The Status of the Prophet (s.a.w.) in the Universe

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is a transcript of discourse given by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

Allah (s.w.t.) Says that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is a Favour to the believers.  He Says, in Surah Ali ‘Imran: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

لَقَدۡ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ إِذۡ بَعَثَ فِيہِمۡ رَسُولاً۬ مِّنۡ أَنفُسِهِمۡ ... (١٦٤) 

Allah did Confer a Great Favour on the believers when He Sent, among them, a Messenger from among themselves ... (Surah Ali ‘Imran:164) 

Allah (s.w.t.) has never described the other Messengers in this manner.  Even though He was so Favourable to the Israelites that He sent a host of Messengers to them with great signs and miracles, and yet He never Referred to Jesus (a.s.), or any of them as a “Favour”.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was, is and will always be a Favour for the entire universe, up to and even after the Day of Judgement.  He will be the Chief Intercessor on that Day and he will even look for us to take us with him in the garden of Paradise. 

It is because the Prophet (s.a.w.) is such a special creature in the universe and the Beloved of Allah (s.w.t.), that this Book looks at the reasons why Allah (s.w.t.) has Blessed us to be in his companionship.  We are not simply talking about our life in this world, but he is special in the entire universe.  We know that there is the Creator and there are His creatures.  No creature can be like the Creator. He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الإخلاص

وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ ڪُفُوًا أَحَدٌ (٤) 

And there is none like unto Him. (Surah al-Ikhlasw:4) 

There is a difference between both.  No creature can ascend to the status of the Creator; in form, capacity, and so forth.  As a matter of fact, the basic difference between the Creator and His creatures is that all creatures have a beginning and an end, but the Creator is Eternal.  All creatures depend on Him, but He depends on no one.  If He so Wishes, He can Replace the entire universe with some other form of Creation.  This is why Islam places such importance on tawhid.  It is the “password” for entry into Paradise.  Muslims recognise these facts about the Majesty of the Creator — Allah (s.w.t.), and they stay firm in their belief, never to ascribe a partner with Him.  This belief is tawhid.  Tawhid is the declaration and belief that “there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger”.  Muslims take all the care to place Allah (s.w.t.) as Supreme in all their beliefs and actions.  They know that when the lifespan of the universe will come to an end, the Face of the Lord Alone will Remain. 

Sayyidina Abu ‘Amr ‘Utsman ibn ‘Affan (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “He who dies knowing ‘Laa ilaha illa Allah’ shall enter Paradise”.  This is recorded in Swahih Muslim.  We depend on The Creator for everything, even the ability to thank Him.  He is not part of the universe but rather He is connected to the universe. 

History records that Allah (s.w.t.) Spoke words to His Messengers, before the coming of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  These Words are Recorded in the Qur’an, such as the conversations between Himself and Moses (a.s.).  He Revealed them to the Prophet (s.a.w.) as part of the Qur’an because He Wanted to Preserve them as He Says that He never changes His Words.  This is Recorded in the Qur’an in the following verse: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴنعَام

... وَلَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ ... (٣٤) 

… there is none that can alter the Words (and Decrees) of Allah. … (Surah al-An’am:34) 

But the Words of Allah (s.w.t.) are different from the words of ordinary human beings.  His Words have unbelievably powerful vibrations; especially as how they are arranged in the Qur’an.  So powerful are the vibrations, that nothing in the universe can withstand them if the Words were to be Revealed to any creature in the entire universe.  Look at what He Says about whether the mountains could have withstood the vibrations of His Words, were He to have Revealed it on them: 

سُوۡرَةُ الحَشر

لَوۡ أَنزَلۡنَا هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ۬ لَّرَأَيۡتَهُ ۥ خَـٰشِعً۬ا مُّتَصَدِّعً۬ا مِّنۡ خَشۡيَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ ... (٢١) 

Had We Sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, verily, you would have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of Allah ... (Surah al-Hashr:21) 

Allah (s.w.t.) has Allowed His Words to come to mankind through Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), and the heart of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), was the receptacle that was Selected and capable of receiving those Divine Words.  Allah (s.w.t.) Sent Guidance to all nations via His Messengers, but all those Messengers communicated in the languages of the people.  Numerous creatures glorify Allah (s.w.t.) in their own languages.  Human beings are different because we can glorify Allah (s.w.t.) using the Words He Uttered.  

