THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) WAS NOT LIGHT

 

 

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD  (ﷺ) WAS NOT LIGHT 

 

This is a fundamental question in Islamic theology, and the evidence from the Qur'an and the Authentic Sunnah is clear and consistent.

 

The unequivocal answer is that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was a human being. He was not made of light, nor was he divine. His nature was entirely human, but he was distinguished by the fact that he received revelation from God.

 

Here is the evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah 

 

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1. Evidence from the Qur'an (القرآن الكريم)

 

The Qur'an repeatedly and explicitly emphasizes the humanity of Muhammad (ﷺ).

 

A. Direct Declarations of His Humanity:

 

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

 

Translation: "Say, [O Muhammad], 'I am only a man like you to whom it has been revealed that your god is but one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.'" (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:110)

 

This verse is a direct command from Allah to the Prophet to declare his humanity. The distinction is not his nature, but the fact that revelation (wahy) comes to him.

 

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

 

Translation: "And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know." (Surah Al-Anbiya’, 21:7)

 

This verse states a universal principle: all messengers sent were men (Rijalan), not angels or beings of light.

 

B. He Was Subject to Human Limitations:

 

The Qur'an shows the Prophet experiencing human emotions and trials, further affirming his humanity.

 

وَإِن كَادُوا لَيَفْتِنُونَكَ عَنِ الَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ لِتَفْتَرِيَ عَلَيْنَا غَيْرَهُ ۖ وَإِذًا لَّاتَّخَذُوكَ خَلِيلًا

 

Translation: "And indeed, they were almost about to tempt you away from that which We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], in order to [make] you invent about Us something else; and then they would have taken you as a friend." (Surah Al-Isra’, 17:73)

 

This shows he faced immense pressure, a human trial.

 

عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ . أَن جَآءَهُ ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ . وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُۥ يَزَّكَّىٰٓ

 

Translation: "He frowned and turned away. Because there came to him the blind man, [interrupting]. But what would make you perceive, [O Muhammad], that perhaps he might be purified?"

(Surah 'Abasa, 80:1-3)

 

Allah gently admonishes the Prophet for a momentary human reaction, demonstrating he was not infallible in all his personal conduct — only in conveying revelation.

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2. Evidence from the Sunnah (السنة)

 

The Prophet's own words and actions in authentic hadiths are the strongest proof of his human nature.

 

A. His Explicit Statements:

 

«إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ، أَنْسَى كَمَا تَنْسَوْنَ، فَإِذَا نَسِيتُ فَذَكِّرُونِي»

 

Translation: "I am only a human being like you. I forget as you forget, so if I forget, remind me."

 

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

 

This was said during a prayer when he mistakenly omitted a part of it.

 

لَا تُطْرُونِي كَمَا أَطْرَتِ النَّصَارَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ، فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدُُ، فَقُولُوا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ

 

Translation: "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary. I am only His slave, so say: 'The slave of Allah and His Messenger.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari)

 

This is a direct prohibition against elevating him beyond his status as a human servant of God.

 

B. His Human Actions and Life: He felt pain,got sick, ate food, walked in the markets, and eventually died. His final words before passing away were:

 

«اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالرَّفِيقِ الْأَعْلَى»

 

Translation: "O Allah, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me with the highest companion."

(Sahih al-Bukhari)

 

A human plea from a servant to his Creator.

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3. The Concept of "Nur" (Light) in Reference to the Prophet

 

The misconception of the Prophet being created from light often stems from a misinterpretation of certain texts and metaphors.

 

 Allah says in the Qur'an:

 

قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُبِينٌ

 

Translation: "There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book." (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:15)

 

Many classical exegetes (like Ibn Kathir) state that the "light" (nur) here refers to the guidance and the message brought by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), not his physical creation.

 

· The Famous Hadith of Jabir: There is a well-known but often misunderstood narration:

 

«أَوَّلُ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ نُورُ نَبِيِّكَ يَا جَابِرُ»

 

"The first thing Allah created was the light of your Prophet, O Jabir."

 

· Important Note: This hadith is not authentic (da'if/jiddan da'if). It is rejected by the vast majority of hadith scholars (including Al-Bayhaqi, Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Albani, and others) due to a weak and broken chain of narration. It cannot be used as a valid evidence in matters of creed (Aqidah).

 

· Metaphorical Use of "Light": The Prophet is often described metaphorically as a light because he brought humanity out of the darkness of ignorance into the light of guidance. This is a spiritual and metaphorical description, not a statement about his physical composition. For example, his guidance is likened to a shining lamp:

 

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا . وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا

 

Translation: "O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness, a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp."

 

(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:45-46)

 

The Arabic word sirajan muniran means "an illuminating lamp" — a source of light for others, not one made of light himself.

 

Conclusion

 

The evidence from the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah is overwhelming and consistent: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was a human being (بشر), a servant of Allah (عبد الله).

 

 His unique status comes from him being chosen to receive and convey divine revelation (wahy), not from having a different creation.

 

Believing he was created from light is a later concept that entered some circles through weak narrations and philosophical ideas, and it contradicts the clear, foundational texts of Islam. The orthodox Islamic belief (Aqidah Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah) is firmly based on the principle of his complete and undeniable humanity.