To understand these two ayahs we have to understand transition. For example, if you’re teaching a class and you have a TA with you, you’re going to be addressing both the class who are plural, and your TA who is singular, all at once.

So here, Allah is addressing the Prophet ( Salallahu alayhi wasallam), and then He is addressing us as singular. As though He is saying, you do this, and you do this, but it’s still one conversation.

So Allah says: “No doubt about it We have sent you (salallahu alayhi wasallam) as a witness.” Which is something quite scary and instilled fear in the hearts of the Sahaabahs. So Allah quickly fills their hearts with hope again by following this with, “and a giver of good tidings.” He then continues and mentions a third reason why He sent the messenger (salallahu alayhi wasallam), “as a warner.”

Then He turns to the Muslims (us), I have sent him (salallahu alayhi wasallam) as a messenger “so YOU could believe in Allah and His messenger.” Allah uses the word وَتُعَزِّرُوهُ – meaning honour the messenger out of an overwhelming respect for him. So we should have this overwhelming respect which drives us to help him.

So how are we supposed to help him (salallahu alayhi wasallam) when he is no longer in our company? Allah teaches us the Du’aa the Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wasallam) used to make which he taught us to make: “O Allah help whoever helps the religion of Muhammad. ”

So when we are serving Allah’s deen, we’re not only trying to please Allah but we’re respecting and honouring our beloved messenger (salallahu alayhi wasallam) at the same time.

Allah then says: وَتُوَقِّرُوهُ meaning, have the utmost respect for Muhammad (salallahu alayhi wasallam). He is a grand personality. Your whole attitude should change when you hear his name. You should be so humbled when his name is mentioned that you are instantly filled with an unmatched respect for him (salallahu alayhi wasallam).

Allah then finishes off with, “And you should declare Allah’s perfection night and day.”

Look at this! The first thing the ayah talked about was Allah, then the Messenger (salallahu alayhi wasallam) and then it ends with Allah. Meaning, if you don’t have respect for the messenger you won’t know what it means to glorify the perfection of Allah.

May Allah grant us a burning desire to serve His deen and may He make us amongst those who respect and honour His messenger (salallahu alayhi wasallam), ameen.