The Prophets Were All Human Beings

1) The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, ‘I am a human being, so when I command you about a thing pertaining to religion, do accept it, and when I command you about a thing out of my personal opinion, keep it in mind that I am a human being.’ (Sahih Muslim Part IV; Book of Fazail; Chapter CMLXXXVI, page 1259; 9^th edition).

2) Mohammed is no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah. But Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude. (Surah 3, Al-Imran, Verse 144).

3) Oh people of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah ... so believe in Allah and His Messenger. Say not ‘Three’: desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is One God: Glory be to Him: (Far Exalted is He) above having a son.... (Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 171 Parts).

4) Christ the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. . (Surah 5 Al-Maida Verse 75 Part).

5) On the day when Allah will gather the Messengers together, and ask: ‘What was the response ye received (from men to your teaching)?’ they will say: ‘we have no knowledge: it is Thou who knowest in full all that is hidden.’ (Surah 5 Al-Maida Verse 109).

6) Say, ‘I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor do I tell you I am an angel, I but follow what is revealed to me.’ (Surah 6, Al-An’am, Verse 50 Part).

7) Say:’ I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah Willeth. If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good: and no evil should have touched me: I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith’. (Surah 7, Al-Ar’af, Verse 188).

8) Say: ‘I have no power over any harm or profit to myself except as Allah Willeth. To every People is a term appointed! .... (Surah 10, Yunus, Verse 49 Part).

9) ‘I tell you not that with me are the Treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel....’ (Surah 11, Hud, Verse 31 Part).

10) Nor did We send before thee (as messengers) any but men, whom we did inspire, - (men) living in human habitations. (Surah 12, Yusuf, verse 109 (part).

11) We did send messengers before thee, and appointed for them wives and children: and it was never the part of a messenger to bring a sign except as Allah permitted (or commanded). For each period is a Book (revealed). (Surah 13, Al-Ra’d, verse 38).

12) Their messengers said to them: "True, we are human like yourselves, but Allah doth grant His grace to such of his servants as He pleases. It is not for us to bring you an authority except as Allah permits. And on Allah let all men of faith put their trust. (Surah 14, Ibrahim, verse 11).

13) And before thee also the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: if ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message. (Surah 16, An-Nahl, verse 43).

14) Say: "Glory to my Lord! Am I aught but a man, - a messenger?" What kept men back from belief when Guidance came to them, was nothing but this: they said, "Has Allah sent a man (like us) to be (His) Messenger." (Surah 17, Bani Isra-il, verse 93 (part) and verse 94).

15) Say: "I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me, that your Allah is one Allah. Whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner. (Surah 18, Al-Kahf, verse 110).

16) Before thee, also, the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: If ye realize this not, ask of those who possess the Message.(Surah 21, Al-Anbiyya, verses 7-8).

17) We granted not to any man before thee permanent life (here): if then thou shouldst die, would they live permanently? Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. To Us must ye return. (Surah 21, Al-Anbiyya, verses 34-35).

18) Truly thou wilt die (one day), and truly they (too) will die (one day). (Surah 39, Az-Zumar, verse 30).

19) Say thou: "I am but a man like you: It is revealed to me by Inspiration, that your Allah is one Allah. So stand true to Him, and ask for His Forgiveness." And woe to those who join gods with Allah (Surah 41, Ha-Mim, verse 6).

20) He (Jesus) was no more than a servant: We granted Our favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel. (Surah 43, Al-Zukhruf, verse 59).

21) Therefore do thou hold Patience, - a Patience of beautiful (contentment) (Surah 70, Al-Ma-arij, verse 5).

22) And thou wast not (able) to recite a Book before this (Book came), nor art thou (able) to transcribe it with thy right hand: In that case, indeed, would the talkers of vanities have doubted.

(Surah 29, Al-Ankabut, verse 48).

23) O Prophet! Why holdest thou to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to thee? Thou seekest to please thy consorts. But Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah 66, Al-Tahrim, verse 1).

24) (The Prophet) frowned and turned away, because there came to him the blind man

(interrupting). But what could tell thee but that perchance he might grow in spiritual understanding? - Or that he might receive admonition, and the teaching might profit him? As to one who regards himself as self-sufficient, to him dost thou attend though it is no blame to thee if he grow not (in spiritual understanding). But as to him who came to thee striving earnestly, and with fear (in his heart), of him wast thou unmindful. (Surah 80, Abasa, verses 1 to 10).

25) It is not fitting for a messenger that he should have prisoners of war until he hath thoroughly

subdued the land. Ye look for the temporal goods of this world; but Allah looketh to the

Hereafter: And Allah is Exalted in might, Wise. Had it not been for a previous ordainment

from Allah, a severe penalty would have reached you for the (ransom) that ye took. (Surah 12, Al-Anfal, verses 67-68).

26) Not for thee, but for Allah, is the decision: Whether He turn in mercy to them, or punish them; for they are indeed wrong-doers. (Surah 3, Al-Imran, verse 128).

28) It is not fitting, for the Prophet and those who believe, that they should pray for forgiveness for Pagans, even though they be of kin, after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire. (Surah 9, Al-Tauba, verse 113).

