Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is the seal of the prophets and messengers. Glad tidings about him were brought by Prophet Jesus, the seal of the prophets from the children of Israel. Allah says: {And (remember) when ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allâh unto you confirming the Taurât [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed.” But when he (Ahmed i.e. Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.”}(As-Saff:6)
The glad tidings of him are found in the Torah and the Bible. Allah says: {Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e.Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) whom they find written with them in the Taurât (Torah) (Deut, xviii, 15) and the Injeel (Gospel) (John xiv, 16), - he commands them for Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Taiyibât [(i.e. all good and lawful) as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.], and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabâ’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allâh’s Covenant), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur’ân) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful.}(Al-A’râf:157)
Furthermore, Allah took the covenant from the prophets to believe in Muhammad and to support him if he was sent during their lives, and to inform their people about this to spread news of him among all the nations. Allah says: }And (remember) when Allâh took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: “Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah (understanding of the Laws of Allâh, etc.), and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him.” Allâh said: “Do you agree (to it) and will you take up My Covenant (which I conclude with you)?” They said: “We agree.” He said: “Then bear witness; and I am with you among the witnesses (for this).”}(Âl-’Imrân:81)
The holy Qur’an pointed out these glad tidings and rendered them as a proof of the truthfulness of Muhammad (pbuh).The Almighty says: {And those who disbelieved, say: “You (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) are not a Messenger.” Say: “Sufficient as a witness between me and you is Allâh and those too who have knowledge of the Scripture (such as ‘Abdullâh bin Salâm and other Jews and Christians who embraced Islâm).”}(ar-Ra’d:43)
He also says: {196. And verily, it (the Qur’ân, and its revelation to Prophet Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) is (announced) in the Scriptures [i.e. the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] of former people. 197. Is it not a sign to them that the learned scholars (like ‘Abdullâh bin Salâm radhiallahu’anhu who embraced Islâm) of the Children of Israel knew it (as true)?}(Ash-Shu’arâ’:196-197)
He said the following about the position of the People of the Book, who are supposed to be the first to believe in him because they recognize him as they recognize their own sons: {Those to whom We gave the Scripture (Jews and Christians) recognise him (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] or the Ka’bah at Makkah) as they recognize their sons. But verily, a party of them conceals the truth while they know it – [i.e. the qualities of Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] which are written in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injîl (Gospel)].}(al-Baqarah:146)
The Almighty also says: {And when there came to them a Messenger from Allâh (i.e. Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allâh behind their backs as if they did not know!}(al-Baqarah:101)
These glad tidings fit (the description of) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and show that he is the messenger whom Allah (Glorified be He) said would come. Yet a group of them concealed the truth, though they knew (it was the truth), and abandoned what was revealed to them in their holy books, throwing it behind their backs as if they did not know.
He (pbuh) came to preach the Oneness of Allah alone, with no partner, as did all the prophets and messengers before him. Allah says: {And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) but We revealed to him (saying): Lâ ilâha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allâh)], so worship Me (Alone and none else).”}(al-Anbiyaa:25)
He was also sent to confirm all the previous prophets and messengers before him, without making any distinction between them regarding belief in them. {We make no distinction between any of them}( al-Baqarah:136)
Moreover, whoever believes in Muhammad (pbuh) and does not believe in any prophet or messenger mentioned in the Qur’an, does not actually believe in him. {He (Allâh) has ordained for you the same religion (Islâmic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nûh (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]), and that which We ordained for Ibrâhîm (Abraham), Mûsâ (Moses) and ‘Iesâ (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically) and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion).}(Ash-Shûra:13)
He stressed that he is the slave of Allah. {Say (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]): “I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God – i.e. Allâh). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.”{( al-Kahf:110)
