Beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as 'Noor-ul-Bashar'

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Noor-ul-Bashar (both light and human).

In the Light of Quran:

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is the Light of Allah, something a believer can say because the Qur’an affirms it in the verse:

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا كُنْتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَعْفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٍ قَدْ جَاءَكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ

[Maidah 5:15] O People given the Book(s)! Indeed this Noble Messenger (Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) of Ours has come to you, revealing to you a lot of the things which you had hidden in the Book, and forgiving a lot of them; indeed towards you has come a light from Allah, and a clear Book. ( The Holy Prophet is a light from Allah).

The Great Mufassir of Quran Allama Aalusi (Rahmatûllah Alaìh) writes under this aayah:

عظيم وهو نور الأنوار والنبـي المختار صلى الله عليه وسلم

Translation:

He is the great Light upon Lights (Noor al- Anwaar) and Nabi al-Mukhtar (i.e. given power by Allah to make Laws) – [Al-Aalusi in Rooh al Ma’ani under 5:15]

Some persons believe that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is only a human being and not Noor (light). They say so based on the reason that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had wives, had children, and he used to eat and drink. The Aqeeda of the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama’at is that he is both Noor and a human being.

The being and existence of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is even before that of human beings, but when he came into this world he came in the garb of a human being.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated, “The very first thing which Almighty Allah created was my Noor.” (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan; Madarijun Nabuiwat)

Once Sayyiduna Jaabir (radi Allahu anhu) asked the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) whom Allah Ta’ala created before anything else. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) stated: “O Jaabir! Verily, before the creation of anything else, Almighty Allah created the Noor of your Nabi from His Noor.” (Muwahibul Laduniya; Zirkani Shareef)

The Sahaba of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) lived with him and observed him with his wives and children. They saw him eating, drinking, talking, etc. but still accepted him to be Noor.

We know that Sayyiduna Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) is made of Noor but when he used to appear before Sayyiduna Maryam (radi Allahu anha) he used to appear in the form of a human being. Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Quran: “Thus he used to appear before her in the form of a healthy (well-built) man.” (Part 16, Ruku 5).

Sayyiduna Umar Farooq (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that once a person came before them. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) asked him if he knew who that person was, he replied: “Allah Ta’ala and His beloved Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) know better.” The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that it was Jibraeel (alaihis salaam). (Mishkaat; Bukhari Shareef).

This Hadith proves that although the Sahaba referred to Sayyiduna Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) as a man since they saw him in the form of a human being, yet they accepted that he was in actual fact an Angel made from Noor. On many instances, he came in the form of Sahabi-e-Rasool named Sayyiduna Wahia Kalbi (radi Allahu anhu).

Sayyidah Halima Sa’adiya (radi Allahu anha), the wet-nurse of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), believed the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to be Noor. She said that when she used to feed the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) milk in his infancy, she never felt the need for a light in her house. (Bayaanul Miladun Nabwi; Tafseer Mazhari).

Sayyidah Safiya (radi Allahu anha), the aunt of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) states that on the eve of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) she was present in his house. She said that she saw his Noor became more powerful than the light from the lamp. (Shawaahidun Nubuiwat)

Sayyiduna Ali Murtuza (radi Allahu anhu) said that when the Beloved of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) spoke, Noor (light) used to be seen emerging from between his blessed teeth. (Muwahibul Laduniya; Anwaarul Muhammadiyah)

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) states that when the beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) smiled, then the walls use to glow with his Noor. (Muwahibul Laduniya; Shifa Shareef)

Sayyiduna Anas (radi Allahu anhu) states that the day in which the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) arrived in Madinatul Munawwarah, everything in Madinatul Munawwarah became bright through his Noor. (Tirmizi Shareef; Ibn Majah)

Ummul Mo’mineen, Sayyidah Aisha Siddiqa (radi Allahu anha) is recorded to have said: “In total dark nights, I used to put the thread into a needle with the help of the Noor of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).” (Shara Shifa Bar Hashia Naseemur Riaz)

