The claim that the Messenger is created from the Light of Allah

Q: Many people believe that everything was created from the light of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and that his light was created from Allah's Light. They reported that the Prophet said: "I am the light of Allah and every thing is created from my light." and "The first thing that Allah created is the light of Muhammad (peace be upon him)". Are these sayings true? They also report another saying: "I am `Arab (Arab) without the letter "`Ayn", i.e. Rab (Lord); and I am "Ahmad" without the letter "Mim", i.e. Ahad (One)". Is this true?

A: We have previously answered this question in detail in Fatwa no.2871. This is the text of the Fatwa: "If you mean by describing the Prophet (peace be upon him) as light, that he was created from Allah's Light, you contradict the Qur'an that points out that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is a human being. If you mean that he (peace be upon him) is light with regard to what he was given of Wahy (Revelation) which is guidance to those whom Allah wills, you will not be blamed as this is the truth. The committee has issued a Fatwa in this regard. It says: (Part No. 1; Page No. 468) "The Prophet (peace be upon him) has a light which is that of the message and guidance whereby Allah guides whom He wills of His servants. There is no doubt that the light of the message and guidance is from Allah. Allah (Exalted be He) says: It is not given to any human being that Allâh should speak to him unless (it be) by Revelation, or from behind a veil, or (that) He sends a Messenger to reveal what He wills by His Leave. Verily, He is Most High, Most Wise. And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) Ruh (a Revelation, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’ân) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allâh’s Religion of Islâmic Monotheism). The Path of Allâh to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Verily, all matters at the end go to Allâh (for decision). This was not derived from the seal of Awliya' (pious people) as was claimed by some of the atheists. The body of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is blood, flesh, bones, etc. He had a father and a mother. He was not created previously before his birth. There is a false report that says: "The first thing that Allah created is the light of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Allah grasped a handful of the light of His face and that light was Muhammad (peace be upon him). He (Exalted be He) looked at it and it flowed to drops. From every single drop, Allah created a prophet or created all creatures from the light of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)." All these narrations and the like are false as it was not authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him). It becomes evident from what is mentioned in the previous Fatwa that this is a false belief. As to what is mentioned that the word `Arab (Arab) without the letter "`Ayn" is Rab (Lord) and the word "Ahmad" without the letter "Mim" is Ahad (One), are all false sayings that have no basis. The Attributes of Rububiyyah (Lordship) and Tawhid (Oneness) are for Allah (Glorified be He) Alone. (Part No. 1; Page No. 469) No human being whether a messenger or any other person is to be described with these attributes.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.