Discover Islam, - The purpose of creation –II

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The meaning of worship
To understand why human beings need to worship God, one must first understand what is meant by the term 'worship.' The English term 'worship' comes from the old English 'weorthescipe' meaning 'honor'. Consequently, worship in the English language is defined as ‘the performance of devotional acts in honor of a deity’. According to this meaning, man is instructed to show gratitude to God by glorifying Him.
In Chapter An-Nasr of the final revelation, Allaah Says )what means(:"Glorify the praises of your Lord."]Quran 110 : 3[. In glorifying God, man chooses to be in harmony with the rest of the creation, which naturally glorifies its Creator. Allaah addresses this phenomenon in many chapters of the Quran. For example, in chapter Al-Israa, Allaah states )what means(:"The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them glorify Him and there is nothing which does not glorify His praise. However, you do not understand their glorification."]Quran 17: 44[
However, in Arabic, the language of the final revelation, worship is called ‘`Ibaadah’, which is closely related to the noun ‘`Abd’, meaning ‘a slave.’ A slave is one who is expected to do whatever his master wills.
Consequently, worship, according to the final revelation, means 'obedient submission to the will of God.' This was the essence of the message of all the prophets sent by God to humankind. For example, this understanding of worship was emphatically expressed by Prophet ‘Eesaa )Jesus(, may Allaah exalt his mention, in the Gospel according to Matthew, 7 : 21: "None of those who call me 'Lord' will enter the kingdom of God, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."
It should be noted that 'will' in this quote means 'what God wants human beings to do' and not 'what God permits humans to do', because nothing happens in creation without the will )permission( of God. The 'Will of God' is contained in the divinely revealed laws, which the prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, taught their followers. Consequently, obedience to divine law is the foundation of worship. In this sense, glorification also becomes worship when humans choose to obey God's instructions regarding His glorification.
The need for worship
Why do human beings need to worship and glorify God by obeying the divinely revealed laws? This is because obedience to divine law is the key to success in this life and the next. The first human beings, Aadam )Adam(, may Allaah exalt his mention, and Eve, were created in paradise and later expelled from paradise for disobeying the divine law. The only way for human beings to return to paradise is by obedience to the law.
’Eesaa )Jesus, the Messiah(, may Allaah exalt his mention, was reported in the Gospel according to Matthew to have made obedience to the divine laws the key to paradise: Now behold, one came and said to him: "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" So he said to him: "Why do you call me good? No one is good but One that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
Also in Matthew 5:19, ‘Eesaa )Jesus(, may Allaah exalt his mention, was reported to have insisted on strict obedience to the commandments, saying: "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven"
Divine laws represent guidance for humankind in all walks of life. They define right and wrong for them and offer human beings a complete system governing all of their affairs. The Creator alone knows best what is beneficial for His creation and what is not. The divine laws command and prohibit various acts and substances to protect the human spirit, the human body and human society from harm. In order for human beings to fulfill their potential by living righteous lives, they need to worship God through obedience to His commandments.
Remembrance of God
All of the various acts of worship contained in the divine laws are designed to help humans remember God. It is natural for human beings to sometimes forget even the most important things. Humans often become so engrossed in fulfilling their material needs that they totally forget their spiritual needs.
