KNOWLEDGE OF UNSEEN OF PROPHET MOHAMMAD (SAWS) IN THE LIGHT OF QURAN AND AHADITH
Allah (SWT) knows about Himself and knows everything about His creations. In this category, there is nothing 'Unseen' for Allah (SWT). Therefore, whenever we talk about 'Unseen', it will be with reference to creatures and not with reference to Allah (SWT).
(1) It is in Quran - " Say (O'Prophet - SAWS) I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah (SWT) wills. If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith". ( Al-Araf- 188).
(2) It is in Quran - " With Him are the keys of the unseen, the treasures that none knows but He. He knows whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is (inscribed) in a record clear (to those who can read)". ( Al-An'aam - 59).
(3) It is in quran - " (Say O'Prophet - SAWS) None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah (SWT), knows what is hidden; nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment) - (An-Namal - 65).
(4) It is in Quran - "Aalimul Ghaibi wash Shahadah" (Al-Hashr - 22) - meaning Allah (SWT) knows everything that is hidden and visible to His creatures.
The above Quranic verses confirm the fact that Allah (SWT) knows the minutest details about His creatures. He also knows about the creatures who will be created in future or the creatures that will remain hidden from the people (for ever). Thus we cannot refer knowledge of Unseen towards Allah (SWT). For Him, everything is "seen".
When Allah (SWT) says He has the knowledge of unseen, it means that He has knowledge about everything that is unseen by human beings. Therefore, the reference of 'unseen' is related to Human beings, not with Allah (SWT).
There are different categories of Knowledge of Unseen given by Allah (SWT) to his chosen servants.
It is in Quran - 'Those who believe on the 'Unseen', and establish Salah and spend from what We (Allah - SWT) has given them. (Al-Baqara - 3).
(i) In the first category of Unseen, Allah (SWT) bestows the knowledge about (a) Himself (Zaat), (b) His attributes (Sifaat), (c) how the cosmos was created, (d) how life is being nurtured in the cosmos, (e) what is the purpose of our creation and (f) what is the right path for our salvation. This knowledge of 'Unseen' is generally bestowed upon the Prophets.
In this category, 'the knowledge of Unseen' in its most comprehensive and absolute format, is naturally associated with Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) as he is 'Sayyidul Anbiyaa' (SAWS) (Chief of All Prophets - Alaihis salaam ajma'een) and 'Sayyidul Khalaa'eq' (Master/origin/root of all Creations) and "Rahmatul lil Aalameen" (Mercy upon all worlds).
It is in Quran - "Wa allamat ma'alam takun ta'alam - meaning 'And We (Allah -SWT) taught you (O'Prophet - SAWS) about the things you did not know'.
It is in Quran – ‘ The Unity of Allah (SWT) is pure, who took His Servant (Mohammad Rasulullah –SAWS) in one night from the honored mosque (Masjid-e-Haraam) to the Al Aqsa mosque around which We have given abundance of virtue, so that We (Allah - SWT) show him our signs and traces of Omnipotence (which were unseen by any one in the cosmos). Without doubt He is the (only) one who sees and listens.’ (Bani Isra’el – 1).
It is in Quran – ‘The Mighty in power (Allah –SWT) has offered him (Prophet Mohammad –SAWS) the knowledge. So (equipped), he stood well poised. (With the perfect vision attained) at the highest horizon. Then he (the Prophet –SAWS) approached closer and hung (by Allah -SWT). Then (both) closed up like two bows, and indeed more closely. And He revealed to His servant (Prophet Mohammad –SAWS) What He wanted to reveal. The heart of Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) did not distrust what he saw. Will you people wrangle over what he beheld (saw). For indeed he beheld Him (Allah –SWT) yet again. Near the Lote tree lying farthest beyond which no one can go. Lying close to the Heaven of Rest. When the Lote tree was being enveloped by what it was to be enveloped with (a mystery not disclosed). His (Prophet Mohammad –SAWS) sight did not blink or did it miss anything. Indeed he saw clearly the greatest of the signs of his Lord’. (An-Najm – 1-18).
It is in Hadith (Tirmidhi and Mishkaat) - It is narrated by Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RU), he said that the Prophet (SAWS) said - 'My Sustainer came to me in a very good face and said, O'Mohammad (SAWS), I submitted 'Yes, my Sustainer (Rab), present', He said, do you know that the sublime angels argue with each other in what?, I submitted, I do not know'. Then He placed His hands of Omnipotence (Dust-e-Qudrah) in between my shoulders and I found the coolness of the hand into my chest and then I knew whatever there is, in the skies and the earth.
