REVELATION

Q.   What does revelation (Wahy) mean?

  Revelation means that Al-lah began to reveal His commands and words to Hadrat Muham-mad (peace be on him).

Q.   How long did Hadrat Muham-mad (peace be on him) remain alive after the first revelation to him?

  He lived for twenty-three years after the first revelation. Thirteen years he spent in the holy city of Makka and the rest ten years in the hallowed city of Madina.

Q.   Why did he shift to the hallowed city of Madina?

  When the Prophet (peace be on him) preached monotheism to the inhabitants of the holy city of Makka and exhorted them to give up idolatry and believe on One Al-lah the Almighty, all of them became his bitter enemies because they worshipped the idols. They began to tease and torture him in all possible ways. Hadrat Muham-mad (peace be on him) continued to preach the unity of Al-lah, convey His commands to them, braving all sorts of atrocities. But when their hostility exceeded all limits and they conspired to take his life even, he left his beloved home under Al-lah’s command and migrated to the hallowed city of Madina. The people of Madina had already embraced Islam. They were anxiously waiting for the arrival of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him).

When the Holy Prophet reached Madina, the Muslims there helped him and his companions with their life, their money and property. Getting to know of the migration of the Prophet to Madina, other Muslims who were subjected to torture at the hands of the unbelievers also gradually migrated to Madina one after the other. This migration of the holy prophet is known as Hijrah (hegira). The Muslims who migrated to the hallowed city of Madina leaving their hearths and homes in the holy city of Makka are known as Muhajirs (emigrants). Those in Madina who helped the Holy Prophet and the migrated Muslims are known as Ansars (helpers).

Q.   What was the opinion of the Arabs about the Prophet before he declared his Prophethood?

  All people believed him to be extremely truthful, pious and trustworthy. They called him Muham-mad, the Trustworthy (Amin), which means that he was quite dependable and truthful for them. All the people respected and honoured him immensely.

Q.   What is the evidence to show that Prophet Muham-mad (peace be on him) is the last Prophet and no other shall come after him?

  First, Al-lah described him as the Khatimum-Nabiyyin (The last of the prophets). It implies that he is the last of all the Prophets. Secondly, Muham-mad (peace be on him) himself has said:

Ana Khatamun-nabiyyain La Nabiy-ya badi’

(I am the last of the Prophets. No other prophet will come after me.)

Thirdly, Al-lah says in the Holy Qur-an:

AL-YAUMA AKMALTU LAKUM DINAKUM WA ATMAMTU ‘ALAIKUM NI’MATI WA RADITU LAKUMUL-ISLAMA DINA.

(This day I accomplished the religion for you and perfected my blessings upon you and have chosen the religion of Islam for you.)

It proves that Al-lah has perfected the religion through Hadrat Muham-mad (peace be on him) and Islam has become a complete and perfect religion for all times to come.

Q.   What is the evidence to show that Hadrat Muham-mad (peace be on him) ranks the highest among all the prophets?

  It is evident from many verses of the Holy Qur-an that Hadrat Muham-mad (peace be on him) ranks the highest among the prophets. He himself sasys:

ANA SAY-YIDU WULDI ADAMA YAUMAL-QIYAMAH

(I shall be the head of all the seeds of Adam on the Day of Judgment)

        Obviously, the seeds of Adam include even the prophets and messengers (peace be on all of them). Prophet Muham-mad (peace be on him), therefore ranks the highest among all of them and is their head.