Fruits for the Week

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The Prophet’s (saw) message is not limited to one group of people. His message was directed just as much to Romans, to the Chinese, to Indians as it was to Arabs. Furthermore, he was a Messenger sent not just to mankind, but to jinns as well. Just as his message was not limited to one group of people, it was not optional: it was, and remains, the duty of every Christian and Jew to believe in and follow the Prophet (SAW).

Even if Moses (AS) or Jesus (AS) had been living during the lifetime of the Prophet (saw), it would have been their duty to follow him. Allah (SWT) said: “And remember when Allah took the covenant of the Prophets, saying: Take whatever I gave you from the Book and hikmah (understanding of the laws of Allah), and afterward there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him.” Allah said: “Do you agree (to it) and will you take up My covenant (which I conclude with you)?” They said: “We agree.” He said: “Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses (for this).” Then whoever turns away after this, they are the faasiqun (rebellious).” (Qur’an 3: 81-82) 

Ibn Abbas (RA) said that a strong and binding covenant was taken from each Prophet (SAW) that Allah (SWT) sent to Earth. That covenant was, that if Muhammad is sent while you are still alive, you must believe in him and help him. Also, each Prophet (AS) had to make a covenant on behalf of his people: If Muhammad was sent while they were still alive, they must believe in him and help him.

It is for the above-mentioned reasons that the Prophet (SAW) once said: “Had Moses been alive and (had he been living) among your midst, the only lawful option for would have been to follow me.” (Ahmad)

The Prophet (SAW) indeed began his mission by inviting his relatives to Islam, he (SAW) then invited the rest of his tribe, and he (SAW) then invited every other tribe in Arabia. But when he (SAW) gained a strong footing in Al-Madinah, he (SAW) went beyond Arabia, sending letters to foreign kings and emperors – such as the Emperor of Rome and Persia, and the King of Abyssinia – inviting them to embrace Islam as well.

In the noble Qur’an, Allah (SWT) made it clear that Muhammad (SAW) is a Messenger to all of mankind and that he (SAW) is the seal of all Prophets. Allah (SWT) said: “Say O Muhammad: ‘O Mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah – to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped but He. It is He who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write who believes in Allah and His words (Qur’an), the Taurat (Torah) and the Injil (Gospel) and also Allah’s word: ‘Be’ – and he was (Jesus), and follow him so that you may be guided.” (Qur’an 7: 158)

In another verse, He said: “Blessed be He who sent down the criterion (this Qur’an) to His slave (Muhammad) that he may be a warner to the Al-‘Alamin (mankind and jinns)” (Qur’an 25: 1). And in yet another verse, Allah (SWT) gave the following commands to the Messenger of Allah: “This Qur’an has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach.” (Qur’an 6: 19)

And so that Christians and Jews cannot justifiably say that the Prophet (SWT) was not sent to them. Allah (SWT) said: “And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterates (Arab pagans): ‘Do you also submit yourselves (to Allah in Islam)?’ If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, you only have to convey the message; and Allah is All-Seer of His slaves.” (Qur’an 3: 20). In Chapter Al-Anbiya’, Allah said: “And We have sent you O Muhammad not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” (Qur’an 21: 107). In chapter Saba’, Allah (SWT) said: “And We have not sent you O Muhammad except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not.” (Qur’an 34: 28)

The Prophet (SAW) himself made it clear to everyone that his message is universal and that he (SAW) is the seal of all prophets, which means that no prophet would or ever will come after him. The Prophet (SAW) said: “I have been given that were not given to any other prophet before me.” One of the five honors he mentioned was the following: “Every prophet was sent exclusively to his people; but, I have been sent to all of mankind.” (Bukhari)

(Prepared by Abdul Muhaemin Karim)

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