Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) as the Servant and Messenger of Allah: Allah
The Human Nature and Servitude of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.)
Almighty Allah (c.c.) created human beings and jinns with the primary purpose of worshipping Him, placing them on Earth as part of a significant trial. According to the verse of Surah az-Zâriyat, Allah states, "I did not create the jinns and the humans except that they should worship Me." In this context, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) was also held responsible for servitude to Allah, just as all other human beings. throughout his life, he fulfilled his duty of servitude to Allah (c.c.) in the most exemplary manner.
Before and during his prophethood, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) did not possess superhuman characteristics. He was born to a mother and a father like any other human and lived a life characterized by various hardships. He fulfilled his basic human requirements, shared jokes with his friends when appropriate, and shed tears during moments of profound sadness or loss. He managed his own household affairs, worked to earn a livelihood, and sought medical treatment when he fell ill. Furthermore, he dedicated time to his family and frequently enjoyed the company of his children and grandchildren.
The people of Mecca often used his human nature as a pretext to avoid belief and used various excuses to reject his message. As recorded in the verse of Surah al-Furkân, they questioned, "What kind of messenger is this; he eats food and walks in the marketplaces? Why was an angel not sent down to him to be a warner with him?" To these objections, Almighty Allah responded in the verse of Surah al-Furkân, stating that all messengers sent before him were indeed human beings who ate food and walked in the markets, noting that these circumstances served as a trial for the people.
Allah (c.c.) explicitly clarified in the Quran that the messengers were chosen from among humans because the recipients of the revelation were humans. In Surah al-Isrâ, verse , it is stated: "Say: If there were on the earth angels walking about in peace, We would have surely sent down to them from the heaven an angel as a messenger." It is vital to note that while he shared the same human nature as others, the most significant characteristic that separated Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) from other people was that he received revelation (vahiy) from Allah (c.c.).
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) as the Messenger of Allah (c.c.)
When Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) reached the age of , he was appointed with prophethood (nübüvvet) and took on the responsibility of conveying the revelations he received from Allah (c.c.) to humanity. Surah al-Fetih, verse , clearly states, "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." The academic terms for this office are Risalet and Nübüvvet, both of which mean prophethood and are derived from the words Resul (messenger) and nebi (prophet). The act of delivering these divine messages to the people is referred to as tebliğ.
In his role as a messenger, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) did not merely deliver messages; he provided detailed explanations regarding their content. He was the first to implement Allah's commands in his own life before presenting them to others. Like the prophets before him, he carried out his duties without any expectation of material gain or financial reward. This is affirmed in Surah Yûsuf, verse : "Yet you do not ask them any reward for it. It (the Quran) is but a reminder for all the worlds."
The Finality and Universality of the Prophethood
Almighty Allah has sent prophets to every community starting from Hz. Âdem (a.s.), and He designated Hz. Muhammad (s.a.v.) as the final messenger for all of humanity. According to Surah al-Ahzâb, verse , "…Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing." The religion of Islam, which had been revealed from the time of Hz. Âdem (a.s.) onwards, reached its final and perfected form with Hz. Muhammad (s.a.v.).
Allah (c.c.) announced that no other religion would be accepted except Islam, as mentioned in Surah al-Mâide, verse : "…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion." Consequently, the Quran, as the final divine book, encompasses the essence of all previously sent scriptures. Because the principles within the Quran are intended for all people, the message of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) possesses a universal quality. The specific term used to denote that Hz. Muhammad (s.a.v.) is the last of the prophets is "Hâtemü’l-Enbiyâ" (Seal of the Prophets).
The Prophet of Mercy and the Explainer of Revelation
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) is characterized as the Prophet of Mercy. The term "Rahmet" signifies compassion and mercy. By sending prophets to guide people to the right path, Almighty Allah demonstrated His mercy and protection against harm. Surah ad-Duhân, verses , states, "…As a mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing." Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) performed his duty with extreme compassion, avoiding breaking hearts and treating the troubles of the people as his own. Surah at-Tevbe, verse , highlights this: "There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful."
Beyond just relaying the revelation, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) acted as the explainer of the Quran. He clarified the messages within the revelation and personally demonstrated how worship should be performed. He provided specific guidance on the performance of daily prayers (Salah), the details of giving Zakat, and the procedures for the Hajj pilgrimage. A famous Hadith records him saying, "Perform prayer as you see me performing it."
Guidance, Warning, and Moral Excellence
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.) served as both a warner and a giver of glad tidings to all people. He gently warned people about their mistakes and urged them to take precautions against potential calamities. In Surah an-Nahl, verse , it is stated that Allah sends down angels with revelation to whichever servant He wills to warn that "There is no deity except Me, so fear Me." He never used pressure or coercion when conveying the revelation; instead, he warned against evil and gave the glad tidings of paradise (Jannah) to those who lead a good life.
Furthermore, the Prophet was sent to complete and exemplify good morals. He lived his life in strict accordance with the principles of the Quran, maintaining a consistently ethical and moral lifestyle. Surah al-Kalem, verse , describes him as: "And indeed, you are of a great moral character."
Study of Surah al-Kafirun
The transliterated reading of Surah al-Kafirun is: "Bismillâhirrahmânirrahîm. Kul yâ eyyuhâ-lkâfirûn(e). Lâ a’budu mâ ta’budûn(e). Velâ entum ‘âbidûne mâ a’bud(u). Velâ enâ ‘âbidun mâ ‘abedtum. Velâ entum ‘âbidûne mâ a’bud(u). Lekum dînukum veliye dîn(i)." In English, the meaning is: "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful… Say: O disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion."
Historical reports suggest that the Meccan polytheists proposed a compromise to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.v.): they suggested he worship their idols for one year, and in exchange, they would worship his God for one year. The Prophet responded by saying, "I seek refuge in Allah from associating anything with Him!" The polytheists then proposed that he at least touch or kiss (istilâm) some of their idols so that they might acknowledge him and worship his God. In response to these events, Almighty Allah revealed the surah. Note that Kureyş suresi was revealed during the Meccan period and consists of verses. It derives its name from the word "kâfirûn," which translation means "disbelievers."