The Prophet of Mercy to the all Worlds
Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur’an, the chapter of Prophets verse No.107;
((وما أرسلناك إلا رحمةً للعالمين)) (الأنبياء: 107)
『We did not send you except as Mercy to the all worlds.』
“Rahmah lil’Aalameen (Mercy to the all worlds)”…to review our Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W.) from such angle is the theme for us today.
The word called “Rahmah (Mercy)” is related to “Rahim (Womb)” thus its Mercy is something very very wide and deep that reminds you of the warmth of mother’s womb that every human beings recall.
Rasuulu-llaah (S.A.W.) was send as Rahmah. He was sent Only as Rahmah. For whose sake? Was he sent to the Arabs of his time only? Was he sent for us human beings only? No, he was sent Lil’Aalameen, means to all worlds, all beings of all different worlds, for every single thing was he sent as Rahmah.
In Arabic language we call this world as ‘Aalam and its plural is ‘Awaalim, however, when we indicate all types of worlds which include all the livings with mind and reason, we call them as ‘Aalamuun.
Therefore, Rahmah lil’Aalameen means as the Mercy for not only we human beings but Jins and Angels, everyone who came throughout the past and everyone who is living now and everyone who would going to live in the future.
As a matter of fact, indeed, Rasuulu-llaah (S.A.W.) was such.
I would quote some Hadeeth which indicates the Mercy of Rasuulu-llaah (S.A.W.) to remind ourselves of whose followers we are. So please listen carefully and try to imagine and taste the Mercy which Rasuulu-llaah (S.A.W.) showed them to us.
وفي رواية الإمام أحمد عن سيدنا جابر رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
((أنا أولى بكل مؤمن من نفسه، فأيما رجل مات وترك ديناً فإليّ، ومن ترك مالا فهو لورثته)).
“I’m prior to each believer than himself. So whoever dies and leaves some debt it’s responsibility would be mine, and whoever leaves property then it is for his successors.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad on the authority of Sayyidunaa Jaabir (R.A.))
Likewise the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) showed his mercy towards believers saying like, “I take care of Muslims before anyone else”.
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) showed his mercy to even the hypocrites like ‘Abdullah bun Ubayy bun Saluul whose hypocrisy was very obvious. He didn’t kill them nor disgrace them but rather protected their life and honor.
عندما ناداه ملَك الجبال في العودة من الطائف، "بما شئت. إن شئت أطبقتُ عليهم الأخشبين" فقال صلى الله عليه وسلم:((لا، بل أرجو أن يَخرج من أصلابهم مَن يعبد الله وحده لا يشرك به شيئا)).
On his way of coming back from the city of Taaif, when Allah sent him the angel of mountain and told him, “As you wish. If you wish, I would close the both mountains down.” He (S.A.W.) answered, “No, I wish that there comes among their descendants who worship Allah alone and never make any partner with Him.”
Likewise, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) showed his mercy to even non believers and save them from vanishing away.
وروى الإمام مسلم عن سيدنا أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قيل يا رسول الله، أدع على المشركين. فقال:
((إني لم أبعث لعّاناً وإنما بعثتُ رحمةً)).
When he was asked to pray against and curst the Mushirikeen, he answered, “I wasn’t sent as a curse, rather I was sent as mercy.” (Reported by Imam Muslim on the authority of Sayyidnaa Abu Hurayrah (R.A.))
Likewise he insisted on the mercy more than anything else.