THE AUTHORITY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD ﷺ
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah. But anyone who turns his face away than We have not sent you to save them'
(Surah An-Nisa. verse 80)
Obedience to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is incumbent in action and in word. It is mandatory upon Muslim men and Muslim women to carry out all the instructions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Following the commandments of Prophet ﷺ is indeed following the commandments of Allah Ta'ala. He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah Ta'ala.
Let us have a look at this verse of The Holy Quran in depth. Allah Ta'ala is the creator and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ''is His creation. So, why is following the instructions of Prophet ﷺ is following the instructions of Allah Ta'ala.
Once, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ left Madina for Mecca to perform Umrah, accompanied by his companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum). Prophet ﷺ was informed of the hostile threats from the infidels of Mecca. As a result, Prophet ﷺ decided to camp at a place called Hudaibiyah, and deputed Hazrat Usman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) to proceed to Mecca, and inform the infidels of Mecca that their purpose of visit was to perform Umrah only-not to battle. During the negotiating visit to Mecca, Hazrat Usman(Radi Allaahu Anhu) was offered to perform Umrah, but they insisted that Prophet ﷺ would not be allowed in Mecca. Hazrat Usman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) rejected the offer outright with the remarks: 'How can I perform Umrah without Prophet Muhammad ﷺ', which displays his level of faith. And this is the belief of the Ahlus Sunnah wa Jama'ah. What is the use of going to Mecca when you don't have the love and respect for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
There is no point in worshiping Allah Ta'ala if you don't have the desire to follow the instructions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The absence of Hazrat Usman(Radi Allaahu Anhu) was unexpectedly prolonged. It was rumoured that Hazrat Usman(Radi Allaahu Anhu) was martyred. Prophet ﷺ was extremely upset and the emotions amongst the companions(Radi Allahu Anhum) was running very high. Taking advantage of the situation, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked his companions to do bayet- this oath or formal acknowledgement of loyalty was for the companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum) to avail themselves immediately if need arose for a battle. This bayet was not for the revenge for the rumoured martyrdom of Hazrat Usman(Radi Allaahu Anhu). On this occasion, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ placed one of his hands on his other hand and took bayet on behalf of Hazrat Usman(Radi Allaahu Anhu).
This incident is also recorded in 'Ar-Raheequl Makhtoon', a Wahabi sect publication.
However, when Hazrat Usman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) came back to Mecca he learned that the companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum) had done bayet on the hands of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. So, he also went to Prophet ﷺ to do bayet on the blessed hands of Prophet ﷺ.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'Surely, those who swear allegiance to you indeed swear allegiance to Allah''
(Surah Al-Fatha. verse 10)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ enjoys so closeness to Allah Ta'ala that the allegiance on the hands of Prophet ﷺ is allegiance on the hands of Allah Ta'ala. But we always have to bear in mind that Allah Ta'ala does not have hands. Allah Ta'ala is free from any human form attributes.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'Please declare (O Beloved): If you love Allah, you should follow me..'
(Surah Ale-Imran. verse 31)
Though Allah Ta'ala is the creator, and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is His creation, Allah Ta'ala states that to love Allah, one has to follow the instructions of Prophet ﷺ. This is the authority of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Hazrat Zayd(Radi Allaahu Anhu) was the adopted son of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He was a slave in the house of Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha). When Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha) married Prophet ﷺ, she gifted Zayd(Radi Allaahu Anhu) to Prophet ﷺ. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent a proposal of marriage to Hazrat Zainab bint Jahash(Radi Allaahu Anha) for Hazrat Zayd bin Harith(Radi Allaahu Anhu). She was the daughter of Umaimah(Radi Allaahu Anha) bint Hazrat Abdul Muttalib(Radi Allaahu Anhu)-the aunt of Prophet ﷺ. Hazrat Zainab(Radi Allaahu Anha) turned this down.' Allah Ta'ala, then revealed the following verse of The Holy Quran:
'And it is not befitting for a Muslim man and a Muslim woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed something that they should have any choice in their matters, and whoever disobeys Allah and His messenger, he has strayed away manifestly'
(Surah Ahzab. verse 36)
A woman has the right to get married or not marry whomever she may desire. But she has no right over herself when commanded by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Subsequently, Hazrat Zainab(Radi Allaahu Anha) accepted the proposal and got married to Hazrat Zayd(Radi Allaahu Anhu).
Hereof, we learn that in front of the Prophet ﷺ, the believer has no consideration over his own personal affairs. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the total master of this world and the hereafter. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the owner of the believers life and property. The instructions of Prophet ﷺ, for the believer are more important than that of his parents. This is the authority of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.'
The command of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is equal to the command of Allah Ta'ala, as the slightest hesitation to respond to it is apostasy. This is the authority of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. But one has to bear in mind that this authority is not his own. This authority of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is granted to him by Allah Ta'ala, as Allah Ta'ala is the creator and Prophet ﷺ is His creation.
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This article is an abridged English translation of an Urdu sermon delivered by his eminence, Peer Syed Imroz Dean Saifi, Hanfi, Maturidi of Masjid Anwaar e Madina, Surrey BC Canada
If there is an inaccurate translation, please pardon it and not let it be a means to negatively reflect on the honoured presenter.
