The Three Fundamental Principles – Chapter 3: Knowing the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
A detailed study of Chapter 3 from The Three Fundamental Principles by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab, focusing on the knowledge of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) with word-by-word explanations.
The Three Fundamental Principles – Chapter 3: Knowing the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Introduction
Continuing our journey through The Three Fundamental Principles, this post covers Chapter 3: Knowing the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This is the third fundamental principle that every Muslim must understand and implement in their life.
Chapter 3: Knowing the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
The Third Principle: Knowledge of the Prophet
The third fundamental principle is knowing the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) - understanding who he is, his role, and our obligations towards him. This knowledge is essential for completing our faith and understanding how to worship Allah correctly.
The Question in the Grave
The third question every soul will be asked in the grave is: Who is this man who was sent to you?
The Answer
Arabic Text: مَنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي بُعِثَ إِلَيْكَ؟
Transliteration: Man haadha ar-rajul alladhee bu’itha ilayk?
English Translation: Who is this man who was sent to you?
The Answer: Arabic Text: هُوَ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ الَّذِي بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ
Transliteration: Huwa Muhammadun Rasoolullaah alladhee ba’athahu Allaahu bil-hudaa wa deenil-haqq
English Translation: He is Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, whom Allah sent with guidance and the religion of truth.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Let us break down this answer word by word:
“He is Muhammad (ﷺ)”
- He: Referring to the Prophet (ﷺ) who was sent to guide humanity
- Muhammad: His name means “the praised one” - the one who is praised by Allah and His creation
- (ﷺ): Peace and blessings be upon him - this is our duty to send prayers upon him
”The Messenger of Allah”
- The Messenger: A prophet who brings a new message and law from Allah
- of Allah: Sent by Allah Himself, not by any human authority or desire
”Whom Allah sent”
- Whom: Referring to Muhammad (ﷺ) specifically
- Allah sent: Allah Himself chose and sent him - this shows divine selection
”With guidance”
- With: Accompanied by
- Guidance: The light that shows the straight path to Allah
”And the religion of truth”
- And: In addition to guidance
- The religion: The complete way of life ordained by Allah
- Of truth: The true religion that leads to salvation
Quranic Evidence
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets.” (Quran 33:40)
“We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner.” (Quran 33:45)
“Say, ‘I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God.’” (Quran 18:110)
Hadith Evidence
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The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “I have been sent with the most perfect words and the most comprehensive guidance.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
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The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “I am the last of the prophets, and there will be no prophet after me.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
What It Means to Know the Prophet (ﷺ)
1. Knowing His Identity
- His Name: Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib
- His Lineage: From the noble tribe of Quraysh, the family of Hashim
- His Birth: Born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant (570 CE)
- His Mission: Sent as the final messenger to all of humanity
2. Knowing His Role
- Messenger: He delivers Allah’s message to humanity
- Warner: He warns people about the consequences of disbelief
- Bearer of Glad Tidings: He gives good news to the believers
- Example: He is the perfect example for all Muslims to follow
3. Knowing Our Obligations Towards Him
- Believing in Him: Accepting that he is truly Allah’s messenger
- Loving Him: Loving him more than anyone else except Allah
- Following Him: Implementing his teachings and way of life
- Respecting Him: Showing proper respect and reverence
- Sending Prayers Upon Him: Regularly sending salawat (blessings)
The Prophet’s (ﷺ) Characteristics
His Perfect Character
- Truthfulness: He never lied, even before prophethood
- Trustworthiness: Known as “Al-Amin” (the trustworthy)
- Mercy: He was merciful to all creation
- Humility: Despite his high status, he remained humble
- Patience: He endured great hardships with patience
His Mission
- To Call to Tawhid: Teaching people to worship Allah alone
- To Complete the Religion: Bringing the final, complete message
- To Be an Example: Showing how to implement the teachings
- To Guide Humanity: Leading people to the straight path
The Prophet’s (ﷺ) Message
The Core Message
- Tawhid: Worship Allah alone without any partners
- Following the Sunnah: Implementing the Prophet’s teachings
- Good Character: Developing excellent moral character
- Justice: Establishing justice in all matters
- Mercy: Showing mercy to all creation
The Method of the Prophet (ﷺ)
- Wisdom: Using wisdom in calling to Allah
- Good Preaching: Speaking with beautiful words
- Patience: Being patient with people’s responses
- Gradual Teaching: Teaching step by step, not overwhelming people
Practical Applications
In Our Daily Lives
- Following His Sunnah: Implementing his teachings in our actions
- Studying His Life: Learning about his biography (Seerah)
- Loving Him: Developing genuine love for him
- Defending Him: Standing up for his honor when needed
- Spreading His Message: Sharing his teachings with others
In Our Worship
- Praying Like Him: Following his method of prayer
- Reading Quran Like Him: Reciting as he taught
- Fasting Like Him: Following his fasting practices
- Giving Charity Like Him: Being generous as he was
- Performing Hajj Like Him: Following his Hajj rituals
Common Misconceptions
What Knowing the Prophet (ﷺ) Does NOT Mean
- Worshipping Him: We worship only Allah, not the Prophet (ﷺ)
- Exaggerating About Him: We don’t attribute divine qualities to him
- Neglecting His Teachings: We must follow his guidance
- Following Others Instead: We don’t follow other sources over his teachings
What It DOES Mean
- Following His Guidance: Implementing his teachings in our lives
- Loving Him Sincerely: Having genuine love for him
- Defending His Honor: Protecting his reputation and teachings
- Spreading His Message: Sharing his teachings with others
Key Lessons
- Knowledge of the Prophet (ﷺ) is Essential: Without knowing him, we cannot properly worship Allah
- He is the Perfect Example: His life shows us how to implement Islamic teachings
- Following Him is Obligatory: We must follow his teachings and way of life
- Loving Him is Part of Faith: True faith includes loving the Prophet (ﷺ)
- His Message is Universal: He was sent to all of humanity until the Day of Judgment
The Prophet’s (ﷺ) Status
His High Position
- The Best of Creation: He is the most noble of all creation
- The Leader of the Prophets: He is the leader of all prophets
- The Intercessor: He will intercede for his ummah on the Day of Judgment
- The Seal of Prophets: He is the final prophet, no prophet will come after him
Our Relationship with Him
- He is Our Guide: He guides us to the straight path
- He is Our Teacher: He teaches us how to worship Allah
- He is Our Intercessor: He will intercede for us if Allah wills
- He is Our Example: We follow his way of life
Conclusion
Knowing the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is not just about memorizing facts about his life, but about understanding his role, following his teachings, and implementing his way of life in our daily actions. This knowledge completes our understanding of the three fundamental principles and guides us to the straight path.
Previous: Chapter 2 – What is Your Religion?