Mercy for all mankind
Who was Prophet Muhammadﷺ(peace be upon him)?
Over 1400 years ago a man born in Arabia changed the course of world history. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in Mecca in 570 AD.
Since the creation of mankind, the Creator has communicated with and guided his creation. A long line of Prophets or messengersﷺ were sent to proclaim the message and guidance of God. Each of these were men from within various communities and each of these was given a number of miracles as proof of their authenticity and the Divine source of their message. The Qur’an is the miracle of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and is proof that he was indeed a Prophet of God.
Adam was the first man and the first Prophet of God. The following generations were sent many prophets: amongst these were Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elisha, David and Jesus (AS).
As Muslims we believe in all of these Prophets and believe in all of the revelations in their original revealed form. These were the Torah (revealed to Prophet Moses), psalms (revealed to Prophet David), the Bible (gospel – revealed to Prophet Jesus) and the Qur’an, revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The Qur’an, the word of God, was revealed via the angel Gabriel to Muhammadﷺ at the age of 40. He was to be the last and greatest of a long line of Prophets who have brought the word of Allahﷻ to humanity. Each Prophet of God was given miracles as proof of their authenticity; the Qur’an is the miracle of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and is proof that he was indeed a Prophet of God.
This miracle is present with us today and is available for anyone to read, study, understand and contemplate. It is available, translated into every language, as a book and online.
Allahﷻ is The Guardian of the Qur’an
Surah 15. Al-Hijr Ayat 9
Inna nahnu nazzalna alththikra wainna lahu lahafithoona
Verily, it is we who have sent down the dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely we will guard it (from corruption)
One million guardians!
Contrary to common understanding, the Qur’an is not merely a written book. The Qur’an was revealed, recorded and exists today in spoken language. In the 7th century Arabia was an oral society and few people could read and write. Before Islam, Mecca was a centre of Arabic poetry; it was a celebrated centre where long memorised poems were recited. Great emphasis was placed on the ability to memorise long letters and poems. In this type of oral society, the vast majority of the companions learned and recorded the Qur’an by memorisation. In addition to their natural ability to memorise, the rhythmic nature of the Qur’an when recited made its memorisation relatively easy. The methodical rhythm of the recitation made it particularly apparent if an error was made. The Qur’an was not narrated to just a few select companions. It was heard and memorised by hundreds and thousands of people, many of them travellers to Medina. Thus, chapters and verses of the Qur’an quickly spread during the life of the Prophetﷺ to all corners of the Arabian peninsula. A person that has memorised the entire Qur’an is known as a hafiz (guardian).
Today there are over 1.6 billion Muslims throughout the world, with this figure set to almost double by 2050. It is well known that each mosque has at least one hafiz.
Mosques are found in every Muslim community all over the globe and an estimate would be that a mosque may serve 100-500 Muslims. On this basis, it can be estimated that at least 1 million hafiz exist today, although this figure is more likely to be several million.
The Mus’haf
During the caliphate of Uthman (ra), from 644 to 656, the Qur’an was compiled into one book (known as a mus'haf – from the word for page, sahifa). The Qur’an existed in the 7 main Arabic dialects in the Arabian peninsula and Uthman (ra) responded by commissioning a group to come together, organise the Qur’an according to the dialect of the tribe of Quraysh (the Prophet’s ﷺ tribe), and spread the QurayshI dialect to all parts of the empire. Thousands of hafiz existed at this time and this mus’haf was also compared with the copy that Abu Bakr(ra) commissioned to make sure there were no discrepancies. Uthman then ordered numerous copies of the mus’haf to be made, which were sent to far-off provinces throughout the empire, along with reciters who would teach the masses the Qur’an.
An original copy of Uthman’s (ra) mus’haf is kept and is available to view in Topeka palace in Istanbul.
Mercy for all of mankind
Surah 4 An-Nisaa Ayah 174-175
Ya ayyuha alnnasu qad jaakum burhanun min rabbikum waanzalna ilaykum nooran mubeenan
O mankind! Verily, there has come to you a convincing proof (Prophet Muhammad) from your Lord, and we sent down to you a manifest light (this Qur'an)
Faamma allatheena amanoo biAllahI waiaatasamoo bihI fasayudkhiluhum fee rahmatin minhu wafadlin wayahdeehim ilayhI siratan mustaqeeman
So, as for those who believed in Allah and held fast to him, he will admit them to his mercy and grace (i.e. Paradise), and guide them to himself by a straight path.
