Allah's Messenger to the Whole Mankind

                                 Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.): Allâh’s Messenger to the Whole Mankind
                                                            Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya 


(Note: Readers may also read the Author’s booklet “Muhammad (s.a.w.s.):Allâh’s Messenger to the Whole Mankind” published in 1993 by the Cooperative Office for Call and Guidance at North Riyadh under the Supervision of Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowment and Call and Guidance, P.O. Box 87913, Riyadh 11652, Saudi Arabia)

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) (Salallahu ‘alayhi wa salam, meaning: May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was Allâh's great Prophet and Messenger like Jesus, the Son of Mary. The Prophet's mission, however, is universal. Allah (S.W.T.) (Subhanahu wa ta’ala, meaning: the Exalted, Most Glorious) tells mankind that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) is no more than a Messenger (Qur’an 3: 144), the unlettered Prophet who believes in Him and His Words (Qur’an 7: 158). He is the Seal of the Prophets and the true universal Messenger of Allâh to the whole mankind (Qur’an 33: 40). Allah (S.W.T.), the All-Mighty, makes this very clear:

"We have not sent you (O Muhammad) but as a universal (Messenger) to men giving them glad tidings and warning them (against sin) but most men understand not." (Qurân 34: 28)

The Messenger (s.a.w.s.) possesses an exalted (standard of) character (Qur’an 68:4) and an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah (S.W.T.) and the Final Day, and who remembers Allah (S.W.T.) much (Qur’an 33: 21). Allah (S.W.T.) endowed him with exalted standard of character for us to follow. Every aspect of his life has been fully dealt with, providing complete guidance to the whole mankind. For our guidance, Allah (S.W.T.), the All-Mighty commands us to believe and obey His Messenger (s.a.w.s.):

"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ªn and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Say (O Muhammad): “Obey Allâh and the Messenger (Muhammad).” But if they turn away, then Allâh does not like the disbelievers." (Qur’an 3: 31)

"O mankind! Verily, there has come to you the Messenger (Muhammad) with the truth from your Rabb (Sustainer). So believe in him, it is better for you. But if you disbelieve, then certainly to Allâh belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. And Allâh is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise." (Qurân 4: 170)

"O you who believe! Obey Allâh, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) and render not vain your deeds." (Qurân 47: 33)

It is a must that we obey Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.). Allah (S.W.T.) tells us that he who obeys His Messenger (s.a.w.s.) obeys Him:

"He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad) has indeed obeyed Allâh, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (Muhammad) as a watcher over them." (Qurân 4: 80)

Allah (S.W.T.) sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to make it prevail over all religions. He (I) says:

"It is He (Allah) Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth that he may proclaim it over all religion even though the Pagans may detest (it)." (Qurân 61: 9)

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) being the True Messenger of Allah (S.W.T.) not only sincerely believes and testifies to the Oneness of Allâh, the Only True God, Who Alone deserves all praises and true worship, but also teaches the same universal message. In one of his teachings we learn how he teaches us to glorify and testify Allah (S.W.T.) as True:

“Ibn ‘Abbas (r.a.) narrated that when the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud (midnight) prayer, he used to say: “O Allâh! All the praises are for you. You are the Holder of the heavens and the earth, and whatever is in them. All the praises are for You. You have the possession of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them. All the praises are for You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all the praises are for You. You are the King of the heavens and the earth and all the praises are for You. You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, and to meet You is true. Your Word is the truth and Paradise is true, Hell is true, all the Prophets are true, Muhammad is true, and the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allâh! I surrender (my will) to You. I believe in You and depend on You, repent to You, and with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers). And I take You as a Judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous and future sins; and whatever I concealed or revealed. And You are the One Who makes (some people) forward and (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but You.” (Bukhari 2/221, 9/482 and 534)

If you are among those who have read some of the countless distortions written against Islâm and the Prophet (s.a.w.s.), time has come that you believe in him as the true Messenger of Allah (S.W.T.) to all humanity. Verily, Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) is the true universal Messenger and the final Prophet of Allâh. In fact, he is known as the As-Sadiq and Al-’Amin (the Truthful and the Trustworthy). Many non-Muslims who knew and listened to him during his time, embraced Islâm because of his truthfulness. Indeed, Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) is true and he teaches nothing but the Truth. Above all, he teaches us the worship of the One True God, which is the very essence of the true religion, Islâm. For your salvation, believe in Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) as the true, final Messenger of Allah (S.W.T.) and believe in the Message with which he was sent. Believe in Islâm as the true religion from Allah (S.W.T.). Take admonition from the following authentic Hâdîth:

“Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “By Him in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, he amongst the community of Jews or Christians hears about me; but does not affirm his belief in that with which I have been sent (i.e., Islâm) and dies in his state (of disbelief), he shall be but one of the denizens of Hell-Fire.” (Muslim 1/ 284)
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Note: Please take note of the following abbreviations used in this article:
(SWT): Subhanahu wa Ta'ala – ‘The Exalted’
(s.a.w.s.) : Sall-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ‘Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him’
(r.a.): Radia Allahu ‘Anhu – ‘May Allah be pleased with him’, Radi Allahu ‘Anha- ‘May Allah be pleased with her’, Radi Allahu ‘Anhum - ‘May Allah be pleased with them.’