"Indeed, you have in the Messenger of God a beautiful example for those who hope for God and the Last Day, and remember God much."
Quran 33:21
"This is among a number of verses that establish the importance of obeying the Prophet and following his example, even in matters not addressed directly by the Quran." (Nasr, Study Quran, p. 1025) In some ways I guess today's posting is the other side of yesterday's discussion of the role of Muhammad as the Last Prophet or the "Seal of the prophets." As I've proposed several times, is there a danger that we as Muslims, in our drive to revere the Prophet, that we might potentially turn him into what we always accuse the Christians of doing with Jesus (although, obviously, not to that extent)? It can be a delicate balancing act. He is held up as a perfect example of a man, although not perfect. In the Quran we are reminded that he was human, and God also admonishes him in surah 80, "He Frowned," for making a mistake. Whenever it is argued that the prophets are infallible I, truthfully, get a little uneasy. Still, he lived a life that provides so many examples of how to navigate through the complexities that we face on a daily basis; "the Prophet's words and actions are considered to provide the archetype of a life lived in full submission to God." (Nasr) As Ali ibn Abi Talib reported, "He was the most generous of people, the most truthful of people in speech, the gentlest of them in temperament, and the noblest of them in social affability. If omeone saw him unexpectedly, he was awestruck by him, and if someone associated with him knowingly, he loved him . . . I have never seen the like of him, either before him or after him." (Nasr, p. 1025) So, Muhammad is revered both as a prophet who revealed messages from God, but his very human life is also studied and remembered as a template.
Quran 33:21
"This is among a number of verses that establish the importance of obeying the Prophet and following his example, even in matters not addressed directly by the Quran." (Nasr, Study Quran, p. 1025) In some ways I guess today's posting is the other side of yesterday's discussion of the role of Muhammad as the Last Prophet or the "Seal of the prophets." As I've proposed several times, is there a danger that we as Muslims, in our drive to revere the Prophet, that we might potentially turn him into what we always accuse the Christians of doing with Jesus (although, obviously, not to that extent)? It can be a delicate balancing act. He is held up as a perfect example of a man, although not perfect. In the Quran we are reminded that he was human, and God also admonishes him in surah 80, "He Frowned," for making a mistake. Whenever it is argued that the prophets are infallible I, truthfully, get a little uneasy. Still, he lived a life that provides so many examples of how to navigate through the complexities that we face on a daily basis; "the Prophet's words and actions are considered to provide the archetype of a life lived in full submission to God." (Nasr) As Ali ibn Abi Talib reported, "He was the most generous of people, the most truthful of people in speech, the gentlest of them in temperament, and the noblest of them in social affability. If omeone saw him unexpectedly, he was awestruck by him, and if someone associated with him knowingly, he loved him . . . I have never seen the like of him, either before him or after him." (Nasr, p. 1025) So, Muhammad is revered both as a prophet who revealed messages from God, but his very human life is also studied and remembered as a template.
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