For All Mankind

“(O Prophet), We have not sent you forth but as a herald of glad tidings and a warner for all mankind. But most people do not know.”

(Al-Qur’an – 34:28)

The Holy Qur’an, at several places, asserts the fact that Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) has been appointed Prophet not only for his own country or for his own age but for all mankind, for all times and climes to come. The verse under study is one such.

Here, in a sort of communion with the Prophet, the Lord of the universe says that he (the Prophet) has been sent as a Prophet not for the people of his city, or his country, or his age alone, but for the people of the entire world and for ever. But, the irony of situation is that due to ignorance or willing suspension of Truth people do not recognise the worth of the Prophetic mission. They do not realise how great a person has been raised among them as a Prophet and how uniquely they have been blessed with by God.

In the Verse 19 of Surah Al-An’am, as per direction from the Lord, the Prophet says: “And this Qur'an has been revealed to me that I should thereby warn you and all those whom it may reach.”

In the Verse 158 of Surah Al-A’raf, the Lord directs the Prophet to say: “O mankind, I am a Messenger to all of you from Allah.” Similarly, in the Verse 107 of Surah Al-Anbiya, the Lord Almighty says to His Last Prophet: “O Prophet, We have sent you to be a real blessing for all the people of the world.”

It was meant for all mankind, to whom, if they turn to Allah, it is a Message of the glad tidings of His Mercy; and if they do not turn to Him, it is a warning against sin and the inevitable Punishment. That the Punishment does not come immediately (as far as they perceive) is no reason for doubting it. It has been declared in clear and unequivocal terms, and nothing can be more certain.