The duty of the nation toward those who insult the Messenger (peace be upon him) (1)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) does not need recommendation from anyone and is not harmed by the lack of respect of others because the one who praised him is the Lord of all the Worlds.

Allah (may He be Exalted) favored him with some traits more than other Prophets and Messengers, of which are the following:

1- Allah took the covenant from all Prophets and Messengers from Adam to Jesus (peace be upon them) to believe in Muhammad (peace be upon him) and provide him with victory. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And (remember) when Allâh took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: "Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah (understanding of the Laws of Allâh), and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him." (Allâh) said: "Do you agree (to it) and will you take up My Covenant (which I conclude with you)?" They said: "We agree." He said: "Then bear witness; and I am with you among the witnesses (for this)."" [Surat Al `Imran: 81].

Ali ibn Abu Talib and his cousin Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: "Allah did not send a Prophet but He took the covenant from him: When Allah sends Muhammad while he is alive, he must believe in him and give him victory. Then Allah commanded them to take the covenant of their people that when Allah sends Muhammad while they are alive, they have to believe in him and give him victory."

2- His general message:

Previous Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them) were sent to their peoples in particular, but our Prophet (peace be upon him) was sent to all people. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And We have not sent you (O Muhammad peace be upon him) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind." [Surat Saba': 28].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And We have sent you (O Muhammad peace be upon him) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)." [Surat Al Anbiya': 107].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allâh." [Surat Al A`raf: 158].

3- His sealing Prophethood:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allâh and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allâh is Ever All-Knower of everything." [Surat Al Ahzab: 40].

4- A merciful gift:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And We have sent you (O Muhammad peace be upon him) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)." [Surat Al Anbiya': 107].

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "O people, I am only a merciful gift." [Reported by Al Hakim in Al Mustadrak].

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Somebody asked: "O Messenger of Allah, invoke Allah against polytheists. He replied: I have not been sent as the invoker of curse, but I have been sent as a merciful gift." [Reported by Muslim].

It is enough honor to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that Allah (may He be Exalted) assembled in him the perfection of manners and shape, in addition to virtuous sayings and actions. Fair orientalists have born witness for his righteous words and actions and considered him one of the greatest characters, undoubtful truth always comes out from enemies.

Will Durant -one of the owners of bad impressions against Islam and its Prophet- said: "If we judge the greatness by measuring the influence of that great on the people, so we should say that Mohammed is the greatest great in history ,he stopped racism and myths ,and established over Christianity and Judaism and his country's religion, a very clear and a strong religion , that succeeded to be until these days a power with great danger. History has no man, except Mohammed, who is ,a massage carrier, a nation establisher , a founder of a country…all these three things done by Mohammed , was a united unity , and religion was the power that maintain its unity over history" [The story of civilization: 13/47].

Another orientalist records the magical effect of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Michael Hart said: "My choice to Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful in both religious and political level." [They said about Islam, `Imad-ud-Din Khalil (145)].

The reason and objectives of insulting the Prophet of Islam:

The Glorious Qur'an mentioned that there were enemies to Prophets and the people of the truth. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies — Shayâtîn (devils) among mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it; so leave them alone with their fabrications. (Tafsîr Al-Qurtubî, Vol. 7, Page 67)" [Surat Al An`am: 112]. Allah (Exalted be He) says: "Thus have We made for every Prophet an enemy among the Mujrimûn (disbelievers, polytheists, criminals). But Sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and Helper." [Surat Al Furqan: 31].

The harm of disbelievers, polytheists, and stubbornness to the truth is a fixed habit. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allâh; but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious) then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs (and that is from the great matters which you must hold on with all your efforts)." [Surat Al `Imran: 186].

The reason of this harm and lack of respect for Islam, its Messenger (peace be upon him), and Muslims goes back to two matters:

The first: The power of Islam, its glory, its rapid spread, its impact on people, and embracing it because stones only hit fruitful trees.

The second: The weakness of Muslims. Therefore, we do not see lack of respect except for Muslims, their sanctuaries, fundamentals, and the Messengers of Allah whether by killing or insulting them because of the weakness of Muslims which led to the attacks of non-Muslims as the Prophet (peace be upon him) had told. He said: "The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their dish. Someone asked: Will that be because of our small numbers at that time? He replied: No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be scum and rubbish like that carried down be a torrent, and Allah will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and last enervation into your hearts. Someone asked: What is wahan (enervation) . Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) : He replied: Love of the world and dislike of death." [See Hadith No.: (8183) in Sahih Al Jami`].