What’s Prophet Muhammad’s Role According to the Quran?

 

The Quran indeed responds to your query and highlights the role of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) in several places. For example:

{Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing. […] O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp. And give good tidings to the believers that they will have from Allah great bounty. And do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites but do not harm them, and rely upon Allah. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.} (Qur’an 33:40-48)

In these verses, God gives a brief description of the role of the Prophet Muhammad.

All Messengers Honored

It is essential to affirm that the Quran recognizes, values, and honors all messengers of God who came to inform, guide, and deliver the message of God.

Adam, Nuh, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad- peace and blessings upon them all- are all part of God’s guiding plan for mankind. They’re milestones in the history of mankind.

Muhammad is the last messenger whom God chose to be the carrier of the last clear, comprehensive, complete message to mankind.

Prophet Muhammad: A Model to be followed

In addition to carrying the last message to humanity–the Quran–, Prophet Muhammad set a model to be followed. He didn’t only deliver The Book; his character was the implementation of the teachings of this Book.

God said in the Qur’an:

{Indeed, in the Messenger of God, Muhammad, you have a good example to follow […]} (Qur’an 33:21)

{And indeed you [Muhammad] are of the highest noble character.} (Qur’an 68:4)

{Say, [O Muhammad to mankind], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.} (Qur’an 3:31)

Not only did Muhammad deliver the revelation of the Qur’an from the Creator to mankind, he was also instructed to help people purify themselves, their hearts, actions, and to learn wisdom:

{Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth is exalting Allah, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom – although they were before in clear error -And [to] others of them who have not yet joined them. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. That is the bounty of Allah, which He gives to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.} (Qur’an 62:1-4)

Purification of the self 

So, purification of the self is an important aspect. God explained in the Quran that He created human beings out of clay and He blew or breathed in them from His Soul.

So, each human being has the potential to elevate in spirituality or to debase themselves in an obsession with physicality and materialism. The process of purification of the self here means to reach the balance, lead a healthy life and elevate spiritually above the base desires and inclinations.  

So, guiding people to refine their character is also a major role of the Prophet (PBUH). It is something that is possible through following the plan of action that accompanies faith that was prescribed in the Qur’an and implemented and taught by Prophet Muhammad.

Muhammad Ranked 1st in The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History

In the book, The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, Muhammad is ranked first as the most influential person in history.

The list appeared in 1978 and the second edition appeared in 1992. In both editions, Muhammad tops the list; the book’s author, Michael H. Hart, cites the Prophet’s supreme success on both the secular and religious levels as the reason for his success and merit for leading the list.   

In his book, The Genuine Islam, writer George Bernard Shaw described Muhammad, saying:

He must be called the Savior of humanity I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much-needed peace and happiness.

This reflects another aspect the Qur’an highlights about Muhammad (PBUH):  

{And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.} (Qur’an 21:107)

Seal of Prophethood

The message of Muhammad doesn’t negate, but rather completes and seals the message that was sent with all previous Prophets. This is summarized in this hadith of the Prophet:

The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles is like that of a person who built a house and he completed it and made it perfect but for the space of a brick. People entered therein and they were surprised at it and said: Had there been a brick (it would have been complete in all respects). Allah’s Messenger said: I am that place where the brick (completing the building is to be placed), and I have come to finalize the chain of Apostles. (Sahih Muslim)

Magnificent Verses

Allah says in the Quran:

{Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him – it is those who will be the successful. Say, [O Muhammad], “O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death.” So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.} (Qur’an 7:157-158)

- aboutislam.net

About Dina Mohamed Basiony

Dina Mohamed Basiony is a writer based in Cairo, Egypt. She specializes in Islam and spirituality. Dina holds an MA and BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo.

Enduring Abuse with Patience…Until When?

 

Your stepfather is abusing you and your mother, first physically and now emotionally. Your mother cannot have qula because of the people around her.

May Allah ease your situation; that really sounds saddening.

Allah asks us to be patient in times of adversity and suffering. But it does not mean waiting and not trying to do anything in order for things to change.

Abuse Is a Sin

Abuse, whether physical or emotional, is a sin, sister. It is not permitted by Allah.

No one has the right to treat you or your mother this way, so I kindly ask you not to wait “patiently” until something really tragic happens.

Trusting Allah and His plan is important, but those who suffer must try to find means and take action. It is crucial to seek opportunities according to one’s abilities and circumstances and not endure undeserved pain and suffering.