The book of Islam, the Qur’an, was revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. It is by the Divine will of Allahﷻ that the Prophet Muhammad spread this message over the short period of the next 23 years so that Islam is alive in every Muslim and in every corner of the world today. The Qur’an is the word of Allah and this forms the guidance for the optimal way of living one’s life. This guidance, when accepted and correctly followed, leads to the sustainable and fulfilled existence of mankind, in perfect harmony with one another and with the world around us.
Islam is not for one nation or one era in time, it is a comprehensive guide in life for every man, woman and child on the planet and for all time. Islam is the guidance governing one’s relationship with oneself, with one’s mind, body and soul. It provides guidance for us when at home with our family and friends, at work, in trading and in business. Islam provides detailed guidance and forms a just system of governance for communities and nations, a system that is not corrupt and does not benefit only those that are strong or powerful, but a system that delivers peace and tranquillity to all, and safety and security to every man, woman and child. It is by delivering this message of Islam to the world and to all mankind that the Prophet has granted mercy for all of mankind.
The personality, character, leadership, teachings, sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ were that which caused the rapid spread of the message, the word of Allah ﷻ . Indeed, the life and actions of the messenger were the Qur’an personified.
Surah 33. Al Ahzab Ayah 56
Inna Allaha wamala-ikatahu yusalloona aaala alnnabiyyI ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo salloo aaalayhI wasallimoo tasleeman
Allah sends his blessings on the Prophet Muhammad, and his angels too ask Allah to bless and forgive him. O you who believe! Ask Allah to bless Muhammad, and you should greet him with the Islamic way of greeting
Allah humma sal-lI 'ala Muhammadinwa 'ala alI Muhammadin, kama sal-layta 'ala ibraheemawa'ala alI ibraheemainnaka hameedum majeed Allah humma barik 'ala Muhammadinwa 'ala alI Muhammadin, kama barakta 'ala ibraheema wa 'ala alI ibraheemainnaka hameedum majeed.
Oh Allah, send grace and honour on Muhammad and on the family and true followers of Muhammad just as you sent grace and honour on Ibrahim and on the family and true followers of Ibrahim. Surely, you are praiseworthy, the great.
Oh Allah, send your blessing on Muhammad and the true followers of Muhammad, just as you sent blessings on Ibrahim and his true followers. Surely, you are praiseworthy, the great.
This Surah 4:59 clearly outlines the importance of the sunnah in Islam:
Surah 4 An-Nisaa Ayah 59
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo ateeaaoo Allaha waateeaaoo alrrasoola waolee alamrI minkum fain tanazaaatum fee shayin faruddoohu ila AllahI waalrrasoolI in kuntum tuminoona biAllahI waalyawmI alakhirI thalika khayrun waahsanu taweelan
O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the apostle and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and his apostle. If ye do believe in Allah and the last day: that is best and most suitable for final determination.
Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ last sermon
Date delivered: 632 AD, 9th day of Dhul al Hijjah, 10 a.h. in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat.
Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon was delivered during the hajj of the year 632 C.E., the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah in the twelfth month of the lunar year, the most blessed day of the year, at Arafat.
After praising and thanking Allah, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“O people, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
“O people, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib (Prophet’s ﷺ uncle) shall henceforth be waived.
“Beware of satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
“O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with his permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
“O people, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform hajj if you can afford to.
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every other Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
“Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
“O people, no Prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, o people, and understand the words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur’an and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.
“All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, o Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”
(reference: see Al-Bukhari, hadith 1623, 1626, 6361. Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in hadith number 98. Imam Al-TirmidhI has mentioned this sermon in hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his masnud, hadith no. 19774.)
The following Surah was revealed on the day of Arafat:
Surah 5 Maidah Ayah 3
Today I have perfected for you your religion, fulfilled on you my favour, and approved Islam as your religion.