Regular prayer is ordained to organize the day of the true believer around the remembrance of God. It interweaves spiritual needs with material needs on a daily basis. The regular daily need to eat, work and sleep is linked to the daily need to renew man's connection with God. With regard to regular prayer, Allaah states in the final revelation, Chapter Taa Haa )what means(:"Verily, I am Allaah, there is no god beside Me, so worship Me and establish regular prayer for My remembrance."]Quran 20:14[
Regarding fasting, Allaah stated in Chapter Al-Baqarah )what means(:"O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may become God-conscious."]Quran 2:183[
The believers are encouraged to remember God as much as possible. Although, moderation in all spheres of life, whether material or spiritual, is generally encouraged in divine law, an exception is made regarding the remembrance of Allaah. It is virtually impossible to remember God too much. Consequently, in the final revelation, Chapter Al-Ahzaab, Allaah encourages the believers to remember God as often as possible )what means(:"O believers! Remember Allaah often."]Quran 33:41[
Remembrance of God is stressed because sin is generally committed when God is forgotten. The forces of evil operate most freely when consciousness of God is lost. Consequently, the satanic forces seek to occupy people's minds with irrelevant thoughts and desires to make them forget God. Once God is forgotten, people willingly join the corrupt elements. The final revelation, the Quran, addresses this phenomenon in Chapter Al-Mujaadalah as follows )which means(:"Satan got the better of them and caused them to forget Allaah. Those are the party of Satan. Truly the party of Satan are the real losers"]Quran 58:19[
God, through divine law, has prohibited intoxicants and gambling primarily because they cause human beings to forget God. The human mind and body easily become addicted to drugs and games of chance. Once addicted, humankind's desire to continually be stimulated by them leads them into all forms of corruption and violence among themselves. Allaah Says in Chapter Al-Maa'idah of the final revelation )what means(:"Satan's plan is to incite enmity and hatred among you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and regular prayer. Will you not then abstain?"]Quran 5 : 91[
Consequently, humankind needs to remember God for their own salvation and growth. All humans have times of weakness in which they commit sins. If they have no means of remembering God, they sink deeper and deeper into corruption with every sin. However, those who follow the divine laws will be constantly reminded of God, which will give them a chance to repent and correct themselves. The final revelation accurately describes this process in Chapter Aal 'Imraan )what means(:
" Those who, having done something shameful or having wronged their own souls, remember Allaah and immediately ask forgiveness for their sins…"]Quran 3:135[
The religion of Islam
The most complete system of worship available to human beings today is the system found in the religion of Islam. The very name 'Islam' means 'submission to the will of God.' Although it is commonly referred to as ‘the third of the three monotheistic faiths,' it is not a new religion at all. It is the religion brought by all of the prophets of God, may Allaah exalt their mention, for humankind. Islam was the religion of Aadam )Adam(, Ibraaheem )Abraham(, Moosaa )Moses( and ‘Eesaa )Jesus(, may Allaah exalt their mention.
God addresses this issue in the final revelation with regard to Prophet Abraham, may Allaah exalt his mention, saying )what means(:"Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was an upright Muslim who did not worship others besides God."]Quran 3 : 67[
Since there is only One God and humankind are one species, the religion, which God has ordained for human beings, is one. He did not prescribe one religion for the Jews, another for Indians, yet another for Europeans, etc. Human spiritual and social needs are uniform, and human nature has not changed since the first man and woman were created. Consequently, no other religion is acceptable to God besides Islam, as He clearly states in Chapter Aal 'Imraan of the final revelation )what means(:"Surely Allaah's religion is Islam."]Quran 3:19[
And )what means(:"And whoever desires a religion besides Islam will not have it accepted, and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter."]Quran 3:85[

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Discover Islam, - The purpose of creation -I

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The purpose of creation is a topic that puzzles every human being at some point in his or her lifetime. Everybody, at some time or another, asks themselves the question: "Why do I exist?" or "For what purpose am I here on earth?"
The variety and complexity of the intricate systems, which constitute the fabric of both human beings and the world in which they exist, indicate that there must have been a Supreme Being who created them. Design indicates a designer. When human beings come across footprints on a beach, they immediately conclude that a human being had walked by there some time previously.
No one imagines that the waves from the sea settled in the sand and by chance produced a depression looking exactly like human footprints. Nor do humans instinctively conclude that they were brought into existence without a purpose. Since purposeful action is a natural product of human intelligence, humans conclude that the Supreme Intelligent Being who created them must have done so for a specific purpose. Therefore, human beings need to know the purpose for their existence in order to make sense of this life and to do what is ultimately beneficial for them.
Throughout the ages, however, there has been a minority among humans who have denied the existence of God. Matter, in their opinion, is eternal and mankind is merely a chance product of accidental combinations of its elements. Consequently, for them there was no answer to the question: "Why did God create man?" According to them, there simply is no purpose to existence. However, the vast majority of humankind over the ages have believed and continue to believe in the existence of a Supreme Being who created this world with a purpose. For them it was, and still is, important to know about the Creator and the purpose for which He created human beings.
Why did God create man?
To answer the question: "Why did God create man?" it must first be determined from which perspective the question is being asked. From the point of view of God it would mean: "What caused God to create human beings?" While from the human point of view it would mean: "For what purpose did God create humans?" Both points of view represent aspects of the intriguing question: "Why do I exist?"
