06/12/2024
𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝗔𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 - 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿
Leicester witnessed a transformative event as Shaykh Muhammad Saqib Iqbal delivered a historic lecture titled "Muhammad ﷺ – The Most Praised". The gathering attracted huge crowds of brothers and sisters, with separate seating arrangements for hundreds of women meticulously organised in adherence to Shari’ guidelines. This momentous occasion left a lasting impact, offering a blueprint for preserving Islamic values while addressing the challenges posed by atheism, agnosticism, and secularism in contemporary society. Shaykh Saqib's books, made available for purchase and distributed freely to attendees, further enriched the educational significance of the event, solidifying it as a beacon of knowledge and inspiration.
In addressing the primary topic of the lecture—atheism, apostasy, and the associated intellectual challenges—Shaykh Saqib employed a rigorous deductive framework to affirm the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ claim to Prophethood. This approach inherently affirms the existence of Allah, as the claim to Prophethood is rooted in divine authority. Shaykh Saqib presented three possible explanations for someone asserting Prophethood, guiding the audience through a logical elimination process to arrive at the only rational conclusion: truthfulness.
𝟭. 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗟𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴):
This possibility was meticulously refuted by examining the Prophet’s ﷺ impeccable moral character, which even His ﷺ staunchest adversaries could not deny. Known as Al-Sadiq (the Truthful) and Al-Amin (the Trustworthy), Prophet Muhammad ﷺ exemplified unparalleled integrity throughout His ﷺ life. A deceptive claim to Prophethood would be irreconcilable with his universally acknowledged honesty and moral uprightness. Furthermore, the profound ethical teachings and moral transformation brought by the Prophet ﷺ would be entirely incongruent with the character of a deceiver.
𝟮. 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻:
This hypothesis was dismissed by highlighting the Prophet’s ﷺ extraordinary wisdom, intellectual depth, and visionary leadership. These traits, demonstrated in His ﷺ strategic guidance, ethical teachings, and transformative impact on society, are fundamentally incompatible with delusion. A delusional individual lacks coherence and consistency; however, the Prophet’s ﷺ message and actions display profound rationality and unmatched foresight. Additionally, Shaykh Saqib underscored that accurate prophecies and the profound knowledge embedded in the Qur'an serve as irrefutable evidence against this hypothesis. A deluded person cannot consistently exhibit such depth and precision in knowledge, nor could they foresee events that unfolded exactly as foretold.
𝟯. 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀:
If deception and delusion are logically untenable, the only remaining explanation is truthfulness. The Prophet’s ﷺ veracity is affirmed by the evidence of His ﷺ prophecies, the miracles attributed to Him ﷺ, and the unbroken transmission of His ﷺ message through generations. These elements are extraordinary and serve as empirical and historical testimony to the divine origin of His ﷺ mission. Moreover, the accuracy of His ﷺ prophecies and the transformative nature of ﷺ teachings further solidify His ﷺ truthfulness. The natural outcome of eliminating the first two possibilities is the affirmation of this third option, underscoring the logical consistency of the argument.
Towards the conclusion of this analysis, Shaykh Saqib addressed the concept of the "moral liar," a notion proposed by some to suggest that an individual could maintain high moral standing while engaging in deception. This concept was decisively refuted as a logical fallacy. Morality and lying are fundamentally incompatible; any act of lying, regardless of intention or context, undermines the very essence of moral integrity. Thus, the idea of a "moral liar" collapses into the broader category of deception, reaffirming the impossibility of such a contradiction in the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
In an age of increasing scrutiny of Islamic history and literature, Shaykh Saqib addressed accusations of fabricated narratives, satanic influences, and false claims with precision. He emphasised the need for Muslims to uphold the honour of RasūlAllah ﷺ by using evidence from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and rational arguments. The lecture equipped attendees with practical strategies to counter orientalist claims and non-Muslim critiques, fostering confidence and clarity in defending the faith.
Shaykh Saqib then delved into the miraculous nature of the Qur’an, particularly its unmatched preservation, linguistic brilliance, and universal appeal. He explained how the Qur’an’s enduring influence stands as an eternal miracle, affirming the truth of the Prophet ﷺ and serving as a testament to divine guidance.
Exploring the profound linguistic and diacritical marks of the name Muhammad ﷺ, Shaykh Saqib highlighted its root, hamd (praise), which signifies "the most praised one." This linguistic depth ties directly to His ﷺ unparalleled Prophethood and His ﷺ role as humanity’s guide. The Shaykh also connected this discussion to the divine name "Allah," showcasing their intrinsic relationship within the declaration of faith: La Ilaha Illallah (There is no deity but Allah) as the claim, and Muhammadur RasūlAllah (Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah) as its proof.
Moving on, Shaykh Saqib’s discussion of Ashrat as-Sa’ah (the Signs of the Day of Judgement) in light of the science of Islamic eschatology, was a topic that resonated deeply with the audience. He urged all to view these signs as reminders of accountability and to strengthen their relationship with Allah. Linking this theme to parenting, the Shaykh stressed the importance of instilling Islamic values in children to counter atheistic narratives, satanic ideologies, and the normalisation of corrupt worldviews. Parents, he emphasised, must embody Islamic principles and actively guide their children to safeguard their faith in a secular age.
The lecture concluded with the powerful narration of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Huzafah al-Sahmi رضي الله عنه, whose steadfast faith amidst persecution by the Byzantine Empire moved the audience to tears. Shaykh Saqib used this emotive story as a basis and introduction to address wahn—the love of the world and fear of death—as a root cause of the Ummah's struggles. He called for personal and collective efforts to strengthen faith and confront the trials (fitan) afflicting the Muslim world.
This historic lecture was more than just a discourse; it was a rallying call for the Muslim community to stand firm in their faith, preserve their identity, and actively engage with the challenges of modernity. Shaykh Saqib Iqbal’s words served as a timeless reminder of the enduring legacy of Sayyiduna Muhammad ﷺ, the most praised, whose life continues to illuminate the path of guidance for humanity.
May Allah preserve our Shaykh and allow us to benefit from him and serve the Deen through the global, intellectual and spiritual initiatives of Kanz ul Huda which are reviving hearts through the true essence of the religion.
To everyone who has messaged, particularly those from Leicester, regarding their individual meet-and-greet photos with the Shaykh: thank you for your patience. These will be posted soon. I sincerely appreciate your understanding as I’ve been extremely busy.
