Introduction Note For Readers

Importance of understanding the Prophets spiritual status.

In our modern times many of the Prophet's biographies especially those authored by Western oriental writers and historians describe and emphasize on the Prophet’s human qualities and nature without reflecting on his spiritual status. Like it is important to know about the Prophet's life and human qualities similarly from a believer's perspective, it is very necessary to also be reminded of his spiritual status. Sheikh Said Al Nursi[1] mentions a critical point when discussing Prophet’s human nature. He pointed that the human qualities recorded and mentioned such as his doing trade in the market cannot be compared with the divine aid of angels that provided him victories in battles where he was outnumbered in terms of strength and arms against the enemies. His having intimate relations with one of his wives cannot be compared with his miracle of praying for small amount of food sufficient for 2 people which ended up being shared by hundreds due to  being blessed! Whoever looks at one aspect and ignore the other will never do justice to the Prophet’s personality, may peace and blessings be upon him as much as the drops of water in oceans! Humans like analogies and the Sheikh Al Nursi gives one to help us understand better.

Consider a seed when implanted in the earth sprouts in to a big and tall tree with lots of beautiful green and lush leaves changing colors during fall, pleasing to the eyes in all three seasons of fall, summer and spring, with branches spread in all directions, shading from heat of sunlight anyone that sits underneath, providing space for birds to nest, bears fruits in spring and sustains itself in harsh winter conditions. If someone were to mention to people all amazing qualities of this tree pointing to its seed, it wouldn’t make sense to them unless they observed the tree and its qualities. Similarly, the human qualities of the Prophet ﷺ may be likened to the seed and the spiritual status may be likened to the tree, and definitely not of this world, in fact a tree of paradise that contains unimaginable qualities. Those who came to believe in the Prophet ﷺ carried insight due to faith in their hearts, like that carried by Abdullah ibn Salaam (radiAllahu anhu), a very learned Jewish Rabbi of Madinah, who without conversating a single word with the Prophet at the first glance said ‘no lie can come from this man’s face.’ He would become one of the greatest companion of the Prophet. Many people  are lacking in this understanding of his personality. This section will discuss all the spiritual qualities of the Prophet ﷺ that are very important for us to realize before we understand his human nature and qualities. 

References:
[1] Aziz Ustad Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1877 - 23 March 1960 CE)