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*Originally posted by NeSCio: *
In these Ayah the emphasis is on the Prophet as a teacher/explainer/tutor along with his being a messenger, let's explore the example of someone being a teacher then:
if you take a teacher from school. Indeed he explains you the subject matter (like math formulas etc), indeed he give you hints and tips to tackle certain problems in certain ways. HOWEVER, the essence of all he teaches is recorded in the math course book (in this analogy the Qur'an). Moreover, the sign of a bright student is not that of someone who blindly learns the examples of his teacher by heart (since they are mere examples and examples don't come back during the test), it is one who takes the book as basis and from within himself uses this book to explore new solutions to the problems at hand. Solutions that fit in well in the formulas. And he only takes the formulas of the teacher as informal reference, not as something to follow blindly. Indeed, the background against which we shud give our test has changed drastically over the course of years: from pre-medievel to post-modernism. And often you will see that examples age as well, but the textbook (the formulas/ the subject matter) remains as it is
As for the wisdom part. Of course, your maths teacher teaches you wisdom as well. as far as the 'book' in the ayah goes it is meant the literal text, the 'wisdom' might be the 'example' he gives, but then again as I've mentioned the bright student is the one who explores solutions using his insight and the basic text. Anyhow, on the other hand one can justifiably argue that the wisdom is also concealed in the Book as well. This is a figure of speech called tautology.
Remains the issue of accepting the Prophet as judge in disputes: Don't you think that the Prophet will base his decisions on the Qur'an? Or do you think that his decision will be something different than what the Quran states and such requires people to write these down?
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*NeSCio * – I thinks your analogy of a teacher/student is a faulty.
But for the Grace of Allah to thee and his Mercy, a party of them would certainly have plotted to lead thee astray. But (in fact) they will only lead their own souls astray, and to thee they can do no harm in the least. For Allah hath sent down to thee the Book and Wisdom AND TAUGHT THEE WHAT THOU KNEWEST NOT (BEFORE ): And great is the Grace of Allah unto thee. 4:113
If you are going to take the Prophet (saw) as a teacher than you have to take him as a perfect teacher who was *GUIDED AND TAUGHT BY ALMIGHTY ALLAH (swt)! *
Please take note that Allah (swt) Himself states that He taught Prophet Muhammad (saw)!
Take note too of the BOOK and WISDOM as two separate entities!
The Book is the Quran and the Wisdom is for the Prophet’s Sunnah.
So Allah (swt) commanded the Prophet (saw) to “make (things) clear to them” and “that thou mayest explain clearly to men what is sent for them” as the two following Ayahs state.
We sent not a messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom. 14:4
(We sent them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies; and We have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to men what is sent for them, and that they may give thought. 16:44
Seeing that the Prophet (saw) was “stressing” himself in explaining the Ayahs; Allah (swt) has taken upon Himself to make it clear ( to enter the hearts of mankind – as Allah (swt) has left the guidance exclusively to Himself).
Move not your tongue with it to hasten it. Surely it is upon Us to gather it and to recite it. So, when We recite it, follow its Recitation. Then surely it is upon Us to make it clear. 75:16-19
So the above Ayahs make it clear that everything that needed to be taught was taught with the best ability and there was no scope of what you erroneously stated:
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indeed he give you hints and tips to tackle certain problems in certain ways
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The Prophet (saw) did not give hints and tips but definite commands and instructions which were, are and will be binding on every believer till day of Judgment!
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HOWEVER, the essence of all he teaches is recorded in the math course book (in this analogy the Qur'an).
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Yes but the details and methodology which you cannot do without are given by the Prophet (swt) by his Sunnah.
“The Qur'an generally deals with the broad principles or essentials of Islam, going into details in very rare cases. The details were generously supplied by the Prophet himself, either by showing in his practice how an injunction shall be carried out, or by giving an explanation in words.”
We pray as the Prophet (saw) prayed
We perform haj as the Prophet (saw) performed or allowed to be performed
We pay Zakat as per Prophet’s instructions and not what we deem we can afford to purify ourselves.
A Believer cannot carry out the commands of Allah (swt) with regard to Prayers, Zakat and Haj without following the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw).
I am going to to quote a few Ayahs of the Quran to underline the Qurannic message of following the Prophet's Way (Sunnah)
It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom,- although they had been, before, in manifest error;- 62:2
“Whatever the Prophet (Pbuh) bids you, you must do, and refrain from everything that he forbids you.” (59:7)
Deem not the summons of the Messenger among yourselves like the summons of one of you to another: Allah doth know those of you who slip away under shelter of some excuse: then let those beware who withstand the Messenger's order, lest some trial befall them, or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them. 24:63
"O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Prophet and those charged with authority among you. Therefore, if there is a difference of opinion among you in any matter, refer it back to Allah and His Prophet, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day." (4:5)
He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah: But if any turn away, We have not sent thee to watch over their (evil deeds). 4:80
Say: "Obey Allah and His Messenger": But if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith. 3:32
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And he only takes the formulas of the teacher as informal reference, not as something to follow blindly.
And he only takes the formulas of the teacher as informal reference
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How wrong could you be! They are not informal references but binding commands. Like ‘How to perform prayers and haj and how to calculate Zakat.
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Indeed, the background against which we shud give our test has changed drastically over the course of years: from pre-medievel to post-modernism. And often you will see that examples age as well, but the textbook (the formulas/ the subject matter) remains as it is
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For whatever age it is the message of Islam will remain the same. It will be adapted only by the Method of what Allah (swt) had taught the Prophet (saw) and he in return taught us. Just because we have entered post-modernism doesn’t mean that we have to ‘divorce’ the Prophet’s (saw) teaching and explanation of the Quran to meet our ‘requirements’ but rather whatever ‘age’ we are in, we have to adjust our lifestyle to that of the Prophet’s methodology.
Allah (swt) has clearly stated in the ‘pre-medievel’ (according to you) times that:
"Today I have perfected for you your Religion and completed My Favor upon you, and I am pleased with Islaam as your Religion." (5:3):
Even from thousand years from now the Believers will have to perform the Prayers,give Zakaat and perform Haj the same way the Prophet did only the difference from now maybe the mode of transport (hyper-sonic ?)
No doubt he had to convey the Divine Message but it was also his duty to act upon it and to explain it to the people. His actions and explanations are a source of guidance forever. His sayings, actions, practices and explanations are a source of light for every Muslim in every age.
"If any one contends with the Prophet even after guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that becoming to men of faith, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen and land him in Hell, what an evil refuge." 4: 110
The Qur'an while pressing the Muslims to obey the Prophet, goes a step further when it announces that the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is above all the limitations of time and space. He is the last Prophet and is a Messenger of Allah for the whole of humanity for all time to come.
Sunnah and Hadith are nothing but a reflection of the personality of the Prophet, who is to be obeyed at every cost.
Say: "If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Say: "Obey Allah and His Messenger": But if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith. 3:31 -32
If anyone contends with the Messenger even after guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that becoming to men of Faith, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in Hell,- what an evil refuge! 4:115
"Unless I proclaim what I receive from Allah and His Messages: for any that disobey Allah and His Messenger, - for them is Hell: they shall dwell therein for ever." 72:23
i think no body else found it funny besides me… I dont think PA knows the meaning of it … good one :k:…