Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) in the words of Imam Ali (AS)

Since we are still basking the blessed birthday celebrations of the Almighty’s Last and Greatest Messenger, and in view of the fact that in some countries to our east, because of a day’s difference in sighting the crescent of Rabi al-Awwal, we present you an interesting article titled: “Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) in the words of Imam Ali (AS)”.

To identify a personality, we need to either find written material such as a book or know a person who is very close to him. The proper definition of the dynamic life of the Prophet of Islam can be understood either by the Holy Qur’an which God revealed to His Messenger or through the person who was dearest and nearest to the Prophet, that is his cousin, ward, son-in-law and divinely-designated vicegerent Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS). The Prophet himself had said: “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gateway”. He had also said “Me and Ali are from the same (celestial) light.”

In the famous book ‘Nahj al-Balagha’, which is a collection of the eloquent sermons, letters and sayings of Imam Ali (AS), we find interesting references to the Prophet. For instance, in Sermon number one, Imam Ali (AS) has mentioned in detail the grace of Allah in sending His messenger. Imam says:

“In this way ages passed by and times rolled on, fathers passed away while sons took their places till Allah deputized Muhammad (SAWA) as His Prophet, in fulfillment of His promise and in completion of His Prophethood. His pledge had been taken from the Prophets, his traits of character were well reputed and his birth was honourable. The people of the earth at this time were divided in different parties, their aims were separate and ways were diverse. They either likened Allah with His creation or twisted His Names or turned to else than Him. Through Muhammad (SAWA) Allah guided them out of wrong and with his efforts took them out of ignorance.

“Then Allah chose for Muhammad, peace be upon him and on his progeny, to meet Him, selected him for His own nearness, regarded him too dignified to remain in this world and decided to remove him from this place of trial. So He drew him towards Himself with honour. Allah may shower His blessing on him, and his progeny.”

In Sermon number 2 Imam Ali (AS) has said:

“I also stand witness that Muhammad (SAWA) is His slave and His Prophet. Allah sent him with the illustrious religion, effective emblem, written Book, effulgent light, sparkling gleam and decisive injunction in order to dispel doubts, present clear proofs, administer warning through signs and to warn of punishments. At that time people had fallen in vices whereby the rope of religion had been broken, the pillars of belief had been shaken, principles had been sacrileged, system had become topsy turvy, openings were narrow, passage was dark, guidance was unknown and darkness prevailed.”

In Sermon number 103 the Imam again says:

“Then Allah deputised Muhammad (SAWA) as a witness, giver of good tidings and warner, the best in the universe as a child and the most chaste as a grown up man, the purest of the purified in conduct, the most generous of those who are approached for generosity.”

Regarding the lofty position and nobleness of the Prophet the Imam says in Sermon number 95:

“His place of stay is the best of all places and his origin noblest of all origins in the mines of honour and the cradles of safety. Hearts of virtuous persons have been inclined towards him and the reins of eyes have been turned towards him. Through him Allah buried mutual rancour and put off the flames of revolt. Through him He gave them affection like brothers and separated those who were together (through unbelief). Through him He gave honour to the low and degraded honour (of unbelief). His speaking is clear and his silence is (indicative) like tongue.”

In the longest sermon of Nahj al-Balagha called al-Qase’ah, Imam Ali (AS) says:

“Even in my boyhood I had lowered the chest of (famous men) of Arabia, and broken the horn points (defeated chiefs) of tribes of Rabee and Mudar. Certainly, you know my position of close kinship and special relationship with the Prophet of Allah - pbuh. When I was only a child he took charge of me. He used to press me to his chest and lay me beside him in his bed, bring his body close to mine and make me smell his smell. He used to chew something and then feed me with it. He found no lie in my speaking, nor weakness in any act.

“From the time of his weaning, Allah had put a mighty angel with him to take him along the path of high character and good behaviour through day and night, while I used to follow him like a young camel following in the footprints of its mother. “Every day he would show me in the form of a banner some of his high traits and commanded me to follow it. Every year he used to go in seclusion to the hill of Hera, where I saw him but no one else saw him. In those days Islam did not exist in any house except that of the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) and Khadija, while I was the third after these two. I used to see and watch the effulgence of divine revelation and message, and breathed the scent of Prophethood.

“When the revelation descended on the Prophet of Allah (pbuh)  I heard the moan of Satan. I said, "O' Prophet of Allah, what is this moan?" and he replied, "This is Satan who has lost all hope of being worshipped. O' `Ali, you see all that I see and you hear all that I hear, except that you are not a Prophet, but you are a vicegerent and you are surely on (the path of) virtue.”

AS/ME