Say (O Muhammad): O People! I have been sent to you as a plain warner only (before the Doom strikes you) 22:49
Forewarned is forearmed. Therefore, Allah the Saviour prepared an elaborate divine scheme to forewarn mankind about the lurking danger in order that they could ward it off and save their skins. He sent Prophets and Books to different nations from time to time to inform the unwary people that in the next world they should not unwittingly land themselves in the blazing fire of hell. “Never has there been a nation but a warner came to it.” (35:24) The existence of Hell per se is “a warning to humankind. “(74:36)
According to Islam, there is only one God who created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, not as a sport, but with a purpose. Human beings have been empowered to harness the forces of Nature and to wield authority at any level with a sense of responsibility and accountability to God. The behaviour of each individual is being monitored and recorded and, on the Day of Judgment, all individuals will be physically resurrected and presented with the infallible and irrefutable account of their lives. “God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiates, 12:14)
“On that Day people will go forth in varying states so that they be shown their deeds. So whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it; and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.” (The Qur’ān, 99:6-8) The people who deserve Hell will be led to Hell and thrown into it. Warning is ministered beforehand so they could steer clear of that dreaded destination.
THE ROLE OF GOD
Allah revealed the Qur’ān to forewarn people. “We revealed it on a Blessed Night, for We were intent on warning.” (44:3)
The warning is given in these words. “Lo! We warn you of a chastisement near at hand; the Day when a man will look on what his own hands have sent forth and each of the unbelievers shall say: O would that I were utter dust.” (78:40)
“I have now warned you of a Blazing Fire.” (92:14)
THE ROLE OF THE QUR’ĀN
Allah introduces the Qur’ān in these words. “This is a proclamation for all mankind that they may be warned by it.” (14:52) “An unerringly Straight Book, meant to warn of a stern punishment from Allah.” (18:2) “To warn those who say: Allah has taken to Himself a son.” (18:4)
The relationship that brings Allah, the Qur’ān, and Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s blessings and peace be unto him) together is beautifully summed up in this verse. “Most Blessed is He who sent down this criterion on His servant, to be a warner to mankind.” (25:1)
The Qur’ān is a warning among the warnings of yore. (53:56) “It is the Truth from your Lord so that you may warn a people to whom no warner came before you.” (32:3)
The Qur’ān reinforces Prophet Muhammad’s claim as a warner appointed by Allah. “Tell them, I only warn you by the Revelation.” (21:45) “You may warn thereby.” (7:2) “Indeed, this is a revelation from the Lord of the universe which the Truthful Spirit has carried down to your heart that you might become one of those who warn (on behalf of Allah).” (26:192-194) The Qur’ān assists him in the process of warning.
THE ROLE OF ALLAH’S MESSENGERS
Jews believe that Prophets were chosen from among them and sent to them. Unlike the Jews, Muslims believe that Prophets were sent as guides and warners to their respective communities at different times (13:7) until Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s blessings and peace to him) came as the seal of Prophets for all mankind to the end of days. Allah says, “We had sent among them Messengers to warn them.” (37:72) “These Messengers were sent as bearers of glad tidings and as warners so that after (the coming of) the Messengers people may have no plea against Allah.” (4:165) Every Prophet said, “Worship and serve none but Allah-Verily I fear that the chastisement of an Awesome Day shall come upon you.” (46:21)
The Warner (Nazeer) aspect of Jesus Christ’s ministry is reflected in these teachings. “I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” (St. Luke, 12:5)
“I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (St.Matthew, 12:36) The aim of Jesus Christ seems to be to inculcate fear of God in his followers.
