﷽
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 36*
*VARIOUS WAYS OF OPPOSING THE CALLING OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Blessings and Peace be upon him) BY THE UNBELIEVERS continues*
*2. AROUSING DOUBTS AND DISSEMINATING FALSE INFORMATION*
They resorted to many various methods of spreading wrong statements about the instructions of Islam and the Prophet's character to a considerable extent so that they would not leave room for the public to think of or contemplate his calling. They used to say about the Glorious Qur'an:
Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 5:
بَلْ قَالُوا أَضْغَاثُ أَحْلَامٍ بَلِ افْتَرَاهُ بَلْ هُوَ شَاعِرٌ فَلْيَأْتِنَا بِآيَةٍ كَمَا أُرْسِلَ الْأَوَّلُونَ
Nay, they say:"These (revelations of the Quran which are inspired to Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) are mixed up false dreams! Nay, he has invented it! Nay, he is a poet! Let him then bring us an Ayah (sign as a proof) like the ones (Prophets) that were sent before (with signs)!"
They also claimed:
Surah An-Nahl, Verse 103:
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُ بَشَرٌ لِّسَانُ الَّذِي يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِيٌّ وَهَٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِيٌّ مُّبِينٌ
And indeed We know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: "It is only a human being who teaches him (Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him])." The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Qur-ān) is a clear Arabic tongue.
Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 4:
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا إِفْكٌ افْتَرَاهُ وَأَعَانَهُ عَلَيْهِ قَوْمٌ آخَرُونَ فَقَدْ جَاءُوا ظُلْمًا وَزُورًا
Those who disbelieve say: "This (the Quran) is nothing but a lie that he (Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) has invented, and others have helped him at it, so that they have produced an unjust wrong (thing) and a lie."
It means that he and his Companions took part in fabricating it. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 5:
وَقَالُوا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ اكْتَتَبَهَا فَهِيَ تُمْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
And they say: "Tales of the ancients, which he has written down, and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon."
They sometimes claimed that a Jennie or a devil were descending upon him as devils and Jennies descended upon diviners and soothsayers. So Allāh responded their allegations by the verses reading:
Surah Ash-Shuara, Verse 221-222:
هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُمْ عَلَىٰ مَن تَنَزَّلُ الشَّيَاطِينُ
Shall I inform you (O people!) upon whom the Shayatin (devils) descend?
تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ
They descend on every lying (one who tells lies), sinful person.
They mean that these devils and jinns descend upon but wicked and sinful liars. But you know that I am not a liar or transgressor. So how can you allege that the Qur-ān is sent down by devils?
In other cases they claimed that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) was afflicted with a type of madness, through which he imagines meanings and phrases them in a wonderful and impressive way as poets do. He is a poet and his words are poetical expressions. As a refutation of their allegations, Allāh says in the Qur-ān:
Surah Ash-Shuara, Verse 224-226:
وَالشُّعَرَاءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الْغَاوُونَ
As for the poets, the erring follow them,
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي كُلِّ وَادٍ يَهِيمُونَ
See you not that they speak about every subject (praising others right or wrong) in their poetry?
وَأَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ مَا لَا يَفْعَلُونَ
And that they say what they do not do.
These are the three basic characteristics of poets, but the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) has nothing to do them in any way; those who followed him are rightly guided, righteous, well-mannered, moderate straightforward on one hand. On the other hand, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) never indulged in every aspect as poets do, rather, he invites to the worship of One God, one religion and one path. Moreover, he does practice what he preaches. So in any way can he be compared with poets? Or how can poetry be connected with him?
Thus Allāh refutes their allegations by convincing an irrefutable responses on every doubt they arouse against the Prophet, the Qur-ān or Islam. Most of their uncertainties revolved around Monotheism, the message of Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him), raising the dead and gathering them on the Day of Final Judgement. The Qur-ān responded to their doubts very clearly and circumstantially, on the issue of Monotheism and exposed the shameful incapacity of their alleged gods. This was the fact that evoked their anger and condemnation.
