Section 8 – The Command of Allah to His creation to praise the Prophet. His protection of him and the removal of punishment on account of him.

Section 8 – The Command of Allah to His creation to praise the Prophet. His protection of him and the removal of punishment on account of him.

Referring to the period when the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, lived in

Mecca Allah said, “But Allah was not to punish them whilst you were living in their midst.” 8:33.

After the Prophet’s migration from Mecca to Medina some Muslims remained in Mecca and the verse continues to say, “Nor would Allah punish them if they repeatedly ask forgiveness of Him.”

Several years later the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, led his unarmed

followers from Medina to Mecca on pilgrimage, however, before they reached Mecca they encountered resistance from the unbelievers of Mecca and were prevented from entering. Unknown to the Muslims of Medina there were converts who had yet to migrate still living in Mecca and because of them Allah sent down the verses, “If it had not been for certain believing men and certain believing women whom you did not know, you might have trampled upon them, and so sin reached you because of (killing) them while you did not know.” 48:25

From these verses the exalted position of the Prophet, praise and peace be

upon him, is clearly recognizable. If it had not been for him the punishment would indeed have immediately fallen on the Meccans, because Allah says, “And why should Allah not punish them” 8:34. Their punishment was postpone firstly on account of the Prophet’s presence amongst them, then because of the presence

of his followers. After all the Muslims had migrated to Medina before Mecca

was

opened the only people to remain in Mecca were the unbelievers, but upon its opening the victory of the Muslims was established and the unbelievers punished by having to accept defeat. It was then that the property of the Muslims

that had once been seized by the unbelievers was restored to their rightful

owners.

The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, said, “I am a guarantee for my Companions.” It has been said that this means against innovation whilst others are of the opinion that it means against disagreement and disorder. Another scholar said that the meaning of this quotation is that the Messenger, was during his life time, the greatest guarantee and he will be present as long as his way is followed and that upon its abandoning affliction and disorder are to be expected.

In chapter 33, “The Confederates” there is a verse in which Allah Himself makes

clear the value of His Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, He says “Allah and His angels praise and venerate the Prophet. Believers, praise and venerate him and pronounce peace upon him in abundance.” 33:56. Note how He begins the verse by referring to Himself first in the praise and veneration of Prophet Muhammad, then Allah makes it known that the angels do the same. Finally, one becomes aware of the order that all believers are obligated to ask Allah to

praise and venerate our beloved Prophet, praise and peace be upon him,

The saying of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, “The coolness of my
eye is in the prayer” has been explained by Abu Balr, Furak’s son as meaning the praise of Allah, then that of His angels followed by the response to the obligation of his nation up until the Day of Resurrection. He went on to explain that the praise of the angels and his nation is the supplication upon him and the mercy of Allah towards him.

It has also been said that “believers, praise” the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, who taught his Companions the supplication of praising upon himself, he made a distinction between the Arabic words “salat” meaning praying to Allah, by bowing and prostrating and “salat” meaning praising the Prophet.

Chapter 19 “Maryam” opens with the mystical letters “KaafHa Ya’aeenSaad.” It has been explained that the letter “Kaaf” is from the word “kifayah” meaning suffice, and that Allah is sufficient for His Prophet, praise and peace be upon him. This explanation is realized by the verse “Is it not that Allah suffices His worshiper” 39:36, with the letter “Ha” referring to the “hidayah” guidance of Allah

as in the verse “and guides you on a Straight Path” 48:2. “Ya” as in the word “ta’aed” means support, and refers to the support of Allah as in the verse “And remember how He gave you shelter” 8:26. As for the letter “Saad” it has been explained as meaning the praise of Allah for him as realized in the verse “Allah and His angel praise and venerate the Prophet.” 33:56. Allah also says “But if you support one another against him, (know that) Allah is his Guardian and Gabriel, and the righteous among the believers.” 66:4. There are two explanations for the phrase “righteous among the believers” one is that it refers to the prophets and the other is that the meaning is as it is read.