Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Ask A (Born Again) Muslim

Home
Muslim
Believing in Muhammad’s Prophecy is Essential for Muslims

Believing in Muhammad’s Prophecy is Essential for Muslims

Last updated on: October 31, 2021 at 10:19 pm by Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Believing in Muhammad’s Prophecy is Essential for Muslims 2021-10-31T22:19:11-07:00 Ejaz Naqvi, MD

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

An essential part of being a “Muslim” is to believe in One True God and believing in the Prophecy of Prophet Muhammad. This forms the foundation of the Shahada, or the testimony that states “I bear witness that there is no god but God (One True God, or Allah in Arabic), and Muhammad is His Prophet”. An interesting fact is that the Shahada in its complete form does not appear in the Qur’an. However there are numerous passages throughout the Qur’an, commanding the believers to believe in Allah and acknowledge that Muhammad PBUH (peace be upon him) is the Prophet of God, though not in the same place. The following verse, however, comes pretty close to declaring the Shahada.

(O Muhammad,) say: “O mankind! I am the Rasool [apostle/messenger] of Allah toward all of you, to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity but Him. He brings to life and causes to die. Therefore, believe in Allah (One True God) and His messenger, the unlettered Prophet (Muhammad) who believes in Allah (One True God) and His Word. Follow him so that you may be rightly guided. The Qur’an 7:158

Belief in One True God and ALL messengers

As I have pointed out several times in my blog that the Qur’an views Islam as one religion from Adam to Muhammad and asks its followers to recognize and respect all Prophets- from Adam to Noah, to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David and Jesus- peace be upon them all. In fact Muslims often add Alehis Salaam after the prophets’ names to indicate their reverence and respect.

The same religion has He established for you [meaning Muhammad] as that which He enjoined on Noah—that which We have sent by inspiration to you—and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than God, hard to the unbelievers is that which you call them to. God chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him). 42:13

Verily! This, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me. 21:92

However, the belief is not complete if one does not believe and follow Prophet Muhammad. And not just the belief, but obeying the Prophet is part and parcel of this belief system.

Follow the messenger and Allah will love you

Say (O’ prophet Muhammad): If you love God, then follow me, God will love you and forgive you your faults, and God is Forgiving, Merciful. The Qur’an 3:31

Note that it does not simply say, “ if you love Allah, Allah will love you”. It inserts Itta’t (obedience) of Prophet Muhammad.

Obey Allah and the messenger

In fact the phrase ‘Obey God and obey the messenger’ appears numerous times in the Qur’an. In other words, believing in Prophet Muhammad is good, but obeying him is part of the deal.

O you who believe! obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn back from Him while you hear. The Qur’an 8:20

Whoever obeys the Messenger, he indeed obeys Allah, and whoever turns back, so We have not sent you as a keeper over them. The Qur’an 4:80

Say: Obey God and the Messenger; but if they turn back, then surely Allah does not love the unbelievers. The Qur’an 3:32

And Muslims cannot be true Muslims until they make the messenger their judge in their disputes

But no! by your Lord! they do not believe until they make you a judge of that which has become a matter of disagreement among them, and then do not find any resistance in their hearts as to what you have decided and submit with entire submission. The Qur’an 4:65

Muhammad’s noble character

Addressing and referring to Muhammad and dispelling the claim of his opponents, the Qur’an proclaims his noble character in many places.

Nay, verily for you [meaning Muhammad] is a reward unfailing: And you (stand) on an exalted standard of character. 68:3–4

One of his nicknames, even before he started preaching the Oneness of God to the polytheists of Mecca, were As-Sadiq (the truthful) and Al Ameen (the trustworthy). When he was forced to immigrate to Medina, fearing for his life, he was still in possession of many of the valuables of the Meccans, as was their custom. Rather than keeping them to himself, he asked Ali, who stayed behind in Mecca for a little while, to return them to their rightful owners—the same polytheists who were after his life.

Mercy for the believers: The Quran calls him mercy to the believers.

Now has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that you should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the believers is he most kind and merciful*.* 9:128

Muhammad, mercy for mankind: He showed mercy to everyone regardless of their creed. This is based on his life stories, full of examples when he showed a tender heart, and mercy to people, including those who tortured him, his family, and companions. An often-told story about him goes as follows:

Muhammad went to Taif, a town near Mecca, to preach to the locals. The trip was rather discouraging, in that no one took heed, and in fact they mocked and ridiculed him. He was physically tortured, and one old woman threw garbage over him every day when he passed near her house. One day, when he passed through the same street, no one threw garbage on him from that house. He inquired and found out the old woman had fallen ill. He then spent time consoling her, tended to her illness, and cleaned her house, as it had gotten dirty during her illness.

