Sunday, 2 August 2009

The Final Messenger

Thursday 30th July 2009

Zikr lesson for the week

The Status of Rasullah

وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ
(And raised high the esteem in which thou art held)
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Respected brothers and sisters next week will be the 15th of Shabaan and it is advisable to make some extra ibaadat on this night. According to some traditions Allah (swt);
 Allocates the sustenance of man for the year
 Decides who will die
 Comes down to the lowest heaven in order to accept the supplication of the believers and offer His forgiveness

Try your best to benefit from this most blessed night.

  

Long before all the Messengers were physically created Allah (swt) took a covenant from them that Prophet Muhammd will be ‘The Messenger. All the previous Messengers are really ‘supporters of Prophet Muhammd and part of their mission was to tell the people of his coming.

One of his titles is Muhammadur Rasullah, The Messenger of Allah (swt). This was higlighted and confirmed on the night of the Mir’aj when Prophet Muhammd lead all the Messengers in Salaat at Masjid Al Aqsa. People like Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and Bahaullah who claimed to be Prophets did not pray behind Prophet Muhammd so they cannot be Messengers of Allah (swt).

Allah (swt) says Rasullah is Khatamun Nabi, The Seal of the Prophets. It is a fact that he also had a physical seal between his shoulder blades. This was the Seal of Prophethood. So he had a divine and physical sign that he was the final Messenger.

Allah (swt) says in Surah Ahzab;

•      
“The prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers”
(Chapter 33, verse 6)

No one could be closer to the believers than Prophet Muhammd . No one, no matter what their status is could come between Prophet Muhammd and his followers. It is reported that Prophet once said “none of you will be a true believer until I am more beloved to him than his own self.” There is a special bond.

Allah (swt) says that Prophet is the best example. We cannot have anything that is better that The Best. Who could come today and improve on his way? All believers follow his example. He has perfected the way for mankind and Allah (swt) has given us a complete and perfect way of life which is Islam. So if our religion is perfected and our beloved Messenger is the best, what else do we need from anyone?

Peophet Muhammad is the one who went very close to Allah (sw) and got the relection of Allah's (swt) light in his heart. Something which he transmits to the true believers when they aspire to get close to him. Who else can do this? His heart is like a mirror, reflecting the light of Allah (swt) to the world at large.

If you have all this do you really need someone to interfere with your faith and your relation with your Lord? It is good to be aware of Prophet’s status because, unfortunately today, there are many arguments concerning his status and mission. Remember Allah (swt) says in Surah Hujurat;

        •              
O ye who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to Him In talk, As ye may speak aloud to one another, Lest your deeds become vain and ye perceive not
(Chapter 49, verse 2)

What a beautiful ayat pertaining to respect that Prophet Muhammad commands. One possible reason why Allah (swt) reveald Surah Lahab is to show man the danger of being disrespectful to Rasullah . Abu Lahab and his wife demonstrated extreme hatred to Prophet Muhammad (saw). They tried to make his life as difficult as they could. Allah (swt) made Abu Lahab an example for those with that kind of attitude to take notice.

Lets us try to understand the true status that Prophet Muhammad has and insha Allah, Allah (swt) will reward us and take care of our affairs.