It is in Hadith - the Prophet (SAWS) said 'Ooteetul ilmal awwaleena wal Aakhireen" (Meaning - I have been bestowed with the knowledge of the past (present) and future creations.
Prominent scholars like al-Haytami, al-Qari, Abu’l Su`ud, and many others stated that the Prophet (SAWS) had knowledge of everything encompassed in the tablet and pen.
The sources of knowledge of Unseen of Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) are: (a) Direct, (b) Indirect, and (c) Prophetic Vision.
Direct Knowledge - The above Ahadith and verses refer to the direct knowledge bestowed upon him.
Indirect knowledge - The Quran, was sent to Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) as official document via Hazrat Jibreel (AS).
Prophetic Vision - In addition to the above two sources, the knowledge of Unseen was disclosed to Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) by way of "Prophetic vision". In this category, the World of Souls (Aalam-e-Arwah), the World of Similitude (Aalam-e-Mithaal) and Prophetic Dreams are included.
There are many Ahadith that describe the events unfolded in the past or that will happen in future till the Day of Resurrection and beyond. This knowledge was bestowed to Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) directly from "Ilm-e-Elahi" (Allah's -SWT knowledge). Under this category he might have witnessed how things unfolded in the past or will happen in future. Or may be he was simply informed about them by Allah (SWT) directly.
It is in Hadith - Abu Dharr (RU) narrates; “When the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) left us, there was not a bird that flies in the sky but that he had given us some knowledge about it.” (Ibn Hanbal & Tabarani)
It is in Hadith - Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) said that “Uthman (RU) will be martyred whilst reciting Quran. Perhaps Allah (SWT) will have him wearing a shirt. They will want to remove it and his blood will fall on the words of Allah (SWT)” (Bukhari & Muslim).
It is in Hadith - Anas (RU) narrates that the Beloved Messenger of Allah (SAWS), Abu Bakr Siddeeq (RU), Umar bin Khattab (RU) and Uthman bin Affan (RU) were climbing Mount Uhud. The mountain shook from under them, the Beloved Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said ‘Be firm Uhud, a Prophet, a Truthful person (Siddeeq) and Two martyrs are walking on you” (Bukhari & Ibn Majah).
Why Quran was sent via Hazrat Jibreel (AS)?
It is for the simple reason that people should see from their eyes how official documents are sent to Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) from Allah (SWT).
(ii) The second category of the knowledge of Unseen is related with As-haab-e-Rasulullah (SAWS), and Awliya Allah.
In this category, certain things are disclosed to the select people by Prophet Mohammad (SAWS). It is in Sahih Hadith, Prophet (SAWS) disclosed the names of the hypocrites (Munafiqun) to one of his companions, Hadhrat Hudhaifa al-Yamani (RU) .
Similarly, certain things are disclosed to Awliya Allah by way of 'unveiling' (Kashf / vision), dreams, etc. On Some favorites of Allah, Aalam-e-Mithaal /Aalam-e-Barzaq are opened. They can see everything and can communicate with the people there.
It is in Quran - "Behold the friends of Allah -SWT! On them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve. These are they, who have believed in Allah-SWT and are mindful of (close to) Him and (have consequently abstained from everything evil). To them tidings come (from Allah -SWT) of a happy life both in this world and in Hereafter. The word of Allah -SWT is never revoked. This in itself is a great felicity (Younus - 62-64).
There are certain big categories of Awliya Allah who are known as al-Aqtaab and al-Abdaal. The biggest among them is known as Ghouse.
Muslims consider Imam Abu Hanifa (r) as Imam-e-Azam. Similarly among Sufi Shaikhs, Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qaader Jeelani (r) is known as Ghousul Azam.
Some Muslims do not know or understand about the above categorization of Awliya Allah. They are not aware of special beneficence of Allah (SWT) upon them. Some Muslim sects, particularly Salafis and their like minded groups, deny the above status of Awliya Allah and make fun of these titles. What can we say about these people except that they would like to remain ignorant from Quran and Sunnah. They do not realize that these titles were given to them by Allah (SWT) and Prophet Mohammad (SAWS).
It is in Hadith - Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal narrates in his Musnad (1:112).
The people of Syria were mentioned in front of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RU) when he was in Iraq, and they said: "Curse them, O' Commander of the Believers." He replied: "No, I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) say: The "al-abdaal" (the big spiritual rank of Awliya Allah - translated in English as 'Substitutes') are in Syria and they are forty men, every time one of them dies, Allah (SWT) substitutes another in his place. By means of them Allah (SWT) brings down the rain, gives (Muslims) victory over their enemies, and averts punishment from the people of Syria."
