Does Mohammed's (PBUH) character influence his prophethood?

[attica]

I notice a lot of criticisms made against Mohammed's character as a way of suggesting that a bad man such as him could not have been a prophet of God. In response to these criticisms, Muslims obviously defend Mohammed's character, saying that he was not a bad man as the critics suggest. However, what I don't understand is: does it matter what his character was, for Muslims. What I mean is that a number of the prophets in the Old Testament had faults and failings but this did not debar them from being considered as prophets because God had chosen them to be so in spite of their faults. Do Muslims consider Mohammed to have been perfect, so to speak, or merely a good man (with perhaps certain faults, just like many other prophets had) who was chosen by God, for reasons best known to himself, to be a prophet.

 

[جوري]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

per Christians prophets can sleep with their daughters and beget children from them or marry their sisters or become gods when they are men! these are lies against God and his messengers akin to the lies they still perpetuate!
We fight back because it is libel and slander and defamation of character not because it is the truth and it is OK to be flawed. Sure you can be flawed but do we also have to accept vicious lies to appease you or they who perpetuate it?

best,

 

[glo]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

I think attica raises a good point.

The topic of how the prophets are viewed differently in Islam and Christianity came up recently: http://www.islamicboard.com/clarifications-about-islam/134315423-what-shud-we-do-if-non-muslim-insults-nabi-isa-pbuh-other-prophet-islam.html#post1543187

From it I understand that Muslims see their prophets differently - not PERFECT, but exemplary human beings (and certainly not with major moral flaws (adultery, murder, incest etc) as some of the prophets had according to the Bible).


But I also know that Muslims hold Muhammad (peace be upon him) in particularly high esteem.
So I would like to repeat attica's in his question if Muslims consider Muhammad to have been perfect or near perfect or a good man chosen by God?

 

[جوري]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

But I also know that Muslims hold Muhammad (peace be upon him) in particularly high esteem.
So I would like to repeat attica's in his question if Muslims consider Muhammad to have been perfect or near perfect or a good man chosen by God?

That was pretty much answered in my previous post.. Did you not get this part?

these are lies against God and his messengers

Making a human error is different than committing major sins especially for instance when God is sending a man to preach against lewd sins of the flesh only to find that same man committing lewd sins of the flesh!
I don't know what sort of elaboration you're seeking otherwise to something that has been addressed repeatedly and refuted numerous times on this very board!

best,

 

[glo]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

That was pretty much answered in my previous post.. Did you not get this part?

I'm afraid not, sis.
I cannot see your previous post answering the question with regards to how Muslims view Muhammad at all ...

Can you try again? Do you consider Muhammad to have been a) perfect or b) near perfect or c) a good man chosen by God?

Making a human error is different than committing major sins especially for instance when God is sending a man to preach against lewd sins of the flesh only to find that same man committing lewd sins of the flesh!
I don't know what sort of elaboration you're seeking otherwise to something that has been addressed repeatedly and refuted numerous times on this very board!

I totally agree. Making a minor mistake is different to committing incest and murdering your lover's husband. That's were the Bible and the Qu'ran paint a different picture of the prophets.

I posted a link to the other thread for attica's information, since he had asked the question and I wanted to point him to previous discussions. If the mods feel that was unnecessary, I am happy to have my post deleted or amended accordingly.

I am not seeking any further elaboration on the prophets. I think I understand the differences in Islam and Christianity quite well.

Still interested in understanding if and how Muhammad is viewed differently from the other prophets in the Qu'ran though. (See question above)

Salaam

 

[جوري]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

It is A&C for your first Q. It's really not very difficult to understand but if it helps!


best,

 

[جوري]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

How many times have you read the Quran glo?

 

[glo]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

^
Once, but not very thoroughly.
It's my intention to read it again sometime.

Admittedly, much of my knowledge about the Qu'ran comes from Muslims I speak to - mostly in this forum.

 

[جوري]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

^
Once, but not very thoroughly.
It's my intention to read it again sometime.

Admittedly, much of my knowledge about the Qu'ran comes from Muslims I speak to - mostly in this forum.

Ok well that explains your previous thread on 'Mohameddan practices' and this one..
let me answer you directly from the noble Quran:

​

68:4 to top

Sahih International
And indeed, you are of a great moral character.​

 

[IbnAbdulHakim]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

yes character does influence prophethood.

thats why when a person reaches the state where he has good dreams through being a truthful and honest slave of God it is as though he has obtained 1/46th of prophethood.

If being truthful enough to have true dreams is 1/46th then what about a real prophet?

he has 45th parts of nobel characters and qualities which make him over and above every false alegation hurled towards him.


All the prophets of God are pure innocent souls guided by a divine source.

How can such a guided soul be flawed... the mind baffles at the very thought of it

 

[hur575]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

Do Muslims consider Mohammed to have been perfect, so to speak, or merely a good man (with perhaps certain faults, just like many other prophets had) who was chosen by God, for reasons best known to himself, to be a prophet.

We do not believe what the bible claim against our beloved messengers peace be upon the all, below a topic of some of the claims against the messengers and there is more and worse. How do people believe that GOD will chose the worse of people to convey the message ??


[/QUOTE]

The Qur’an does not say a prophet slept with his daughters. Genesis 19:30-38
2. The Qur’an does not say a prophet slept with his neighbour’s wife and plotted to kill him. 2 Samuel 11:1-2
3. The Qur’an does not say a prophet worshipped the Golden Calf. Exodus 32:1-6

In fact we believe all messengers were without faults, and we must believe, love, and respect all of them otherwise we are not Muslims.

