How can long dead Prophets support a future Messenger?

[Ayisha]

Salamun alaiki,

You may please overlook this part so that I can have feedback of you on the main body of article. However, some of the translations about this issue are hereunder---Ayah 21:107

Muhammad Asad   And [thus, O Prophet,] We have sent thee as [an evidence of Our] grace towards all the worlds.    M. M. Pickthall   We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.   
Shakir   And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds.   
Yusuf Ali   We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.   
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   And We sent thee not but as a mercy for the worlds.   
Wahiduddin Khan   We have sent you forth as a mercy to all mankind.   
T.B.Irving   We have merely sent you as a mercy for [everybody in] the Universe.   
[Al-Muntakhab]   We did not send you O Muhammad for a reason other than to symbolize, and serve as an embodiment of mercy which Allah has extended to all His creatures,

Yes I agree, there are others who add words that aren't there to claim the messenger is God 'personified' too but the next verse shows his mission.

Say: "What has come to me by inspiration is that your Allah is One Allah: will ye therefore bow to His Will (in Islam)?"

Just as all the other prophets, including the Word of Allah and the Messiah, were only men used to bring a message, so was this one. We make no distinction among them (and we do not claim they are God in the flesh either - or His son)

[Mazhar]

Yes I agree, there are others who add words that aren't there to claim the messenger is God 'personified' too but the next verse shows his mission.

Say: "What has come to me by inspiration is that your Allah is One Allah: will ye therefore bow to His Will (in Islam)?"

Just as all the other prophets, including the Word of Allah and the Messiah, were only men used to bring a message, so was this one. We make no distinction among them (and we do not claim they are God in the flesh either - or His son)

Salamun alaiki,

None of the Muslims claim the Messengers are god in the flesh either.

There seems merely difference of angle. None has said that the Messenger is God personified. Mercy-رَحْمَةً is a verbal noun that shows a state.
Embodiment signifies:
1.[n]  giving concrete form to an abstract concept
2.[n]  a concrete representation of an otherwise nebulous concept; "a circle was the embodiment of his concept of life"
3.[n]  a new personification of a familiar idea; "the embodiment of hope"; "the incarnation of evil"; "the very avatar of cunning"

It cannot be stretched as you have stretched it to denote.

[mubashir55]

Links to a blank page Maz 

One of the reasons I posted this verse is to highlight the point that often majority translators do a word by word translations which ends up in something that does not makes sense. There are some exceptions, though.

Here are some alternate translations/expositions:

3:81 [Asad] AND, LO, God accepted, through the prophets, this solemn pledge [from the followers of earlier revelation]: "If, after all the revelation and the wisdom which I have vouchsafed unto you, there comes to you an apostle confirming the truth already in your possession, you must believe in him and succour him. Do you" - said He - "acknowledge and accept My bond on this condition?" They answered: "We do acknowledge it." Said He: "Then bear witness [thereto], and I shall be your witness.

[Amatul Omar] (Recall the time) when Allah bound (the people) to a covenant through the Prophets (saying), `Indeed, whatever I have vouchsafed to you of the Book and the Wisdom, and then there comes to you a Messenger fulfilling that which is with you, you shall surely believe in him and have to help him.' (The Lord further) said, `Do you agree and do you undertake the heavy responsibility of My covenant on these (terms)?' They said, `We do agree.' (God) said, `Bear witness to it and I am with you among the witnesses.'

[Shabbir] Allah made a Covenant with all the Prophets, and through them with their respective nations, that they would welcome each of the next Messengers in the process of Divine Revelations and support him. Allah said to the Prophets, "I give you the Scripture and Wisdom. Afterward there would come a Messenger who would confirm the Truth in your Scripture. You shall believe in him and help him." He said, "Do you agree and take this Covenant as binding on you?" They said, "We agree." He said, "Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses." (This was the Covenant with their nations. The personal covenant made with each Messenger is mentioned in (33:7))

[Sher Ali] And remember the time when ALLAH took a covenant from the people through the Prophets, saying `Whatever I give you of the Book and Wisdom and then there comes to you a Messenger, fulfilling that which is with you, you shall believe in him and help him.' And HE said, `Do you agree, and do you accept the responsibility which I lay upon you in this matter?' They said `We agree.' HE said `Then bear witness and I am with you among the witnesses.'

[Parwez]  80-81     The Guidance which is being given to you now is nothing new. It has been given to earlier peoples through their Anbia, with whom Allah had made a covenant. This covenant was that when the last Nabi who will validate the claims and promises made in their scriptures comes, they would accept him and also aid him.

Allah had asked them: ?Are you aware that you are accepting the covenant on these terms??. They had answered: ?We are,? thereupon Allah said: ?Be witnesses to this and I will also be a witness along with you.? Allah had made it clear that those who would backslide would be those who had abandoned the right path.

[Ayisha]

Salamun alaiki,

None of the Muslims claim the Messengers are god in the flesh either.

No but many IMPLY that in some way or other even if only by idolizing him. IMHO.

There seems merely difference of angle. None has said that the Messenger is God personified. Mercy-رَحْمَةً is a verbal noun that shows a state.
Embodiment signifies:
1.[n]  giving concrete form to an abstract concept
2.[n]  a concrete representation of an otherwise nebulous concept; "a circle was the embodiment of his concept of life"
3.[n]  a new personification of a familiar idea; "the embodiment of hope"; "the incarnation of evil"; "the very avatar of cunning"

It cannot be stretched as you have stretched it to denote.

