سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه Reflect upon this for a moment. Even after hearing from the Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ  that it is forbidden to cut the grass or plants of the Ḥaram, a leading Companion like ꜤAbbās رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ requested permission to use Idhkhir grass.

This highlights very many things. First, this demonstrates that the Companions did not consider the Prophetصَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ an ordinary human being, but firmly believed that Allah had granted him full authority to alter what is halal and haram in any given situation as he saw fit. The Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ , in turn, did not refuse. Instead, he exercised his authority to allow the use of idhkhir, thereby affirming the Companions' belief.

Dear Islamic brothers! All the previously mentioned incidents regarding the special authority of the Prophetصَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ are regarding matters in which he provided ease for his entire Ummah.

Now, observe the greatness of the Prophet’s صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  authority:

1.     If something is obligatory for the entire Ummah and neglecting it is sinful, the Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ could, by his special authority, allow specific individuals to refrain from it.

2.    Likewise, if something is forbidden for everybody, Allah’s Messengerصَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ  could make it permissible for some.

Let us now reflect on some inspiring instances where the authority the Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ  was in full view.

The Prophet’s صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  authority in excusing salah

There is no doubt that every Muslim is obligated to perform five daily salah. Denying this is disbelief, and intentionally missing even one is a major sin which can take one to Hellfire.