The belief in the honour and exalted status of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a fundamental part of Islamic faith. According to the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah, Allah Almighty granted His Beloved Messenger ﷺ countless unique qualities and extraordinary blessings. Among the concepts discussed by Sunni scholars is the description of the Prophet ﷺ as Shāhid (Witness) and Nāzir (Observer).
It is important to understand that whatever knowledge, awareness, or special abilities Allah Almighty granted to the Holy Prophet ﷺ are by the will, permission, and bestowal of Allah Almighty. They are not independent or self-existing in the way that the attributes of Allah Almighty are.
What Does “Hāzir and Nāzir” Mean?
Sunni scholars have explained the expression Hāzir and Nāzir in different ways.
Allamah Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi رحمه الله discussed this concept in his well-known work Jā al-Haq. He explained that, in ordinary usage, a person is described as an observer where their sight reaches, while presence may refer to the extent of one’s access or ability to act.
In the religious discussion of this concept, the expression is used for a specially endowed personality who, through Allah’s granted spiritual ability, is given extraordinary awareness and perception beyond ordinary human limitations.
📚 Jā al-Haq, p. 349
All such abilities and knowledge remain entirely dependent upon Allah Almighty’s will and bestowal.
Evidence from the Holy Qur’an
Allah Almighty says:
﴾يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُنِيرًا﴿
(Surah Al-Ahzab, Verses 45–46)
Translation:
“O Prophet! Indeed, We have sent you as a witness, a bearer of good news, and a warner; and as one who calls to Allah by His permission, and as a shining lamp.”
The scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah have discussed the word Shāhidan (Witness) in relation to the Prophet ﷺ and his honoured position as a witness over his الأمة.
The Holy Prophet ﷺ was not only sent to convey the Divine message, but was also granted the noble status of being a witness, according to the knowledge and authority bestowed upon him by Allah Almighty.
Evidence from the Blessed Hadith
Allah Gathered the Earth Before the Prophet ﷺ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إِنَّ اللّٰهَ زَوَى لِيَ الأَرْضَ فَرَأَيْتُ مَشَارِقَهَا وَمَغَارِبَهَا
Translation:
“Allah gathered the earth for me, and I saw its eastern and western regions.”
📚 Sahih Muslim
This narration demonstrates one of the special forms of perception and knowledge granted to the Holy Prophet ﷺ by Allah Almighty.
The Prophet ﷺ Saw His Hawd
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
وَاللهِ إِنِّي لَأَنْظُرُ إِلَى حَوْضِي الآنَ
Translation:
“By Allah, I can see my Hawd right now.”
📚 Sahih al-Bukhari
This blessed narration is another example of the extraordinary perception granted to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The World Was Presented Before the Prophet ﷺ
Some narrations mention that Allah Almighty presented the world and its events before the Holy Prophet ﷺ.
إِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَرَضَ عَلَيَّ الدُّنْيَا، فَأَنَا أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهَا وَإِلَى مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ فِيهَا إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ، كَمَا أَنْظُرُ إِلَى كَفِّي
Translation:
“Allah presented the world before me, and I looked at it and at what would occur within it until the Day of Judgment, just as I look at my palm.”
📚 Hilyat al-Awliya, Vol. 6
Scholars have discussed such narrations while explaining the special knowledge and perception granted by Allah Almighty to His Beloved Messenger ﷺ.
Statements of Great Sunni Scholars
Many respected scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah have written about the exceptional rank, blessings, and spiritual relationship of the Holy Prophet ﷺ with his Ummah.
Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi رحمه الله
Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi رحمه الله wrote about the special relationship between the Holy Prophet ﷺ and his Ummah, as well as the spiritual blessings connected to the Prophet ﷺ.
📚 Akhbar al-Akhyar
Imam Ibn al-Hajj al-Makki رحمه الله
Imam Ibn al-Hajj رحمه الله discussed the greatness and blessed status of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and his relationship with the Ummah in his renowned work Al-Madkhal.
📚 Al-Madkhal, Vol. 1
Imam al-Qastallani رحمه الله
Imam al-Qastallani رحمه الله also discussed the virtues, special qualities, and exalted rank of the Holy Prophet ﷺ in his celebrated work Al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah.
📚 Al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah
The Love of the Prophet ﷺ in the Poetry of A’la Hazrat
Imam Ahl al-Sunnah, Mujaddid of his era, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رحمه الله expressed profound love and reverence for the Holy Prophet ﷺ through his scholarly works and poetry.
In Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish, he wrote:
“Your passage is beyond the Throne, while your gaze reaches the earth;
There is nothing in the spiritual and physical realms that is hidden from you.”
These verses express the deep love, reverence, and recognition of the lofty status granted to the Holy Prophet ﷺ by Allah Almighty.
Understanding the Belief with Proper Balance
One essential principle must always be remembered:
The attributes of Allah Almighty are eternal, independent, and absolute. Whatever knowledge, honour, ability, or special status any creation possesses is granted by Allah Almighty.
Therefore:
- Every blessing is granted by Allah.
- Every ability exists by Allah’s permission.
- Every form of knowledge is granted by Allah.
- Allah Almighty alone possesses absolute and independent perfection.
- The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the most honoured servant and beloved Messenger of Allah.
This understanding preserves both the greatness of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the absolute uniqueness of Allah Almighty.
Conclusion
Love for the Holy Prophet ﷺ is not merely an emotional feeling. It is expressed through faith, respect, obedience, reverence, and following his blessed Sunnah.
We should learn about the life and teachings of the Prophet ﷺ, recognise his exalted status, follow his Sunnah, and pass the love and respect of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to future generations.
The most beautiful expression of true love for the Prophet ﷺ is to shape our lives according to his teachings and character.
May Allah Almighty grant us sincere love for His Beloved Messenger ﷺ, sound faith, proper respect and reverence for the Prophet ﷺ, and the ability to follow the Sunnah of Muhammad ﷺ throughout our lives.
May Allah keep us steadfast upon the sound beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah and grant us a good end upon faith.
Āmīn bi-jāhi Sayyid al-Mursalīn ﷺ.
