๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ก?
Mohamad Mostafa Nassar
Twitter:@NassarMohamadMR
There are mainly two aspects of the significance of the second part of the Shahadah, namely: โMuhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of Allahโ.
Prophet Muhammad Came with the Final Revelation
First: Allah Almighty is the Transcendental Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who does not โmaterializeโ or appear before us.
We learn about Allah and His guidance through the Messenger who Allah Himself chose.
This applies to all the Messengers of Allah, not only to Muhammad (peace be upon him).
But Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Final Messenger of Allah who came to coordinate, confirm and complete the earlier messages.
So, he is not just one messenger among many; rather he represents all the Messengers of Allah before him.
Muhammad fulfills and revalidates all the earlier messages through his mission. Thus, he stands for the completion of Allahโs guidance for mankind.
Prophet Muhammad Was the Living Quran
Second: Godโs guidance is not just for our academic study, but for our applying it in space and time.
The role of Prophet Muhammad is not merely to teach us, but to practically demonstrate to us how we can live by Godโs guidance.
This means that the Quran is, as it were, the โtheoryโ; and the Sunnah (the example of Prophet Muhammad) is the โpractical formโ of that theory.
Islam affirms and underscores the importance of the Quran (the precept) and the Sunnah (the example) together.
This points to the fact that it is not enough for us just to โworshipโ God as an ascetic devotee would; but also, to live here as members of human society, making use of the blessings God has given us, and observing the limits set by God.
For this purpose, we need a practical model who would not only convey Godโs message to us, but also LIVE that message here below, as God wants us to live it.
You may know the Gospel verse that is generally misinterpreted by the Christians about Jesus: โHe that hath seen me hath seen the Fatherโ (John 14:9).
Jesus said this in answer to Philipโs demand to see God. We humans cannot see God; we can only see Godโs human messenger.
This messengerโs duty is not only to convey to us the word of God revealed to him, but also to demonstrate to people how one can lead a life of unconditional submission to Godโs will; seen in the spirit of Jesusโ famous words of complete surrender to Godโs will: โNot as I will, but as You will!โ (Matthew 26:39)
To Follow Prophet Muhammad is to obey Allah
In short, the two parts of the Shahadah are like the two sides of the same coin: One-part states oneโs acceptance of the One True God, which relates to oneโs faith and conviction, which is inward.
The other states oneโs acceptance of Godโs Messenger on earth, which relates to oneโs commitment to live in obedience to Godโs commandments, which expresses itself in oneโs outward life as lived daily.
That is why Allah in the Noble Quran commands:
You who believe! Obey Allah and His Apostleโฆ (Quran 8:20)
Say: โIf you do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sinsโฆ (Quran 3:31)
He who obeys the Apostle, obeys Allahโฆ (Quran 4:80)
These verses make clear that the acceptance of the Prophet is the acceptance of Allah.
This is because it is the Prophet who received the Noble Quran and brought it then to people.
So, any person who questions the Prophet, is questioning Allah and His Quran.
Hence, the affirmation of the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the natural corollary of the declaration of faith in Allah.
In other words, the second part of the Shahadah derives its significance from the first; so, it becomes incumbent on any one who accepts the first part of the Shahadah, to accept the second part, too.
Five Daily Prayers in The Glorious Quran:
And Allah knows best