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Page 7 of 7
Sixth essential: Many history books and
biographies describe the Prophet's behavior and characteristics. But most
discuss his human nature, and thus ignore his spiritual persona and his being's
sacred nature, both of which are very sublime and illustrious. For, according to
the rule of "the cause is like the doer," the rewards of all Muslims' prayers
are added to the accounts of his perfections from the day he declared his
Prophethood (until the end of time). Every day he receives countless invocations
by Muslims as well as God's infinite mercy, which he draws in like measure.
Further, since he is creation's result and most perfect fruit, as well as the
beloved and interpreter of the Creator of the universe, his true nature and true
perfections cannot be contained in accounts of his recorded human qualities.
Certainly the stature of one served by archangels Gabriel and Michael as
aides‑de‑camp during the Battle of Badr cannot be sought in accounts of, for
example, his bargaining over a the price of a horse.
To avoid falling into error, we must focus on his true nature and illustrious
spiritual persona in his rank of Messengership. Otherwise we may risk showing
him disrespect or entertain uncertainties about his persona.
Consider the following analogies: Suppose a planted date‑stone sprouts and
becomes a tall, fruitful tree growing upward and outward; or that a chick from
an incubated peacock egg hatches, grows into a beautiful peacock, and, adorned
with the Pen of Divine Power, grows bigger and prettier still. The date‑stone
and egg possess qualities, properties, and precisely balanced elements, but they
are not as striking and significant as those of the tree and the peacock that
grew from them. Given this, while describing the date‑stone's and the egg's
qualities along with those of the tree and the peacock, each item's qualities
must be distinguished so that anyone following the description may find it
reasonable. If this is not done (e.g., claiming that one date‑stone [and not the
tree] produces thousands of dates, or that the egg is [already] the prince of
birds), people will be led to contradiction and denial.
The human nature of God's Messenger may be likened to that
date‑stone or egg, but his true nature, illumined with the Prophetic mission, is
like the Touba tree or the Royal Bird of Paradise. Moreover, His true nature
continues to grow more and more perfect. Given this, when one thinks of that
exalted person bargaining with a Bedouin in the marketplace, he should gaze upon
his illustrious essential nature, the one who rode the Rafraf during the
Ascension, left Gabriel behind, and reached the Divine Presence. Otherwise, one
risks showing insufficient respect to or failing to convince one's earth‑bound
soul of his true nature.
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