The Fundamental Rights of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
The countless blessings of Allah Subhanahoo Wata’ala descended upon the being of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), through whom humanity received existence. It is due to him that the Prophets (ﷺ) were granted prophethood, through him guidance was bestowed, and salvation was made possible. All the goodness that has come to humanity in the past and will come in the future is connected to his noble presence. Therefore, there are numerous rights owed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), among which some of them are as follows:
Number 1: Believing in Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
The first right of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) upon his Ummah (community) is to believe in him, (ﷺ).
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ٱلنَّبِىِّ ٱلْأُمِّىِّ ٱلَّذِى يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَٱتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ ١٥٨
(O Prophet Muhammad) Say, “O people, I am a messenger of Allah (sent) to you from the One to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. There is no god but He. He gives life and brings death. So, believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Ummiyy (unlettered) prophet, who believes in Allah and in His words, and follow him, so that you may find the right path.” (7:158)
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرًۭا وَنَذِيرًۭا ٥٦
We did not send you but as a bearer of good news and as a warner. (25:56)
وَمَن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ فَإِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ سَعِيرًۭا ١٣
If one does not believe in Allah and His Messenger, then We have prepared a blazing fire for the disbelievers. (48:13)
Number 2: Having faith in the belief that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was a human being
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا ١١٠
Say, “Surely, I am but a human being like you; it is revealed to me that your God is the One God. So the one who hopes to meet his Lord must do righteous deed and must not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord.” (18:110)
Number 3: Acknowledging Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the best of all human beings
The third right of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) upon his Ummah (community) is to believe not only in his humanity but also in his status as the Master of all human beings.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةً رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : أَنَا سَيْدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَأَوَّلُ مَنْ يَنْشَقُ عَنْهُ الْقَبْرُ وَأَوَّلُ شافع وأول مشفع. صحیح مسلم، رقم الحديث: 4223
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘On the Day of Judgment, I will be the leader of all the children of Adam. I will be the first person whose grave will be opened, and I will be the first to intercede. I will also be the first whose intercession will be accepted.
Number 4: Recognizing Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the light of guidance
The fourth right of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) upon his Ummah (community) is to believe in him as a human being in his essence, while recognizing him as the light of guidance in terms of attributes. In terms of attributes, he is not just light but light upon light. He is the source of light and the center of light. Through you, the darkness of disbelief, the blind alleys of injustice, and the obscurity of unfairness have become illuminated. Through your light of guidance, Islamic beliefs, actions, transactions, ethics, and society have all become enlightened. In this regard, you are truly the light.
Number 5: Acknowledging Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as not just a prophet but as the Seal of the Prophets
The fifth right of the Ummah (community) upon the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), is to believe that he, (ﷺ), is not just a Prophet, but rather to have faith that he, (ﷺ), is the Prophet of all Prophets. [Reference: 7/22]
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ لَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَـٰبٍۢ وَحِكْمَةٍۢ ثُمَّ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌۭ مُّصَدِّقٌۭ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِۦ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُۥ ۚ قَالَ ءَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِى ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَقْرَرْنَا ۚ قَالَ فَٱشْهَدُوا۟ وَأَنَا۠ مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ ٨١
When Allah made the prophets enter into a covenant: (saying) “If I give you a book and wisdom, then comes to you a messenger verifying what is with you, you shall have to believe in him, and you shall have to support him.” He said, “Do you affirm and accept my covenant in this respect?” They said, “We affirm.” He said, “Then, bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.” (3:81)
Number 6: To consider the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), as the best of all Prophets.
The sixth right of the Ummah (community) upon the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), is to believe that he, (ﷺ), is the best of all Prophets.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةً رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: فُضِّلْتُ عَلَى الْأَنْبِيَاءِ بِسِتْ: أُعْطِيتُ جَوَامِعَ الْكَلِمِ وَ نُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ وَأُحِلَّتْ لِيَ الْغَنَائِمُ وَ جُعِلَتْ لِي الْأَرْضُ طَهُورًا وَ مَسْجِدًا وَأُرْسِلْتُ إِلَى الْخَلْقِ كَافَّةً وَخُتِمَ بِي النَّبِيُّونَ.صحیح مسلم، رقم الحديث : 522
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah the Almighty has favored me with six things over the other Prophets.
Allah has granted me concise and meaningful words (few words with profound meanings).
He has bestowed His awe to assist me.
He has made the wealth from war booty permissible for me.
The entire Earth has been made a means of purification for me.
The entire Earth has been made a place of prostration for me.
I have been made a Prophet for the entire creation.
عَنْ جِبْرِيلَ قَالَ : قَلَّبْتُ مَشَارِقَ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبَهَا فَلَمْ أَجِدُ رَجُلًا أَفْضَلَ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَلَمْ أَرَبَيْتًا أَفَضَلَ مِنْ بَيْتِ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ المعجم الاوسط للطبرانی، رقم الحدیث : 6285
The Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ), said: “Jibril the Trustworthy came to me and said, ‘I have seen all the regions of the Earth, and I have not seen anyone more virtuous than you, and the best household I have found to be the household of Banu Hashim.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: خِيَارُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ خَمْسَةٌ : نُوحٌ وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ وَعِيسَى وَمُوسَى وَمُحَمّد صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَخَيْرُهُمْ مُحمدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ وَسَلَّمَ. مسند بزار ، رقم الحدیث : 9737
Hazrat Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) states that there are five prophets who are the leaders of all the prophets (ﷺ). They are: Hazrat Noah, Hazrat Abraham, Hazrat Moses, Hazrat Jesus, and Hazrat Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon them all. And among all of them, the leader is Hazrat Muhammad, (ﷺ).
