Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 41
41 Malfuzat – Volume IV If ever such a one does experience any pain or grief, Allah the Exalted gives rise to such external means through His revelation that dispel these feelings or they are given miraculous patience. 1 The Station of the Holy Prophet sas Described in the Words ‘He Drew Nearer, Then He Came Down’ The words 2 ٰى ٰل َ ْد َفََتَ َا َّن َدَ (Then he drew nearer to God ; then he came down to mankind ) express the greatness of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. What this means is that the Holy Prophet sas first approached closer to Allah, then he came down to mankind. The excellence of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is one of the highest degree. The like of it cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Two stations of this excellence are referred to in this instance. Firstly, there is the Prophet’s ascent and secondly, his descent. First, the Messenger of Allah ascended towards Allah the Exalted, which means that he became so absorbed in the love of God Almighty, and in his sincerity and devotion towards Him that He was conferred so great a rank that the holy being of God Himself came down to meet Him, as it were. The word dunuw (to draw near) is more intense than aqrab (which means to come close) and this is why the former has been used in this context. When the Holy Prophet sas had partaken of the bounties and blessings of Allah Almighty he descended towards humanity to bless them with his mercy—the same mercy that Allah Almighty alludes to in the following words: 3 َِْيَْن َم َ ُل ٰ ُع ْ ُل ِ ْل ً ِة َْمَ ُح َ ُر َا ْل ِ ا ََٰك ْن ْ ُل َْسَ ُر َ ا ۤ ا َمَ We have sent thee not but as a mercy for all peoples. This is the underlying secret in the name of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that was Qasim (the one who distributes). For the Holy Prophet sas would receive from God whatever he was given and then he would share it with God’s creation. Therefore, in order to share with humanity, the Holy Prophet sas descended, as it were. So these words 4 ٰى ٰل َ ْد َفََتَ َا َّن َدَ speak of the Prophet’s ascent towards God and descent towards humanity. This is a proof of the high rank of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 1 Al-Hakam , vol. 9, no. 32, dated 10 September 1905, p. 8 2 an-Najm , 53:9 3 al-Anbiya , 21:108 4 an-Najm , 53:9