Fifth Essential: Since only God knows the Unseen, The Prophet did not know it by himself. He told his Companions whatever God, the All‑Mighty, related to him about the Unseen.

The All‑Mighty is also All‑Wise and All‑Compassionate. Thus His Wisdom and Compassion require the veiling of most future events, for as people consider many of them unpleasant, any prior knowledge of them would be painful. This is why we do not know when we will die and why the misfortunes we will experience remain behind the veil of the Unseen.

Divine Wisdom and Compassion also require that the Prophet not know the details of what will happen to his household and Companions after his death because of his deep compassion and tender‑heartedness.[2] Nevertheless the All‑Mighty had a Divine purpose for telling him about some of them, albeit not in all their tragic aspects. He communicated pleasant events to the Prophet, either in outline or in detail, which he then related to his Companions.

Finally, his tidings were transmitted accurately to our own era by the great Traditionists who were at the height of piety, justice, and truthfulness, and who trembled with fear at such specific warnings as: "Whoever intentionally lies about me should prepare for a dwelling in the Fire"[3] and But who does greater wrong than one who lies against God? (39:32).

[2] For example, God's Messenger once said to his wives: "I wish I knew which of you will take part in that event," which shows that he did not know that 'A'isha would participate in the Battle of Camel. If he had known, his love and affection for her would have been hurt. However, later on he was informed of this somehow and told 'Ali: "There probably will be a matter between you and 'A'isha. Treat her gently and return her to her abode safely."

[3] Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti, Jami' al-Saghir; related from Companions.