The True Revolution – Part 11: The Holy Prophet as the epitome of all Prophetic virtues

English translation of Inqilab-e-Haqiqi

An address by Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad^ra, Khalifatul Masih II, al-Musleh al-Maud

Delivered at Jalsa Salana Qadian on 28 December 1937

The Age of the Holy Prophet^sa

The Holy Prophet^sa; The epitome of the Excellences of the former Prophets

The Holy Prophet^sa was Adam^as in terms of being appointed as the Khalifa of Allah the Exalted. The task of establishing true culture and civilisation was entrusted to him. He was also Noah^as by virtue of being told by God:

إِنَّآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ كَمَآ أَ وْحَيْنَآ إِلٰی نُوْحٍ¹

That is, his message included the message of Noah^as. He was Abraham^as as God told him:

ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرٰهِيْمَ حَنِيْفًا ^ط وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ²

That is: ‘Muhammad^sa We enjoin you to become [and embody the attributes of] Abraham^as.’ If one were to argue that this was merely a [divine] injunction, then what is the proof that he truly became like Abraham^as?  So we say that the proof, too, lies in the Qur’an. God says:

قُلْ هٰذِهٖ سَبِيْلِىْٓ أَدْعُوْٓا إِلَى اللهِ  ۚ عَلٰی بَصِيْرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِىْ  ^ط وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَمَآ أَنَا  مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ ؀ ³

The words, وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ (and I am not of those who associate gods with God) have also been used with reference to the Holy Prophet^sa. He too was told by Allah the Exalted to announce before the world that I have been appointed the standard bearer of divine unity. At another place God says:

قُلْ إِنَّنِىْ هَدَانِىْ رَبِّىْٓ إِلٰی صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ ^ج  دِيْنًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرٰهِيْمَ حَنِيْفًا ^ج  وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ؀قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِىْ وَنُسُكِىْ وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِىْ لِلهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ؀ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ ^ج  وَبِذٰ لِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ ؀ ⁴

That is to tell the people: ‘God has guided me to the right path, the path of Abraham^as and he was not from amongst the idolaters.’

Here, ‘polytheist’ transcends its conventional meaning, describing someone whose heart and mind are not fully yielded to God’s guidance, characterised by a lack of unwavering trust and complete reliance on Him. When the Holy Prophet^sa declared that God Almighty had also guided him along the path of Abraham^as, one might ask that Abraham^as surrendered to God Almighty in his entirety and when commanded by his Lord:

اَسْلِمْ

That is, [to submit], he replied:

اَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ⁵

(I have already submitted to the Lord of all the worlds.) Did the Holy Prophet^sa do the same? God told the Holy Prophet^sa to say: ‘I too have submitted. My prayer, sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. I have so immersed myself in my Lord, that my mind and intellect are imbued with complete thoughts of Him.’ Here the words لَا شَرِیْکَ لَہٗ (He has no partner) mean the affirmation of perfect unity and oneness. In this verse, the Holy Prophet^sa is told to say: ‘I have been instructed by God to follow this great teaching. In other words, I am not merely imitating the teachings and practices of Abraham^as; rather, I have received these teachings directly from God Almighty. Furthermore, you question whether I hold the same status as Abraham^as or not. In truth, I have transcended even Abraham’s^as rank and:

أَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ

That is, I declare myself to be the first Muslim just as Abraham^as claimed اَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْن (I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds), and I, too, echo his words. Chronologically, Abraham^as was the first to do so, making him أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ (the first Muslim). However, being the first in terms of time is of little importance. It is more significant to be foremost in terms of status. By this standard I am أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ (the first Muslim) and Abraham^as comes after me. 

The Excellences of the Holy Prophet^sa

The Holy Prophet^sa also possessed the excellences of Moses^as. In Surah al-Muzzammil God says:

إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْكُمْ رَسُولًا ^لا  شَاهِدًا عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلٰى فِرْعَوْنَ رَسُوْلًا؀ ⁶

As the Holy Qura’n reveals, this resemblance is not a comparison of peers [of the same ranks]; rather, it is an analogy between the superior and the inferior. Therefore, the distinctions possessed by the Holy Prophet^sa over Moses^as are clearly mentioned in the Holy Qura’n. The examples include the following:

1. God Almighty says that He gave Moses^as a book, which was تَفْصِیْلاً لِکُلِّ شَیْءٍ (a detailed exposition of all things). He further says: 

مَا كَانَ حَدِيْثًا يُّفْتَرٰى وَلٰكِنْ تَصْدِيْقَ الَّذِىْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيْلَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَّهُدًى وَّرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُّؤْمِنُوْنَ؀ ⁷

That is:  if you contend that since Moses^as was given a complete code of guidance therefore the teachings brought by the Holy Prophet^sa must be forged then the response to your allegations is that it is not something fabricated; rather, it has been prophesied in earlier scriptures and this book fulfils those prophecies and include within itself a detailed exposition of all things. It is a guidance and mercy for those who believe. [According to this verse] the book of Moses^as gave news of a future revelation. Therefore, there is no question of it being without purpose. It must have contained greater excellences for the book of Moses^as have mentioned it as well, otherwise, what purpose would it have served after the book of Moses^as?

