحة: 1]

“Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds (universe).” (Al-Faatihah 1:1)

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) has named His Last and Final Prophet and most beloved slave, Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) a “mercy to all of the worlds (universe)”. This summarizes what the Prophet brought to this world — mercy — and what his mission promises in the Aakhirah (Hereafter) — mercy again.

The highest standard of character
Another one of the most valuable praises that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) makes about the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) comes in one of the earliest Soorahs (Chapters) in the Quraan. While people called him mad and questioned his intelligence and motives, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) consoled him. The Quraan says:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ [القلم: 4]

“And you are surely on an excellent standard of character.” (Al-Qalam 68:4)

The emphatic Aayah signifies how the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) was destined to be the best human being ever to live on Earth.

He was on the highest standard of character — the most virtuous, the most patient, the most loving, the most courteous, the most merciful among men, the best to his wife, the best to his friends, the best to his family, honest, trustworthy, and so much more. Even his enemies testified to it. His character was of such a level that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) Himself mentioned of its greatness.

He looked up, and an Aayah was revealed
When the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) first moved to Madinah al Munawwarah, the Qiblah (Direction for Salaah) was still towards Bait ul Muqaddas (Jerusalem) and not towards Makkah al Mukarramah. The Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) found it hard to turn his back on the Ka’bah as he offered Salaah. He used to look up to the sky. He didn’t make a Du’aa (Supplication) or a request, he just looking up. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) not only responded to what his heart sought, but mentioned it in the Quraan. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is openly declaring His love for the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) in His book, the Quraan:

قَدْ نَرَى تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةً تَرْضَاهَا فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنْتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ [البقرة: 144]

“We have been seeing you turning your face to the heavens. So, We will certainly assign to you a Qiblah that you would like. Now, turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid-ul-Haraam), and (O Muslims!), wherever you are, turn your faces in its direction. Even those who have been given the Book know well that it is the truth from their Lord, and Allah is not unaware of what they do.” (Al-Baqarah 2:144)

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) consoles him
Multiple times when the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) was distressed, sad, or affected by the death of a near relation, Allah sent down Aayaat (Verses) to console him.

Numerous Soorahs like Soorah Dhuhaa, Soorah TaaHaa, Soorah Yousuf, Soorah Sharh, Soorah Maryam, etc. were revealed specifically to soothe his heart. Such was the honor of the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam), that his heart was soothed by Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s own words from above the seven heavens.

He never calls him by name
Among the marvels of the Quraan is how Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) never addressed the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) directly as یا محمد! (Yaa Muhammad! i.e. O Muhammad!) Like, he does multiple times for other Prophets like Hadhrat Daawood (David), Hadhrat Moosaa (Moses), Hadhrat Zakarya (Zechariah), etc. Rather Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) uses terms of endearment, such as "O you who is a Prophet”, "O you who wraps himself”, "O you who covers himself,” etc. Out of honor to the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam), he is never called by his own name but only by various titles and by his states which show how much Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) cares about him.

Defends his family and followers
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) defends the Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) from false accusations multiple times in the Quraan, but not only that, He also defends and mentions his family and friends. There are passages in the Quraan directed at his wives, with the honorable term of "Mothers of the believers.” His adopted son Zaid was mentioned by name. When some people spread rumors about Hadhrat ‘Ayeshah, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) responded to their accusations by revealing Soorah Noor, in which over 20 Aayah are sent to defend Hadhrat ‘Ayeshah.

These are just a few examples of how Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) defended His Prophet and our Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam). The Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam) was a guiding light for all of us, and the more we know about him, the more we will love him. Let us strive to learn more of the Quraan and more about our Prophet (SallAllaho ‘Alaihe WaSallam).