Ibn Bazz: Ruling on whoever claims that prophets did not know the reality of Tawhid

Ruling on whoever claims that prophets did not know the reality of Tawhid 

From `Abdul `Aziz Bin `Abdullah Ibn Baz to His Honorable Eminence brother Shaykh `A. S. `A. GH.; may Allah guide you to do whatever pleases Him and increase you in knowledge and Iman (Faith), Amen! As­salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!) 

I have received the letter that was sent to you by brother S. S. H. in which he inquired about the ruling on whoever claims that prophets needed to learn more about the testimony of La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah) and the ruling on whoever alleges that prophets did not know the reality of Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah). I also knew through your agent about your desire that I answer these two questions. Answer: Undoubtedly, prophets, messengers, and all scholars need to be told about the merits of Tawhid and good deeds by their Lord (Glorified be He). This is because all branches of Shar`y (Islamic legal) knowledge is received from Allah. In fact Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) sent His messengers and taught them things that they did not know before so that they would convey His messages to His slaves. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) thus said to His Prophet (peace be upon him) inSurah (Qur'anic chapter) Al­Nisa': Had not the Grace of Allâh and His Mercy been upon you (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم), a party of them would certainly have made a decision to mislead you, but (in fact) they mislead none except their own selves, and no harm can they do to you in the least. Allâh has sent down to you the Book (The Qur’ân), and Al­Hikmah (Islâmic laws, knowledge of legal and illegal things i.e. the Prophet’s Sunnah legal ways), and taught you that which youknewnot.AndEverGreatistheGraceofAllâhuntoyou(OMuhammadصلىااللهعليهوسلم). Moreover,Allah(Exaltedbe He) says in 

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Surah Al­Ma'idah: On the Day when Allâh will gather the Messengers together and say to them: "What was the response you received (from men to your teaching)?" They will say: "We have no knowledge, verily, only You are the All­Knower of all that is hidden (or unseen)." (Remember) when Allâh will say (on the Day of Resurrection). "O ‘Isâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Remember My Favour to you and to your mother when I supported you with Rûh­ul­Qudus [Jibrîl (Gabriel)] so that you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and when I taught you writing, Al­Hikmah (the power of understanding), the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) 

There are many Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) to the same effect. Besides, it is reported that Abu Sa`id Al­Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) said: O Lord! Teach me something through which I can remember You and supplicate to You. Allah said: Say, "la ilaha illa Allah (there is no God but Allah). 

(Relatedby Ibn Hibban and Al­Hakim;as stated in the Kitab Al­Tawhid). However, prophets did not need to be taught by people. Rather, they were the ones who taught people according to the knowledge that they (peace be upon them all) learnt from Allah (Exalted be He). Whoever claims that prophets needed to be taught by people is a deviated Kafir (disbeliever) because such an allegation is tantamount to degrading prophets and accusing them of things that they are free from (peace be upon them all). On the contrary, prophets were the ones who taught people the reality of Tawhid and all other rulings of Shari`ah (Islamic law) with which they had been sent and the most perfect and best one of all the prophets and messengers regarding this is the Last Messenger our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). I am sure that the foregoing is well known to your Eminence as it is stated by different scholars while dealing with chapters on ruling on apostates. Anyway, I wrote this answer for you as I was told by your agent that this was your desire. 

I ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to grant me, you, 

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and all Muslims the true understanding of Din (religion) and keep us firm on applying its rulings. May Allah support His Din, make it prevail, and set right the conditions of all Muslims and their authorities! May Allah help Muslim scholars to fulfill their duties towards Da`wah (calling to Islam) and to convey Allah's Shari`ah to His slaves! Verily, Allah is the All­Hearer, Ever Near. 

As­salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh
Chairman of the Departments of Scholarly Research, 

Ifta', Da`wah, and Guidance