29) Nor do thou ever pray for any of them that dies, nor stand at his grave; for they rejected Allah and His Messenger, and died in a state of perverse rebellion. (Surah 9, Al-Tauba, verse 84).

30) When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say, "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Messenger of Allah." Yea, Allah knoweth that thou art indeed His Messenger, and Allah beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars. (Surah 63, Al-Munafiqun, verse 1).

31) Nor say of anything, "I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow"-  Without adding, "So please Allah." and call thy Lord to mind when thou forgettest, and say, "I hope that my Lord will guide me ever closer (even) than this to the right road."(Surah 18, Al-Kahf, verses 23-24).

32) And the messengers whom We sent before thee were all (men) who ate food and walked through the streets: We have made some of you as a trial for others: will ye have patience? for Allah is One Who sees (all things). (Surah 25, Al-Furqan, verse 20).

33) Narrated Aisha: Abu Bakr came riding his horse from his dwelling place in As-Sunh. He got down from it, entered the Mosque and did not speak with anybody till he came to me and went direct to the Prophet (Peace be upon him), who was covered with a marked blanket. Abu Bakr uncovered his face. He knelt down and kissed him and then started weeping and said, "My father and my mother be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Prophet! Allah will not combine two deaths on you. You have died the death which was written for you."

Narrated Abu Salama from Ibn Abbas : Abu Bakr came out and 'Umar , was addressing the people, and Abu Bakr told him to sit down but 'Umar refused. Abu Bakr again told him to sit down but 'Umar again refused. Then Abu Bakr recited the Tashah-hud (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle) and the people attended to Abu Bakr and left 'Umar. Abu Bakr said, "Amma ba'du, whoever amongst you worshipped Muhammad (Peace be upon him), then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is alive and will never die. Allah said: 'Muhammad is no more than an Apostle and indeed (many) Apostles have passed away before him  ... (up to the) grateful.' " (3.144) (The narrator added, "By Allah, it was as if the people never knew that Allah had revealed this verse before till Abu Bakr recited it and then whoever heard it, started reciting it ") (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 2, Book 23, Number 333: Book of Funerals (Janaaiz)) (Islambase Publications).

34) Narrated 'Abdullah: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) prayed (and the subnarrator Ibrahim said, "I do not know whether he prayed more or less than usual"), and when he had finished the prayers he was asked, "O Allah's Apostle (Peace be upon him)! Has there been any change in the prayers?" He said, "What is it?' The people said, "You have prayed so much and so much." So the Prophet (Peace be upon him) bent his legs, faced the Qibla and performed two prostrations (of Sahu) and finished his prayers with Tasiim (by turning his face to right and left saying: 'As-Salamu'Alaikum-Warahmat-ullah'). When he turned his face to us he said, "If there had been anything changed in the prayer, surely I would have informed you but I am a human being like you and liable to forget like you. So if I forget remind me and if anyone of you is doubtful about his prayer, he should follow what he thinks to be correct and complete his prayer accordingly and finish it and do two prostrations (of Sahu)." (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 8, Number 394: Book of Prayer [Salat]) (Islambase Publications).

35) Narrated Ibn 'Umar: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of someone but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them offer the prayer." (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 2, Book 18, Number 152: Book of Eclipses) (Islambase Publications).

36) Narrated Um Salama: (the wife of the Prophet) Allah's Apostle (Peace be upon him) heard some people quarreling at the door of his dwelling. He came out and said, "I am only a human being, and opponents come to me (to settle their problems); maybe someone amongst you can present his case more eloquently than the other, whereby I may consider him true and give a verdict in his favor. So, if I give the right of a Muslim to another by mistake, then it is really a portion of (Hell) Fire, he has the option to take or give up (before the Day of Resurrection)." (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 3, Book 43, Number 638: Book of Oppressions [Zulm; Fitna]) (Islambase Publications).

37) Narrated 'Umar: I heard the Prophet (Peace be upon him) saying, "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle." (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 55, Number 654: Book of the Prophets) (Islambase Publications).

38) Narrated Zaid bin Arqam: While I was taking part in a Ghazwa. I heard 'Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Abi Salul) saying. "Don't spend on those who are with Allah's Apostle, that they may disperse and go away from him. If we return (to Medina), surely, the more honorable will expel the meaner amongst them." I reported that (saying) to my uncle or to 'Umar who, in his turn, informed the Prophet of it. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) called me and I narrated to him the whole story. Then Allah's Apostle (Peace be upon him) sent for 'Abdullah bin Ubai and his companions, and they took an oath that they did not say that. So Allah's Apostle (Peace be upon him) disbelieved my saying and believed his. I was distressed as I never was before. I stayed at home and my uncle said to me. "You just wanted Allah's Apostle to disbelieve your statement and hate you." So Allah revealed (the Sura beginning with) 'When the hypocrites come to you.' (63.1) The Prophet (Peace be upon him) then sent for me and recited it and said, "O Zaid! Allah confirmed your statement." (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 6, Book 60, Number 423: Book of Prophetic Commentary on the Quran [Tafseer]) (Islambase Publications).