In the following pages, both aspects of the question will be explored based on the clear picture painted by divine revelation. This is not a topic for human speculation, because human guesswork cannot possibly produce the whole truth in this matter. How can human beings intellectually deduce the reality of their existence when they can hardly understand how their own brain or its higher entity, the mind, functions?
Consequently, the numerous philosophers who have speculated on this question through the ages have come up with innumerable answers, all of which are based on assumptions, which cannot be proven. Questions on this topic have even led a number of philosophers to claim that we do not really exist and that the whole world is imaginary.
For example, the Greek philosopher Plato )428-348 CE( argued that the everyday world of changeable things, which man comes to know by the use of his senses, is not the primary reality, but is a shadow world of appearances.
Many others, claimed and continue to claim that there is no purpose for the creation of humans at all. According to them, human existence is merely a product of chance. There can be no purpose if life evolved from non-living matter, which only became animate by pure luck. Humankind's supposed 'cousins,' the monkeys and apes, are not bothered with questions of existence, so why should human beings be bothered with them?!
The necessity of the answer
Although most people put the question of why we are created aside after occasional brief reflection, it is extremely critical for human beings to know the answer. Without knowledge of the correct answer, human beings become indistinguishable from the other animals around them. The animal needs and desires like eating, drinking and procreating become the purpose of human existence by default, and human effort is then focused to this limited sphere.
When material satisfaction develops into the most important goal in life, human existence becomes even more degraded than that of the lowest of animals. Human beings will consistently misuse their God-given intelligence when they lack knowledge of their purpose of existence. The degraded human mind uses its abilities to create drugs and bombs and becomes engrossed in fornication, pornography, homosexuality, fortune-telling etc.
Without knowledge of the purpose of life, human existence loses all meaning and is consequently wasted, and the reward of an eternal life of happiness in the hereafter is completely destroyed. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that human beings correctly answer the question: "Why are we here?"
How to know the answer
Humans most often turn to other human beings like themselves for answers. However, the only place that clear and precise answers to these questions can be found is in the books of Divine Revelation. It was necessary that God reveal the purpose to man through His prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, because human beings are incapable of arriving at the correct answers by themselves. All of the prophets of God taught their followers the answers to the question: "Why did God create man?"
From the perspective of humankind, the question "Why did God create man?' implies: "For what purpose was man created?" In the final revelation )i.e. The Holy Quran(, this question is answered without any ambiguity. God informed humans that every human being is born with an innate consciousness of God.
In Chapter Al-A'raaf, Allaah Says )what means(:"]Remember[ when your Lord extracted from the loins of Aadam's children their descendants and made them testify )saying(: 'Am I not your Lord?' They said: 'Yes, we testify to it.' ]This was[ in case you say on the Day of Judgment: 'We were unaware of this.' Or you say: "It was our ancestors who worshipped others besides God and we are only their descendants. Will you then destroy us for what those falsifiers did?'"
]Quran 7: 172-3[
The Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, )may Allaah exalt his mention( explained that when Allaah created Aadam )Adam(, may Allaah exalt his mention, He took from him a covenant at a place called Na'maan on the 9th day of the 12th month. He then extracted from Aadam, may Allaah exalt his mention, all of his descendants who would be born until the end of the world, generation after generation, and spread them out before Him to take a covenant from them. He spoke to them, making them bear witness that He was their Lord.
Consequently, every human being is responsible for belief in God, which is imprinted on each and every soul. It is based on this inborn belief that Allaah defined the purpose of humankind's creation in Chapter Ath-Thaariyaat )which means(:"I have created the jinn and humankind only for My worship."]Quran 51: 56[
We are here to worship God
Thus, the essential purpose for which humankind was created is the worship of God. However, the Almighty is not in need of human worship. He did not create human beings out of a need on His part. If not a single human worshipped God, it would not diminish His Glory in any way, and if all of mankind worshipped Him, it would not increase His Glory in any way. God is Perfect. He alone exists without any needs. All created beings have needs. Consequently, it is humankind that needs to worship God.

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Discover Islam, - Every nation was sent a messenger

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It is an Islamic belief that every nation was sent a Messenger for their guidance. The important matter was the concept of Tawheed, or belief in the Oneness of Allaah(. The secondary matter was Sharee'ah, or religious Law, which kept changing from tribe to tribe and nation to another. Allaah the Most High alone knows what is good for His creation.