People also threw rocks at him and put thorny bushes in his path so much that his shoes would be filled with blood. Battered and disappointed, he returned to Mecca, and on his way back, it is narrated, Archangel Gabriel met him and offered to turn the whole town upside down as punishment. Prophet Muhammad instead showed his benevolent nature and forgave his tormentors and offered a prayer for them.

Upon his triumphant return to Mecca, the same Meccans who tortured him and his supporters now feared for their lives. But it was a bloodless coup. He asked the Meccan pagans who were awaiting his decision about them, “How do you expect me to treat you?” They responded unanimously: “You are a noble one, the son of a noble one.” He then told them, “You may go free! No reproach this day shall be on you; may God forgive you.”

Muhammad, a blessing and mercy for all the worlds: The Qur’an goes on to proclaim him as mercy, or blessing, not just for “Muslims,” or mankind, but all of the worlds (the plural). This is the verse where Muhammad is called the “Rehmatul Alaimeen,” meaning “mercy to all the worlds.”

And We have not sent you [O Muhammad] but as a mercy to the worlds. The Qur’an 21:107 (Yousuf Ali translates this verse as “a mercy to all the creatures.”

But Muhammad is Not divine

Despite his noble character, Muhammad is not believed to be divine. The Qur’an, like other Abrahamic Scriptures, is very strict about not associating any partners with God, and warns those who might be tempted to think otherwise (or who might have lost their belief after Muhammad’s death) in the following verse:

And Muhammad is no more than a messenger; the messengers have already passed away before him; if then he dies or is killed, will you turn back upon your heels? And whoever turns back upon his heels, he will by no means do harm to Allah in the least and Allah will reward the grateful. The Qur’an 3:144

God and Angels send their salutations to Prophet Muhammad

In an ultimate sign of respect, the Qur’an declares that God and all the angels send their blessings on Prophet Muhammad and in turn asks the believers to do the same- a verse that is often recited at the end of the congregational prayers.

Surely Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O you who believe! Send your blessings on him, and salute him with all respect (salutation). The Qur’an 33:56

Muhammad bin Abdullah

Previous Post

October 16, 2021

Joseph, Son of Jacob (Yusuf) in the Qur’an and the Bible

Next Post

November 14, 2021 Annunciation to Mary, Zechariah and Abraham in Qur'an and Bible: Part 1

