By Zahra Hanif and Umm Zahra
“Say, ‘O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honour whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is (all) good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.'” (Al Imran 3:26)
Allah (swt) Lord of all that exists is the owner of prophet hood, kingdoms, honour, status, power or strength that people enjoy temporarily in the world. He moves people and nations up and down as per His Knowledge, Power and Wisdom. That is how the geo-political changes occur in the world.
Nobody should mislead himself by assuming as Allah’s (swt) favourite upon gaining victories. Only the Lord knows whether it is a trial or a means of relief. Hence believers are advised the same in both circumstances, triumph or defeat – to remember and worship Allah (swt) consistently and seek His repentance.
“Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him (i.e. the prophet Muhammad sa) as they know their own sons. But indeed a party of them conceal the truth while they know (it).” (Al Baqarah 2:146)
A Christian delegation came to meet the Prophet (sa) in Madinah. They wanted to determine how legitimate was Muhammad’s (sa) claim of prophet hood. However after meeting with him they refused to accept Muhammad (sa) as Allah’s (swt) final messenger. They were unable to accept the transfer of prophet hood from Bani Israel to Bani Ismail. They believed that only their race deserved the leadership of humanity not the unlettered Arabs. Interestingly to this date we find seeds of racism that they have consistently exhibited towards others in one way or the other. Upon their rejection, the above verses of the Quran were revealed 1400 years back, clearly indicating what Muhammad (sa) was to inform them.
Before Islam, in Makkah the polytheist Arabs enjoyed political supremacy. In Madinah, Abdullah bin Ubayi was about to be declared king, with his crown ready. The Jews were also awaiting a prophet as per their divine scriptures and expected the prophet hood to continue in Prophet Yaqoob’s leniage. Allah (swt) shifted the power. This change in leadership rattled the ground for many.
When the prophet (sa) arrived in Madinah, he was expectant of the Jews to recognize him and embrace Islam effortlessly as it was from the same source as Torat was. He realized that Arabs had never received a holy prophet and a divine book hence it was challenging for them to understand this concept. But Jew rabbis and scholars will be different. It was utter shame when the Jew clergy concealed the truth, followed their vain desires, fell into envy and rejected the prophet (sa) in spite of recognizing the true evidence.
“Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture – those are cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse. Except for those who repent and correct themselves and make evident… (Al Baqarah 2:159-160)
Description of Prophet Muhammad (sa) in the Torah
Narrated Ata bin Yasar: “1 met ‘Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As and asked him: Tell me about the description of Allah’s Messenger which is mentioned in the Taurah (Torah).” He replied: “Yes. By Allah, he is described in the Taurat (Torah) with some qualities attributed to him in the Quran as follows: ‘O Prophet! We have sent you as witness (for Allah’s true religion). And a giver of glad tidings (to the faithful believers. And a warner (to the disbelievers), and a guardian of the illiterates. You are My slave and My Messenger I have named you Al-Mütawakkil (who depends upon Allah). You are neither discourteous, harsh nor a noisemaker in the markets, and you do not do evil to those who do evil to you, but you deal with them with forgiveness and kindness. Alläh will not let him (the Prophet sa) die till he makes straight the crooked people by making them say: ‘La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), by which blind eyes, deaf ears and closed hearts will be opened” (Bukhari)
Allah’s testimony in favour of Muhammad (sa)
If everything rests in the hands of Allah All Mighty, why challenge Him? The best option is to accept His Dominion and Authority. The way forward is to trust His care and believe that He only grants goodness to His creation. Is He not nurturing us everyday in spite of our transgression, ignorance or oblivion?
It really does not matter to Allah (swt) Al Ghani, who accepts Muhammad (sa) as the final messenger or does not. Truth is distinct from falsehood. Allah (swt) testifies on his behalf:
“These are the verses of Allah which We recite to you, (O Muhammad), in truth. And indeed, you are from among the messengers.” (Al Baqarah 2:252)
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