Before Sending Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) to receive His Words on behalf of the entire universe, Allah (s.w.t.) Offered the trust, the responsibility, to accept the Qur’an to the skies and the mountains.  But they all refused to accept it.  He Records this for our information in the following verse of the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

إِنَّا عَرَضۡنَا ٱلۡأَمَانَةَ عَلَى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلۡجِبَالِ فَأَبَيۡنَ أَن يَحۡمِلۡنَہَا وَأَشۡفَقۡنَ مِنۡہَا وَحَمَلَهَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ ظَلُومً۬ا جَهُولاً۬ (٧٢) 

We did indeed Offer the trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the mountains: but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it ― he was indeed unjust and foolish (Surah al-Ahzab:72) 

The word “trust” is a philosophical term, and my understanding is that the trust, Allah (s.w.t.) is Speaking about, is in fact the Qur’an.  The skies, earth and mountains all refused the responsibility of accepting the Qur’an because they did not have the capacity to bear it and to shoulder its responsibilities.  Man, on the other hand, was unjust or, for want of a better word; man was stupid, as he did not know what it entailed; and the power of the vibrations contained in the Words of that Great Book.  I am not saying Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was stupid, but rather, the progeny of Adam (a.s.).  So, because man accepted this responsibility, Allah (s.w.t.) Created a special human being, as one of His representatives, to receive this “trust” on our behalf; and this was his first important mission. 

The entire universe could not contain the Qur’an, so Allah (s.w.t.) Created the heart of the Prophet (s.a.w.), to accept, contain and preserve it; and from where it would be known to all in the universe.  When Allah (s.w.t.) Decided that it was time to Release the Qur’an from Lawh al-Mahfuzh, and Send it to the Earth, He Sent His Beloved (s.a.w.), who had the capacity to accept it on behalf of all the creatures in the universe, and to transmit it in its purest of forms to man.  Jibril (a.s.) impressed this Noble Book in the heart of the Beloved Messenger (s.a.w.), before he was even able to recite one single verse of it.  Later on, it was released to the companions through wahy, a special type of Revelation, which came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) over a period of twenty-three years. 

The question that can come to mind is: If the Prophet (s.a.w.) had the Qur’an Impressed in his heart; why did he not teach the people it, but waited on Divine Instructions for doing so?  Allah (s.w.t.) tells us that the Prophet (s.a.w.) never said anything of his own passion, ego or desire.  All that he transmitted was on the basis of Divine Inspiration.  The Prophet’s (s.a.w.) heart was like a transformer that receives the electricity from the power station and distributes it everywhere. 

When Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was a little more than 3 years old, two angels came and opened his chest and washed his heart; so, his heart was purified.  Perhaps, the reason for having this done was to ensure that there were no impurities in his noble heart, as no impurities must touch the Book as Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الواقِعَة

إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ (٧٧) فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ (٧٨) لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ (٧٩) تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (٨٠) 

That this is indeed a Qur’an Most Honourable, in a Book Well-Guarded, which none shall touch but those who are clean: A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. (Surah al-Waqi’ah:77-80) 

The Qur’an was Revealed in the strangest of ways.  For example, part of Surah al-‘Alaq came first, and it is Chapter 96 in the Qur’an.  How come the Prophet (s.a.w.) did not mix up the order?  Because he had it impressed in his heart, and knew where to put the newly Revealed part of the text, as each verse was already in the “Master Copy” which was impressed in his heart. Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الشُّعَرَاء

وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (١٩٢) نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلۡأَمِينُ (١٩٣) عَلَىٰ قَلۡبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنذِرِينَ (١٩٤) 

Verily this is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds: With it came down the Spirit of Faith and Truth ― to your heart and mind, that you may admonish (Surah ash-Shua’ra:192-194) 

The transfer of the entire Book, which came from Lawh al-Mahfuzh, the Divine Vault, was done when Jibril (a.s.) squeezed him against his own heart.  This was done after Jibril (a.s.) had asked him to read three times, and each time the Prophet (s.a.w.) replied that he could not do so. 