As it is mentioned in the Quran, what means:"And for every nation is a messenger. So when their Messenger comes, it will be judged between them in justice, and they will not be wronged." ]Quran 10:47[ And: "And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, ]saying[: 'Worship Allaah and avoid Taaghoot ]i.e., false deities['. And among them were those upon whom error was ]deservedly[ decreed. So proceed ]i.e., travel[ through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers."]Quran 16:36[
Some of these Messengers are mentioned in the Quran by Allaah and some of them are not, as the Quran says, what means:"And We have certainly sent messengers before you ]O Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam[. Among them are those ]whose stories[ We have related to you, and among them are those ]whose stories[ We have not related to you. And it was not for a messenger to bring a sign ]or verse[ except by permission of Allaah. So when the command of Allaah comes, it will be concluded ]i.e., judged[ in truth, and the falsifiers will thereupon lose ]all[."]Quran 40:78[
So, we decided to have a look at the issue of Messengers sent to various tribes and nations and take the advice mentioned in the Quran, which means:"… So proceed ]i.e., travel[ throughout the earth and observe how was the end of those who denied."]Quran 3:137[
The content in this post is a discovery by serendipity. The information sometimes came from lazy browsing through the books on social anthropology and sometimes from serious research.
The Kapauku Papuans ofWest Guinea:
The material below is an attempt to show how different tribes in different parts of the world had Monotheism, or worship of the One True God. But along with the True God some subservient gods were also worshipped in some cases. It is taken from a book called "The Kapauku Papuans ofWest Guinea" by Leopold Pospisil. It is a case study of a Stone Age Kapauku tribe that led their aboriginal lives undisturbed by the spreading western civilisation until 1938.
The Kapauku Papuans are mountain people who belong to one of the several tribes whose members inhabit the central highlands of westernNew Guinea. Their country, most of which lies 1500m above sea level, is composed of rugged mountain chains and deep valleys.
The Kapauku have an interesting worldview. Regarding the Creator of the universe, the Kapauku believe that the universe itself and all existence was Ebijata, 'designed by Ugatame', the creator. Ugatame has a dual nature and is manifested to the people by the duality of the sun and the moon. To them, the sun and moon are definitely not creators themselves - they are only manifestations of Ugatame to make his presence known to the people.
Ugatame is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent, credited with the creation of all things and with having determined all events. Obviously, Ugatame is beyond existence because to the Kapauku, all that exists must be of phenomenal nature; one must be able to see, hear, smell, taste or feel it. But the creator is beyond this phenomenal dimension, because of the simple reason that he created it.
Here is an interesting argument between a Kapauku and a Christian Missionary: "In the year 1955 a very old man from the Mapia region, supported by his two sons, managed to meet a Christian missionary. His main purpose was a problem he wanted to have clarified before he died. He could not understand how it is possible that the white man could be so clever and ingenious in designing such amazing contrivances as aeroplanes )which the old man could see flying over his valley(, guns, medicines, clothes, and steel tools, and at the same time be so primitive and illogical in his religion.
"How can you think," he argued, "that a man can sin and can have a free will, and at the same time believe that your God is omnipotent, that He created the world and determined all the happenings? If He determined all that happens, and )therefore( also the bad deeds, how can a man be held responsible? Why, if he is omnipotent, did the Creator have to change himself into a man to allow himself to be killed )crucified( when it would have been enough for him just to order men to behave?" The notion that anything can be absolutely bad or good was quite incomprehensible to him. Furthermore, the Christian notion of man resembling God in appearance appeared to him as utterly primitive )or "tabe-tabe", meaning stupid(!"
It is quite surprising that a tribe thought to be from the Stone Age could argue so rationally and logically with a Christian missionary on the aspect of God. We Muslims also use the same arguments when it comes to the concept of God. It comes as no surprise to us that when the Kapauku heard that God became man they called the concept "primitive" and "tabe-tabe" )stupid(. Well, 'polemics' against Christianity started in the Stone Age itself and Muslims are not to be blamed for that!
Lastly, where is this Ugatame, their supreme god, residing? In the view of Kamu Kapauku, the world is a flat block of stone and soil that is surrounded with water and extends indefinitely into the depths thus providing no room for an underworld. Above the earth is a solid bowl of blue sky that limits the known world at the horizon. Beyond the solid bowl of sky exists another world that may be similar to ours, the abode of Ugatame, the Creator.
