The Statement of Allah:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
"O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner"
This verse serves as a reassurance to the Prophet Peace Upon him and the believers, as well as an honor for all of them.
This verse contains six of the names of the Prophet Peace upon him. Indeed, our Prophet Peace Upon him has numerous names and noble attributes, which have been mentioned in the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and previous scriptures.
Allah has named him Muhammad and Ahmad in His Book.
The Prophet Peace Upon him said, as narrated by trustworthy and just transmitters:
"I have five names: I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am Al-Maahi (the Eraser) by whom Allah erases disbelief, I am Al-Haashir (the Gatherer) under whose feet people will be resurrected, and I am Al-Aaqib (the Last Prophet)."
In Sahih Muslim, there is a hadith from Jubayr ibn Mut'im in which Allah names the Prophet Peace Upon him رَءُوفًا رَحِي (Kind and Merciful).
Also, in Sahih Muslim, Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari reported:
"The Messenger of Allah Peace Upon him would name himself names for us, saying: 'I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am Al-Muqaffee (the Last in the Line of Prophets), I am Al-Haashir, I am the Prophet of Repentance, and I am the Prophet of Mercy.'"
Qadi Abu Al-Fadl Iyad, in his book Al-Shifa, compiled the names and attributes of the Prophet Peace Upon him mentioned in the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and previous scriptures, as well as those recognized by the Muslim community. These names and attributes truly belong to him and are reflected in his character.
Qadi Abu Bakr Ibn Al-Arabi, in his book Ahkaam Al-Qur'an, mentioned sixty-seven names of the Prophet Peace Upon him in this verse. The author of Wasilat Al-Muta‘abbidin ila Mutaba‘at Sayyid Al-Mursalin narrated from Ibn Abbas that Muhammad Peace Upon him has one hundred and eighty names, which can be found in that book.
Ibn Abbaas said:
"When this verse was revealed, the Messenger of Allah Peace Upon him called Ali and Mu‘adh and sent them to Yemen. He instructed them: 'Go forth and give glad tidings, do not repel people. Make things easy, do not make them difficult, for this verse has been revealed to me.' Then he recited the verse."
"شَاهِدًا" (as a witness)
Sa'id narrated from Qataadah that "Shahidan" means that the Prophet Peace Upon him will be a witness over his Ummah that he has conveyed the message to them, and over other nations that their prophets conveyed the message to them.
"وَمُبَشِّرًا" (as a bearer of glad tidings)
This means giving good news to the believers of Allah’s mercy and Paradise.
"وَنَذِيرًا" (as a warner)
This means warning sinners and deniers of the Hellfire and eternal punishment.
"وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ" (as one who invites to Allah)
The invitation to Allah refers to conveying the message of Tawhid (monotheism), adhering to it, and confronting disbelievers.
"بِإِذْنِهِ" (by His permission)
Here, "by His permission" means by Allah’s command, at the appointed time and in the designated manner.
"وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا" (as an illuminating lamp)
This is a metaphor for the guidance contained in his Shari'ah. Some scholars have said that "Sirajan" means that he guides people out of the darkness of misguidance, just as a lamp provides light.
The word "Muniran" (illuminating) is used because some lamps do not emit light due to a lack of oil or a weak wick.
It is said: "Three things are exhausting: a slow messenger, a lamp that does not give light, and a meal that waits for someone to arrive."
When someone was asked about what causes loneliness, he replied: "Darkness that conceals, and a dim lamp."
An-Nahhas narrated:
"Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Ar-Razi told us, 'Abd Ar-Rahman ibn Salih Al-Azdi told us, 'Abd Ar-Rahman ibn Muhammad Al-Muharibi told us from Shayban An-Nahwi, who narrated from Qataadah, from Ikrimah, from Ibn Abbas that when the verse (يا أيها النبي إنا أرسلناك شاهدا ومبشرا ونذيرا) was revealed, the Messenger of Allah Peace Upon him called Ali and Mu‘adh and said: "Go forth and give glad tidings, do not make things difficult, for tonight a verse has been revealed to me: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا (as a warner from the Hellfire) وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ (as one who calls to Allah – meaning the testimony of La ilaha illa Allah) بِإِذْنِهِ (by His command) وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا (meaning by the Qur'an)."
Az-Zajjaj said:
"Sirajan" means "possessing a luminous lamp," referring to a radiant and guiding scripture. He also mentioned that it could mean "reciting the Book of Allah."
