Can We See the Prophet (s.a.w.)?

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is a transcript of discourse delivered by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad.  We often say, “Ashhadu an laa ilaha illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah”; “I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad (s.a.w.) is Allah’s Messenger.”  In order to testify definitely that there is no God but Allah (s.w.t.), we rely upon the testimony of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), because he was taken up in the Divine Presence.  And Allah (s.w.t.) Says in His Words: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآٮِٕمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَڪِيمُ (١٨) 

There is no god but He: that is the witness of Allah, His angels and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice.  There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise. (Surah Ali ‘Imran:18) 

So, whether we can conceptualise this fact or not, we accept it because Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.); that one who never spoke a lie and who is the most trusted said so.  So, we accept it wholeheartedly.  The next part of the declaration of faith is the testimony that Muhammad (s.a.w.) is Allah’s (s.w.t.) Final Messenger.  How can we verify this statement? 

Firstly, Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us this; so, we accept it.  It is also necessary for us to experience and to gain knowledge about whatever Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us.  That is why He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

ٱلَّذِينَ يَذۡكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمً۬ا وَقُعُودً۬ا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمۡ وَيَتَفَڪَّرُونَ فِى خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقۡتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلاً۬ سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ (١٩١) 

Men who celebrate the praises of Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) Creation in the Heavens and the Earth, (with the thought), “Our Lord!  Not for naught have You Created (all) this!  Glory to You!  Give us Salvation from the Penalty of the Fire.” (Surah Ali ‘Imran:191) 

What then about the finality of the Messenger (s.a.w.)?  Every Messenger who came before brought something about the Prophet (s.a.w.), but they never brought the comprehensive message.  How then can we say with certainty that Muhammad (s.a.w.) is the last Messenger (s.a.w.)?  Allah (s.w.t.) Says in Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ الحُجرَات

وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ فِيكُمۡ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ … 

And know that among you is Allah’s Messenger … (Surah al-Hujraat:7) 

And the Qur’an Contains the message for all times, not just during the life of Prophet (s.a.w.).  Some scholars interpret this ayah to mean that it is his sunnah that is with us.  They also say the recitation of Qur’an is another way that he is with us because he taught us its recitation.  Whilst these are all true, the ayah reflects more than that.  For example, he is reported to have said, “Whoever sees me in a dream actually sees me”.  What does that mean?  In other narrations we see that when a person is being questioned in the grave, he visits them while the angels are questioning the person.  Physically he is not with us, but he still maintains a connection with us.  This is possibly why Allah (s.w.t.) Says, “And know that among you is Allah's Messenger.” 

We must understand that we do not have to wait until the time of death comes in order for us to have a vision of the Beloved Prophet (s.a.w.).  If we purify ourselves and connect to him, insha’Allah, we can achieve it in this realm.  May Allah (s.w.t.) Bless us and Enable us to connect and attach ourselves to His Beloved (s.a.w.) in this world and the next.