Sayyiduna Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) praises the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in the following poem: “You are that Noor that the full Moon is brightened by your Noor and you are with your beauty and elegance a shining sun.” (Qasidaul Nu’maan)

Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari (radi Allahu anhu) reports: I asked: “O Prophet of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), What did the Almighty Allah first create?” The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied: “Allah first created my Noor (Light) of His Noor. This Noor travelled about according to the Will of Allah. At that time, there was no Heaven, Hell, Lawh (Divine Tablet), Pen, Earth, Skies, Sun, Moon, Jinn or Human Beings. When He decided to create, He divided that Noor into four parts. From one part He created the Pen, from the second, the Lawh and from the third, he made the Arsh (Throne). “He divided the fourth part into a further four parts. From one, He created those Angels who carry the Arsh, from the second, the Kursi (Divine Chair) and from the third, He created the Angels. “He again divided the remaining parts into a further four parts. From one, He created the skies. The second was used in creating the planets. From the third, Heaven and Earth were created. “Once again, He divided the fourth part into a further four parts. From one part He created the power with which the believers see. From the second, He created in the hearts of the Believers the Noor of Marifat. From the third, He created in the tongues of the Believers, Noor, so that they can read the Kalima of Tauheed”. (Dalaa’il-un-Nubuwwat, Imam Baihaqi).

Hazrat Uthman رضِی الله عنه was widely knowns as Dhun-Noorayn (the one with the two lights). Allama Badr al-Din al-Ayni said in his commentary (sharh) on Sahih al-Bukhari that it was said to Al-Muhallab ibn Abī Ṣufrā: Why was 'Uthman called Dhu'n-Noorayn? He said: Because we did not know anyone who married two daughters of a Prophet except him ('Umdat al Qari, Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari 16/201). 'Abd-Allah ibn 'Umar ibn A'ban al-Ju'fi said: My maternal uncle Husayn al-Ju'fi said to me: O my son, do you know why 'Usman was called Dhu'n-Noorayn? I said: I do not know. He said: No one else was ever married to two daughters of a Prophet, from the time Allah created Adam untiI the Hour will begin, except 'Uthman (Sunan al-Kubra lil Bayhaqi, 7/73).

Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has made the Beloved and Blessed Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم a matchless human and has also blessed him with physical and spiritual Noor. A great thinker of the Ummah, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: The Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is a human as well as Noor. He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is a human in visible and physical appearance but is Noor in reality. (Risalah Noor ma’ Rasaail Na’eemiyyah, pp. 39)

Noor of Muhammad, the very first creation

When Sayyiduna Jabir رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ asked about the very first creation, so the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, declaring himself to be Noor, ‘O Jabir! Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ created the Noor of your Nabi before all other creatures.’ (Al-Musannaf, pp. 63, Hadees 18; Al-Mawahib-ul-Ladunniyyah, vol. 1, pp. 36)

Sayyiduna Imam Zayn-ul-‘Aabideen رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ stated: The Greatest and Noblest Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: ‘Fourteen thousand years before the creation of Aadam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, I was Noor in the court of Allah.’ (Al-Mawahib-ul-Ladunniyyah, vol. 1, pp. 39)

He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم further said: When Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ created Aadam, so He عَزَّوَجَلَّ granted superiority to his sons over his other sons. He (Sayyiduna Aadam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام) observed their superiority over others. (The Revered and Renowned Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then said) At the end, Aadam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام saw me in the form of an elevated Noor, so he humbly asked in the Divine court, ‘O my Lord! Who is he?’ Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ said, ‘He is your son, Ahmad. He is the first one as well as the last one. And he will be the first to make intercession.’ (Dalaail-un-Nubuwwah lil-Bayhaqi, vol. 5, pp. 483)

Remarks of companions about Noor of Mustafa

Blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم witnessed the beautiful and blessed scenes of the Noor of the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, so they expressed them in their own manner.