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category #IStandWithIlhan #ISupportRashidaTlaib #JusticeForZainab #MeToo #shithole Countries #Shitholecountries 1001 Inventions 2017 in review 2019 2nd amendment 4th of July 58 Palestinians 99 names of God Afghanistan Afterlife Al Ma'idah Allah Alms America and Islam American mosque American Muslim American Muslims Animals in paradise Annunciation anti-Semitism Aquatic origin Arafat Arkansas Arrogance Ashura Ashura and Karbala atheism atheism and islam Atheism and Muslim atheist Attacks on places of worship Austin Serial Bomber ave a dream Avicenna Benjamin Corey Beyond rituals Bible Bible and science Biden inauguration Big Bang Black Lives Matter Brett Kavanaugh Burcin Mutlu-Pakdil Burma Caliph Donald Trump Cell phones and mobile devices Chanukah Charity Charlottesville Chastity Child murder Child rape Christchurch mosque attacks Christchurch Mosques shootings Christian Christian Fundamentalism Christian Muslim Dialogue Christian Muslim interfaith Christian Taliban Christian-Muslim Dialogue Christians Christine Blaise Ford Christmas Christmas and Gaza Church Church of Ebgland Civil liberty CNN Explosive Device Coexist Conor Lamb Corona virus Covenant of Muhammad Covid-19 Virus Creation Creation in 6 days Creation in Quran and Bible Creation vs evolution Creationism Cross channel Patheos dialogue Crucifisxion Daily Prayer Services Day of Arafah Dayton shooting Dear Mother Devin Kelley Diamond Rule Domestic terrorism Domestic Violence Domestic Violence in Muslim communities Easter Edhi Eid Eid Al Adha Eid Al Fitr Eid Mubarak El Paso shooting Elohim End of Life care Environment Protection Ethnic Cleansing Evolution Evolution theory Explosive Devices in Mail Fact-Checking Faith and civil liberties Faith and justice Faith and religion Faith and suffering Fake news Fasting and ramadan Fasting in Torah and Gospel Fasting on Ashura Fear Inc fear mongers Fear of God Flat Earth Flat Earther Flu Flu prevention Flu tips Flu vaccine Followers of christ forgiveness forms of interfaith dialogue Freedom of expression Freedom of religion Friday at Kaaba Friday prayer Friday prayer at Kaaba Friday prayer during Hajj Gaza General Wesley Clark Genocide George Floyd Glad Tidings God God Fearing God of Abraham God's Mercy Golden Rule Good Friday Gospel Gospels Gratitude Gun control laws gun safety Gun violence Hagia sophia Hajj Hajj 2020 Hajj 2020 Day of Arafah Hajj 2022 Hajj in review Halal Hanukkah Happy Father's day Happy New Hijri Year Happy New Year Hate crime hate speech Hijab Hijabi scientist Holy Land Holy week Hot takes Humility I have a dream I have a dream in the Quran Ihram ilad un Nabi Ilhan Omar Imam Ali Imam hussain In God we trust In God's image infidels Intelligent design Inter religious relations Interfaith Interfaith Dialogue Interfaith Iftar Intra Faith Dialogue Intra-Faith dialogue Islam and Jesus Islam and racism Islam in America Islam Judaism and Christianity Islam One Religion Islam- way of Abraham Islam-Facts Islam-one religion Islamberg Islamic Comamndments Islamic golden age Islamic jesus Islamic Mannerism Islamophobia ISNA Israel's capital Jerusalem Jeruslam Jesus Jesus and end of times Jesus and Gaza Jesus Christ Jewish-Muslim dialogue Jewish-Muslim Relations Jews Jews Christians and Muslims Jihad Joe Biden Joseph son of Jacob Just Muslim Justin Trudeau Kaaba Karbala Kashmir Kavanaugh confirmation Killings of Palestinians Kind and Loving God Kind God and sufferings Kobe Bryant Kosher Labor Day Las vegas shooting Las vegas terror Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad Last Supper Law of Moses Leaving religion Lent Life lessons Linda Sarsour lllegal immigrants Loving God Make America Great aagain Malala Mannerism lessons Marijuana Mark anthony Conditt Martin Luther King Martin Luther King Day Mary Maryam Masjid Nabawi Mass shooting Mawlid Mawlid un nabi Mecca Medical Marijuana Medina Medina AlQiblatayn mosque Medina Baqih meditation Merciful God Merry Christmas Mike Pompeo mindfulness Miracles of the Qur'an Mitzvah MLK Day Mosque Most Forgiving God mother of Jesus Mother's day Mount Sinai Monastery Muhammad Muharram Muharram and Karbala Muslim Muslim Americans Muslim Christian Dialogue Muslim contribution to Science Muslim gatekeeprs Muslim Jesus Muslim Nobel prize winners Muslim Review Year 2022 Muslim scientists Muslim Unity Muslim Women in Congress Muslim-Atheist dialogue Muslim-Christian relations Muslims-Facts Muzdalifah My Hajj My Jihad Myanmar Myths about Islam Myths about Muslims Nativity Nativity of Jesus New Year New Year resolution New Year Wishes Nobel prize Nones Northern California fires not flu Nuns Occupied Kashmir OJ Simpson One nation under God Onjil Original Sin osque of prphet Muhammad Palestine Parkland school shooting Pew Research center Pilgramage Pilgrims Pillars of Islam Pious Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting Plastic Platinum Rule Police racism Pope Francis meeting with Ayatollah Sistani Pot Prayers Prophet Muhammad Prophets of Islam Protestant Proud American Pulpit Purpose of creation Quba mosque Qur'an Quran Quran and Jesus Quran and Science Quran commandments Quran is easy to understand racism Racism and Diversity Ramadan Ramadan Fasting Ramadan Kareem Rashida Tlaib Rashida Tlaib Cursing Rebuttal to Hemant Mehta Religion and science Religion is the solution Religion vs science Religiosity Religious scientists Removing life support Republicans and Christianity Retirement Riazul Jennah Rick Saccone Righteousness Rohingya Roman Catholic Round Earth Roy Moore defeat Safa and Marwa Salah Salat Saudi exported extremism Saudi Oil filed attack Science and Faith Science and religion scientist and atheism Secretary of state Senate hearing Sermon on the Mount Sexual abuse Sexual harassment Sharia Sharia Law Shia Shia Sunni Unity Social Justice and Islam Sri Lanka Terror Attacks on Easter St. Catherine Monastery Stand with Kashmir Straight Path Submission to God Sunni Sunni-Shia unity Supplications supremacists Supreme court judge Supreme court nomination synagogues and churches Talbiya Taliban Ten Commandments Terror plot against Islamberg Terrorism Texas church shooting Thank God Thankfulness Thanksgiving Thanksgiving celebration Thanksgiving Day the mother of Jesus Torah Tree of Life Tree of Life Synagogue True Christians Trump Trump and misogyny Trump's decision for recognition of Jerusalem Trump's threat to Sanctuary cities Trusting God Tzedekah Uhad Umrah UN resolution Uncategorized Unchristian Republican behavior UnChurched United Ummah UnMosqued US Embassy in Jerusalem US war with seven countries Uyghurs Vatican on Eid Violence in Gaza Wahhabisim War on Christmas wellness What Would Jesus Do? What would Muhammad do? white supermacist White supremacists White Supremacy Why were we created Women's march WWJD Yemen Zakat Zamzam well

Select a Month April 2024 March 2024 December 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 December 2022 August 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 November 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz