BELIEF IN RASOOLULLAH (SAW)

Belief in Muhammad (SAW) as the Rasool and Nabi of Allah is not confined to the mere acceptance or belief in the concise statement that Muhammad (SAW) is the Rasool of Allah. Belief in Muhammad (SAW) as the Rasool of Allah means to believe that:

Muhammad (SAW) was appointed as the Rasool and Nabi by Allah .

Wahi (Direct Revelation from Allah ) came to him.

Muhammad (SAW) is the final Nabi . After him will come no new Nabi .

Muhammad (SAW) is the noblest and highest of rank in the entire creation of Allah .

Muhammad's (SAW) mission cancels all previous missions and shari'ats .

It is obligatory to act in accordance with the Shari'ah of only Muhammad (SAW).

Najaat (Salvation) in the Aakhirah is dependent upon the Risaalat of Muhammad (SAW).

From the aforegoing it will be clear that belief in Muhammad (SAW) and his Risaalat (his office of being a Rasool ) envisages the compulsory acceptance of each and every aspect and teaching of Muhammad (SAW). Rejection of a single teaching which is conclusively established to be that of Rasoolullah (SAW) negates belief in Muhammad (SAW). Such negation results in the negation of Imaan .

This detailed conception of belief in Risalaat is emphatically summed up in the following Qur'aanic Aayat .

“By your Rabb! (Allah takes an oath). They can never believe (adopt Imaan ) unless they appoint you (Muhammad) as the arbitrator in all their disputes. Then (i.e. after accepting you as the arbitrator) they find no rejection (or dislike) in their hearts regarding that which you have decided; and they submit whole-heartedly (to your verdict).”

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Thus the meaning of  (Muhammad SAW is the Rasool of Allah) is to wholeheartedly accept-to accept without the slightest reservation– everything brought by Muhammad (SAW).

This being the Shar'i belief of Risaalat , it should be well understood that:

2. Rejection of the finality of Muhammad's (SAW) Risaalat destroys Imaan . If someone says that he accepts that Muhammad (SAW) is a Divine Nabi and Rasool , but he rejects the finality of his Risaalat , then such a person is not a Muslim, but is a Kaafir (rejector of Imaan – an unbeliever).

4. To claim that Risaalat of Rasoolullah (SAW) is not requisite for Najaat in the Aakhirah is in fact rejection of Risaalat . Rasoolullah 's (SAW) mission cancels all previous Divine Books and Deens . There now remains no route to Jannat besides the Deen as transmitted through the Risaalat of Muhammad (SAW).

5. Regarding the fundamental importance of the Risaalat of Rasoolullah (SAW) there exists a gigantic misconception in certain circles. It is claimed that belief in the oneness of God, belief in the Hereafter and righteous acts are sufficient for salvation in the Aakhirah . Risaalat of Muhammadur Rasoolullah (SAW) is not regarded as a requisite for Najaat . In substantiation of this fallacious conception of Kufr , the following Qur'aanic aayat is cited:

“Verily, those who have accepted Imaan and those who have become Jews, the Sabians and the Christians who have accepted Imaan in Allah and the Last Day and practice righteousness, for them is their reward by their Rabb. No fear will be upon them nor will they grieve.”

[ Aayat 62, Surah Baqarah ]

To clear this misconception, a detailed explanation of this aayat is given in the ensuing pages.