Some Other Qualities of Rasûlüllah as a Spiritual Guide

1. Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him), our finest spiritual guide among those chosen by Allah, could not postpone his death when his appointed time came; he had no power to send Azrail back. He struck no one down with supernatural power. He could not even ward off harm to himself, let alone harm to us.

“Say: Truly, I have no power (on my own) either to harm you or to benefit you.

…

“I can only convey what comes from Allah and explain His revelations.”

Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger will surely face the fire of Hell, where they will remain forever.” (Cin 72/21-23)

2. Unless Allah wills it, he cannot bring any benefit to us or to himself.

“Say: “Unless Allah wills it, I have no power to harm or benefit myself.

If I knew the unseen, I would seek to obtain more good, and no evil would touch me. I am only a warner and a bearer of good news for a people who believe.” (A’raf 7/188)

3. He could not fly through the air or walk on the sea; he never appeared in several places at once, travelled from place to place at lightning speed, raised the dead or held meetings with the dead.

Our spiritual guide had no such extraordinary powers.

“The only thing that kept Us from sending signs (miracles) was that earlier peoples had denied those signs…” (İsrâ 17/59. See also: Ankebut 29/50)

4. His lineage extends through prophets such as İsa, Musa and İbrahim (peace be upon them) all the way back to Âdem, but he had no one in whom to seek refuge other than Allah—not the Seven, the Forty, the ghawth, the qutb, the aqtab or the like.

“Say: “Truly, no one can ever protect me against Allah, nor can I ever find anyone other than Him in whom to seek refuge.” (Cin 72/22).

When in difficulty, too, he would ordinarily seek help only from Allah.

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.” (Fatiha 1/3)

“Say: “Surely, I worship only my Lord, and I associate no one with Him.” (Cin 72/20) For he has no one else from whom to seek help.

5. Moreover, unlike others who are called spiritual guides, he is not without error (or lapses). In one way or another, he made certain mistakes and errors of judgment and asked Allah to forgive him for them.

“Be patient now, for Allah’s promise will surely be fulfilled; ask forgiveness for your sin (seek forgiveness), and glorify your Lord with praise morning and evening (say ‘Glory be to Allah’).” (Mü’min 40/55)

“Know that there is no deity other than Allah. Ask forgiveness for your own sins and for those of believing men and women! 

Allah knows both where you travel and where you will stay.” (Muhammed 47/19)

6. Nor does he have anyone who could intercede for the forgiveness of these sins. That is why he asked Allah directly, and Allah alone, for forgiveness.

“Say: “I am only a human being like you. But it is revealed to me that your deity is only one deity. So turn to Him and ask Him for forgiveness.

Woe to those who associate partners with Allah!” (Fussilet 41/6. A similar passage: Kehf 18/110)

7. He was very modest and humble, and never arrogant. Among the people, he was one of them.

“The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth with dignity and humility. When the ignorant taunt them, they say ‘Peace!’ (and move on).” (Furkan 25/63).

8. He did not throw his weight around with us or his community. He did not want us (his community) to suffer hardship. He was very compassionate and gentle towards his community.

“By Allah’s mercy, you treated them gently. Had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have scattered from around you.

So pardon them. Ask Allah to forgive them… (Âli İmran 3/159)

9. He is very tender-hearted and merciful towards believers.

“Indeed, a prophet has come to you from among yourselves, one who is deeply distressed by your suffering. He cares deeply for you and is very tender-hearted and merciful towards believers.” (Tevbe 9/128)

10. His companions, those who shared his cause and those around him could bring him any problem they had. Anyone who wished, man or woman, could meet with him and even argue with him. There was no doorkeeper, usher, personal bodyguard or secretariat at his door. No one left his presence walking backwards.

“Allah has heard the words of the woman who argued with you about her husband and complained to Allah. Allah was (already) hearing the conversation between you.

Surely Allah hears all and knows all.” (Mücâdile 58/1, 12)

11. On matters for which Allah had laid down no ruling, he consulted his companions and followed the majority’s decision (if it was right).

“… Consult them on the matter. 

Once you have decided and resolved to act, put your trust in Allah (rely on Him and trust Him). Surely Allah loves those who put their trust in Him.”  (Âli İmran 3/159)

Hüseyin K. Ece

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