When Allah commissioned Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as His Messenger, unlike previous Messengers/Prophets who were sent to a selected few, he was sent to the entire humanity.
The message of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), therefore, is not for a select few, but for all of mankind and the spirits (jinns). He lived to serve not only the poor, but also the rich. His teachings and messages are not to benefit only the Arabs, but all races – including animals. His message is universal.
The above position is evident in some verses of the Holy Quran, such as seen in (Q.7:158, 34: 28 5: 72-77) and Sunnah, both of which form part of the sources of the Shari’ah law practised by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Consequently, the Shari’ah Law does not apply to the poor or less privileged only. It neither brooks sentiments nor hypocrisy. The Prophet (SAW) practised distributive judicial system that does not spare anyone, even his immediate family members.
The authentic narration below, as seen in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Hadith No. 1688) speaks to this:
Aisha reported: The Quraysh had been anxious about a woman who had committed theft and they said, “Who will speak to the Messenger of Allah about her?” Some said, “Who would dare to but Usama, one beloved by the Messenger of Allah?” Thus, Usama spoke to him and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do you intercede regarding a punishment prescribed by Allah?”
The Prophet (SAW) then stood up and addressed the people, saying: “O people, those who came before you were destroyed because if a person of high status committed theft among them, they would spare him, but if a person of lower class committed theft, they would apply the punishment upon him. By Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would have cut off her hand.”
The Prophet (SAW) said he would have implemented the Shari’ah of theft on his beloved daughter if she was found culpable, despite the fact that his daughter, Fatimah was a decent lady who devoted her life to Islam.
The Prophet (SAW) is our mentor and the best example for mankind who possessed the highest moral excellence as said by Allah in Qur’an 68:4, and 33:21. He is indeed the goodly model to follow.
On this note, we at Muslim News call on the all the custodians of Shari’ah Institutions across the world to be just and fair; and emulate the best of mankind in the practice and implementation of Allah’s divine law on mankind. In doing so, we’ll not give misguided people, who are morally and socially corrupt the opportunity to try to ridicule Islamic values and attempt to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouth, even though” Allah will (always) perfect His Light.” Qur’an 9:32, 61:8
