The Excellence of the Prophets-AS
The ability to explain complex issues in simple and easily understandable words supported by substantial reasoning, is an evidence of Allah-SWT ’s blessings. While reminding people of the many rewards He bestowed upon Prophet Ibrahim-AS. Allah-SWT declares that it was He-SWT who granted him eloquence so that he could outwit his nation. This, in fact, is an inherent excellence of the Prophets-AS that they are able to explain complicated and intricate matters in the simplest of words logically. Whereas the philosophers also too discuss matters at length, never have they come up with any final conclusions todate, nor has the common man been able to understand them. Identical is the difference between truly devoted people of Allah-SWT and professional orators; the words of the former are simple, and are absorbed by people hearts bringing about positive changes in their practical lives. Whereas the orators or men of letters expect people to admire their style of expression and beautiful sentences; which may neither be understood by the common man, nor bring about any positive change in anyone's life. Besides, this inspiration is not anyone's personal excellence but a gift from Allah-SWT for His-SWT Prophets-AS, and their followers receive their share of this ability only as a reward for obeying them. It is Allah-SWT's exclusive prerogative to decide what He-SWT wishes to bestow and upon whom He-SWT may elevate the status of whoever He-SWT pleases, by blessing him with excellence and wisdom as much as He-SWT likes, as He-SWT is the Wisest of all and is well Aware of everything. He-SWT knows better who deserves an award.
Sacrifice in His-SWT Cause is Never Wasted
When Prophet Ibrahim-AS gave up his home, his native land and his relatives for the sake of Allah-SWT ; He blessed him with better substitutes. In his progeny, he was blessed with Prophets Ishaq-AS and Yaqub-AS and amongst his ancestors was Prophet Nuh-AS. Everyone is responsible for his own actions and will be requited accordingly. Yet given the guidance and the light of faith, it is a matter of great honour to belong to the family of Allah's chosen people. This Section, therefore, commences with a reference to the Prophet hood of Hadhrat Ibrahim-AS his ancestors and his children and nephews. Amongst his family were exalted Prophets, like Daud-AS, Sulaiman-AS, Yusuf-AS, Musa-AS and Harun-AS. Allaah-SWT always blesses those who strive for righteousness with sincerity. Prophet lbrahim-AS, sacrifices were exemplary and so were the rewards conferred upon him. Prophet Zakariyya-AS, and his son Yahya-AS, Isa-AS and llyas-AS were all Allah-SWT's chosen people honoured with Prophethood. This was one branch entrusted with Prophethood in the Bani Israil. All were Prophet Ibrahim-AS children including Prophets Yasuh-AS, Yunus-AS and Lut-AS. On the other side was Prophet Isma’il-AS, in whose progeny came the final Prophet Muhammad-SW. Thus the light of Prophethood remained in the progeny of Prophet Ibrahim-AS forever. Personages were always chosen from his family to be favoured and blessed by Allaah-SWT . When He-SWT chooses someone, He-SWT grants him knowledge of the right path and gives him the abilities to act righteously.
Progeny
These Ayat recount seventeen Prophets-AS with whom many of their relations were also rewarded. Amongst these, Prophet Nuh-AS" was Prophet Ibrahim-AS's"' ancestor, while all the rest were his progeny. Prophet Isa-AS has also been listed amongst his descendents although he was born of his mother alone. He is, therefore, a grandson on the daughters' side. The Commentators deduce that when this principle is applied to the descendants of the Holy Prophet-SW' .the children of Hadhrat Ali-RAU from Hadhrat Fatima-RAU. and Hadhrat Ali ibn al Aas-RAU born to Hadhrat Zainab-RAU daughter of the Holy Prophet-SW. shall be considered as his progeny. Hadhrat 'Ali ibn al Aas-RAU is the same person whom the Holy Prophet-SW physically lifted into the K'abah on the eve of Conquest of Makkah, to clear it of the idols kept therein. Thus grandchildren, whether of sons or daughters are taken as progeny.
Repugnance of Polytheism
Now the heinousness of polytheism is being highlighted with the command that had these exalted and chosen personages of Allaah-SWT ever indulged in it, their entire virtues and their honour would have been mollified being of no help to them. Not only their exalted offices would have been ceded, but the good deeds would also have gone waste. It is impossible for a Prophet-AS to indulge in sin, being inherently innocent, but to highlight the repugnance of polytheism, this hypothesis has been recorded here. One can see what would be the situation of an ordinary person practising polytheism and at the same time hoping for Allah-SWT's Pleasure'-It must be noted that polytheism does not only involve prostration before idols. Its root as indicated by Prophet Ibrahim-AS is to take someone as the beneficent, or to fear someone and obey him against Allah-SWT ; this is polytheism and the one practising it is a polytheist even if he claims to be a Muslim.
It is indeed a great blessing that He-SWT guides the obedient to their destination, and always favours those who associate all their hopes and fears with Him-SWT . In short, those who never ascribe partners to Him-SWT in His-SWT Being or in His-SWT Attributes are the ones always blessed by Him-SWT .
Eulogy of the Companions-RAU
The aforementioned personalities were those upon whom Allah-SWT conferred Prophethood, blessed them with His-SWT Scriptures and perfect codes of life. Not one, but over one hundred thousand Prophets-AS were raised. Hence the Holy Prophet-SW‘s Prophethood is not something strange or unusual that these unfortunate people are denying it. Their denial should not bother the Holy Prophet-SW as Allah-SWT shall raise a nation of fortunate people who will believe in him with their hearts and soul and will never even think of disbelief and denial. The Companions-RAU; Muhajrin and the Ansar and according to scholars all the believers, till the Day of Judgement, share this honour. It is a matter of great pride and pleasure for all that Allah-SWT has praised them. May He-SWT make us steadfast forever!
Religion as Source of Livelihood
It is further asserted that all the Prophets-AS were guided by Allah-SWT . So the Holy Prophet-SW must follow in their footsteps. Just as they remained patient over the hardships they faced at the hands of their people and stood fast on Allah-SWT's obedience, the Holy Prophet-SW must do the same. The scholars have discussed at length why the Holy Prophet-SW is being told to follow those before him whereas he was given a complete Shari'ah. There are many explanations. (1) that this following involves only the concepts of Divine Unity, Prophethood and the Hereafter etc. or (2) that until a new injunction is revealed, the earlier ones on the subject should be followed. The simplest explanation is that on one hand the non believers are told not to follow their ancestors blindly unless on the right track. On the other hand the Prophets-AS preferred Allah-SWT's obedience over everything, so the Holy Prophet-SW must follow suit and tell the people that he demands no wages for his task, which is a part of his duties towards Allah-SWT , Who-SWT Alone is the Bestower. Thus no Prophet-AS made the propagation, of religion a profession, or a source of livelihood. They only sought His-SWT Pleasure and propagated His-SWT Message throughout their lives. That is why those, who have made propagation of religion a source of earning, do convey the words but no one receives the guidance of which they are deprived themselves. However, if someone works with sincerity and only for Allaah-SWT ’s Pleasure, and is voluntarily helped by people, there is no harm. In fact, Muslims must look after such sincere people who spend most of their time serving the religion. Yet such volunteers for Allaah-SWT must not expect any praise or service from anyone. This was the practice of the Prophets-AS. This Quran is a source of guidance for the entire mankind and answers all the queries of life to make it pleasant and at the same time earn Allaah-SWT ’s Pleasure and eternal bliss.