Number 7: To consider the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), as the Imam (leader) of all Prophets
The seventh right of the Ummah (community) upon the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), is to believe that he, (ﷺ), is the Imam (leader) of all Prophets.
عَنْ أَبِي بْنِ كَعْبٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ كُنْتُ إِمَامَ النَّبِيَّيْنِ، وَخَطِيبَهُمْ، وَصَاحِبَ شفاعتهم غيرفخر. جامع الترمذی، رقم الحديث: 3546
It is narrated from Hazrat Abi bin Ka’ab (رضي الله عنه) that the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “On the Day of Judgment, I will be the Imam (leader), interpreter, and intercessor for all the honored prophets (ﷺ). Instead of considering this as my personal excellence, I attribute it solely to the grace of Allah. On the night of Isra and Mi’raj, you were made the Imam of all the honored prophets (ﷺ), which is why you are known as the Imam of the prophets in this world, and in the Hereafter, you will be elevated to the rank of Imamate among the honored prophets (ﷺ).
Number 8: To consider the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), as the Seal of the Prophets
The eighth right of the Ummah (community) upon the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), is to believe that he, (ﷺ), is the Seal of the Prophets.
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًۭا ٤٠
MuHammad is not a father of any of your men, but he is a messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets. And Allah has the Knowledge of every thing. (33:40)
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم قَالَ إِنْ مَثْلِي وَمَثَلَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ مِنْ قَبْلِي كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ بَلَى بَيْتَاً
فَأَحْسَنَهُ وَأَجْمَلَهُ إِلَّا مَوْضِعَ لَبِنَةٍ مِنْ زَاوِيَةٍ فَجَعَلَ النَّاسُ يَطُوفُونَ بِهِ وَيَتَعَجَّبُونَ لَهُ وَيَقُولُونَ هَلَّا وُضِعَتَ هَذِهِ اللَّبِنَةُ قَالَ فَانَا اللَّبِنَةُ وَانا خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ. صحیح البخاری، رقم الحدیث: 3535It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) that I heard the Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ), saying: “The example of the Prophets before me and the Prophets after me is like that of a beautiful building that has been constructed perfectly, except for one brick missing from its corner. People would go around it, marveling at its beauty, and saying, ‘Why is there no brick in the corner?’ The Prophet, (ﷺ), said, ‘I am that last brick in the corner of the building, and I am the one to complete the chain of Prophets.
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنِ الْحَكَمِ، عَنْ مُصْعَبِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَرَجَ إِلَى تَبُوكَ، وَاسْتَخْلَفَ عَلِيًّا فَقَالَ أَتُخَلِّفُنِي فِي الصِّبْيَانِ وَالنِّسَاءِ قَالَ “ أَلاَ تَرْضَى أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسَى إِلاَّ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ نَبِيٌّ بَعْدِي ”. وَقَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ عَنِ الْحَكَمِ سَمِعْتُ مُصْعَبًا.
Narrated Sa`d: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) set out for Tabuk. appointing `Ali as his deputy (in Medina). `Ali said, “Do you want to leave me with the children and women?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Will you not be pleased that you will be to me like Aaron to Moses? But there will be no prophet after me.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Number 9: To consider the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), as alive in his blessed grave
The ninth right of the Ummah (community) upon the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), is to believe in his life in the grave.
عَن أَوْسِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنَّ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ أَيَّامِكُمْ يَوْمَ الجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيْهِ ا التَّفْعَةُ الصَّعْقَةُ فَأَكْثِرُ وا عَلَى مِنَ الصَّلوةِ فِيْهِ فَإِنَّ صَلوتَكُمْ مَعْرُوْضَةٌ عَلَى قَالَ قَالُوا : يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ وَكَيْفَ تُعْرَضُ صَلَا تُنَا عَلَيْكَ وَقَدْ آرَمتَ قَالَ : يَقُولُونَ بَلَيْتَ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَرَّمَ عَلَى وَفِيه الأَرْضِ أَجْسَادَ الْأَنْبِيَاء. سنن ابی داؤد: رقم الحدیث: 1049
It is narrated from Hazrat Aws bin Aws (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “Among the days, the best day is Friday. On this day, Hazrat Adam (ﷺ) was created, and on this day, he passed away. On this day, the Trumpet will be blown. On this day, people will be resurrected. Therefore, increase your blessings upon me on Fridays because your blessings are presented to me.” The Companions (رضي الله عنه) asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how can we send blessings upon you when your physical body will have decayed?” The Prophet, (ﷺ), replied, “Allah the Almighty has made the bodies of the honored prophets (ﷺ) on the earth inviolable, which means they do not decompose like the bodies of ordinary people due to the strong traces of life.
Number 10: To love the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ)
The tenth right of the Ummah (community) upon the Noble Prophet, (ﷺ), is to have the utmost love for him.
قُلْ إِن كَانَ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَٰلٌ ٱقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَـٰرَةٌۭ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَـٰكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَآ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَجِهَادٍۢ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ فَتَرَبَّصُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ ٢٤
Say, “If your fathers and your sons and your brothers and your spouses and your clan and the wealth you have earned and the trade you apprehend will recede and the homes you like are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and Jihād in His way, then, wait until Allah comes with His command. Allah does not lead the sinning people to the right path.” (9:24)
وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ وَالِدِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ»
Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “None of you believes till I am dearer to him than his father, his child, and all mankind.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
