Psalms 1:1-6

This text is close to the previous one, and both apply to the best of people, and also apply to the Prophet Muḥammad with greater reason (a fortiori).

It is known that the Prophet Muḥammad led a blessed life, admired by ruler and ruled, female and male, near and far, enemy and friend alike. The text describes him as overflowing with blessing — conveyed by the word “blessed” — and makes clear that this description applies to him.

The text also makes clear that Allāh saved this blessed man from the wicked, and that this applies to the Prophet Muḥammad, for many people were hostile toward him. Some thirty attempts were made to assassinate the Prophet Muḥammad, yet Allāh protected him from them all until he had delivered the message of his Lord, and then took him in death.

It also makes clear that this blessed man finds his joy in obeying Allāh and adhering to His revealed teachings. This applies to the Prophet Muḥammad, for he worshipped Allāh abundantly, praying through the night until his feet would swell from long standing. When his wife ‘Ā’ishah (Aisha), may Allāh be pleased with her, asked him, “Why do you do this, when Allāh has already forgiven your past and future sins?” he replied, “Should I not be a grateful servant?”

The text likens this blessed man to a fruitful tree from which people benefit all year round, whose leaves stay fresh and never wither. This applies to the Prophet Muḥammad through what the Muslims do in acting upon the teachings of the Sharī‘ah throughout the year, benefiting people with charitable works such as feeding the poor and digging wells for the needy. In contrast, the text depicts the wicked as chaff — the dry husks that the wind scatters and tosses about until they come to ruin and destruction. This is what befell the opponents of every prophet, the last of whom is the Prophet Muḥammad. When his people fought him, Allāh granted him victory over them; authority passed to him, yet he pardoned them and took no revenge. After him the Islamic state expanded, and the lands from China in the east to Andalusia in the west came under Muslim rule — without the injustice or plunder that the great powers have committed throughout the ages.

The text also makes clear that there was no prophet greater than Muḥammad, for he was the most beloved of creation to Allāh, Exalted be He; he was distinguished by every great quality that no prophet before him possessed, and Allāh, Exalted be He, chose him above all creation.