Question Summary:
Did Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam act according to his own will or by Allah Ta’ala’s will?

Question Detail:

Does Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam act according to his own will or by Allah’s Subhanahu Wa Ta’alā’s will? If there is a proof in the Quran or the Hadith, can you please give me that as well?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
 
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
The speech and conduct of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam is according to the orders of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’alā. Allah mentions in the Quran:
 
{وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى (3) إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَى} [النجم: 3، 4]
 
“Nor does he speak from (his own) desire. It is not but a revelation revealed (to him).” [1] (Najm 3-4)
 
 
This verse refers to the speech of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam. However, it is more general and includes even the conduct of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam. A Hadith on the authority of Sa’d Ibn Hishām Radiallahu Ta’alā Anhu states:
 
عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ…..ُقلْتُ: يَا أُمَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ,حَدِّثِينِي عَنْ خُلُقِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَتْ: «أَلَسْتَ تَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ؟ فَإِنَّ خُلُقَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ الْقُرْآنَ» (سنن أبي داود (2/ 40)
 
“I asked, O Mother of all believers, relate to me the characteristics of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam. She replied, “Haven’t you read the Quran? Verily the characteristics of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam is the Qurān.” (Sunan Abi Dawood 2/40)
 
 
 
If Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam made Ijtihād on any issue which was incorrect, it would immediately be rectified through a revelation so that the error does not persist. There are examples of this in the Quran. If his Ijtihād was correct, then no Wahy would be revealed to amend it indicating the acceptance of his Ijtihād.
 
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Hannan Nizami,
Student Darul Iftaa
USA
 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net