“We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” Quran 2:285

bn Katheer said in his Tafseer of this aayah:

​

The believers believe in all the Prophets and Messengers, and the books revealed from heaven to the slaves of Allaah, the Messengers and Prophets; they do not differentiate between any of them, believing in some and rejecting others. Rather they regard all of them as truthful, righteous, rightly-guided and guiding to the path of goodness​

With regard to the superiority of some of the Prophets over one another, Allaah has told us of this, when He said :“Those Messengers! We preferred some of them to others; to some of them Allaah spoke (directly); others He raised to degrees (of honour)”[al-Baqarah 2:253]

Allaah tells us that some of them are several degrees above others, hence the chosen ones among the Messengers are “those of strong will”. Allaah says:“And (remember) when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you (O Muhammad), and from Nooh (Noah), Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosaa (Moses), and ‘Eesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary). We took from them a strong covenant”[al-Ahzaab 33:7]

*Muhammad peace upon him was the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers. Allaah says:“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets” [al-Ahzaab 33:40]

* He is unique in that he was sent to all of mankind. Allaah “Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Qur’aan) to His slave (Muhammad) that he may be a warner to the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)” [al-Furqaan 25:1]

* He will be the owner of the “position of praise and glory (al-maqaam al-mahmood)” on the Day of Resurrection. Allaah says:“And in some parts of the night (also) offer the Salaah (prayer) with it (i.e. recite the Qur’aan in the prayer) as an additional prayer (Tahajjud optional prayer Nawaafil) for you (O Muhammad). It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqaam Mahmood (a station of praise and glory, i.e., the honour of intercession on the Day of Resurrection)” [al-Israa’ 17:78]

in regards how to prove that Muhammad was a messenger of GOD, there are many proofs, and will write them later.

 

[Hulk]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

Keep in mind that Prophets are men of God. They received revelations. Can one really believe that a person who is in such a high level of consciousness of God, can allow themselves be overcome by the lowly sins of the temporary world?

 

[glo]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

Thanks for your replies.

I cannot speak for attica, but I feel that I am clear now in understanding that Muslims believe Muhammad and all the prophets (peace be upon them) to have been "of great moral character", "innocent souls" and "without fault" (I am quoting form the Qu'ran and from the posts above).

That sounds like being perfect to me.

Thanks again.

 

[Scimitar]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

No man is/was perfect... if Adam could sin, then so can the rest of us. And that includes Jesus pbuh, Muhammad pbuh etc...

however, there is a difference in sin when we compare the sin of Prophets to those of regular folk.

For example, once, Muhammad pbuh, made a mistake in salaah, and the angel Gabriel had to teach him how to correct that mistake...

Now, there is a wisdom behind this. And that wisdom is - for future generations to know how to correct their salaah should they make a mistake in it. Without that example - without that sunnah - the generations of Muslims that followed would have no idea how to correct that mistake... see my point?

So - is this sin really a sin? or is it an intended mistake that Muhammad pbuh never knew was about to take place? because Allah had planned it all along? I think it is not a sin, and that there is a divine wisdom at work.

And we all know that Allah works in mysterious ways...

food for thought

Scimi

 

[glo]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

Thanks, Scimi. I like a bit of food for thought.

 

[Scimitar]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

I'm so pleased I'm posting after you... for a second I thought bro Hulk was gonna reply to me, which would inevitably see my with a very bent and mis-shapen nose...

I can't even do my facepalms anymore. (anyone got a band aid?) ;D

Love ya bro Hulk, I was only kidding akhi

 

[Signor]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

No man is/was perfect... if Adam could sin, then so can the rest of us. And that includes Jesus pbuh, Muhammad pbuh etc...

however, there is a difference in sin when we compare the sin of Prophets to those of regular folk.

For example, once, Muhammad pbuh, made a mistake in salaah, and the angel Gabriel had to teach him how to correct that mistake...

Now, there is a wisdom behind this. And that wisdom is - for future generations to know how to correct their salaah should they make a mistake in it. Without that example - without that sunnah - the generations of Muslims that followed would have no idea how to correct that mistake... see my point?

So - is this sin really a sin? or is it an intended mistake that Muhammad pbuh never knew was about to take place? because Allah had planned it all along? I think it is not a sin, and that there is a divine wisdom at work.

And we all know that Allah works in mysterious ways...

food for thought

Scimi

Adding to this,We all consider every affliction,trial and tribulation on Muhammad(pbuh) is a blessing for his followers.If someone looks at his life besides the divine qualities what God has given to him(pbuh),you will see even before prophethood he was considered to be truthful and honest man among Arabs of Makkah.Its his message that keeps away the some tribes of Makkah not to accept Islam NOT his character.For more you can read exergesis of Quran and life of Muhammad(pbuh)....

 

[Darth Ultor]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

I always read that Muhammad was very patient, very charitable, and very moral. Seems like good character traits here.

 

[Muslim Woman]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

Salaam/ Peace

... Do Muslims consider Mohammed to have been perfect, .

Muslims believe all Prophets pbut were sinless . Sometimes they made mistakes but they did not commit major sins as Bible alleged . Whenever they made mistakes , they offered sincere repentance and God Almighty forgave them .

It's a part of our faith to respect All the Prophets pbut , not only Muhammed pbuh.

 

[attica]

Re: Does Mohammed's character influence his prophethood?

Ok, so if I understand correctly, Muhammed is considered to be an exemplary character and, if he sinned at all, such sins were of a minor nature and may even have served to help his followers better understand the message Allah was transmitting through him.
As for the various Old Testament prophets, Muslims consider the major sins they committed (e.g. Noah sleeping with his daughters) to have been inventions and, in the Muslim accounts of these prophets, they were only subject to some minor sins, similar to Mohammed.
Have I got that right?