Al-Haythami said: "The men (narrators) in this Hadith's chains are all those of the Sahih except for Sharih ibn 'Ubayd, and he is (indeed) trustworthy (Thiqa)."
Sakhawi also mentions this narration in his Maqasid (p. 33 #8).
This Hadith confirms the titles of Awliya Allah, their status among Muslims and reiterates that because of them Allah (SWT) " brings down the rain, gives Muslims victory over their enemies". This shows that Allah (SWT) loves his Awliya Allah and because of them many things are given to people.
Ibn Taymiyyah has expressed doubts on this Hadith and said that these may be the words of Hazrat Ali (RU).
Even if Ibn Taymiyyah considers these words to be of Hazrat Ali (RU); this Hadith must be accepted by all Salafis and their like minded people because, we all know that all Ahadith books also contain sayings of important As-haabe Rasulullah (SAWS). And Hadith Scholars and experts of the Science of Ahadith are united that anything "authentically conveyed from any of the Companions is also considered as acceptable (on par with Ahadith)."
Let us see some more Ahadith in this context that are not disputed by any of the Muslim sects.
It is in Hadith - Tabarani said in his Mu'jam al-Awsat - that Anas (RU) said that the Prophet (SAWS) said: "The earth will never lack forty men similar to the Friend of the Merciful (Prophet Ibrahim - AS) and through them people receive rain and are given help. None of them dies except Allah (SWT) substitutes (Abdaal) another in his place."
Commenting on the above Hadith, Qatada said: "We do not doubt that Al-Hasan al-Basri is one of them (abdaal)."
Ibn Hibban also narrates this Hadith in al-Tarikh through Abu Hurayra as: "The earth will never lack forty men similar to Ibrahim (AS) the Friend of the Merciful, and through whom you are helped, receive your sustenance, and receive rain."
Imam Ahmad narrated another Hadith in his Musnad (5:322) through Ibn Ata: The Prophet (SAWS) said: "The Substitutes (Abdaal) in this Community are thirty like Ibrahim (AS) the Friend of the Merciful. Every time one of them dies, Allah (SWT) substitutes another one in his place."
Tirmidhi cites the above Hadith in Nawadir al-Usul and Imam Ahmad's student, Al-Khallal, has mentioned this Hadith in his book Karamat al-Awliya'.
It is in Hadith - Abu Dawud has mentioned the following Hadith through three different authentic chains in his book "Sunan" Chapter -"Book of the Mahdi" (English #4273), and Imam Ahmad has mentioned this Hadith in his Musnad (6:316), and Ibn Abi Shayba has mentioned this Hadith in his Musannaf.
Abu Ya'la, al-Hakim, and Bayhaqi narrated that Umm Salama (RA) the wife of the Prophet (SAWS) related that the Prophet (SAWS) said: "Disagreement will occur at the death of a Caliph and a person from the people of Madina will come forth flying to Makka. Some of the people of Makka will come to him, bring him out against his will, and swear allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqaam (of Khana-e-Ka'aba). An expeditionary force will then be sent against him from Syria but will be swallowed up in the desert between Makka and Madina; and when the people see that, the Substitutes (abdaal) of Syria and the best people of Iraq will come to him and swear allegiance (bay'a on his hands) to him between the rukn and the maqaam..." (of Khana-e-Kaaba).
This Hadith establishes 'Karamat-e-Awliya Allah", that they can travel flying long distances within seconds and can communicate with people located at far off places.
Who is the person (came flying from Madinah to Makka) the Prophet (SAWS) is referring in the Hadith? (He may be) The Ghouse at that time.
There is a mention of people doing "bay'a" (Promise of allegiance) on the hands of this person in the Hadith. Promise of allegiance is done by all Muslims on the hands of the Khalifa-e-Islam only. Then why everyone, who new about the status of this person, went to do bay'a on his hands?
The Hadith establishes the following important facts.
There are two Khalifa-e-Islam. One is hidden and the other is apparent. The hidden Khalifa-e-Islam is also known as Ghouse. In the early Caliphate there was no need for two Khalifa-e-Islam. The four rightful Caliphs served the purpose of both Caliphates, hidden and apparent. After these rightful Caliphs, the 'apparent' Caliphate went into the hands of worldly monarchs. And the hidden Caliphate continued with the pious and deserving As-habe-Rasulullah; and after them, the deserving Awliya-e-Kubaar.