2. Moses^as said: 

رَبِّ أَرِنِىْٓ  أَنْظُرْ إِلَيْكَ⁸

God Almighty’s answer was concise: [Thou shalt not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it remains in its place, then shalt thou see Me.]⁹ Some commentators have said that God Almighty showed Himself to Moses^as. Others argue that He did not. Nevertheless, the Holy Prophet^sa never asked God Almighty to show him His being. Instead it was God Almighty who said: ‘We have shown him our face.’ We can only speculate as to whether Moses^as saw God Almighty or not. But, about the Holy Prophet^sa God Almighty says: 

دَنَا فَتَدَلّٰى ؀ فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنٰى ؀ ¹⁰

That is: “We have stood face to face with him in the same way as the two bows of archers face each other. We have seen each other clearly. Muhammad^sa was as near to Us as the two ends of a bow, perfectly aligned with each other. That is how near we were. We were so close that we were harmoniously connected. Thus, it is as if Allah the Exalted blessed the Holy Prophet^sa with something even greater than what Moses^as had requested.

3. The third distinction the Holy Prophet^sa has been blessed with over Moses^as is that Allah the Exalted says of the latter: كَلَّمَ اللهُ مُوْسٰى تَكْلِيْماً (Allah spoke to Moses^as particularly.) However, with reference to the Holy Prophet^sa He says:

إِنَّآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ كَمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلٰی نُوْحٍ وَٱلنَّبِيّٖنَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِ  ^ج  وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلٰٓی إِبْرٰهِيْمَ وَإِسْمٰعِيْلَ وَإِسْحٰقَ وَيَعْقُوْبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيْسٰی وَأَيُّوْبَ وَيُوْنُسَ وَهَارُوْنَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ   ۚ  وَاٰتَيْنَا دَاوٗدَ زَبُوْرًا ؀ وَرُسُلًا قَدْ قَصَصْنٰهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَرُسُلًا لَّمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ   ۚ  وَكَلَّمَ اللهُ مُوْسٰى تَكْلِيْماً¹¹

We have sent revelation to you, as was sent to Noah^as and the Prophets after Him. And We have bestowed you with the excellences of Abraham^as, Ishmael^as, Isaac^as, Jacob^as, the progeny of Jacob^as, Jesus^as, Job^as, Jonah^as, Aaron^as and Solomon^as. The book that was given to David^as has been given to you. We have also blessed you with the discourse with which We blessed Moses^as.”

The revelation of the Holy Prophet^sa encompassed that of Moses^as and all the other prophets. It possessed the greatness of the revelation of Noah^as and the other messengers and like Moses^as it was revealed to him directly. Indeed his revelation held a distinction over Moses’^as, in so much as Moses^as narrated his revelation to his people in his own words. For example, if a person is told to convey news about someone’s illness, if the sick party is the brother or father of the person to whom they tell, it is entirely possible that they will convey the message by saying, “my brother” or “father” has fallen ill instead of relaying the exact words. Hence although Moses^as was blessed with a direct revelatory discourse, he would communicate it in his own particular manner. In the time of the Holy Prophet^sa, however, [spiritual advancement] had reached its pinnacle. This required a perfect and complete law. It was therefore necessary that the exact words of the revelation be preserved. Hence, Allah the Exalted says:

إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهٗ وَقُرْءَانَهٗ ؀ فَإِذَا قَرَأْنٰهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْاٰنَهٗ ؀ ¹²

Moses^as would record the import of the revelations he received from Us. He understood the revelation fully, but would express it in his own words. This was not the practice of God with the Holy Prophet^sa with regard to whom He took it upon Himself to collect and preserve His teaching. He [instructed the Holy Prophet^sa] to recite and record His exact words by penning them down and not interpret them independently. God says:

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهٗ لَحَافِظُوْنَ¹³

We have sent this exhortation, and We will be a guardian over its words and soul. The protection of this revelation was not the responsibility of the Holy Prophet^sa.

