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He called on us to remember Allah by His most beautiful names As we have seen earlier, the Prophet (saas) would call on Allah by His most beautiful names when communicating or explaining anything and when praying. The Prophet (saas) was told to invite people to do the same: Say: "Call on Allah or call on the All-Merciful, whichever you call upon, the Most Beautiful Names are His." Do not be too loud in your prayer [salat] or too quiet in it, but try to find a way between the two. And say: "Praise be to Allah Who has had no son and Who has no partner in His Kingdom and Who needs no one to protect Him from abasement." And proclaim His Greatness repeatedly! (Surat al-Isra': 110-111) He told people not to discriminate between the prophets Again, in accordance with Allah's command, the Prophet (saas) revealed that we should not discriminate between the prophets sent by Allah, and in one hadith, said, "Don't give superiority to any prophet amongst Allah's prophets."47 All of the prophets were loved and trusted by Allah, and were blessed godly people rewarded with Paradise. All of the prophets taught the religion of Allah, and like the Prophet Muhammad (saas), called all those they could reach to the way of Allah. That is a most important aspect of the actions of the Prophet (saas), a matter which appears in the Qur'an in this form: Say, "We believe in Allah and what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to Ibrahim, Isma'il and Ishaq and Ya'qub and the Tribes, and what Musa and 'Isa and all the prophets were given by their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them. We are Muslims submitted to Him." (Surah Al 'Imran: 84) Say, "We believe in Allah and what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to Ibrahimand Isma'il and Ishaq and Ya'qub and the Tribes, and what Musa and 'Isa were given, and what all the prophets were given by their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them. We are Muslims submitted to Him." (Surat al-Baqara: 136) The Prophet (saas) called on people to be of good morals As has been recounted throughout this book, the Prophet (saas) possessed a morality that is a model for the whole world, he called on others to conform to that morality, and described what kind of morality and behavior would be pleasing to Allah. Some verses on the subject read: Say: "Come and I will recite to you what your Lord has forbidden: that you do not associate anything with Him; that you are good to your parents; that you do not kill your children because of poverty-We will provide for you and them; that you do not approach indecency-outward or inward; that you do not kill any person Allah has made inviolate-except with the right to do so. That is what He instructs you to do so that hopefully you will use your intellect. And that you do not go near the property of orphans before they reach maturity-except in a good way; that you give full measure and full weight with justice-We impose on no self any more than it can bear; that you are equitable when you speak-even if a near relative is concerned; and that you fulfil Allah's contract. That is what He instructs you to do, so that hopefully you will pay heed. (Surat al-An'am: 151-152) Say: "My Lord has forbidden indecency, both open and hidden, and wrong action, and unrightful tyranny, and associating anything with Allah for which He has sent down no authority, and saying things about Allah you do not know." (Surat al-A'raf : 33) The following are some of the hadiths in which the Prophet (saas) recommends such a morality: "My Cherisher has ordered me nine things: To reverence Him, externally and internally; to speak true, and with propriety, in prosperity and adversity; moderation in affluence and poverty; to benefit my relations and kindred who do not benefit me; to give alms to him who refuses me; to forgive him who injures me; that my silence should be in attaining knowledge of Allah; that when I speak, I should mention Him; that when I look on Allah's creatures, it should be as an example for them."48
"Do not envy one another; do not hate one another; do not turn away from another; and do not undercut one another, but be you. O servants of Allah, brothers."49 "Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe it out, and behave well towards people."50 "There is nothing heavier in the scales than good character."51 The Prophet (saas) made the following recommendations to his companions: "Bad conduct destroys divine service as condiment destroys honey."52 "Honour a believer for his religion. Think him superior for good conduct and wisdom."53 The Prophet (saas) warned against arrogance The Prophet (saas) stated that pride and arrogance were examples of poor morality, and that arrogant people would be repaid in Hell. He warned them against that danger. With his humility, modesty, affection and caring disposition in all situations, the Prophet (saas) was the best possible role-model. These are some of the Prophet (saas)'s warnings with regards to arrogance: "Verily, Allah is Graceful and He loves Grace. Pride is disdaining the truth (out of self-conceit) and contempt for the people."54 "Arrogance means ridiculing and rejecting
