The trust that any prophet bears lies in delivering the message to those to whom it was sent. A prophet does not have the authority to alter the content of the message, as doing so would constitute a betrayal of trust according to both law and custom. Allah Almighty clearly outlined the Prophet’s authority and precisely defined his mission in the divine commissioning, as stated in the verse: “Whether We show you some of what We threaten them with or cause you to die before that, your duty is only to deliver the message, and the reckoning is Ours” (Ar-Ra’d: 40).
Thus, the entrusted mission of the Prophet, as assigned to him, is solely to convey the verses of the Qur’an to the people and to explain their purposes for their benefit in this worldly life, for which Allah will reward him generously in the Hereafter. What, then, if the Prophet is tasked by Allah with carrying the divine message to the people, speaking with his own tongue to deliver His verses, and clarifying the wisdom and purposes of His Book, the Qur’an, for what benefits them in this world? The trustworthy Prophet of Islam is not permitted to alter or amend his mission or the divine message to the people; he is commanded with a specific task: to convey the verses of the Qur’an to the people, while Allah alone is responsible for holding them accountable for not following what the Prophet has delivered from the verses of the Qur’an.
The Prophet further confirms his mission to the people by conveying Allah’s words through him: “Say, ‘Shall I seek a judge other than Allah while He is the One who sent down to you the Book explained in detail?’ Those to whom We gave the Book know that it has been sent down from your Lord in truth, so do not be among the doubters” (Al-An’am: 114-115).
Moreover, Allah Almighty confirms to His Prophet within the commands in the commissioning statement: “Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord—there is no deity except Him—and turn away from the polytheists. Had Allah willed, they would not have associated partners with Him. And We have not made you a guardian over them, nor are you their manager” (Al-An’am: 106-107).
Allah did not appoint His Prophet as a guardian over people, nor as His agent on earth regarding their worship, performance of rituals, or holding them accountable for any shortcomings in their devotions; this is a matter that Allah has reserved for Himself alone.
The divine commissioning of the Prophet also includes Allah’s words: “A Book revealed to you, so let there be no distress in your heart because of it, so that you may warn with it, and it is a reminder for the believers” (Al-A’raf: 2).
Allah Almighty also says: “Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book in truth. So worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion” (Az-Zumar: 2).
And Allah’s words: “This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded” (Sad: 29).
Allah further addresses His Prophet: “Say, ‘What thing is greatest in testimony?’ Say, ‘Allah is witness between me and you. And this Qur’an has been revealed to me so that I may warn you with it and whomever it reaches'” (Al-An’am: 19).