I know that sometimes one is in a situation where it seems very difficult to move on.

You say, your mother does not want divorce because of certain people, I guess family members, around.

You do not detail what this means, but I am wondering whether they would be OK with it if you or your mother risked your lives and got hurt one day. Would they bear the responsibility for that?

Legally Wrong Too

Sometimes, unfortunately, some people do not stop abusive behavior until they get a strong reminder, either by legal forces, other community members, or when their family abandons them. It can be his case also, especially if your mother relies on him financially.

I am not sure what exactly you mean by physical and emotional abuse, but the first one is called domestic violence and can be considered a criminal act, depending on where you live. Behaving violently and hurting others can have legal consequences.

If your stepfather does not show any signs of repentance or a change in behavior towards you and your mother, you need to look for help and see how to get out of this situation and move to a safer place.

I strongly advise you to talk to your mother and start looking around for what you can do in this situation. I am sure that together you are strong and will find your way out!

Seek Help and Support Each Other

If there are no family or community members who you can trust and who can help, you need to find a domestic violence organization or hotline in your location and contact them.

Hopefully they have tips and resources about how exactly you need to proceed and what steps you need to follow.

Even so, they help women who are not financially independent and have nowhere to go to find shelter during the initial stage of separation.

Your mother and your safety are the most important things, sister. You should not spend the other half of your life—as you say—in fear and abuse. 

I am sure that you are brave enough to find your way out. Please try to convince your mother to seek help as well and support each other.

Change to Change Your Condition

The most difficult is the first step. But once you make it, you will see, in sha Allah, that the doors will open more and more and you will find more opportunities.

Remember the verse from the Quran:

“Indeed, Allāh will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Quran 13:11)

About praying for your stepfather’s death, I am not a scholar to tell you whether it is permissible to pray for his death.

But I know that you can pray against oppression, asking Allah to end your suffering. Allah always hears the dua of the oppressed:

“The Messenger of Allah sent Mu’adh [bin Jabal] to Yemen, and said: ‘Beware of the supplication of the oppressed; for indeed there is no barrier between it and Allah.'” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2014

You also say that you would like to “convince Allah” to take his life.

Allah is All-Knowing and All-Seeing, so I do not think that there is a need to “convince” Him.

Everything happens by His will, and the tests are meant to try our faith and conviction in Him.

Allah knows what you are going through and sees your suffering. And abuse and violence in the family are things that are against His command.

So, I would kindly suggest that you focus on yourself and on your mother and see what you can do to change this situation instead of waiting for an external change.

Just put your trust in Him and know that He will guide both of you if you turn to Him for guidance.

- aboutislam.net

About Orsolya Ilham O.

Orsolya Ilham has a BA in Communication and Manager in Public Relations, MA, BSC in Psychology. She studied Islamic sciences and obtained certificates in Islamic counseling, Islamic marriage counseling, and in the jurisprudence (fiqh) of counseling and psychology. Previously she worked in a client-centered atmosphere; currently, as a translator, counselor, and content creator related to Islam, counseling, and psychology.

Are Mosque Partitions for Men and Women Sunnah?

 

Historical Practices of Gender Arrangement in Mosques

Both men and women are allowed to pray in the mosque in the same congregational prayer. When men and women are together in the mosque then we should have first men’s lines behind the Imam, then children and then women.

This is the way Muslims used to pray behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He did not make or ask his Companions to have a curtain or wall between the lines of men and women. (See Al-Sindi’s Commentary on Sunan An-Nasa’i, p. 798)

According to the Shari`ah, it is not required to have a partition, neither of temporary nor of permanent nature, between men and women in the mosque.

It is perfectly Islamic to hold meetings of men and women inside the mosque, whether for prayers or for any other Islamic purpose, without separating them with a curtain, partition or wall.

Proper Islamic Dress Code for Women in Mosques

It is, however, very important that Muslim women come to public gatherings wearing proper Islamic dress, for it is forbidden for a Muslim woman to attend a public gathering without a full Islamic dress. She must cover her hair and neck with a scarf, which should also go over her bosom. Her dress should be modest and loose enough in order not to reveal the shape of her body.

It stands to reason that partitions were introduced inside the mosque later in Islamic history. This was done, perhaps, because some women began coming to mosques without observing proper Islamic dress, or perhaps, some men wanted to discourage them from coming to Mosques.

In the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there was no curtain or partition in his mosque, although women used to come to the mosque almost for every prayer and for many other gatherings. It is, however, reported that they used to come to the mosque dressed up in long clothes.

Aishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the believing women used to attend the Dawn prayer with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). They used to come wrapped up in their long garments and then they used to return to their homes after the prayer, no one could recognize them because of the darkness. (Al-Bukhari)

Jama`ah means a congregation of people who are praying behind one Imam in continuous lines without any barrier or interruption. As for people who pray behind the Imam, they should either see the Imam or see those who are in front of them.

There is no Jama`ah when a person is in one room and his/her Imam in another room, the lines are not continuous and the people behind the Imam are also not visible, otherwise people would not have to come to the mosque for Jama`ah prayer. They would stay home and pray listening to the loudspeakers from their mosque or through intercoms. They could nowadays even pray Jama`ah prayer in this way in their own homes listening to the prayer broadcasts coming from Makkah and Madinah on their radios, television sets or through the Internet. But no jurists have ever allowed a Jama`ah prayer in this way.

The definition of Jama`ah that I gave above is a general one and it is applicable to both men and women. Only in the case of necessity this rule can be relaxed. For example, if the mosque was too small and people had to pray on different levels or in different rooms to accommodate every person then this would be permissible because of necessity. Muslims should not deliberately and for no reason bifurcate their congregation in their mosques.

Exceptions and Modern Mosque Arrangements

If there is a concern that the lines of men and women will mix inside the mosque, then there is no harm in putting a lower barrier, only to demarcate the separate area for women. But women should not be put in a totally separate room in the mosque unless there is a shortage of space and no other proper arrangement can be done for them.

Almighty Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi is the Chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America

I Spoke Badly Behind Someone’s Back, What Should I Do?

 

It is obligatory for us to repent to Allah if we engage in backbiting. But is it necessary to seek the forgiveness of the person about whom we gossiped?

Does we have to tell him what we said about him?

Or

Is it sufficient to ask his forgiveness without telling him what was said?

What Should We Do After Backbiting?

Ustadh Majed Mahmoud tells us what to do if we backbite others in this short and informative video.

Source: Faith IQ

5 Reasons to Practice This Simple Stress Reliever

 

Do you want to know a quick, easy, and free way to release your stress?

Research has found smiling to be beneficial on many levels.

It reduces your stress levels, lowers your blood pressure, and boosts your immune system, among other things.

Here are 5 benefits of smiling:

1. Mood booster

When you’re feeling down, smiling is an instant mood changer!

The release of dopamine causes us to feel happy, so when we smile, our brain thinks we’re happy, even though we may be doing it to change our mood, and it works.

2. Helps our immune system

There is an ongoing studies about the science between the brain and immune system communication.

Early research shows they do communicate, and the brain does connect with immune-related organs like the thymus.

Our mood and thoughts can affect our immune system positively or negatively.

3. Reduces stress

Smiling through stressful situations can help lower your heart rate and affect how your body responds to the stressful situation.

4. Relieves pain

When we smile or laugh, our brain releases endorphins and serotonin.

These two together are the body’s natural pain relievers and help lift our moods.

5. Its’ Sunnah

We know from hadith that smiling is a form of charity and that the Prophet SAW used to smile a lot and would encourage his companions to do the same.

Smiling is contagious. When someone smiles at us, we instinctively want to return the smile.

So whether we smile or return someone’s smile, this is a quick and easy way to earn some blessings and do a good deed for the day.

- aboutislam.net

About Saffiyya Mohammed

Saffiyya Mohammed is a Trinidadian millennial writer living on the islands. With a keen interest in Muslim women's representation in media especially in the written word, she's on the search for the next great read. To follow more of her musings of island life, you can find her on Twitter @saffiyyam and instagram at they_callmesaf

What’s Good Character in Islam? – Saad Tasleem

 Why is Islam so heavily focused on good character and what do you think makes up this good character? Click to find out about having a distinct character as Brother Saad Tasleem explains this, using the Prophet (SAW) as an example, being a perfect embodiment of a good character. - aboutislam.net

Calm Down and Humble Yourself; It’s an Act Piety

 

Do you know that the act of humility is also a sign of piety? What then did the Prophet (SAW) do when faced with enemies? In this video, using the Prophet as an example, Mufti Menk teaches us how a simple act of humility can result in us having piety. Watch this video for more insight. - aboutislam.net