the Truth and despising people."55 "Allah, Most High, has removed from you the pride of the pre-Islamic period and its boasting in ancestors. One is only a pious believer or a miserable sinner. You are sons of Adam, and Adam came from dust. Let the people cease to boast about their ancestors. They are merely fuel in Hell; or they will certainly be of less account with Allah than the beetle which rolls dung with its nose."56 The Prophet (saas) recommended to his followers to always dress well and to be pleasant in appearance and to look well cared for. At the same time, however, he also reminded them that those who grew proud because of the clothes they wore or the way they looked would be humiliated in this world and in the next. He told them to always be humble. Here is what he said on the subject: "While a man was walking, clad in a two-piece garment and proud of himself with his hair well-combed, suddenly Allah made him sink into the earth and he will go on sinking into it till the Day of Resurrection."57 The Prophet (saas)'s statements
regarding the use of one's This refers to the use of one's goods and one's self in such a way that will be pleasing to Allah. Those around him asked the Prophet (saas) a number of questions on the subject, and his explanations increased their excitement about the idea. This is how the Qur'an refers to the situation: They will ask you what they should give away. Say, "Any wealth you give away should go to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor and travellers." Whatever good you do, Allah knows it." (Surat al-Baqara: 215) … They will ask you what they should give away. Say, "Whatever is surplus to your needs." In this way Allah makes the Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will reflect. (Surat al-Baqara: 219) Say: "My Lord expands the provision of any of His servants He wills or restricts it. But anything you expend will be replaced by Him. He is the Best of Providers." (Surah Saba': 39)
Here are some of the Prophet (saas)'s words to encourage Muslims to avoid avarice and to be ready and willing to give up their possessions: "Be on your guard against committing oppression, for oppression is a darkness on the Day of Resurrection, and be on your guard against pettimindedness for pettimindedness destroyed those who were before you, as it incited them to shed blood and make lawful what was unlawful for them."58 "Do not turn away a poor man...even if all you can give is half a date. If you love the poor and bring them near you...Allah will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection."59 Muhammad (saas) was also the Prophet of the jinn In the 72nd Sura of the Qur'an, Surat al-Jinn, Allah reveals that the jinn too listened to the communications of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) and the Qur'an, and that some of them were bound to the Prophet (saas) as Muslims. One verse on the subject reads: Say: "It has been revealed to me that a band of the jinn listened and said, 'We have heard a most amazing Recitation. It leads to right guidance so we believe in it and will not associate anyone with our Lord.'" (Surat al-Jinn: 1-2) In that same Sura, Allah also reveals that some jinn are actually Muslims: [The jinn said]: "And when we heard the guidance, we believed in it. Anyone who believes in his Lord need fear neither belittlement nor tyranny. Some of us are Muslims and some are deviators. Those who have become Muslim are those who sought right guidance." (Surat al-Jinn: 13-14) These jinn state that some among them opposed Allah by telling lies and inventing superstitions. That superstitious religion that the jinn had believed in is also described in that Sura: He-exalted be the Majesty of our Lord!-has neither wife nor son. The fools among us have uttered a vile slander against Allah. We did not think it possible for either man or jinn to tell a lie against Allah. (Surat al-Jinn: 3-5) Yet another verse recounts that when the Prophet (saas) rose for his religious obligations, the jinn would gather around him: When the servant of Allah stands calling on Him, they almost swarm all over him. (Surat al-Jinn: 19)
As that verse makes clear, the Prophet
Muhammad (saas) was sent as a prophet for all men and the jinn.
The Qur'an is a guide for both mankind and the jinn.
The Prophet (saas)'s warnings to those who denied him Those who denied the Qur'an and the Prophet (saas) placed a number of difficulties in his path, and tried to prevent him communicating his message, and, even to kill, arrest or exile him. Yet, in every case, the Prophet (saas) would explain to them the existence and power of Allah, that he himself was a true messenger and that the Qur'an was brought down as truth from our Lord. He warned them of the punishment of the hereafter, too. Even after the Prophet (saas) has been victorious, he still did not oppress the deniers, did not force the religion upon anyone, but said rather that everyone was free to believe as he wished. Some of the verses on the subject are: If they deny you, say, "I have my actions and you have your actions. You are not responsible for what I do and I am not responsible for what you do." (Surah Yunus: 41) Say: "It is revealed to me that your god is One God. So are you Muslims?" If they turn their backs, then say: "I have informed all of you equally and I do not know if what you have been promised is near or far. He knows what is said openly and He knows what you hide. For all I know it might be a trial for you and you will have enjoyment for a time." Say: "Lord, judge with truth! Our Lord is the All-Merciful, the One Whose help is sought in the face of what you describe." (Surat al-Anbiya': 108-112) Say: "My people, do as you are doing, just as I
am doing. You will certainly come to know who will have the best
home in the end. The wrongdoers will certainly not be successful."