It is quite surprising that the Kapauku knew where their God is. The Pharaoh knew where the God of Moosaa )Moses(, may Allaah exalt his mention, is, as the following verse mentions, which means:"And Fir'awn )Pharaoh( said: 'O eminent ones! I have not known you to have a god other than me. Then ignite for me, O Haamaan, ]a fire[ upon the clay, and make for me a tower that I may look at the God of Moosaa. And indeed, I do think he is among the liars."]Quran: 28:38[
Most people today are not aware where God is. They say that God is everywhere, in us and in them. For Muslims it is an important point of creed and must be known. Know you Lord before everything else!
To conclude, the Islamic belief is that every nation on the earth was sent a Prophet for their guidance. As time passed by, corruption was introduced in the religion and instead of worshipping One true God, false deities were worshipped along with Him. The best example would be ofArabiabefore the advent of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam )may Allaah exalt his mention(. They worshipped idols like Al-'Uzzaa along with Allaah, the One and only true God.

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Islamic Articles, - True love of the Prophet SAW

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TRUE LOVE OF THE PROPHETACCORDING TO THE QUR'AN
AND THE SUNNAH
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Indeed, all praises are due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His Aid, and beg for His Forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in ourselves and from the evil outcomes of our deeds. Whomsoever, Allah, Ta 'Ala, guides, no one and nothing can take that person astray. Whomsoever, Allah, Ta 'Ala, takes astray, no one or nothing can guide that person. I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah who is alone without any associates. I bear witness that Muhammad ibnu 'Abd Allah (SAAW) is Allah's 'Abd (slave) and Messenger. To proceed:
Allah has commanded in the Qur'an (what means): "O you who believe! Have Taqwah (true fear of Allah) according to His right and die not except that you are a Muslim. O Mankind! Have Taqwah of your Lord. The One Who created you from a single soul and from him He created his mate and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual rights and do not cut off the ties of kinship; surely Allah is ever a Raqeeb (All-Watcher) over you. O you who believe! Have Taqwah of Allah and always speak the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (SAAW) he has indeed achieved a great achievement."
Verily, the best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ibnu 'Abd Allah (SAAW). The worst of all affairs in this Diyn are innovations. Every innovation is a Bid'ah and every Bid'ah is a going astray and every going astray is in the Hell Fire.
DEVELOPING TRUE LOVE FOR ALLAH'S MESSENGER (SAAW):
Having the proper love for Allah's Messenger (SAAW) is a must for any Muslim who is striving to please his/her Lord and who seeks his/her Lord's Forgiveness. Learning how to properly apply this love for the last Nabee (SAAW) is to properly implement the testimony: wa ash hadu ana Muhammadan rusulu Allah (SAAW). Indeed, one cannot just say he/she loves the Prophet (SAAW) while his/her actions and 'Aqeedah are fundamentaly against what the Prophet (SAAW) brought (i.e. the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah). Hence, the first step in the process of developing this love is to acknowledge that the Prophet (SAAW) has a claim over the believers.
Allah has said in the Qur'an (what means): "The Prophet (SAAW) is closer to the believers than their ownselves..." [Al-Ahzab: 6].
Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (Rahimullah), one of the great scholars of this Ummah, relates that this Ayah means the Prophet (SAAW) has a "higher claim" on the believers than they have on themselves. This claim involves two important matters:
1. WE CONSIDER ALLAH'S MESSENGER (SAAW) TO BE DEARER THAN OUR OWN SELVES.
This is so because this claim is based on love. One has the most claim to oneself for one loves oneself more than anything. Thus, a person knows what types of foods, clothing, etc. he/she likes to eat, drink, etc. more than all others. However, when it comes to Islam, we know that Allah knows us better than we know ourselves; thus, we submit to Him and His Orders. We it comes to the Prophet (SAAW), we are to love him more than our own selves; thus, we too put his commandments above our own opinions, logic, etc.
Once this true love is established, compliance, obedience, satisfication with his (SAAW) jugdements, and other matters related to true love will follow. This is confirmed in the following authentic Haadith found in Sahih Al-Bukhari:
Narrated 'Abd Allah bin Hisham: 'We were with the Prophet (SAAW) and he was holding the hand of 'Umar ibnu Al-Khattab (RAA). 'Umar said to him, "O Allah's Messenger (SAAW)! You are dearer to me than everything except my ownself." Allah's Messenger (SAAW) said: "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete Faith) untill I am dearer to you than your ownself." Then 'Umar (RAA) said: "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my ownself." He (SAAW) then said: "Now, O 'Umar, (now you are a believer)."
