Bismillāh.
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يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ
O you wrapped up in your mantle!
(Sūrat al-Muzzammil, No.73, Āyat 1)
The Prophet Muhammad sallal-lāhu ‘alayhi wa-ālihi wasallam as the seal of prophethood and the most beloved Prophet of Allah is addressed differently from other Prophets in the Quran. Prophet Mūsā ‘alayhis-salām is one of the Ulul ‘Azm prophets and was given the Tawrāt. He is the Prophet most often mentioned in the Quran and is known as Kalīmullāh (one who talks to Allah). In many verses Allah ‘azza wajall addresses Prophet Mūsā by name: (يَا مُوسَى إِنِّي أَنَا رَبُّكَ) O Mūsā, Indeed I am your Lord! (Q 20:11-12). In another verse: (يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي اصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِرِسَالَاتِي وَبِكَلَامِي) O Mūsā, I have chosen you over the people with My messages and My speech (Q 7:144).
Other Prophets (a) are also addressed by their names:
يَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ
O Dāwūd! Indeed, We have made you a vicegerent on the earth (Q 38:26).
يَا يَحْيَىٰ خُذِ الْكِتَابَ بِقُوَّةٍ ۖ
And O Yahya! Hold on with power to the Book! (Q 19:12).
Even Prophet ‘Īsā (a) is addressed by his name:
يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَأَنتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِي وَأُمِّيَ إِلَٰهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ ۖ
And when Allah will say, ‘O Jesus son of Mary! Was it you who said to the people, ‘‘Take me and my mother for gods besides Allah’’? (Q 5:116).
It is only the Prophet Muhammad (s) who is not addressed directly by his name. His name is mentioned four times in the Quran but none of these four verses are a direct address to him. When Almighty Allah addresses His beloved (Habīb), he does lovingly and respectfully. The following are some verses which address him:
a) Yā Ayyuhar-Rasūl – O Messenger
يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ لَا يَحْزُنكَ الَّذِينَ يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْكُفْرِ
O Messenger! Do not grieve for those who are active in disbelief (Q 5:41)
See also verses 5:56 and 23:51.
b) Yā Ayyuhan-Nabī – O Prophet
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ حَسْبُكَ اللَّهُ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
O Prophet! Sufficient for you is Allah and those of the faithful who follow you (Q 8:64)
See also 9:33, 33:59.
c) Yaa Ayyuhal-Muzzammil
O you wrapped up in your mantle! (Q 73:1)
d) Yaa Ayyuhal-Muddathir
O you wrapped up in your mantle! (Q 74:1)
The distinction between the way the Prophet (s) is addressed, and the way other Prophets are addressed reveals the status of the Prophet (s). He was sent for the entire universe, as the final and most beloved Prophet. He was chosen for the most important duty and was found worthy of carrying out this huge task of leading the ummah and for being a guide for all times to come. The Almighty does not choose those who will carry out heavy responsibilities at random. Unlike human beings who may place responsibilities on undeserving shoulders, Allah chooses those who can bear the responsibility and perform it well.
The addresses to the Prophet (s) in the Quran are a reminder to believers that the Prophet (s) is unlike any other human being who walked on the earth. He has a unique position with Allah, distinctive and unmatched. No other Prophet, however great he might be, can be like him. Even when Allah addresses Prophet Ibrahim (a), the friend of Allah, after the great test He puts him through, he says:
وَنَادَيْنَاهُ أَن يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا ۚ
We called out to him, ‘O Ibrahim! You have indeed fulfilled your vision! (Q 37:104-105).
But the Prophet (s) is special. He cannot be addressed in the same way. The Quran teaches us subtly that you too should not treat him like the others. He is more revered than to be considered as just one of the Prophets.
As we celebrate the holy birth of Prophet Muhammad this week, the ummah should be grateful to the Almighty for sending His beloved Prophet and his Ahlul Bayt (a) as its guides and leaders. May we and our progeny always love and obey them dearly!