(Surat al-An'am: 135)
He did not engage in futile argument with disbelievers The Prophet (saas) was always very patient and understanding with those who denied the existence of Allah, the Qur'an, and his own Prophethood. He also made it clear that he would treat them with full justice and not enter into pointless arguments with them. What he said, in accordance with the command of Allah, is recounted in the Qur'an: So call and go straight as you have been ordered to. Do not follow their whims and desires but say, "I believe in a Book sent down by Allah and I am ordered to be just between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. We have our actions and you have your actions. There is no debate between us and you. Allah will gather us all together. He is our final destination." (Surat ash-Shura: 15) He called the disbelievers to repent Allah possesses infinite mercy, compassion and forgiveness. In the Qur'an, He reveals that He will accept the repentance of every one of His servants, and that He will forgive an individual's sins if he renounces them. The Prophet (saas) related those tidings from Allah to the disbelievers: Say to those who disbelieve that if they stop, they will be forgiven what is past; but if they return to it, they have the pattern of previous peoples in the past. (Surat al-Anfal: 38) In the hadiths, the Prophet (saas) told people that they can repent at any time: "He who seeks repentance (from the
Lord ) before the rising of the sun from the west (before the Day
of Resurrection), Allah turns to him with Mercy."60
He warned the disbelievers they would inevitably be defeated It is possible to see the Prophet (saas)'s trust in and submission and devotion to Allah in his every word and deed. Even in the most difficult of times, the Prophet (saas) was certain that Allah would help him, that the faithful would be victorious and that the disbelievers would be disappointed. Say to those who disbelieve: "You will be overwhelmed and crowded into Hell. What an evil resting-place!" (Surah Al 'Imran: 12) The Prophet (saas) stated the following in one of the hadiths: "Whatever you have been promised will surely come to pass, and you cannot escape (it)."61 He warned the disbelievers by reminding them of the hereafter One of the most prominent characteristics of those who deny Allah is that they do not believe in the hereafter. In the time of the Prophet (saas) too, such people would not believe that people would be resurrected in the hereafter. The Prophet (saas) responded to their claims with the wisest and most concise answers. The Prophet (saas) was commanded to employ such language in the Qur'an: They say, "What! When we are bones and crumbled dust, will we then be raised up as a new creation!" Say: "It would not matter if you were rock or iron or indeed any created thing that you think is harder still!" They will say, "Who will bring us back again?" Say: "He Who brought you into being in the first place." They will shake their heads at you and ask, "When will it happen?" Say: "It may well be that it is very near." (Surat al-Isra': 49-51) "When we are dead and turned to dust and bones will we then be raised up again alive? And our earlier ancestors as well?" Say: "Yes, and you will be in a despicable state." (Surat as-Saffat: 16-18) In the hope that they would turn to the true path and believe, the Prophet (saas) told them that the hereafter is not far off: "Paradise is nearer to any of you
than the strap of his shoe, and so is the (Hell) Fire."62
He warned the disbelievers about Hell One of the most important duties of Allah's messengers was to warn people and to make them fear His punishment and Hell. The prophets are a means by which people come to fear Allah and adopt high morality, and, for some of them, to live in Paradise in the hereafter. The Prophet (saas) also warned people about the torments of Hell and tried to prevent them from wickedness, disbelief and atheism. Some verses concerning the Prophet (saas)'s warnings about Hell read: When Our Signs are recited to them-Clear Signs-you can detect denial in the faces of those who disbelieve. They all but assault those who recite Our Signs to them! Say: "Shall I inform you of something worse than that? The Fire which Allah has promised those who disbelieve. What an evil destination!" (Surat al-Hajj: 72) "[I have for you] only notification from Allah and His Messages. As for him who disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he will have the Fire of Hell, remaining in it timelessly, for ever and ever." (Surat al-Jinn: 23) The Prophet (saas) described the torments of Hell in detail for those who believed such things far fetched, and, as revealed in the Qur'an, explained the lot of those in Hell and how people would beg to be saved from its torments, extending every effort to cause them to avoid it. He spoke in sure and certain terms
to the disbelievers, Although the disbelievers were far stronger and in greater numbers at that time, the Prophet (saas) paid no heed to their disposition and threats, but with great determination preached the words of the Qur'an and made it quite clear that he would never turn from the true path. Determination and patience are defining characteristics of the faithful, and every Muslim must take the determination and strong will of the Prophet (saas) as a model. Some verses on that subject are as follows: Say: "I am forbidden to worship those you call upon besides Allah." Say: "I do not follow your whims and desires. If I did I would go astray and not be among the guided." Say: "I stand on a Clear Sign from my Lord and yet you have denied it. I do not have in my possession what you are in such haste to bring about. Jurisdiction over it belongs to Allah alone. He tells the truth and He is the Best of Deciders." (Surat al-An'am: 56-57) Say: "Unbelievers! I do not worship what you worship
