Question 025: When did the Names and titles of the Prophet like Sayyid al-Nas, Sayyid al-Bashar, Sayyidul Mursalin, and Sayyidul Anbiya on the Prophet (pbuh) come into being?
Answer 025: Studying the titles of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) is one of the important issues which is a manifestation of his moral salient characteristics and attributes. These titles have been adapted from narrations and they were created during the time of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and the infallible Imams (a.s). The traditions in which these titles have been mentioned were:
1. I am the master of men.[1]
«أَنَا سَیِّدُ النَّاسِ …»
- I am the master of humans.[2]
«أَنَا سَیِّدُ الْبَشَر»
- I am the master of Prophets.[3]
«أَنَا سَیِّدُ الْأَنْبِیَاء»
Imam Sajjad (a.s) has sent greeting to the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) in a Dua as under:
“Allahumma Salli `Ala Muhammadin Khatam ul-Nabiyeen Wa Sayyid al-Mursaleen”[4]
«اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ خَاتَمِ النَّبِیِّینَ وَ سَیِّدِ الْمُرْسَلِین
It should be noted that there are many titles and attributes mentioned in the holy Quran and traditions regarding the holy Prophet (pbuh) that some of which are as follows:
- Rasool Allah.[5]
- Khatam an-Nabiyyin.[6]
- Raoufon Rahim.[7]
- Monzer.[8]
- Najm. Imam Sadiq (as) was asked about this following verse of the holy Quran in which Allah (SWT) says: “And landmarks And by the stars they find the right way”[9] and the Imam (as) replied: The star is the holy Prophet (sa) and Landmarks are the Infallibles Imams (pbuth).[10]
- Amin[11]: means trustworthy. It means the one who has never betrayed.
- Bashir (bearer of glad-tidings): When the Holy Prophet was asked about the reason of given Him the title, His Excellency replied: Because, if one obeys Allah I will give him the glad tidings of Paradise.[12]
There have been mentioned other titles and attributes for the holy Prophet (pbuh)[13]. One of the traditions in which the holy Prophet (sa) stated His names and titles is: Muhammad, Ahmad, Mahi (meaning that by Me Allah (SWT) eliminate the blasphemy)[14], Hasher (means that Allah will gather people in front of me on the Day of Judgment), Aaqib (meaning that after me there will be no Messenger and Prophet).[15]
[1] . Maghrebi, Qazi Noman, Sharh al-Akhbar Fi Fazael al-Aemmah al-Athar (a.s), Vol. 1, Pg. 233, Qom, office of Islamic publication, first edition, 1409 AH, Ibn Hajar Asqalani, Ahmad bin Ali, al-Isabah Fi, Tam’eez al-Sahabah, Vol. 7, Pg. 75, Beirut, Dar ul-Kutob ul-Elmiyah, first edition, 1415 HA.
[2] . Sheikh Mofid, Muhammad bin Muhammad, Tafzil Amir al-Mo’meneen (a.s) Pg. 20, Qom, Shekh Mofid Congress, first edition, 1413 AH.
[3] . Khazaz Razi, Ali bin Muhammad, Kefayah al-Asar Fi al-Nass Ala’ al-Aemmah al-Isna Ashar, Pg. 113, Qom, Bidar, 1401 AH; Sheikh Sadouq, al-Amali, Pg. 298, Tehran, Ketabchi, sixth edition, 1997.
[4] . Ali bin al-Hussain (a.s), al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyah, Pg. 88, Qom, office of al-Hadi publication, first edition, 1997; Ibn Shahrashoub Mazandarani, Manaqib Al -e- Abi Taleb (a.s),Vol. 1, Pg. 152, Qom, Allamah, first edition, 1379 AH.
[5] . Surahs Aaraf, verse 158; Tawbah, verse 120; Ahzab, verses 21-40.
[6] . Surah Ahzab, verse 40.
[7] . Surah Tawbah, verse 128.
[8] Surah Ra’d; Refer to: Tabarsi, Fadh bin Hasan, Aalam al-Wara, Bi Aalam al_huda, Vol. 1, Pgs. 47-48, Qom, Aalul Bayt (as) Institution, first edition, 1417 A.H.
[9] . Surah Nahl, verse 16.
[10] . Kuleini, Muhammad bin Yaqoub, al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg. 206, Tehran, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyahm fourth edition, 1407 A.H.
[11] . Qutb al-Din Rawandi, Saeed bin Abad Allah, al-Kharaej wa al-Jaraeh, Vol. 1, Pg. 126, Qom , Imam Mahdi (ajtf) Institution, Qom, first edtion, 1409 A.H; Bayhaqi, Abu Bakr Ahmad bin Hussain, Dalael al-Nubuwwat wa Marefat Ahwal Saheb al-Shariat, Vol. 1, Pg. 90, Beirut, Dar al-Kutub al-Elmiyya, first edition, 1405 A.H.
[12] . Qummi, Ali bin Ebrahim, Tafsir al-Qummi, Vol. 2, Pg. 365, Qom, Dar al-Kitab, third edition, 1404 A.H.
[13] . For further information, refer to: Ibn Sayyid al-Nass, Oyoun al-Athar, Vol. 2, Pg. 382, Beirut, Dar al-Qalam, first edition, 1414 A.H; Majlesi, Muhammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 16, Pg. 82, “Bab e 6 Asmaehei (sa)”, Tehran, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, second edtion, 1984.
[14] . The other meaning of the Word ‘Mahi’ is: Allah will pass away the sins of the holy Prophet’s (pbuh) followers
[15] . A’alam al-Wara Bi Aalam al-Huda, Vol. 1, Pg. 49; Dalael al-Nubuwat wa Marefat Ahwal Sahib al-Shari’at, Vol. 1, Pg. 152.