Spreading fantasy stories about Prophets: what is the rule?

Sources

• ✓ 7:157 · Al-A'raaf

  7:157 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلْأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَىٰهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْخَبَٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَٱلْأَغْلَٰلَ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓ ۙ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

  Those who follow the messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them that which is wrong. He will make lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them only the foul; and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him: they are the successful.

• ✓ 33:38 · Al-Ahzaab

  33:38 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  مَّا كَانَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ مِنْ حَرَجٍۢ فِيمَا فَرَضَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ ۖ سُنَّةَ ٱللَّهِ فِى ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ قَدَرًۭا مَّقْدُورًا

  There is no reproach for the Prophet in that which Allah maketh his due. That was Allah's way with those who passed away of old - and the commandment of Allah is certain destiny -

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 7:157

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 7:157

  The phrase "those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written in their Torah and Gospel" describes the identity and qualities of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as foretold by the previous scriptures. The prophets before him informed their communities about his coming and instructed them to follow him. These characteristics remained in their sacred texts, known and recognized by their scholars and religious leaders. A notable narration by Imam Ahmad, relayed through several chains, reports a man who met the Prophet during his lifetime and later heard the Prophet ask a Jewish man who was reciting the Torah about the presence of his description in the Torah. The Jewish man responded negatively, but his son affirmed that the Prophet's attributes were indeed found there, acknowledged the oneness of God and Muhammad's prophethood. This story further emphasized the recognition of Muhammad's mission by the People of the Book. Similar narratives are found in respected sources like Sahih Muslim and al-Mustadrak by al-Hakim. Another report involves envoys sent to Heraclius, the Byzantine ruler, inviting him to Islam. After initial hesitation, when they conveyed the message and described the Prophet, their words had a striking effect, described symbolically by a room shaking when they uttered the phrase "There is no deity but God, and God is Greatest." Heraclius confirmed the truthfulness of the Prophet and mentioned that the description of Muhammad was known in his kingdom. He also explained that images of various prophets were stored in a treasury, preserved since the time of Adam, as explained by those envoys. These traditions illustrate the longstanding knowledge about Prophet Muhammad’s advent across previous communities and scriptures. Furthermore, scholars like Ibn Jarir and others have narrated from companions and scholars that the Prophet's qualities and character are described in earlier scriptures in affirming terms, consistent with the Qur'an’s depiction of him as a witness, bringer of glad tidings, warner, and a gentle, forgiving servant of God who invites to worship God alone and shun false deities. The phrase about commanding right and forbidding wrong found in this verse corresponds to the Prophet’s consistent behavior where he enjoined good and forbade evil, emphasizing monotheism and pure worship as established also by previous messengers. Regarding the allowance of good foods and prohibition of impurities, the verse indicates that the Prophet lifted previous excessive restrictions people had imposed upon themselves, opening lawful benefits and forbidding harmful elements such as pork and usury, aligning lawful with beneficial and unlawful with harmful matters. The mention of removing burdens and chains from people refers to the facilitation and mercy brought by the Prophet’s law, replacing earlier stringent and difficult ordinances with ease and leniency. This is backed by authentic hadiths where the Prophet said he was sent with a gentle, moderate precept and instructed his envoys to greet people with glad tidings and not to repel them. Historically, earlier nations had many restrictive legal systems, but God eased matters for this community, excusing mistakes and forgetfulness within reason, as referenced in the supplication taught to the believers and the Prophet’s statement that errors, forgetfulness, and coercion are lifted from his nation. Those who believe in him, honor and assist him, and follow the light (the Qur'an and revelation) sent with him are truly the successful ones in this life and the hereafter, as this verse concludes.