Assalamualykum can somebody help me understand the alleged contradiction between surah 14 ayah 4 which states that all messengers are sent to the people of their language and other verses in the qur'an that say prophet Muhammad was sent to all mankind.
Firstly, there is no contradiction (and I will explain why).
Secondly, I completely disagree with black-muslim on this one. This verse did not specify whether it was before or not. This verse just says that all prophets that were sent were sent in a specific language to guide their nation, this verse
includes Muhammad! Lets not be dishonest, we cannot be defenders of faith if we become dishonest like our Christian counterparts.
The Quran makes it clear that:
(Quran 3:3-4) And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel before as a guidance to mankind(Quran 28:43) And We gave Moses the Scripture, after We had destroyed the former generations, as enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy that they might be reminded.Conclusion: So even though Moses and Jesus were sent to their people initially, they were also sent to all of mankind. Just like Muhammad, he was sent to his people initially, but he is also sent to ALL of mankind.
So lets not add meaning to the verse:
Quran 14:4 And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them^All this verse is saying is that all messengers were sent in the language of his people to state clearly for them the message. The verses after talk about the previous messengers and how they were sent to their peoples. Do not add meaning to such a verse.
Were the messengers sent to their people: YES (ALL of them were)
Were the messengers sent to mankind: YES (ALL of them were)
^So both statements are valid. Simple as that.
Side note: the Quran is also clear that the Torah and the Gospel are no longer a guidance to mankind and that the Quran is the new guidance because the gospel/torah were corrupted:
Quran 5:15 O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.
