The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 244
244 Essence of Islam-1 bow of Divinity so that when the whole soul of Muham- mad, on account of its intense nearness and clearness, advanced from the chord and approached even closer to the ocean of Divinity, it fell into that limitless ocean and his particle of humanness was lost in that ocean. This advance was nothing new or recent, but had been deter- mined in eternity and it was worthy of being described in heavenly Books and revealed writings as the perfect manifestation by way of reflection of Divinity and a mir- ror which reflected God Himself. Another verse of the Holy Qur'an in which this resemblance has been clearly mentioned is: إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُبَايِعُونَكَ إِنَّمَا يُبَايِعُونَ اللهَ يَدُ اللَّهِ فَوْقَ أَيْدِ يْهِمْ 143 Those who swear allegiance to thee swear allegiance to Allāh; Allah's hand is above their hands. People who swore allegiance to the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] did so by putting their hands in his hand. In this verse, God Almighty meta- phorically referred to the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] as Himself and described his hand as His Own hand. This expression has been used concerning the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] on account of his extreme closeness to God. This is indicated also in the verse: ما رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ رَفى 144 And you did not throw when you threw, but it was Allāh Who threw. The same indication is found in the verse: 143 al-Fath, 48:11 [Publisher] 144 al-Anfal, 8:18 [Publisher]