Does it seem that some Muslims almost have a Worship Kind of Relationship with the Messenger of Allah rather than Standard Respect many dismiss this and call it Reverence but their Actions say otherwise.
I believe Prophet Muhammad PHUB would disown the pedestal on which he has been placed by tradition.
The matter of "emulation" is just one aspect of the idolization, but it happens in many other respects too.
Historically (and from the perspective of the Quran), Muhammad did not claim superiority or exceptionalism over other messengers. He was an ordinary mortal, whose only distinction was that he delivered God's message. His message was pluralist and ecumenical, and those who heeded to his message were on the same footing as those who sincerely heeded to the same message that was brought by previous messengers. But the shahadatayn started to gain prominence around the end of the 7th century and the start of the 8th, when "Islam" emerged as an exclusivist faith with particular emphasis on Muhammad. Not only was his name added next to God's name in the Shahada, but not recognizing his messengership was considered tantamount to disbelief, even among people who did not interact with him when he was alive.
Then they upped the ante. They started writing his name next to God's name in mosques, and rarely is God's name invoked or written, without Muhammad's name mentioned alongside, and then extending it to more problematic concepts like Tabarruk (veneration of body parts and body fluids) and intercession, among others. Here are some reasons why I believe the idolization of Muhammad is prevalent in tradition (this is a snippet from a previous comment of mine, please forgive its acerbic tone):
I do recognize the Immense Task and Responsibility of the Rassol'allah and his Guidance to Humanity but Worshipping him undermines the very thing he fought and sacrificed his life countless times for.
I believe Prophet Muhammad PHUB would disown the pedestal on which he has been placed by tradition.
The matter of "emulation" is just one aspect of the idolization, but it happens in many other respects too.
Historically (and from the perspective of the Quran), Muhammad did not claim superiority or exceptionalism over other messengers. He was an ordinary mortal, whose only distinction was that he delivered God's message. His message was pluralist and ecumenical, and those who heeded to his message were on the same footing as those who sincerely heeded to the same message that was brought by previous messengers. But the shahadatayn started to gain prominence around the end of the 7th century and the start of the 8th, when "Islam" emerged as an exclusivist faith with particular emphasis on Muhammad. Not only was his name added next to God's name in the Shahada, but not recognizing his messengership was considered tantamount to disbelief, even among people who did not interact with him when he was alive.
Then they upped the ante. They started writing his name next to God's name in mosques, and rarely is God's name invoked or written, without Muhammad's name mentioned alongside, and then extending it to more problematic concepts like Tabarruk (veneration of body parts and body fluids) and intercession, among others. Here are some reasons why I believe the idolization of Muhammad is prevalent in tradition (this is a snippet from a previous comment of mine, please forgive its acerbic tone):
- Writing Muhammad's name alongside God's name (against his will) in mosques and calligraphies everywhere, instead of commemorating God alone (39:45, 33:41-43, 18:110, 41:6).
- Corruption of the shahada, and joining Muhammad's name (against his will) with God's (39:45, 3:18, 47:19, 48:28-29, 2:136, 2:255, 59:22-24, 21:87, 2:136, 63:1, 18:110, 41:6).
- Calling Muhammad directly in second person singular during the Salat and in Masjids, instead of calling God alone (39:45, 72:18, 20:14).
- Commemorating Muhammad along with God through the durood in every salat, instead of commemorating God alone (39:45, 20:14, 29:45, 6:162).
- Glorifying Muhammad day and night with "salawat", distorting 33:56 and taking the passage 33:40-62 out of context (33:40-62, 18:110, 41:6).
- Advocating the veneration of body parts and body fluids of Muhammad and objects touched by part of his body, through the concept of Tabarruk (39:3, 18:110, 41:6, 25:55).
- Turning Muhammad's grave site into a second "Haraam", even though the Quran mentions only one Masjid Al Haraam (16:20-21, 35:22, 18:110, 41:6, 39:3, 25:55).
- Glorifying Muhammad against his will, elevating him as "the best of creation", singing naats and qasidahs, and making a distinction among God's messengers (18:110, 41:6, 39:3, 25:55).
- Accusing Muhammad of fabricating a parallel religion that have nothing in common with the religion that he taught through the Quran, with silly rules and practices like rules for urination and defecation, drinking camel urine, banning of music, art, kites, chess, mohawks, gold and silk for men, banning menstruating women from praying, fasting, entering masjids, touching mushafs and many misogynistic rules oppressing women, advocating killing blasphemers and apostates, stoning adulterers, offensive warfare and the capture and rape of war captives (69:44-46, 6:19, 39:23, 45:6, 77:50, 7:185, 31:6, 6:112-116).
I do recognize the Immense Task and Responsibility of the Rassol'allah and his Guidance to Humanity but Worshipping him undermines the very thing he fought and sacrificed his life countless times for.