Despite their acknowledgement of the Prophet's honesty, truthfulness and piety, they thought that the position of Prophethood is greater than being granted to a human. They believed that a human could never be a Messenger. So when the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) proclaimed his Prophethood and called upon people to believe him, they became undecided and astonished saying:
Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 7:>
وَقَالُوا مَالِ هَٰذَا الرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُ نَذِيرًا
And they say: "Why does this Messenger (Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) eat food, and walk about in the markets (like ourselves). Why is not an angel sent down to him to be a warner with him?
They also said: Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him) is a human and Allāh responded to them by the verse that reads:
Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 91:
وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِذْ قَالُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِّن شَيْءٍ قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَىٰ نُورًا وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنتُمْ وَلَا آبَاؤُكُمْ قُلِ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِي خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ
They (the Jews, Quraish pagans, idolaters, etc.) did not estimate Allāh with an estimation due to Him when they said: "Nothing did Allāh send down to any human being (by inspiration)." Say (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]): "Who then sent down the Book which Musa (Moses) brought, a light and a guidance to mankind which you (the Jews) have made into (separate) papersheets, disclosing (some of it) and concealing (much). And you (believers in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]), were taught (through the Quran) that which neither you nor your fathers knew." Say: "Allah (sent it down)." Then leave them to play in their vain discussions. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 7, Page 37).
They knew and admitted that Moses was a human and Prophet. Each people said to their Messenger denying the Prophethood of their Prophets:
Surah Ibrahim, Verse 10:
قَالَتْ رُسُلُهُمْ أَفِي اللَّهِ شَكٌّ فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَدْعُوكُمْ لِيَغْفِرَ لَكُم مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُؤَخِّرَكُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى قَالُوا إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُنَا تُرِيدُونَ أَن تَصُدُّونَا عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُنَا فَأْتُونَا بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ
Their Messengers said: "What! Can there be a doubt about Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth? He calls you (to Monotheism and to be obedient to Allah) that He may forgive you of your sins and give you respite for a term appointed." They said: "You are no more than human beings like us! You wish to turn us away from what our fathers used to worship. Then bring us a clear authority i.e. a clear proof of what you say)."
Surah Ibrahim, Verse 11:
قَالَتْ لَهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ إِن نَّحْنُ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَمُنُّ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَمَا كَانَ لَنَا أَن نَّأْتِيَكُم بِسُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Their Messengers said to them: "We are no more than human beings like you, but Allah bestows His Grace to whom He wills of His slaves. It is not ours to bring you an authority (proof) except by the Permission of Allah. And in Allāh (Alone) let the believers put their trust.
Thus Prophets and Messengers can be but as there is no contradiction between humanity and prophethood.
Acknowledging that Abraham, Ishmael and Moses were humans and Prophets, they had no room for insisting on their doubts. Thus they said: "Didn't Allāh find other than this poor orphan person to convey His Message? Allāh shouldn't have left out the notables of Mecca and At-Tā'if and taken this orphan as a Messenger."
Surah Az-Zukhruf, Verse 31:
وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنَ الْقَرْيَتَيْنِ عَظِيمٍ
And they say: "Why is not this Qur-ān sent down to some great man of the two towns (Makkah and Ta'if)?"
Surah Az-Zukhruf, Verse 32:
أَهُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ رَحْمَتَ رَبِّكَ نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) is better than the (wealth of this world) which they amass.
Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 124:
وَإِذَا جَاءَتْهُمْ آيَةٌ قَالُوا لَن نُّؤْمِنَ حَتَّىٰ نُؤْتَىٰ مِثْلَ مَا أُوتِيَ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ حَيْثُ يَجْعَلُ رِسَالَتَهُ سَيُصِيبُ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا صَغَارٌ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَعَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَمْكُرُونَ
And when there comes to them a sign (from Allah) they say: "We shall not believe until we receive the like of that which the Messengers of Allah had received." Allah knows best with whom to place His Message. Humiliation and disgrace from Allah and a severe torment will overtake the criminals (polytheists, sinners, etc.) for that which they used to plot.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 36*
*VARIOUS WAYS OF OPPOSING THE CALLING OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Blessings and Peace be upon him) BY THE UNBELIEVERS continues*
*2. AROUSING DOUBTS AND DISSEMINATING FALSE INFORMATION*
They resorted to many various methods of spreading wrong statements about the instructions of Islam and the Prophet's character to a considerable extent so that they would not leave room for the public to think of or contemplate his calling. They used to say about the Glorious Qur'an:
Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 5:
بَلْ قَالُوا أَضْغَاثُ أَحْلَامٍ بَلِ افْتَرَاهُ بَلْ هُوَ شَاعِرٌ فَلْيَأْتِنَا بِآيَةٍ كَمَا أُرْسِلَ الْأَوَّلُونَ
Nay, they say:"These (revelations of the Quran which are inspired to Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) are mixed up false dreams! Nay, he has invented it! Nay, he is a poet! Let him then bring us an Ayah (sign as a proof) like the ones (Prophets) that were sent before (with signs)!"
They also claimed:
Surah An-Nahl, Verse 103:
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُ بَشَرٌ لِّسَانُ الَّذِي يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِيٌّ وَهَٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِيٌّ مُّبِينٌ
And indeed We know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: "It is only a human being who teaches him (Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him])." The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Qur-ān) is a clear Arabic tongue.
Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 4:
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا إِفْكٌ افْتَرَاهُ وَأَعَانَهُ عَلَيْهِ قَوْمٌ آخَرُونَ فَقَدْ جَاءُوا ظُلْمًا وَزُورًا
Those who disbelieve say: "This (the Quran) is nothing but a lie that he (Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) has invented, and others have helped him at it, so that they have produced an unjust wrong (thing) and a lie."
It means that he and his Companions took part in fabricating it. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 5:
وَقَالُوا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ اكْتَتَبَهَا فَهِيَ تُمْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
And they say: "Tales of the ancients, which he has written down, and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon."
They sometimes claimed that a Jennie or a devil were descending upon him as devils and Jennies descended upon diviners and soothsayers. So Allāh responded their allegations by the verses reading:
Surah Ash-Shuara, Verse 221-222:
هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُمْ عَلَىٰ مَن تَنَزَّلُ الشَّيَاطِينُ
Shall I inform you (O people!) upon whom the Shayatin (devils) descend?
تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ
They descend on every lying (one who tells lies), sinful person.
They mean that these devils and jinns descend upon but wicked and sinful liars. But you know that I am not a liar or transgressor. So how can you allege that the Qur-ān is sent down by devils?
In other cases they claimed that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) was afflicted with a type of madness, through which he imagines meanings and phrases them in a wonderful and impressive way as poets do. He is a poet and his words are poetical expressions. As a refutation of their allegations, Allāh says in the Qur-ān:
Surah Ash-Shuara, Verse 224-226:
وَالشُّعَرَاءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الْغَاوُونَ
As for the poets, the erring follow them,
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي كُلِّ وَادٍ يَهِيمُونَ
See you not that they speak about every subject (praising others right or wrong) in their poetry?
وَأَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ مَا لَا يَفْعَلُونَ
And that they say what they do not do.
These are the three basic characteristics of poets, but the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) has nothing to do them in any way; those who followed him are rightly guided, righteous, well-mannered, moderate straightforward on one hand. On the other hand, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) never indulged in every aspect as poets do, rather, he invites to the worship of One God, one religion and one path. Moreover, he does practice what he preaches. So in any way can he be compared with poets? Or how can poetry be connected with him?
Thus Allāh refutes their allegations by convincing an irrefutable responses on every doubt they arouse against the Prophet, the Qur-ān or Islam. Most of their uncertainties revolved around Monotheism, the message of Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him), raising the dead and gathering them on the Day of Final Judgement. The Qur-ān responded to their doubts very clearly and circumstantially, on the issue of Monotheism and exposed the shameful incapacity of their alleged gods. This was the fact that evoked their anger and condemnation.