LESSONS FROM THIS HADITH:
A. The Negation and Affirmation:
The Prophet (SAAW) negates (i.e. rejects, denies) that a person can have complete Imaan with his statement, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is...". Thus, the affirmation, or condition of having complete Imaan, follows: "...until I am dearer to you than your ownself...". Therefore, the Muslim will never attain true Imaan unless he/she considers the Prophet (SAAW) to be dearer to him/her than everything including one's ownself.
B. Character of the Sahabah:
Upon hearing that true Imaan can only be achieved through loving the Messenger (SAAW) more than everything, including one's self, 'Umar (RAA) quickly complied with the commandment of the Prophet (SAAW). The Sahabah wasted no time in doing those acts which were pleasing to Allah and His Messeger (SAAW).
2. SECOND IMPORTANT MATTER:
The Messenger (SAAW) has more rule over an individual than that individual has over his/herself. This means that a person only does those actions which are in accordance with the Book of Allah and the authentic Sunnah of His Messenger (SAAW).
Therefore, three critical conditions must be fulfilled in order for a deed to be accepted:
a. One must confess his/her belief in Islam (i.e. one must be a Muslim). b. One must have Ikhlaas of the Niyah (i.e. purity of the intention). c. One must do that deed in accordance with the Book of Allah and the authentic Sunnah of His Messenger (SAAW).
If one of these conditions are not meet, that person's deed will not benefit him/her in the least. Of course, absence of knowledge is always an exception (eg. a person may make Wudhu but does not know the specific parts of the body that are to be washed; thus, he/she washes those parts which he/she thinks to be significant. His/her Wudhu was not done in accordance with the Book and the Sunnah; however, he/she did not know the way to make Wudhu according to the Book and the Sunnah; hence, their Wudhu would be accepted for a and b were fulfilled, wa Allahu 'alam). These are the conditions which the Salaaf As-Salih (Pious Predecessors) understood with regards to the acceptance and rejection of a deed.
Another implications of the testimony: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (SAAW).
BELIEF THAT HE (SAAW) WAS SENT TO ALL OF MANKIND AND THE JINN
Verily, Allah, azza wa jall, has said in the Qur'an (what means): "Say (O Muhammad SAAW): O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom belongs the dominion of the Heavens and the Earth. La illaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger (SAAW), the Prophet who can neither read nor write, who believes in Allah and His Words, and follow him so that you may be guided." [Al-A'raf: 158].
The prophet (SAAW) said (what means): "And the Prophets were formerly sent to their people only, whereas I have been sent to all mankind." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Therefore, recognizing that he (SAAW) was sent as a mercy to all of mankind will, Inshallah, help kindle the proper love for him which will be manifested through obedience to his rulings.
FINALITY OF HIS PROPHETHOOD
Indeed, there is no Messenger/Prophet after Muhammd ibnu 'Abd Allah (SAAW) as Allah, Ta 'Ala, says in His Book (what means):
"Muhammad (SAAW) is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the last (end) of the Prophets. Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything." [Al-Ahzab: 40].
The Prophet (SAAW) has said (what means): "And the line of the Prophets is closed with me." [Muslim].
Believing that Muhammad (SAAW) is the final Messenger of Allah confirms Allah's statement (what means): "...This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed my Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion..." [Al-Ma'idah:3 (in part)]. Thus, if Islam were not a complete way of life, then this religion would need to be constantly updated. In order to update this religion, there would have to be another Prophet after Muhammad (SAAW). However, this is not so as Allah completed this Diyn and it can never be changed from its true form.
BELIEVING THAT HE (SAAW) HAS BEEN GIVEN TWO (2) RELELATIONS
Al-Hamdulilah, Allah, azza wa jall, has give the Prophet (SAAW) two revelations as understood by the Minhaj of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Juma'ah. These are, of course, the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah. Allah confirms this with His saying (what means):
"Nor does he (Muhammad SAAW) speak of his own desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired." [An-Najm: 3-4].
"Indeed, Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad SAAW) from among themselves, reciting unto them His Verses (the Qur'an), and purifying them (from sins by their following him), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur'an) and Al-Hikmah (the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet SAAW - i.e. his legal ways, statements, actions, etc.), while before that they had been in manifest error." [Al-'Imran: 164].