The Good News (Basheer) aspect of his ministry is reflected in the Beatitudes. (St. Matthew, 5: 1-12)
THE ROLE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD
Like all other Messengers of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s blessings and peace be to him) discharged the duty of warning because he was ordered to do so. “Arise and warn.” (74:2) Allah informs him, “We have not sent you forth but as a herald of good news and a warner for all mankind. But most people do not know.” (34:28) Allah asks him to tell others, “I am not the first of the Messengers…. I am nothing but a plain warner.” (46:9) “Say: I am most certainly a plain warner, “Nazeerum Mubeen.” (15:89) Allah tells us about him, “He is only a plain warner. (7:184) He himself says, “I am no more than a plain warner.” (67:26) This statement is like saying that he is no more than a Messenger of Allah. “Verily I have come to you as a warner and as a bearer of good news.” (11:2)
He is explicitly asked to “warn them of the Day that has drawn near.” (40:18) The Bible refers to this Day. (Isaiah, 13:6; Zephaniah, 1:14)
There are verses galore reiterating that our beloved Prophet (May Allah bless and greet him) is indeed a forewarner of the first water. Some of these verses are 2:119, 17:105, 29:50,33:45, 48:8, 51:50,51.
PROPHET NOAH AND PROPHET MUHAMMAD
All Prophets are warners indeed. However, in this aspect of forewarning, the Qur’ān seems to lay stress on the striking similarity between Prophet Noah and Prophet Muhammad (salutations to them both) as clear forewarners by frequently using the phrase Nazeerum Mubeen for both. Vide 26:115, 71:2, 38:70, 67:26. In chapter 26 other Prophets are mentioned but the phrase, Nazeerum Mubeen – a clear warner, occurs in relation to Prophet Noah only.
TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THE PROPHET’S WARNING
Prophet Muhammad (May Allah bless and greet him) was expected to warn and address all human beings who enter the world of being, “(The Prophet) may warn him who is alive.”(36:70) Like charity, the task of admonition should begin at home. “And warn your nearest kinsman.”(26:214) And he did.
The circle of the target audience is widened. “You may warn the people of the Mother of Cities (to wit, Makkah) and those who dwell around it.” (42:7) He is a warner to mankind.(25:1) He warns those who direly need it as they had not been warned earlier. “You may warn a people whose ancestors were not warned before.” (36:6) “But it is out of Mercy from your Lord (that you are informed of all this so that you may warn a people to whom no warner came before you. May be they will take heed.” (28:46) This prophecy came true and the Arabs embraced Islam in multitudes after their initial armed hostility lost steam.
Among the large groups, the Jews and the Christians were given top priority as the target audience for warning. It was because the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s blessings and peace be unto him) was predicted in their holy books and the ground was prepared by the Israeli Prophets for his acceptance. The Qur’ān says that Ummi Prophet has been mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel. (7:157) And so they are informed, “People of the Book! After a long interlude during which no Messengers appeared, there has come to you Our Messenger, to elucidate the teaching of the True Faith lest you say: ‘No bearer of glad tidings and no warner has come to us? For now there indeed has come to you a bearer of glad tidings and a warner. Allah is All-Powerful.” (5:19)
According to Islam, Allah is one and His oneness is seriously compromised if He has a wife, and in-laws, and begets male or female children. The oneness of God implies that no one else can share divinity with Him. Allah “neither has taken to Himself a son, nor has any partner in His Kingdom, nor does He need anyone, out of weakness to protect Him.” (17:111) So it is stated that the Prophet is a warner to those “who say: Allah has taken to Himself a son.” (18:4)
People like the Quraish were contentious and indulged in hair-splitting arguments. The Prophet (May Allah bless and greet him) is ordered to “warn a contentious people” (19:97) and “to warn the wrong-doers,” (46:12) and those who stray. (27:92)
There are people who do not care twopence for the concept and possibility of the Day of Judgment and lead their lives in total disregard of it. They are the ones to whom the Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be to him) is called upon to sound a note of warning. “Warn those who are steeped in heedlessness and are obstinately rejecting the truth that the Day shall come when things will be finally decided and they shall be left with utter remorse.” (19:39)