Despite their acknowledgement of the Prophet's honesty, truthfulness and piety, they thought that the position of Prophethood is greater than being granted to a human. They believed that a human could never be a Messenger. So when the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) proclaimed his Prophethood and called upon people to believe him, they became undecided and astonished saying:
Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 7:>
وَقَالُوا مَالِ هَٰذَا الرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُ نَذِيرًا
And they say: "Why does this Messenger (Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) eat food, and walk about in the markets (like ourselves). Why is not an angel sent down to him to be a warner with him?
They also said: Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him) is a human and Allāh responded to them by the verse that reads:
Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 91:
وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِذْ قَالُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِّن شَيْءٍ قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَىٰ نُورًا وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنتُمْ وَلَا آبَاؤُكُمْ قُلِ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِي خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ
They (the Jews, Quraish pagans, idolaters, etc.) did not estimate Allāh with an estimation due to Him when they said: "Nothing did Allāh send down to any human being (by inspiration)." Say (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]): "Who then sent down the Book which Musa (Moses) brought, a light and a guidance to mankind which you (the Jews) have made into (separate) papersheets, disclosing (some of it) and concealing (much). And you (believers in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]), were taught (through the Quran) that which neither you nor your fathers knew." Say: "Allah (sent it down)." Then leave them to play in their vain discussions. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 7, Page 37).
They knew and admitted that Moses was a human and Prophet. Each people said to their Messenger denying the Prophethood of their Prophets:
Surah Ibrahim, Verse 10:
قَالَتْ رُسُلُهُمْ أَفِي اللَّهِ شَكٌّ فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَدْعُوكُمْ لِيَغْفِرَ لَكُم مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُؤَخِّرَكُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى قَالُوا إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُنَا تُرِيدُونَ أَن تَصُدُّونَا عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُنَا فَأْتُونَا بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ
Their Messengers said: "What! Can there be a doubt about Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth? He calls you (to Monotheism and to be obedient to Allah) that He may forgive you of your sins and give you respite for a term appointed." They said: "You are no more than human beings like us! You wish to turn us away from what our fathers used to worship. Then bring us a clear authority i.e. a clear proof of what you say)."
Surah Ibrahim, Verse 11:
قَالَتْ لَهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ إِن نَّحْنُ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَمُنُّ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَمَا كَانَ لَنَا أَن نَّأْتِيَكُم بِسُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Their Messengers said to them: "We are no more than human beings like you, but Allah bestows His Grace to whom He wills of His slaves. It is not ours to bring you an authority (proof) except by the Permission of Allah. And in Allāh (Alone) let the believers put their trust.
Thus Prophets and Messengers can be but as there is no contradiction between humanity and prophethood.
Acknowledging that Abraham, Ishmael and Moses were humans and Prophets, they had no room for insisting on their doubts. Thus they said: "Didn't Allāh find other than this poor orphan person to convey His Message? Allāh shouldn't have left out the notables of Mecca and At-Tā'if and taken this orphan as a Messenger."
Surah Az-Zukhruf, Verse 31:
وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنَ الْقَرْيَتَيْنِ عَظِيمٍ
And they say: "Why is not this Qur-ān sent down to some great man of the two towns (Makkah and Ta'if)?"
Surah Az-Zukhruf, Verse 32:
أَهُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ رَحْمَتَ رَبِّكَ نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) is better than the (wealth of this world) which they amass.
Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 124:
وَإِذَا جَاءَتْهُمْ آيَةٌ قَالُوا لَن نُّؤْمِنَ حَتَّىٰ نُؤْتَىٰ مِثْلَ مَا أُوتِيَ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ حَيْثُ يَجْعَلُ رِسَالَتَهُ سَيُصِيبُ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا صَغَارٌ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَعَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَمْكُرُونَ
And when there comes to them a sign (from Allah) they say: "We shall not believe until we receive the like of that which the Messengers of Allah had received." Allah knows best with whom to place His Message. Humiliation and disgrace from Allah and a severe torment will overtake the criminals (polytheists, sinners, etc.) for that which they used to plot.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
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