Mahdavia Insite - July 2026

July 2026 (Muharram/Safar 1448H), Vol. 12, Number 1

Editorial: Building a Good Character

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful

There was a time when the character building used to be a part of school curriculum. As a result, students used to get not only an informal training of good character from home but also a formal learning of all the practices that form a good character. Islam gives importance to good character and it is much more important than even a formal education. One of the major miracles of Prophet Muhammed ^SAS is his noble character. Qur’an describes the noble character of the Prophet ^SAS as “And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” (Al Qur’an 68:4).

People of Arabia used to call Prophet Muhammed ^SAS as Sadiq (truthful) and Amin (trustworthy) even before his proclamation as the Prophet and Messenger of Allah. Therefore, these are the two of the basic features of Prophet’s noble character. It is Allah’s great blessings on Muslim Ummah that a practical example of noble character is made available in the personality of Prophet Muhammed ^SAS that we need to follow. Thus, Qur’an says, “You have an excellent example in the Messenger of God; for anyone who seeks God and the Last Day and remembers God abundantly.” (33:21)

We claim that we are the followers of Prophet Muhammed ^SAS but why our character, in most of the cases, is so different from the teachings of the Prophet ^SAS. Despite the fact that a person may have higher education, high level of knowledge, praying namaz, paying zakat etc., but simultaneously if one is a habitual liar, not keeping promises, having no value for ethics, and does not fulfill responsibilities that one owes to other human beings (Huqooqul Ibaad), then all the education and goods deeds would be of no use because one does not have the basic tenets of good character.

Imam Malik ^RA has reported a Hadith in his book Muwatta, “Malik related to me that Safwan ibn Sulaym said, "The Messenger of Allah^SAS was asked, 'Can the mumin be a coward?' He said, 'Yes.' He was asked, 'Can the mumin be a miser?' He said, 'Yes.' He was asked, 'Can the mumin be a liar?' He said, 'NO.' " (Muwattha Malik, Book 56, Hadith 19)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger ^SAS said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three: (1) whenever he speaks, he tells a lie, (2) whenever he is entrusted, he proves to be dishonest, (3) whenever he   promises, he breaks his promise. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith # 2682) Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet ^SAS said, "Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6057)

Thus, speaking truth is the basic requirement to be a Momin, the one who is lying would not remain a Momin. If one ceases to be a Momin due to lying, what would be the position of one’s good deeds? Are they not go wasted? The second Hadith clearly stated that lying is the characteristic of a hypocrite (munafiq). Unfortunately, we think that lying is relatively a small evil and it is a part of culture so therefore, it is okay to lie. The above three Ahadith should be an eye-opener for us to be careful while speaking.

This is a very serious matter for us as Mahdavis because we claim to follow the excellence (Aaliyat). We strive to follow the path of high level of spirituality of constant Remembrance of Allah, Trust in Allah, Self-negation, and the Quest for the Vision of Allah. However, how can we enter this circle if we do not build a noble character.

Speaking truth and not lying should be the first lesson a child should receive at home from the very early age. The parents should adopt a culture of speaking the truth at home and kids will follow that practice. Mother’s lap is the first school for a child. Kids should be told the story of Prophet Muhammed^SAS being Sadiq and Amin.

One of the basic guidelines under the boundaries of earning a livelihood (Hudood e Kasab) , laid down by Imamuna^AS is “Do not speak Lie” so also for the boundaries of self-negation (Hudood e Faqiri). Today, we live in a very materialistic world, we have so many practices that do not match with our faith. Therefore, it is necessary that when a disciple (Mureed) comes to make covenant, the Murshid should first ask the disciple to strictly abide by the basic guideline of “Do not speak lie”, follow the practice of truthfulness and trustworthiness (Sadiq and Amin) for a month and come back for the covenant because cleanliness of heart is necessary to establish the Zikr and that is not possible when a person has the habit of lying. The truthfulness and trustworthiness should be the foundation on which one has to build the faith-based framework. If the foundation is not strong enough, we know what would happen to the framework (building).

May Allah guide us so that we always remain truthful and trustworthy by following (Ittibah) the teachings of Prophet Muhammed ^SAS and Imam Mahdi al-Ma’ud ^ASWS, Ameen!

Article: The Covenant of Prophets ^(AHMS) - The Virtue of Prophet Muhammed ^(SAS)

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, Most Merciful.

In terms of believing in the prophets of Allah, we find two verses in the Qur'an that are presented here for further understanding:

1. The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say,) "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers ـ and they say, "We hear, and we obey." (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)." (2: 285)

2. Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spoke, while some of them He was exalted (above others) in degree, and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), and We supported him with the holy Spirit. And if Allah had so willed it, those who followed after them would not have fought one with another after the clear proofs had come unto them. But they differed, some of them believing and some disbelieving. And if Allah had so willed it, they would not have fought one with another, but Allah does what He wills. (2:253)

In the first verse, the Qur'an describes the belief of the Messenger and his ummah in Allah, His angels, His books, and His other Messengers, in which they say that they do not make any distinction among the Messengers. Some people misinterpreted this verse to claim that all the messengers of Allah are of equal ranks and status. This is not true because the first verse deals only with belief (Imaan), so it means that we believe in all the prophets and messengers; the denying of even one of them would result in a denial of all the prophets and messengers of Allah. This verse does not deal with their ranks and status.