and you do not worship what I worship. Nor will I worship what you
worship nor will you worship what I worship. You have your religion
and I have my religion." (Surat al-Kafirun: 1-6)
Some of the Prophet (saas)'s reminders to the People of the Book The Prophet (saas) warned the People of the Book in the best way, and communicated to them, not a distorted, polytheistic form of religion, but rather Allah's final revelation. In the same way as with the disbelievers, the Prophet (saas) did not put pressure on the People of the Book, but simply conferred to them advice. One of the main features of the People of the Book, and the Jews in particularly, is that they also see themselves as the dearest servants of Allah and claim that none but themselves can enter Paradise. Several verses in the Qur'an treat such a claim. The Qur'an reveals the answer given by the Prophet (saas) to that baseless assertion of theirs, which is unfounded: When they are told, "Believe in what Allah has sent down," they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us," and they reject anything beyond that, even though it is the truth, confirming what they have. Say, "Why then, if you are believers, did you previously kill the prophets of Allah?" (Surat al-Baqara: 91) Say, "If the abode of the hereafter with Allah is for you alone, to the exclusion of all others, then long for death if you are telling the truth." But they will never ever long for it because of what they have done. Allah knows the wrongdoers. (Surat al-Baqara: 94-95) They say, "No one will enter the Garden except for Jews and Christians." Such is their vain hope. Say, "Produce your evidence if you are telling the truth." (Surat al-Baqara: 111) The Jews and Christians say, "We are Allah's children and His loved ones." Say: "Why, then, does He punish you for your wrong actions? No, you are merely human beings among those He has created. He forgives whoever He wills and He punishes whoever He wills. The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything between them belongs to Allah. He is our final destination." (Surat al-Ma'ida: 18) They say, "Be Jews or Christians and you will be
guided." Say, "Rather adopt the religion of Ibrahim, a man of natural
pure belief. He was not one of the idolators." (Surat al-Baqara:
135)
The Prophet (saas) also told the faithful to say, "Belief is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Apostles…"63 when they talk to the people of the Book.
The Prophet (saas) never argued
with the People of the Book The Prophet (saas) called on the People of the Book to have faith, without resorting to idolatry, and to live by the morality of the Qur'an. Yet, he still treated those who refused to obey him most gently and justly. He left the People of the Book free to worship as they saw fit, allowed them to maintain all their own customs, and ordered his own people to treat them with justice. It is recorded that the Prophet (saas) said: "Whoever killed a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise."64 The texts of agreements made by the Prophet (text) and those who succeeded him with various Christian, Jewish and other religious groups are today conserved as important documents. In the text of an agreement he had prepared for the Christian Ibn Harris bin Ka'b and his co-religionists, for instance, the Prophet (saas) first had the following words written: "The religion, churches, lives, chastity and goods of all Christians living in the East are under the protection of Allah and all believers. None of those living by Christianity will be forced to turn to Islam. If any Christian is subjected to any killing or injustice, Muslims must help him"65 and then read this verse from the Qur'an: "Only argue with the People of the Book in the kindest way …" (Surat al-'Ankabut: 46) The Prophet (saas) was commanded to advise his people how they should treat the People of the Book in these terms in the Qur'an: Say, "Do you argue with us about Allah when He is our Lord and your Lord? We have our actions and you have your actions. We act for Him alone." (Surat al-Baqara: 139) He called on the People of the
Book to believe in Allah While calling the People of the Book to the true religion, the Prophet (saas) told them not to set up any partners in worship with Him, and invited them to agree with Muslims on a mutual point of faith: Say, "People of the Book! come to a proposition which is the same for us and you-that we should worship none but Allah and not associate any partners with Him and not take one another as lords besides Allah." If they turn away, say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims." (Surah Al 'Imran: 64) Say: "People of the Book! Do not go to extremes in your religion, asserting other than the truth, and do not follow the whims and desires of people who were misguided previously and have misguided many others, and are far from the right way." (Surat al-Ma'ida: 77) The Prophet (saas) sent Muadh (ra) to the Yemen, and told him to call on the People of the Book to worship Allah alone: "You are going to people of a (Divine)
Book. First of all invite them to worship Allah (alone)…"66
  
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