The Prophet (SAAW) has also said (what means): "I have, indeed, been given the Qur'an and something like it along with it (i.e. his Sunnah)." [Abu Dawud].
Thus, there is no mere choice between following the Sunnah and not following it. It has been sent down as part of revelation; thus, it must be adhered to in full. It is adhered to the way the Prophet (SAAW) explained it and the way the Sahabah understood it. Allah confirms this with His saying (what means):
"We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by the permission of Allah."
"Obey Allah, and the Messenger (SAAW). But if they turn away (then know), that Allah loves not the infidels." [Al-'Imran: 31-32].
THE PROPHET HAS RIGHTS UPON HIS FOLLOWERS
These rights are: 1. We believe in what the Prophet Muhammad (SAAW) has said. 2. We obey him in what has been commanded and forsake what he has forbidden or discouraged. 3. We worship Allah according to the Shar'iah of His Messenger (SAAW), not by whims and Bid'ah (innovations). 4. We judge ourselves by the Shar'iah of Prophet Muhammad (SAAW), and not by any other law. 5. We love Allah's Messenger (SAAW) more than our parents, children, all of mankind, indeed our very selves.
Allah has confirmed the above with His statement (what means):
"Say (to them O Muhammad SAAW): If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins; Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful. Say: Obey Allah, and the Messenger (SAAW), but if they turn away (then know), that Allah loves not the infidels." [Al-'Imran: 31-32].
"And let those who oppose his (Muhammad's SAAW) command beware, lest a trail befall them (that will lead them to Kuffur) or a painful punishment be inflicted on them." [An-Nur: 63].
"You have indeed a good example in the Messenger of Allah (SAAW) for whosoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much." [Al-Ahzab: 21].
"It is not for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger (SAAW) have decreed a matter, to have the choice in their affair. And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger (SAAW) he has gone astray into manifest error." [Al-Ahzab: 36].
"But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad SAAW) judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept (them) fully with submission." [An-Nisa: 65].
Thus, we see in this last Ayah that Allah negates that a person can have Imaan unless that person makes the Prophet (SAAW) judge in *all* affairs and that we accept his (SAAW) decisions with submission. This Ayah is indeed serious as Allah swears to this negation with His saying (what means), "But no, by your Lord...".
The Prophet (SAAW) stressed the importance of obeying and following his Sunnah with his saying (what means):
"All of my people will enter Jennah except those who refuse." When asked about those who refuse, he said: "He who obeys me will enter Jennah, while he who disobeys me has refused." [Al-Bukhari].
He (SAAW) also said (what means): "If anyone introduces into this affair of ours anything which does not belong to it, it is rejected." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
And: "None of you believes untill I am dearer to him than his father, his child, and all of mankind." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
And: "There are qualities for which anyone who is characterized by them will experiece the sweetness of Imaan: he to whom Allah and His Messenger (SAAW) are dearer than all else; he who loves a human being for Allah's Sake alone; and who has as great an abhorrence of returning to Kuffur (disbelief) after Allah has rescued him from it as he has being cast into the Hell Fire." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Although the Prophet (SAAW) is the best of examples and following his Sunnah is obligatory, we must remember that it is not right to overpraise him (SAAW) as he was not divine, but a man. Some deviant sects of Islam direct their 'Ibaadah to the Prophet (SAAW); however, this is Shirk Al-Akbar (association in the highest degree) which will not be forgiven unless that person makes sincere Tawbah before his/her death.
A MAN AND NOT DIVINE
Allah says (what means):
"Say (O Muhammad SAAW): I am only a man like you: it is revealed to me that your God is One God: So, let him who hopes for the meeting with his Lord, do righteousness, and not associate anything in the worship of hsi Lord." [Al-Kahf: 111].
The Prophet (SAAW) said (what means): "Do not overpraise me as the Christians overpraised the son of Mary (i.e. 'Isa AS). I am His slave, so say: Allah's slave and Messenger." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
SENDING SALAAT AND SALAAM UPON THE NABEE (SAAW)
This is an action which the believer are commanded to do as Allah says in the Qur'an (what means):
"Indeed, Allah and His angels send Salaat (i.e. Allah mentions the Prophet's SAAW name in the presence of the angels) upon the Prophet (SAAW). O you who believe! Send your Salaat and your Salaam upon him (ie. by saying Salla Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam, etc.)." [Al-Ahzab: 56].

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