Sometimes, when Jibril (a.s.) brought Revelation for Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), and he began reciting it ahead of Jibril (a.s.), but Allah (s.w.t.) Revealed to him that he should not do so, but follow the recitation of the angel when he recited it.  Allah (s.w.t.) Records about this as follows: 

سُوۡرَةُ القِیَامَة

لَا تُحَرِّكۡ بِهِۦ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعۡجَلَ بِهِۦۤ (١٦) إِنَّ عَلَيۡنَا جَمۡعَهُ ۥ وَقُرۡءَانَهُ ۥ (١٧) فَإِذَا قَرَأۡنَـٰهُ فَٱتَّبِعۡ قُرۡءَانَهُ ۥ (١٨) ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيۡنَا بَيَانَهُ ۥ (١٩) 

Move not your tongue concerning the (Qur’an) to make haste therewith.  It is for Us to Collect it and to Promulgate it: But when We have Promulgated it, follow you its recital (as Promulgated): Nay more, it is for Us to Explain it (and Make It Clear): (Surah al-Qiyamah:16-19) 

Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali (r.a.) wrote that fifty thousand years before Creation, Allah (s.w.t.) Recited Surah ThaHa and Surah YaSin.  It is only because of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) that we have been Blessed to recite the Words of Allah (s.w.t.) as He Recites it.  Another factor that demonstrates the power of the Qur’an is the word “Be”.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says that if He Wants something to come into existence, He Says “Kun,” “Be”; and that thing would come into existence from nothing.  He Tells us so in the following verse: 

سُوۡرَةُ یسٓ

إِنَّمَآ أَمۡرُهُ ۥۤ إِذَآ أَرَادَ شَيۡـٴً۬ـا أَن يَقُولَ لَهُ ۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ (٨٢) 

Verily, when He Intends a thing, His Command is “Be” and it is! (Surah YaSin:82) 

“Kun” can Cause the entire universe to be destroyed or a new one can come into existence; and look at how many times it has been Mentioned in the Qur’an.  Can we now imagine the capacity of this Book?  Except for human beings, all the other creatures in the universe were Given their specific formats and languages for praising Allah (s.w.t.).  Even the Messengers before the Prophet (s.a.w.) conveyed the Message in the language of the people to whom they were Sent.  So that, before Islam, no one was blessed with the opportunity to recite the Words of the Lord in the same language and intonation as He Himself Did. 

This is the first Blessing that makes Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) a “Great Favour” to the universe; Allah (s.w.t.) Sent him with the great Book.  No other creature has this Blessing.  This is why, when the Qur’an is being recited, the angels and jinn gather to listen to it; because they were given it for their own recital; and those who are not reciting should listen.  He says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف

وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ فَٱسۡتَمِعُواْ لَهُ ۥ وَأَنصِتُواْ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ (٢٠٤) 

When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that you may Receive Mercy. (Surah al-A’araf:204) 

There is a terminology in jurisprudence called “sunnah”.  As it relates to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), sunnah is the sayings, actions and those things that were done in his lifetime, in his presence, and he did not prohibit them.  When we talk about sunnah, it is usually attributed to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  However, he did not coin this term.  It Originated from Allah (s.w.t.), and can be found in many places in the Qur’an.  Does Allah (s.w.t.) have Sunnah?  And if yes, what constitutes His Sunnah?  We know, from the Qur’an, that Allah (s.w.t.) has Divine Attributes.  They are referred to as the “Habit of God”.  And His Habits will not change.  He Says, regarding His Words: 

سُوۡرَةُ یُونس

لَهُمُ ٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ‌ۚ لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِڪَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ (٦٤) 

For them are Glad Tidings, in the life of the present and in the Hereafter: no change can there be in the Words of Allah.  This is indeed the Supreme Felicity. (Surah Yunus:64) 

About His “Habits”, He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الرُّوم

... لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِخَلۡقِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ (٣٠) 

… no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard religion: but most among mankind understand not. (Surah ar-Rum:30) 

So, Allah (s.w.t.) has Allocated something called “His Sunnah” and affirms that it will never change.  Confirmation of this can be found in the following verses of the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ فَاطِر

... فَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ ٱللَّهِ تَبۡدِيلاً۬ۖ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ ٱللَّهِ تَحۡوِيلاً (٤٣) 

… But no change will you find in Allah’s Way (of Dealing): no turning off will you find in Allah’s Way (of Dealing). (Surah Fathir:43) 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

... وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبۡدِيلاً۬ (٦٢) 

… no change wilt thou find in the Practice (Approved) of Allah. (Surah al-Ahzab:62) 

One of Allah’s (s.w.t.) Sunnah was, is, and will always be, the Blessings He Sends to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  He Says, in Surah al-Ahzab: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا (٥٦) 

Allah and His angels Send Blessings on the Prophet: O you that believe!  Send you blessings on him and salute him, with all respect. (Surah al-Ahzab:56) 

Allah (s.w.t.) and His angels are Sending, and will continue to Send, Swalawat, Blessings, on Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  Does this practice not constitute a Sunnah of the Divine Being and His angels?  And Allah (s.w.t.) does not stop there; He Orders the believers to engage in that which He is Doing so that believers observe the Sunnah of Allah (s.w.t.) as His true khulafah and send swalawat on His Beloved Messenger (s.a.w.), as much as possible; the more the better, as Allah (s.w.t.) and His angels are Doing so continuously. 

What is the importance of this?  Prophet (s.a.w.) is a Mercy to the universe and Allah (s.w.t.) has Allocated a special blessing that He Wants to Send to His believing servants, and He has Chosen Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) as the person to firstly, receive and, thereafter, distribute it, to those who connect themselves to him. 

Swalawat upon the Prophet (s.a.w.) is so beneficial, that the Prophet (s.a.w.) is reported to have said, “Whoever, from my followers should send one swalawat sincerely from his heart on me; Allah Returns ten Blessings on him; Elevates him ten stages higher; Writes for him ten good deeds and Erases from him ten sins.”  This is recorded in Sunan an-Nasa’i. 

Allah (s.w.t.) is Just and He Says that He Sends blessings on all human beings.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَلِّى عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَتُهُ ۥ لِيُخۡرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِۚ وَڪَانَ بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَحِيمً۬ا (٤٣) 

He, It is, Who Sends Blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may Bring you out from the depths of darkness into light: and He is Full of Mercy to the believers. (Surah al-Ahzab:43) 

So, anyone with good intention who sends swalawat upon the Prophet (s.a.w.), as is recorded in the hadits quoted above, will derive Blessings from Allah (s.w.t.).  In addition to this, Allah (s.w.t.) is also Sending Blessings to the Prophet (s.a.w.) constantly and continuously.  And when we send blessings to the Prophet (s.a.w.), we are connecting with him, and benefitting from the Blessings that are being Sent upon him.  Sending swalawat upon the Prophet (s.a.w.) is a blissful act that can be done in any posture, as long as the sender is sincere in so doing.  Allah (s.w.t.) Sent His Beloved (s.a.w.) with that special mission of allowing us to connect to our Lord through the chain of Blessings that are being Sent upon Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  And in so doing, we are fulfilling a Command of Allah (s.w.t.) by Sending Blessings on him, and saluting him with all respect. 

Those who argue that we are wrongfully elevating the status of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), by standing at the end of a function to send swalawat upon him, which is the most honourable ways of doing it, have unfortunately failed to realise his rank and the purpose and the function of his mission.  They, instead, get involved in actions and activities that bring about no valuable result; as sending swalawat is a Command of Allah (s.w.t.); and He did not specify the posture in which one should be when doing so. 

Allah (s.w.t.) Says, in Surah an-Nur: 

سُوۡرَةُ النُّور

۞ ٱللَّهُ نُورُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ ... (٣٥) 

Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth. ... (Surah an-Nur:35) 

Whatever this means, we cannot say, but we know that He Talks about Himself as a kind of Light.  He also Describes Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) as a special type of light that He Sent to mankind.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ المَائدة

... قَدۡ جَآءَڪُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ۬ وَڪِتَـٰبٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ (١٥) 

… there has come to you, from Allah, a (new) Light and a Perspicuous Book. ― (Surah al-Ma’idah:15) 

Some scholars translate “light” to mean the Qur’an.  In this verse, the terms “light” and “Book” are both joined by the conjunction “and”.  So, they are two separate entities.  When Allah (s.w.t.) Says, “There hath come to you, from Allah, a (new) light,” He is Referring to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  We find support for making such a statement in what Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us about the Prophet (s.a.w.) in another place in the Qur’an; He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ إِنَّآ أَرۡسَلۡنَـٰكَ شَـٰهِدً۬ا وَمُبَشِّرً۬ا وَنَذِيرً۬ا (٤٥) وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ بِإِذۡنِهِۦ وَسِرَاجً۬ا مُّنِيرً۬ا (٤٦) 

O Prophet!  Truly We have Sent you as a witness, a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner ― And as one who invites to Allah’s (Grace) by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading Light. (Surah al-Ahzab:45-46) 

Allah (s.w.t.) is Divine Light and the Prophet (s.a.w.) is a special form of refined light that came to the worlds.  Allah (s.w.t.) Wants His Light to spread throughout the universe and, as a result, He Created a mirror, which is the heart of the Prophet (s.a.w.), to which the light goes and from which it spreads; and the Prophet (s.a.w.) is that mirror.  The fact that he is sinless means that his entire personality can reflect the light from the Lord, without any limitations in the form of sins which are Described, in the Qur’an, as black spots on the heart. 

On the night of Mi’raj, before Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) set out on this sacred journey, his heart was washed for a second time in his lifetime, by appointed angels.  Why?  In order to understand this, we must keep in mind a simple fact.  If one wishes to get the bright sunlight in a dark room, all he has to do is to take a clean mirror and angle it to a point where the light can be precisely reflected into the room.  The cleaner the mirror; the brighter will be the reflection of the light.  When Allah (s.w.t.) Invited the Prophet (s.a.w.) to the Mi’raj, and after he passed all Creations, he was, as Allah (s.w.t.) Records it: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّجْم

وَهُوَ بِٱلۡأُفُقِ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ (٧) ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ (٨) فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوۡسَيۡنِ أَوۡ أَدۡنَىٰ (٩) 

While he was in the highest part of the horizon: Then he approached and came closer, and was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; (Surah an-Najm:7-9) 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) was there and Allah (s.w.t.) was before him, and there was nothing between Them; and then, Allah (s.w.t.) Revealed what He Wanted to Reveal to him.  Allah (s.w.t.) Put something of His Divine Light into the heart of the Prophet (s.a.w.) so that, when he came back to earth, he had the capacity to reflect the Light of Allah (s.w.t.), because of his purified personality.  This reflection of the Divine Light, which he Received on that blessed night, was spread all over the worlds; through him.  This is possibly one reason why he was given the title “Rahmatan lil ‘Aalamin”, “the Mercy to the Worlds.”  Which other creature had this Blessing?  Allah (s.w.t.) took up Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.); Showed him what He Wanted to Show him; had Discussion with him; and Revealed to him, at that point in time and place, what He Wanted to reveal to him.  I am of the view that part of the Revelation that came from the Lord there, was something of the Divine Light which Allah (s.w.t.) Allowed to shine on his heart; and which he was to pass on to those who elect to connect their qalb, spiritual heart, with his. 

While jurisprudence is associated with physical action, it is moral and spiritual issues that impact upon the heart.  We are enjoined upon to polish our hearts, if we want to stand on that Day with a brightened countenance.  So, a true believer will have to be concerned with actions that are done openly and what is done secretly.  In this way, the person can connect with the Prophet (s.a.w.) with the light that is specially being reflected from his heart.  That light, he got in the night of the Mi’raj.  Due to fact that his heart was specially purified, it had the capacity to absorb all that Allah (s.w.t.) Wanted to Give to him; and it is recorded that his heart did not show any emotional change and he remained looking at what Allah (s.w.t.) Allowed.  This is Mentioned in the following verses of the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّجْم

فَأَوۡحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦ مَآ أَوۡحَىٰ (١٠) مَا كَذَبَ ٱلۡفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰٓ (١١) 

So, did (Allah) Convey the inspiration to His servant, (Conveyed) what He (Meant) to Convey.  The (Prophet’s) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw. (Surah an-Najm:10-11) 

That is why he never told the people what he got in the Mi’raj.  How can one explain a religious experience?  How can one explain something that falls outside field of science, reason and logic?  How can one explain, that even today, there are people who can connect with, and converse with Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), when they are in a state of meditation, as in that state their hearts are connected directly to his?  The Prophet’s (s.a.w.) mission was not only to bring the Book, as some people believe; but also, to help the believers grow spiritually up to the Day of Judgement; to ascend in status; stair upon stair.  Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why Allah (s.w.t.) Says to us, in the Qur’an, the following: 

