The Prophet in the Quran

The Prophet in the Quran The Quran says of the Prophet, of Islam: “Surely you have a sublime character.” (The Quran, 68:4) By far the best commentary on this verse has been provided by Aisha, the Prophet’s wife. Her words have been recorded in different books of hadith. Replying to a question on the character of the Prophet, Aisha, referring to this verse of the Quran, said: “His character was the Quran.” (Tafsir ibn Kathir, Vol. 8, p. 189) This shows that the truest picture of the Prophet of Islam is that which has been expressed in the holy scriptures. There is no doubt about it that the books of hadith and seerah too provide an authentic source of information about the life of the Prophet. But the Quran remains the primary source. The picture of the Prophet which tallies with the relevant statements made therein must be regarded as correct. Here I propose to enlarge upon the study of his life in the light of certain Quranic verses. A Seeker of Truth The Prophet of Islam is thus addressed in chapter 93: By the glorious morning light; and by the night when it darkens, 3 your Lord has not forsaken you, nor is He displeased with you, and the Hereafter will indeed be better for you than the present life; 5 soon you will be gratified with what your Lord will give you. Did He not find you orphaned and shelter you? Did He not find you wandering, and give you guidance? Did He not find you in want, and make you free from want? Therefore do not treat the orphan with harshness, and do not chide the one who asks for help; 11 but proclaim the blessings of your Lord. (The Quran, 93:1-11). Prophet Muhammad received prophethood at the age of 40. His life prior to prophethood has been thus alluded to in the Quran: “Did He not find you wandering?” The explanation of this verse by Islamic scholars has been recorded in the books of Tafsir (commentary of the Quran). Some of these comments, recorded in Tafsir Al-Qurtabi are as follows: We found you a seeker. We found you a wanderer, we found you a lover of guidance. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 20, p. 97). This state, in brief, may be called that of seeking the truth. That is to say, before his being commissioned as a Messenger of God, he was a seeker of Truth, wandering hither and thither in search of it. In those days he used to withdraw to hills and deserts, and stay, engrossed in contemplation, in the privacy of the cave of Hira. All these acts were manifestations of this search for truth welling up in his heart. This phase has been recorded in detail in the books of Hadith and Seerat. From this we learn that, as a preliminary to the discovery of truth, the proper course for the individual would be to go in search of it. As we learn from the Quran, one who sincerely seeks the truth will definitely receive guidance, just as Prophet Muhammad did. The difference between the Prophet and the common man is that the former received guidance with prophethood, while the latter will receive only guidance.