What are two important duties of the Prophet (pbuh)?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Tabligh (proclaiming / conveying the message) and tabyin (explaining it) are two most important duties of the Prophet (pbuh). The first one expresses conveying the divine revelation to people and the second one expresses explaining it. The following verse mentions his duty of conveying the message:

يَٓا اَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَٓا اُنْزِلَ اِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَۜ  ”O Messenger! Proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord.” (al-Maida, 5/67)

It is impossible for the Prophet to have a thought as follows: “My nation will oppose me; I will not mention the things that they will not like, at least, for the time being ...” His first duty is to convey people the realities of divine revelation; and he fulfilled that duty truly.

Referring to the verse above, Hz. Aisha states the following:

“If a person says, ‘Muhammad concealed something from the book of Allah’, he will have slandered Allah.” (Bukhari, Tafsir 53/l)

The following verse mentions his duty of explaining:

وَاَنْزَلْنَٓا اِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَانُزِّلَ اِلَيْهِمْ “We have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to men.” (an-Nahl, 16/44)

Issues are generally mentioned briefly in the Quran. The Prophet (pbuh) explains their details and shows people how to practice them. For example, the following verse is included in the Quran وَاَق۪يمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ “So establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity.” (an-Nur, 24/56) However, details such as how to perform prayers, when to perform them and as how many rak’ahs, what to say in ruku’ and sajdah, how much zakah to pay from which goods are clarified by the explanations and practices of the Prophet (pbuh).

As a matter of fact, the Prophet (pbuh) expresses that aspect as follows: “I have been sent only as a teacher.” (Ibn Majah¸ Muqaddima 17) His statements, explanations and practices included in hadith books are magnificent evidences of his teachership.

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