"Person of the Leader of Humanity, the Messenger and Personification of the Infinite Mercy of Allah the Exalted. "

personified  past participle, past tense of per?son?i?fy (Verb)
Verb
Represent (a quality or concept) by a figure in human form.
Attribute a personal nature or human characteristics to (something nonhuman).


per?son?i?fi?ca?tion  [per-son-uh-fi-key-shuh n]  Show IPA
noun
1. the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure.
2. the representation of a thing or abstraction in the form of a person, as in art.
3. the person or thing embodying a quality or the like; an embodiment or incarnation: He is the personification of tact.
4.an imaginary person or creature conceived or figured to represent a thing or abstraction.
5.the act of personifying.


Sorry maz but this is no different to how later Christians ran away with the idea that Jesus was God in the flesh or/and His son, which was also NOT said but could be 'implied'.

I am only telling you what I see as a native English speaker 

[Mazhar]

No but many IMPLY that in some way or other even if only by idolizing him. IMHO.


"Person of the Leader of Humanity, the Messenger and Personification of the Infinite Mercy of Allah the Exalted. "

personified  past participle, past tense of per?son?i?fy (Verb)
Verb
Represent (a quality or concept) by a figure in human form.
Attribute a personal nature or human characteristics to (something nonhuman).


per?son?i?fi?ca?tion  [per-son-uh-fi-key-shuh n]  Show IPA
noun
1. the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure.
2. the representation of a thing or abstraction in the form of a person, as in art.
3. the person or thing embodying a quality or the like; an embodiment or incarnation: He is the personification of tact.
4.an imaginary person or creature conceived or figured to represent a thing or abstraction.
5.the act of personifying.


Sorry maz but this is no different to how later Christians ran away with the idea that Jesus was God in the flesh or/and His son, which was also NOT said but could be 'implied'.

I am only telling you what I see as a native English speaker 

Salamun alaiki,

This was the reason that I referred about the angle of looking at things. Statements of "Kufar" like "Jesus was god in the flesh or/and His son" do not have semblence with personfication of mercy. "Personification" primarily signifies typifying a quality or idea. And when you mention it alongwith the quality it does not mean what you are presuming.

Please consult few other natives as to what they perceive from the quoted statement.

However, how would you translate, or what would you perceive from this statement:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ 

[mmmm]

It doesn't say which messenger, so it might be while they're still alive...

[drfazl]

peace,

if i read this ayat/verse, without the brackets, i understand: the prophets taking the covenant of Allah, are asking the followers: "i have given u the Book and the wisdom from Him." 

"later, a messenger as conformer of the wisdom u have, will  come."  "u - the followers, firmly believe and assist the messenger." "So, will u adhere and agree this", said the prophet.  the followers answered "yes, we'll adhere".  then the prophet said, "bear witness, and i'll also be a witness among witnesses".

i understand that every prophet, say these words, to their followers.  as, the messengers will be coming till the judgement day to prove the Ayats of Koran.

note: i'm new to Koran.  i read in my native language.  i come from an idol worshiping family.  i left idol worshiping after reading Koran.  Koran gives me so much meaning to my life.

DrGm
Salam

Allah had guided you very rightly; your getting at the ayat is most sensible. May Allah Guide Us more extensively in to the ayats of Quran. Read Quran in your native language alone for, only reading so you can comprehend what Allah means to convey by His Signs, the ayats. Forget arabic and understand Quran with sense in your native language. Allah is the only One who could guide us through His Book with breakthrough revelations one conforming to the others. And your understanding confirms all languages belong to Allah.

[DrGm]

DrGm
Salam

Allah had guided you very rightly; your getting at the ayat is most sensible. May Allah Guide Us more extensively in to the ayats of Quran. Read Quran in your native language alone for, only reading so you can comprehend what Allah means to convey by His Signs, the ayats. Forget arabic and understand Quran with sense in your native language. Allah is the only One who could guide us through His Book with breakthrough revelations one conforming to the others. And your understanding confirms all languages belong to Allah.

salaam Dr

i will continue to read Quran in my native language.  i seek/pray Allah for understanding Quran with sense.

may God bless us.

[al-amiyr]

DrGm
Salam

Allah had guided you very rightly; your getting at the ayat is most sensible. May Allah Guide Us more extensively in to the ayats of Quran. Read Quran in your native language alone for, only reading so you can comprehend what Allah means to convey by His Signs, the ayats. Forget arabic and understand Quran with sense in your native language. Allah is the only One who could guide us through His Book with breakthrough revelations one conforming to the others. And your understanding confirms all languages belong to Allah.

salaam Dr

i will continue to read Quran in my native language.  i seek/pray Allah for understanding Quran with sense.

may God bless us.

salaam+ dr and Dr

I am interested in this Qur'aan. Could you advise me where I can find it? It will be highly appreciated.

Another question Mr Fazl. Why do you advise to forget Arabic after greeting in Arabic. Is this part of the process of healing with misunderstanding?

Decoding another Puzzle!

+salaam

[DrGm]

I am interested in this Qur'aan. Could you advise me where I can find it? It will be highly appreciated.

peace,

can u read Tamil.

peace