The Holy Prophet^sa also possessed the excellences of Jesus^as. Allah the Exalted says (about the attributes) of Jesus^as: ¹⁴اَیَّدْنٰہُ بِرُوْحِ الْقُدُسِ (We strengthened him with the Holy Spirit). In comparison, with reference to the Holy Prophet^sa , however, He says: 

قُلْ نَزَّلَهٗ رُوْحُ الْقُدُسِ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ بِا  لْحَقِّ لِيُثَبِّتَ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَهُدًى وَّبُشْرٰى لِلْمُسْلِمِيْنَ¹⁵

Say, ‘O Muhammad^sa The Spirit of holiness has brought it down from thy Lord with truth, that He may strengthen those who believe, and as a guidance and glad tidings for Muslims.’

Jesus^as referred to the Law as a curse, by which he meant that to follow it blindly and neglect to purify one’s inner self was an accursed thing. Similarly God says in the Holy Qur’an:

فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّيْنَ ؀ الَّذِيْنَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُوْنَ ؀ الَّذِيْنَ هُمْ يُرَآءُوْنَ¹⁶

So woe to those who pray, but are unmindful of their Prayer. They like to be seen of men.

The word وَیْلٌ (woe) was also used by Jesus^as to describe the futility of superficial observances of the Law. He did not mean that prayer, fasting, giving alms or looking after the poor and destitute were actions that were intrinsically cursed, rather that superficial acts of piety which brought no benefit to the inner self were damnable. However, Christians have mistakenly understood Jesus’^as words to mean that prayer, fasting [and other pious acts] are all accursed. Similarly, God says in the Holy Qur’an: 

لَنْ يَّنَالَ اللهَ لُحُوْمُهَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُهَا وَلٰكِنْ يَّنَالُهُ التَّقْوٰى مِنْكُمْ¹⁷

What reaches Allah is not the outward act of sacrifice, but the genuine intention and love that drives it. This principle was imparted by Jesus^as.

Endnotes:

1. Surely, We have sent revelation to thee, as We sent revelation to Noah. (Surah an-Nisa’, 4:164) [Publishers]
2. And now We have revealed to thee, saying, ‘Follow the way of Abraham who was ever inclined to God and was not of those who set up equals to Him.’ (Surah an-Nahl, 16:124) [Publishers]
3. Say, ‘This is my way: I call unto Allah on sure knowledge, I and those who follow me. And Holy is Allah; and I am not of those who associate gods with God.’ (Surah Yusuf, 12:109) [Publishers]
4. Say, ‘As for me, my Lord has guided me unto a straight path—a right religion, the religion of Abraham, the upright. And he was not of those who join gods with God.’ Say, ‘My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. ‘He has no partner. And so am I commanded, and I am the first of those who submit.’ (Surah al-An‘am, 6:162-164) [Publishers]
5. ‘I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds.’ (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:132) [Publishers]
6. Verily, We have sent to you a Messenger, who is a witness over you, even as We sent a Messenger to Pharaoh. (Surah al-Muzzammil, 73:16) [Publishers]
7. It is not a thing that has been forged, but a fulfilment of that which is before it and a detailed exposition of all things, and a guidance and a mercy to a people who believe. (Surah Yusuf, 12:112) [Publishers]
8. ‘My Lord, show Thyself to me that I may look at Thee.’ (Surah Al-A‘raf, 7:144) [Publishers]
9. The Bible narrates this incident in the following words: you cannot see my face, for no one shall see me and live. Exodus, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, 33:20, [Publishers]
10. Then he drew nearer to God; then he came down to mankind, so that he became, as it were, one chord to two bows or closer still. (Surah an-Najm, 53:9-10) [Publishers]
11. Surely, We have sent revelation to thee, as We sent revelation to Noah and the Prophets after him; and We sent revelation to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and his children and to Jesus and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and We gave David a Book. And We sent some Messengers whom We have already mentioned to thee and some Messengers whom We have not mentioned to thee—and Allah spoke to Moses particularly—. (Surah an-Nisa’, 4:164-165) [Publishers]
12. Surely upon Us rests its collection and its recital. So when We recite it, then follow thou its recital. (Surah al-Qiyamah, 75:18-19) [Publishers]
13. Verily, We Ourself have sent down this Exhortation, and most surely We will be its Guardian. (Surah al-Hijr, 15:10) [Publishers]
14. Strengthened him with the Spirit of holiness. (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:88) [Publishers]
15. Say, ‘The Spirit of holiness has brought it down from thy Lord with truth, that He may strengthen those who believe, and as a guidance and glad tidings for Muslims.’ (Surah an-Nahl, 16:103) [Publishers]
16. So woe to those who pray, but are unmindful of their Prayer. They like to be seen of men. (Surah al-Ma‘un, 107:5-7) [Publishers]
17. Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him. (Surah al-Hajj, 22:38) [Publishers]

To be continued…

(Translation by Fazl-e-Umar Foundation, English Section)