Debunking The Christian Prince: Obey The Messenger Before Allah?
Christian Prince’s Argument:
Christian Prince argues that Muslims, despite claiming to be pure monotheists, are not truly monotheistic because they engage in practices that resemble idol worship. He cites the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) kissing the Black Stone in the Kaaba during the pilgrimage (Hajj). According to him, this act indicates that Muslims venerate an object in a way that contradicts the notion of pure monotheism. He also claims that Muslims effectively worship both Allah and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) because of the reverence shown to the Prophet, especially in light of hadiths that mention obedience to the Prophet as equivalent to obedience to Allah. Christian Prince supports his argument by quoting Sahih Muslim, narrated by Amr ibn al-‘As, specifically Hadith 6985, and Surah An-Nisa (4:80), which he interprets as suggesting that Muslims are worshiping Muhammad alongside Allah.
Debunking the Argument:
- Kissing the Black Stone: The act of kissing the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) during the pilgrimage is not an act of worship in Islam. The Black Stone is revered as a symbolic object, believed to have been given by Allah to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) for the Kaaba. Muslims kiss it as a symbolic gesture of respect and to follow the tradition established by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This practice is not an act of worship but an act of following the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet, who himself kissed the stone.
In Islam, worship is strictly for Allah alone. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) made it clear that no object, including the Black Stone, holds any divine power. He said, “The Black Stone and the Yemeni corner are part of the rites of Hajj. They do not harm or benefit” (Sahih al-Bukhari). Thus, kissing the Black Stone does not imply worship, but a symbolic act of respect for the sacred rituals of Islam.
- The Concept of Monotheism (Tawhid): Islam is based on the belief in Tawhid, the absolute oneness of Allah. Muslims believe that Allah is the only one worthy of worship, and no human or object can share in that divinity. This is clearly outlined in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255) states, “Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence.” This emphasizes the monotheistic nature of Islam, focusing on the worship of Allah alone.
Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) repeatedly reminded his followers of the importance of worshiping Allah alone. The Prophet’s role was to convey the message of Islam, not to be worshiped. In fact, in a famous hadith, he said, “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Maryam (Mary), for I am but a servant, so say: ‘The servant of Allah and His Messenger'” (Sahih al-Bukhari). This shows the Prophet’s rejection of any form of deification or worship directed toward him.
- Surah An-Nisa (4:80) and Obedience to the Prophet: The verse from Surah An-Nisa (4:80), which Christian Prince references, speaks about obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the context of following his guidance as an extension of obeying Allah. The verse says, “He who obeys the Messenger obeys Allah; but if any turn away, We have not sent thee to watch over their evil deeds.”
However, this does not mean that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is being worshiped. Instead, it reflects the importance of following the Prophet’s teachings as the direct way to obey Allah. The Prophet is the messenger, and following him is the means by which a Muslim submits to Allah’s will. This obedience is not to be confused with worship. Obeying the Prophet is a matter of adhering to his guidance, which was divinely inspired, not an act of worship directed at him.
- The Role of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Islam: Islam acknowledges the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the final messenger and the most honored among humans, but worship is exclusively for Allah. The Quran makes this clear in numerous verses, including Surah Al-Ahzab (33:56), which says, “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.”
This verse shows the importance of the Prophet, but it does not equate his status with that of Allah. Instead, it instructs Muslims to invoke blessings upon him, not worship him. Worship remains solely for Allah, and any acts of respect or reverence directed toward the Prophet are in the context of following his guidance and example, not worshiping him as divine.
- Misinterpretation of the Hadith: Christian Prince’s interpretation of Sahih Muslim, Hadith 6985, where obedience to the Prophet is mentioned, needs to be understood in its proper context. The hadith emphasizes the importance of obeying the Prophet’s teachings and following his example as a means to please Allah. Obedience to the Prophet is a fundamental aspect of following Islam, but this does not equate to worship. Worship in Islam is solely directed toward Allah.
In conclusion, the practices mentioned by Christian Prince, such as kissing the Black Stone or revering the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), are not acts of worship. They are part of the rituals of Islam, which focus on submission to Allah alone. Islam is unequivocally monotheistic, and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself rejected any form of deification or sharing of divine worship. Therefore, the argument that Muslims worship both Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is based on a misunderstanding of Islamic teachings.