The Prophet (May Allah bless and greet him) is quite successful as a warner among people who have faith, (7:188) who fear Allah as they appreciate cognitively Allah’s majesty, wisdom and power, (35:28) who are inclined to heed the warning and in spite of knowing that Allah is compassionate and forgiving prefer to hold Him in awe and fear, (36:11) who trust him and fear his warning sincerely, (79:45) who believe that Allah will gather all people without exception on the Day of Judgment and there will be no protector or intercessor apart from Him, (6:51) and who believe in the Qur’ān, hear the call and submit to it. (27:81)
NEGATIVE RESPONSE TO THE PROPHET’S WARNING
People waited for a warner to come and guide them, “But when a warner did come to them, his coming only increased their aversion (to the Truth).” (35:42) History repeated itself. Every warner met with an overwhelmingly negative response. “Never did a Messenger come the nations that preceded them but they said: (He is) a sorcerer or a madman.” (51:52)
They not only found fault with the Messenger (Is this one other than a man like yourselves? 21:3) and questioned his integrity and credibility but also derided his teachings. “They said: Have you come to us to turn us away from our gods? Then bring upon us the scourge that you threaten us with.” (46:22) “This is a sorcerer and a big liar. Has he made the gods one single God? This is truly astounding. And the elders among them went forth saying: Go ahead and be steadfast in adhering to your deities. What is being said is with a design.” (38:4-6)
The affluent ones and the aristocratic people, proud of their wealth and children, rejected the Messengers saying, “We found our forefathers on a way and we continue to find guidance in their footsteps.” (43:23)
That the vast universe is controlled by one single God was something which defied their comprehension. More incomprehensible was the idea of physical resurrection of all dead people on the Day of Judgment. The unbelievers exclaimed, “What! When we are dead and reduced to mere dust, (shall we be raised to life)? Such a return is far-fetched.” (50:2.3) The Qur’ān declares, “Those who consider it a lie that they will have to meet Allah are the losers.” (6:31)
Consequently, “They would not believe what they had once rejected as false. Thus it is that Allah seals the hearts of those who deny the Truth.” (7:101) “As for those who have rejected (these truths), it is all the same whether or not you warn them, for they will not believe.” (2:6) “No signs and warnings can avail those who are bent on not believing.” (10:101) What Allah says about them, (36:10) they confirm (26:136)
Punishment followed only when the warning was of no avail. “We never destroyed any habitation but that it had warners to admonish them.” (26:208,209) Punishment assumed different forms.
Those who die in childhood without embracing Islam will not be punished in the hereafter because they are without maturity and power of discrimination to pay heed to the warning. The Verse 35:37 implies such a conclusion.
OPEN-ENDED PROCESS OF WARNING
When the unbelievers would reach hell, “The keepers shall say to them: Did Messengers from among yourselves not come to you, rehearsing to you the signs of your Lord and warning you against your meeting of this Day? “(39:71)
“Every time a multitude is cast into it (Hell), its keepers will ask them: Did no warners come to you? “ (67:8) In these two verses, ‘Messengers’ and ‘Warners’ stand out as synonyms. They ask people to love and obey Rabbul Aalameen, to be hopeful of His mercy and to fear Him as Maliki Yowmiddeen and they are projected by God as models of conduct to be compulsorily emulated. “Surely there is a good example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for all those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much.” (33:21)
The Qur’ān continues the process of warning even after the Prophet’s physical association with the world has ceased. His followers have to continue the message with the aid of the Qur’ān. The Djinns who embraced Islam have taught us. The Qur’ān tells us, “And when the recitation ended, they went back to their people as warners.” (46:29) After receiving religious instruction in Madinah, different groups were expected to go back to their respective communities to continue the process of warning and avoid erroneous attitudes. (9:122)
Those who care to listen and ponder, repent and reform themselves, and conform to the Qur’ān and the Prophet’s way have nothing to fear and regret. They will not be humiliated on the Day of Judgment. (66:8)