Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) Sent As Shahid In Meaning Of Hadhir Nazir.

[MuhammedAli]

Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) Sent As Shahid In Meaning Of Hadhir Nazir.

Introduction:

Creed of Hadhir al-Nazir essentially is that Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) has witnessed, as a first hand witness, the deeds of people about whom he would testify on the day of judgment.

0.0 - Prophet Muhammad Sent As A Hearing Seeing Witness:

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) states while addressing Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) in the following verse: "We have truly sent thee as a witness, as a bringer of glad tidings, and as warner." [Ref: 48:8] Same is stated while directly addressing Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) in another verse: "O Prophet! Truly We have sent thee as a witness, a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner." [Ref: 33:45] Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is a witness and meaning of this is that he (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) has been sent as a hearing and seeing type of witness.

0.1 - Implications Of Being Sent As a Witness Are Hearing And Seeing:

Those who disbelieve in Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) being sent as a hearing seeing type of witness should suppose being sent as a witness to an exhibition by another and then contemplate the implications of it. Are you being sent to be present at the events and as a hearing seeing type of representative or blind and deaf type of witness? Have you been sent to hear and see the events of exhibition? You would agree, you are sent to be present at the exhibition and as a seeing, hearing type of witness. You have been assigned to be present at the event and hear/see the events. In Quran Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) defines how Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is sent as a witness: "We have sent to you an apostle to be a witness concerning you even as We sent an apostle to Pharaoh." [Ref: 73:15] Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) stated We sent Prophet Muhammad to be witness like Prophet Musa (alayhis salam) and we know Prophet Musa (alayhis salam) was sent as a hearing/seeing type of witness. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) sent His Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) also as a hearing/seeing type of witness.

0.2 - Prophet Muhammad Sent To Entire Mankind:

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) stated He has sent Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to mankind: “O mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you.” [Ref: 4:170] “Say: ‘O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all; to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death.’ So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided. “ [Ref: 7:158] With Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) he sent Quran as a conclusive proof of truth of Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) claim of Prophet-hood and as a instruction, healing for mankind: “O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord and We have sent down to you a clear light.” [Ref: 4:174]“O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. “ [Ref: 10:57] The following words of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) reveal that he has been sent to entire mankind and not just to Arabs: “… concise but comprehensive in meaning; I have been helped by terror (in the hearts of enemies): spoils have been made lawful to me: the earth has been made for me clean and a place of worship; I have been sent to all mankind and the line of prophets is closed with me.” [Ref: Muslim B4, H1062] Being sent to mankind implies all men/women of all ages therefore being sent to mankind closes the door of Prophet-hood. As such Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) ended his statement with saying line of Prophets is closed after him.

0.3 - Prophet Muhammad Prophet And Witness Over Mankind:

Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) was sent as a witness, bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner to all mankind. As such witnessing deeds of mankind is fundamentally established because being sent as a witness to mankind implies witnessing of deeds by Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). This Tafsir of verse of 34:28 and 48:8 has been supported by another verse of Quran.

0.4 - Prophet Sent As A Warner, Bearer Of Good News And As A Witness To Mankind:

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) stated: "O Prophet! Truly We have sent you as a witness, a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner." [Ref: 33:45] Following verse further explains that Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) was sent to mankind as a bringer of good news and as a warner but does not make addition of being sent as a witness: “And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. But most of the people do not know. “ [Ref: 34:28] Both verses come togather to establish that Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) was sent to mankind as a witness from Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), as a warner, and bringer of good news.

0.5 – Witnessing Deeds Of Mankind From Perfection Till Judgment:

In light of this it would be correct to conclude Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) witnessed the deeds of mankind after his station was perfected and continued to do so after his passing away. And he will continue to witness good and bad deeds till judgment day’s destruction is established. This in essence is an aspect of creed of Hadhir al-Nazir and has been summarized in following verse of Quran: "We have sent to you an apostle to be a witness concerning you even as We sent an apostle to Pharaoh." [Ref: 73:15] One meaning of verse is; Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) has been sent as a hearing/seeing type of witness to witness deeds of mankind in person as hearing seeing witness. And another interpretation is that Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is sent to be witness over people of Makkah/Madinah like Prophet Musa (alayhis salam) was sent to Pharaoh in person as hearing seeing type of witness. The book of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has short expression vast meaning nature and until the requirement of Takhsees are met we affirm all correct interpretations and reject none.

Conclusion:

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) sent Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) as a Shahid and Prophet and Messenger to mankind. Being sent as a witness entails being sent to hear see and in context it means Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) has been sent to hear see deeds of mankind. This is in nutshell one part creed of Hadhir Nazir.

Wama alayna ilal balalghul mubeen.
Muhammed Ali Razavi.