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Abbas رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا said: There was space between the front blessed teeth of the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. When he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم talked, Noor would appear through them. (Al-Jami’-us-Sagheer, pp. 403, Hadees 6482)

Commenting on the above Hadees, Shaykh-ul-Islam ‘Allamah ‘Abdur Ra`oof Manaawi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: This Noor was felt. And his entire blessed body was Noor apparently as well as innerly. He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would even bestow Noor upon companions whomever he wanted, as was bestowed upon Sayyiduna Tufayl Bin ‘Amr Dausee رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ. (Fayd-ul-Qadeer, vol. 5, pp. 93, summarized)7

Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا stated: ‘The needle that went missing at the time of Sahr was found in the ray of light from his blessed face.’ (Al-Qaul-ul-Badi’, pp. 302, summarized)

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ stated: ‘When the Greatest and Noblest Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم smiled, the surroundings would brighten.’ (Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq, vol. 10, pp. 242, Hadees 20657)

Noor as well as human

Remember! Noor and humanness are not opposite to each other and can go together. Sayyiduna Jibra`eel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام has been created with Noor but he appeared in front of Sayyidatuna Maryam رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا in the form of a human. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ said:

فَاَرْسَلْنَاۤ اِلَیْهَا رُوْحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِیًّا(۱۷)

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: We therefore sent Our Spiritual One (Jibra`eel) towards her, he appeared before her in the form of a healthy man. (Part 16, Surah Maryam, Ayah 17)

Furthermore, the angel of death came to Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام in the form of a human. (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 450, Hadees 1339)

Belief of pious predecessors

Great commentators of the Holy Quran, leading scholars of Hadees and Islamic jurisprudence and prominent saints have also stated the fact that the Beloved and Blessed Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is Noor. Commenting on the Ayah of the Quran

‘قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ نُوْرٌ وَّ كِتٰبٌ مُّبِیْنٌۙ(۱۵)’

Indeed towards you has come a light (Nabi Muhammad) from Allah, and a clear Book (Quran). (Part 6, Surah Al-Ma`idah, Ayah 15), a large number of commentators including Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad Bin Jareer Tabari (who passed away in 310 AH), Imam Abu Muhammad Husayn Baghawi (who passed away in 510 AH), Imam Fakhruddin Raazi (who passed away in 606 AH), Imam Naasiruddin ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr Baydawi (who passed away in 685 AH), ‘Allamah Abul Barakaat ‘Abdullah Nasafi (who passed away in 710 AH), ‘Allamah Abul Hasan ‘Ali Bin Muhammad Khaazin (who passed away in 741 AH), Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti Shaafi’i (who passed away in 911 AH) رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی have declared that the word “Noor” in the above blessed Ayah refers to the blessed being of the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Sayyiduna ‘Allamah Qadi Iyaad Maliki رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه (who passed away in 544 AH) has stated, ‘The shadow of the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would not appear on the ground in the light of sun and moon because he is Noor.’ (Ash-Shifa, vol. 1, pp. 368)

Noor of Ambiya covered by Noor of Mustafa

The commentator of the book ‘Bukhari’, Imam Ahmad Bin Muhammad Qastalani رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه (who passed away in 923 AH) stated: When Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ created the Noor of our Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, so He عَزَّوَجَلَّ ordered it to see the Noor of all Ambiya. So Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ covered the Noor of all Ambiya with the Noor of our Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. They humbly said, ‘O Lord! Whose Noor has covered us?’ Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ said, ‘هٰذَا نُوۡرُ مُحَمَّدِ ابۡنِ عَبۡدِ اللّٰهِ’ this is the Noor of Muhammad (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم) who is the son of ‘Abdullah. If you believe in him, so I will make you Nabi.’ (Al-Mawahib-ul-Ladunniyyah, vol. 1, pp. 33)

In order to get detailed information about the Noor of Mustafa صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, it will be very useful to read the booklet ‘صِلَات الصَّفَاءِ فِيۡ نُوۡرِ الۡمُصۡطَفٰي’ contained in the 30th volume of Fatawa Razawiyyah authored by A’la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, as well as the 64-page booklet ‘Risala-e-Noor’ contained in Rasaail Na’eemiyyah authored by a great thinker of the Ummah Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه.