How does the Qur’an describe the relationship between the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the believers?

Is it only a leader-follower type of relationship that is all about command and obedience?

Going through the Qur’anic verses that deal with this theme, we can easily observe how beautiful and warm the relation between us and our beloved Prophet. When you read about the compassion, care and mercy that the Prophet cherished for his followers you will realize why he received such outstanding love and respect by his followers.

In this collection of Qur’anic verses, Allah Almighty gives a beautiful description of this relationship and draws our attention to requirements entailed by it:

Close and Strong Relation

1. {The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers…} (Al-Ahzab 33:6)

2. {There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.} (At-Tawbah 9:128)

3. {And among them are men who hurt the Prophet and say: “He is (lending his) ear (to every news).”

Say: “He listens to what is best for you; he believes in Allah; has faith in the believers; and is a mercy to those of you who believe.” But those who hurt Allah’s Messenger will have a painful torment.} (At-Tawbah 9:61)

4. {So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].} (Aal-`Imran 3:159)

Faithful Loyalty and Support

5. {You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred.

Those – He has written in their hearts faith and supported them with spirit from Him. And We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him – those are the party of Allah . Unquestionably, the party of Allah – they are the successful.} (Al-Mujadalah 58:22)

6. {So they who have believed in him [Prophet Muhammad], honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him – it is those who will be the successful.}(Al-A`raf 7:157)

7. {Your ally is none but Allah and His Messenger and those who have believed – those who establish prayer and give zakah, and they bow [in worship].

And whoever is an ally of Allah and His Messenger and those who have believed – indeed, the party of Allah – they will be the predominant.} (Al-Ma’idah 5:55-56)

8. {It was not [proper] for the people of Madinah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah or that they prefer themselves over his self.

That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah , nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that is registered for them as a righteous deed.

Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.} (At-Tawbah 9:120)

Honoring the Prophet is a Must

9 – 11. {O you who have believed, do not put [yourselves] before Allah and His Messenger but fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing and All-Knowing.

O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not.

Indeed, those who lower their voices before the Messenger of Allah – they are the ones whose hearts Allah has tested for righteousness. For them is forgiveness and great reward.} (Al-Hujurat 49:1-3)

{Do not make [your] calling of the Messenger among yourselves as the call of one of you to another…} (An-Nur 24:51)

12. {Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.} (Al-Ahzab 33:56)

Obedience is a Proof of Love

13. {O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.} (Al-Anfal 8:24)

14. {The only statement of the [true] believers when they are called to Allah and His Messenger to judge between them is that they say, “We hear and we obey.” And those are the successful.} (An-Nur 24:51)

15. {He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah…} (An-Nisaa’ 4:80)

16. {It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.} (Al-Ahzab 33:36)

17. {And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.} (An-Nisaa’ 4:69)