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Allah Ta’ala has exalted the status and honour of His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to such an extent that is beyond the comprehension of the human mind and intellect. The Noor of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was the first thing Allah Ta’ala created and the entire creation was thereafter created from that Noor to honour Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). His name is found wherever the name of Allah Ta’ala is found, whether it is in the Heavens, the Arsh, Sidratul Muntaha, the Kalima, the Azaan, Salaah, etc. The remembrance of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has been taking place in every era in the Heavens and on the earth and will continue to take place till eternity. All the Prophets were made to recite the Kalima of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) on the Day of Covenant and they also sent Durood and Salaam upon him. There is no worship that does not entail the remembrance of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). {Al Kalaamul Awdah Fi Tafseer Surah Alam Nashrah}
This is just a glimpse of the honour of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). And as much as Allah Ta’ala becomes pleased with those who honour and respect Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), He also subjects those people who try to disrespect and insult Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to His Anger and Wrath.
The Holy Qur’an bears testament to the outcome of those people who try to insult or cause harm to Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Allah Ta’ala says, “And for those who hurt the Messenger of Allah, is a painful punishment.” {Surah 9:61} This is a warning for those who try to taint the supreme honour that Allah Ta’ala has granted to His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Whatever people do will not taint the honour of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam); however all they do is incur the Wrath of Allah Ta’ala upon themselves, for trying to do such a vile and despicable act.
The Holy Qur’an has described the punishment of sinners but the severest punishment is for the one who slanders the dignity of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Regarding these wretches, the Holy Qur’an sometimes states ‘Zaneem’ (despised) or sometimes ‘Abtar’ (cut off from every good). And at other places Allah Ta’ala states, “Allah will never forgive them. Indeed, Allah does not guide the transgressing people.” {Surah 63:6} Such severe punishment has not been mentioned for any transgressor. {Tafseer Noorul Irfaan}
When the blessed verse, “And O Beloved! Warn your closest relatives,” {Surah 26:214} was revealed, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) went upon the Hill of Saffa and called all his relatives to gather there and preached to them about the Oneness of Allah Ta’ala and Prophethood. On hearing this, Abu Lahab became infuriated and said, “May you perish! Did you assemble us here for this purpose?” In reply to this wretch, Allah Ta’ala revealed, “May the two hands of Abu Lahab be destroyed and he is already destroyed.” {Surah 111: 1}
Eventually Abu Lahab was infected with a sickness known in Arabic as Adsa. The people of Arabia would regard it as an infectious disease and would thereby safeguard themselves from it. For this reason the dead body of this reprobate remained untouched and due to the bursting of his stomach, a terrible odour emanated from it. As a result, the dead body was thrown away by hiring manual labourers. {Tafseer Baidawi}
The wife of Abu Lahab was Auraar and her appellation was Umm Jameela. She would carry bundles of wood with thorns from the jungle on her head and place them in the path of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), so that they could prick his blessed feet and cause pain and hardship to him.
Her enmity was so severe that in spite of being wealthy, she did not solicit the help of her servants but used to go to the jungle herself and carry the thorns on her head. This tells us that this too was a worldly punishment for this wicked woman because any head in which there is enmity and disrespect for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) will have thorns on it in this world as well as the Hereafter. Regarding her, Allah Ta’ala revealed, “And his wife too, carrying the bundle of wood. Around her neck shall be a rope of twisted fibre.” {Surah 111:4-5}
Once, on a very hot day, while she was carrying this bundle she sat on a rock to rest. By the order of Allah Ta’ala an angel pulled her bundle down, as a result of which the bundle fell backwards and caused strangulation and she died in a disgraceful manner. This is the penalty and outcome of those who show disrespect and enmity towards Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Once, the non-Muslim, Waleed ibn Mugheerah called Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) mad. This brought sorrow into the heart of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and incited Divine anger. As a result, Surah Qalam was revealed to Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for his consolation and his excellences were mentioned as follows, “By the pen and by that which it writes. By the Grace of your Lord you are not mad. And certainly, for you there is an endless reward. And certainly, you are on an excellent standard of character.” {Surah 68:1-4}
Thereafter the insolent Waleed became the target of Divine retribution and Allah Ta’ala then revealed ten faults of his, as stated in the Holy Qur’an, “Do not ever listen to any excessive oath-monger, disgraceful person, the excessive slanderer, going around with slander, excessive forbidder of good, transgressor, sinner, immoral, cruel and besides all this of illegitimate birth.” {Surah 68:10-13} This tells us that although Allah Ta’ala is no doubt the Concealer of faults, but for those who disrespect His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Allah Ta’ala will publicly disclose their faults.
On the revelation of this, Waleed came to his mother and said, “From the ten faults Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has attributed to me, I accept nine of them because I know I possess these defects. But tell me, am I of legitimate or illegitimate birth? Tell me the truth or I’ll slay your head!” The mother replied, “Yes you are illegitimate. Your father was very wealthy but impotent. I feared that after his death others would take his wealth, so I called a certain shepherd and you are the result of him and I.” {Tafseer Noorul Irfaan}
Allah Ta’ala further states, “We shall soon brand him over his swine-like snout.” {Surah 68:16} On the Day of Judgment, Waleed’s face will change to that of a swine on which there will be a specific mark. All the people on that day will recognize him, that this is the face of the insulter of the Beloved of Allah Ta’ala. {Tafseer Noorul Irfaan} Waleed’s face was deformed even in this world and whatever he will have to endure in the Hereafter will definitely be severe and harsh. {Tafseer Jalaalain}
It is clear that the honour of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is so exalted that Allah Ta’ala Himself deals with those who disrespect Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaih Wasallam). We also learn that those who show enmity and disrespect towards Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaih Wasallam) will not find peace in this world, nor in the Hereafter; and they will be disgraced and punished in both the worlds.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to have utmost respect for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), the Hidayat to cut off all ties with those who insult Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the courage to stand up for the honour of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Ameen.