سُوۡرَةُ الحُجرَات

وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ فِيكُمۡ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ لَوۡ يُطِيعُكُمۡ فِى كَثِيرٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ لَعَنِتُّمۡ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡإِيمَـٰنَ وَزَيَّنَهُ ۥ فِى قُلُوبِكُمۡ ... (٧) 

And know, that among you, is Allah’s Messenger: Were he, in many matters, to follow your (wishes), you would certainly suffer: but Allah has Endeared the faith to you, and has made it beautiful in your hearts … (Surah al-Hujraat:7) 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is not only a Messenger for this world.  He is special and ranks second to no other creature in the entire Creation.  Some of the reasons for saying so, can be as follows. 

Firstly, the Prophet (s.a.w.) never once deviated from Allah’s (s.w.t.) Guidance to do things on his own will.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّجْم

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ (٣) 

Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) desire. (Surah an-Najm:3) 

As was mentioned earlier, even though he had the Qur’an Impressed in his heart, he never gave Qur’anic references when questioned, but he waited until Jibril (a.s.) brought the respective Revelation, before giving the answer.  The question that can be asked is: If he had the Qur’an in his heart, why did he not respond immediately?  It was because he never said anything except on the basis of Divine Command.  Allah (s.w.t.) Took him up on the night of the Mi’raj and Gave him religious experience and he did not repeat it to anyone.  Even, when he was informed by Jibril (a.s.) that his grandson would be martyred, all he did was ask of Jibril (a.s.) to bring him some of the sand where his grandson’s blood would fall.  He never supplicated to Allah (s.w.t.) asking Him to alleviate Sayyidina Husayn ibn ‘Ali’s (r.a.) fate. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) was that one who was Selected to open up the barriers in the sky.  Right here in our atmosphere, there are electromagnetic barriers that even some types of radio waves cannot penetrate.  And as we move upwards in the stratosphere, we find more and more barriers.  Allah (s.w.t.) Caused the Prophet (s.a.w.) to break through these barriers on the night of Mi’raj.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) opened up, for us, the path to Allah (s.w.t.).  This is path is called “Swirath al-Mustaqim.”  And if we follow his way, we will be upon this righteous and straight path; and will be able to penetrate the barriers spiritually in this life, and will be Blessed with visions and experiences of the Unseen, as we progressed. 

Another important part of his mission was to make the Book available in the entire cosmos; as he passed through the different galaxies, he had the Book in his heart, thereby carrying it along with him to the entire universe.  We know that it is only the believers who have this Book — the unadulterated Word of Allah (s.w.t.), as was said before; no other creature had access to it; but now, even the jinn and angels listen to its recitation. 

In what ways are human beings different from the animals?  One is that they are not supposed to live by the principles of “might is right and survival of the fittest”.  All human beings are different from the rest of the creatures on earth; as they observe a moral conduct, which has been prescribed in Islam; also, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) came to demonstrate with his very life; what it means to uphold the principles, which Islam defines as the principles of morality.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says, in Surah al-Qalam: 

سُوۡرَةُ القَلَم

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ۬ (٤) 

And you (stand) on an exalted standard of character. (Surah al-Qalam:4) 

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is reported to have said, “I came to perfect morals”.  As amoral being, man is supposed to like for his fellow human beings what he would like for himself. Take for example, when a person is sick, he should be visited and assisted where necessary.  We see this manifested in the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) lifetime, on numerous occasions.  For example, Abu Lahab and his wife tormented him so much and never once did he retaliate.  In addition to non-retaliation, he even visited Abu Lahab’s wife one morning when he realised that she was ill.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says to us, in His Words: 

سُوۡرَةُ القَصَص

وَٱبۡتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَٮٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةَ‌ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَأَحۡسِن ڪَمَآ أَحۡسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ وَلَا تَبۡغِ ٱلۡفَسَادَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ (٧٧) 

“But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has Bestowed on you, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget your portion in this world: but do you good, as Allah has been Good to you, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief.” (Surah al-Qaswasw:77) 

Because of his flawless character, on the Day of Judgement, when everyone will go to Messenger after Messenger, asking them to intercede on their behalf; and each Messenger will turn them away citing their own shortfalls; even though, they never ever deceived their followers, he will step forth.  As Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us, about them, in the Qur’an.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ (١٦) 

(Namely) those who say, “Our Lord!  We have indeed believed: Forgive us, then our sins, and Save us from the agony of the Fire.” ― (Surah Ali ‘Imran:16) 

As Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) does not have any mistake or sin against his character and personality, he will be the Chief Intercessor, and insha’Allah, he will intercede for us all.  His morality is unsurpassed; and his lifestyle can be a model for all human beings; as he never discriminated against anyone.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says, about him, as an example to mankind at large: 

سُوۡرَةُ سَبَإ

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَـٰكَ إِلَّا ڪَآفَّةً۬ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرً۬ا وَنَذِيرً۬ا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ (٢٨) 

We have not Sent you but as a (Messenger) to men, giving them Glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not. (Surah Saba’:28) 

Because his standard of conduct towards other human beings cannot be surpassed, he is the universal model.  If we follow his lifestyle, his sunnah, we will be able to manifest perfected morals.  Upholding his sunnah means following him as the perfect model.  This is not just a matter of choice, but as a Command coming from the Lord Himself.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الحَشر

... وَمَآ ءَاتَٮٰكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَہَٮٰكُمۡ عَنۡهُ فَٱنتَهُواْ‌ۚ ... (٧) 

... So, take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. ... (Surah al-Hashr:7) 

When we read from the sirah of the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) life, we see that, at all times, he demonstrated complete humility and unquestioning submission.  About this aspect of his character, Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الزُّمَر

قُلۡ إِنِّىٓ أُمِرۡتُ أَنۡ أَعۡبُدَ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصً۬ا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ (١١) وَأُمِرۡتُ لِأَنۡ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ (١٢) 

Say: “Verily, I am Commanded to serve Allah with sincere devotion; and I am Commanded to be the first of those who bow to Allah in Islam.” (Surah az-Zumar:11-12) 

No matter what was the situation in which he found himself, submission to Allah (s.w.t.) was his first and only priority.  The kuffar tried to humiliate him for so doing; but he always allowed himself to be Guided by his Lord, in every matter.  Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us about this in the following verse of the Qur’an.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّجْم

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ (٣) 

Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) desire. (Surah an-Najm:3) 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) practiced that which he preached.  He never demonstrated haughtiness or belittled anyone, even though he and everyone else knew his status in creation.  Another example demonstrating his humility was the interaction he had with an old woman from Madinah who use to go to him and request him to do some of her chores for her.  Never once did he refuse her.  He accepted the invitations from both the rich and poor.  He never retaliated against the Arabs when he conquered Makkah.  He forgave them for the harsh actions they demonstrated against him and the early Muslims, before they migrated to Madinah.  Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is Swirath al-Mustaqim.  He is that path that can successfully take us back to our Lord.  And we can connect consciously with him even today.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الحُجرَات

وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ فِيكُمۡ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ ... (٧) 

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

Some say that this was only relevant when the Prophet (s.a.w.) was physically alive, but the Qur’an is for all time, and the Prophet (s.a.w.) is always with the believers, either as a model by knowing something of his sunnah, or spiritually, for those who are able to culture themselves to make spiritual contact with him.  The shuyukh will teach anyone desirous of culturing their heart, qalb, spiritually on how to get in contact and communicate with the Prophet (s.a.w.) spiritually.  A believer can connect with him spirituality, and communicate with him.  How?  By polishing the heart, qalb, and continuously working on its purification.  When this is properly done, the traveller on the path connects his/her heart in the direction of Prophet (s.a.w.), through the shuyukh.  Because this is a technical and spiritual matter; and because it is outside the realm of reason and logic, it will be a bit difficult to understand.  But we must know that we are special in the Sight of Allah (s.w.t.), because we are from the ummah of His Beloved (s.a.w.). 

The personality of Prophet (s.a.w.) is special; not only to us; as his mission extends beyond our realm of thoughts and understanding.  What we do know is that we are in his companionship, and we thank Allah (s.w.t.) for that companionship, for Blessing the believers with this.  This is a discipline which is developed through spiritual connection through any of the enlightened spiritual teachers who are spiritually connected to him who is the fountain of spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.  May Allah (s.w.t.) Enable us to strengthen our relationship with Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and Cause us to rise with him on the Day of Accountability.