The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 571
XII - First Era of Life in Madīnah Comes to an End and the Islāmic System of Government 571. . . . . . . “By sending a Messenger to every nation, we have guided the people to worship God alone, and remain far from satanic paths; but it is unfortunate that only a few accepted our admonition, while others took the path of misguidance. 1 However, we have treated everyone equally, because there is no people to whom we have not furnished a means of guidance by sending a warner. ” 2 In accordance with this verse of the Holy Qur’ān, the religious founder of every nation of the world becomes a holy person for a Muslim. A Muslim is thus compelled to accept the religious leader of every nation in the capacity of a Prophet and Messenger. For this reason, Krishan of the Hindus, Gautama Buddha of the Buddhists, Confucius of the Chinese, Zoroaster of the Magians, Moses of the Jews, the Messiah of the Christians (may peace be upon them all), are all sacred Messengers of the same One Heavenly God, from whom the world received the light of guidance in their respective eras. In light of this blessed teaching, the Holy Prophet sa was so considerate of the honour of the religious leaders of other nations that on one occasion, when a Muslim expressed in a hurtful manner the superiority of the Holy Prophet sa over Moses as before a Jew, the Holy Prophet sa rebuked the Companion and said, “It is not your task to go about stating the superiority of certain prophets over others. ” Then, the Holy Prophet sa alluded to a partial superiority of Moses as and consoled the Jew. 3 On another occasion, when the Holy Prophet sa was returning from Ṭā’if to Makkah, he met a person named ‘ Addās, who mentioned that he was a native of Ninevah. The Holy Prophet sa spontaneously responded, “Ninevah! The city of Jonah, the son of Matthew! Jonah was my brother. I am a Messenger raised by the same God who appointed Jonah. ” 4 How blessed, attractive, 1 An-Naḥl (16:37) 2 Fāṭir (35:25) 3 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābu Aḥādīthil-Anbiyā’, Bābun Qaulullāhi Ta‘ālā Wa Inna Yūnusa La-Minal- Mursalīn, Ḥadīth No. 3414 4 * As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, pp. 301-302, Sa‘yur-Rasūli Ilā Thaqīfin Yaṭlubun-Nuṣrata / Qiṣṣatu ‘Addāsin-Naṣrāniyyi Ma‘ahū sa , Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)