❀ Responses to Objections on Prophethood and Human Nature ❀
Written by: Talhah Saif
Some individuals object to narrations that describe the personal and domestic life of the Prophet ﷺ, claiming that such reports are contrary to his dignity and the chastity of the Mothers of the Believers رضي الله عنهن.
They reject narrations involving topics such as:
① Bathing from a shared vessel
② Physical affection during menstruation
③ Marital intimacy during fasting
④ Disagreements among the Prophet ﷺ and his wives
These objections stem from a lack of proper understanding of Prophethood and its true nature.
It is essential that a Prophet shares the natural traits of human beings, such as:
If the Prophet ﷺ never encountered such matters, how could he serve as a guide for the Ummah in these areas?
Examples include:
✔ Marital intimacy
✔ Self-restraint
✔ Justice during domestic disagreements
The Prophet ﷺ exhibited the highest standards of natural human traits, such as:
Islam is a natural religion, which does not suppress human instincts but rather guides their proper use.
The Prophet ﷺ embodied this guidance in practical and elevated form.
Narrations about the Prophet’s ﷺ marital life teach lessons in:
✔ Self-control
✔ Justice
✔ Balanced emotional conduct
Examples:
➡ These reports offer practical guidance for married Muslims.
The Mothers of the Believers رضي الله عنهن did not conceal details of the Prophet’s ﷺ domestic life. Instead, they truthfully narrated:
This reflects their sincerity and sense of responsibility toward the Ummah.
Their transparency was a gift of knowledge and a means of guidance for future generations.
Some people idealize Prophethood to the extent that they see the Prophet ﷺ as a supernatural being, detached from worldly affairs.
Such people fail to understand that being human is a necessary condition of Prophethood.
Sahih Bukhari records that when some companions heard about the Prophet’s ﷺ lifestyle, they felt it was insufficient and said:
We will fast continuously, pray all night, and avoid women.
The Prophet ﷺ corrected them, saying:
"By Allah, I fear Allah and observe Taqwa more than any of you, but I fast and break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 3, Ḥadīth 57)
Certain expressions and practices that were common and acceptable in Arab society are seen as awkward or inappropriate in other cultures.
Examples include:
➡ Anyone unfamiliar with these customs may find the narrations unusual or objectionable.
The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated practically:
✔ How to handle domestic conflicts with patience
✔ How to deal justly with multiple wives
✔ How to manage human instincts within the boundaries of Islam
Such aspects of his life serve as timeless guidance for the Ummah.
Those who raise objections often do so out of bias or superficial reading, much like the difference between:
A fly, which seeks filth
And a honeybee, which searches for nectar
Written by: Talhah Saif
✿ Nature of the Objection
Some individuals object to narrations that describe the personal and domestic life of the Prophet ﷺ, claiming that such reports are contrary to his dignity and the chastity of the Mothers of the Believers رضي الله عنهن.
They reject narrations involving topics such as:
① Bathing from a shared vessel
② Physical affection during menstruation
③ Marital intimacy during fasting
④ Disagreements among the Prophet ﷺ and his wives
These objections stem from a lack of proper understanding of Prophethood and its true nature.
✿ Connection Between Prophethood and Humanity
❶ The Prophet’s Role as a Practical Teacher
It is essential that a Prophet shares the natural traits of human beings, such as:
- Experiencing biological and emotional needs
- Managing family and social responsibilities
- Demonstrating through his personal conduct how to fulfill these needs within the limits set by Allah
If the Prophet ﷺ never encountered such matters, how could he serve as a guide for the Ummah in these areas?
Examples include:
✔ Marital intimacy
✔ Self-restraint
✔ Justice during domestic disagreements
❷ The Prophet’s ﷺ Noble Human Qualities
The Prophet ﷺ exhibited the highest standards of natural human traits, such as:
- Exceptional physical strength
- Unparalleled beauty and presence
- Perfect balance in mercy and righteous anger
Islam is a natural religion, which does not suppress human instincts but rather guides their proper use.
The Prophet ﷺ embodied this guidance in practical and elevated form.
✿ Importance of the Narrations
✦ Real-Life Marital Examples
Narrations about the Prophet’s ﷺ marital life teach lessons in:
✔ Self-control
✔ Justice
✔ Balanced emotional conduct
Examples:
- The Prophet ﷺ visited multiple wives in a single day
- He once secluded himself from his wives for an entire month
- He taught limits and etiquettes regarding relations during fasting and menstruation
➡ These reports offer practical guidance for married Muslims.
✦ Honesty of the Mothers of the Believers
The Mothers of the Believers رضي الله عنهن did not conceal details of the Prophet’s ﷺ domestic life. Instead, they truthfully narrated:
- Disputes
- Affection
- Human behavior in the home
This reflects their sincerity and sense of responsibility toward the Ummah.
Their transparency was a gift of knowledge and a means of guidance for future generations.
✿ The Real Cause Behind the Objections
❶ Misconception of Prophethood
Some people idealize Prophethood to the extent that they see the Prophet ﷺ as a supernatural being, detached from worldly affairs.
Such people fail to understand that being human is a necessary condition of Prophethood.
Sahih Bukhari records that when some companions heard about the Prophet’s ﷺ lifestyle, they felt it was insufficient and said:
We will fast continuously, pray all night, and avoid women.
The Prophet ﷺ corrected them, saying:
"By Allah, I fear Allah and observe Taqwa more than any of you, but I fast and break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 3, Ḥadīth 57)
❷ Lack of Familiarity with Arab Cultural Norms
Certain expressions and practices that were common and acceptable in Arab society are seen as awkward or inappropriate in other cultures.
Examples include:
- Describing the attributes of a daughter or sister during marriage proposals
- Describing slave women’s qualities during purchase or sale
➡ Anyone unfamiliar with these customs may find the narrations unusual or objectionable.
✿ The Prophet’s ﷺ Personal Example
The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated practically:
✔ How to handle domestic conflicts with patience
✔ How to deal justly with multiple wives
✔ How to manage human instincts within the boundaries of Islam
Such aspects of his life serve as timeless guidance for the Ummah.
Those who raise objections often do so out of bias or superficial reading, much like the difference between:
A fly, which seeks filth And a honeybee, which searches for nectar