By: Muhammad Osama
Student: Department of English Language and Literature, Darul Uloom Deoband
Prophethood is such a great and high position that is not common to everyone and no one can achieve it through his endeavor and effort. It is not but a great blessing of Allah Almighty and is bestowed upon only the one with whom Allah is pleased. Almighty Allah says in the glorious Qur’an: “Allah chooses messengers from angels and from men. Surely, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Surah Al-Hajj: 75)
It is the belief of all Muslims that all prophets hold exalted status in the sight of Allah and they are superior to the common people. However, all the prophets are not equal in excellence and rank, some prophets are higher than others in virtues. As Allah says:
“Those are the messengers some of whom We have given excellence over some others (surah Al-Baqarah: 253)
In this world, Allah sent down near about 124000 prophets for the guidance of mankind, all of them are respectable and dearer to Muslims. However, the last prophet Mohammad (saws) stands exalted and holds the highest rank in the sight of Allah.
Though, the prophet Mohammad (saws) was the last to be sent as a messenger, but he is the most praised and dearer to Allah. All the prophets and messengers were sent down exclusively for a particular time and for a particular nation, but the prophet Mohammad (saws) was sent down for all mankind and jinn to come till the Day of Judgment.
Much has been written and spoken about the greatness of the prophet Mohammad (saws), and as long as the world would last, his admirable characteristics and high morals will continue to be praised. The last Book of Allah which was revealed to the Prophet (saws)in a span of 23 years is the accurate epitome of his noble character, high morals, and perfections. Prophet Mohammad (saws) is mentioned beautifully at various places in the glorious Qur’an. In some places, he is named as a messenger of Allah, bearer of good tidings, and warner to mankind. On the other, he has been addressed with O Mohammad! “Your Prophethood is for the whole universe and you are the last in the chain of prophethood. It was mentioned: (Surah Al-Anbiya: 107)
“We have never sent you (O Mohammad) but as a mercy for the whole world.”
It means he is the epitome of mercy not only for that time when he was sent as a messenger and not for the people whom he would succeed, rather he was sent down as a complete mercy for all mankind to come till the day of resurrection.
During the period of Makkah, the Quraish of Makkah persecuted the Prophet (saws) severely, and his companions were also badly oppressed to such an extent that they had to leave their own beloved City. What else can be more painful for a person than that he had to migrate to other places to live life due to torture and oppression from their own fellowmen. The Prophet (saws) and his companions left behind all their own belongings, properties, and many more.
Despite all such atrocities, a few years later, when the Prophet (saws) entered Makkah victoriously, his head was down out of his humbleness and these words were flowing on his blessed tongue: “No reproach upon you today.”
Of course, if he wished, he could have taken revenge from each and everyone who forced him to leave his own city and assaulted him physically, but he preferred forgiveness to revenge and said: “Today is the day of mercy.”
The prophet Mohammad (saws) possessed high morals and conduct, hence, all the people are supposed to treat their wives, children, relatives, and others in the same way as the Prophet(saws) did and set an example with his action in every walk of life. Thus he was the mercy for all humanity and the leader of all the prophets, chosen by Allah (swt).