The Prophet (pbuh) was illiterate, just as he was described he would be in the previous books. This is so that the people of the book, who knew his qualities as they were written in their book, would recognize and, therefore, know that he is the final messenger of Allah. Allah Almighty says: {Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) whom they find written with them in the Taurât (Torah) (Deut, xviii 15) and the Injîl (Gospel) (John, xiv 16) with them, – he commands them for Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Tayyibât (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabâ’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allâh’s Covenant with the Children of Israel), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur’ân) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be the successful.}( al-A’raaf:157)
He went forth and performed many tangible miracles by the will of Allah, as did his predecessors. Yet the major miracle was the Glorious Qur’an, in which there is mentioned the news of the forefathers and the coming generations, a manifestation, guidance, mercy and giver of glad tidings. {And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’ân) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allâh as Muslims). }(an-Nahl:89)
And also insight for the believers. {This (Qur’ân) is a clear insight and evidence for mankind, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who have Faith with certainty.{ (al-Jaathiyah:20)
The illiterate prophet (pbuh) clarified to the people what they differed about, through the Qur’an: {And We have not sent down the Book (the Qur’ân) to you (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]), except that you may explain clearly to them those things in which they differ,}(an-Nahl:64 )
Despite their knowledge of his honesty and integrity (they used to call him As-Sadiqul ‘Ameen, the honest and trustworthy one) the disbelieving folk of the tribe of Quraysh still denied him. So Allah challenged them to gather all the human beings and even the jinn, and produce the like of this Qur’an. Say: {“If mankind and the jinn were together to produce the like of this Qur’ân, they could not produce the like thereof,}(Israa:88)
Still, they disbelieved and were unable to produce even ten chapters like those of the Qur’an, despite their linguistic capabilities and ingenuity. {Or they say, “He (Prophet Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) forged it (the Qur’ân).” Say: “Bring you then ten forged Sûrah (chapters) like it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allâh (to your help), if you speak the truth!”}(Hood:13)
They were incapable of doing that. Thus, Allah challenged them to produce even one chapter similar to that of the Qur’an: {And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur’ân) to Our slave (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]), then bring a Sûrah (chapter) of the like thereof}( al-Baqarah:23)
Still, they were incapable of doing even that, though they were eloquent rhetoricians.
The tribe of the Qurayish continued to deny the Prophet. Allah ordered him to be patient, just like the Ulu Al-‘Azm (those with firm resolution) of the prophets who were patient before him: Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them all. {Therefore be patient (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) as did the Messengers of strong will}(al-Ahqaaf:35)
He was patient and continued calling people to guidance and teaching them through his words and morals. Allah was sufficient for him against his enemies and safeguarded him against them. {O Prophet (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam])! Allâh is Sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you.}(Al-Anfâl:64){Is not Allâh Sufficient for His slave?}(az-Zumar:36)
Allah granted him victory over them, as He had granted victory to the previous prophets and messengers. {Allâh has decreed: “Verily, it is I and My Messengers who shall be the victorious.” Verily, Allâh is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.}(al-Mujaadilah:21)
He also says: {171. And verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers,172. That they verily would be made triumphant,173. And that Our hosts! they verily would be the victors (as-Saaffaat:171-173) Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism) in this world’s life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth (i.e. Day of Resurrection)}(Ghaafir:51)
The disbelievers wanted to hinder his mission and extinguish its light. Allah, however, completed His favor. {8. They intend to put out the Light of Allâh (i.e. the religion of Islâm, this Qur’ân, and Prophet Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) with their mouths. But Allâh will bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it). 9. He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islâmic Monotheism) to make it victorious over all (other) religions even though the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) hate (it).}(as-Saff:8-9)
He completed His favor on us, manifested Islam, stressed the Oneness of Allah in all religions, and completed his grace over humanity with this message and this religion. {This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.}(al-Maa.idah :3)
Rather, he preserved the religion, and made this message remain until the Day of Resurrection. {Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’ân) and surely We will guard it (from corruption).}(al-Hijr:9)
It is the message that seals all messages. {Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allâh and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allâh is Ever All-Knower of everything.}(Al¬-Ahzâb:40)
It is the message that will remain until Allah inherits the earth and all that is in it.
What is that message that will remain, preserved by Allah, until the Day of Resurrection?