Ghouse will continue to come in the world till the Day of Resurrection. Imam Mahdi (AS), who will appear before Qiyamah, is considered to be among the major Aghwaas / rightful Caliph of Mohammad Rasulullah (SAWS) who will hold both the Caliphates, hidden as well as 'apparent'.
It is in Hadith - Imam Ahmad mentioned this Hadith in Kitab al-zuhd, also Ibn Abi al-Dunya, Abu Nu'aym, Bayhaqi, and Ibn 'Asakir narrated it - Wahb ibn Munabbih said: I saw the Prophet (SAWS) in my sleep, so I said: "Ya Rasulallah (SAWS), where are the Substitutes (abdaal) of your Community?" So he gestured with his hand towards Syria. I said: "Ya Rasulallah (SAWS), aren't there any in Iraq?" He said: "Yes, Muhammad ibn Wasi`, Hassan ibn Abi Sinan, and Malik ibn Dinar, who walk among the people similarly to Abu Dharr in his time."
The above Hadith confirms the following two things.
(a) Calling Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) as 'Ya Rasulullah (SAWS)' is a must. It is important because the great Imams of Fiqh and Ahadith ( Imam Ahmad, Ibn Abi al-Dunya, Abu Nu'aym, Bayhaqi, Ibn Asakir, etc. ) have mentioned this in their books and all their books were written after the death of Prophet Mohammad (SAWS).
Calling Prophet (SAWS) as 'Ya Rasulullah, Ya Habeeballah, Ya Mohammad, Ya Habeebana, Ya Mustafa (SAWS) (after his death) is also confirmed by Tirmizi, Nasa'i, Ibn Huzeema, Hakim and Baihaqi.
The following supplication (Dua) is mentioned in the books of all these Hadith scholars. The Dua also confirms that we must supplicate (make Dua') by taking the Waseelah of Prophet Mohammad (SAWS). As a matter of fact our Dua will not be accepted by Allah (SWT) if we do not send Durood on Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) before and after the Dua and seek Allah's favor by the mediation (Waseelah) of Prophet Mohammad (SAWS).
Allahumma inni as'aluka wa atwajjahu elaika bi habeebikal Mustafa indaka ya habeebana ya mohammadi inna natawassalu bika ila rabbika fashfa'a lanaa indal maulal a'zeemi ya ni'amar rasoolut tahiru. Allahumma shaffi'ahu feena bijaahihi indaka". (Tirmidhi, Nasai, Tabrani, Ibn Huzeema, Hakim, Baihaqi, and Salafi Scholar Al-Bani)
(Meaning - O'Allah (SWT) I implore, I beg to you with the mediation (waseelah) of your revered beloved (Prophet -SAWS) who is chosen by you. O' Beloved of the Al-mighty, O' Mohammad (SAWS) we implore to Allah (SWT) with your mediation (Waseelah). Kindly mediate (shafa'a) for us with the Exalted Almighty Allah. O' Sacred Apostle (SAWS), O' Allah (SWT), kindly accept the intercession (Shafa'a) of our Prophet (SAWS) for us in view of the "honor and grace (bi jaahihi indaka)" he has with you.
(b) Existence of great Awliya Allah in the world has been confirmed by Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) in this Hadith.
However, Awliya Allah and all their related issues remain hidden from general people. Those of us who have been bestowed with Islamic vision (kashf / unveiling) can recognize these Awliya Allah. The Hadith also indicates that an efficient hidden Administration of Allah (SWT) is in operation which is known only to a select few of us.
Nawawi in his book Bustan al-'arifin (1985 ed. p. 31) has mentioned that Muhaddith Hammad ibn Salama ibn Dinar (d. 167) was considered to be one of the abdaal.
Sakhawi in his narrations of the abdaal in his Maqasid (p. 33 #8) has stated:
QUOTE - What makes this Hadith (narrated by Hazrat Ali Ibne Abi Talib - RU mentioned above) stronger and indicates its currency among the Imams is the statement of our Imam, al-Shafi`i, concerning a certain person: "We considered him one of the abdaal".
Also, Bukhari's statement concerning another person: "They did not doubt that he was one of the abdaal."
And other than these two (among the highly acclaimed Imams), Qatada and Wahb also used to refer to certain people - stating that they were from the abdaal. UNQUOTE
Muslims should learn to respect Awliya Allah because they are not only favorites of Allah (SWT) but have been given special assignments in the world as is evident from the above Ahadith and Quranic verses.