Muhammad’s speech in the Quran. Part 11

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

Exhortation

Faith

The well-known fact is the declaration of Islam as the continuation of the revealed tradition of the Abrahamic type. Unlike the holders of the Prescription, the Quran does not reject the previous ones, although criticizes them (the holders) for deviating from the Prescriptions themselves, in the compartment with the rejection of the Quran.

Say, “O holders of the Prescription! You have nothing until you uphold the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.” And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and closed nature. So do not grieve over the closed people! (5:68)

Criticism is based not only by the position of the Quran, but also by the essence of the Prescriptions. After all, monotheism is clearly traced, as in the Torah, as well as in the Psalter and the Gospel.

Say, “Do you serve besides God that which holds for you no power of harm or benefit while it is God who is the Hearing, the Knowing?”

Say, “O holders of the Prescription! Do not exceed limits in your duty beyond the truth and do not follow the passions of a people who had gone astray before and misled many and have strayed from the soundness of the way!” (5:76-77)

On attacks and accusations from Christian and Jew opponents, the Quran provided clear arguments of the parameters of the faith.

Say, “We have believed God and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishmael, Ishaq (Isaac), Yaqub (Jacob), and the descendants, and in what was given to Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them. We are humbled before Him!” (3:84)

All the “tug-of-war” to their side was broken by Muhammad’s clear reasoning.

Say, “Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path – a persistent duty of the community of Ibrahim (Abraham), inclining toward truth. And he was not among those who associated others with God!” (6:161)

The messenger did not bring something fundamentally new. The messenger was on the same path as his predecessors.

Those are the ones whom God has guided, so from their guidance take an example!

Say, “I ask of you for this message no payment! It is not but a reminder for the nations of the world!” (6:90)

And even more, Muhammad was far from insisting and imposing the proclaimed faith.

Say, “The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him close himself.” Indeed, We have prepared for the obscurantists a fire whose walls will surround them! And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place! (18:29)

The messenger addressed his fellow tribesmen only with a call for humility before God.

Say, “It is only suggested to me that your god is but one God! So will you be humble?”

But if they turn away, then say, “I have announced to [all of] you equally. And I know not whether near or far is that which you are promised!” (21:108-109)

In the case of refusal, the messenger simply left such people with their delusion.

So serve what you will besides Him!”… (39:15)

For those who gave thought and began to listen to the message, Muhammad reported a joyful message.

Say, “Shall I inform you of [something] better than that?

For those who circumspect will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide, and purified spouses and contentment from God.

And God is Seeing of [His] servants – Those who say, “Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our trespasses and protect us from the punishment of the fire!” (3:15-16)

After all, orienting only on earthly goals cannot lead to success, but only to infinite disappointment in the future.

Say, “Is that better or the garden of abiding which is promised to the circumspect? It will be for them a reward and destination! (25:15)

Muhammad’s enlightenment activities faced with the rejection of others, and at some point hostility turned into a military conflict, which resulted in prisoners of war. But not everything was lost for them.

O prophet! Say to whoever is in your hands of the captives, “If God knows good in your hearts, He will give you better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you; and God is Forgiving and Merciful!” (8:70)

With all the activities of the messenger, one can clearly see unselfishness in all his deeds.

Say, “Whatever payment I might have asked of you – it is yours. My payment is only from God, and He is, over all things, Witness!” (34:47)

All the false accusations against Muhammad about his alleged bloodiness and intolerance, which were formed due to the ridiculous traditions and disgusting behaviour of Muslims, are broken by the Quranic description of Muhammad’s call.

It is that of which God gives good tidings to His servants who believed and corrected themselves!

Say, “I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only love to those who near!”

And whoever commits a good deed – We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, God is Forgiving and Appreciative! (42:23)

After analysing the cycle of signs with Muhammad’s speech, it becomes clear that the Quranic picture of the messenger differs from his depiction by the tradition.