Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 364
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 364 the basis of that which is best’ (16:126). There is to be no compulsion whatever: ‘There shall be no compulsion in religion, for guidance and error have been clearly distinguished’ (2:257), and: ‘Proclaim: This is the truth from your Lord; then let him who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve’ (18:30). The Divine Message that was committed to the Holy Prophet is meant for the whole of mankind: ‘Proclaim, O Prophet: O mankind, verily I am Allah’s Messenger to you all. To Him belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth’ (7:159). Bokhari relates that the Holy Prophet said: ‘I have been bestowed five bounties, which distinguish me from previous Prophets. I have been helped with far - reaching prestige; the whole earth has been sanctified for me as a place of worship; the spoils of war have been made lawful for me; I have been permitted to intercede for people; all previous Prophets were raised for their respective people, and I have been raised for the whole of mankind. ’ The law of Islam is universal, permanent and irrevocable; as is said: ‘This day have I perfected your religion for your benefit, and have completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you Islam as your faith’ (5:4). It is narrated by Bokhari that on on e occasion, some Jews said to Umar, with reference to this verse, ‘Had this verse been revealed to us, we would have appointed the day of its revelation as a festival. ’ Umar replied, ‘God Himself has appointed that day as a festival for us, for this verse was revealed to the Holy Prophet on the day of pilgrimage at Arafat, the following day being the Festival of Sacrifice. ’ Muslim has related that the Holy Prophet said, ‘I am the last Prophet and my mosque