The second verse (2:253), however, clearly states that Allah made some prophets to excel over others. Thus, it is clear that Prophets and Messengers have distinct ranks and status with Allah, and the Ummah has to recognize those ranks, as is clear from the Qur’an and Ahadith.

When we try to study the status of Prophet Muhammed ^SAS among all the prophets and Messengers, we find some distinct blessings that Allah has bestowed upon . him ^SAS.

Before the creation of Adam ^AS, Allah ^SWT took two covenants: one from the offspring of Adam ^AS before their birth (when they were only spirits (Arwah)) and, secondly, from the prophets only.

The two Qur’anic verses about these covenants are given below:

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ شَهِدْنَآ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَـٰذَا غَـٰفِلِينَ

When your Lord asked all the offspring of Adam (before their birth), "Am I not your Lord?" All of them testified and bore witness to their testimony that on the Day of Judgment they would not say, "We were not aware of this (fact)" (7:172).

This is a general covenant that every human being has taken before birth. It is also inferred from this that every child is a believer (Momin) at birth. It is also clear from Qur’an that the child may not remain as a believer throughout his/her life. This is evident from the story of Prophet Nuh ^AHS and his son as described in Surah Hud, verses 42-46.

Whenn the Ark sailed on with them amid the mountainous waves, Noah called out to his son who kept away from them, "My son, embark with us. Do not stay with the unbelievers." (11:42) His son did not  embark on the Ark and drowned along with the rest (unbelievers).

Noah prayed to his Lord saying, "Lord, my son is a member of my family. Your promise is always true and you are the best Judge". (11:45) His Lord replied, "He is not one of your family. He is a man of unrighteous deeds. Do not ask me about that which you have no knowledge. I advise you not to become an ignorant person." (11:46)

Even a son of the Prophet gone astray and Prophet Nuh ^AHS could not save him. Similarly, a person born in a Muslim or a Mahdavi family may not remain a Muslim or a Mahdavi, he/she could become non-believer or even go renegade. As we all know, it is not the faith one is born into that counts, but the faith at the last breath that counts. This is the reason that for Mahdavis Tark e Duniya even at the very last moment is very important and we always pray for Khatima bil khair.

The second covenant was taken from the prophets only as described in the Qur’an:

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ لَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَـٰبٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِۦ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُۥ قَالَ ءَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِى قَالُوٓا۟ أَقْرَرْنَا قَالَ فَٱشْهَدُوا۟ وَأَنَا۠ مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ

And when Allah took the covenant of the Prophets: 'That I have given you of the Book and Wisdom. Then there shall come to you a Messenger (Muhammad) confirming what is with you, you shall believe in him and you shall support him to be victorious, do you agree and take My load on this' They answered: 'We do agree' Allah said: 'Then bear witness, and I will be with you among the witnesses’ (3:81)

This is really a great honor that Allah ^SWT took covenant from other prophets to believe in the Prophet Muhammed ^SAS. When all the prophets said that they do agree, then Allah wanted them to bear witness and Allah ^SWT included Himself among the witnesses. Some scholars are of the view that Allah ^SWT gave other prophets the status of prophethood on the condition of accepting Prophet Muhammed’s prophethood. In other words, as we bear witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammed ^SAS is the Messenger of Allah, on the same lines all the prophets had to declare their belief in the Prophet Muhammed ^SAS. Thus, He ^SAS is the prophets’ Prophet.

In addition, Imam Tabrani reported in Mu’jam al Ausat a Hadith. It is narrated by Umar bin al-Khattab ^RZ, that Allah's Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) said: When Adam committed the error, he submitted (to Allah): O Lord, I beg You to forgive me through the mediation of Muhammad. Then Allah said: O Adam! How did you recognize Muhammad as I have not created him yet? He replied: O Lord, when You created me with Your divine hand and breathed Your soul into me, I raised my head and saw 'la ilaha illallahu Muhammad-ur-rasulullah ("There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is Allah's Messenger")' inscribed on each pillar of the Throne. I discovered that with Your name, the name of only such a person can be associated who is Your most beloved of all the creatures. At this Allah said: O Adam, you have said it correctly. Of all the creatures I love him the most. Now when you offered your prayer through his mediation, I forgave you. And if Muhammad were not there, I would not have created even you. (The same hadith with some difference of words is reported by Al Hakim in Mustadrak # 4228)

In another Hadith, the Prophet ^SAS is narrated to have said " Awwalu ma khalaqallahu nuri" (The first thing that Allah created was my noor). `Abd al-Haqq al-Dihlawi (d. 1052) the Indian hadith scholar says this is a Sahih Hadith.  Yet in another Hadith, it is narrated that the messenger of God was already a prophet when Adam ^AS was between water and clay. Thus, Prophet Muhammed ^SAS was the first and last prophet.

There are several other points that could be added here to show the superior status of Prophet Muhammed ^SAS among the prophets and messengers, one last thing is presented here to conclude this article. On the question of intersession (Shifa’at) many scholars are of the view that the intercession of Prophet Muhammed ^SAS will precede any other intercession on the Day of Judgment.

It is a great blessing of Allah upon us that we are born in the Ummah of Prophet Muhammed ^SAS and Imam Mahdi ^ASWS (who is the manifestation of Prophet’s Wilayah) for which we are unable to offer due gratitude to Allah ^SWT.

May Allah grant us Khatima bil Khair. Aameen

Urdu Poetry